Hercules (http://www.hercules.com), which specializes in digital DJ controllers and a digital audio specialist, has debuted XPS 2.0 30 DJ Club, a pair of compact computer speakers inspired by the professional PA systems used by DJs. It will be available next month for US$59.99.

The wide metal grate protecting the central driver and the speakers' contrasting lacquered and matte finish also highlight their DJ personality. The Hercules XPS 2.0 30 DJ Club offers a "DJ touch" for fans who want to listen to music in the comfort of their bedroom or studio.

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Viva Media's Crazy Machine is now available at the Macgamestore (http://www.macgamestore.com) It requires Mac OS X 10.6 or higher and costs US$9.95.

Here's how the game is described: "Turn the crank, rotate the gears, push the levers, Use the catapult, explode it, or fly it. From grilling sausages with a pulley, gears, rubberbands and a candle to firing a cannon with a basketball, these wacky brain-teasers will light up your imagination with creative and addictive fun."

Crazy Machine has over 70 elements and 200-plus challenges. It also boasts 3D graphics and real time shadows.

Myriad Group AG (http://www.myriadgroup.com), which specializes in mobile technology, has unveiled Myriad Alien Dalvik 2.0, which will purportedly not only enable Android apps to run across non-Android smartphone platforms, but will now enable the Android ecosystem to be extended across multiple devices and screens such as tablets, e-books, TVs, automotives and even avionics.

Myriad will be showcasing Alien Dalvik 2.0 and its multi-screen strategy, demonstrating Android apps on an iPad for the first time at CTIA Enterprise & Applications 2011 next week.

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Following the launch of its original Bamboo Stylus in April, Wacom (http://www.wacom.com) has announced its new range of colored pens matching Apple’s iPad Smart Covers.

Available in white, blue, green, orange and pink, the colored Bamboo Styluses are designed for note-taking, annotation, drawing, sketching and visual thinking. With the proven precision nib, Wacom now also offers exchangeable nibs to suit the usage needs of iPad owners.

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Sonnet Technologies has announced the DiO Pro CompactFlash and SDXC USB 3.0 Media Reader, which enables digital videographers and photographers to transfer files quickly from CompactFlash (CF), SDXC and SDHC memory cards on location, in the studio, or at the office.

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Expanding on and modernizing the advice in its best-selling titles about backups, Take Control Books has published "Take Control of Backing Up Your Mac,"
 a 228-page, US$15 ebook written by award-winning tech writer Joe Kissell.

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I'll give the folks behind the Callet (http://www.thecallet.com) props for trying something different. Their US$19.99 product merges an iPhone case with a wallet into an all-in-one product -- at least in theory.

The US$19.99 case/wallet (hence the name Callet) utilizes the concept of a phone cover with accessible pockets. It's made from a Gel-Polymer and sports slit pockets to hold your cash and cards.

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According to "Reuters" (http://macte.ch/YHUyg) TNT has scheduled back-to-back re-airings Thursday night (8 and 10 p.m.) of "Pirates of Silicon Valley, the 1999 TV movie about the race between technology rivals Apple and Microsoft to build their computer empires.

"ER" and "Falling Skies" star Noah Wyle plays Steve Jobs, with Joey Slotnick ("Nip/Tuck") as his Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak. "Dead Zone" and John Hughes movies alum Anthony Michael Hall is Microsoft founder Bill Gates.

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Steve Jobs will certainly be missed. He was the master showman, the man who made (with apologies to John Travolta) the world's greatest comeback (and who led the company he co-founded to the greatest comeback in business history) and the one who thought different.

Jobs can't be replaced, but he's created a team that will carry on Apple's success. But more on that later. Jobs' passing has received the type of media coverage usually accorded only to world leaders.

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Posted by Greg Mills

I get email from book publishers and Mac related product companies quite often. Sometime, I wonder why no one told them the idea sucks and that they ought to work on a different idea. Sometimes, I am surprised that a new product or book really represents value to the Mac community despite my early misgivings.

