Let's start with iPhoto 6.
First point: the application has been entirely recoded to improve performance. The maximum number of photo is now 250 000.
Another new feature is the PhotoCasting. It is like Podcasting but for the photo. So you can publish your photos on your .MAc account and share them over the net. something that iPhoto 5 could do. But the new feature is the availability to update its iPod contents for photo collection via the net (such as a grand-mother following the first steps of her 2nd generation).
If the podcasting became rapidly popular, it is also because iTunes was available for PC, here iPhoto is for the moment only available on Mac. So, the Photocasting can be nice, but it is Mac-only.
Other feature to mentioned : create and order greetings and invitation cards from your iPhoto library.
iMovie HD 6
Moviecasting : a new option allows the user to directly export its project into an iPod-compatible format. With a new series of themes (made in Apple), you can now get access to some real-time special effects which were so far only available from Pro applications. Thanks to CoreVideo, most the effects are available in real-time, especially sub-tittles.
New audio filters are also available.
iDVD 6
For us, the most important feature is the possibility given by Apple (for the first time) to burn on any DVD burner, and not only on SuperDrives! So thanks a lot Steve, we will not have to patch our burner anymore to lake them compatible with iLife.
Other new features : 10 new themes, including 16/9 format.
GarageBand 3
For Garageband, it is also all about Casting : new features to create Pro-like podcast (recording audio-iChat discussions, improved microphone management including an automatic fading system...).
To be noticed is the new mixing table including recording level control as well as the a new sound management. Apple has also added the support of multitrack audio cards allowing the recording of several instruments at once. And to conclude, Apple has added a ton-recognition system, an option which is normally only available for expensive Pro applications.
And to conclude the new iApplication : iWeb
Entirely integrated in iLife, iWeb is designed to help you to publish easily your photos; films, music, videos and blog on your .Mac webpage. It gives more control than the integrated online publishing tools available in iPhoto, iMovie or GarageBand. We will perform a more detailed test as soon as we can put our hands on this new application.
