Stories by: Peter Cohen

Quark this week released QuarkXPress 7.31, an update for its desktop publishing software for the Macintosh and Windows. QuarkXPress 7.31 is a free update for QuarkXPress 7 users.

Apple has quietly added a new build-to-order option for its line of Power Mac G5 desktop computers - the ATI Radeon X850 XT graphics card.

Market research firm In-Stat said the market for hard drive and flash-based digital music players reached US$4.5 billion in 2005, a 200 percent increase over 2003. The company also said that Apple is the leader in worldwide portable audio players, with an estimated 30.2 percent of the combined market.

FastMac on Monday announced the availability of a battery replacement for Apple's first, second and third-generation iPods that features 70 percent more capacity than the original and up to 7.5 times more charge cycles. The battery comes with a two-year warranty and 30-day money back guarantee.

Digital Lifestyle Outfitters (DLO) on Thursday announced they're now shipping black and silver versions of their TransPod Direct, a device that lets you charge your Apple iPod or iPod mini while driving and listen to the device's music using a line-out signal instead of FM transmission or a headphone jack connector. The TransPod Direct costs US$69.95 and is available through Everything iPod.

At a special music event featuring Bono and The Edge from rock group, U2, Apple has taken the wraps off the iPod Photo, a colour model available in 40GB or 60GB storage capacities. The company also introduced the iPod U2 Special Edition, Apple's 20GB player clad in black, equipped with a red Click Wheel and featuring engraved U2 band member signatures. The iPod Photo is available immediately, and Apple expects the iPod U2 Special Edition to ship in mid-November.

Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) maker, Alliance Power Conversion (APC), has recalled some of its Back-UPS CS systems after half a dozen melted. The recall potentially affects 2.1 million units sold worldwide.

The Macintosh Business Unit at Microsoft Tuesday announced three new initiatives that it's hoping will continue to draw Macintosh users to its OS X product offerings.

Apple Computer has announced that Oracle chairman and CEO Larry Ellison is resigning from Apple's board of directors.

SMC Networks last week announced the release of its new Barricade Turbo 11/22Mbps wireless cable/DSL router (model SMC2404WBR).

By now many consumers are aware that the music industry is beginning to press audio discs that have been copy protected to prevent them from being ripped to MP3 on a PC or Macintosh. But did you know that in some cases, if you insert such a disc, you might not be able to get it out again?