Apple Releases Mac OS X 10.6.8, Including Lion Prep [Updated]

Snow Leopard
Apple released Mac OS X 10.6.8 Thursday, a release that includes enhancements to the Mac App Store in preparation for OS X 10.7 “Lion,” which is due out in July. Apple’s release notes in Software Update are somewhat sparse, but the more detailed notes in the update’s KnowledgeBase article list several minor improvements, three bug fixes, and RAW support for more cameras.

The update also boosts Snow Leopard’s defense against MacDefender and its variants.

Apple’s patch notes:

What’s included?

  • Enhancements to the Mac App Store to get your Mac ready to upgrade to Mac OS X Lion.
  • Resolves an issue that may cause Preview to unexpectedly quit.
  • Improves support for IPv6.
  • Improves VPN reliability.
  • Identifies and removes known variants of MacDefender malware.
  • Corrects timezone data in iCal for Lisbon-Portugal.
  • Adds the ability to use Kerberos authentication to a web proxy server.
  • Fixes an issue when saving documents from Xcode or TextEdit when using an NFS home directory.
  • Fixes an issue when importing certain media files into Final Cut Pro.
  • Includes RAW image compatibility for additional digital cameras.

Mac OS X v10.6.8 also includes fixes provided in the Mac OS X v10.6.7 Snow Leopard Font Update:

  • Addresses an issue in which some OpenType fonts don’t display correctly in certain applications.
  • Resolves issues printing from Preview.
  • Addresses an issue with PDF files not opening in third-party PDF viewing applications.
  • Resolves invalid font errors when printing to PostScript printers.

The update is a 275.3MB download through Software Update.

[Update: This article was updated with additional details.]