05/02, 7:00pm
No details on changes, version now set to 2.3
On Thursday, Apple released updated printer drivers for its supported Xerox printers for users of OS X Snow Leopard (10.6), Lion (10.7) and Mountain Lion (10.8). Unusually for such a release, there is not yet a list of the specific changed or added models supported by the built-in software. All three versions of OS X support a wide and expanding list of Xerox products, including standalone, all-in-one and wireless printer models, as well as some standalone scanners.
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03/04, 4:51pm
Five more vulnerabilities discovered
Oracle has released a new version of Java 7, Update 17. The patch is being released early, Oracle says, to cope with a security hole that is being "actively exploited by attackers to maliciously install the McRat executable onto unsuspecting users’ machines." The vulnerability was made public late last week. It also fixes a second, previously undocumented flaw, believed to be likewise connected to Java SE's 2D component.
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02/19, 4:55pm
Lion, Mountain Lion, Snow Leopard get Java SE 6 fixes
Apple has released a promised Java update in the wake of an attack by Chinese hackers. The patch is available in two versions, for Lion/Mountain Lion and Snow Leopard. In both cases the code should bring Java SE 6 up to v1.6.0_41.
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11/21, 3:33pm
Serves as bridge for users of older platforms
Apple has put OS X Snow Leopard back on sale at its online store, at a cost of $20, notes French site MacGeneration. The software was originally pulled around the time of Mountain Lion's release. Snow Leopard is now two generations old, making the software's return somewhat unusual.
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09/19, 7:00pm
Recent models, even Windows programs tweaked for iOS 6
In addition to today's major releases of iOS 6 for mobile devices and OS X updates 10.8.2 for Mountain Lion and 10.7.5 for Lion, a handful of firmware updates and OS X app updates have been posted to Apple's support webpage, mostly to increase compatibility with iOS 6 device interactions but also adding support for Shared Photo Streams in iPhoto and Aperture as well as addressing bugs and other issues. Along with the photo apps, a security update was posted for users of Snow Leopard, and Apple's iCloud Control Panel for Windows was bumped to v2.0.
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09/05, 3:48pm
Patches disable always-on Java support
Apple has posted two new OS X Java updates: one for Lion, Java for OS X 2012-005, and one for Snow Leopard, Java for Mac OS X 10.6 Update 10. In both cases the patches now prevent Java from running in an always-on state. The Java plugin is killed if no applets have been run for an "extended period of time;" in fact, if Java for OS X 2012-004 wasn't previously installed, 005 disables Java by default until a person choose to enable or re-enable a Java plugin in their browser.
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08/30, 1:46pm
On track to outperform Lion, Snow Leopard still dominant
According to tracking from ad network Chitika, the latest version of OS X is already installed on over 10 percent of Macs accessing the Internet, a reliable measure of the active user base. The figure comes only one month after the launch of Mountain Lion, meaning the OS version is well ahead of Lion penetration at the same point in its release schedule. Currently, Snow Leopard still has the largest share of Macs, followed by Lion and Leopard.
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06/28, 7:00pm
Smaller printer brands get expanded support
Apple has pushed out a minor upgrade to it's earlier major update of Aperture, released two weeks ago. The new 3.3.1 version fixes a bug that could cause the program to hang or crash when upgrading libraries to the new iPhoto and Aperture unified format. The company also introduced or updated hundreds of printer and scanner drivers for major brands under Snow Leopard and Lion, along with more support for several smaller printer brands.
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06/12, 5:50pm
Eleven exploits patched, previous security content included
The Java runtime environment has been updated for both OS X Snow Leopard 10.6.8, and OS X Lion 10.7.4. While Apple historically doesn't discuss specific security updates, this package updates Java to version 1.6.0_33. All previous security fixes are included, such as the Flashback removal tool and automatic disabling of the Java plugin when it has been idle for 35 days.
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05/24, 5:54pm
Maintenance release fixes Viewer functionality
Apple on Thursday released a minor maintenance update for its photo-editing software, Aperture. Version 3.2.4 is said to improve stability when operating in Mac OS X Snow Leopard. The update also resolves an issue that sometimes prevented the Viewer from correctly updating after a photo had been modified in an external editor.
