The latest version of the Mac’s flagship database FileMaker 12 hits the streets today along with new versions of the popular FileMaker Go iOS apps. The newest release optimizes performance, makes it easy to create attractive interfaces and simplifies integrating mobile devices for data gathering and display. On the Go The biggest game-changer in FileMaker 12 is the greatly improved integration with the iPhone and iPad via FileMaker Go 12. New design templates enable touch-based features and simplify converting desktop data entry and reporting screens to either the phone or tablet’s display. iOS devices also benefit from some of ...

Apple has always had issues with accurately depicting app ratings in the app store. Previously, a prompt would show up to rate an app whenever you deleted it, which generally resulted in negative feedback for even good apps. Apple did away with that, but now they are seeking to once again improve accuracy by not allowing ratings or reviews on apps that are downloaded with a promo code. Apple has been doing a number of such modifications to their rating system lately. They have implemented a new system that only rates based on criteria such as reviews and ratings rather than just the number of downloads. [via: TUAW]

If you are handy with CSS and like to design things that are functional, this just might be the competition for you. Evidently Skype realizes how bad their interface is on Skype, but instead of going to the drawing boards, they are going to their users. The competition starts on April 8 and ends with a grand prize on June 17th. There will be 3 different judging dates in which Skype's official judges will choose a winner and the general populous will also choose a winner, yielding 2 winners per judging date. The 6 people from each of the judging dates will go on to win the grand prize. All winners will receive a 1-year subscription to ...

TechSmith (www.techsmith.com) has long been recognized as a leader in screen capture and recording software. Whether you are a Technical Writer, a Content Developer, or just someone that wants to be able to give your presentations some added punch, chances are you’ve experienced one (or more) of TechSmith’s product offerings – unless you were a Mac user. Happily, that has changed, as TechSmith’s release of Camtasia for Mac was launched successfully several months ago to much joy and fanfare. MacDirectory recently had an opportunity to talk to Bill Hamilton, President of TechSmith, about his company, his products, and his plans for ...

This is a continuation of our story last week on Helix MacDirectory > We left Gil in the first edition of this article telling us how he got into computers. Now we ask him to elaborate on his journey…. Gil Numeroff > I found myself putting together a computer program for the company. While this was going on, I went to the Office Automation Expo in Philadelphia and there I saw the Apple Lisa. You couldn’t help but notice it because there was this exhibition hall about the size of a high school gym with tables all around the outside and an aisle down the middle. At one end was a stage with the Apple exhibit and every attendee at the ...

Most purchasers of the new Apple TV started receiving their new media hubs yesterday, and after we found out that it has onboard flash and runs a flavor of iOS, it was pretty obvious it wouldn't take long to jailbreak, especially considering it can be plugged directly into iTunes. Well, it did indeed get jailbroken last night, although unofficially so because you will have to wait to download the jailbreaking utility for yourself. There are no third-party Apple TV-compatible apps yet, but I'm sure it won't take long. Hopefully Apple will launch an official App Store for the device, but as of yet, they have made no indication that they will ...

Helix is a pioneering database management system for the Apple Macintosh platform originally created in 1983 by the Odesta Corporation. In 1992, Odesta split up, with the original Helix application being spun off. In 1998, Helix Technologies was purchased by The Chip Merchant, a memory vendor who released a major upgrade in 2000, adding TCP/IP capabilities and improving the entire product line. The slumping economy and a drop off in memory prices pushed The Chip Merchant into bankruptcy in 2002 and leaving Helix in a legal netherworld. Helix was purchased in 2004 by two people, Gil Numeroff and Matt Strange, plus a third who remains ...

It has been reported that Apple is no longer going to allow the long-term claiming of app names. If a developer reserves the name for an app on the App Store, but doesn't upload any files and sell the app, they will get a notice after 90 days, saying they have 30 days to post, or they lose their claim. This new policy is imposed due to some developers who claim several app names, but never post anything. It is called app name squatting, and apparently it is becoming a bigger issue, as Apple previously took no notice of it. If you are a developer and you reserved a name, you better get the app finished quick, or your cleverly thought-out ...

