Notable software releases this week include PersonalBrain 5.0.2, Typinator 3.4, iPhone 2.2.1 Software Update, Apple's iLife Media Browser Update, iDVD 7.0.3, HoudahSpot 2.4, and SpamSieve 2.7.3.

Apple has announced it will begin shipping iLife '09 on 27-Jan-09. The latest version features major upgrades to iPhoto, iMovie, and GarageBand; comes free with new Macs; and costs $79 for all other users.

Want to know what's going on with the many programs running on your Mac without having to check in on each one individually? The system-wide notification manager Growl provides a centralized way of displaying notifications from a wide range of apps.

Notable software releases this week include Default Folder X 4.1.1, QuickTime 7.6, Mellel 2.6, and Sandvox 1.5.4.

Notable software releases this week include Script Debugger 4.5.2 and Cyberduck 3.1.

About a year ago, Joe Kissell wrote "Looking Video Chat Problems in the Eye" (2008-01-31) about the problem of making eye contact when videoconferencing. A recent patent application from Apple indicates they're still searching for a way to enable users to look their video chat partners in the eye.

Notable software releases this week include WireTap Studio 1.0.7, Things 1.0, PDF Shrink 4.5, CheckUp 2.0, and FileMaker Pro 10.0.

Google has released a public beta version of Picasa for Mac at Macworld Expo this week. Previously, Mac users were limited to the Picasa Web Albums uploader and an iPhoto plugin, but now they have access to the full version of the photo editing and organizing software.

The popular fake news organization, The Onion, recently posted a hilarious video on its Web site featuring a look at a fake new Apple laptop, the MacBook Wheel. According to The Onion, the MacBook Wheel replaces the keyboard with a giant touch-sensitive click wheel, making everything on your computer, "just a few hundred clicks away."

Interested in learning how to play your favorite songs on guitar or piano? Let the stars teach you how. GarageBand '09 has added Learn to Play music lessons to its bag of tricks.

iPhoto '09 now offers face detection and geotagging capabilities, along with integration with Facebook and Flickr, and new slideshow themes that can sync to an iPhone or iPod touch.

Steve Jobs has written an open letter to put an end to speculation that his health was failing and to ask for support from the Apple community.

If you'll be in San Francisco for Macworld Expo, you can catch not just the MacHEADS movie, but also a special screening of the new documentary "Welcome to Macintosh."

Notable software releases since the last issue of TidBITS include Audio Hijack Pro 2.9, Firefox 3.0.5, Camino 1.6.6, Norton Internet Security for Mac 4.0, Snapz Pro X 2.1.3, Hazel 2.2.4, PDFpen 4.0.3, Typinator 3.3, and Lightroom 2.2.

In a recent report comparing U.S. computer makers, Macs were ranked as the most reliable, though the ranking may say more about Apple's support options than the reliabilty of Macs.