The update brings several bug fixes for improved performance and compatibility across all Mac computers, and fixes a critical bug within OS X Lion which causes WiFi connection issues when Macs try to wake-up from sleep. Apple has also released software updates for the Lion Server, Safari 5.1.3, new version of Sever Admin Tools, some bug fixes for the Apple Remote Desktop, and security updates for users still running the Snow Leopard.

Apple has seeded a new version of OS X Lion v10.7.3 to all the registered developers under their Dev program. This new build carries the number 11D46, and showed up just a few weeks after the third beta was released in December. Apple’s main focus on this build remains unchanged; developers are asked to pay close attention to iCloud Document Storage, Address Book, iCal, Mail, Spotlight and Safari. According to Apple, this build comes without any known issues, which may hint at an upcoming release.

IT Wire’s Stephen Withers recalls that Steve Jobs once famously described Apple TV as a “hobby,” and wonders whether OS X is being consigned to similar status. He notes that while Apple continues to enjoy decent growth in volume and revenue from its Mac business, especially laptops, it’s been clear for some time that the iPhone and other iOS-based devices have become the central focus for Apple; a worrisome prospect for veteran Mac OS fans and serious production users.

Although OS X 10.7.1 was released last week, until now it was only available through Software Update. Apple finally released the update on the Mac App Store so new customers can install the latest Lion release right away without having to update, and those who have yet to update can now do so through the Mac App Store, instead.

While it might seem to some like buying a ticket to the ball game after the seventh-inning stretch, MacFixIt’s Topher Kessler thinks that even with Apple’s release of Mac OS X v10.7 Lion not far off, the Mac OS X v10.6 Snow Leopard upgrade—available on DVD for upgrading from Leopard or Tiger installations at a modest $29—is still a good idea. I agree unreservedly.

OS X, derived from Apple’s purchase of the NeXTSTEP OS developed by Steve Jobs’s startup company NeXT, Inc. (later NeXT Computer, Inc. and NeXT Software, Inc.) that Jobs founded in 1985 after his forced resignation from Apple by his hand-picked CEO John Scully that year, now powers all Mac computers, and is also the foundation of the iOS used in the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.

New features, new hardware, new stats…Apple certainly delivered enough shiny new software and hardware to keep us fans happy (for a little while, at least). With the parade of engineers touting new, improved (less filling) software, it is easy to overlook the destructive side of Steve Jobs’ changes today. Here is a roundup of what was lost during today’s “Back to the Mac” Event:

There you go, folks. Apple has given all of us a sneak peak into what the future brings with the Macintosh Operating System, and that future goes by the name Mac OS X Lion. Based on what Steve Jobs mentioned, it looks like it’s going to be another exciting OS for Mac users. Slated for a release next summer, Mac OS X Lion is bringing many features inspired by the iPad to the Mac.

Part of Apple’s claim with Snow Leopard is that it’ll be a leaner system. This is nice to hear in a keynote, but it doesn’t always work out that way in the real word. Now that I’ve purchased and installed Snow Leopard, I was finally able to put that claim to the test. I’m happy to report that, yes, Snow Leopard did free up some disk space on my MacBook. The thing is, though, the computer doesn’t seem to know just how much.

The excitement continues to build for tomorrow’s WWDC keynote and the developer announcements that are sure to follow. Yesterday, we took a look at what to expect from iPhone OS 3.0, as well as at Apple’s strategy for rolling out updates and why they include (or, more importantly, don’t include) certain features in each iteration. Today, we’ll examine Snow Leopard, the next big update to Apple’s Macintosh operating system.