Apple has released another build for the Mac OS X 10.6.3 to developers. The update 10D561 is very similar to the previous (10D558) and it still doesn’t mention any important problem that still needs to be fixed.

The Mac OS X 10.6.3 build 10D561 is different from the previous build because it can be downloaded in beta and combo formats, which is the method used for the release to users. The size of the delta package is 787MB.

The notes that come with the new update show the interest areas: Bluetooth, graphic drivers, iChat, QuickTime and USB. For the enhancements and fixes, the list is the same as the previous build. Perhaps the launch isn’t too far away.

Apple has sent another Mac OS X 10.6.3 build to developers, called 10D558. It arrives only 9 days after the previous build (10D552). The attention of Apple’s developers was concentrated on aspects such as Apple Filing Protocol, AirPort, graphic drivers and QuickTime. Some bugs and issues were fixed as well.

THis is the fifth Mac OS X 10.6.3 build since January. Although Apple hasn’t revealed any launch date, generally the more frequently builds come to developers, the closer it is from the actual launch date.

According to Softpedia, it seems that Apple is very close to releasing the third big update for Snow Leopard. Which isn’t that impossible to believe, considering the release of the build 10D552 to developers a few days ago, without serious bugs or issues and that could be seen as a previous stable release before the official launch.

Also, the previous build, 10D548, released a little less than two weeks ago, had no big issues that weren’t solved. The last issue with serious bugs was released back in January. Hence it could be plausible that the Mac OS X 10.6.3 could be launched today, probably more in the evening. We’ll be tuned.

Apple has released a new build for the Mac OS X 10.6.3 to developers, the 10D552. Apple’s request to developers is to concentrate their test on AirPort, graphic drivers and QuickTime. The build also features a few enhancements, such as:

• Performance improvements for 64-bit Logic
• Addresses compatibility issues with OpenGL-based applications
• Includes changes to QuickTime X that increase reliability, improve compatibility and address security
• Improves printing reliability and compatibility with 3rd party printers
• Respects the DNS server ordering as specified in Network Preferences
• Addresses an issue that causes background message colors to display incorrectly in Mail when scrolling
• Resolves an issue that prevented files with the # or & in their names from opening in Rosetta
• Resolves an issue that prevented files from copying to Windows shares
• Resolves an issue that caused machines using BTMM and the Bonjour Sleep Proxy to wake unexpectedly

The first build of Mac OS X 10.6.3 was sent last January, and considering the release times for the following builds, it makes us think that Mac OS X 10.6.3 could be released not too long from now.

AppleInsider has published an article which states that Apple has released a new version of their Mac OS X 10.6.3. The build is called 10D538 and it’s been released to developers. The update should solve many problems in several areas, including QuickTime X and Logic Studio. According to AppleInsider:

“More specifically, people familiar with Friday’s beta say it includes an update to QuickTime X that, when finalized, will improve security and compatibility while simultaneously enhancing overall reliability. The release will also include tweaks that aim to enhance the performance of Apple’s 64-bit Logic pro audio suite. Other planned improvements include better compatibility with third-party printers and OpenGL-grounded applications, those same people say”

Only one big bug remains on the current build, the one that comes with the photo view in Front Row. The Mac OS X 10.6.3 will bring OpenGL 3.0 support, which should result in a significant enhancement in video performance. For now, the launch date for the update is still unknown.

Apple has started to send the build 10D522 for the Mac OS X 10.6.3 to a limited number of developers (premium and select), launching the first official new beta of Mac OS X Snow Leopard, version 10.6.3. According to some developers that have received the release, Apple has solved around 255 issues with the update, that should have more than 650 MB.

The update should be aimed at specific parts on the OS: Monitor Preference, iTunes, ColorSync Utility Filters, and so on. There were rumors of this update a month ago, but it seems Apple decided to postpone the launch for after the Christmas Season. The last upgrade for Snow Leopard (10.6.2) was released around two months ago.

The rumors from AppleInsider seem to confirm that Apple will start sending the first Mac OS X 10.6.3 beta to developers in the next few days. There aren’t official release dates, but it seems the waiting won’t be too long. The release of the next builds for the update (codename that starts with 10Dxx, since the 10Cxx was for the 10.6.2) should come this week, at least.

When the Mac OS X 10.6.2 was launched last month, the beta stage only lasted a month, but there was urgency in correcting a dangerous bug with guest accounts that made it possible to delete the user’s home, and implement the native support to Magic Mouse in Snow Leopard. It’s possible, thus, that the new update will be ready around the same timeframe. Apple has kept a quick schedule with Snow Leopard, in overall: also with the Mac OS X 10.6.1, two weeks separated the beta from the official launch.

According to the latest twitter from Mike Pinkerton, the Mac Team responsible from Google, there are only 8 bugs to be corrected before Google Chrome can have its first Mac beta released. We could be only a few weeks, if not a few days from the release if we consider that only a month ago, there were around 20 bugs.

Google’s browser is currently at a moderately advanced stage, with a very solid and fast rendering engine and a better extension support. Still to be implemented are the Bookmark manager and the full screen mode.

Apple has released the update 10.6.2 for Snow Leopard today. The Update includes many corrections and enhancements concerning the stability, compatibility and safety of the whole system.

The update is advised to all Snow Leopard users and its size varies according to previous updates done on the machine. It’s available for download at Apple support’s download page for both Mac OS X and Mac OS X Server, or through the Software Update panel.

One week after the previous one, Apple has released a new beta version of Mac OS X 10.6.2 called 10C535 to developers. Apple has asked developers to focus their own attention and tests on the graphic drivers, the trackpad’s system preferences and virtual machine creation. Such as for the 10C531 build, there aren’t no known issues unsolved.

138 elements were modified in the different beta versions released up to date. Amongst those are AppleBacklight, the battery meny, Dictionary, Exposé, FileSync, Family Controls, Fonts, Front Row, HFS, Inkwell, iPhoto, MobileMe, OpenCL, Parental Controls, QuickTime, Screen Sharing, Spell Checker, Spotlight, Time Machine and USB.

The release of the Mac OS X 10.6.2 is probably going to happen next month.