December 21, 2001
Mac OS X 10.1.2 Update Released
Apple has released OS X 10.1.2 via the Software Update control panel, which delivers improvements and new functionality, including updated and new USB and FireWire device support, including FireWire-based digital cameras; new PC Card storage device support, including media readers; IrDA modem support for FireWire-based PowerBook models; Audio, Display, and Speech improvements; Networking and Printing improvements as well as AirPort v2.0, Apache web server v1.3.22, and AppleScript v1.8 components. It is required for AppleScript Studio 1.0 to function.

Apple posted separate Knowledge Base articles for Mac OS X 10.1.2 and Mac OS X 10.1.2 Combo file downloads, with the following additional information for the Combo version:

• Hardware accelerated video mirroring support for PowerBook G4
• Overall application compatibility including updates to CD and DVD Burning and the Finder
• AFP, SMB and WebDAV Networking and Printing improvements

December 14, 2001
iTunes v2.0.3 has been released
Apple has posted iTunes 2.03, for both OS X and Mac OS 9, which "offers greater control when synchronizing iTunes with the iPod by transferring only the checked songs in your library and playlists to your iPod. This version also adds support for the Rio One MP3 player from SONICblue, a tool for for correcting improperly encoded Unicode tags, and improved stability and performance,"

December 04, 2001
Apple today announced Final Cut Pro 3, an upgrade to Apple's professional video editing solution. Version 3 offers OS X compatibility, G4 real-time effects with real-time playback, hardware-accurate color correction tools, a new OfflineRT format for over 40 minutes of footage per gigabyte, a new Voice Over tool, an enhanced Media Manager, and timecode overlays. Upgrades to the $1000 application are $300 for v2.0 owners. It is expected to ship this month. (Note that G4 real-time effects require a 500-MHz or faster processor and that a 667-MHz PowerBook G4 is required for mobile G4 real-time effects in DV format.)

November 30, 2001
Apple has posted DVD Player 3.0.1 for Mac OS X for download from the Knowledge Base or through Software Update:
"DVD Player update delivers improved performance and stability, as well as support for Blue and White Power Mac G3 and Power Mac G4 systems with PCI-based graphics." [14.8 MB]

Apple released Version 1.1 of the Airport 2 [3.5 MB] software and AppleWorks 6.2.2:

"This update replaces any North American English version of AppleWorks for Macintosh 6.0 or later with the North American English version of AppleWorks 6.2.2 for Mac OS X 10.1 and AppleWorks 6.1.2 for Mac OS 8.1 through 9.x. (AppleWorks 6.2.2 for Mac OS X 10.1 and AppleWorks 6.1.2 for Mac OS 8.1 through 9.x have a common feature set but are optimized for the appropriate operating system)."Both updates require Mac OS X 10.1 or later.

November 20, 2001
Apple appears to have quietly updated iTunes for OS X to version 2.0.2 (see also the iTune page). Although the release dates are unchanged as listed on the web pages (November 2 and 3), the modification date listed on the downloaded smi files is now November 14 (the iTunes files themselves have a date of November 6). Reflecting this confusion, the title of the web page for the OS X version says "iTunes 2.0.2 for Mac OS X" - while the first line still reads: "This article contains the About iTunes 2.0.1 for Mac OS X document and a link to the iTunes 2.0.1 for Mac OS X download."

November 12, 2001
Microsoft has announced the release of Office v. X, the Mac OS X version of the Office productivity suite including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Entourage. Office v. X includes support for Mac OS X 10.1, and is priced at $499. Microsoft is running a Technology Guarantee program for users who purchase Office 2001 for Mac or one of the individual 2001 applications between October 24 and December 31, offering a free copy of Office v. X to eligible customers. Registered users of previous Office versions can upgrade for $200. Upgrades for the individual applications are $149 for eligible users. (A special "one-per-customer" $149 upgrade for the complete Office v. X suite is also available directly from Microsoft through January 18, 2002.)

Office v. X ready and set for November 19 launch
Microsoft has announced that Office v. X for Mac is complete and being delivered to manufacturers. The highly anticipated title will ship on November 19 exclusively for Mac OS X 10.1. Office v. X will sell for US$499, with upgrades priced at $299. Additionally, Microsoft announced that more than 90,000 Mac OS X users have downloaded a copy of the free Word X Test Drive.

September 29, 2001 - Mac OS X 10.1 Available
Apple today officially announced that Mac OS X 10.1 will be available today. The upgrade will be available free of charge to Mac OS X users, and will be available on CD from Apple resellers. Customers can also order the upgrade from Apple for US$19.95 (covers shipping and handling). Apple also announced that more than 1,400 applications are now available for Mac OS X 10.1, and quietly announced the Mac OS X Server 10.1 update.

Apple's Mac OS X 10.1 update that is available for free from dealers and will not include the Mac OS X 10.1 Developer Tools CD, we have learned. The CD will only be available in the full Mac OS X 10.1 package and through Apple's Mac OS Update-To-Date program (the much-discussed "free" update that costs US$19.95 for shipping and handling). Furthermore, sources inform us that the Mac OS X 10.1 update (free retail or Mac OS Up-To-Date) will include the Mac OS 9.2.1 updater; the full copy of Mac OS X 10.1 will include the full version of Mac OS 9.2.1.

