With little in the way of fanfare the new Mac App Store launched this morning. Only time will tell if it will ever match the success of its big brother the iOS App store but it is safe to say its going to revolutionize the way software is distributed on the Mac at least.

You will probably already be familiar with much of whats on offer here (many of the launch titles are ported iOS apps) but we thought it would still be useful to compile a list of stand out launch titles.  If you think we have missed any please let us know in the comments and we will get them added.

Twitter

Pixelmator

Autodesk SketchBook Express

TextWrangler

Aperture 3

Pixelruler

iSlice

MiniShadow

As you take on more clients it becomes increasingly difficult to keep accurate track of costs and the hours you should be billing for.  Keeping poor records will ultimately start to cost you money, thankfully there are a great selection of tools available to help.

There are more to benefits to these apps than just staying organized. Some of these apps enable small businesses to take the kind of control of their finance that was once just the preserve of big businesses with dedicated accounting departments.

Below we’ve compiled a list showcasing what we believe are the best 20 invoicing tools for web designers/developers in no particular order. However a word of warning’ be sure to choose your app with caution, once you have started using one it can be difficult to migrate if you later encounter limitations. Always sign up to free trials where available and compare a few alternatives before making a decision.

Billing Boss

Billing Boss allows anyone from freelancers to a small businesses to quickly and efficiently bill clients with an unlimited number of invoices. This app lets you add as many clients as you need to your database and help you stay organized by instantly saving and cataloging you invoices.  Billing Boss seamlessly integrates with Paypal so you can reach clients worldwide with its great support for multiple currencies.

Simple Invoices

Simple Invoices, a static web-based invoicing application that allows itself to be installed on a web-sever or a Windows PC. It can also be hosted by one of the following service providers as well.

LessAccounting

Not only can you invoice but you can easily keep track all of your business expenses with LessAccounting. You can put organize your expenses into categories, add notes and even upload a pictures of your receipts for each expense.

FreshBooks

Streamline your business with recurring invoices. Set up auto-billing to automatically charge your client’s credit card. Quickly and easily invoice clients in any currency. Create your invoice, select your currency and you’re done.

Blinksale

Blinksale is a great looking web application that has a powerful feature set. Blinksale has a quaint option that allows you to send invoices via snail-mail, whatever that is!  You can also customize your invoices by uploading your very own logo or if you have some time on you hands design your own invoices with CSS.

Billing Manager by Intuit

Billing Manager is a web-based invoicing solution that lets you create invoices, send professional estimates, and helps you get paid online.

In addition to online invoicing and estimates, Billing Manager lets you send PDFs of your invoices, send reminders to your customers, process eChecks, accept all major credit cards online and choose currencies.

Simply Invoices

SimplyInvoices integrates seamlessly with Basecamp so you can easily invoice clients the exact amount of time you have spent on a project..

Cashboard

Quickly invoice for time logged against a project, materials, or other goods. Create invoices for your projects with one mouse click, or set up recurring invoices to bill your customers automatically.

Bill My Clients

BillMyClients is a hassle-free way for businesses to quickly & easily create and print invoices and bills online. It makes it a breeze to send those same invoices via e-mail and the United States Postal Service – all without leaving your desk.

The Invoice Machine

The Invoice Machine takes a new clever approach to online invoicing. It’s beautiful and simple-to-use interface makes producing professional looking invoices a very pleasant experience. Create new invoices in a snap. Set options like currency, taxes, shipping, discounts, language, notes and more.

InvoTrak

Invotrak is a full-featured online invoicing and timesheet tracking application that can save you time and money. It’s also includes many of the features you need to speed up your billing tasks.

BillingOrchard

BillingOrchard provides enterprise electronic billing solutions through a simple, secure interface, supported by top notch service and priced for small businesses.

Invoice Journal

Use the client list to enter your customers into the Invoice Journal system and easily retrieve them later when you need them. When its time to create a new invoice simply type your clients name, company name or email address and Invoice Journal will show you which clients match your criteria.

Browse, sort and search all of you invoices quickly and seamlessly. Since there are no limits or restrictions on the invoices you create there is never a need to delete or archive invoices.

SmartInvoice

Smart Invoice is an easy to use, full featured, web based billing and time tracking system designed specifically for small businesses, freelancers, and other independent contractors. Use the recurring billing feature to send regular invoices to clients automatically – no extra effort required.

MarketCircle

Billings powerful application for the Mac features with stylish designs so you can send elegant invoices right out of the box. Choose from any of the customizable templates, or create your own with the built-in WYSIWYG designer. Either way you’ll send polished professional invoices in seconds. Billings also has a fantastic looking iPhone App.

