TidBITS Watchlist: Notable Software Updates for 3 May 2010

Fetch 5.6 — Fetch Softworks has updated the file transfer client Fetch to version 5.6. New in Fetch 5.6 is automatic resumption of stalled or failed downloads, coupled with a number of other tweaks that improve Fetch’s capability to resume downloads. Other changes include improved scrolling performance in large folders, additional detail in the Fetch Transcript, better encoding handling when editing files with BBEdit or TextWrangler, and a number of bug fixes described in the full release notes. ($29 new, free update for purchases after 28 January 2009; otherwise $10 upgrade, 17.4 MB)

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TypeIt4Me 5.0 — Those who type a lot, take notice: Ettore Software has released a significant update to the long-standing text expansion utility TypeIt4Me. Version 5.0 trades its System Preferences pane for a standalone application that opens the Edit Clippings and Preferences windows more quickly. The latest version is also fully 64-bit compatible, enables users to resize the Edit Clippings window, and increases text expansion responsiveness. Also, an option has been added that enables a period to require a second trigger before expanding and automatic updating via Sparkle has been added. TypeIt4Me 5.0 requires Mac OS X 10.5 or later. ($27
new, $9 upgrade, 5.2 MB)

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iStat Menus 3.0.1 — Bjango Software has released the latest version of its comprehensive Mac OS X monitoring utility iStat Menus, which puts user-selected meters in the menu bar. Version 3.0.1, while just a minor bug fix update, comes hard on the heels of the larger 3.0 update that moves the preferences into a standalone app (previously they were contained within a preference pane), makes installation easier via drag-and-drop, adds fan speed controls, displays the Mac’s public IP address, adds battery monitoring, and adds flashing time separators. Also, CPU usage has been reduced, SMART drive temperature monitoring has been improved, localizations for seven
languages have been added, and a number of crashing bugs have been fixed. A full list of changes is available on Bjango’s Web site. With version 3.0, iStat Menus also moves from being free to commercial. ($10 new, free update from 3.0, 6.4 MB)

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Transmit 4.0 — Panic Inc. has released Transmit 4, a major update to its popular FTP, SFTP, Amazon S3, and WebDAV client, with over 45 new features. Transmit 4’s interface has been completely redesigned, featuring a more Mac-like feel, tear-away tabs, simultaneous progress bars for the current and overall status, thumbnail views for images, label capabilities, and support for Quick Look and Cover Flow. The update makes syncing easier with a new step-by-step sync assistant, adds a new Places feature that enables users to access their most-used folders quickly, adds multitouch navigation support, and overhauls the program’s AppleScript support. Additionally, File
Skipping is no longer restricted to syncing, options under Advanced Server Preferences have been expanded, and a new Send SSH command has been added. Transmit 4 also sees dramatic performance enhancements, including upload speeds that are reportedly up to 25 times faster and download speeds up to 18 times faster. A full list of changes is available from Transmit’s Web page, by clicking the “See All New Features Button” under the Features section. ($34 new, $19 upgrade, 22.6 MB)

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iTunes 9.1.1 — iTunes 9.1.1 reportedly improves overall stability and performance while addressing a number of unspecified stability and usability issues regarding VoiceOver and Genius Mixes. The update also fixes a problem related to syncing while simultaneously converting songs to the 128 Kbps AAC format. Apple appears to have done some additional quiet releases, so if you’re having any trouble with iTunes 9.1.1, download a fresh copy and reinstall to make sure you have the latest version. (Free, 93 MB)

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PDFpen 4.6.2 and PDFpenPro 4.6.2 — SmileOnMyMac has released minor maintenance updates to its PDF editing utilities PDFpen and PDFpenPro. The updates mainly addresses a problem with the Correct Text Tool that could cause it to erase more text than it should. Other unspecified improvements and fixes have also been included. ($49.95/$99.95 new, free updates, 43.8 MB/44.0 MB)

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Digital Camera Raw Compatibility Update 3.2 — Apple has released its latest Digital Camera Raw Compatibility Update, which extends Aperture 3 and iPhoto ’09 support for a handful of cameras. Newly supported cameras and file formats include the Canon EOS Rebel T2i (550D/Kiss X4), the Leica S2, the Olympus E-450, the Olympus E-600, the Olympus E-620, the Sony Alpha DSLR-A230, the Sony Alpha DSLR-A330, the Sony Alpha DSLR-A380, and the Sony Alpha DSLR-A450. This version also addresses unspecified issues with raw image processing for the Canon EOS 30D, the Pentax K-x, and the Pentax K-7. The update is available via Software Update and the Apple Support Downloads
page. (Free, 5.28 MB)

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