Stories by: Christopher Breen

With the release of GarageBand 3.0 (the version included in iLife '06), iLife's music sketchpad application concentrated most of its efforts at incorporating podcasting capabilities. With the release of GarageBand '08, Apple shifts its music-creation tool's focus back to musicians. Most of the program's major new features - Magic GarageBand, multi-take recording, arrangements, broader automation capabilities, and Visual EQ - nicely augment the music-making process.

Among the many tools that make up Adobe CS3 is a new audio-editing addition - Adobe Soundbooth CS3. Unlike most audio editors, which are designed largely for audio professionals and enthusiasts, Adobe Soundbooth CS3 was created with video in mind.

Apple made good on its promise to add unprotected tracks to its online digital media store.

Dammit. I can't sleep. And it's because of the Apple TV.

Now that I've removed myself from the Worldwide Developers Conference and its accompanying distortion field, I've bent my brain a little farther to what effect iTunes 4.9's podcasting feature may have on the world of podcasts. At this early stage of the game it looks both exciting and daunting.

Those who tuned into last weekend's Saturday Night Live on NBC had the opportunity to catch Ashlee Simpson with her pants down. No, not literally (though that might have been a better career move). In what may have been her swan song, Ms. Simpson stood in front of god and country as her voice blared out across the set with her mouth closed and her microphone at her side.

Olympus Optical, a company known for its digital cameras, is entering the increasingly-crowded personal music player market with its m:robe series of players.

While I sit here waiting for Newer Technology's iPod Replacement Battery to run through its charge (16 hours, 10 minutes, and counting), I thought I'd address this "free iPod" thing.