14 DAY TRIAL // After the media event and the introduction of both new software and hardware, it is not necessarily surprising to see patches being put out to improve compatibility with the newly debuted applications, especially in the case of Apple where the various programs have great integration. Such updates are normal and healthy, but the iPhoto one stands out in a bad way.
Apple has released updates for both Aperture and Front Row in order to ensure compatibility with the newest version of Apple's software suite iLife. Aperture 1.5.4, which is available as a standalone installer and via Software Update is supposed to offer nothing more than this compatibility according to the update notes. Aperture 1.5.4 is required for compatibility with iLife '08. This update is recommended for all Aperture users. However, if this whopping 130 MB update is just for iLife compatibility, why is Apple recommending it to all users? None of the other patches issued after the media event carry that sentence, and what would be the point of upgrading if you don't have iLife 08, or if you never use it?
The Front Row 1.3.1 update is a lot smaller, just under 5MB and is needed for properly using it with the latest iPhoto. This Front Row update provides for improved iPhoto compatibility. Like all updates, it is available both as a standalone installer and via Software Update.
The real gem of the updates is the iPhoto update itself. It is not like Apple to cut corners and rush things out of the door, especially considering that the latest version of iLife is long overdue, but this seems to be the case. iPhoto 7.0.1 is a bug fix patch and it patches a product that has not even hit most of the Apple store shelves. This update to iPhoto addresses issues associated with publishing photos from an upgraded library to .Mac Web Gallery. Whether the .Mac changes were rushed, or iPhoto was rushed, or there was not enough testing done, the entire thing simply looks bad.