Apple released 10.5.6 yesterday. It’s a major update. When you go to install it, ensure you follow Apple’s advice:

1. Back up your computer prior to installing any updates.
2. Quit any open applications before starting the installation.
3. Do not interrupt the installation process.
4. You may experience unexpected results if you have third-party system software modifications installed, or if you have modified the operating system through other means, or if you have moved Apple applications from their default locations

This is all sound advice – we highly advise that you follow these four items. To read more about the update be sure to see Apple’s page on it.

These guidelines are pretty much the same as ours here at MacMedics. What we often see is that a major system update will cause one of two issues.

Running an update may seem like a good idea, but beware! Very frequently an update will cause an issue with a major application like Quark or InDesign, and cause a problem during production. That’s never a good thing. Never run a major update during a deadline, and don’t run an update to try and solve a larger issue without knowing what that problem is.

The other thing we often see is that an update like this can be a heavy duty workout for a sick or dying hard drive (see www.HardDrivesDie.com to learn more on this). Ensure that you’ve got a healthy drive before you run the update. Repair permissions, boot in safe mode, check things out, unplug external devices, and make sure you have File Vault or any other encryption software turned off.

Make sure your data is 100% backed up, and do that by actually checking your back up to ensure your data is where you think it is. If your back up is bootable, try booting off of it to check to see if its working. You don’t want to find out you can’t immediately bounce back from a problem if one should pop up. Sadly Time Machine is NOT a bootable back up, unless you have another system you can test on, but be sure you check it and maybe try pulling a few sample files off of it to test it’s validity.

If your Mac is on MacMedics Scheduled Service, then we’ll perform this update for you when we deem it safe. If you like to live up to the second, follow us on Twitter to watch what’s going on with us and the very latest updates.

iPhone Software version 2.1 was released by Apple today via iTunes. It adds the Genius playlist feature that is also available in the iPod touch. This software update was released to address connection issues by reducing call drops and set-up failures. Changes also include some improvements to the 3G signal strength meter and some tweaks related to text messaging that allow for an option for repeating an alert on an incoming message up to tow times.

The new firmware also addresses some improvements in battery life, contact searching, and has reduced the amount of time needed to make a back up of the iPhone

Here is the complete list of items addressed in this update from Apple:

1. Decrease in call set-up failures and call drops.
2. Significantly improved battery life for most users.
3. Improved email reliability, notably fetching email from POP and Exchange accounts.
4. Faster installation of 3rd party applications
5. Fixed bugs causing hangs and crashes if you have lots of 3rd party applications.
6. Improved performance in text messaging.
7. Faster loading and searching of contacts
8. Improved accuracy of the 3G signal strength display.
9. Repeat alert up to two additional times for incoming text messages.
10. Option to wipe data after 10 failed passcode attempts.
11. Genius playlist creation.

My update went well, and so far so good for other MacMedics staffers as well. We are especially anxious to see if this update really improves call reception and reduces dropped calls for those of us who one the new 3G iPhone.

I will post more on this topic, if we uncover anything that our clients need to know about. Are you on e-mail newsletter list? If not sign up here. Also, you can follow us on Twitter.