According to Apple Insider, Apple has seeded Mac OS X 10.6.3 Build 10D538 to registered developers. According to the report, the update addresses issues in several areas, including QuickTime X and Logic Studio.

More specifically, people familiar with Friday’s beta say it includes an update to QuickTime X that, when finalized, will improve security and compatibility while simultaneously enhancing overall reliability. The release will also include tweaks that aim to enhance the performance of Apple’s 64-bit Logic pro audio suite. Other planned improvements include better compatibility with third-party printers and OpenGL-grounded applications, those same people say.

The only documented known issue is an issue with viewing photos through Front Row.

Mac OS X 10.6.3 is the next maintenance of Apple’s newest OS, Snow Leopard. It is reportedly fixing many outstanding issues with the operating system and extend OpenGL 3.0 support through extensions. According to the article, 10.6.3 should be released to the public within the next six weeks.

Monday, January 18th, Apple began sending out invitations to their next keynote with the tagline, “Come see our latest creation”. There are many rumors flying around and many discussions on what Apple will be announcing on January 27th. Here is a roundup of all of them

Read the full story

According to Boy Genius Report, they received some evidence of iPhone OS 4.0 in the wild from their “trusty Apple connects”.

Here are some iPhone OS 4.0 features according to Boy Genius Report:

• There will be multi-touch gestures OS-wide. (Would make sense for that as the rumored OS for the iTablet is close if not the same as the iPhone)
• “A few new ways” to run applications in the background — multitasking.
• Many graphical and UI changes to make navigating through the OS easier and more efficient. We haven’t had this broken down, but we can only hope for improved notifications, a refreshed homescreen, etc.
• The update will supposedly be available for only the iPhone 3G and 3GS, but will “put them ahead in the smartphone market because it will make them more like full-fledged computers” more than any other phone to date. Everyone is “really excited.”
• The last piece of information is the most vague, but apparently there will be some brand new syncing ability for the contacts and calendar applications.

Apple is expected to announce or talk about iPhone OS 4.0 at their event next Wednesday.

Apple today released two EFI firmware updates regarding issues with the Early 2009 Mac Pro’s and Early 2009 Xserve’s.

Mac Pro EFI Firmware Update 1.4

This update addresses the following issues for Mac Pro (Early 2009) computers:

• Improves compatibility with virtualization products utilizing VT-d
• Improves storage performance under Windows XP for Boot Camp users
• Improves system reliability during the boot process

Xserve EFI Firmware Update 1.2

This update addresses the following issues for Xserve (Early 2009) computers:

Both updates are available through your Software Update.

Firmware Restoration CD 1.8

The Firmware Restoration CD can restore the firmware of an Intel-based Macintosh computer.

Note: Restoring your firmware will reset some of your computer’s preferences to defaults.

Please note that this version is for Early 2009 Mac Pro’s and Xserve’s.

According to Apple Insider, Apple has extended their 30-second music samples to play within a browser. Happening only after a month of Apple’s purchase of online music player Lala, it creates an even more likelihood chance of Apple moving to a cloud based iTunes player.

The 30-second sample will play now within the browser, but in order to purchase the song, it still needs to be done through iTunes Music Store. Customers are now allowed to use the music based on computers activated to that account. With a cloud based service, you would be able to log in on any computer through the internet, and play your music of choice.

Lala has recently joined in a partnership with Google which will allow users to play music and samples quickly through Google. They offer one free stream of a song, with unlimited streaming costing 10 cents per song. It cost 79 cents for a download of the song which is then stored on your computer.

Taiwan’s Economic Daily paper claims that Cheng Uei Precision Industry has received an order for “connectors” for Apple’s new Tablet PCs. According to the report the company is likely to begin shipping in the 3rd quarter of 2010.

Meanwhile Digitimes reports that Innolux, a panel-making subsidiary of Foxconn, will be the supplier for the touch panels in Apple’s Tablet. The screen size is said to be 10-inches for the rumored device.

Over the past few days, Apple Tablet rumors have begun flying around and here is another one. Recent reports show that Slate Computing, owner of the “iSlate” trademark may be a company set up by Apple to quietly obtain U.S. trademark protection for the name without anyone knowing. According to legal filings, Slate Computing obtained the trademark for “iSlate” in November of 2006, and the signatory was Apple’s Trademark Specialist, Regina Porter.

According to TechCrunch, Slate Computing had also filed trademark for the term in the European Union through the same law firm that Apple has worked with in the past to trademark other product names such as the iPhone.

As reported by fscklog, Slate Computing is also the owner of the “Magic Slate” trademark, which follows the same naming pattern as Apple’s Magic Mouse.

Apple released several fixes for Xsan, bringing the software to Version 2.2.1. The updates target only the FileSystem portion of Xsan and include the following fixes:

- Improves filesystem reliability
- Improves the cvfsck filesystem repair utility
- Resolves an issue that could cause QuickTime media to report “invalid public movie atom found” on playback
- Eliminates “An unknown disk has been inserted” message when mounting Xsan volumes (occurs in Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard only)

The Xsan 2.2.1 FileSystem Update is available in Snow Leopard (39.55 MB) and Leopard (35.15 MB) versions, and an updated Xsan Uninstaller (545 KB) is also available.

Apple also released Mail Services Update 1.0 (20.59 MB), offering several mail services improvements for Snow Leopard Server.

This update extends RAW image compatibility for Aperture 2, iPhoto ’08 and iPhoto ’09 for the following cameras:

• Canon EOS-1D Mark IV
• Canon EOS 7D
• Canon PowerShot G11
• Nikon D3S
• Nikon D300S
• Nikon D3000

This update is available through your Mac’s Software Update. It requires Mac OS X 10.4.11 and Aperture 2, iPhoto ‘08 or iPhoto ‘09

Apple released a pair of Snow Leopard printer driver updates, bringing additional compatibility for printers and multifunction devices from Epson and Lexmark.

- Epson Printer Drivers v2.2 for Mac OS X v10.6.1 (546 MB)
- Lexmark Printer Drivers v2.2 for Mac OS X v10.6 (121 MB)