September 2 - 12:30pm EDT   Two new builds of Mac OS X 10.5.5 have been seeded to developers within the past week, accounts say. The first, 9F25, allegedly contained no significant changes, while the second has addressed only two issues, potentially signifying a wind-down to the update's production. Fixes in 9F29 include a remedy to a problem with Macs and previously-joined AirPort networks, and another described only as relating to a graphics framework. A single known bug remains, one which interferes with searching through messages in Mail. [full story]

July 26 - 12:20pm EDT   Outspring has announced that it is discontinuing its QuickMail email client and server line. The company has suspended all sales and phone support for QuickMail, although customers who purchased QuickMail products in the last 90 days will still be entitled to another 90 days of telephone support. Prior customers can still find peer-to-peer support in Outspring's support forum as well. Final versions of the server and client versions have been released, the company noted: QuickMail server has been updated with compatibility fixes and has also been locked to not operate on systems above Mac OS X 10.4. [full story]

July 24 - 11:45am EDT   Post.Office, a scalable SMTP/POP3/IMAP email server, has been updated to version 3.8.4, with numerous security and spam-fighting upgrades. The 3.8.4 update has also added Mac OS X Leopard support. The update includes an upgraded spam filter, which can now be imported, exported and disabled, and adds open-source plug-in support for additional filtering abilities. The spam filter's SpamAssassin spam detector and ClamAV virus scanner have been updated as well. SpamAssassin has new filtering rules and update capabilities, while ClamAV can now receive automatic bi-weekly virus updates. [full story]

July 23 - 5:55pm EDT   Security researcher Aviv Raff says the iPhone versions of Mail and Safari are vulnerable to URL spoofing, an exploit that could open the door to phishing attacks. Raff says hackers can e-mail specially-designed URL that links to a site that appears to be legitimate. A user might think it is a trusted site like Pay Pal -- but instead the bogus site steals passwords and other information when the user tries to log on. The maliciously crafted URL is (erroneously) recognized by Safari as a "trusted site." [full story]

July 14 - 7:50pm EDT   Mac OS X 10.5 users can choose from 50 new stationery templates for Leopard's built-in Mail application. Jumsoft has released its Mail Stationery pack including "designs for "every occasion". Grouped by themes such as "invitations," "seasons," "family," and "congratulations," the professionally-designed templates add the personal touch that sems to have disappeared with the switch from paper to electronic mail. [full story]

July 8 - 12:25am EDT   Apple has officially announced its launch of MobileMe – the service it intends to replace its platform-specific .Mac – by setting the launch date at midnight July 10th (Pacific), following a short downtime from 6PM PT the preceding day, July 9th. The note, posted in the .Mac service bulletin, informs users that while the update will cause users to lose access to almost all operations, they will be able to access their email through a desktop application, or an iPhone/iPod touch. [full story]

June 23 - 4:05pm EDT   A number of important changes are being brought to Mac OS X Snow Leopard that have not been well-publicized, a new report notes. Even though Apple has described the forthcoming operating system as an attempt to refine Leopard rather than make dramatic changes, it should for instance introduce a comprehensive multi-touch framework, which will help developers implement commands currently coded exclusively by Apple. [full story]

May 21 - 4:40pm EDT   C-Command has released a new version of SpamSieve, a spam-filtering tool for Macs that relies on Bayesian algorithms. The software integrates with multiple e-mail clients, and evolves to more accurately block unwanted messages. It can decode messages intended to bypass filters, and incorporates both black- and whitelists, the latter of which can be compiled from Address Book, Eudora or Entourage in order to ensure common contacts are never blocked. [full story]

March 31 - 5:05pm EDT   Nobody likes spam clogging their e-mail accounts. Although nearly every e-mail program comes with its own spam filters, a dedicated spam filter can often work more effectively while giving you greater control. If spam is overwhelming your current e-mail program, consider Intego's Personal Antispam X5. When you first install the software, you can configure it with Mail, Entourage, or both. If you use a different e-mail program, such as Thunderbird, you won’t be able to use X5. [full story]

March 31 - 10:10am EDT   Outspring Inc. on Monday introduced its new Mail client application for Mac, Outspring Mail. The program is designed for professionals and power users alike, offering what it refers to as "adaptive intelligence" features such as a patent-pending method for filing messages and a powerful spam filter claimed to eliminate more than 98 percent of all incoming junk mail. Outspring claims the client offers a new approach to mail management - one that adapts to the user's most common habits for sorting email. Once the program learns these habits it can automatically file messages into folders rather than the user having to do so manually. [full story]

January 28 - 4:35pm EST   Apple's recent $20 content update for the iPod touch has some users expressing discontent with the company's approach, but others still see a great value in the update package. PC Magazine writer Sascha Segan reports that despite the perception that Apple is charging too much for the update, the software that is installed is well worth the money, and even a bargain. Segan says that the best values in the bundle are the re-designed home screen, as well as the Mail and Maps applications. [full story]

January 23 - 4:15pm EST   In brief: Japan's NTT DoCoMo telecommunications company is reportedly adding .Mac mail access, while Apple let slip a potential feature in a future revision of Time Machine. When DoCoMo launches its ConnectMail service next month, it will be adding .Mac email compatibility as well. According to Akihabara News, the service will allegedly act as an IMAP mail account, leaving the copy on the .Mac server proper. DoCoMo's ConnectMail service carries a yearly cost of ¥4800. [full story]

December 21 - 8:50pm EST   With the compatibility provided by their new Intel processors, and Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard's secure nature, Macs are slowly making their way into the business sector, replacing their Windows-based counterparts. As businesses adopt the Mac platform, there is a greater need for productivity software, something which Windows computers have no shortage of options. Marketcircle's Daylite Productivity Suite gives users a full-featured business application that allows users to plan and coordinate their work day with others, while integrating Apple Mail's powerful features with projects and contacts. [full story]