Following a month of beta testing (and a couple dozen new builds), we’re finally ready to release version 3.2 of Airfoil for Windows. This update isn’t flashy or feature-packed, but it’s important nonetheless. We’ve made a slew of improvements under the hood, to make Airfoil work better than ever.

Those improvements start with an all-new audio capture engine, for better performance. Airfoil can now capture audio from a lot of edge cases that previously failed. It’s now also fully compatible with the FMOD audio library, powering many games as well as the Qobuz music service’s desktop application.

For users of Windows text scaling, Airfoil’s interface is now fully resolution-independent. We’re not through with these updates, as we’ll be working at making the same updates to Airfoil Speakers in the future. There are also myriad bug fixes and minor improvements, from the ability to mute all output at once to improvements to the Equalizer, and more.

We want to get everyone using this version of Airfoil for Windows, so in addition to working better than ever, it’s also a free update. Just visit the Airfoil for Windows page, and you can download it immediately.

Macworld | iWorld, the new name for the Macworld Expo in San Francisco, took place last week. As mentioned before on this very blog, Rogue Amoeba was there exhibiting. In addition to showing off Airfoil and Piezo alongside Quentin, Jose, Chris, and Christa (who designs a fabulous booth), I had a chance to participate in two panels on the Macworld Live stage. If you missed the show, read on for more information on the panels.

First, on Thursday, I sat down with Macworld Senior Associate Editor Dan Moren and App Cubby founder David Barnard to discuss Apple’s App Stores. Our discussion covered some well-worn territory, but also included some new thoughts based on our own success in the Mac App Store with Piezo. You can check out that discussion here, but only if you promise to ignore the goofy poster frame for the video.

On Saturday, just before the show ended, I got to have a spirited discussion with several friends. The group consisted of Guy English, Glenn Fleishman, John Gruber, and Dave Wiskus, and was led by Macworld Staff Writer Lex Friedman. We talked about some of our favorite apps as well as their flaws, and discussed software development in general. This might be one of my favorite panels I’ve participated in – preparation ahead of time led to great content. You can check it out here. You’ll again see me in the poster frame, looking slightly less goofy but also failing to notice Guy controlling an invisible marionette.

If you’re already regretting missing the show, be sure to mark your calendar for next year, when Macworld will take place January 31st to February 2nd, 2013.

As we posted about before, Airfoil for Windows 3.2 is currently in development. We’re just about ready for release. If you’d like to test what we believe will be the last 3.2 beta, get it here.

Feedback

If the beta works, excellent – that’s just what we expected! Keep using it until the official Airfoil 3.2 arrives. However, if you run into any problems, use the in-app support form in the Help menu to let us know.

Late last month, the fabulous Jacqui Cheng did an in-depth review of our own Airfoil over at Ars Technica. If you’ve never had a chance to take Airfoil for a spin, Jacqui’s post is a great guide.

Of course, we always recommend simply downloading our free trials to test drive our software. But if you’d like to come see Airfoil in person, or just say hello, don’t forget we’ll be at Macworld-iWorld next week, in booth #742.

Piezo is just over one month old, but in such a short time, it’s already garnered several major awards and recommendations. It’s always gratifying to have our work recognized by others, and we thought we’d share some of that recognition here.

First, on December 28th we were honored to have Piezo selected as the pick of the day by The Observer’s Very Short List. Very Short List is a free, daily e-mail that recommends a single must–see treasure each day, so being chosen for December 28th, 2011 was quite the honor. If you’re interested in joining Very Short List, subscribe right here.

Just two days later, we learned of another award, this one from Macworld. We’d already received a very positive 4-mouse review, but on the 30th, we learned we’d been selected as one of the Mac Gems of the year, alongside other great apps like TextWrangler, Printopia, Fantastical, and several others. Airfoil 4 also received a nod, as an honorable mention. Not too shabby!

We’ve also started off 2012 in style, as Piezo was selected as Leo LaPorte’s pick of the week, on the most recent episode of MacBreak Weekly. This marks the fourth application of ours which has been so honored, alongside Airfoil, Audio Hijack Pro, and Fission, and we’re certainly delighted to be garnering such praise.

Ultimately though, what the critics think doesn’t matter nearly as much as what you think. We hope you’ll love Piezo, but first, you have to check it out. If you haven’t yet done so, hopefully these recommendations will convince you to take a look.