Although the next major release of Apple's Mac OS X operating system, v10.6, is due next month, there's still room for improvement via updates to the current release, v10.5 Leopard.
Promising "fixes that enhance the stability, compatibility and security" of Mac OS X Leopard, Apple has made its v10.5.8 update immediately available via the operating system's built-in software update or as a standalone installer from Apple.com.
The Apple-recommended update includes fixes for 18 security vulnerabilities, and various improvements to the performance and reliability of the software. Apple lists the key updates as follows:
- Upgrades Safari to version 4.0.2
- Improves the accuracy of full history search in Safari 4
- Resolves an issue in which certain resolutions might not appear in the Display pane in System Preferences
- Dragging an Aperture image into Automator now invokes an Aperture action instead of incorrectly invoking an iPhoto action
- Resolves an issue that could prevent importing of large photo and movie files from digital cameras
- Improves overall Bluetooth reliability with external devices, USB webcams and printers
- Addresses an issue that could cause extended startup times
- Improves iCal reliability with MobileMe Sync and CalDav
- Addresses data reliability issues with iDisk and MobileMe
- Improves overall reliability with AFP
- Improves overall reliability with Managed Client
- Improves compatibility and reliability for joining AirPort networks
- Improves Sync Service reliability
- Includes additional RAW image support for several third-party cameras
- Improves compatibility with some external USB hard drives
- Includes latest security fixes
As a standalone download, the update weighs in at 274MB.
