There's a lot to like about iLife '11, Apple's just-updated suite of media sharing and editing applications. We got our grubby mitts on it last week, and posted the full review on Friday.

Click here to read it.

Apple had a long history of releasing a new version of the suite every January for four years, then it was six months late for the '08 version before getting back on track for '09. This version comes a year and nine months off that cycle. The big question you're probably wondering is whether it was worth the wait?

The short answer is yes, but if you were itching for updates to iDVD or iWeb, you'll be disappointed. Just three of the applications--iPhoto, iMovie, and GarageBand--were given new features in iLife '11. iDVD and iWeb remain untouched since the last version, which would be more of a pain point except for the fact that Apple has cut the price of the software by $20, down to $49, and $6.99 for those who bought a Mac within the last several weeks.

At its core, Apple's updates to iLife '11 are definitely more evolutionary than revolutionary, with all three of the updated apps looking much like they did in '09. However, new to the table are some advanced features that have been added without over-complicating things. There are also more ways to fix your digital media after it's been recorded--be it video you're cutting in iMovie, or audio tracks in GarageBand.

Read the full review to find out more about what's new, what's different, and what makes it worth the upgrade.

Originally posted at Web Crawler

Google reached a significant milestone for its Android mobile operating system today: 100,000 applications are available in the Android Market.

The company announced the news in a post to its Android Developer Twitter account, nearly two years to the day since the Android Market formally opened for business. An unofficial estimate of Android applications by AndroLib had pegged the number at 50,000 in April, but it's not clear how accurate that was, as AndroLib currently predicts that 150,000 applications are available in the market.

Google is still well behind Apple when it comes to mobile applications, of course, with iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad owners having access to over 280,000 iOS-based applications at last count. (UPDATED 1:37 p.m PDT - Apple e-mailed in to clarify that on its earnings call last week, CEO Steve Jobs said there are now over 300,000 applications in the App Store.) Still, the milestone is worth noting as Android continues to cement its role as the Apple alternative for developers and consumers.

Before Google made the formal announcement The New York Times posted a story noting the milestone and pointing out some of the challenges that remain for Android developers, such as the subtle-yet-important differences between the hundreds of different Android devices on the market as well as payment issues with Google Checkout.

Originally posted at Relevant Results

About a month after RIM announced its BlackBerry PlayBook tablet, the company is releasing its BlackBerry Tablet OS SDK for Adobe AIR, a software developer kit that can be used to program apps and games for the PlayBook.

The SDK specifically targets Adobe AIR, a tool that allows developers to create software that can work on a variety of platforms, including Windows, Mac, and the BlackBerry PlayBook. Working with the cross-platform Adobe AIR is part of RIM's strategy for getting more Web developers to generate PlayBook apps, who might not ordinarily create applications for the smaller BlackBerry smartphones.

In particular, RIM hopes its SDK will encourage developers familiar with Adobe's tools to program for RIM's contender to the iPad and GalaxyTab.

In late September, RIM outlined its goal to woo traditional Web developers in addition to mobile programmers by delivering tools like the Adobe AIR SDK. The PlayBook will also integrate the contentious Flash Player 10.1 in addition to Adobe AIR applications. The SDK is available beginning today, with RIM accepting app submissions by the end of 2010, in time to get BlackBerry App World ready for the PlayBook's projected release date in early 2011--although there's no specific sale date yet named. Read more from RIM.

Related BlackBerry PlayBook stories
Everything we know about the BlackBerry PlayBook
Up Close with RIM's `PlayBook' (Photos)
RIM's 'PlayBook': Enough to Slow Down the iPad?

Originally posted at Dialed In