Panic has been under the hood of the latest version of Candybar again and has another quick update ready to go. Version 3.1.2 patches a few bugs and fixes a few reliability issues and is a free update for registered Candybar 3 users. Check the release notes to see what has been polished and visit Panic’s site to download the latest version of this handy icon customization/organization powerhouse.
The Breakroom
Candybar 3 Revved
January 11, 2008
Arcade Daze Gets Rad Update
January 9, 2008
Video warriors assemble! If you enjoyed the recently updated Arcade Daze Galaxian, then you’re in for a special treat. Ged has now updated the original Arcade Daze, set that started it all with new, super-pixel sizes for Mac OS X Leopard and Windows Vista. Now Mario doesn’t need to eat power mushrooms to grow huge, he just needs Apple’s Coverflow!
Users of Panic and the Iconfactory’s CandyBar desktop app will also be pleased by a wicked custom dock style included in the update. So stop reading and go pump some quarters into the machine while you enjoy these updated sprites for your Mac or PC desktop. Awesome dude!
Sink Your Teeth Into CandyBar
January 4, 2008
The fine folks over at MacThemes have published an excellent look at CandyBar, the icon customization and organization tool from Panic and the Iconfactory. Our very own Foreman, Gedeon Maheux and the co-founder of Panic Software, Cabel Sasser, sat down with Austin Heller and Luis Sosa (virtually at least) to answer tons of questions about CandyBar’s development.
If you’ve ever been curious about what goes on behind the scenes to bring a program like CandyBar to your desktop, or you’re just looking for a brief glimpse into the pixelated world of Macintosh customization, then head on over and check it out. The staff at MacThemes have put together a great piece that highlights the strengths of both companies, hints at where we’re headed and offers some historical perspective. Enjoy!
Scheduled Iconfactory Downtime
December 26, 2007
Panic and The Iconfactory will be moving our web hosting services in the next few days. As a result, all of the Iconfactory websites will experience 24-48 hours of scheduled downtime. This maintenance will effect users attempting to visit The Iconfactory, Stockicons.com, Frenzic.com and MarbleofDoom.com. We’ll do our best to make this downtime as quick and painless as possible for all involved. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
UPDATE: If you’re reading this, the server move is complete. Please let us know if you encounter any problems. Thanks for your patience and enjoy our speedy new connection!
Year In Review for 2007
December 21, 2007
It seems like only yesterday we were celebrating our 10th anniversary and writing our traditional year ending post for 2006. Now, another year has flown by and it’s time to let the pixels rest until we meet again in 2008. Looking back on the past twelve months reveals new software, icons, desktops and even a new website devoted to our glassy overlord.
Perhaps the biggest news of 2007 was our first foray into Mac gaming with our partner, ARTIS Software. Frenzic launched in February of 2007 to rave reviews. WIRED Magazine called Frenzic “Mac-only crack”, which only helped to cement our savvy marketing campaign of “Addiction never felt so right.” Frenzic is now played by thousands of Mac users all around the globe, and in November, we launched a free iPhone demo of the game with the help of Robert Neagu.
Frenzic wasn’t the only new software we unleashed on the world last year. Way back in January, Craig Hockenberry put together an unassuming little application that tied into the social networking phenomena that was Twitter. The rest, as they say, is history. Twitterrific has now become one of our most popular pieces of software. That little blue bird has flown far and wide and we have big plans for him in 2008, so stay tuned!
But what would the Iconfactory be without tons of free icons and desktop pictures to keep you’re GUI hunger satisfied? The workers shifted into over time this year and managed to pump out 25 all-new icon sets for a grand total of 470 free, desktop icons just for you. Notable releases this year included Naruto, Doctor Who, Sticker System, the iPhonica Series, Leopard Folders, Float and a slew of Halloween treats. Mindy and company created 15 new desktop pictures and even introduced a new format just for our favorite gadget of 2007, the iPhone. All this plus updates to dozens of existing collections to take advantage of Vista, Leopard and CandyBar 3 with custom styled docks. Whew!
