If you run iTunes or QuickTime on your Windows PC, but not Safari, you might have seen an uninvited guest show up in the Apple Software Update earlier this week. Yes, Apple thinks you need yet another browser. They tried to slip the new Safari 3.1 in for iTunes owners, a move that has some Windows users up in arms.
Cybernet reminds us that this wasn't quite unexpected -- Steve did say that Apple had made inroads on Windows with iTunes, and that they planned to use those inroads to send Safari around. The only problem is that, while yes, the button and the text do say "Install," the program is usually used for "updating" software, and so getting new software with the deal wasn't something a lot of users expected. And users who don't do anything but the default (I can guarantee you that, since I bought my mother an iPod for Christmas, my parents now have Safari 3.1 installed on their PC, despite the fact that they still aren't quite sure how that Firefox I installed for them works), are basically getting software they didn't plan to have.
Sneaky unwanted software scheme, or just a not-so-subtle hint to Windows users that they could be using a better browser? You decide. I just know that I'm going to be paying a little closer attention to exactly what my Software "Update" is updating (or "installing") from now on.
Update-addicts listen up: it's that time again, as iTunes 7.6.1 has hit Software Update. For a change, the release notes take up a good few paragraphs (at least on first inspection). Skipping the Apple TV marketing spiel, however, the release notes for this update amount to "several bug fixes and improve[d] compatibility with Apple TV software version 2.0." -- music to your ears if you've been experiencing issues.
The 44MB update for Apple's ubiquitous jukebox is available now through Software Update, and presumably Apple's Download pages momentarily.
Apple has dropped a 10.5.2 update out on Software Update. The patch has a number of different bugfixes all across the OS, from Dashboard and Airport improvements all the way to a menubar option in Time Machine and the disabling of GrowlMail 1.1.2 or earlier "to avoid security issues fix 1.1.2 from crashing growlmail."
My Software Update is apparently taking its sweet time downloading the patch, but other TUAWers have already grabbed it and gotten rolling. Welcome to 10.5.2!
UPDATE: Chris Forsythe from Growl notified us that it wasn't a security issue with Growl.
If you're an iWork 08 user, then you may want to run a software update, as Apple has just pushed out updates for all three applications. As ever, there's hugely informative release notes: for Pages 3.0.2 and Numbers 1.0.2 "[t]his update addresses compatibility with Mac OS X" while the Keynote 4.0.2 update "primarily addresses performance issues while playing or exporting presentations."
On the TUAW Intel testbed here in the UK, the updates weigh in at 32.4MB, 29.3MB and 27.4MB for Keynote, Pages and Numbers respectively.
The truth is out there, so they say, and so is Mac OS X 10.5.1. There's a 39 MB download in Software Update now (your size may vary, depending on installed components) or a 110 MB version downloadable direct from Apple.
Changes listed at Apple or after the break. Please, please check your backups before updating. Let's be careful out there.
Thanks Aaron, Jonathan and everyone else who is sending this in.
Here's a rather specific update for iMac users running Tiger (specifically, 20-inch and 24-inch aluminum iMacs with 2.0, 2.4, or 2.8 GHz processors). According to Apple, Update 1.2.1 "...improves the performance and reliability of graphics-intensive games and applications and fixes an issue that some customers encountered when installing Mac OS X Leopard after applying iMac Software Update 1.2."
Check software update if you meet the criteria. Let us know if you have any problems.
Brian A. sent a tip to say he called his FedEx delivery manager in Huntsville, AL, and they told him that they were backed up with Leopard deliveries. Apparently, they weren't able to make the 10:30 AM deadline in some areas, and though delivery is still scheduled for sometime this afternoon, they'll be showing up late. How late? We're not sure, but hopefully not too late for Apple stores to receive their copies. Hopefully, this is just a hiccup in shipping, and not the start of a widespread delay.
In other news, reader Don also had a problem with his Leopard delivery-- when checking his tracking number with FedEx online, he noticed to his dismay that someone named "Ramirez" had already signed for his package (and he doesn't know anyone named Ramirez). He called Apple and they blamed FedEx, saying that FedEx was reusing tracking numbers, and the signature Don was seeing was for a different package.
And even if you have your copy, you may still be having problems-- Paul got his copy in Australia last night, but says Software Update has been zerged to death. With so many people trying to sign on and get their new apps, it may be a rough road for installers this weekend. Good luck out there.
Update: We've also heard about a delay out of Indy. If you were expecting Leopard in the US by 10:30am, odds are you don't have it yet.
If you've got Apple Remote Desktop installed, launch Software Update. Version 3.2 is available, and includes these changes:
Compatibility with Mac OS X Leopard
Getting status and connecting to computers on slow networks
Typing accented characters on European language keyboards
Using Open Application tasks on Intel-based Macs
Accurately reporting operating system version numbers
There's more, of course, and you can view the full changelog here.
Unfortunately, my complaint has not been addressed. While the box says "Apple Remote Desktop," the application on my Mac says "Remote Desktop." That irks me.
iTunes has an update for the new iPod Classic and the new Nanos, and while the update doesn't have a description at all, MacRumors sez:
Improved CoverFlow
Quicker menus
And the much awaited video out fix, among a few other interface tweaks
Apparently there's a new option that will "Ask" users to output video when a compatible cable is connected. And some people say that the calendar and contacts will synch better as well, although I have the same reservations I have whenever I hear about unlisted feature updates -- if Apple did make it better, why didn't they want to tell us? Wouldn't they want us to know the iPod works better than ever?
At any rate, if you think it works better, then more power to you-- enjoy your updated iPod. As always, the update can be grabbed by connecting up your Classic or Nano to iTunes and hitting "Check for Updates."
If you have recently bought a MacBook or MacBook Pro you should check Software Update posthaste. Apple has just released MacBook, MacBook Pro Software Update 1.0 which corrects an issue with Journaling on those machines. It would seem that a number of MacBook and MacBook Pros left the factory without Journal turned on. This update simply enables Journaling on your Startup volume.
You hardly have a moment to catch your breath here on the iTunes update desk (cue teletype sound effects); 7.4.2 has just arrived in the hopper. What's new? Well, believe it or not, bug fixes -- and a fix for issues when creating ringtones from iTunes Plus (EMI, high-quality DRMless) tracks. Note this warning from reader Patrick: "Download a copy of 7.4.1 while you still can from Apple! This update even deletes your old ringtones." YMMV.
The update weighs in at 38 MB, grab it from Software Update or from here.
Thanks to Mentalsticks, Patrick & Eric for the heads-up.
Update-addicts listen up: it's that time again, as 
Apple has 
The truth is out there, so they say, and so is Mac OS X 10.5.1. There's a 39 MB download in Software Update now (your size may vary, depending on installed components) or a 110 MB version downloadable 
Here's a rather specific update for iMac users running Tiger (specifically, 20-inch and 24-inch aluminum iMacs with 2.0, 2.4, or 2.8 GHz processors). 
If you've got Apple Remote Desktop installed, launch Software Update. Version 3.2 is available, and includes these changes:
iTunes has an update for the new iPod Classic and the new Nanos, and while the update doesn't have a description at all, 
If you have recently bought a MacBook or MacBook Pro you should check Software Update posthaste. Apple has just released 
You hardly have a moment to catch your breath here on the 