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05/22, 11:51am
Current forum topics
Yesterday in the MacNN forums, ghporter asks "is it worth upgrading from Snow Leopard to Lion?" read more here. Also yesterday one Senior User discovered they were having problems copying and pasting from e-mails and have turned to the forums for some advice.
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05/09, 6:37pm
Security fixes for Snow Leopard as well
Accompanying the just-released OS X 10.7.4 update, Apple has also posted several new versions of other products -- including Safari, Remote Desktop, the server version of Lion's Server Admin Tools and a security update for Snow Leopard users. The Safari and Remote Desktop updates apply to both Lion and Snow Leopard, and should be available through Software Update. The Safari update is available for both Mac and Windows users.
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05/04, 9:30pm
Getting out of its own version entirely
Apple is now preparing a pair of Java 6 runtime updates for OS X 10.6 and 10.7 that will mark the last Apple-custom versions of Java, handing over all future development and responsibility for Java on the Mac platform directly to Oracle. Apple had already stopped shipping a default version of Java with new Macs beginning with the release of Lion last summer, but had made in-house versions available to Lion users as well as continued supporting the Snow Leopard version.
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04/18, 10:25pm
Free upgrade still only available for Intel Macs
Users of Intel Macs that have not, for one reason or another, yet upgraded to either Snow Leopard or Lion may be rewarded for their lethargy: an e-mail sent out to qualifying MobileMe customers offers them a free copy of Snow Leopard so that they can then upgrade to Lion and maintain their MobileMe account and address through iCloud. Respondent simply click on a special link to log into their MobileMe accounts and are directed to a registration form.
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03/26, 5:25pm
Apple posts stopgap release ahead of Mountain Lion
Apple has posted a new version of Safari, v5.1.5. The update is a minor one, simply resolving a glitch that "could affect website usability" when running in 32-bit mode. Separate Windows, Lion, and Snow Leopard downloads are available.
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03/20, 1:55am
Software Installer Update for Snow Leopard
Apple late yesterday took an unusual step in posting a software update specifically for Snow Leopard users that resolves an issue where certain Apple software fails to install properly. The update is for users on the last version of Snow Leopard, 10.6.8, and is recommended for all such users. It will show up automatically in Software Update on qualifying machines, and is available from Apple's support website with a filesize of 1.34MB.
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03/19, 11:50pm
Also posts two new how-to articles
Apple has posted several new articles in its support database, including two that address specific issues. One deals with upgrading to Lion from Snow Leopard from a RAID volume, while the other explains some unexpected XSan Admin behavior when inconsistent or missing-name server records are used. XSan users also got a tutorial on advanced mounting options, while a fourth deals with restoring Lion Server from a Time Machine backup.
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03/13, 11:00pm
Latter can now delete photos from Photo Stream
Late today Apple has updated almost all Epson printer drivers with built-in support for Snow Leopard and Lion, and has posted a minor update to its pro-photography tool Aperture to grant it the ability to delete photos from Photo Stream, an iCloud feature that can be set to wirelessly copy photos from mobile devices to desktop and notebooks and vice versa. The Epson update is number v2.9, while Aperture is now v3.2.3.
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02/24, 9:45am
Dupes users with fake Apple certificate
A new variant of the Flashback Trojan is infecting Macs, says security firm Intego. Dubbed Flashback.G, the malware is reported to use three different methods to try and infect a Mac. The first two involve Java vulnerabilities, which are stopped if a computer's Java installation is up to date. If a system has an outdated version of Java however, the Trojan may be able to install itself without a chance to intervene.
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02/03, 8:00pm
Available via Software Update for 10.6.8 users
A problem with the previous 2012-001 Security Update posted for users of Snow Leopard (client and server) that caused Rosetta-based apps to misbehave or fail entirely has been corrected, and the company is pushing a "v1.1" edition of the update through its Software Update servers (support web page not yet updated). Over the next 24 hours, users who installed the previous security patch for 10.6.8 systems should see the update available.