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TIME is releasing a special commemorative issue on Steve Jobs to hit newsstands and tablet devices tomorrow, Friday, Oct. 7.

To produce this special issue, TIME stopped the presses on its previously planned issue in order to devote its cover and 21 pages of the full issue to Jobs’ life and career. The issue includes a six-page essay by Jobs’ biographer Walter Isaacson, a historical report on Jobs career by TIME technology reporters Harry McCracken and Lev Grossman and a photo essay by Diana Walker, who has been shooting Jobs for TIME since 1982.

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Steve Jobs’ family today made the following statement regarding his death:

"Steve died peacefully today surrounded by his family.

"In his public life, Steve was known as a visionary; in his private life, he cherished his family. We are thankful to the many people who have shared their wishes and prayers during the last year of Steve’s illness; a website will be provided for those who wish to offer tributes and memories.

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Following the death of Steve Jobs, in an email to employees, new CEO Tim Cook wrote:

"I have some very sad news to share with all of you. Steve passed away earlier today. 

"Apple has lost a visionary and creative genius, and the world has lost an amazing human being. Those of us who have been fortunate enough to know and work with Steve have lost a dear friend and an inspiring mentor. Steve leaves behind a company that only he could have built, and his spirit will forever be the foundation of Apple.

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Statement by Apple's Board of Directors:

We are deeply saddened to announce that Steve Jobs passed away today.

Steve's brilliance, passion and energy were the source of countless innovations that enrich and improve all of our lives. The world is immeasurably better because of Steve.

His greatest love was for his wife, Laurene, and his family. Our hearts go out to them and to all who were touched by his extraordinary gifts.

Jumptap (http://www.jumptap.com), which specializes in targeted mobile advertising, has released its MobileSTAT Report covering network data for the month of August. Among the findings:

° Android, iOS and Blackberry mobile platforms continue to dominate the top three spots, and claim more than 90% of the market, based on August 2011 data from Jumptap’s network of more than 142M global users and 11 billion monthly ad impressions.

° At 47% operating system market share, Android maintained its leadership on the Jumptap network.

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Digital publisher Telltale Games (http://www.telltalegames.com) says it's "greatly expanding" its iOS offerings through the end of the year due to rapid revenue growth from publishing its games on Apple’s iOS devices.

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Cygnett (http://www.cygnett) has launched their iPhone 4S case line-up. Among the new products are the Ripple, FlexiGel and SecondSkin II.

Making its debut on the iPhone 4S, the US$16.99 Ripple (pictured) provides scratch-resistant and impact-resistant protection and sports a wave-like surface. Made of TPU, the Ripple features raised edges that protect the touchscreen and corners.

The $14.99 FlexiGel offers all-over protection for your iPhone 4S. The TPU case hugs the contours of your phone, while the raised edges shield the touchscreen.

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WaterField Designs (http://www.sfbags.com) has announced the US$39 iPhone Wallet -- a leather wallet with a window to see and hear the just-announced iPhone 4S, plus pockets for credit cards and cash.

Waterfield Desigsn has also announced the $25 iPhone Hint!, a slim leather sleeve also with an iPhone window and a pocket for credit cards. Both iPhone Cases are customized to fit the iPhone 4S and are available in brown or black, naturally tanned leather.

Both are available now for pre-order from WaterField Designs. They'll ship by Oct. 31.

Dale Gillard has introduced WPXO 1.0, a companion app for Microsoft Office for Mac 2011 users. It requires Mac OS X 10.6 or higher, costs US$0.99 and is available in the Mac App Store in the Productivity category.

WPXO is an app for your Mac's menu bar that's all about speed and convenience when using Word, PowerPoint, Excel and Outlook applications, says Gillard. It remembers the last 30 Microsoft Office documents opened, so you can quickly launch your Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel and Outlook applications.

Bare Bones Software has released BBEdit 10.1, an update of its HTML and text editor for the Mac.

The BBEdit 10.1 update presents a new, modeless "Open File by Name" feature with search-as-you-type results. The Replace All function now performs faster, and the Multi-File Search window includes a "Frontmost Project" target option.

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