A little over a month ago, we were able to resurrect MakeiPhoneRingtone, with version 1.3, coupled with iTunes 7.5 and iPhone OS 1.1.2. We're now at version 1.3.1, and it's still going strong and working well. However, until late last week, we still feared Apple would again change course and lock out custom ringtone.

We fear that event no longer, however, thanks to this support document. As you can see, it details how to use GarageBand to create and send custom ringtones to your iPhone. This lends an increased legitimacy to a process that should have been available from the get-go, and I think it's safe to say that custom ringtones will be with the iPhone from here on out.

What's interesting to note is that currently, this feature is Mac-only. Having this functionality right in iTunes might make more sense, as it would fit with the existing ringtones editor, and it would make it cross-platform. However, it would also make it much simpler to add copyrighted music as a ringtone, which would cut into iTunes Store revenues. Hiding this away in GarageBand puts the focus on personally-composed ringtones.

This move also provides a nice assurance that custom ringtones are here to stay. As such, we'll see about integrating MakeiPhoneRingtone's functionality into Fission in the near future. As you can see to the left, this will likely take the form of a simple menu option, so you'll be able to use Fission then save to iTunes with one click. Coupled with automatic AAC conversion if required, making custom ringtones from any audio will be easier than ever.

For now, you can keep using Fission and MakeiPhoneRingtone together. And while MakeiPhoneRingtone is likely to be kept around as a Freebie, we'll be working to make things even faster, so that Fission is all you need. Stay tuned!

On this fine monday, we have a small update to Radioshift now available. This update, to version 1.0.4, brings several important bug fixes, particular for Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard). As well, the recording location Radioshift uses can now be adjusted, right in the Preferences window.

You can learn about how Radioshift can help you record Internet radio and download the free Radioshift trial right now. Version 1.0.4 is a free update for existing customers (just download and replace the existing version). New customers can purchase a Radioshift license key for just $32.

We've got a new version of Audio Hijack Pro available for all users, Audio Hijack Pro 2.8 Preview 3. This update fixes a small bug with post-processing scripts and improves the reliability of hijacking from apps running under Rosetta.

As before, we're still working to finish Leopard support for the Instant Hijack functionality. Instant Hijack enables the capture of audio from already-running applications, but when it's not available, Audio Hijack Pro simply needs to relaunch the source application. On Tiger, Audio Hijack Pro 2.8 Preview 3 is feature complete with plenty of updates and new features over 2.7.3.

We'll have an Audio Hijack Pro 2.8 final release, with Instant Hijack working on both Tiger and Leopard in the near future, but Preview 3 is now recommended for all users on OS X 10.4.0 through 10.5.1. Head over to the Audio Hijack Pro page to download it now.

As noted previously, the MacSanta promotion has returned in 2007, with more great deals on hundreds of Mac products. You can head over to macsantadeals.com right now to see all the great deals.

Yesterday, I had the chance to talk to Chuck Joiner over at MacVoices about MacSanta. If you're interested in hearing a bit more about it, including its genesis and inner workings, be sure to give it a listen!

Last year, we started a promotion called MacSanta, aiming to provide great deals for users and exposure for Mac developers. MacSanta is back by popular demand in 2007, and he's got even more deals.

This year, the festivities run the whole month of December. Each day at midnight (PST), Featured Deals from five different Mac companies will be posted at http://www.macsantadeals.com, enabling you to save 20% on all their software and products! But act fast, because these deals are good for one day only. When the day is over, new deals will be posted.

Even if you miss a deal, however, you can still save 10% with the Extended Deals page. All the previous Featured Deals will be listed here, so you can buy and save, through the end of December. Check out http://www.macsantadeals.com right now, subscribe to the RSS feed, then check back every day for more great deals!