Apple Launches OS X 10.5.6 Update

OS X 10.5.6 shores up the performance of Airport WLAN connections and specifically addresses issues that Intel-based Mac users were having while roaming in large wireless networks, according to the OS X 10.5.6 release notes.

The update also addresses issues with Apple's MobileMe, and ensures that contacts, calendars and bookmarks on a Mac automatically synchronize within a minute of the change being made on PCs, devices, or online at me.com, according to the release notes.

Launched in July, MobileMe replaced Apple's .mac platform and marked the company's initial foray into cloud services, but caused headaches for users and was easily Apple's biggest sore spot in 2008.

The 10.5.6 update also improves the Safari Web browsers' compatibility with Web proxy servers; enhances the reliability of Address Book syncing with the iPhone and other devices and applications; boosts Apple File Service performance; and includes a range of general improvements to gaming performance.

Security fixes in OS X 10.5.6 fix several issues related to Adobe Flash plug-ins; a pair of kernel-related bugs; and an authentication bypass issue in the Podcast Producer server that could let remote attackers access administrative functions in the server.