Messaging & Online Collaboration: iLife Overhaul Proves Worthwhile

The new release of the iLife tools from Apple puts users in more control over the appearance and presentation of digital media than ever before. GarageBand now allows the editing of a single note in a track from the view of the audio waveform, and includes rhythm matching features that bring supporting tracks in line with the dominant one. It also adds new amplifier and stompbox options, as well as instructional features that give users a better sense of how they are progressing through a lesson. In the area of movie and video editing, iMovie adds new themes, trailer options and facial recognition features. As an image management tool, iPhoto will satisfy all but the most demanding, with new sharing features such as single-click posting to Facebook. It also offers new options via the Apple print products service, including letterpress cards. Full-screen viewing of the library is now available for the Faces, Places and Events modes, and new slideshow themes are included as well.