Fresh on the heels of launching a client for the iPad, Skype released Skype version 5.3 for Mac on Monday. The update adds support for Apple’s latest OS X Lion operating system as well as HD video chat. Users will now be able to send and receive HD-quality video using their built-in Mac webcams or other HD-capable cameras. Skype says that the feature will work best for those with internet connections that can maintain at least 1.5Mbps upload/download throughput. The software is compatible with with OS X Leopard and later versions of Apple’s PC operating system.

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In the Windows vs. Mac wars, the Apple fanboys now have another reason to gloat: Apple just last night updated Boot Camp to support Windows 7. Along with this update came the year’s first security update, which supposedly addresses 12 security vulnerabilities. Boot Camp version 3.1 supports the 32-bit and 64-bit Windows 7 users and Home Premium, Professional and Ultimate are supported as part of the update, too. With the upgrade in software and support for new drivers and utilities, if you need Windows 7 to run certain software, processes, or perhaps you prefer to use Windows for things like coding and development, knock yourself out. The update is available now.

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What better way to start off a work week than to completely ignore all of your responsibilities and order up a new OS for your computer? That’s right ladies and gents; tips came in droves earlier this morning to let us know that the Apple Store went down in the wee hours. Well it’s not yet back in action but Apple’s Mac OS page is up and it now bears info on the OS upgrade Mac users have been clamoring for… OS X 10.6, a.k.a. Snow Leopard. It was due to arrive in September but the final beta was issued way ahead of schedule so Apple apparently decided to launch it early. It’s definitely a smart move if you ask us — allow students to upgrade just before the new semester starts, as opposed to a week or two into their term when the panic finally sets in. Snow Leopard can be pre-ordered now and it will begin shipping this Friday, August 28th. The new OS will run you $29, as we’re sure you recall, and Family Packs run $49.

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Behold! The latest “no seriously, this is the real thing!” image of Apple’s forthcoming, maybe real, definitely imminent, 100 percent fabricated, probably not, kind of confirmed tablet computer hit the net this morning. This time around, it comes from a French blog with a fair track record and its source is not disclosed. Right on. The image shows a device that certainly fits in with the design of the iPhone/iPod touch and iMac, though the placement of the home key is a bit odd considering such a device would be held by its ends. The most interesting aspect of this particular iPad/MacBook Touch/Macblet/iTab/Aplet/etc is the depiction of OS X on the display. Recent analyst guesses indicated that the device would run some iteration of the iPhone OS rather than some iteration of Leopard, but this image suggests otherwise. Whatever. Hit the jump for a zoomed out version of the shot and then hit the comment section to tell us how you know with absolute certainty that this image is fake because you’re a forensic scientist who specializes in Apple tablet authentication.

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Surprise, Mac users — Apple released an update to OS X this afternoon and it is now available for download via Software Update. The update to Leopard, 10.5.8, seems to be a relatively minor one with the following changes listed in the updater:

• compatibility and reliability issues when joining AirPort networks.
• an issue that could cause some monitor resolutions to no longer appear in Displays System Preferences.
• issues that may affect Bluetooth reliability.

The install will also upgrade users to Safari 4.0.2. Woo hoo. Apple listed two new support entries related to the update for those looking for more details. They can be found here and here. Get a move on, Apple fans.

Thanks to everyone who sent this in!

Feet feeling a bit cold this afternoon, BlackBerry fans? Don’t worry, that’s just hell freezing over thanks to an announcement from RIM earlier this afternoon. No, seriously. By way of its Inside BlackBerry blog, RIM has put the world on notice — BlackBerry Desktop Manager is coming to OS X in September. Wooo! A quick rundown of highlighted features:

• Sync your iTunes playlists, calendars, contacts, notes and tasks [if Apple doesn't find a way to kill it, of course]
• Add/Remove applications
• Update your device when new software becomes available
• Backup and restore your device data with such features like automatically scheduled backups and optional encryption (security is #1 as always…)
• Manage multiple devices

We’re sure RIM will leave a bit of functionality out of its initial Mac builds but at least Mac users won’t have to bother with Fusion/Parallels/etc every time they fish a new leaked OS out of the swamp. Hit the read link to register for updates on DM for Mac.

[Via Inside BlackBerry]

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Sure it’s a tiny bit later than many expected but OS X users can now finally get their mitts on Apple’s 10.5.7 update for OS X. Just open your trusty old Software Update utility and go to town.

The 10.5.7 Update is recommended for all users running Mac OS X Leopard and includes general operating system fixes that enhance the stability, compatibility and security of your Mac.

For detailed information on this update, please visit this website: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3397
For detailed information on security updates, please visit this website: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1222

Highlights of this latest Leopard update include fixes to sync issues, widget updates, resolved issues with logging into Gmail, improved parental controls and improved video playback on newer Macs. So what are you waiting for?