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02/03, 11:10am
Apple said to be aware of problems
The separate Security Update 2012-001 download for Snow Leopard users is breaking apps that depend on Rosetta, according to complaints. Rosetta allows PowerPC-based apps to operate within Snow Leopard. Programs such as Eudora 6, Acrobat Pro 7, Quicken 2007, and Office 2004 will reportedly crash, freeze, or exhibit other unexpected behavior, such as failing to print documents.
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01/27, 5:20pm
Current topics from the forums
Today in the MacNN forums Grizzled Veteran sdilley14 asks other members for good reasons to purchase an Apple TV since they already have a PS3 and a XBox 360. One Posting Junkie has had a "troubling amount of pageouts in Snow Leopard" and has turned to the forums for some guidance.
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12/23, 12:35pm
Revamped version of 2004 gore-fest
Game makers Aspyr have re-released Doom 3, now in a version designed for modern Intel Macs. The game, first released on OS X in 2004, sports a rare (for the Mac platform) "M" rating for its nightmarish setting, violence and gore. The new version runs only on Intel Core2Duo or later chips under Snow Leopard or Lion, and does not work with the pre-Intel 3000HD integrated graphics chipsets. The engine for Doom 3 was released under the GPL last month.
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11/29, 7:30pm
Allows PDFs to be displayed within web content
Apple has released Safari 5.1.2, a bugfix release that contains several improvements, including addressing issues that can cause some webpages to flash white and other issues that would cause hangs and memory leaks. The new version improves stability and allows PDFs to be displayed within web content. The update is available for Lion (10.7.2), Snow Leopard (10.6.8) and Windows XP SP2 or later.
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11/22, 12:55pm
Blames gaffe in Fusion 4.1 update
VMware will soon reverse an important change introduced with Fusion 4.1, according to an official blog post. Undocumented in the update was the ability to run virtualized copies of the Leopard and Snow Leopard clients. Apple's licensing normally restricts virtualization to Lion, Leopard Server and Snow Leopard Server.
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11/21, 9:30am
Feature discovered undocumented
VMware's Fusion 4.1 update has made an important, undocumented change, users have discovered. The software will now run virtualized Leopard and Snow Leopard clients, something that was previously blocked. The only requirement is that a user click "Continue" to assert that they have a license to run either OS on their system.
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11/15, 9:00am
Affects small selection of Pros
Apple has pushed out a new video update for MacBook Pros. The code is extremely narrow in focus, concentrating only on mid-2010 model 15-inch Pros still running Snow Leopard. It is however said to deal with serious graphical issues, including freezing or video disappearing entirely.
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11/12, 9:05pm
Chitika has Lion adoption levelling off
Adoption of Mac OS X Lion has slowed significantly in the past month, Chitika found in its latest web traffic results. While it was up to 14 percent in September after being available for two months, it had moved just two percent more by late October to hit 16 percent of the Mac user base. Snow Leopard still had a clear majority at 55 percent, while even the four years old Leopard was at 22 percent.
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11/08, 10:30pm
Address security vulnerabilities
Apple has quietly posted a Java SE 6 update for Lion (version 1.6.0_29), as well as updating the Java runtime for Snow Leopard to the same version. The release fixes multiple security vulnerabilities that exist in Java 1.6.0_26.
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10/19, 1:40pm
Could open affected Macs to other attacks
A Mac Trojan now in circulation attempts to disable OS X's built-in anti-malware protection, known as XProtect, according to security firm F-Secure. Identified with the label OSX/Flashback.C, the Trojan first decrypts the paths of XProtectUpdater files, then unloads the XProtectUpdater daemon. To finish the job, the malware then overwrites the XProtectUpdater files with a blank character.
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10/13, 9:20am
Releases complete epic series of updates
Apple concluded a series of major software updates yesterday by releasing Security Update 2011-006 for Snow Leopard and the iCloud Control Panel for Windows. The former mostly reflects security issues addressed by OS X 10.7.2, solving problems linked to: Apache, ATS, BIND, graphics, Jabber, Mailman, MediaKit, CoreFoundation, CoreMedia, PHP, Python, the application firewall, root certificates, HTTPS servers, QuickTime, Tomcat, X11, the App Store's help content, and finally the web server. The last fix is a part of the Server release of the Security Update.
