Last week, Griffin technology Inc. announced a guitar cable for Apple's GarageBand. This week, Griffin announces a new cable for the Apple's music software : the GarageBand Microphone Cable with an XLR connector at one end and stereo mini jack at the other.

This major technological innovation costs $24.99.

Apple is recalling certain lithium ion rechargeable batteries that were sold worldwide from January 2004 through August 2004 for use with 15-inch PowerBook G4 (Aluminum) notebook computers. The affected batteries could overheat, posing a fire hazard. Apple received four reports of these batteries overheating. The recalled batteries have the Model Number: A1045 and serial numbers that begin with: HQ404, HQ405, HQ406, HQ407, or HQ408.

To begin the battery exchange process, please visit the Apple web site.

A feature that many of you have requested has just become reality. The brand new ABSYNTH User Library is now online and available to all registered ABSYNTH users. A powerful and versatile platform to exchange sound banks and inspiration for further sonic design. It comes equipped with all the features on offer in the other User Libraries: advanced search and filter options, categories, email notification, rating and rankings for the sound banks and much more make this an invaluable database for all ABSYNTH users - beginners and experts alike.

As an appetizer, the library already contains 13 preset banks hot off the press with a wealth of presets designed by none other than the ABSYNTH mastermind himself.

Native Instruments has annouced that the new Kontakt 1.5 demo version for Mac OS X is now online. The demo version contains several sample instruments (house organ, several basses, a drum kit, and some sample voice and speech examples) that illustrate the possibilities of the Native Instruments' sampler.

The demo version can be used in stand-alone mode or as a plug-in via VST, Audio Units and RTAS.

MakeMusic has announced the release of its much-anticipated Finale 2005 music notation software for Macintosh. Here's some of what's new in Finale 2005: Finale performance assessment, launch window, intelligent repeats, Row-Loff Marching Percussion Sounds, Third-Party Sound Font Support, grace note spacing improvements, transportable staff lists, new TG Tools Plug-ins, FinaleScript version 1.5, better View and navigation controls and more...

Info about Finale 2005 available on MakeMusic web site.