MacHELP

Apple has released Quicktime 7.5, available via Software Update or Apple Downloads. This update addresses security and application compatibility issues.

Apple has released the Mac OS X 10.5.3 update, with too many fixes to list. It is available as a standalone download or via Software Update.

Apple has released quite a few updates in the past week:

Aperture 2.1
Mac Pro EFI Firmware Update 1.3
Firmware Restoration CD 1.5
Security Update 2008-002 v1.1 for Leopard

The second beta version of the iPhone SDK has been released and now includes Interface Builder.

As seen here on TUAW, Mac OS X turned seven years old last Friday - it was launched on March 21, 2001.

A timeline of releases:

* Mac OS X Public Beta (September 13, 2000)
* Mac OS X 10.0 Cheetah (March 21, 2001)
* Mac OS X 10.1 Puma (September 25, 2001)
* Mac OS X 10.2 Jaguar (August 23, 2002)
* Mac OS X 10.3 Panther (October 24, 2003)
* Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger (April 29, 2005)
* Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard (October 26, 2007)

Apple has released new models of the MacBook and MacBook Pro portable systems.

The new MacBook is available in three models including faster processors and larger hard drives; white 2.1 GHz and 2.4 GHz models with 120GB or 160GB 5400 rpm hard drives and a black 2.4 GHz model with a 250GB 5400 rpm hard drive. The 2.4 GHz MacBook models ship with 2GB of memory standard, with all models expandable to 4GB. Prices are unchanged, starting at $1099.

The new MacBook Pro has up to a 2.6Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo processor with 6MB of shared L2 cache; up to 4GB of 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM memory and up to a 300GB hard drive, plus NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT graphics with up to 512MB of video memory. New hardware features including a trackpad with Multi-Touch gesture support, an illuminated keyboard, and an ambient light sensor. Prices start at $1999.

Apple has released the OS X 10.5.2 Update. It is available via direct download or via Software Update. The Combo edition of the update is 343 megabytes.

Once 10.5.2 is installed, the Leopard Graphics Update will become available via Software Update. The download is 49 megabytes, and reportedly dramatically improves graphics performance on systems using Intel GMA or Nvidia graphics chipsets.

The NetNewsWire 3.1 RSS feed reader is now free for everyone. I’m happy to have been a paying user (and beta tester of 3.1), and am even happier to see that the application is now available to everyone at no cost.

In addition, NewsGator syncing is available at no charge once you create a NewsGator account. I use a NewsGator account to keep my RSS feeds synced between home and work.

Apple has announced new versions of the XServe and Mac Pro at CES.

Apple has released Security Update 2007-009 v1.1 to address security issues in multiple applications.

Security Update 2007-009 v1.1 for 10.5.1

Security Update 2007-008 v1.1 for 10.4.11

Apple has released the 10.5.1 update for Mac OS X 10.5 “Leopard”. Details available at the link above. This update “includes general operating system fixes that enhance the stability, compatibility and security of your Mac”.