Sparkle, Andy Matuschak's software update framework for Cocoa applications, is no stranger to TUAW. Now, it's found its way into WebKit, the developmental version of Safari. This feature, often requested on the WebKit mailing lists, allows WebKit to update itself with the click of a button.

Sparkle has become a standard for Mac applications. I tend to shudder a little bit every time an application has the smarts to tell me there's an update, but then sends me to a web page to download it. Not because I'm lazy, just because I know there's a better way. There are several variations cropping up, including one from Google. I haven't worked with the newcomers, but I can testify that Sparkle is so utterly simple to implement that developers who fail to do so should be scolded repeatedly until they capitulate (see WebKit). A hearty thanks, though, to the WebKit team, from all of us who surf the bleeding edge of browser development.

Thanks to Chris Pirillo for the tip!

There's a good chance our developer readers will be excited about the release of Sparkle 1.5b1. Among the new features you'll find support for .pkg installations and the ability to update non-.app files. Depending on your platforms, you'll also note the improved garbage collection support and 64-bit compatibility. Check the release notes for the full list.

If you provide software for the Mac community and you don't use Sparkle, consider it. It's a donationware framework which makes it easy to add auto-update functionality to your software. Because its parameters are all contained in the info.plist file, it's easy to maintain and upgrade. Among the hundreds of applications that make use of Sparkle, you'll find favorites like Coda, Miro, Adium, Transmission, Cocktail ... it's a long list. Check out the new release and give your users some auto-update love.

If all goes as planned, we'll be sitting down with Sparkle author Andy Matuschak for a chat at WWDC!