Strategically, GarageBand is very interesting. It appears to be a stripped-down version of Apple's Logic software (acquired in 2002 when Apple bought eMagic), yet Apple hasn't mentioned any connection. (That's probably a good thing. As names go, "GarageBand" is much better than "Logic Express" or Logic Lite Edition.")

Although GarageBand is practically free with iLife '04 (and actually free with every new Mac), it should be a money machine -- a "gateway" app to all sorts of upsell opportunities.

Not only can Apple sell bits and pieces of Logic effects with packages like GarageBand Jam Pack. Many new users will want to buy a keyboard or an amp or a mixer to go with their music-making Mac.

But it's much bigger than that. With this release, Apple instantly becomes a leading online retailer for music-related hardware. The stuff on this page is just the beginning.