Obtaining the Mac OS 10.1 direct from Apple. The product lineup:

For new users:

Mac OS X 10.1 retail kit - $129 (which includes the Developer's Tools and a Mac OS 9.2.1 system install CDs).

For existing users:

Mac OS Up-to-date - $19.95 (which includes the Mac OS X 10.1 update CD, the Developer Tools CD, and a Mac OS 9.2.1 system install CD.

Instant Up-to-date - Free from Apple retailers and select resellers (which includes the Mac OS X update and Mac OS 9.2.1 system install CDs.) In addition, developers will soon be able to download the Developer Tools from the Apple Developer Web site. Instant update packages will be available until the end of October or while supplies last.

September 26, 2001 - Apple updates AppleWorks for 10.1
Apple has posted an AppleWorks 6.2.1 updater for Mac OS X 10.1 users that adds compatibility and performance enhancements to the application. [4.4MB]

June 21, 2001 - Mac OS X 10.0.4 released
Apple has released Mac OS X 10.0.4 (build 4Q12) via the Software Update preference panel. Two of the most significant and welcome changes with this release are detailed release notes (see Apple TIL #106360) and a standalone installer: Mac OS X 10.0.4 Combined Update. [13.9MB]

Installation notes

The update delivers all the enhancements included in previous updates if they were not installed already. The Read Me also contains this precaution:

"You may experience unexpected results if you have installed third-party system software modifications, or if you have modified the operating system through other means such as the Terminal. This precautionary statement does not apply to the normal installation of application software."

Here are some of the highlights on what has changed:

USB-Related Enhancements

• PrintCenter compatibility with certain third-party USB inkjet printers has been improved.
• Improves compatibility with many third-party USB devices including: "KVM" switchboxes, certain self-powered USB hubs, certain handheld devices that connect to a USB port, certain ADB-to-USB adapter devices, and third-party USB mouse and keyboard input devices.
• Resolves a rare issue in which a USB device may not respond after the computer wakes from sleep.
• Addresses issues that may have led to a USB mouse or keyboard input device becoming unresponsive unless it was disconnected and reconnected.
• Addresses a potential kernel panic that may have occurred when disconnecting or hot swapping certain third-party USB devices.
• Brings iTunes compatibility to additional third-party USB CD-RW drives, including: Toshiba DVD-ROM SD-R1101 Combo Drive, Que Plextor PX-W1610A, MKE CD-RW CW8571B, Que Lite-On LTR-12101B, Iomega ZipCD 650, and Iomega Predator ZipCD 650.

Classic-Related Enhancements

• Enhances the reliability of the Classic environment after the computer wakes from sleep.
• Addresses a potential issue in the Classic environment in which the mouse pointer cursor may have become temporarily transparent.
• Enriches reliability of certain Classic mail applications when used with certain types of mail servers.
• Addresses a potential issue in the Classic environment with products that provide firewall services.
• General improvements allow third-party hardware device drivers to perform better in the Classic environment; future OS X hardware device drivers can be developed to coexist with Classic device drivers for the same USB device.

Internet- and Networking-Related Enhancements

• Addresses certain issues that may have occurred when copying files using Apple File Protocol (AFP), including: potential kernel panic when copying files, reliability on a VPN connection, and copying a file that has a long Japanese file name.
• The advanced PPPoE option "Send PPP echo packets" now behaves as expected when disabled.
• Addresses a potential issue where Internet Explorer 5.1 may have become temporarily unresponsive when viewing a QuickTime movie.
• A later version of SSH is included.

Other Enhancements

• Improves reliability when a large number of FireWire devices are disconnected and reconnected.
• Addresses a potential issue in which a copied file's modification date may be inaccurate.
• Resolves an issue in which the restart button does not appear after the installation of software that requires a restart.
• A Brightness slider bar is now available when used with the Apple Studio Display 17.
• Addresses a potential issue with certain PowerBook computers in which an undesirable sound may be heard while the computer is in sleep mode.
• Enhances PowerBook battery power conservation when in sleep mode.
• Improves responsiveness of application menus that are drawn with OpenGL.
• Addresses a potential issue in which the startup hard disk volume could not be renamed after updating the version of Mac OS X.
• Resolves a potential issue when printing from applications localized for German.
• A later version of sudo is included.

May 23, 2001
Internet Explorer 5.1 Preview Release updated for OS X

Microsoft has released an updated version of Internet Explorer 5.1 for Mac OS X. IE 5.1 Preview shipped with Mac OS X, but many people found the browser lacking in many respects.

Microsoft informed MacCentral today the new browser Improves Reliability, offers better download support, contains user interface and Aqua improvements, offers better printing support and has updated support for Flash, Shockwave and QuickTime plug-ins.

" The improvements in Internet Explorer 5.1 Preview Release Update are in keeping with the Macintosh Business Unit's goal to provide customers with the best Mac OS X Carbon applications possible. This update is for the English, Japanese, French, German, Italian, Spanish and Swedish versions," said a Microsoft representative.

The new version will be available at Apple's Mac OS X Web site. You must be running Mac OS X 10.0.3 in order to use the update Internet Explorer 5.1 Preview.