Archived Post

Notable apps and updates, Nov. 5-10

On a regular basis, Apple World Today posts a list of notable new apps or app updates that have been released. They may not necessarily be new, but they’re popular and deserve mention. Here are this week’s picks.

macOS Apps/Updates

Quicken has introduced Quicken 2019, the latest release of its personal finance software featuring Web access from any browser and updates that improve performance and reliability, according to CEO Eric Dunn.

This is the third major release for Quicken since it became a standalone company in 2016 and the most robust version of the software to date, he adds. The latest release includes new web access, a refreshed interface, improved speed and reliability, and hundreds of updates and fixes. Dunn says Quicken 2019 has been designed to make it simpler for individuals to manage their finances across accounts, budgets, investments, and now, devices.

The 2019 release of Quicken is available now to members with current subscriptions at Quicken.com and at select retailers including Amazon, Best Buy, Office Depot, Staples, Walmart, and Sam’s Club. You can get the latest features without having to upgrade through the subscription offering.

CleanMyMac X from MacPaw — an all-in-one solution designed to keep your Mac clean and to secure space from your Mac’s hard drive — has been revved to version 4.1.0. 

The new version allows you to upgrade all  your apps to the latest versions with a single clic. There’s an Extension tool for managing your browser and apps extensions from one place. 

CleanMyMac X 4.1.0 allows you to return the app to its default settings. And you can use the utility to uninstall old and unneeded Steam games. 

CleanMyMac X requires macOS 10.10 or higher. It costs $39.95 for a one-year subscription. A demo is available for download.

Cisdem has upgraded PDFConverterOCR for Mac to version 6.2.0.

It’s a PDF converter with OCR ability that can convert both normal and scanned PDF documents or images into other popular documents (including Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Text, Rtfd, ePub, HTML, Keynote, Pages, and Image) while preserves original tables, text, fonts, images, graphics and hyperlinks. Version 6.2.0 adds macOS Mojave compatibility.

Cisdem PDFConverterOCR is available now through the Cisdem website and requires macOS 10.10 or higher. A demo is available. A single user license of PDFConverterOCR is available for $59.99.

Zevrix Solutions has announced Output Factory Server 2.1.7, a compatibility update to company’s output workflow automation solution for Adobe InDesign. 



Output Factory Server automates printing and exporting from InDesign by processing files from hot folders. The software offers layer versioning, preflighting, variable file names, custom scripts and other time-saving features. Version 2.1.7 makes Output Factory Server compatible with InDesign CC 2017 featured as part of Adobe Creative Cloud.

Output Factory Server can be purchased from the Zevrix website for $699.95. A demo is available for download. Users of previous major versions can upgrade for $350. Output Factory Server requires macOS 10.7-10.14 and Adobe InDesign CS5-CC 2019.

EasyCut Studio has rolled out Easy Cut Studio 4.1.0.5. an update of its cutting plotter software. It includes support for dozens of new vinyl plotters, macOS 10.14 Mojave compatibility, improved speed and reliability, and Other improvements, updates, and bug fixes. 

Easy Cut Studio is designed for anyone starting out in the world of cut vinyl graphics. It offers text manipulation, basic drawing, special effects and design tools. It also boasts cutting production tools such as power weeding, image vectorization, direct scanning, rhinestone, and contour cutting.

Easy Cut Studio costs $59.95 for new users. Version 4.1.0.5 is a free update for registered users. It requires macOS 10.6 or higher.

DEVONtechnologies has updated all editions of DEVONagent, its smart research tool for macOS. 

DEVONagent finds information searching multiple sources in one go and applying  filters to the retrieved data. Version 3.11 brings compatibility with macOS Mojave, reorganized search sets, and updated search plugins. 

New plugins becoming available are installed and updated automatically. The update for all three editions of DEVONagent is free and recommended for all users.

Chaos Group has debuted V-Ray for Unreal, a tool that allows architecture, automotive and visual effects users to create immersive experiences from their V-Ray content. 

Artists and designers can bring V-Ray scenes from 3ds Max, Maya, Rhino and SketchUp directly into the Unreal Editor. Once there, users will have access to the power of V-Ray Next technology, making the process of creating accurate ray-traced visuals possible directly from Unreal Engine.

V-Ray for Unreal is available now and compatible with V-Ray for 3ds Max, Maya, Rhino and SketchUp. V-Ray for Unreal currently supports 4.19 – 4.20 with support for 4.21 coming soon. 

According to the folks at Chaos Group, V-Ray for Unreal will be rapidly updated to keep pace with the Unreal Engine, so it will be sold through a subscription that always keeps the user up-to-date. The monthly rate will be $80, while the annual rate will be $470. Chaos Group also offers a flat annual rate ($99) for students, educators and universities. 

Bare Bones Software has released BBEdit 12.5, an update to its text and code editor. 

The upgrade introduces built-in basic language support for Swift, a new “Commands…” command that provides rapid access to BBEdit’s menu commands, a Lorem Ipsum generator, internal improvements to improve performance and compatibility with modern macOS versions, and enhancements to many of BBEdit’s well-known features, including Multi-File Search, Find Differences, and more. 

BBEdit 12 requires macOS 10.12.6 or later, and is fully compatible with macOS Mojave. It has a suggested retail price of $49.99. Owners of BBEdit 11 can upgrade for $29.99. Owners of BBEdit 10 or earlier can upgrade for $39.99. New licenses and upgrades are available directly from the Bare Bones Software online store.

Dennis Sellers
the authorDennis Sellers
Dennis Sellers is the editor/publisher of Apple World Today. He’s been an “Apple journalist” since 1995 (starting with the first big Apple news site, MacCentral). He loves to read, run, play sports, and watch movies.