Helix is a pioneering database management system for the Apple Macintosh platform originally created in 1983 by the Odesta Corporation. In 1992, Odesta split up, with the original Helix application being spun off. In 1998, Helix Technologies was purchased by The Chip Merchant, a memory vendor who released a major upgrade in 2000, adding TCP/IP capabilities and improving the entire product line. The slumping economy and a drop off in memory prices pushed The Chip Merchant into bankruptcy in 2002 and leaving Helix in a legal netherworld. Helix was purchased in 2004 by two people, Gil Numeroff and Matt Strange, plus a third who remains ...

Apple yesterday released iOS 4.1 beta and the iOS 4.1 SDK beta. It was first thought that due to the visual change of the signal status bars, Apple had revised its formula, but reports have confirmed that users have not noticed any change beyond the cosmetics. Apple also introduced a revised version of Game Center from what we originally saw. There was no Game Center in iOS 4.0, but Game Center should roll out officially with this update. Finally, a few other updates were noticed... - Repositioned flash/camera buttons in landscape mode - Favorites in the Phone app can now be added as Voice or FaceTime - You can turn off spell check in ...

Google is going to start offering a new tool on Monday that will allow users to design their own Android apps. The software will be called Google App Inventor for Android, and it will be a big step for some people who never thought they would be able to make their own apps. There may be some serious drawbacks to this system, however. For one, you will see a lot more cookie cutter apps. However, it also opens up the door for a lot of useful apps. The software has been under construction for the past year or so, but soon everyone will be able to make apps with relative ease. They say it will be much like building with lego bricks. You will ...

The developer of the Spirit jailbreak for iOS claims to have successfully ported the Android version of Flash to the iPad. This shows that it will indeed work. The video below is of the iPad playing flash content including one of my favorite games, Trogdor. This port is named "Frash," and it will be available for 3GS soon, and eventually, iOS 4. [via: Softpedia]

Below is a beautiful video: a direct look at what Google Voice Desktop could be if Google decided to release it. Of course, Google is more into web-based applications, we would love to see a Google Voice Desktop application. TechCrunch got a hold of this software, and they made this video for us to see what the application would be like. The video clearly shows how much the VoIP company, Gizmo5, really put into Google Voice after its acquisition.

Apple is now accepting iOS 4 app submissions from developers. This is coming just in time for the release of iOS 4 on June 21st. Developers may have to revamp their apps to be fully compatible with the rebranded OS. Some new features to tie into apps are, most importantly, multitasking, but also folders, iAds, and iBooks, among other things. Don't waste time developers, you don't have much more time to be ready for release day! [via: MacRumors]

Adobe created the publishing tools used to build Condé Nast’s WIRED magazine app for the iPad and now it's unveiling that technology for other magazine, newspaper and book publishers to use when creating digital content for iPad, iPhone or other tablets and smartphones. The toolset comes with the cumbersome quasi-name of "Adobe Digital Publishing Technologies" and allows publishers to build video content, slide-shows, 360 degree images and other interactive features into their digital content using a combination of Adobe's inDesign CS5 and other publishing tech. This means that anybody familiar with inDesign –– a good portion of ...

It has been only 8 days since Apple started to release tickets into the hands of greedy developers, geeks, creepers, and journalists, but it has already sold completely out. If you were waiting to buy tickets... well, you waited too long. Keep an eye out on Craigslist or eBay if you are really desperate to get in. WWDC is set to take place at the Moscone Center in San Francisco on June 7-11, and the main focus this year is on apps. However, you can still expect the usual sessions on application frameworks, Core OS, developer tools, graphics and media, and internet and web standards such as HTML5 and CSS3.

Zedomax has posted a review of Flash running on the Android-based prototype tablets at the Web 2.0 conference in San Francisco. While they are very gung-ho for the device, in the middle of the video, the browser hilariously crashes while trying to play a YouTube video. With the release of the iPad, everyone wants a chunk of the multi-touch tablet revenue. Android-based tablets are likely to be released soon to compete, but based on this device's performance, Apple needn't be too worried. I could give you a play-by-play of the video, but I think watching it is much more funny... [via: TUAW]