Adobe CS6 takes software distribution into the cloud

Adobe has released its next generation version of the widely popular Creative Suite of applications, now rocking up at version 6. Alongside the launch of CS6, Adobe has also unleashed Creative Cloud - Adobe's jewel in the crown - giving everyone affordable access to the latest and greatest creative tools. 

CS6 sees a host of notable improvements as well as an overhaul of the look and feel of the applications which now feature customisable "dark look" - which helps your eyes focus on the work that's important rather than having the menu and tool bars glaring back at you.

CS6 has been rebuilt specifically with Mac users in mind meaning apps and features run in 64-bit, improving speed, performance and reliability - ultimately resulting in a more productive, cost effective work force. Thanks to the Mercury Graphics engine, all graphics intense actions such as 3D renders and lighting affects will now have direct access to the Mac's GPU.

Although Adobe has decided against supporting OS X Lion's document saving platform "Versions", it has implemented what it deems as an appropriate alternative. All documents will auto-save themselves every couple of minutes to a separate backup file. In the event of a system crash when you relaunch the Adobe application it recognises that the system crashed and opens up the latest version of that backup - instantly.

CS6 pricing varies according to which applications you require as part of the set. This ranges from £1227.54 to £2644.50 for a new license or £260.76 to £471.09 for an upgrade license. Creative Cloud essentially gives you access to everything Adobe - including their iPad applications. It includes 25GB of online storage allowing users to collaborate on the same workflow or even start editing a photo on the iPad and then resume where they left off on their iMac in the office. 

Creative Cloud has a monthly subscription cost of £46.88 for new customers or £27.34 for existing customers. Key benefits to moving away from buying the software as physical media is that, provided you remain subscribed, you are always using the latest version of CS rather than been stuck on outdated versions. 

Apple unveils new iPad with HD display

Apple has announced the new iPad (it's stopped numbering them) with the much expected  Retina display with a 2048x1536 resolution, 44 per cent greater colour saturation and an astounding 3.1 million pixels — in the same 9.7-inch space. 

The Retina display on the new iPad wouldn’t be possible without the new and powerful A5X chip. And its quad-core graphics processing makes everything you do on iPad feel incredibly responsive. From the little things like swiping, scrolling and pinching to the big things like editing photos, applying filters and transitions in iMovie and, of course, playing games. There's a new 5 megapixel camera too which will record HD video in full 1080p. The price remains the same at £399 for the base model. 

On the software side, iPhoto comes to the iPad, with simple touch actions to make a blue sky bluer or a landscape greener. 

Mountain Lion 10.8 beta under test

We're testing a beta of OSX 10.8, Mountain Lion and the initial impression is good. Software update now runs via the App Store (which, I suppose, makes sense) but on our Beta at least, does not update.

Otherwise Google, Office 2011, Adobe CS4 all appear to work fine. Will update on progress later. Not sure about the Notification Centre which opens on the right of the screen... is it going to be essential or one of those 'Dasboard' features no-one uses? The jury's out at FMK.

Save with Google Apps at your company

Just tell us a couple of key stats about your business, and we'll estimate how much a basic Microsoft Exchange 2007 deployment would cost and what you could save with Google Apps, which includes: 

• Email accounts with 25 GB of storage per user and instant search tools
• IM, plus voice and video chat
• Group calendaring system
• Mobile access
• Spam and virus filtering
• Web-powered collaboration apps: Google Docs, Google Sites and Google Video for businesses 

Google Apps is accessible from a variety of mobile phones, including BlackBerry devices, the iPhone, Windows Mobile and many less powerful mobile phones. Google offers multiple syncing capabilities so that you can access your Google Apps account when you're on the go.

Email Pete Yeo on pete.yeo@fmk.co.uk and start saving money today.

This week we have chiefly been...

• Troubleshooting streaming problems for a new international internet radio station
• Working on complex server authentication/integration issues for a major UK educational establishment
• Advising Miss Marple on replacing her laptop (really!)
• Doing preliminary work on a cost-cutting mail changeover for a registered charity
• Diagnosing a faulty terminal problem (yes, it was dropped)
• Restoring a sent items folder accidentally dragged out of sight so that all mails ‘disappeared’
• Plus the usual 1001 printing, mail, phone, wifi, network and other problems we deal with on a daily basis