PasswordWallet 4.4.7 [1] from Selznick Scientific Software is a minor update to the longstanding password management utility. Changes include enhanced VoiceOver support for visually impaired users, compatibility with Palm Pre HTML exporting, the capability to share passwords between records, the closing of helper apps upon quitting PasswordWallet, and auto-typing support for JIS keyboards. The company has also released Password Wallet 4.4.7 for the iPhone with a number of new features and usability tweaks. ($20, free update, 5.1 MB)
Cocktail 4.4 [2] from Maintain is a substantial update to the general purpose maintenance utility. The update adds the capability to reset Access Control lists and home directory permissions, greater control over Time Machine's backup intervals and settings, improved support for additional network interfaces, compatibility with Safari 4, and the capability to disable Safari 4's Web page previews. ($14.95, 1.9 MB)
PDFpen 4.1.4 [3] and PDFpenPro 4.1.4 [4] from SmileOnMyMac are the latest versions of the company's PDF editing utilities. Both version updates have improved performance speeds for larger PDF documents and added an OCR AppleScript document property that enables users to write scripts for paperless workflows. Unspecified minor features and bug fixes are also included. ($49.95/$99.95, free updates, 12 MB/12.2 MB)
iPhoto 8.0.4 Update [5] from Apple addresses an infrequent crashing bug related to photos imported into a previous version of the application. The update also fixes some incorrectly labeled names in the Places feature. The update is recommended for all users of iPhoto '09 and is available for download via Software Update or from the Apple Support Downloads page. (Free update, 102.27 MB)
Nisus Writer Pro 1.3 [6] from Nisus Software is a fairly major update to the increasingly powerful word processor. New features include a new Document Manager, a style library, a selection history that enables users to skip to previous editing spots, the capability to make any menu into a toolbar item, additions to the Nisus Macro Language, and the capability to attach an active document to a Mail or Entourage email message. For more detail on the huge number of other changes and bug fixes, see Nisus Writer Pro's release notes [7]. ($79 new, free update, 118 MB)
MacSpeech Dictate 1.5.2 [8] from MacSpeech is a minor maintenance update for the speech recognition utility. The update mainly improves compatibility for Safari 4 by enabling versioned commands to appear for newer versions of the same application. ($199 new, free update)
Typinator 3.5 [9] from Ergonis Software is a significant update to the auto-typing and auto-correcting utility, focusing on under-the-hood enhancements. Changes include a new expansion technique that increases replacement speed and improves compatibility with other applications (it requires Mac OS X 10.5.5 or later). Also new is improved cursor positioning speed, support for custom user sounds, and a handful of bug fixes, including one that would cause the program to freeze under Mac OS X 10.4.x. A full list of changes can be found on Ergonis's Web site [10]. (19.99 euros new, free update for purchases within 2 years, 2.7 MB)
MacBook Air SMC Firmware Update 1.2 [11] from Apple "adds compatibility for the latest service replacement batteries." SMC [12] stands for System Management Controller, a micro-controller located on the logic board that's responsible for the computer's power functions. To install the update, follow the instructions in the updater application that automatically launches after the installer has closed (/Application/Utilities/MacBook Air SMC Firmware Update.app). (Free, 623 KB)
[1]: http://www.selznick.com/products/passwordwallet/
[2]: http://www.maintain.se/cocktail/
[3]: http://www.smileonmymac.com/PDFpen/
[4]: http://www.smileonmymac.com/PDFpenPro/
[5]: http://support.apple.com/downloads/iPhoto_8_0_4_Update
[6]: http://nisus.com/pro/
[7]: http://nisus.com/pro/releasenotes.php
[8]: http://www.macspeech.com/
[9]: http://www.ergonis.com/products/typinator/
[10]: http://www.ergonis.com/products/typinator/history.html
[11]: http://www.apple.com/downloads/macosx/apple/firmware_hardware/macbookairsmcfirmwareupdate12.html
[12]: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2368