Mac OS X users - try out Avast Antivirus Mac Edition if you’re worried

We received a few messages from Mac users last week worried about the conflicker worm. While we are not aware that Mac OS X are susceptible to its infection nor are we aware about many viruses that can infect Macs, we believe some of you like some suggestions on choosing a reliable antivirus software / app for Mac OS X.

Avast Antivirus Mac Edition has the same ICSA Certified scan engine as all Avast antivirus products, offering protection against the latest and legacy virus, malware, Trojan horse, and spyware risks. Virus definitions and scanning capabilities are updated often (sometime several times per day, depending on current threats), so you can rest assured that your Mac is protected at all times. All you need to do is install, configure once (if you want to change the default settings) and forget about malware being a problem.

Some key features of Avast Antivirus Mac Edition includes:

Full on-access scanning - which scans files as you access them, to make sure they are safe from infection
On-demand scanning - for scheduled or ad-hoc scans of your system volumes
Mail protection-integrated mail protection can stop infection at one of the most vulnerable access vectors
Virus Chest - a safe storage place for infected or suspected files, where they cannot harm your system
Fully automatic updating of the program and virus definitions and full scanner preference control
Under-the-hood technology features include: native execution of virus database on Intel platform Macs, with fast emulation on PowerPC of assembler-level parts; multi-threaded scanning daemon; industry leading unpacker support (for archives); able to upgrade the definitions database, even while doing background scanning; application itself multi-threaded; fail-safe updating architecture (if the daemon fails to do an update, the main application will do it instead); kernel extension architecture for capturing after-close events on modified files; optimized software architecture, including non-blocking system calls; and the program is designed for speed and non-degraded system performance.

Unfortunately, unlike the PC version of Avast which does have a freeware version for home users, its Mac OS X edition isn’t absolutely and consists of a 60-day trial. If you think you’d like to try it out, click here for more info over at Avast.

New musical synthesizer app for iPhone and iPod Touch

For those who liked musical synthesizer apps such as the MiniSynth developed by Yonac, comes its "big brother" - MegaSynth, compatible with both iPhone and iPod Touch. MegaSynth is a fully-featured analog modeling synthesizer, it is packed with a number of features that its "younger brother" did not support. With its 3 true-analog-modeling VCOs, 5-note polyphony, dedicated LFOs, built-in sequencer, arpeggiator/chordmaker and recording feature. MegaSynth is packed with the necessary digital technology to deliver a complete mobile synthesizer package that compromises none of that classic, luscious analog synth tone. Yonac Software Releases MegaSynth, Premier Synthesizer for iPhone and iPod Touch From the creators of miniSynth comes its long-awaited “big brother.” MegaSynth brings together several innovative features to make it the definitive synthesizer for iPhone and iPod Touch. (New York, NY – April 18, 2008)

Yonac Software is pleased to announce the release of MegaSynth. Following the success of the company’s analog-modeling miniSynth, the developers have worked hard to create a synth that utilizes the capabilities of the iPhone to the utmost. It combines several features to offer one of the most creative and powerful synthesizers available for the iPhone and iPod Touch.MegaSynth utilizes several features to empower the musician including: • 5-voice polyphony • 3 oscillators with 7 waveforms each • Configurable triad arpeggiator and chordmaker with 23 musical scales • 24-note step sequencer • Accelerometer-controlled pitch, cutoff and resonance • 4 LFOs • Noise generator • Oscillator syncing • Recording; audio file import/export via Wi-Fi connection • Infinite user presets • 209 factory sounds • Reverb and modulation effects

“We’ve worked hard for many months to produce a synth that caters to sonic exploration,” says CEO and MegaSynth head designer James Yonac. “MegaSynth’s features will have synth lovers drooling, yet those new to synthesizers will find the intuitive interface easy to navigate. It is sure to inspire many new musical compositions.”

MegaSynth is now available at the Apple iTunes app store for $4.99. Yonac Software was founded in New York City in 2008. The company mainly focuses on the development of music and sound related software. In September 2008, they released the hugely successful miniSynth, the app store’s first synthesizer. Yonac’s other iPhone applications include TuneORama, an easy-to-use guitar tuner, and Thereminator, a touch screen theremin.

WoW running on iPhone via 3G

World of Warcraft (WoW) on the iPhone? Yes, you read it correctly! This isn’t necessarily a new app for the iPhone though. What you see in the picture and the video below is actually WoW being streamed to the iPhone via the iPhone’s 3G connection. What we understand from this is that, the actual online game is running on the PC but with the help of Vollee, WoW can be successfully streamed and yes, played on the iPhone 3G. It looks like from the video, most features of the game can be played and the speed looks pretty smooth taking into consideration it is 3G.It’s done using Vollee, which is used to stream games over 3G, so the video is actually just a stream and the rendering is done on the PC. But it’s much smoother than we’d expect over 3G, and comes with enough features that true WoW addicts will be able to get their fix on the run, buying and selling elves or whatever happens in that game.