Between Tuesday's reveals of thinner, higher-resolution iPads and trash can-shaped Mac Pros, Apple also threw software fans a bone, confirming a freemium version of GarageBand.
Reports of a gratis application emerged earlier this week, when Cupertino's Built-In Apps page suggested a no-charge version of the music-mixing application for iPhone 5s users.
The company confirmed the rumors yesterday: GarageBand for Mac and iOS are free for all OS X Mavericks and iOS 7 users. Additional instruments and sounds, however, will cost a one-time in-app-purchase price of $4.99 each.
GarageBand formerly cost $4.99 to download on gadgets running iOS 5.1 and above.
The free version of GarageBand provides access to several instruments: keyboard, drum, guitar amp, audio recorder, and smart guitar. A sampler, as well as "smart" versions of drums, strings, bass, and keyboards are available via in-app purchase.
GarageBand landed on the iPad in March 2011, while the iPhone and iPod touch version followed in November for $5 or as a free upgrade for those who already purchased it on their tablet.
"This is the biggest day for apps in Apple's history," Eddy Cue, Apple senior vice president of Internet Software and Services, said in a statement.
Alongside the freemium GarageBand, meanwhile, Apple is now offering its iWork and iLife productivity suites for free for those purchasing a new Mac or iOS 7 device.
Each of the iWork suite apps — Pages, Numbers, and Keynote — costs $9.99 separately, making the full set a $30 purchase. Add another $4.99 each for iMovie and iPhoto, and the total package comes to $40 — now available as a free bundle.
GarageBand is currently available for download from the Mac App Store and the iTunes App Store.
Apple's latest operating system, OS X Mavericks, also launched for free yesterday. For more, check out PCMag's full review and our how to download guide.
Also see PCMag's review of Apple GarageBand 1.3 for iPad. Also check out PCMag Live in the video below, which discusses Apple's announcements.
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