Apple Updates Final Cut Pro X

Apple released Final Cut Pro X v10.0.3, a significant update that introduces:

-Multicam editing that automatically syncs up to 64 angles of video and photos

-Advanced chroma keying for handling complex adjustments right in the app

-Enhanced XML interchange for developers to build apps and plug-ins as part of the Final Cut Pro X ecosystem

Final Cut Pro X v10.0.3 also includes a broadcast monitoring beta that supports both Thunderbolt devices and PCIe cards.

Apple has updated Safari and Keynote to improve performance:

Safari

This update contains various improvements, including fixes that:

-Improve stability
-Address issues that could cause hangs and excessive memory usage
-Address issues that could cause webpages to flash white
-Allow PDFs to be displayed within web content

Keynote

This update addresses issues when working with large Keynote presentations on OS X Lion. It also includes improvements in stability and accessibility for Keynote.

This update is recommended for users of Keynote 5.1. For detailed information on this update and individual application changes, please visit this site: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5026.

iMac Hard Drive Firmware Update 1.0 fixes a hard drive issue that may prevent some iMac (21.5-inch and 27-inch, Mid 2010) systems from booting properly.

You can download it at this link: http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1378

Update 6/25/11: Apple has released 10.6.8 that fixes the issues listed below and preps your machine for upcoming release of Lion. See this post for more info.

Update 4/1/11: MacMedics is recommending that you hold off on this update until a fix for the font problem is released: See this MacMedics Blog post for more info.

The 10.6.7 Update is recommended for all users running Mac OS X Snow Leopard and includes general operating system fixes that enhance the stability, compatibility, and security of your Mac, including fixes that:

• Improve the reliability of Back to My Mac
• Resolve an issue when transferring files to certain SMB servers
• Address various minor Mac App Store bugs

For owners of the new model “Thunderbolt” MacBook Pros it also resolved the following:

• Address minor FaceTime performance issues
• Improve graphics stability and external display compatibility

For detailed information on this update, please visit this website: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4472.
For information on the security content of this update, please visit: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1222.

Before you install this or any other software update, be sure to check out the MacMedics Software Update Warnings webpage.

You can grab the Combo updater from Apple at this website: http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1361

Apple released the much anticipated 10.6.3 software update today. I have included the info from Apple followed by the MacMedics list of software update precautions. Please don’t install this update until you are 100% sure your back-up is working and tested!

Here is the info straight from Software Update:

The 10.6.3 Update is recommended for all users running Mac OS X Snow Leopard and includes general operating system fixes that enhance the stability, compatibility, and security of your Mac, including fixes that:

Improve the reliability and compatibility of QuickTime X

Fix glowing, stuck, or dark pixels when viewing video from the iMac (Late 2009) built-in iSight camera

For detailed information on this update, please visit this website: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4014.

For information on the security content of this update, please visit: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1222.

Running a software update from Apple (or elsewhere) as soon as it pops up is not always the best plan. In our travels we very frequently see clients who have run a software update without planning ahead for it, and as a result end up with annoying issues, sudden incompatibilities, and even data loss. One thing to consider is how healthy your hard drive is overall before running an update. Never try to solve an issue such as system lock ups or crashing by installing the latest update, as symptoms like those can be exasperated by applying a software update.

Here’s our safety checklist for running software updates or installing a system upgrade.

1. Back up your data, and double check your back up before installing any update. [Don't forget to unplug that back-up before installing an update]

6. Consider the possibility that major applications and/or features might be affected by an Apple software update or system upgrade.

Don’t run a software update on a production machine while on a deadline. You want to be certain that the update will not cause more problems than it was designed to fix. If your machine is working, let it continue working as is, and plan to install the update after you know it’s not going to cause any issues for you.

We install the updates on our test machines here at MacMedics as soon as they are released to Apple Developers, and again when they are released to the public. Let us be the guinea pigs. We’ll let you know how we feel about the update in our weekly e-mail to MacMedics clients.

Can your hard drive handle Snow Leopard (or the latest major update)???

Installing a new OS is like taking your hard drive to the gym. It can be quite a workout for an older hard drive, and whenever a new OS comes out, we always see a few dead hard drives as a result. No matter what you do, make sure you have a back up of your data before you begin!

Prices have dropped significantly on hard drives over the last year or so. MacMedics now recommends retiring hard drives after three years in desktops, and two years in laptops. Be sure to check out our web page to find out why you should retire your older hard drive and to learn about our 5 rules of data protection and preservation. Why take a chance with your data when faster, larger, and generally more reliable drives are available. Moving to Snow Leopard is a great opportunity to get a new drive, while at the same time insuring your data is safe.