Apple released Lion update 10.7.3, then quickly pulled the updater because of reported problems with applications crashing. The combo updater doesn’t seem to exhibit the issue and is still available for download.

The update includes additional language support, addresses issues when using smart cards to log in, resolves issues authenticating with directory services, and addresses compatibility issues with Windows file sharing. It also addresses a WiFi connection issue when waking from sleep. For a complete list of changes see this article.

Since the standard update has been pulled, you won’t see it in your Software Update until the issue has been resolved.

OS X Lion 10.7.3 Server combo update is also available as well as the updated Server Admin Tools. These updates bring some changes that any server administrator will welcome back (they were in 10.6 server), including displaying number of connected users, allowing .htaccess overrides, selection of VPN protocols and more.

Text Cleaner 3.5 adds compatibility for InDesign and InCopy CS3 through CS5.5 as well as OS X Lion.

See the Text Cleaner site for all new features and a free 30 day trial.

Now that Apple requires an Apple ID to purchase OS X 10.7 Lion as well as apps for iOS devices, there’s really no getting away from the process. For business owners with staff members this will get confusing as employees purchase productivity apps and install them on personal devices.

Here’s a procedure that will keep apps with the business, organized and licensed properly.

1. Create an Apple ID for each employee based on their email address (as needed). These Apple IDs are associated with the person’s position on staff, but “owned” by the business.

2. Purchase from the Apple Volume Purchasing Program (VPP). VPP provides volume discounts and distributes download codes. As an alternative, purchase from the App Store (iOS) from the business owner’s account and “gift” to the staff accounts. The Mac App Store doesn’t allow gifting yet, so you would need to purchase iTunes gift cards and apply them to the accounts.

If/when the staff member leaves the organization, that AppleID moves to the replacement staff member, along with the apps, the iCloud data, and more. The AppleID can be changed to reflect the email address of the new staff member. (Apple IDs using the domains me.com and mac.com cannot be changed.)

This solution keeps business software licenses with the organization. The employee is free to have his or her separate ID for personal purchases to use at home or work, depending on office policy.

The Dodocase looks like a journal, is comfortable to carry and disguises your iPad as a non-valuable item. Crafted by hand, the interior is made of wood. It’s not so great as a stand, but an excellent way to carry your iPad and makes using it in your lap a nice experience, like reading a book.

The Zaggfolio is a case/keyboard combo for iPad. Take the iPad, pop it in the slot and you’ve got a full keyboard with functions for volume, copy and paste, and much more. Very slick. When folded in the case its a little heavy, but that would be expected given the hardware. The keyboard has a long lasting battery (weeks) and recharges via USB. Excellent construction and a pleasure to use at a desk or table. Not so much in your lap. The case is a hard plastic, the keyboard, metal.

The Pogo Sketch Stylus is not a case, but an absolute necessity in my opinion. Using my finger to click tiny web links gets a bit annoying. The Pogo Sketch also helps keeps keep the finger prints to a minimum. And of course if you need to sketch…

MacLab handles iPad and iPhone accessories.

The floods in Thailand that have cost so many lives have also hit some of the largest hard drive manufacturers. Western Digital, Seagate and Toshiba have been affected. Hard drive prices are rising from speculation and shortages. Expect high costs for at least the next two quarters. If you need storage, plan ahead and make sure it’s in stock. It might be wise to do a little cleanup to save room. That’s not to say skip your backup routine or put off replacing a dying drive. I can’t emphasize how important it is to have a functioning backup. Consider MacLab’s remote/cloud backup for a drive-less off-site solution.

Statement and update from Western Digital

Apple released OS X 10.7.2 and iCloud. iCloud promises to sync calendars, contacts, bookmarks, photos and more. iCloud requires OS X Lion and/or iOS 5. If your Mac is running 10.6 Snow Leopard or 10.5 Leopard, iCloud won’t work.

As an alternative, Kerio Connect will sync calendars, contacts and provide email at your own domain for any Mac running 10.4 through 10.7. Contact MacLab for details.

Many of our clients with MobileMe (Apple’s previous “cloud”) have been experiencing email trouble over the last week or two. Possibly this is due to the transition to iCloud. You can check the status of Apple’s MobileMe servers here.

Apple Co-founder Steve Jobs passed away at the age of 56. He inspired us and affected our lives profoundly. Steve Jobs practically invented the personal computer, brought us the mouse, Macintosh, iPod, iPhone, iPad, digital music and more. Jobs dared to think different and through extraordinary effort and vision brought us the “insanely great.”

A few statements:

President Barack Obama:

Michelle and I are saddened to learn of the passing of Steve Jobs. Steve was among the greatest of American innovators – brave enough to think differently, bold enough to believe he could change the world, and talented enough to do it.

By building one of the planet’s most successful companies from his garage, he exemplified the spirit of American ingenuity.  By making computers personal and putting the internet in our pockets, he made the information revolution not only accessible, but intuitive and fun.  And by turning his talents to storytelling, he has brought joy to millions of children and grownups alike. Steve was fond of saying that he lived every day like it was his last.  Because he did, he transformed our lives, redefined entire industries, and achieved one of the rarest feats in human history: he changed the way each of us sees the world.

The world has lost a visionary. And there may be no greater tribute to Steve’s success than the fact that much of the world learned of his passing on a device he invented. Michelle and I send our thoughts and prayers to Steve’s wife Laurene, his family, and all those who loved him.

Bill Gates:

I’m truly saddened to learn of Steve Jobs’ death. Melinda and I extend our sincere condolences to his family and friends, and to everyone Steve has touched through his work.

Steve and I first met nearly 30 years ago, and have been colleagues, competitors and friends over the course of more than half our lives.

The world rarely sees someone who has had the profound impact Steve has had, the effects of which will be felt for many generations to come.

For those of us lucky enough to get to work with him, it’s been an insanely great honor. I will miss Steve immensely.

Google’s Sergey Brin:

From the earliest days of Google, whenever Larry and I sought inspiration for vision and leadership, we needed to look no farther than Cupertino. Steve, your passion for excellence is felt by anyone who has ever touched an Apple product (including the macbook I am writing this on right now). And I have witnessed it in person the few times we have met.

On behalf of all of us at Google and more broadly in technology, you will be missed very much. My condolences to family, friends, and colleagues at Apple.

Here are a few of the latest and greatest updates:

OS X Lion 10.7.1 Update has been out for a few weeks. This update is important to apply before attempting a migration from an old computer to a new Mac running Lion. 10.7.2 is expected soon.

Security Update 2011-005 (Snow Leopard) and Security Update 2011-005 (Lion) are security patches for the operating system.

Suitcase Fusion 14.11. Verison 14.1 brought QuarkXPress 9 compatibility, 14.0 6 brought Lion compatibility. Read the installation instructions carefully if you’re upgrading from a version earlier than 14.1. The Suitcase Fusion Core has been moved away from the System Preferences.

Our own Text Cleaner 3.5 is in public beta and free for the time being. The current download will expire 10/1 with an update following shortly. Text Cleaner 3.5 works with InDesign CS5.5, Quark 9, Lion and more.

Final Cut X 10.01—updated with requested features and a free trial. For those still not happy, Apple has resumed selling Final Cut Studio by request.

Below are firmware updates to address stability of Lion recovery from an Internet connection and resolve issues with Thunderbolt display compatibility and target disk mode.

Mac Mini firmware update 1.3, MacBook Pro firmware update 2.2, MacBook Air firmware update 2.1