Late yesterday Apple released an update to its desktop operating system. This update, dubbed OS X Lion 10.7.4, features several minor bug fixes as well as a security update addressing the FileVault password security issue. This issue made users’ passwords vulnerable by storing them in plain text format. Here’s what the update addresses in Applespeak:

The 10.7.4 update is recommended for all OS X Lion users and includes general operating system fixes that improve the stability, compatibility, and security of your Mac including fixes that:

For information on the security content of this update, please visit: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1222.

As always, we recommend you download and install via the combo updater instead of using Apple’s Software Update built into the Lion OS. Sure, it takes a bit longer and is a bit more effort, but in our experience, it usually yields better results.

In what seems like a response to two websites claiming a virus “outbreak” on Mac computers which exploits a Java vulnerability, Apple today issued a new software update for Macs running Mac OS X 10.7 Lion. The update, which is called Java for OS X 2012-002, supposedly addresses this vulnerability, although Apple doesn’t say that in the info released with the update.

In fact, in true Apple fashion, the update only says it delivers “improved compatibility, security and reliability” and little else. Although, as this update comes cloesly after Russian anti-virus experts Dr. Web revealed earlier this week news of the “Flashback” trojan virus and its supposed infection of over 600,000 Macs worldwide, Apple’s timing of the update is a bit convenient if it isn’t targeted directly at this exploit.

According to the Dr. Web report, the trojan can intercept sensitive information such as passwords and transmit them to somewhere else. It also claims 57 percent of the infected Macs are located in the US and 20 percent are in Canada. There’s even some on Apple’s Cupertino campus which, if true, is pretty amusing.

Regardless of wether you think viruses exist for the Mac or not or think this is all a big hoax, there’s no reason not to update your Macs. It’s a simple process through Software Update. Why take a chance?

Today Apple released the latest update to its flagship Mac operating system, OS X. This new update brings the software to version 10.6.7 and, of course, offers several “general operating system fixes” and enhancements to the core OS as well as other items.

As you can see from the image above, this update addresses issues associated with Apple’s “Back to My Mac” feature, which I’ve used quite frequently. It does have its quirks, to be sure, so hopefully those will be resolved with this update. Really, if they just fix the services ability to get through most routers without having to jump through too many hoops, I would be happy.

Other items addressed with this update include a fix to SMB file transfers and some minor App Store bugs. As this is an update to the core operating system of your Mac, it will require a reboot once it is downloaded and installed.

Also, its always a good idea to perform a full backup or make sure you backup is good before updating your Mac. But really, there’s no hurry to update at all unless you feel you would explicitly benefit from the fixes listed here. Why not let others do it first and see if there are any problems?

However, if you do update let us know how it goes and if you have any problems. Hit us up in the comments.

Just in time for Apple’s press conference today that will supposedly address the iPhone 4 antenna “issue” comes an update to the latest operating system to grace the iPhone, iOS 4.0. According to the release notes, the software updates the OS to version 4.0.1 and “improves the formula to determine how many bars of signal strength to display.”

The update works with iPhone 3G, 3GS, and 4. Like with all updates for these types of devices, to install simply sync your iPhone to iTunes and click the Update button. To install, simply sync your iPhone to iTunes and click the Update button.

It’s kinda funny how Apple is passing this off as a simple mathematics error. If so, why have a press conference at all? Unless it’s to reaffirm the problem is simple software and then point on the fix they just issued? Only Steve Jobs knows for sure and he’s not saying — at least until a bit later today.

Well Apple and Mac fans, if you’re currenty running some version of OS X 10.6 (aka Snow Leopard) it’s time to head on over to Software Update (or by downloading the Combo Update), fire it up, and download and install the latest version of 10.6 to bring your system up to 10.6.3. The update is recommended for all users and addresses the following:

• improve the reliability and compatibility of QuickTime X
• address compatibility issues with OpenGL-based applications
• address an issue that causes background message colors to display incorrectly in Mail
• resolve an issue that prevented files with the # or & characters in their names from opening in Rosetta applications
• resolve an issue that prevented files from copying to Windows file servers
• improve performance of Logic Pro 9 and Main Stage 2 when running in 64-bit mode
• improve sleep and wake reliability when using Bonjour wake on demand
• address a color issue in iMovie with HD content
• improve printing reliability
• resolve issues with recurring events in iCal when connected to an Exchange server
• improve the reliability of 3rd party USB input devices
• fix glowing, stuck, or dark pixels when viewing video from the iMac (Late 2009) built-in iSight camera

If you do update, let us know if you have any problems.

Late yesterday, Apple released an update to its flagship operating system OS X 10.6, also known as Snow Leopard. We’ve been expecting Mac OS X 10.6.2 to ship soon since developers have had it for some time. Well, it has finally arrived.

Some the things fixed and/or updated with this new version of OS X include the following:

• An issue that might cause your system to logout unexpectedly
• A graphics distortion in Safari Top Sites
• Spotlight search results not showing Exchange contacts
• A problem that prevented authenticating as an administrative user
• Issues when using NTFS and WebDAV file servers
• The reliability of menu extras
• An issue with the 4-finger swipe gesture
• An issue that causes Mail to quit unexpectedly when setting up an Exchange server
• Address Book becoming unresponsive when editing
• A problem adding images to contacts in Address Book
• An issue that prevented opening files downloaded from the Internet
• Safari plug-in reliability
• General reliability improvements for iWork, iLife, Aperture, Final Cut Studio, MobileMe, and iDisk
• An issue that caused data to be deleted when using a guest account

For detailed information on this update, head over to Apple’s website. To download, go here for the Combo Update and here for the non-combo.

