Apple has announced that an update to Mac OS X, version 10.0.2, along with an update to iTunes will be available later this afternoon. The new updates will add CD burning functionality to Mac OS X, only one day later that Apple originally promised. Combined with CD writing functionality, the 10.0.2 update promises to improve overall system performance and stability. According to Apple:

Apple announced that it will release its second software update for Mac OS X today, which together with a simultaneously-released update to iTunes will add the ability to burn custom music CDs on Mac OS X. Both software updates will be released at noon today and will begin automatically notifying users and updating their copies of Mac OS X over the Internet during the coming week.

Along with providing support for burning music CDs with CD-RW drives, the second software update to Mac OS X also features improvements in overall application stability and the latest version of the Internet file transfer service (ftpd). The update will be made available by automatic software update to all Mac OS X users for free.

"As promised, CD burning is now available on Mac OS X," said Steve Jobs, Appleis CEO. "As you can see, weire improving Mac OS X on a regular basis by using our amazing Internet-based software update technology."

iTunes for Mac OS X will now allow users to create custom music CDs and watch stunning full screen visualizations on their computer display. Available exclusively for the Mac, iTunes also lets users import songs to their hard drives from their favorite CDs and compress them into MP3s; organize their music using powerful searching, browsing and play list features; and tune into hundreds of Internet radio stations. Since its launch in January 2001, iTunes has been downloaded more than 2 million times.

Users around the world will be automatically notified of the Mac OS X v10.0.2 update via Appleis Software Update system. Earlier this April, users received the first update to Mac OS X, which improved support for third-party USB devices, improved Classic compatibility, increased application stability and provided support for the popular open source Secure Shell service.

You can find more information on Mac OS X at the Apple Web site. [TMO Note: Though the installer does not say anything about this, we recommend that you quit all other running apps.]