Apple discreetly updated today the Airport Extreme to a new design like the Mac mini and the Apple TV and to the preview version of the IEEE 802.11n standard. The IEEE 802.11n bring up to 5 times more bandwidth and twice the range than previous g standard. This standard is supported by most Macs Apple sells today out of the box (use the enabler to access n standard). Note that not much is told about the future official "n" finalized standard save they work on total interoperability with Intel, Broadcom and Atheros, we can expect Apple waited until the pre-n chip were 100% final "n" compatible.

n-able macs:
- iMac with Intel Core 2 Duo (except 17-inch, 1.83GHz iMac)
- MacBook with Intel Core 2 Duo
- MacBook Pro with Intel Core 2 Duo
- Mac Pro with AirPort Extreme card option
(other models wil work with a, b and g standards)

Available now for $179

AraldFX has announced the release of DKS, a virtual instrument dedicated to drum synthesis. DKS was born after three years of studying the classic analogue drum machines, which were able to produce convincing drums sounds by simple electronic means. This synthesizer can accurately emulate many of the classic electronic drum machine sounds, but through its extra FM and the physical drum shell modeling can go much further, even giving an interesting acoustic touch to synthesized sounds. The built-in intelligent randomizers can give new life to your drums tracks. You can generate totally new sounds with a mouse click and hear them while your song is playing.

Main Features:

* 8 polyphonic generators with a powerful sound
* Each generator has: 3 oscillators, FM, Distortion, Bit Reducti ...

Devine Machine Software has updated Lucifer to version 2.1.0 which is also now available as an Audio Unit plug-in and offers Universal Binary compatibility on Mac OS X.

Main changes.

* Sampler Mode - a "loopslicer" mode that triggers the 16ths with adjustable offsets from MIDI notes.
* VSTSDK 2.4, Universal Binary.
* Audio Units version (thanks to Magnus Lindstrom/Symbiosis).
* Presets/Songs created on G4/G5 are now compatible with Windows/Intel-Macs and vice-versa.
* Incarn allows for reverse-segments (CTRL-right-click on Windows).
* GraphSets now contain the values of the loop modifier knobs (groove, spread, gate, hyper, etc.)
* Two octaves of UserKeys instead of one.
* UserKey menus now allow for an assignable destination value when applicable.
* UserKey menus now ...

After I Feel good of the late James Brown and some background about the Intel transition, Steve Jobs did some statements about the full health of the iPod and its 62% marketshare and leading sales on the ITMS, along with new iPod advertising. Next is the Apple TV, an Intel powered box to stream medias (videos, photos…) directly to your TV set from up to 5 computers (USB 2.0 Ethernet, Wifi b, g, and n; 40 GB hard drive, 720p "HD", controlled thru iTunes, $299 available in February).

Next, the iPhone! A widescreen iPod with smart controls, 3G. You just use your fingers (multi-touch screen) and you use OS X! (note this is something really important, there's an OS X running now on small devices) It's synched by itunes, has a 3.5" screen 160 px/inch, 4 or 8 GB, email and book marks support, 3 captors: proximity, ambient light, accelerometer, and a 2 Mpx camera. The iPhone is Quad-band GSM with EDGE, Wi-Fi, bluetooth. The screen feels when you put it on the side and change the screen orientation accordingly. 11 apps included like Safari, Mail, iPhoto, some widgets, google maps versions… You can resize photos using 2 fingers, load multiple web pages, use HTML emails (I hope they are _not_ the rtf kind we have to support still…) and POP3 IMAP exchange… mail servers, use Exposé if need be.

Battery duration: audio use 16 hours, phone use 5 hours. Price $499 for the 4 GB, $599 for the 8 GB (prices include a 2 years contract with Cingular).Cingular will be the exclusive operator in the USA. Available in june in the USA, 4th trimester in in Europe, Asia in 2008.

There's a partnership with Google AND Yahoo announced. And Apple Computer Inc. becomes Apple Inc.

Sweetwater announces their annual Red Tag Sale! You never know what you might find – a PreSonus EQ, ADAM monitors, a Marshall amp, a Mackie mixer, or a wealth of gadgets and accessories. But remember – quantities are limited to stock on hand, and the Sweetwater Red Tag Sale ends January 31. Don't wait to take advantage of these great deals!