Apple

Apple on Monday released an update for Mac OS X Snow Leopard, bringing the current version to 10.6.2.

(Credit: Apple)

An important issue that caused data to be deleted when using a guest account has been fixed, according to Apple. While the bug didn't affect all users, it was widespread enough to cause concerns for users over the past couple of weeks.

In addition to fixing a number of security issues, Mac OS X 10.6.2 also addresses 14 problems found in the operating system, including an issue that caused some users to be logged out of their systems unexpectedly.

If you use Exchange contacts, you'll be pleased to know that your Spotlight searches will now show those contacts in the results. Setting up an Exchange server shouldn't cause Apple's Mail app to crash with the new version.

The update also includes what Apple calls "general stability improvements" for iWork, iLife, Aperture, Final Cut Studio, MobileMe, and iDisk.

Apple also updated Mac OS X Leopard Server to version 10.6.2, addressing issues with the company's server product.

The server update fixed problems with adding and removing imported users in Server Preferences, syncing content using a Portable Home Directory, and filtering incoming mail messages.

Other issues fixed with the server version include creating images using Apple's System Image Utility and automating the installation of NetRestore images.

Mac OS X 10.6.2 client and server are available as free updates from Apple's Web site.

(Credit: Screenshot by Rafe Needleman/CNET)

Apple released an update to its operating system Wednesday, version 10.5.8.

The update is said to fix issues related to compatibility and reliability when trying to connect a Mac to an AirPort network, as well as restore Display System Preferences, and Bluetooth reliability. The latter will likely bring a sigh of relief to users who have complained of their Bluetooth keyboard or mouse periodically disconnecting from their Macs.

Also included in the update: an upgrade to Safari 4.0.2, with improved accuracy of search history; a fix for importing large photo and movie files from cameras; better iCal, iDisk, MobileMe, AFP, Managed Client, Sync Service reliability; more support for RAW images from third-party cameras; and improved compatibility for external USB drives.

My colleague Elinor Mills has a separate post on the security updates contained in 10.5.8.

As always, let us know if you have any problems with this update.

(Credit: Matt Hickey)

So Apple on Friday released an update to the iPhone OS (3.0.1) that takes care of an SMS vulnerability. It's a fairly important patch, and usually when Apple updates the iPhone OS, jailbreakers have to wait until the Dev Team comes out with a new version of jailbreaking software before they can update.

But according to the iPhone Dev Team's Twitter, this is not the case with the 3.0.1 firmware. In fact, the current versions of redsn0w and ultrasn0w work the same with the 3.0.1 firmware as they do with the 3.0 firmware that came out a few weeks ago. In short, the jailbreaking software already works. I checked with the Dev Team community and had this confirmed. "Restore to 3.0.1, run redsn0w, select the 3.0 file... Bang zoom."

So go ahead, iPhone hackers, and secure your devices soon. You don't have to worry about losing Cydia and other rogue apps.

(Credit: Stephen Shankland/CNET)

Updated at 12:15 p.m. PDT

While the majority of commenters on CNET and around the Web are reporting success in downloading iPhone OS 3.0 Wednesday, there were scattered reports of problems.

My colleague Stephen Shankland, a CNET News reporter, tried several times to download the OS update around 12 p.m. Pacific to his iPhone and received the same error message, pictured above, each time.

A handful of CNET commenters reported problems accessing iTunes. "I see that the upgrade is now available, but four times the message I get after a couple of minutes is that the download has 'timed out,'" said one reader, and another reported, "Same issue here, cannot connect to the iTunes store to activate so the phone won't work."

A quick perusal of Twitter showed a smattering of people with the same issue.

This, of course, is a repeat of what happened last year, when Apple's iTunes servers couldn't withstand the barrage of traffic when customers tried to update to iPhone 2.0 software at the same time new iPhone 3G buyers were attempting to activate their phones.

Anyone else having problems with the update today?

Update 12:45 p.m. PDT: Reader Michael Samstag wrote in to say his iPhone was rendered unusable when he tried to install the update. "It has the 'connect to iTunes' message and will only allow emergency calls," he says. "I signed up for the 'Apple callback' for tech support and they called back and put me on hold for 20-minutes. Then the call got disconnected and now the earliest callback time is between 6:15 p.m. EDT and 6:30 p.m. EDT. So, I'm looking at having no cell for a minimum of three hours, probably longer."

Gizmodo is also hearing reports of phones "bricked" from the update. We're still waiting for comment from Apple.

Update 1:05 p.m. PDT: We're also getting feedback about general sluggishness and intermittent problems accessing Apple's Mobile Me service. But it sounds like the situation isn't as bad as last year. That was when the simultaneous launch of the iPhone 3G and Mobile Me wreaked havoc on across Apple's servers and related Web services.

Update 2:26 p.m. PDT: My colleague Stephen now reports success in installing the update--after 30 tries over the course of 2.5 hours. Samstag, the reader who earlier reported his phone had been bricked by the update, also says it's working now.

Seems like things are getting back to normal now.

(Credit: Screenshot by Steven Musil/CNET)

Updated at 11 p.m. PDT with link to troubleshooting support.

