Apple has released the Mac OS X 10.5.7 Update for both PPC and Intel systems. The 729 Mb Leopard combo patch (one covers both Intel and PPC Macs) addresses a variety of issues:

• Includes latest security fixes
• Includes additional RAW image support for several third-party cameras
• Improves performance of video playback and cursor movements for recent Macs with NVIDIA graphics
• Improves reliability when automatically syncing with MobileMe
• Improves consistency with Parental Controls and application restrictions
• Improves the reliability and accuracy of Unit Converter, Stocks, Weather and Movies Dashboard widgets
• Improves overall printing reliability and stability
• Addresses a situation that may cause issues when logging into Gmail
• Improves reliability when syncing contacts with Yahoo!
• Improves network performance when connected to certain Ethernet switches that have Flow Control enabled
• Resolves an issue that may cause certain third-party printers to print to the incorrect paper tray.
• Improves Finder search results for network volumes that may not support Spotlight searching, such as Mac OS X Server v10.4, Time Capsule, and third-party AFP servers

Full details on the update can be found here.

Free Advice: For Mac OS updates this large, you encounter a lot less problems if you DO NOT use Apple’s Software Update feature and instead manually download and install the stand-alone updater.

Just five days after the last release, Mozilla has issued Firefox 3.0.10 which corrects two stability problems found after the release of 3.0.9, as well as a security fix.

Details can be found here.

Mozilla’s email/browser application, SeaMonkey 1.1.16 remains unchanged from last week.

Apple has released an update of iTunes for Macintosh and Windows computers. iTunes 8.1.1 primarily adds the ability to purchase HD movie rentals from the iTunes Store in addition to a number of bug fixes, including issues with VoiceOver and syncing with the iPhone or iPod Touch.

iTunes 8.1.1/Mac requires Mac OS X 10.4.10 or later (Tiger), or Mac OS X 10.5 or later (Leopard).

In other iTunes Store news, as of today, all music sold through the store is now DRM free and with the higher quality (iTunes Plus) 256 kbps AAC encoding. Individual song pricing has changed from the flat $0.99 to a variable model ranging from $0.69 - $1.29.

Apple has announced the first update of its Mac Pro line of mini-tower computers since January 2008. The new line uses Intel’s new “Nehalem” Xeon processors - in four (starting price $2499) and eight-core (starting price $3299) variations - which feature on-chip power management and integrated memory controller for faster performance.

Like all other new Macs, Firewire 400 is gone in favor of Firewire 800 and USB 2.0 ports. The line complies with Meets ENERGY STAR 5.0 requirements, uses PVC-free internal cables and certified BFR-free.

Apple is accepting orders for the new Mac Pro line today, with shipping scheduled to start next week.

This morning, Apple has updated its iMac product line, dropping the 20-inch 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo model, and adding a 2.66 GHz 24-inch model priced at the previous 20-inch 2.66 GHz level. All models also include upgraded graphics chips, and faster DDR3 memory modules capable of toting up to 8 Gb RAM. Depending on the model, hard drive capacities range from 320 Gb to 1 Tb.

Coinciding with more recent Apple hardware releases, the Firewire 400 port has been dropped in all models. All units now offer a single Firewire 800 port in addition to four USB 2.0 ports on the computer, plus two USB 2.0 ports on the keyboard.

Speaking of the keyboard, all iMac models by default are now shipped with a new wired compact keyboard which does not include a numeric keypad. Those ordering iMacs through The Apple Store can specify a full keyboard with keypad at no additional charge.

All new iMacs are available immediately.