Finally the update 10.6.3 for Snow Leopard was released, even though it’s not April 3rd yet, as some had predicted a launch together with the iPad. The previous update, 10.6.2 was launched in November 2009 and this update was quite desired by users.

The update includes several changes and general OS enhancement. The 10.6.3 update seems rather big in contents and size. The full list of changes can be found here.

Apple has sent build 10D573 for the Mac OS X 10.6.3 to developers. As for the previous builds, also on this one, Apple asks developers to focus their own efforts on graphic drivers, images and photos, Mail, security certificates and QuickTime. There’s only one bug still left, and it’s about Safari 4.0.5 showing up as available once more in the Software Update panel once the new build takes place of a previous one.

Since the release seems near but won’t come, it’s likely that Apple’s waiting for the iPad launch date (April 3rd) in order to launch a new iTunes version as well, and the new OS update. We’ll see.

Apple has released another update for the Mac OS X 10.6.3 to developers, a few days after the previous release. This update focus the developers’ attention into the graphic drivers, QuickTime, iPhoto, Mail and security certificates.

The build is called 10D572, and it seems to have solved a known problem with the Safari 4.0.5 download through the Software Update pannel. Apple still has to confirm a release date for the Mac OS X 10.6.3, although the frequency of the builds being released could indicate that the update will be released soon.

Apple continues to send new builds for the Mac OS X 10.6.3 to developers. This time it’s the 10D571 build. The changes on this build concerned the graphic drivers, iChat, QuickTime and font management. Here are the main changes:

* Compatibility issues with OpenGL-based applications
* Performance improvements for 64-bit Logic
* Changes to QuickTime X that increase reliability and improve compatibility and security
* Printing reliability and compatibility with third party printers
* Issues resolved that prevented files from copying to Windows shares
* Issues resolved with recurring events in iCal when connected to an Exchange server
* Issues resolved that prevented files with the “#” or “&” symbols in their names from opening in Rosetta
* Issues addressed that caused background message colors to display incorrectly in Mail when scrolling
* Issue resolved that caused machines using BTMM and the Bonjour Sleep Proxy to wake unexpectedly

Even though the frequency of builds launched could indicate that the launch will be soon, it seems that it’s taking longer than expected.

The Online Apple Stores were updated last Friday to add the possibility for the American users to pre-order the iPad directly from Apple’s Online Stores. The pre-order is limited to two devices for each user. The only new feature present on the other Apple Stores worldwide is that now the site offers an “iPad” section in the top navigation menu.

From next April 3rd on, the first batch of Wi-Fi models will be shipped, while for the 3G models, the launch will be by the end of April, together with the launch of the device in Europe and the rest of the world. There’s also the possibility of pre-ordering an iPad to be picked up at an Apple Retail Store in person.

There were rumors about a possible Mac Pro with six-core processors, thanks to the introduction of the i7 980X and Core i7 970 from Intel. The rumors now speak of a possible launch next Tuesday, in fact.

The first Mac Pro model to be launched next week according to rumors would be based on the six-core Core i7 980x, with this specifications:

• 3.33 Ghz (with TurboBoost up to 3.6 Ghz)
• 6 cores / 12 threads
• 32nm Architecture
• LGA 1366 socket
• 130W TDP

The usage of such powerful technologies could mean a real change for Apple’s professional computers. There’s no word about the graphics used for now, but previous rumors spoke about the Radeon HD 5870 as the most possible choice.

The April 3rd date was chosen by Apple apparently due to the need of giving the iPad software the final touches. John Gruber, usually a reliable source, says that the specialists from Canaccord Adams believe that the current problem for Apple is how to polish the iPhone 3.2 and the corresponding applications in time for the release.

Apple has increased the efforts for the iPad software, with 3 iPhone 3.2 SDK beta released from the day of the first presentation (end of January). Contrarily to some Android tablets announced in January, the most part of the iPad software is specifically optimized for bigger displays (9.7″) instead of a dynamic resizing. That would explain the time needed by Apple to release the product.

Yet no news of official release, but Apple has sent another build of the Mac OS X 10.6.3 to developers, this time called 10D567. And again like las week, the build was released without any technical notes or bug fixes. The developers were asked to concentrate their tests on Rosetta, iChat, QuickTime, printers and graphic drivers.

Once this update is available to the public, it’ll solve many problems with Snow Leopard, such as the compatibility with third-party printers and QuickTime X safety. Also the Logic Pro 64-bit users will notice a big enhancement in the performance. We thought the release would be soon, due to the fact that builds seemed rather stable, but it seems not, so we’ll just have to wait.

Apple has announced the prices and availability dates for the iPad. Apple’s new device will be available in the USA from April 3rd for the Wi-Fi models, and by the end of April for the Wi-Fi + 3G models. All the iPad models will be available in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain, Switzerland and the UK by the end of April as well.

From next March 12th on, USA clients will be able to pre-order both models from Apple’s online store. It will be also possible to preorder a Wi-Fi model to be collected from an Apple Retail Store from April 3rd on.

The prices are as following:

USA:

• Wi-Fi Models: $499 for the 16GB model, $599 for the 32 GB model, $699 for the 64 GB model
• Wi-Fi + 3G (Available from the end of April): $699 for 16 GB, $729 for the 32 GB model and $829 for the 64 GB model.

For the other countries mentioned in the beginning of the article, the prices will be announced during the launch month, and the rest of the world will see the iPad in later months. iBooks, the application that includes Apple’s bookstore, will be available for free from App Store on April 3rd in the USA. It’ll be available for other countries during the year.

According to an analysis from Morgan Stanley, the next iPhone model, the iPhone 4G will be cheaper than the previous models. The analysts claim that the possibility comes from the fact that Apple has now almost completely regained the money used in development and research to create the iPhone, and that now they can afford to use a more aggressive marketing campaign.

Also, a lower cost for the iPhone would bring to more units sold, which could bring to more songs downloaded from iTunes Store or applications from the Apple store. It could also influence customers to buy other Mac products. It would be a good move for the company.