Apple on Tuesday released OS X 10.5.7, an update to its Leopard operating system that is intended to fix a variety of bugs and security issues, as well as provide expanded hardware support.

Several security issues are addressed in the update, including issues related to Apache Web server, PHP, CoreGraphics, and Safari. The update patches three separate vulnerabilities in Apple Type Services, QuickDraw Manager, and WebKit, all of which could allow for arbitrary code execution.

Among the hardware support enhancements is additional RAW image support for third-party digital cameras--a format that allows for retention of more image information than JPEGs. The update also improves performance of video playback and cursor movements for recent Macs with Nvidia graphics components and resolves an issue with Dvorak keyboard layout in Mac OS X 10.5.6.

OS X 10.5.7 includes patches for issues related to network stability and performance, as well as issues related to logging in to Gmail and synching contacts on Yahoo. The update also includes a patch to improve the accuracy of several Dashboard widgets, including Unit Converter, Stocks, Weather, and Movies.

Improvements to iCal include improved reliability with CalDav as well as automatic syncing with MobileMe. Apple has also improved its Parental Controls and applications restrictions.

The update, which is recommended for all users running Mac OS X Leopard, is available through a standalone installer or Software Update.

Some users have complained about installation issues related to the update. For troubleshooting tips, see MacFixIt.

Apple released an update to its iTunes music management software on Wednesday, adding a host of enhancements as well as support for a new line of iPod Shuffles it released earlier in the day.

In addition to some security fixes, iTunes 8.1 adds new features to Genius--a feature that lets you put songs together in your library that somehow "go great together"--and support for CD imports to iTunes Plus.

Among the other enhancements Apple made:

•  Allows friends to request songs for iTunes DJ.

•  Adds Genius sidebar for your Movies and TV Shows.

•  Improves performance when downloading iTunes Plus songs.

•  Provides AutoFill for manually managed iPods.

•  Allows iTunes U and the iTunes Store to be disabled separately using Parental Controls.

The update comes on the heels of Apple's unveiling earlier Wednesday of a new iPod Shuffle. The new device, which is smaller than a AA battery, adds a new VoiceOver feature that can recite song titles, artists, and playlist names, as well as provide status information, such as battery life. Apple claims the gadget's battery life clocks in at 10 hours.

In conjunction with the iTunes update, Apple also released an update to Front Row, its media application for that allows users to access music, movies, and TV shows in one place, although the company did not detail the update.

The latest iPhone firmware update should be available Tuesday in iTunes.

(Credit: Tom Krazit/CNET News)

Apple has released a minor iPhone firmware update that is supposed to help improve the stability of its Safari browser.

The update should be popping up Tuesday if you connect your iPhone to iTunes. Update 2.2.1 is the first tweak released since Apple added Google's Street View to the iPhone's software back in November with the 2.2 release.

Despite the brief list of new features and fixes, this update is just as big as that release, weighing in at 246.4MB. As a result, it's taking awhile to download and install. I'll let you know if I encounter any problems, and likewise, please let us know if you experience any issues downloading and installing the update.

Update 11:15am - iPod Touch owners had an additional fix as part of the update. Apple fixed an issue with Apple Lossless files that tended to skip during playback, according to The Unofficial Apple Weblog.

If the Mac OS X 10.5.6 update caused you problems earlier this week, try, try again.

(Credit: Apple)

Apple has acknowledged an issue encountered by some Leopard users trying to install the company's latest update released Monday.

In a support document posted to its site, Apple described an issue in which a Mac would hang on a "Configuring installation" window when trying to install Mac OS X 10.5.6. That was apparently the result of an incomplete update getting seeded into the Software Update process, and Mac OS X will freak out if it tries to install a partially downloaded update.

Apple recommends that if you encounter this problem, or have already, that you force Software Update to quit, remove the partial update from your library, and re-download the update. If you chose to download the standalone update from Apple's site rather than the combo update, you might also have had this problem; when in doubt, choose the combo update option.

If you've had a separate problem in trying to install the update, check out our sister site MacFixIt for tips and troubleshooting guidelines.

Fire up Software Update to get the latest update to Mac OS X Leopard.

(Credit: Josh Lowensohn/CNET)

MobileMe syncing improvements and security fixes headline the list of changes unveiled with the release of Apple's Mac OS X 10.5.6 update Monday.

The file should be appearing in the Software Update window at any moment now, depending on how often you've set Software Update to check for new software. The sixth update to Leopard, originally released in October 2007, comes with the usual range of tweaks, bug fixes, and security improvements.

One update of note concerns MobileMe, which is now capable of pushing updates made to calendars or contact information from the Web or an iPhone to the primary Mac within a minute. Apple had numerous problems with the launch of the MobileMe service earlier this year, and the latest update should help fix one of the more pressing issues still outstanding with the $99-a-year service.

A full list of the issues addressed with 10.5.6 can be found here, while a list of the security improvements should appear here relatively soon. If you want to download the update from Apple's Web site, go here, but the Software Update function is the easiest way to get updated.