InvoicePlace

Manage your billing and quotes from the office, home or on the road. Create invoices and quotes for any type of product or service. Use Invoiceplace no matter what you sell be it paint, jumping castles, hardware supplies, or cell phones.

Time 59

Time59 is web-based software that let’s you track billable time and expenses, create and e-mail invoices, and record payments. Time59 keeps everything perfectly organized. Critical details and totals are instantly available. Time59 on your mobile device is included FREE with your account.

PaySimple

With PaySimple billing and receiving payments is safe for you and your customers, all information is securely stored with 256-bit encryption and SSL protection.

ProfitTrain

With ProfitTrain you’ll easily be able to keep contact information up to date, store reoccurring services and products, send estimates and export to spreadsheet for more exotic totaling.

Harvest

Harvest lets you and your staff track time and send invoices from one integrated application. Use Harvest’s visual reports to see the distribution of your company’s resources at a glance. Create an online invoice and easily bill your client. Get paid faster by collecting online payments from your clients instantly and securely via the web.

Do you know of any other invoicing tools that work great for designers/developers? or have any good or bad experiences with any of these apps?  Please contribute and share with us what you’ve found.

For todays news we have four fresh-out-of-the-oven web apps and resources that we think will simply blow your socks off. There are a couple of HTML5 tools which have taken the design community by storm this past week, there is also a new jQery framework for smartphones and tablets and, last but not least, the coolest web-based digital drawing app you would have seen in a long time.

HTML5 Boilerplate

HTML5 Boilerplate is a professional base HTML/CSS/JS template for fast, robust and future-proof web design. It has taken more than two years to develop and build all of its awesome features: Cross-browser normalization, performance optimizations, even optional features like cross-domain ajax and flash and much, much more.
HTML5 Boilerplate

HTML5 Reset

Like a lot of developers, you probably start every HTML project with the same old set of HTML and CSS templates. You've been using these files for a long time and you've progressively added bits and pieces to them as your own personal best practices have evolved. Now that modern browsers are starting to support some of the really useful parts of HTML5 and CSS3, it's time for an update.
HTML5 Reset

jQuery Mobile

jQuery Mobile is a unified user interface system across all popular mobile device platforms, built on the rock-solid jQuery and jQuery UI foundation. Its lightweight code has been built with progressive enhancement, and has a flexible, easily themeable design.
jQuery Mobile

deviantART Muro

From start to finish, deviantART Muro allows users to create complete works of art in ways never before realized by web-based digital drawing programs. It already boasts standard and interactive brushes, full-blown layer capabilities, and the ability to upload directly to your deviantART account, but they’ve also left room for expansion. You can expect to see many more features and functions added in the coming weeks.
deviantART Muro

By Paul Andrew (Speckyboyand speckyboy@twitter).

HTML5 is gathering more and more momentum, and is looking very likely to be, in the near future, the language of choice for developers, replacing Flash. As such, in todays news round-up we focus on some fresh HTML5 resources, articles and tutorials for you to enjoy. Here they are:

The HTML5 Roadmap, Past and Present

The most publicized reason for the push to build web apps in HTML5 is that Flash is not allowed on the iPhone and the iPad, but the reasons go deeper and more technical than that. This article gives an insightful overview of how HTML5 has rapidly progressed in the last few years.
The HTML5 Roadmap, Past and Present

Build a HTML5/CSS3 Website Layout Without Images

In this tutorial you will learn how to build a decent-looking HTML5 & CSS3 website that doesn't to rely on any images for the layout elements.
Build a HTML5/CSS3 Website Layout Without Images

How to Create a Drop-down Nav Menu with HTML5, CSS3 and jQuery

In this tutorial, you’ll take a look and see what you can achieve with HTML5 and CSS3 when it comes to the staple of current web sites: the humble drop-down navigation menu. You’ll also use jQuery to handle the effects and add the finishing touches.
How to Create a Drop-down Nav Menu with HTML5, CSS3 and jQuery

The State of HTML5 Apps

The State of HTML5 Apps

HTML5 Canvas Cheat Sheet

HTML5 Canvas Cheat Sheet

By Paul Andrew (Speckyboyand speckyboy@twitter).

Every once in a while we like to highlight and showcase some new web applications (preferably free) that are aimed primarily towards designers. So, in this news round-up we have found three really useful fresh apps that we are sure you will love as much as we do.