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10/12, 5:05pm
Simultaneous Mac, Windows updates
Included with OS X 10.7.2 and also available for Windows is Safari 5.1.1, an update of Apple's signature web browser. The release adds iCloud support and is said to increase JavaScript performance by as much as 13 percent over Safari 5.1. Much of the upgrade, though, is dedicated to patching up bugs, such as ones causing hangs, excessive memory use, instability and opening links in windows instead of tabs.
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09/28, 3:20pm
Over 8 percent still using unsupported software
Lion is still only the third most popular version of OS X, according to Chitika. New weekly data produced by the analytics firm puts Lion at just 14.18 percent of the market, compared with Snow Leopard, which remains dominant at 55.54 percent. Even Leopard -- now nearly four years old -- has greater representation at 22.23 percent.
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09/26, 4:30pm
flashback.A assumes guise of Flash installer
As has become standard, Apple has quietly updated OS X definitions to counter a recently-publicized malware threat, checks show. Lion and Snow Leopard will now block a Trojan fronted by OSX/Revir.A, which in turn installs a backdoor program identified as OSX/Imuler.A. Although neither part of the Trojan is especially dangerous at the moment, Imuler could potentially be used at a later date to capture screenshots or steal files.
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09/20, 12:40pm
Firmware fixes Thunderbolt Display stability
Apple has posted a trio of new software updates, the most important of which are Thunderbolt-related. The Thunderbolt Display Firmware Update fixes unspecified stability problems with Apple's latest product, and apart from the monitor requires a Mac running either OS X 10.6.8 or 10.7.1. A new Thunderbolt Software Update for Snow Leopard is required to use the Thunderbolt Display with the OS, and also fixes compatibility issues with other Thunderbolt devices. A matching Lion update was released late last week.
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09/09, 2:30pm
Leopard left out of updates
Apple has posted Security Update 2011-005, a new patch for OS X Lion and Snow Leopard. In each case the code is aimed at fixing just a single problem: fraudulent certificates issued by DigiNotar, a threat Microsoft dealt with on Wednesday. Apple notes that it has removed DigiNotar from the listed of trusted root and extended validation certificates. By default, OS X should now distrust any certificate connected to DigiNotar.
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09/09, 3:35am
Adds drivers for Series 6500e machines
Apple has released updated drivers from Lexmark that cover all supported models under Snow Leopard and Lion, including all-in-one (AIO) models and scanner drivers. The company has only added support for one series -- the 6500e and 6500e Fax units -- but brings most updated drivers to version 10.6.4 or 10.7.0, the latter of which indicates support for Lion. In all, over 276 models or series of models have been updated.
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08/29, 2:35pm
Desktop iCloud betas so far restricted to Lion
Apple may be working on a Mac OS X 10.6.9 update to extend iCloud to Snow Leopard, an error message reveals. After upgrading a MobileMe account to iCloud, one developer says he encountered a unique error message in Tiger's .Mac preferences pane. "You will no longer be able to sync with this machine because you've upgraded to iCloud," it begins. "iCloud requires running Mac OS X Snow Leopard v10.6.9 or later for Contacts, Calendars, and Bookmarks."
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08/23, 4:55pm
Update supports Lion, Snow Leopard
Apple has released a new set of drivers for Epson printers. Now at v2.8, the drivers technically include both printing and scanning software. The download is a sizable 961.5MB, but is compatible with both Lion and Snow Leopard, and also supports a variety of languages.
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08/18, 9:30am
Software Restore Solutions claims Apple copying
Software Restore Solutions late Wednesday sued Apple (below) over claims Mac OS X copied its technology. According to the complaint, "at least" the Disk Utility feature in every version of Mac OS X from the 2001 original through to Snow Leopard copies one claim in a workgroup network manager patent from 1998. Apple supposedly knows the automated repair features could infringe on the patent but has shown "deliberate indifference" towards the consequences.
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08/05, 11:05pm
Goes beyond 'to-do list' with planning
PowerUp is a new active task-management application, optimized for Snow Leopard and Lion, that lets users create to-do lists and easily update their progress. A reminder progress bar keeps users focused on the overall goal, and user can zero in on troublesome sections to change the progress bar to that one task. By checking off completed tasks but leaving them on the list, users gain motivation from accomplishment.
