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.

For those of you who have been waiting, Apple has now released Mac OS 10.6.5 through Software Update.app. To find it yourself, simply click the Apple logo on the top left hand corner of your Mac, and then select “Software Update…”. As you’d expect, the update requires a restart and comes in at a hefty 517MB. Before installing, I’d recommend you either a.) wait a day or so to let others find out if there are any main issues or b.) back up your system first.

Apple has just released Mac OS X v10.5.7. Amongst numerous stability and performance updates, the improvements include changes to iCal, Mail, and Parental Controls. The Combo update is a whopping 728MB (951 MB for the Server Update Combo). If you only need the point update, it’s available at 440MB.

Macintosh and iPhone software updates and announcements for November 20, 2008:

• Silly My Apple Space users, hurling your bodies out into The New Blog. If you had any inkling of the true nature of the blogosphere, any at all, you would’ve hidden from it in terror.
• I wonder if the fellows at publicspace.net have considered making Gene Gene the Dancing Machine the spokesman for The Big Mean Folder Machine.
• Speck announces SeeThru Satin for the MacBook. I think that may be naughty.
• The Big Concept and Alphabet Art, my two favorite PBS shows, are now also Logo Design Studio Pro expansion packs.
• Freeway has been updated. Three cheers for the Federal Aid Highway Act of 1956!
• Use StoryMill to write your story, so long as it’s not The Mill On the Floss, because that’s already been written.
• Headphone companies need to quit giving their headphones helicopter names. I mean, HFI-15G is really the best you can do?
• VelaClock brings world clock capabilities and a bunch of moon phases to the iPhone and iPod touch. So…okay. Good.
• It’s about time someone revolutionized the way I view media with my iPhone and iPod touch.

Macintosh and iPhone software updates and announcements for November 4, 2008:

• They may just be Berbie girls in a Berbie world, but they’ve still managed to release TrailRunner 1.8.
• VectorDesigner now supports that multi-touch trackpad if you’ve got one. Actually, it supports it even if you don’t have one, it just won’t do you any good.
• SonosZone will sell you an iPod touch with the Sonos wireless music player software already on it. How thoughtful of them.
• HoudahSpot has been updated with a series of enhancements and bug fixes. Don’t believe me? Download it and find out.
• Get political comedy on your iPhone courtesy of Drunken Politics. Could be worse, really. It could be Capitol Steps.
• equinux guarantees the highest level of security for mobile work on the Mac. Pretty bold claim for a 23-year-old Styx album.
• I tried a mind mapping application once. Ends up, it’s 60% dead zone.

Macintosh and iPhone software updates and announcements for October 16, 2008:

• Oh, you crazy marketers, always marketing things, and now you can do so from your iPhone.
• AllBookmarks helps you manage your browser bookmarks, but I don’t think it has that Footprints poem on it anywhere.
• Those My Apple Space guys are still pushing for their piece of the social networking pie, this time offering iPhone support ala mode.
• I was all set to buy the latest Mac Bundle Box until I found out YummySoup was a program and not, you know, yummy soup.
• Tonight on WebSite Tonight: support for RSS feeds, blog support, and the comic stylings of funny man Louie Anderson.
• My Seahawks aren’t yet showing up in Zumobi’s Pro Football for the iPhone/iPod touch. That’s okay, though…they’re not showing up on Sundays, either.
• Buy Byline. Bye bye, RSS. Hello…something that rhymes with RSS. I just blew this joke.
• Aww, man! KavaTunes and iTunes came to the party wearing the exact same costume!
• Spend a lot of money to upgrade Dreamweaver and you can spend less money to upgrade Freeway 5 Pro.
• Next time you’re asked for your passport while crossing into Canada, you can say, “Why, do you need to charge your iPod/iPhone while connected to an aftermarket automotive integrated audio system?” You’ll laugh all the way to Guantanamo Bay.
• Apparently, something called SoftCare is now called vjoon. That’s not the point of the press release, but I can’t get past the idea that someone though “vjoon” was a better name for anything.

Macintosh and iPhone software updates and announcements for October 15, 2008:

• Your iPhone 3G can now Wave to the iPod nano 4G, iPod touch 2G and iPod classic 80/120GB thanks to Griffin.
• If you’re going to play air hockey on your iPhone, shouldn’t you play the version that’s “best of breed?” And free?
• iLove College Football 2008 is available on the iPhone, but do you really want to get football scores on an object you can throw?
• It’s getting cold out. Shouldn’t your new MacBook or MacBook Pro be wearing a jacket? An Ultrasuede Suede Jacket, perhaps?
• Car Spotter for iPhone is on sale for $4.99. Now, if I could only find my iPhone Spotter…
• Funtastic Photos is an “evolutionary photo editor” for the Mac, so don’t use it at school or you’ll anger the “intelligent design photo editor” people .
• Final Cut Pro preferences hassles got you down? Losing sleep? Having trouble making friends? Not anymore, thanks to UserMatic!
• TextSoap 6 is cool and all, but I’m holding out for TextBubbleBath.
• Q: What did Typinator 3.2 say to the grammar police? A. “I’ll be backspace.”
• “The ultimate flying reptile battle game for the iPhone or iPod touch.” I am, like, soooooooo there, dude.
• Share your vCards on your iPhone with Sharecard. You know you want to.
• Not to Marware: One press release per day, please. Let’s not get greedy.
• That Dougie Moo’s back up to his usual Aqua Antics.
• Final Cut Pro is a media app, so why do you need Loader to streamline the media importing process? Wouldn’t that be like needing a special app in order to bring photos into Photoshop? Any, Loader’s available.
• Mail Act-On 2 puts Apple Mail organization at your fingertips. I’m thinking that was a good place to put it.
• WiFi Radar will help you maximize use of your wireless network. Or, better yet, help you bogart your neighbor’s.
• Big Bang Board Games for the iPhone/iPod touch now allows for two player “hot seat” play, which is good, because your friends aren’t as smart as your iPhone.
• Those new MacBook and MacBook Pro screens sure are nice. Now cover them up.

Mac OS X 10.5.5 has been released and is available via the Software Update function.

The release notes outline updates to Address Book, Disk Utility and Directory Utility, iCal, Mobile Me, Mail, and Time Machine. Other general fixes are included.

Apple has released a new update for MacBook Air users only. MacBook Air Update 1.0 is recommended for all MacBook Air users, and addresses video and core idling.

Reports coming in seem to indicate that video playback is much improved on the MacBook Air now, and that it is no longer as processor intensive, and thus does not heat up as much.

Details and download info after the break.

With Mac OS X 10.5.5 (9F9) seeded to developers, it’s only natural you’re wondering what fixes it puts in place. There are many, many fixes so far, but none appear to be that big, as there aren’t any huge issues with 10.5.4 as it stands. Currently the only known issue is Aperture related: Aperture is more »