Audio & video software

  • 8.0 8

    Apple iTunes 9

    28 Sep 2009 2:20 PM

    iTunes 9 is a natural, yet relatively minor, evolution of Apple's popular media management software and is a required download for new iPod owners.

  • 5

    Windows Live Movie Maker

    21 Aug 2009 3:18 PM

    All in all Windows Live Movie Maker is decent freeware that lives up to its promise of making movies fast. Regardless, Microsoft would do well, at the very least, to build more sharing plug-ins and a fleshier Help menu.

  • Skype 4.1 beta

    29 May 2009 3:19 PM

    Skype's new screen-sharing feature is a clever addition to the VoIP communications application. The new beta also sees birthday reminders reinstated, a favourite feature of past builds.

  • 5.5

    LimeWire 5

    20 Feb 2009 2:38 PM

    An update to the popular Gnutella file-sharing client for Windows, Mac and Linux incorporates a shiny new interface and direct sharing with your Google contacts.

  • 8.0 9

    iLife '09

    04 Feb 2009 4:54 PM

    Apple iLife '09 is a great application suite for simple media organising and editing, and the addition of features like face recognition, geotagging and music lessons makes it worth the update.

  • Adobe Soundbooth CS4

    30 Dec 2008 1:12 PM

    Adobe's Soundbooth CS4 audio editor is supposed to be relatively simple for audio beginners to tweak speech, songs, and all sorts of sound effects.

  • 6.7

    Nero 9

    02 Oct 2008 11:49 AM

    Nero's latest software package attempts to break the perception that they're just about burning.

  • 7.8 7.3

    Apple iTunes 8

    25 Sep 2008 5:45 PM

    Apple iTunes 8 is the industry standard for multimedia jukebox software and despite the need for a UI overhaul and some liposuction to remove the bloat, iTunes is a solid choice that most users will enjoy.

  • 7.8 4.6

    Apple iTunes 7

    17 Jul 2008 1:49 PM

    iTunes 7 includes some great updates, like gapless playback, games downloads and a better interface, but Australian users so far miss out on the movie downloads available to American users.

  • 8.3 9.7

    Guitar Rig 3: Kontrol Edition

    10 Mar 2008 3:05 PM

    If your guitar and your chops are getting dusty, Guitar Rig 3 Kontrol Edition is an outstanding way to rekindle your delusions of rock stardom.

The Explain Series

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Articles

  • Record audio with your computer

    Learn the basics of recording voice and music onto a computer using microphones, audio cables and USB adapters.

  • How to quickly add media to iTunes 9

    Do you dare to download music and video from sources other than iTunes? CNET's Donald Bell shows off a new feature in iTunes 9 that lets you add media downloads to your iTunes library with a minimum of hassle.

  • iTunes 9: A photo tour

    The new iTunes, version 9, has an improved overall look that is a bit cleaner and more polished.