Apple announces an update to version 4.7.1 for iTunes, which now supports the new iPod Shuffle and includes other performance improvements. iTunes 4.7.1 is available via the softwares update utility in Mac OS X, or in the Mac Music sofwares section.

Apple has introduced Jam Pack 4 "Symphony Orchestra". Symphony Orchestra provides you with more than 30 of the most important orchestral software instruments to play, including: strings, brass & wind, percussion and keyboards.

Jam Pack 4 is available on the AppleStore for 99$.

ChordPhobia is designed to help you learn to recognize chords when you hear them. In ChordPhobia, you will see/hear most of the chords from major triads to 13th chords in their root position. More info about this Mac OS X shareware available in the MacMusic softwares section.

From MacWorld, MacMice has introduced the GuitarPlug and MicPlug USB audio converters for Apple's Logic or Garageband. Both GuitarPlug and MicPlug convert mono analog audio to 16-bit, 48KHz.

They will cost $49.99 each.

Audiofile Engineering announces that Sample Manager is updated to version 2.0.0, including AppleScript support (multple "browser" windows, now saveable as documents). Sample Manager is a full-featured batch audio processor with full support of AIFF, WAVE and Sound Designer II audio files, and partial support for ACID, Recycle, and Apple Loop files.

Sample Manager costs $69, and upgrades for registered users $19.