Apple has released an update to its Java runtime for OS X, which is available for OS X Lion and Snow Leopard operating systems. The updates address some "reliability, security, and compatibility" issues involving the current Java implementations in these operating systems, if people have chosen to install them.

The largest fixes in this update address problems where code in Java applets could be run outside of the Java sandbox and thereby compromise the security of the system. Sandboxing is a method of isolating running code that has received a bit of attention recently.

Starting with OS X Lion, Apple has stopped supplying a Java runtime with the operating system, but Java can still be downloaded automatically if you run an application that requires it. Addtionally, Apple has announced it will not be maintaining an in-house version of Java for OS X, and instead as with other operating systems Java will need to be downloaded and installed from Oracle.

The latest Java updates can be downloaded via Software Update if you have Java installed, but if not then you can get them from the following locations:

Java for OS X Lion Update 1

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The Lightning calendar add-on, now released in version 1.0, brings a lot of new abilities to Mozilla's Thunderbird e-mail software.

Thunderbird 8 arrived today, a new version of Mozilla's e-mail software that now is linked with the Firefox rapid-release program.

Thunderbird 8 is built using the same Gecko 8 browser engine that's used in Firefox 8, also released today. Notably, the new version is accompanied by Lightning 1.0, an add-on under development for years that gives Thunderbird a calendar module, too.

Thunderbird 8 also includes "improvements to attachment handling and accessibility, updated Search and Find shortcuts, and several security, and stability fixes," according to a blog post by Mozilla's Rafael Ebron.

The Lightning add-on makes Thunderbird a more capable replacement for Outlook for those opting for an open-source approach to sending, receiving, searching, and archiving e-mail. It's built to work with Thunderbird 8, but also supports older versions.

The Lightning add-on lets people add calendar entries, subscribe to online calendars, manage a to-do list, and more. For details, check the ... [Read more]

Stealth Bastard is stealthy PC action game  filled with obstacles, deadly pitfalls, and of course, espionage action.

Created by Curve Studios, Stealth Bastard: Tactical Espionage Arsehole (for Windows) is a free side-scrolling platformer that that encourages using both stealth tactics and speed to race against the clock. Players control a ninjalike spy who can jump and cling to walls, hack through consoles, and sneak around the shadows. Dodge security cameras, killer lasers, and bladed pinwheels while running as fast as you can to the exit. Play through dozens of levels, download user-submitted stages, or create your own with its built-in level editor. Stealth Bastards also includes gamepad support. Sam Fisher, meet your match.

Grab your copy for free and have fun infiltrating the numerous rooms and take care to avoid the killer robot security system.

Mozilla released Firefox 8 today, a version that weeds out some add-ons and that will shoulder more responsibility for the organization's new fast-development process.

Giving the user control over the Web experience has been a longstanding Mozilla priority, and Firefox 8 (download for Windows | Mac | Linux | Android) takes a new step here. With earlier versions, third-party software could extend Firefox with new features--Skype's tool for highlighting phone numbers for easy online calling, for example. With Firefox 8, though, third-party add-ons will be disabled by default.

"These add-ons installed by third parties present a number of problems: they can slow down Firefox start-up and page loading time, they clutter the interface with toolbars that often go unused, they lag behind on compatibility and security updates, and most importantly, they take the user out of control of their add-ons," said Mozilla programmer Justin "Fligtar" Scott in a ... [Read more]

Do you ever make charts or graphs for meetings? One of our picks this week is one of the best in its category for creating professional-looking flowcharts, mind maps, graphs, and really any diagram you might need. A longtime favorite of Download.com, OmniGraffle is the perfect solution for when you need to make your work and ideas more visually appealing.

Also this week, we have the latest version of Bean, the free word-processing program that was built for Mac from the ground up with an intuitive interface and plenty of useful extra features. Our game this week is Prison Mayhem, the time-management game that challenges you to play as a prison guard and keep the peace among hardened criminals across several prison islands.

Don't forget to check out this week's iOS app collection: My current top games on iOS.