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Toast 7 Titanium's most notable difference from its predecessor is in its tight integration with Apple's iLife applications - iTunes, iPhoto, iMovie and iDVD - with a new browser that makes importing content from iLife to Toast as straightforward as possible.

Add the new data spanning feature, which enables the archiving of files from multiple optical discs, and you have a pretty comprehensive backup tool. It is also compatible with the EyeTV digital TV tuner, enabling the burning of recorded TV programmes.

But Toast 7 does not stop there. It also includes support for video encoding with the popular DiVX codec (and its HD version), plus H.264, the chief codec in OS X 10.4, QuickTime and

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3G amongst others.

Audiophiles will appreciate support for Dolby Digital to enable the creation of audio DVDs (DVD-A) and support for emerging sound formats Ogg Vorbis and the Free Lossless Audio Codec (FLAC).

No new OS X application is complete without its accompanying widget and Toast is no different. The Desktop Recorder widget enables the recording of audio using Toast's companion application, CD Spin Doctor. This application is popularly used for converting old vinyl records and tapes (see: Converting tapes and vinyl records to CD with Toast) but in fact can be used to record any audio input, turning a Mac portable into an impromptu voice memo recorder for example.

Also bundled in the Toast package are a new HD version of the Motion Picture slideshow authoring software and Dja Vu back-up app.

Toast 7 Titanium will require at least Mac OS X 10.3.9, largely because it is dependent on QuickTime 7.

Toast 7 will be available from Roxio on 31 August and from retail stores in mid-September for an SRP of £69.99 (inc. VAT). Registered Toast, Jam, Popcorn and The Boom Box users will be eligible for discounts direct from Roxio.