Speaking of CandyBar, November saw the release of CandyBar 3, which combined the best of Pixadex and CandyBar 2, into one incredible application. The talented folks at Panic worked hard to produce one of the finest Leopard-only apps available anywhere. Incredible features like Core Animation, Dock customization, support for 512×512 icons and more made CandyBar 3 an instant hit. We’ll continue to update our icon sets and create new, cool docks in 2008, so be sure to bookmark the freeware page for the latest and greatest.
Of course, all of these efforts would be pointless without you, our fans. Your support over the years leaves us speechless. You drive us to create new software, imaginative original icon sets, desktop pictures and even fun side projects like the Marble of Doom website. Our thanks go out to everyone who has taken the time to send us feedback, bookmark the site or register Frenzic, Twitterrific, CandyBar 3 or any of our other pieces of software. Because of you, we’ll be back with even more creations next year and beyond. Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and see you in 2008!
Knicks and Knacks of 2007
December 20, 2007
It’s that time of the year again. The workers have shut down their Macs and put their WACOM tablets into cold storage so they can spend time with their families this holiday season. But before we leave, we’ve dutifully rounded up all of the various one-offs we released this year and packaged them up in one convenient download. 2007’s QuickPix covered the gamut from Frenzic powerups to Apple’s gadget of the year, the iPhone, with a few other goodies thrown in for good measure. If you missed any of the single releases this year, then this release is for you. Watch for lots more QuickPix in the year ahead, you never know what will pop off the assembly line next. Go get em!
CandyBar 3.1.1 Squashes Bugs
December 20, 2007
The programming elves over at Panic have been working overtime this December and now they have another update to CandyBar ready just for you. CandyBar 3.1.1 fixes several important bugs related to saving out iContainers as well as improvements to the entire exporting process. These fixes and others make the free 3.1.1 update a must have for registered users.
For a complete list of what’s new in version 3.1.1, as well as to download a free trial version, we invite you to visit the CandyBar home page at Panic.com today. Then, remember to bookmark the Iconfactory’s Freeware page and check back often for the latest and greatest Leopard-ready icon sets and OS X Docks.
Give the Gift of Frenzic and Save From MacSanta!
December 19, 2007
Need a last minute Christmas gift for that special Mac user in your life? How about just a fun stocking stuffer for yourself? You’ve been a good person this year, and MacSanta knows it, that’s why today, December 19th, you can save 20% off the normal purchase price of Frenzic. Just head on over to the MacSanta website to pick up your special coupon code that you can use when purchasing the game that MacFormat Magazine called “A habit-forming game for the modern age.” Input the code and save 20% just like that!
After today, you can still save 10% on Frenzic with the coupon code, all the way through the end of December. Frenzic makes a great gift for serious and casual Mac gamers alike. Remember, nothing says “Merry Christmas!” like hours of addictive, manic game play, so get moving and save on Frenzic today!
Hot off the Press: Litho for Leopard!
December 18, 2007
Anthony locked himself away in the basement print lab with some etching materials and a copy of CandyBar 3 and told us he wasn’t coming out until he had something special just for you. We’re pleased to report that he’s emerged and brought an all-new copy of his popular Litho System with him, now with 512×512 sizes for Mac OS X, Leopard!
But wait, Anthony says if you “act now” you’ll also get a special free CandyBar 3 iContainer complete with a ultra-distressed Litho style dock that will make you envy of all the cool kids. With an offer like that, can you really afford to stand around when you could be downloading the new Litho System for Leopard and Vista right now? We didn’t think so either, so go get it and happy holidays!
UPDATE: For a complete Litho overhaul, you can download a few brand-new Litho desktop pictures (2.6 MB .zip file) – four colors in fullscreen, widescreen, and iPhone formats. Enjoy!
‘Tis the Season!
December 13, 2007
With only a precious few shopping days left, Ged has updated his holiday icon release from 2003, Winter Wonderland, just in time for Christmas. This fun and bright set of desktop icons is now complete with 512×512 and 256×256 sizes for Leopard and Vista and even includes new, iPhone inspired versions as well. In addition, the new Winter Wonderland contains a snow-covered custom dock, perfect for use with CandyBar 3 and Ged’s Alpine desktop pictures released in 2001. Grab a cup hot cocoa, your mittens and some mistletoe, then slide on over and download this special gift we wrapped just for you. Happy Holidays everyone!
