Today's Top Stories:

  Apple Unveils Sleek New iMacs
Apple has just announced the release of four brand new, ultra-slim iMacs, ranging from a 20-inch with a 2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor and one gigabyte of memory up to a 24-inch with a 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor. If that's not enough power for you, you can order a 2.8GHz Core 2 Extreme! These new iMacs somehow manage to cram everything - from the processor to the onboard iSight video camera - into an astoundingly thin, anodized aluminum frame. The advanced dual-core Intel processors inside each iMac are faster than ever, so whether you're composing music, editing a movie, or playing the latest, hottest new games, you'll never find yourself bogged down, waiting for the processor to catch up. The dazzling 20- and 24-inch glossy widescreen displays deliver the same rich, vivid color you'll find in the company's standalone monitors. Prices begin as low as $1199! Your Sweetwater Sales Engineer can help you design an iMac system that's perfect for your needs!

  It's a Wonderful iLife!
The other big news today is Apple's release of iLife '08, a major upgrade to the company's suite of "digital lifestyle applications." This will include a brand new (and significantly enhanced) version of iPhoto, as well as a totally re-engineered iMovie that will have you making movies in minutes. Apple's iDVD has also had a makeover with ten new themes and snappier performance. For creating your own web sites, iWeb, which was originally included in the iLife '06, now makes it even easier to start with Apple's themes and then customize them with your own photos, movies, podcasts and more. We've saved the best for last: the newest version of GarageBand is even more sophisticated, so whether you're a pro on the go or a first-time musician, there are even more ways to get the music in your head into your computer and then ultimately onto a CD or into your shiny new iPod. Magic GarageBand lets you play along with a hand-picked band on a virtual stage or it can generate a new project based on the genre of music you're looking to create, from country to contemporary. In other Apple news, the company has updated their Pro Application Support software to version 4.0.1. This upgrade is designed to improve user interface reliability when working with the company's professional applications such as Final Cut Studio, Final Cut Pro, Motion, Soundtrack Pro, DVD Studio Pro, Aperture, Final Cut Express HD, Logic Pro and Logic Pro Express. Apple recommends that anyone using these applications get this free update.

  Guitar of the Day
While the original Fender Stratocaster was released in 1954, it wasn't until a few years later that players on the east coast could get their hands on one. The Telecaster was already selling quite well but the Stratocaster was Leo Fender's answer to critics that felt Teles were uncomfortable to play. But back then, nobody could have possibly dreamed how much of an impact the Strat would have in the world of popular music. Today, just about every guitar player would love to own a Strat. Thankfully, Fender has worked hard over the past decade or so to make sure there was a Strat for everyone's budget, from the Standard Strat all the way up to today's Guitar of the Day, the Fender Custom Shop Limited Edition 1955 Stratocaster Relic! This is the Strat for the serious professional who wants only the absolute best instrument, both in terms of sound quality and as an investment. Fender's Custom Shop only built 100 of these and we managed to get two. Right now we're down to the last one and after this, there will never be another! You start out with a 2-color sunburst finish over a custom-contoured premium ash body. Since this is a "relic" instrument, the Custom Shop builders carefully applied a period-accurate nitrocellulose lacquer topcoat, which has been carefully aged (but not "beat up" like some relics). The parchment pickguard is single-ply, just like those used on the original '55s and the nickel-plated hardware is also carefully aged to look just like the hardware you'd expect to see on a 50-year-old guitar. The American Vintage tremolo even comes complete with the cute - but ultimately useless - ashtray bridge cover that almost every guitar player in the "old days" quickly misplaced. The 1-piece maple neck has the original 1955 profile, a real bone nut, and 21 medium-jumbo frets. The sonics come courtesy of three custom-wound Fat '50s single-coil pickups with the middle pickup wired in reverse for additional hum cancellation. Finally, everything is shipped in a deluxe limited edition hardshell case with black crushed velvet lining. What more is there to say?