Microsoft Readies Competitor to Apple’s GarageBand

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Some industry watchers have portrayed Apple Computer’s decision to make Windows available as a dual-boot on Intel-based Mac OS X systems as a big win for Microsoft.

Microsoft doesn’t seem to be taking the move as a sign that it can call off the dogs, however.

Microsoft is still pushing full-steam-ahead with a music-making program, code-named “Monaco,” according to Microsoft partners who requested anonymity.

Monaco would be very similar to Apple’s GarageBand application, but would be optimized to take advantage of Windows Vista and the Aero user interface.

GarageBand is Apple’s MacOS application for amateur musicians.

It comes with 1,000 pre-recorded sampled loops, and 50 sampled or synthesised instruments that can be played using a MIDI keyboard connected to the computer, or using an on-screen keyboard.

Read the full story on Microsoft Watch: Microsoft Readies ‘Monaco’ Competitor to Apple’s GarageBand