14 DAY TRIAL // An endless selection of third-party Mac apps have received important updates this week. Unfortunately, we cannot mention them all here, but we will handpick a select number of updates to some of the most important ones.
Parallels Desktop for Mac
Parallels Desktop, the powerful virtualization solution for Parallels Inc., has been promoted to version 6.0, The installment brings with it more than 80 new and improved features, according to the makers.
Here are just some of them (highlights): - Improved overall performance.
- Reduced CPU usage and improved battery life.
- 64-bit virtual machine process for improved performance of virtual machines, especially of those with more than 1 GB of memory.
- Improved 3D performance - up to 80% faster than in Parallels Desktop 5.
- Improved disk I/O performance - up to 35% faster Windows 7, Windows Vista, and Windows XP virtual machines than in Parallels Desktop 5.
- Shared Folders perform two times faster.
- Faster Windows startup and shutdown.
- Reduced time for resuming paused and suspended virtual machines on Macs with powerful configurations. - Extended support for new Macs with Intel i5 and i7 CPUs.
- Better performance of Linux in virtual machines.
- Faster Parallels Tools installation.
Newly supported Guest Operating Systems include Ubuntu 10.04, Fedora 13, Open SUSE 11.3, Windows Server 2008 R2 Core, and Windows Server 2008 Core.
Video is 80% faster, according to Parallels. The software also boasts an enhanced appearance, adding a new look and feel, according to the software company.
Download Parallels Desktop for Mac (Free)
CleanMyMac
The MacPaw-developed all-in-one cleaning utility CleanMyMac is now at version 1.9.3, adding a Knowledge Base to eliminate all issues with Adobe, Microsoft and some other software products, and an upgraded update manager to be able to seamlessly update all ignore lists, knowledge base and software.
The update also adds a Caches Gray List and selection memory to help users make less mistakes and improve application behavior.
According to MacPaw, “CleanMyMac will now intellectually select only the caches that need to be removed, but keep the ability to remove some huge ones if necessary.”
A new Registration window and an innovative 'One Click' activation system, round up the list of major new additions. For the full changelog (which includes bug fixes), go here.
Download CleanMyMac (Update / Trial / Buy)
Cocktail
A digital toolset with a variety of practical features and tweaks to help you get the most out of your computer, Cocktail 4.7.7 adds Mac OS X 10.6.5 compatibility, the ability to restore horizontal window controls in iTunes 10 (Interface - Misc), as well as a Dock menu.
RealPlayer
The free media player designed by the people at RealNetworks has been updated to version 12.0.0 Build 1444.
The new release adds the RealPlayer Converter for Mac, which has the ability to copy video to devices like iPod, iPhone, BlackBerry and many other portable devices.
Other additions include:
· Improved RealPlayer Downloader. · Share your videos easily on Facebook, Twitter and MySpace with RealPlayer and RealPlayer Downloader. · Fixed a problem where attempting to play SMIL presentations from a web browser failed to work or caused a browser crash.
Download RealPlayer for Mac (Free)
OnyX
OnyX, another maintenance, optimization, and personalization utility for Mac OS X, has reached version 2.1.8 Beta 2.
This release can be run from a non-admin account, adds vertical/horizontal display of the buttons on the iTunes 10 window, Hungarian translation, and improved help.
VueScan
Developed by Hamrick Software, VueScan is a powerful scanning solution for both Mac and Windows, as well as for Linux PC users.
As usual, the new version adds support for several new devices. Here’s the changelog:
· Added support for Epson AcuLaser CX16NF · Added support for HP PhotoSmart B110a · Fixed problem with Epson Perfection V33/V330 · Fixed problem with some Avision scanners · Fixed problem with hanging on some computers