Layers: Screen Capture for Mac (PSD Compatible)

Layers screenshot captures every window, every palette, every menu, every menu and status bar icon, every icon on the Desktop, and even the Dock and the Desktop background for each of your connected displays will be saved as a separate, editable layer in the resulting Photoshop image file.
Layers: Screen Capture for Mac (PSD Compatible)

Launchlist – Your one stop website checklist!

Launchlist is intended to help and encourage web designers and developers to check their work before exposing it to the world at large.
Launchlist – Your one stop website checklist!

Adobe BrowserLab

Adobes BrowserLab allows you to preview any web page across multiple browsers and operating systems.
Adobe BrowserLab

By Paul Andrew (Speckyboyand speckyboy@twitter).

With its 400 millions users, Facebook is now a very lucrative market for businesses. You simply have to have a fan page, it is an essential free tool that can no longer be ignored. Of course fan pages are not limited to only businesses – web sites, groups, causes… anything you can possibly think of has got their own page on Facebook. Are you missing out?
The funny thing is it can be tricky creating an effective fan page, and that is why we have collected some useful resources to help you get started.

Create a Kick-ass Facebook Fan Page

This article will go over where to go to create a Fanpage, some of the applications that you can (have) to install on your page, and how to link with them to produce a great Fanpage that will surely attract Facebookers to it and earn your brand some great exposure.
Create a Kick-ass Facebook Fan Page

5 Essential Apps for Your Business's Facebook Fan Page

Many Facebook apps are built for casual use, like the social games and quizzes you may see your friends using in their personal feeds. But there are quite a few apps that are ideal for a business Fan Page. These are useful for customizing your page with greater detail, showcasing your content from other social sites and getting more information from your customers. Here are five essential Facebook apps that your business may want to take for a spin.
5 Essential Apps for Your Business's Facebook Fan Page

How to Build Engaging One-of-Kind Facebook Fan Pages

Don’t let anyone tell you it is easy to create a successfully engaging Facebook Fan Page. It is not.
It’s not an insurmountable task either. But it requires planning, time, some kind of HTML knowledge, design skill, and imagination. Originality doesn’t hurt either.
How to Build Engaging One-of-Kind Facebook Fan Pages

By Paul Andrew (Speckyboy and speckyboy@twitter).

Mac OS X is known for housing an amazing graphical user interface. Not only is the operating system beautiful in every way, but a large portion of the applications developed for Macs have great usability along with a stunning “face”. Below you will find 20 Mac Apps With Beautiful User Interface Designs for your inspiration. This is also a great reference for those that are looking to develop their own applications.

TuneUp

If you iTunes collection is a mess this app is a must buy. TuneUp is a fantastic app that allows you to fix mislabelled song information and find missing album art in iTunes. Tuneup also has a great GUI that’s very well organized, content oriented, and easy to navigate through. You can do a number of things all in one window, this really helps with boosting productivity.

Download TuneUp Here

Things

The Things interface offers very easy navigation and simple flow of tasks. It would be pretty hard to get lost, and it uses beautiful icons to get you to where you need to go. The different shades of grey in every section divides the content into a more viewable manner.

Pixelmator

Pixelmator’s GUI uses a mix of transparent features, glossy Icons and sleek hover effects to capture the attention of the users. The feature that stands out the most is the circle palette. It makes it easy to find the right color combination’s with a 360 degree rotational courser and a horizontal slider as well.

Daisy Disk

This disk visualization tool takes disk analytic’s to the next level, while keeping usability and simplicity at its highest. Being able to switch between disks is easier than ever.

iStatMenus

iStatMenus has a dark and sleek interface. The colors and gradients match well, and important sections are divided into their own boxes. Once the application is open you’ll have a quick overview in one look of how your Mac is actually running.

CleanMyMac

For a cleaning application it sure has a clean and well organized GUI. Dark shades of Grey and uncolored icons showcase the features you’re not using on the left sidebar. But when you click on a feature the icon is displayed in full color. With just three buttons as the main functions located in the apps footer, CleanMyMac conveys real usability.

Fontcase

Fontcase’s ease of use allows you to preview every font and activate only the ones you need. Every font is aligned within a grid, no matter how you’re viewing them. This makes it easy to search, find, and test the correct fonts.

Flow

Out of the numerous FTP’s I’ve come across, I’d have to say that Flow is one of the best looking and easiest to use. Most FTP’s are a bit disorganized when it comes to the seperation of folders within the directory.

Notify

Notify has redesigned their user interface so that it’s geared more towards the composing of tasks and the placement of notifications in the proper areas on your Mac.

