So, And Thus...

Spectrasonics Trilian

I'm sure most serious computer-based music producers out there already had the original "Trilogy" virtual instrument by Spectrasonics. The company finally updated this bass softsynth to make it compatible with Intel-Mac, adding a ton of new sounds along the way (34 GB core library!).

Spectrasonics Trilian is now shipping ! - MacMusic

Trilian's massive 34GB core library featuring highly-detailed new Acoustic, Electric and Synth basses - as well as enhanced versions of the classic Trilogy sounds. With a brand new user interface and numerous software innovations, Trilian is the first 64-bit native software based on Spectrasonics next generation STEAM Engine, and is the first virtual instrument to feature full library integration with the flagship Omnisphere synthesizer.

Trilian is now shipping, and the MSRP is $299/€229. All Trilogy customers can upgrade to Trilian for $99. There is also a special FREE upgrade offer for Trilogy customers on the Intel-Mac platform and for customers who purchase Trilogy in 2009.

Ok, I think it took too long for the company to get this out (they were concentrating on their Omnisphere synth), but I'm just happy to have it.

Happy Birthday, La Magnifica

Will you keep your hat on all day?

2 Billion Downloads

Amazing. 2 Billion. An there are over 85,000 applications now!

I'm glad that Apple added the Genius feature for applications now, otherwise, I'd be lost looking for applications. Like the feature for music, Genius takes a look at the applications you have install on your iPhone and will make a list of recommended applications accordingly. 

Apple App Store hits 2 billion downloads, 85,000 apps | The Digital Home - CNET News

Apple announced Monday that over 2 billion apps have been downloaded from its App Store since the e-commerce shop's launch in July 2008. The company also said that there are now more than 85,000 apps available.

More numbers: There are currently 50 million iPhone and iPod Touch customers, as well as over 125,000 developers in Apple's iPhone Developer Program. All that has combined to make the company's App Store the world's largest applications store, Apple claims.

New - Digital Performer 7

My favorite audio workstation software goes to version 7!

MOTU.com - New in DP 7.0

New Features (from Mac Music):

• Custom '59 - A meticulously detailed guitar amp emulator modeled after all-time classics from Fender® and Marshall®.
• Live Room | G - A superb physical modeling speaker cabinet emulator with four mixable mics (close, near and far) and 3-band EQ per mic.
• Guitar pedals - A new suite of stunningly accurate classic guitar pedals modeled after all-time favorites from Boss®, Ibanez® & others.
• Inline EQ & dynamics - Control DP's multi-band graphic EQ and vintage dynamics processing directly in each Mixing Board channel.
• Channel Strip - Gain instant access to all mixer channel settings for the track you are working on in any Editor window.
• Lead sheets - Create and print lead sheets, complete with lyrics and transposable chord symbols.
• Freely resizable Counter - Resize the Counter window to any size you wish, even the entire width of your screen.
• Marker Counter - Display markers in large type in the resizable Counter window. Use markers as a teleprompter for lyrics during live performance or recording sessions.
• Consolidated V-Racks - Display V-Rack virtual instruments and effects side by side with disk tracks in the Mixing Board.
• Lyrics - Type in lyrics directly below notes on the QuickScribe page. Or paste them into the Lyric window from your word processor and flow them into a track with one click.
• Transposable chord symbols - Add complex chord symbols directly on the page and transpose them at any time, together with or independently from notes.
• QuickScribe notation enhancements - Numerous enhancements give you even more control over the look of your score and help speed your notation workflow.
• Support for Pro Tools 8 - Industry-leading support for operation as a complete software front-end for Pro Tools | HD systems.
• Info Bar mixer controls - Get instant access to mixer channel settings in any editor window that follow the track you're working on.
• Next-generation sample rate conversion - A new ultra-fast, CPU-efficient sample rate conversion algorithm delivers increased precision, efficiency, and transparency, with an astonishing 138 dB signal-to-noise ratio.
• Real-time crossfades - All crossfades are now computed in real time for lightning fast edits.
• Wave64 support - Support for the industry standard Wave64 extension to the Broadcast WAVE file format lets you record and import audio files larger than 4GB.
• Range automation modes - Raise, lower or write automation moves within any selected range, preserving everything before and after.
• Audio Units instrument side chains - Route side chain inputs to all your favorite third-party Audio Units plug-ins.

AT&T - Free Calls To Your Top 5

"A-List" starts on September 20th.

