TidBITS Watchlist: Notable Software Updates for 13 October 2014

Backblaze 3.0 — Backblaze has updated its eponymous backup software to version 3.0 with loads of under-the-hood improvements. Backblaze 3.0 (which is tied to the subscription-based Backblaze online data backup service) improves the efficiency and throughput of its data storage while also improving integrity checks for stored data, doubles the speed of the deduplication process for both initial and incremental backups, improves the speed and efficiency of breaking down and reassembling large files, and adds support for using 2 GB of memory on 64-bit systems. The auto-update process for current Backblaze subscribers will begin in
the next couple of weeks, but you can get this update now by downloading directly from the Backblaze Web site or performing a Check for Update within the Backblaze software. (Free with Backblaze subscription, 9.1 MB, release notes, 10.5.8+)

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GraphicConverter 9.4 — Lemkesoft has released GraphicConverter 9.4 with several improvements and new features added to the venerable graphic conversion and editing utility. GraphicConverter is now solely a 64-bit app, and the update adds an auto-convert feature with batch conversion and folder watching capabilities, a function to add or remove a fisheye effect, support for saving embedded Photoshop paths in TIFF and JPEG formats, an optional full-screen preview to the browser, the capability to search by label in the browser’s find function, and the capability to set the default GPS location for
images without GPS data. The release also fixes a possible memory leak in the slideshow, a crash that occurred during the AppleScript Convert File command, and many other unspecified issues related to OS X 10.10 Yosemite. Note that the Mac App Store edition is still stuck on version 9.3 as of this writing. ($39.95 new, free update, 248 MB, release notes, 10.7+)

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OmniFocus 2.0.3 — The Omni Group has released OmniFocus 2.0.3, a maintenance release that fixes some OS X 10.10 Yosemite compatibility issues as well as a few other bugs. The Getting Things Done-inspired task management app’s Clip-o-Tron tool now captures only the subject, a link, and any selected text from an email message in Yosemite (and OmniFocus requires the updated Clip-o-Tron 1.0.1). Newly captured links to Mail messages from Send to OmniFocus now work in both the Mac and on the iOS version of OmniFocus. The update also fixes a couple of
issues with viewing help pages on Yosemite, squashes a bug in Yosemite that split the original message link from a clipped email into two links, and fixes a problem with the compact layout mode that prevented the status circle and flag from being clicked. Note that the Mac App Store edition of OmniFocus remains at version 2.0.2 as of this writing. ($39.99 new for Standard edition and $79.99 for Pro edition from The Omni Group Web site, $39.99 for Standard edition from Mac App Store (with in-app purchase option to upgrade to Pro), free update for version 2.0 licenses, 44.2 MB, release notes, 10.9.2+)

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ChronoSync 4.5.3 and ChronoAgent 1.4.7 — Econ Technologies has released ChronoSync 4.5.3 and ChronoAgent 1.4.7 with improved compatibility with OS X 10.10 Yosemite. The ChronoSync automated synchronization and backup app also migrates away from using several deprecated APIs in Yosemite, provides a much shorter delay when performing a Trial Sync that finds a large number of nonexistent files, performs update checks via a secure connection, sets a volume’s Ignore Ownership state to Off when performing a bootable backup,
fixes a bug that interfered with the initial Document Organizer display and the auto-update check on launch, and fixes some animation glitches when running 10.9 Mavericks. The ChronoAgent utility receives some minor interface tweaks when running in Yosemite and improves its performance and error handling. (Free updates for both apps; $40 new for ChronoSync with a 25 percent discount for TidBITS members, 41.7 MB, release notes, 10.6+; $10 new for ChronoAgent, 12.5 MB, release notes, 10.5+)

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Carbon Copy Cloner 4.0 — Bombich Software has released Carbon Copy Cloner 4.0, a major update to the popular backup utility that comes just in time for the imminent release of OS X 10.10 Yosemite. Sporting a redesigned interface and architecture, Carbon Copy Cloner (CCC) adds many user-requested features, including a consolidated window that brings together task configuration and scheduled tasks, easier configuration of backup tasks, a menu bar application for quick access to task information, the capability to chain tasks together for more complex backup routines, and more control over when and how scheduled tasks run.

At this time, CCC 4 offers “provisional” support for Yosemite (as noted on this blog post), but a fully qualified update to CCC 4 will be released on or before Yosemite arrives in the App Store, with adjustments for a handful of cosmetic issues. Carbon Copy Cloner 4 now requires 10.8 Mountain Lion or later, but Bombich Software will continue to support 10.6 Snow Leopard and 10.7 Lion users with CCC 3.5.7 (for more on the move to CCC 4, see
this blog post). Carbon Copy Cloner 4 is priced at $39.99, and registered users of version 3.5 and later can upgrade at a 50 percent discount. If you purchased a CCC 3.5 license on or after 2 June 2014, you are eligible for a free upgrade. ($39.99 new, $19.99 upgrade from version 3.5.x, 11.0 MB, release notes, 10.8+)

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1Password 4.4.3 — AgileBits has released 1Password 4.4.3 with several bugs squashed out of the popular password manager. The update fixes an issue that caused new logins from the browser extension to copy only the username and password fields, addresses a problem that prevented backups from being performed or restored on OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion, ensures that exiting edit mode without any changes does not prompt you to save or cancel, and fixes a couple of rare crashes. In addition to the Mac app, 1Password for iOS has
been updated to version 5.1 with a fix for an issue that caused the Master Password to be required at times instead of relying on Touch ID on supported devices. It also adds the capability to add tags and support for turning on third-party keyboards (for a review, see “1Password 5 Touches New Heights in iOS 8,” 1 October 2014). ($49.99 new with a 25 percent discount for TidBITS members when purchased from AgileBits, also available from the Mac App
Store, free update, 38.8 MB, release notes, 10.8+)

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DEVONthink/DEVONnote 2.8 — DEVONtechnologies has refreshed all three editions of DEVONthink (Personal, Pro, and Pro Office) and DEVONnote to version 2.8 to prepare for the coming rollout of OS X 10.10 Yosemite. In addition to updated Yosemite-friendly interface elements, the three editions of DEVONthink add a sharing extension that enables you to clip text and Web addresses with a single click (rather than using drag and drop). The DEVONthink updates also receive an improved Clip to DEVONthink extension that works from Safari’s reading
list (available from the Dock and Import menu), better conversion of Markdown to rich text, a fix for autocompleting in the Tags column when running Yosemite or 10.9 Mavericks, and the capability to set images in Web views as document thumbnails. DEVONthink Pro and Pro Office get a script for Safari that adds bookmarks for all the open tabs, while DEVONthink Pro Office updates support for ScanSnap Manager to version 6.x. DEVONthink and DEVONnote also add a Share submenu to the contextual menu of Web and PDF views (requires 10.8 Mountain Lion or later). (All updates are free. DEVONthink Pro Office, $149.95 new, release notes;
DEVONthink Professional, $79.95 new, release notes; DEVONthink Personal, $49.95 new, release notes; DEVONnote, $24.95 new, release notes; 25 percent discount for TidBITS members on all editions of DEVONthink and DEVONnote. 10.7.5+)

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