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08/01, 10:45am
Issue linked to Mac OS X 10.6.8
The Snow Leopard version of Safari is failing to block cookies properly, says security firm Sophos. Users running the browser on Mac OS X 10.6.8 in particular are reportedly seeing the software continue to keep some cookies active, even when settings have been changed to block all of them. Even the Safari 5.1 update hasn't solved the problem, according to Sophos.
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07/26, 10:00pm
Now creates bootable backup clone drives faster
Although Apple's own Time Machine is a good and easy-to-use solution for doing backups of user data, there are tasks it cannot do -- such as create a bootable external drive -- which are sometimes vital for troubleshooting, boot drive maintenance or other kinds of data restoration. Tri-Edre has timed the introduction its latest version of Clone X 4, which is now compatible with both Lion and Snow Leopard, to the introduction of Lion -- allowing users an easy way to clone their existing Snow Leopard installs before upgrading.
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07/25, 6:30pm
Downloads available for Snow Leopard, Server
Apple has released a number of supplemental updates for Macs already running Snow Leopard v10.6.8, including the Server editions. The downloads are claimed to resolve issues related to data migration of personal files, settings, and applications as users upgrade to Mac OS X Lion. Other bug fixes focused on Snow Leopard functionality, addressing problems with network-attached printers and audio output via HDMI or optical connections.
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07/14, 8:25am
Adobe Flash 11 beta and AIR 3 bet arrive
Adobe has moved past Flash 10 technology for the first time in earnest with the posting of a Flash 11 beta and a corresponding AIR 3 beta. The two introduce Stage3D, a set of programming standards for "low-level" graphics acceleration. Nicknamed "Molehill," they allow for more advanced 3D in the plugin as well as better 2D performance.
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06/28, 6:35pm
Updates bring improved reliability, security
Apple has released Java updates for Mac OS X, with separate downloads available for Leopard and Snow Leopard builds. Java for Mac OS X 10.5 Update 10 is said to bring improved reliability, security and compatibility for J2SE 5.0 and Java SE 6. The release no longer supports out-of-process Java applets, while J2SE 1.4.2 will not receive further bug fixes or security patches.
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06/27, 4:50pm
Bug appears to affect auto-restart on some Xserves
A bug discovered in the Mac OS X 10.6.8 Server update is causing the hardware monitoring daemon, hwmond, to consume up to 95 percent of CPU power on a variety of Xserves, according to an Apple forum thread. Member Arminhempel reports a CPU load up to 70 percent after every reboot on several Xserves he manages; Jean-Serge Remy has an Xserve Xeon showing an 84 percent hit, while InfraredAD is experiencing a 95 percent load on a 2008 quad-core Xserve, essentially wiping out an entire core. Both the combo and delta versions of the update have generated errors and, so far, the only reliable way to fix the issue is a downgrade to Mac OS X 10.6.7.
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06/23, 4:40pm
10.6.8 preps for Lion upgrade
Apple has posted Mac OS X 10.6.8, what may be the final major update of Snow Leopard. One of the key features of the code is in fact preparation of the Mac App Store for Mac OS X Lion, which will launch sometime in July. The update is also designed to close several security holes, scrub "known variants" of Mac Defender, and improve VPN reliability as well as support for IPv6 networking.
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06/21, 3:30pm
Software requires at least v10.6.7
Shortly after Apple formally introduced Final Cut Pro X, the company posted a note on its support site urging users to update their systems to Mac OS X 10.6.8 when running the new video editing software. The latest Snow Leopard release, v10.6.7, is listed as a minimum requirement, however the v10.6.8 build is currently still in beta development.
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06/21, 3:05pm
Lion may not have ready-made direct install
Apple chief Steve Jobs in a reported message to a Mac user claimed that Mac OS X Lion might need a Snow Leopard disc for a clean install. On those systems that don't ship with Lion media, he said a user can "can clean install Snow Leopaard [sic] first." He didn't explicitly rule out the option of starting from scratch with Lion for the MacRumors reader but implied it might not always be supported.
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