The very-long-awaited Intel-based MacBook, which was slated for January, then March, then April is now shipping on the AppleStore. Apple announces that the new consumer laptop, successor of the old iBook now features :

- The 1.83 GHz, 13-inch white MacBook, for a suggested retail price of $1,099 (US), includes: 13.3-inch glossy widescreen 1280 x 800 display with 250 cd/m2 brightness; 1.83 GHz Intel Core Duo processor; 667 MHz front-side bus; 512MB of 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM, expandable to 2GB; 60GB Serial ATA hard drive running at 5400 rpm, with Sudden Motion Sensor; a slot-load Combo (DVD-ROM/CD-RW) optical drive; Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950; Mini-DVI out (adapters for DVI, VGA and Composite/S-Video sold separately);built-in iSight video camera; Gigabit Ethernet port; built-in AirPort Extreme wireless networking and Bluetooth 2.0+EDR; two USB 2.0 ports and one FireWire 400 port; one audio line in and one audio line out port, each supporting both optical digital and analog; Scrolling TrackPad; the infrared Apple Remote; and 60 Watt MagSafe Power Adapter.

- The 2.0 GHz, 13-inch white MacBook, for a suggested retail price of $1,299 (US), includes: 13.3-inch glossy widescreen 1280 x 800 display with 250 cd/m2 brightness; 2.0 GHz Intel Core Duo processor; 667 MHz front-side bus; 512MB of 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM, expandable to 2GB; 60GB Serial ATA hard drive running at 5400 rpm.

- The 2.0 GHz, 13-inch black MacBook, for a suggested retail price of $1,499 (US), includes: 13.3-inch glossy widescreen 1280 x 800 display with 250 cd/m2, 2.0GHz Intel Core Duo processor; 667 MHz front-side bus; 512MB of 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM, expandable to 2GB; 80GB Serial ATA hard drive running at 5400 rpm.

Loop wizards and software authors from Collective.co.uk have posted a new look for their delay/looping Audio Units plugin Augustus Loop. The design of the new skin is a little more traditional than the original, and is available as a free download from the site. Users are encouraged to submit their own replacement graphics for consideration.

Augustus Loop is authored for Mac OS X and is available as a Universal Binary.

Ueberschall announced updates to version 1.0.1.3 for Elastik Instruments Series. This update fixes Loop eye graphic bugs, "inactive ports" bug, and other minor bugs. New versions will also be available for Liquid Instrument Series The Voice Vol.1 (end of July), Liquid Instrument Series The Voice Vol. 2 (end of June) and Liquid Instrument Series Horn Section (beginning of June).

The Elastik Instruments Series for Mac AU, VST, and StandAlone versions are now Universal Binaries.

MacMusic proudly invites you on the MacMusic booth (#1220) at AES Show in Paris. You will discover in "live" conditions the Digidesign VENUE on our booth. The VENUE live sound environment consists of the D-Show mixing console, FOH mix engine, a Stage Rack I/O unit with recallable, remote-controlled preamps and a multi-channel digital snake. The system is highly expandable, allowing up to 96 mic inputs to be mixed to 27 busses. You will also discover the new 2.0 version of the D-Show software, which adds several key features plus support for upcoming hardware options, significantly increasing the efficiency, depth of control, and flexibility of the VENUE live sound environment. For more information you can contact the Digidesign Pre-Sale manager for Europe : Phone +44 1753 658535 or by email : al_mckinna[at]digidesign.com.

Paris, May 2006: The finishing touches are being put on the preparations for the 120th AES Pro Audio Expo & Convention, which opens its doors in less than two weeks. Many exciting new features have been added in the past few months alone, making this year's convention a real standout in both the number as well as the range of new convention elements. "This year visitors can expect a much greater number of presentations for all of the various subjects covered in the convention", says Roger Furness, Executive Director of the AES. "Attendees will see an expansion in all areas of the convention – from the workshops, to the new Application Seminars, to the comprehensive Paper Sessions as well as the Exhibitor Seminars."

The Application Seminars are creating the biggest buzz at this year's convention. "They will focus on one important topic per day, each having been selected for its relevance to the practical daily work" explains Gisele Clark, who is responsible for organizing the Application Seminars. "They will be held in a specially-built auditorium directly on the exhibition floor, easy for everyone to reach. What's more, visitors will be able to take part in these new seminars at absolutely no cost!"