Mac Apps

Apple announced an update Tuesday of its video editing software Final Cut Pro X aimed at quelling dissatisfaction with the product among professional media producers. This latest version of the software, release 10.0.3, is available from the Apple's App Store as a free upgrade for existing Final Cut Pro X users and for $299 for new users. A 30-day free trial version is also available.

There's a new rumor circulating this week: Microsoft is working on a version of its Office business suite for the iPad, along with a Mac OS X Lion version, according to The Daily, citing unnamed sources. The Lion version will be available via the Mac App Store. About freaking time!

Microsoft has come out with its latest edition of Office for Mac, ditching the old Entourage e-mail and calendaring client in exchange for an Apple version of Outlook. Office for Mac 2011 replaces the 2008 edition with better cross-platform compatibility, speed and performance improvements, as well as the debut of the controversial "Ribbon" menu which has been a part of the Windows version since 2007.

Apple announced Wednesday it will debut the Mac App Store, an online store through which users can purchase, download and install Mac OS X applications, within 90 days. Looking ahead further, the vendor said it will incorporate the Mac App Store in Mac OS X Lion, the eighth major release of its operating system for computers, which is scheduled to ship next summer.

AutoCAD, a popular design and engineering tool from Autodesk, is returning to the
Mac after an absence of some 18 years. Autodesk is launching a version that runs natively on Apple's Mac OS X. To be released in October, it will cost US$3,995 without a support
subscription, and $4,445 with one. Autodesk is also releasing a free version of the AutoCAD application for the iPad, iPhone and iPod touch.