Apple releases Mountain Lion, Safari updates

Apple has released an OS update that brings Mountain Lion up to version 10.8.4, fixes an array of bugs including Microsoft Exhange compatibility problems, and brings Safari up to version 6.0.5.

As listed by Apple, OS X 10.8.4 provides the following:

• Compatibility improvements when connecting to certain enterprise Wi-Fi networks
• Microsoft Exchange compatibility improvements in Calendar
• A fix for an issue that prevented FaceTime calls to non-U.S. phone numbers
• A fix for an issue that may prevent scheduled sleep after using Boot Camp
• Improves VoiceOver compatibility with text in PDF documents
• Includes Safari 6.0.5, which improves stability for some websites with chat features and games
• A fix for an issue that may cause iMessages to display out of order in Messages
• Resolves an issue in which Calendars Birthdays may appear incorrectly in certain time zones
• A fix for an issue that may prevent the desktop background picture from being preserved after restart
• A fix for an issue that may prevent documents from being saved to a server using SMB
• Addresses an issue that may prevent certain files from opening after copied to a volume named "Home"
• A fix for an issue that may prevent changes to files made over NFS from displaying
• Resolves an issue saving files to an Xsan volume from certain applications
• Improves Active Directory log-in performance, especially for cached accounts or when using a .local domain
• Improves OpenDirectory data replication
• Improves 802.1X compatibility with ActiveDirectory networks
• Improves compatibility when using mobile accounts

Apple provides a link to its security updates page for "detailed information about the security content of this update," but as per usual with OS X updates, that information has yet to be posted, but will appear when Cupertinian web folks get around to it.

The update can be accessed by selecting [Apple Menu] > Software Update, which will launch the OS X App Store; select – you guessed it – Updates, and simply follow the directions. If you'd prefer, you can download the 810MB Combo Update here.

If you use Software Update, Apple notes that the size of the download will vary depending upon the Mac onto which you are installing it. For our five-year-old Mac Pro, it weighed in at 152MB, and the entire installation process took around 10 minutes. Your mileage may vary.

At first blush, all appears to be copacetic with our vintage Mac Pro, but we'll be sure to check in tomorrow at the OS X Mountain Lion section of Apple's Support Communities website to see if any of our fellow fanbois have uncovered difficulties with either the update or Safari 6.0.5. ®