Back in March we gave you an extensive hands on review of a great little BlackBery app called TetherBerry. In short, TetherBerry allows you to connect your compatible BlackBerry handset to your Windows-based computer via USB in order to share your cellular data connection with your PC. The nice thing about it of course, is that you can tether without the need for pricey monthly plan add-ons from your carrier. Until recently the application was only available for Windows users and a select few taking part in the private Mac OS X beta. Fret not however, as TetherBerry is ready to take its OS X app to the next level as of this morning. Though it will still technically be in private beta, Mac users can now head over to the Mac beta page and sign up for an invite. There may be a bit of a waiting list but hey, at least you’ll be one step closer to getting your Mac/BlackBerry tethering on…

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You know when you’re talking about a subject you’re really passionate about and you start to head down a dangerous path? In the back of your mind, you know it’s going to come back and bite you in the ass but you don’t care at that particular moment because you’re so intoxicated with said passion… So you throw caution to the wind and keep going. Ahem. Microsoft COO Kevin Turner had this little gem to say at the MidMarket CIO Summit last week:

Vista today, post-Service Pack 2, which is now in the marketplace, is the safest, most reliable OS we’ve ever built. It’s also the most secure OS on the planet, including Linux and open source and Apple Leopard. It’s the safest and most secure OS on the planet today. Everything that we’ve learned in Vista will be leveraged in Windows 7, but certainly when we broke a lot of the compatibility issues to lock down user account controls, to lock down the ability to manipulate states and all the things, that was a very painful process for us to grow through, but we had to do it. And the reason that Windows 7 will be successful is because of the pain we took on Vista. Because from a compatibility standpoint, if it works on Vista, it will work on Windows 7. If it doesn’t work on Vista, it won’t work on Windows 7.

We’re not even going to touch this one, but please, feel free to discuss it amongst yourselves in the comments section.

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Good news, Mac users, as it looks like Apple is kicking 10.5.7 development into overdrive. Apple’s Mac OS X 10.5.7 build 9J22 went out to testers about a week ago and called for attention to a variety of areas of the OS. Apparently testers did a hell of a job because an updated build, 9J27, was sent out yesterday to address a laundry list of issues. We still have no firm word in terms of when Apple hopes to release 10.5.7 to the public, though previous rumors suggest it may happen quite soon. Hit the jump for the current status of 10.5.7 as provided by Apple with build 9J27.

Known Issues

• Safari 4 Beta only installs on Mac OS X 10.5.6.
• CoreRAIDServer crashes once per restart

General Focus Areas

• AFP
• AirPort
• Bluetooth
• Directory Services
• FileSync
• Graphics Drivers
• iCal
• iDisk Synching
• Mail
• Managed Client
• MobileMe Synching
• Networking
• Parental Controls
• Printing
• Screen Sharing
• Sound
• Time Machine
• USB
• VPN
• Widgets
• X11

Areas of Change

• Resolved issue with launchd and LoginWindow capturing crash data
• Issue with LoginWindow and FileVault remote backups fixed
• Fixed problem with Time Capsule and sparse image backups
• Fixed issue with Print & Fax pref pane and managing settings
• Resolved crashing issue with Parental Controls and System Preferences
• Fixed problem with HFS and MBR partitioned volumes
• Fixed hanging issue with MobileMe Sync tab
• Fixed issue with iCalExternalSync and iCal Synchronization
• Issue with AC interrupts and Sleep/Wake
• Fixed problem with Portable Home Directories and Login/Logout not syncing

Issues fixed in previous seeds:

• Resolved issue with Mail accounts and syncing
• Fixed issue with CoreAnimation and mouse movement between snapshots
• Fixed problem with System Profiler Plug-Ins and panic logs
• Resolved crashing issue with Help Viewer
• Resolved crashing issue with Preview Image
• Fixed issue with IOHIDPosteEvent()
• Fixed problem with MobileMe AOSNotification not sending JID
• Resolved issue with AddressBook Sync and Mail Addressing
• Fixed problem with NSOperationQueue and PThreads
• Fixed issue with LoginWindow UI and AirPort
• Issue with Virtual Memory and wired pages fixed
• Images are now retained when syncing between two Macs using Mail Sync
• Resolved issue with CFNetwork Host and AppStore loading delays
• Issue with Networking and TCP FIN resolved
• Issue with FPCatalog search and AFP X Client resolved
• File/Folder label changes over AFP now visible without unmounting/remounting
• Fixed problem with NSView and layer-backed views inside a scroll
• NSURLConnection now correctly notifies client before transmission
• Resolved NSinvalidSendPortExceptions with Sync Services Engine
• Fixed problem with CFNetwork Cookies and SAP cookie path
• Resolved issue with CFNetwork Cache and DF URL cache
• Fixed problem with iCal CalDAV and cancelled meetings still showing up for attendees
• Hanging issue with CFURLCache thread fixed
• Issue with MobileMe AOSNotification connection failures resolved
• Resolved issue with Safari and certain cookies not being accepted
• Fixed crashing issue with mdworker and signed messages
• Resolved issue with MCX Client and visible groups
• Resolved value issue with cupsBorderlessScalingFactor
• Issue with CoreData Framework and foreign key references resolved
• Fixed issue with Weather Widget and default city selection
• CoreData Framework now ensures cached statements are nulled out after being finalized in the event of an error
• Resolved issue with Desktop Services where desktop may not update correctly
• Fixed value issue with Unit Converter Widget
• Resolved issue with NSData and CoreData Framework
• Fixed issue with ImageCapture not recognizing certain CompactFlash card adapters
• Fixed issue with CUPS and Print & Fax Preference Pane
• Resolved issue with CoreData fetch and CoreData Framework
• Fixed issue where Stocks Widget was unresponsive in certain situations
• iCalExternalSync no longer wrongly clears the “original date” field of a detached Task
• Fixed issue where Preferences Sync would use excessive CPU cycles
• Fixed problem with delegate windows and multiple error messages with iCal DAV
• Issue with HICocoaView and mouse tracking resolved
• Fixed button issue with Energy Saver pref pane
• issue with Login window and MCX Client resolved
• Fixed issue with Netbooting and the Energy Saver pref pane
• Fixed problem with AMDocumentVersion and Automator Application
• Updated ICC Profiles in ColorSync Registry
• Issue with last modification date and Sync Services Engine resolved
• Resolved issue with NSSpellChecker and custom NSSpellServer servers
• Fixed issue with Time Machine Preferences and previously used backup volumes
• Fixed problem with DSADplugin and User vs Contact
• Issue with Text Services Manager and Dvorak Keyboard layout fixed
• Resolved crashing issue with NSTreeController
• Fixed whitelist issue with Parental Controls
• Resolved automatic iCal MobileMe sync issue with iCal Synchronization
• Fixed crashing issue with HLTB Menus and status bar
• Resolved issue with AFP X Client and AFP sessions not disconnecting after volumes are dismounted
• Issue with AXUIElementPostKeyboardEvent and HLTB Accessibility fixed
• Fixed USB tranfer issue with printing large PostScript files
• Fixed movie title issue with Movie Widget
• Resolved Non-Administrator issue with Energy Saver pref pane
• Fixed issue with Bluetooth mouse and button settings after disconnect/reconnect
• Fixed problem with XServe Netboot and launched
• Fixed issue with Text (AppKit) where enabling garbage collection would cause autocomplete popup to automatically close
• Fixed image orientation issue with Image RAW
• Issue with HLTB Menus and OpenSubmenu fixed
• Issue with HLTB Windows and child windows fixed
• Issue with FileSync and login/logout resolved
• Resolved issue with Image RAW and image conversion

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As rumors of Snow Leopard continue to swirl, it looks like Apple will be stringing Leopard along for quite a while longer before the next iteration of OS X debuts. According to reports, Apple has seeded a new OS X build to developers and testing is currently under way. The new build, 10.5.7, is said to focus on maintenance, security and synchronization. Apparently the seventh variant of Leopard is a pretty substantial improvement even in its current form — specific areas Apple is targeting with the update include graphics drivers, Time Machine, printing services, screen sharing services, MobileMe syncing, Mail and AddressBook syncing, AirPort services, text services and iCal. Beyond that, about 70 code corrections are said to have already been identified in the build. Needless to say if this rumor turns out to be true, we’re certainly looking forward to seeing an update that will resolve a healthy amount of the issues currently plaguing OS X. Of course we shouldn’t get ahead of ourselves; we likely still have a few months before 10.5.7 sees the light of day considering testing has just begun.

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One of the biggest virtues of Netflix membership for the past year or so has been the Watch Instantly video on demand service. Providing access to thousands of titles, Watch Instantly has quickly become one of the main selling points of the company’s subscription services. Up until now, however, the videos have only been available for consumption from the comfort of a Windows-based environment. Starting today in limited trial, Netflix is offering its Watch instantly service to Mac users. The videos are being delivered courtesy of Microsoft’s Silverlight framework, and will bring Netflix’s catalog of over 12,000 titles to any Intel-based machine. Sound good? Yeah, we’re pretty excited too. Unfortunately the company is rolling it out in staggered rounds so it might be a while before this update hits your account dashboard. If you do happen to have it enabled, give it a spin and let us know what you think.

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