Apple updated its operating system Mac OS X to version 10.4.4. This update is available on the Apple web site or via the 'software update panel'. It includes fixes for:

- SMB/CIFS and NFS network file services
- Bluetooth wireless access
- Core Graphics, Core Audio, Core Image, RAW camera support, including updated ATI and NVIDIA graphics drivers
- Spotlight indexing and searching
- AppleScript, iChat, DVD Player, and Safari applications
- Dashboard widgets: Calendar and Stocks
- Software Update and Sync Services
- compatibility with USB and FireWire devices and third party applications
- previous standalone security updates.

Apple CEO Steve Jobs just announces at his ritual Keynote address at the Macworld Expo 2006 (Moscone Center - San Fransico) the release of the long awaited Intel based PowerBook. Apple has decided to change the name of the PowerBook to "MacBook Pro". This new 15,4 -inch MacBook Pro is 4-5x faster than a PowerBook and features an integrated iSight.

MacBook Pro will ship in February for $1999 or 2149 euros (1,67 GHz dual model) and $2499 or 2699 euros (1.83 GHz model).

Steve Jobs just unveils from his San Fransisco Keynote address the release of new Mac OS 10.4.4 for X86...All Apple Pro Applications will be X86 natives (an update pack will be available for $49 in March). And of course Steve Jobs announced new Intel iMacs. With 17- and 20- inch screens, these new iMacs have same design, same features, but are 2-3x faster with Intel Core Duo processor. Each processor is faster than the G5 and all upcoming new iMac range will have dual processors.

New iMac is available with dual 1.83 GHz (1379 euros or $1299) and dual 2 GHz (1799 euros or $1699).

Steve Jobs just begins his Keynote from the San Franscisco Moscone Center and announces the release of iLife 06 :

- new iPhoto : limit is 250,000 photos, full screen editing with fade in/out tools, new calendars, send cards function, new photo books, a new Photo Casting function allowing users to update internet-based albums with password protection (with RSS feed).

- iMovie : with realtime effects/titles, new audio tools, new sound effects, multiple open projects, new themes and more.

- iDVD. support widescreen DVD creation, magic iDVD function, improved slideshows, enhanced map viewing, and at last support for third-party DVD burner (bravo !!!).

- Garageband : "podcast studio" function, 200 royalty-free sound effects and 100+ royalty-free jingles, automatic "ducking" effect, speech enhancer, integration with iChat for remote interviews. Apple also announces a new "World Music" JamPack.

- iWeb : allows user to "one-clic publish" and share musics, photos, blogs and more on the web.

ILife 06 will cost $79. More info will be available soon on the AppleStore

After a few weeks of testing on the French side of the site, we are proud to offer you a Wiki on MacMusic. So, what is a Wiki? A Wiki is a collaborative system where any reader (and we mean any), without any HTML or coding knowledge, can write or edit articles. The best example you can find is the acclaimed Wikipedia, a large collaborative online encyclopedia.

So, a MacMusic Wiki, what for? we can (and have already started) a database of articles on music or mac related subjects. Now you can add any article even a simple one (others can expand/correct it later at ease). It can be about MIDI, digital audio, synthesis, the guitar pickups or the human voice... Even about the G5 Quad!

You'll find some definitions already written (which can be corrected or expanded) and a lexicon for entries to be made. Register to the Wiki with the same login as on MacMusic (it's important! We need this for later things…), read the short help page (which can be edited too if something is not clear enough) and up you go! Beware, Wikis can be addictive… ;-)

Audiolexic: the MacMusic Wiki