Late yesterday Apple released an update for the software on its flagship iPhone products. This update, dubbed OS 3.1.2, contains several fixes and enhancements to prevent things such as wake from sleep issues, cellular network problems and video streaming crashes. All in all, its probably a good idea to fire up iTunes, connect your iPhone and do the update.

This update is available for the original iPhone, iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS, and the iPod touch. In addition to this update, there’s also a carrier settings update, which doesn’t seem to do anything special. There’s also an update to the iPhone SDK on the iPhone Dev Center, for all you iPhone developers out there.

After only a short time of release in the wild, Apple has today issued an update to its brand new version of OS X — code named Snow Leopard. This update, which should now be live in Software Update and at Apple’s website, provides several bug fixes and security enhancements which in typical Apple-speak could mean almost anything.

Here’s a list of at least some of the items this update addresses:

• Printer compatibility fixes for printers that do not properly appear in the “Add Printer” browser.
• Fix for DVD playback (when playback stops abruptly)
• Fix for the Dock (bug prevents removal of icons from the Dock)
• Fix for account set up and sending mail via SMTP servers in Mail
• Fix for Sierra Wireless 3G modems
• Adobe Flash Player update (new plug-in version 10.0.32.18)

Apparently, the Flash update is of particular importance because the version shipping with Snow Leopard has a number of security vulnerabilities fixed by this update. For the scoop on that, head on over to Adobe’s website. As with any OS update, we suggest you download and install the Combo Update instead of doing an update via Apple’s software update. Sadly, as of now, the Combo update doesn’t seem to be live at Apple’s download page yet so you may consider waiting until tomorrow to do the update.

Mac OS X 10.5.8 update is now available through Software Update. Among the listed improvements are a resolution for compatibility issues when joining AirPort networks, disappearing monitor resolutions in System Preferences, Bluetooth reliability and the ubiquitous operating system fixes that enhance your systems stability, compatibility and security. And really, who doesn’t want that?

The update will also upgrade Safari to version 4.0.2. There are a number of other reliability and compatibility tweaks listed here. Security features are available here. The combo update is also available here. Enjoy.

Today, Microsoft released Service Pack 2 for Office 2008. This update brings several improvements and fixes to the office suite, including improved speed and stability to Word and Excel, new features in PowerPoint and improvements when connecting to SharePoint servers.

According to Microsoft: “There’s never been a better time to try Office 2008 for Mac — with SP2 we are not only delivering on top customer requests midcycle, but also taking a first step in bringing Microsoft software plus services to Mac users,” said Mike Tedesco, senior product manager for MacBU at Microsoft. “This connection unlocks the door for Mac users to Microsoft services for easier collaboration and file sharing with colleagues, customers and classmates.”

Here’s a brief summary of the highlights:

• PowerPoint 2008: Custom Path Animation, which adds the ability to author motion-path animations and Default Theme, which lets users define their default theme, including fonts, color scheme and slide layouts.

• Word 2008, Excel 2008: Increased speed (particularly when launching and scrolling).

• Expanded Mac browser support in Microsoft Office Live Workspace to include Safari 4.

• Microsoft Document Connection. Document Connection is a new application that improves the SharePoint experience for Mac users, allowing for easier collaboration within a SharePoint environment by simplifying how users can browse, access and manage files online and offline.

For a complete lists of changes, go here. To get the update, run Microsoft AutoUpdate on your Mac or go to the Microsoft Mac Downloads page. It’s there now so go get it!

Over at the iPhone Blog they’re showing what’s supposed to be be in the next update to the iPhone OS. This update will push the version to 3.1 and is reportedly almost ready to be released.

Here’s what the iPhone blog guys say is going to be in the update:

* Voice Control now works over Bluetooth
* Updated AT&T profile to 4.2 — MMS is now enabled or at least has a button
* Improvements to OpenGL and Quartz.
* iPhone vibrates when moving icons
* Non-destructive video editing. Trimming a clip no longer saves over the original. “Save as. . . ” option now available.
* APIs to allow third party apps to access videos and edit them.
* Updated modem firmware to 5.08.01

No way to really know if this is actually what will appear in the update (Unless you happen to be a developer). Truth be told, some of us here at The Flickcast are developers, but we can’t say one way or the other unless we want Apple to get angry — and nobody wants that.

But if is true, this will surly be a great improvement for iPhone users. I’m especially encouraged by the inclusion of MMS in this new update. But having a button isn’t the end of the story. AT&T still needs to enable the feature on their network. Knowing them, it will probably take way longer than it should.

Today, Apple released the latest version of the operating system for its flagship iPhone and iPod Touch devices. Dubbed “OS 3.0″, this update brings a host of new features to the iPhone in particular. Many of these features are ones users had been clamoring for and, in some cases, thought should have been included in the device from day one.

Some other features, in spite of being announced today, won’t be available to iPhone users until later this Summer, in the case of MMS messaging. Or, in the case of Internet Tethering, perhaps not at all in the U.S.

Still, even with its perceived shortcomings (at least by some users), this update represents a significant step in the evolution of the iPhone and its OS. It’s combination of features, enhancements and improvements helps make the iPhone even more the dominant “Smart” phone not only the U.S, but the entire world.

Some of the many features provided in this update include the following:

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