This week the mothership in Cupertino has been busy pushing out updates. In case you missed any, here’s a run down of what you might need to install, and why:

Hardware updates

MacBook, MacBook Pro Software update – This update, only for later model MBPs enables file system journaling on MacBook and MacBook Pro notebook computers.

MacBook Pro EFI Firmware Update 1.4 – Improves performance and reliability of Intel Core 2 Duo processors and fixes issues with Boot Camp.

MacBook EFI Firmware Update 1.1 – Improves performance and reliability of Intel Core 2 Duo processors and fixes issues with Boot Camp.

Mac Pro EFI Firmware Update 1.2 – Fixes fan behavior and issues with Boot Camp

iMac EFI Firmware Update 1.2 – Improves performance and reliability of Intel Core 2 Duo processors and fixes issues with Boot Camp.

iLife Updates

iLife Support 8.1 – An update to system software components used by all new iLife 08 applications.

iDVD 7.01 – A stability update, no new features added.

iPhoto 7.1 – A stability update which addresses issues encountered when moving photos between Events. This update also includes new greeting card themes, including holiday card designs (all of which are still useless in Australia)

iMovie 7.1 – This update addresses several areas including video and audio editing capabilities, and performance associated with opening and switching iMovie Events and Projects. Features added in this upgrade include:

  • Multiple Clip Selection
  • Fine Tuning
  • Still Frame Creation
  • Frame-by-Frame trimming
  • Audio Ducking level control
  • Manual Audio Fades
  • Set Duration for Transitions and Stills
  • Show Current Playhead Time

GarageBand 4.1 – Addresses isolated graphic display issues and compatibility with 3rd party audio software. It also fixes minor problems with Magic GarageBand and improves general compatibility issues.

iWork Updates

Numbers 1.0.1 – Addresses issues with tables and general performance

Pages 3.0.1 – Improves tracking changes performance

Keynote 4.0.1 – Improves performance of slide-show builds

iWeb 2.0.2 – Addresses issues when upgrading older iWeb 1.x. sites and fixes common publishing problems.

iTunes

iTunes for Windows 7.4.3 – Fixes iPod Touch setup on international versions

iPhone

iPhone 1.1.1 – Lots of great new features but HOLD OFF if you have an unlocked iPhone as there is no way of activating it so far (this includes those using the TurboSIM). Apparently the iPhone Dev team is working on it. The update includes the following new features:

  • iTunes Wi-Fi Music Store
  • Louder speakerphone and receiver volume
  • Home Button double-click shortcut to phone favourites of music controls
  • Space bar double-tap shortcut to intelligently insert period and space
  • Mail attachments are viewable in portrait and landscape
  • Stocks and cities in Stocks and Waether can be re-ordered
  • Apple Bluetooth Headset battery status in the Status Bar
  • Support for TV Out
  • Preference to turn off EDGE/GPRS when roaming internationally
  • New Passcode lock time intervals
  • Adjustable alert volume

and various security fixes detailed here.

If you’d like more detail on the improvements Apple has posted a video here.

I’m not particularly concerned about this update – the iPhone in its 1.0.2 state is still the best phone on the market by miles, and will be until Apple officially release the iPhone in Australia some time next year.