• Retweet: @vmwarefusion : Fusion 50% off today, one day only. Details: http://is.gd/9Gqi Coupon code "CyberMondayDeal" # 2008/12/01
• It's Thanksgiving Day in the United States. We're thankful for Apple's commitment to accessibility in their products. # 2008/11/27
• We've added social bookmarking and "Send this to a Friend" to the Mac-cessibility Site as a trial. Let us know what you think. # 2008/11/27
• Apple released Safari 3.2.1 today. No known accessibility changes, but a good update to have nonetheless. Stability is the focus. # 2008/11/25
• News: Comparing Accessibility of the Big Three Operating System http://www.lioncourt.com/?p=247 # 2008/11/21

Keith Reedy has provided two new entries to our Guides & Tutorials section. Learn how to use multiple tracks in "GarageBand with VoiceOver 2" or how to use special effects in "GarageBand with VoiceOver 3". If you haven’t already done so, start with general usage of GarageBand in "GarageBand with VoiceOver 1".

Thanks again to Keith Reedy for these guides.

Last week’s update to the iLife ‘08 suite from Apple proved to be a boon for VoiceOver users. Garage Band the suite’s recording-studio software is now radically improved in the area of accessibility. Indeed, virtually all functions and areas of the program are usable with VoiceOver, according to reports from VoiceOver users. Given the high number of visually impaired musicians, this should prove to be very exciting news. Once again, Apple has demonstrated amazing commitment to accessibility. Thank you, Apple.

ProToolsPetition.org posted an update this morning from DigiDesign, developers of the ProTools audio engineering application for professional sound and recording engineers. In essence, DigiDesign is reaffirming their commitment to accessibility, and will be undertaking a two phase project to provide access to ProTools with VoiceOver. The first phase will take most of the year, as the ProTools engineers migrate to a new graphical architecture for the software. Once that process is complete, they will begin the work that will allow the graphical elements of the software to properly identify themselves to the operating system. This second phase is expected to take a few years in all, and DigiDesign expects that VoiceOver compatibility will emerge gradually over the span of several releases.

To read the full update, visit www.ProToolsPetition.org.

Apple released long awaited updates to its mid- and pro-level audio production tools this morning.

Logic Studio provides a suite of apps designed for professional audio production. At its heart is Logic Pro 8, which boasts a new, single-window interface and countless new features. Also included in the package is Soundtrack 2 and an all new application called Main Stage which allows physical controls to interact with much of the software’s backend, primarily for live performances.

Logic Express, meant for mid-level audio production, has seen a dramatic update as well, including incorperating many of Logic Studio’s new features.

Whether or not either package includes improved accessibility over its previous incarnations is unclear at this time. We should point out, however, that improved accessibility may not manifest itself until the upcoming Leopard release, as that update to the OS is schedule to be released next month.

If you have any information on the accessibility of these products with VoiceOver, please contact us. We will be contacting Apple for comment as well.

Logic Studio and Logic Express retail for $499 and $199 respectively.