Apple released the Snow Leopard Graphics Update this past Monday. According to the support notes on Apple’s site, the update provides stability and performance fixes for graphics applications and games in Snow Leopard version 10.6.4.

More info can be found in Apple’s support document here.

Many fixes are included in the Snow Leopard 10.6.2 update, among them a fix for the “Guest Account” bug that was deleting user files.  Users can find the full list and update information on Apple’s website.

Be sure to back up your system before you install the 10.6.2 update.  Tips on backing up your Mac to an external hard drive can be found here.

And bad news for the hackintosh fans: 10.6.2 breaks Intel Atom-based netbooks that have been hacked to run Mac OS X.

The Safari 4.0.4 update addresses “performance, stability, and security.”  Click here to get Apple’s full list of security flaws addressed in this update.

A million pardons to our BlackBerry users out there for not posting this sooner.  The first update for the BlackBerry Desktop for Mac was released a few weeks ago.  The v.1.0.1 update apparently improves data synchronization and has important bug fixes (the BlackBerry website does not elaborate on what bugs are fixed).  You can get the update on the official BlackBerry website.

For our users who just purchased the latest iMac, which comes with the super sleek Magic Mouse, and for those of you who may have just purchased the Magic Mouse alone, there are software updates available.  The only information that Apple has provided about the updates is that you should install the software to “take advantage of your Magic Mouse special features.”

Magic Mouse Update – Leopard

Magic Mouse Update – Snow Leopard

Yesterday Apple released the Mac OS X v10.6.1 update for Snow Leopard users.  Users can get the update by going to the Apple menu and selecting Software Update.

This update includes the following fixes:

• Improves compatibility with some Sierra Wireless 3G modems
• Addresses an issue in which some printer compatibility drivers might not appear properly in the Add Printer browser
• Addresses an issue that might cause DVD playback to stop unexpectedly
• Addresses an issue that might make it difficult to remove an item from the Dock
• Resolves an issue in which the Command-Option-T keyboard shortcut would sometimes bring up the special characters menu in applications such as Mail and TextEdit
• Addresses instances in which auto account setup in Mail might not work
• Resolves issues when sending mail with certain SMTP servers
• Addresses an issue in which Motion 4 could become unresponsive
• Includes an update to Adobe Flash Player plug-in version 10.0.32.18

The Mac OS X 10.5.8 Update was released yesterday and you can update by running Software Update from the Apple menu on your machine or by downloading the Update here from Apple’s website.

The following improvements and fixes are included in the update:

• Upgrades Safari to version 4.0.2.
• Improves the accuracy of full history search in Safari 4.
• Resolves an issue in which certain resolutions might not appear in the Display pane in System Preferences.
• Dragging an Aperture image into Automator now invokes an Aperture action instead of incorrectly invoking an iPhoto action.
• Resolves an issue that could prevent importing of large photo and movie files from digital cameras.
• Improves overall Bluetooth reliability with external devices, USB webcams and printers.
• Addresses an issue that could cause extended startup times.
• Improves iCal reliability with MobileMe Sync and CalDav.
• Addresses data reliability issues with iDisk and MobileMe.
• Improves overall reliability with AFP.
• Improves overall reliability with Managed Client.
• Improves compatibility and reliability for joining AirPort networks.
• Improves Sync Service reliability.
• Includes additional RAW image support for several third-party cameras.
• Improves compatibility with some external USB hard drives.
• Includes latest security fixes.

As always, please BACKUP before you install the update.  Also, you may want to visit MacFixIt’s site here and here for reports of issues that some users have experienced with this update.

The 4.0.2 update is available via Software Update or by going to Apple’s website.  The notes in the support section of Apple’s site note that this update has two fixes: one addresses potential cross-site scripting attacks; the other addresses a memory corruption issue in Webkit’s handling of numeric character references, which could allow arbitrary code execution or application termination after visiting a malicious site.

Just a friendly reminder to all of our clients, readers and friends with iPhones that the iPhone 3.0 Software Update is available tomorrow, June 17, 2009.

There have been a few helpful instructional videos posted by developers over the past few days.  I’m including one here that is fairly lengthy, but includes overviews of the following new features:

• Internet Tethering (not currently available in the U.S.)
• MMS Messaging (not available with AT&T until later in the summer)
• Landscape Keyboard
• Cut/Copy/Paste
• Voice Memos
• Universal Search – Spotlight
• MobileMe Find My iPhone and Remote Wipe

As our mac support experts have recommended in the past, it is wise to wait a little bit before jumping to upgrade your operating system.  There may be certain applications that you have on your machine that might not play nicely with 10.5.7 and we we’d like to get feedback from our trusted Need Mac Help techs after they’ve tested the new operating system.

For users who feel they absolutely must upgrade right away, please read Apple’s support document regarding the update.

Yesterday Apple released updates to iMovie, Aperture and Server Admin tools.

iMovie 8.0.2 fixes an issue with projects having a size of 0 KB.  Trying to open these projects caused iMovie to quit at launch.  This update also patches a problem where full-screen mode wasn’t able to be accessed on some systems.

http://www.apple.com/downloads/macosx/apple/application_updates/imovie802.html

Aperture 2.1.3 improves overall stability and provides fixes for issues related to the integrity of the Aperture Library database and compatibility with specific file types.

For more information on the image compatibility and Aperture Library fixes, see the Apple Support document about the update:

http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2683

According to Apple Support, Server Admin Tools 10.5.6v1.1 provides several improvements, among them:

System Image Utility – when deploying a system image created from a volume, the target computers will no longer have identical local KDC files.  Also adds NetBoot/NetInstall model filters for the latest MacBook, MacBook Pro and MacBook Air computers.

Server Admin – fixes an issue that could cause Server Admin to stop responding when propagating permissions on a folder which is on a volume other than the boot volume.  Also adds NetBoot/NetInstall model filters for the latest MacBook, MacBook Pro and MacBook Air computers.

The download for Server Admin Tools 10.5.6v1.1 can be found here:

http://support.apple.com/downloads/Server_Admin_Tools_10_5_6v1_1