VSL's Solo Strings
Vienna Symphonic Library Solo Strings Bundle
North American distributors:
ILIOPrice: $660
Virtual Instruments (VIs) allow you to work with lifelike sounds in sequencers and Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs) like Apple’s Logic and notation packages like Avid’s Sibelius. (Avid has just announced Sibelius 7: watch for a review here shortly.)
VIs are collections of acoustic/sampled and/or electronically synthesized sounds with varying degrees of realism and flexibility of use. Formerly hardware-based, VIs are now available almost entirely as software. They range from the cheap, barely tolerable and tinny to… well, to those produced and sold by Vienna Instruments.
iPad Extreme Sleeve
Company: G-Form LLC
Price: $59.95 USD
http://shop.g-form.com/products/ipad-extreme-sleeve
There are all types of different cases for the iPad; soft cases, hard cases, cases made from neoprene, leather, faux leather, plastic… the list goes on. They allow you to carry your iPad around and for the most part, protect your iPad from accidental harm. Now what would you think of a soft, flexible case that upon impact, becomes hard and protects your iPad?
Transcribe! 8.1.0
Price: $50 for single users;
contact Seventh String for pro-rated discounts
Transcribe! claims to be the “world’s leading” tool to help musicians extract music from recordings. It can also be used to transcribe speech and even allow musicians to play along. Does British firm, Seventh String, get credit for trying what’s difficult to do well but really end up as little more than an “also ran”? Or do they have a winner that works in almost every way?
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2011-06-16
Mark Sealey
Groove 3
Price: $49.99 for single users; contact Groove 3 for groups specials and (educational) discounts
MIDI Orchestration Explained, using strings
Although an older technology and simple in conception, MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) can be complicated to implement and make the most of; and particularly challenging to use in effective music making. But the clear explanations and expert perception of Eli Krantzberg and the Groove 3 team are well up to the task of making MIDI orchestration both plainer and pleasurable for users.
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iRest Lap Stand for iPad
Company: Rain Design
Price: $49.90 USD
There are now tons of cases for the iPad that allow you to protect, carry or even type. The thing is that when all is said and done and you want to relax and read something or work on your iPad while you are reclining, not all cases allow you to do so comfortably. Enter Rain Design’s iRest Lap Stand for the iPad.
Otterbox Reflex iPhone 4 Case
Company: Otterbox
Price: $44.95 USD
I’ve never been disappointed with any of Otterbox’s products. It’s well-known among fans of Apple’s iOS platform that the cases Otterbox makes are some of the toughest you can buy. Whenever my iPad, iPod Touch, or iPhone is protected in an Otterbox case, I feel much more secure in using my expensive toys. Once again, Otterbox doesn’t fail to impress with the Reflex, the latest addition to its growing line of iPhone cases.
Level8 Backpack & MacBook Protective Sleeve
Company: Level8
Atlas Backpack, 15″ Protective Sleeve
Price: 15″ & 17″ Atlas Backpack – $99.99 USD, 15″ Protective Sleeve – $49.99 USD
As a teacher who carries his MacBook Pro and iPad 2 to school each day, finding a decent laptop bag is a real priority for me. Without a doubt, the readers of this article are fans of Apple’s amazing, yet pricey products. Protecting that investment while maintaining functionality is important for people who want to maximize their productivity. I think I’ve finally found my solution after using Level8′s Atlas Backpack and 15″ Protective Sleeve for the past month. Continue reading »
Microsoft Word 2011 Macintosh (Version 14 if you are counting)
$149.99 for Home and Student version of Office
$279.99 for Business and IT Pros version of Office
http://www.microsoft.com/mac/
For as long as I have been using both versions of Word, one for Mac and one for Windows (yes, I use a Windows computer too), I have often wondered if they truly came from the same company. While they can read and write compatible files (mostly), their user interfaces have always been quite different, making it difficult to go from one version to the other and remember where all the commands are. Additionally, the two programs would leapfrog each other in features, almost as if they were competing with each other to see which could outdo the other with their latest features. And Word 2008 for the Mac seemed to completely miss the boat when it came to using some of the newer and cooler interface design elements of Mac OSX, almost as if the designers had never seen such a system. With Word 2011 for the Mac (Intel Macs only), most of that has changed.
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The HandStand iPad Case
Company: Hub International, LLC
Price: $49.95 USD for all models
There are times when I wish I had another hand when working with my iPad. Let’s face it, it’s pretty tough to multitask while trying to hold onto an electronic device that cost upwards of $500. I have no desire to risk breaking it. Hub International may have the answer to the problem of how to hold your iPad securely while trying to grab a cup of coffee or do other work while holding onto your iPad. The HandStand is an novel idea in iPad cases that becomes an extension of your arm as you work.