NewsLife

NewsLife makes it easy for you to add and aggregate news with the click of a button. News feeds are displayed in a clean manner. You’re able to easily and quickly search for articles, alter the view of feeds and quickly navigate from one site to the next.

Tweetie

Tweeties is a powerful Twitter client for Mac with a beautiful graphical user interface. Navigating through the menu is as easy as scrolling through the icons on the left sidebar, and posting new tweets is purely simple.

Blogo

Blogo has a sleek interface that allows you to quickly and easily blog from your desktop. The desktop client lets you open a single window that has all of your needs for creating, and posting new articles.

Propane

Propane is a Mac client for Campire with great usability. This application quickly defines and highlights conversations, tasks, and more. The interace is uncluttered and lets you switch between conversations with ease.

Delicious Library 2

Easily catalog all of your books, movies, software, and more. Once you open the application you’ll see all of your cataloged items in an organized fashion. You can click on an item and you can see a better preview.

Snowtape

Snowtape has a beautiful interface design that has an easy to use vertical slider at the footer of the application for editing and more. You can listen and catalog songs throughout the dark interface.

ScreenFlow

ScreenFlow is pretty easy to use with the various features on the right sidebar. The footer controls your a number of operations for your screencasts and offers easy of use.

xScope

This application has a great tools for your development needs. These tools are complimented by a beautiful interface for maximum effectiveness.

CSSEdit

CSSEdit is very easy to navigate through and find necessary tools. The transparent features an custom icons are a plus.

Snippet

If you’re looking for an application that allows you quickly save code snippets without a hassel then this tool is perfect. The interface design gives way to ease of usability and the dark colors allows the code to stand out a bit more.

Bodega

Bodega arranges and catalogs all of your apps in easy to find categories for quick updates. The left sidebar controls the different features and tools. Navigating through applications gives you confidence in this applications stability.

How do the latest and most sought out iPhone applications stand out from the rest? By developing an incredible website design that displays these applications in the best possible way. Many of these sites are clean, run smoothly, and are organized for a better user experience. Below you will find 20+ Amazing Site Designs of Exclusive iPhone Apps for your inspiration. Feel free to comment on any of these designs, or provide a link to one we might of missed.


This app allows you to wirelessly listen to audio from your computer on an iPhone or iPod touch using Wi-Fi. The site’s unique design is simple but intriguing as well.

Things is one of the most sought after task manager applications for the Mac and iPhone.

This iPhone app lets you to track packages from top shipping companies such as UPS, FedEx, DHL, and more.

The Mock Draft app allows football fans to watch highlights and scout players.

Behance’s task manager and productivity software for the iPhone is free and effective. The site containing ther iPhone application specs and info has a sleek feel to it.

The Spoonjuice app for the iPhone is another development studio that has several applications in one. Their site design says a lot about their apps; crystal clear and easy to use.

This application is a great tool to help you keep track of gas mileage and maintenance records on your motor vehicle.

Tapulous, the creator of Tap Tap, and many other games as well as tools has a clean and understandable website that allows for ease of access.

Frenzic is another fun puzzle game for the iPhone that houses a colorful website with an attractive navigation.

Mustache is also an amazing development studio with three incredible apps. The sites overall design match the funny and speratic sense of humor they were aiming for.

Snow Reports displays the latest snow reports from ski mountains worldwide. The information conveyed is mostly alongs the lines of the amounts of snow, weather reports, trail information and more.

The tweetie iPhone app site is so simple that you’re forced to like its design. The user experience is fairly easy to explore.

Bottle Rocket is a simple development studio that has several working apps. The site is for the most part more friendlier to use than most corporate sites.

Firetask is another task manager application. You can manage a variety of projects and more.

Evernote is an application that helps you remember things by allowing you to create notes, take photo notes, and much more.

Where To? is a serious iPhone application that helps you find businesses based on your location. The site uses several transparent layers to complete its design.

Fieldrunners is a strategy game with exilirating graphics, developed especially for the iPhone. This sites design is more graphic/comic oriented to act as a better visual aid.

The ShareCard app is an easy way to move contact information to and from your iPhone to other iPhones through email.

The Noter2 website for the iPhone app has a dark minimalistic effect.

Parablos is a fun and interactive puzzle game with an eye catching and welcoming site design.

Zumobi is a simple and creative development firm with an assortment of iPhone apps.

This app is s shooter game for the iPhone and iPod touch. The site design isn’t incredibly creative, however it gets the point accross.

FileMagnet allows users to move files from their computer to their iPhone with ease. This sites cosmetics warrants noticing. The navigation is very easy to use and the overall content is conveyed with fashion.