An iPad version of our music app Etude is now out. It’s a free upgrade for existing users (just update to version 1.1) and costs $4.99 otherwise.

Today we’re introducing a new iPhone app that’s been in the works for the past 6 months or so, and almost two years in various forms.

It’s called Etude, and the best way to describe it is “sheet music on steroids.” It combines traditional sheet music with an on-screen keyboard whose keys light up to reveal the position of notes. The app also uses its own synthesizer to simultaneously play the piece aloud. It ships with access to an in-app music store that you can download new songs from.

Check it out and let us know what you think!

ShoveBox Mobile 1.0.3 was approved for the App Store today. It fixes a bug with the “new picture” button.

ShoveBox 1.7.6 is out, a free upgrade for all users. Here’s what’s new:

• More robust iPhone syncing
• Fixed issue where custom keyboard shortcuts could be lost when upgrading the app
• Added "Export all" context menu item for folders in organizer.
• Interface enhancements

You can download the update here or through the auto-update feature.

ShoveBox Mobile 1.0.2 has just hit the App Store.

Here’s what’s new:

• Redesigned interface: You can now create a text entry in one click, as well as import saved images.
• Fixed bug in comments screen on version 3.0 of the OS.

Since its initial release, ShoveBox has supported a nifty Mac OS X feature many have never heard of called Services. Services let you quickly send data back and forth between apps.

In the past, services were hidden in a confusing menu. But with Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard, services now make a lot more sense. You can turn them on and off, configure shortcuts, and even show them in contextual menus.

Here’s how to use ShoveBox’s service in 10.6:

1. Open System Preferences.
2. Choose the Keyboard pane under Hardware.
3. Choose the second tab, Keyboard Shortcuts
4. From the categories on the left, choose Services.
5. Scroll down to the Text subcategory, and look for the Send to ShoveBox service.
6. Check the checkbox next to the service to enable it.
7. Optionally enter a new keyboard shortcut if you’d like to change the default..

Spiffy! Now you can use it in the Services menu, as well as by right-clicking on text:

ShoveBox 1.7.5 is out, with some enhancements for Snow Leopard and miscellaneous bug fixes.

You can download the update here or through the auto-update feature.

Apple’s recent announcement of the Snow Leopard ship date was a bit of a surprise to everyone.

But rest assured, we’re testing on the latest build and will have updates to all our products to resolve any issues as soon as possible.

ShoveBox 1.7.4 is out, with fixes for several rare stability and data-integrity related bugs

You can download the update here or through the auto-update feature.

I’m going to be attending the following tech conferences in the Bay area soon:

• Google IO — May 27-28. I’ve never been to a Google conference, so this should be an experience.
• WWDC ‘09 — June 8-12. Looking forward to touching base with my fellow indie Mac developers, now that I can truly count myself among their ranks. Something tells me this is going to be more about iPhone though.
• CommunityOne — June 1-3. Sun’s free conference about…why you should use Sun. I’ll probably be here only part of the time, depending on how good the food is and whether or not it is free as well.

If you’re reading this and coming to any of these and would like to meet up, drop a line!