Day Four
Remember The Milk
iTunes link
Developer Web Site
Version 1.5.0
Free; Upgrade to Pro $24.99/year or $2.99/month
Works with iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. Requires iOS 3.0 or later
Remember The Milk (RTM) is a popular note and to-do app for iPhone that, surprisingly, doesn’t have a dedicated iPad app. An online account is needed to use the app.
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Mousepose 3
Boinx Software
Mac App Store link
Price: $16.99
Day Three
Wunderlist
iTunes link iPhone
Version 1.2.1
Requires iOS 3.1 or later. Works with iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad
iTunes link iPad
Version 1.01
Requires iOS 3.2 or later
Developer Web Site
Free
Wunderlist is a list/task manager available for Mac, iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. It’s clean and streamlined user interface makes it easy to learn and easy to keep your life in order.
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Day Two
Infinote Free
iTunes link
Developers web site
Version 1.6.5
Free
Works with iPad. Requires iOS 3.2 or later
All of us have used sticky notes at one time or another. They’re simple to use, and come in some great colors. If you’d like a note app that has the familiarity of sticky notes, take a look at Infinote Free.
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Otterbox Latch for the iPad 1
Company: Otterbox
Price: $ 49.95 USD
Otterbox is no slouch in making accessories for iPads, iPhones, and iPods. I’ve been using an Otterbox Defender case on my original iPad ever since I wrote a review about it last summer. It’s an amazing case, so when I saw that Otterbox recently released the Latch, an accessory that adds even further levels of functionality to your Otterbox Defender or Commuter cases, I knew I had to take a look at it for our MyMac.com readers.
The iTunes app store is loaded with note apps, almost as many as fart apps. But unlike fart apps, note apps serve a real purpose: they help keep us organized. Yet how do you know which note app is worth your time and money? Over the next four days I’ll be reviewing four different note apps that offer different features that appeal to different users.
This is by no means an exhaustive or “best-of” list; it’s just four apps I’ve recently been using. If you’ve been using a note app that you just can’t live without, please share it by leaving a comment below.
And now, without any further ado…
Day One
RainbowNote Lite
iTunes link
Developer Web Site
Version 2.3
Free
Works with iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. Requires iOS 3.0 or later
RainbowNote Lite is a great note app if you need a lot of customization in your note organization. With each note created you can change the background, font size, style and color, and text size.
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C.E.O. Hybrid for iPad
Company: Marware
Price: $49.99 USD
http://www.marware.
Marware has produced cases for iPhones, Blackberries and of course, iPads. The one thing that comes across of all of this is that Marware produces products that the user will find are well thought out and designed to be stylish and functional without breaking the bank.
Snowball
Blue Microphones
Price: $99.99 on Blue Microphones web site, less on Amazon
Zona Wireless Speaker System
Aperion Audio
$499.00 per set of two, including transmitter, with free shipping and 30-day audition
Aperion Audio’s Zona Wireless Surround Speaker System is the best wireless speaker setup we have had the pleasure to use. Zona delivers top quality audio reproduction with every source device from iOS to computer, from stereo system to home theatre.
Two powered bookshelf speakers and one transmitter make up the basic Zona package. Additional speakers can be added using the same transmitter. Clear audio is delivered at a range of over 100 feet.
Individual speakers are solidly constructed with an attractive all black industrial design using a molded polycarbonate shell and a snug fabric front section. Each speaker is smaller than a shoe box, yet delivers a full, rich reproduction of music and voice. All the necessary cables and connectors are provided for running Zona speakers from different equipment.
Zona RIGHT speaker on the right, next to a "real" home theatre speaker
Peterson Birds of North America for iPad
Company: Appweavers, Inc.
Website: iTunes
Price: $9.99 USD
I have vivid recollections of browsing through the Peterson Birds of North America book throughout my childhood. My mother and I still watch for rare and unusual birds. As a biology teacher, having access to a detailed and accurate field guide to birds in our area is an absolute must. When I heard about the iPad version of the Peterson book, I knew that I had to take a look at it for our MyMac.com readers.
Sennheiser CX 680i Adidas Sport In-Ear Stereo Headphones
Company: Sennheiser
Price: $79.95-$99.95 USD — depending upon vendor
Ever since my first iPad, I’ve been using Apple’s traditional white earbuds. When I got the opportunity to take a look at Sennheiser’s CX 680i Adidas Sport In-Ear Stereo Headphones, I suddenly realized what I’ve been missing all these years. Priced at around $100, these headphones aren’t Sennheiser’s highest-end headphones, but anything I take a look at is going to sound great compared to the white earbuds I’m accustomed to.
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MyMac Podcast #403
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