AT&T debuts A-List free calling program on Sep. 20 | iPhone | iPhone Central | Macworld

Do you find yourself calling the same people over and over again, burning through your wireless minutes like a rock star trashing a hotel suite? In that case, you very well might be a prime candidate for AT&T’s forthcoming A-List plan (especially if you are a rock star). A free addition to qualifying AT&T wireless plans, A-List allows you to make free calls to five cell phone or landline numbers of your choice.

Similar in concept to T-Mobile’s myFaves, the A-List program means that any calls you make to the numbers you designate—which you’ll be able to control by visiting AT&T’s Web site—will not deplete your store of minutes. Since those minutes are unusued, they’ll roll over along with the rest of your unused minutes into your next month’s balance.

I find that I use my iPhone more for internet stuff than for making phone calls. Maybe this will change things?

Report Handicapped Parking Space Violations

This little iPhone application may just satisfy some of those "I wish I were a cop" moments I frequently have. I can't wait to use it!

An iPhone App to Report People Parked in Handicapped Parking Spaces « Art of the iPhone

HFOrg (free, iTunes link) is an iPhone app for reporting illegally parked cars in handicapped spaces. To report an incident, simply open the app and enter the date, time, license plate number, placard number (if applicable), and a photo. The info will be added to the HandicappedFraud.org website and database, which are accessed by law enforcement across the country.

Disney To Buy Marvel Entertainment

Does this mean we're going to see Spider-Mouse?!

AP News | Culpeper Star-Exponent

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- The Walt Disney Co. said Monday it is buying Marvel Entertainment Inc. for $4 billion in cash and stock, bringing such characters as Iron Man and Spider-Man into the family of Mickey Mouse and WALL-E.

Under the deal, Disney will acquire ownership of 5,000 Marvel characters. Many of them, including the Fantastic Four and the X-Men, were co-created by the comic book legend Stan Lee.

Analyst David Joyce of Miller Tabak & Co. said the acquisition will help Disney appeal to young men who have flocked to theaters to see Marvel's superhero fare in recent years. That contrasts with Disney's recent successes among young women with such fare as "Hannah Montana" and the Jonas Brothers.

"It helps Disney add exposure to a young male demographic it had sort of lost some balance with," Joyce said, noting the $4 billion offer was at "full price."

Snow Leopard Out on August 28

I can't wait!

Apple to release Snow Leopard on August 28 | Mac OS X | Macworld

The wait for Snow Leopard is over: on Monday, Apple announced that the latest version of its Mac OS X operating system would be available starting Friday, August 28. The company had previously said that the update would ship in September, but speculation intensified that it would ship earlier than anticipated after a glitch on Apple’s Web site late last week.

First announced at Apple’s 2008 Worldwide Developers Conference, Apple later confirmed that the update would bring performance enhancements, under-the-hood improvements, and feature refinements instead of focusing on brand new capabilities.

Spider-Woman

I have been obsessed with Spider-Woman ever since I was a kid. She is one of my all-time favorite comic book characters, probably because she looks so sassy in her costume.

Her new series will start in September! Here's a look at the Alex Ross' artwork for the cover of the first issue.



Yes, I have already ordered the series (and Marvel, PLEASE don't do a lot of cross-over stories!).

To help kick-off the new series, Marvel is presenting Spider-Woman as their first Motion Comic. You can find it on iTunes.

Marvel Motion Comics | Spider-Woman

Spider-woman Trailer

Jessica Drew is back on Earth. But what's left of her life? Take a peek at what's in store for the SPIDER-WOMAN Marvel Motion Comics series right here. One of the most highly anticipated series in Marvel history, the SPIDER-WOMAN Motion Comic by Brian Michael Bendis and Alex Maleev will make its world premiere at San Diego Comic-Con.

I'm so glad they kept her costume from the 70s!

TomTom for iPhone

Arriving at destination, on left:

TomTom releases turn-by-turn navigation app for US and Canada | Software | iPhone Central | Macworld

TomTom's long-awaited turn-by-turn navigation app for the iPhone, TomTom U.S. & Canada (iTunes link), is now available on the US iTunes App Store.

The $100 app, first announced during June's WWDC keynote, uses the iPhone's built-in GPS circuitry to provide real-time, turn-by-turn navigation. The app is based on the same software used by TomTom's standalone GPS units and includes features such as IQ Routes and points of interest. Unlike AT&T's Navigator app, which requires a monthly service fee, TomTom's app is a one-time purchase, although you'll presumably be able to purchase updated maps in the future. (Macworld covered TomTom for iPhone in depth last month.)

I don't need TomTom since I already have a GPS unit in my car, but I love the idea of having this on my iPhone.