Apple released Mac OS X 10.7.4 this week with bug and security fixes. No major new features were introduced. You can get it by running Software Update.

In addition, a new version of Safari, 5.1.7 is available. This version forces users to get the latest version of the Flash plug-in. It is important from a security standpoint to keep Flash up-to-date as well as your browser and OS, and it is interesting that Apple is now making that a requirement.

Three new regional U.S. carriers announced they will be selling the iPhone. Kentucky's Bluegrass Cellular, Kansas' Nex-Tech Wireless and California's Golden State Cellular will all start carrying the iPhone on May 18.

Adobe released the next version of its software suite, CS6. This includes new versions of Photoshop, Premiere, InDesign, Dreamweaver, Illustrator and Flash Pro. The applications can be bought in the traditional manner, but starting tomorrow can also be acquired through Adobe's new online subscription service, Creative Cloud, for a monthly subscription fee.

More Apple News Headlines -- More Apple Rumors

More Cartoons

Learn how to control which apps send you notifications and how they do it. You can choose how and where the notification appears, whether the app puts numbers in the icon or plays sounds. You can also arrange the order for notifications when viewed in the notifications center.

In OS X you have various ways of setting default applications for files and other actions. You can set your default email and web browser applications with settings in Mail and Safari. You can set what happens when you connect a camera or SD card, or insert an optical disc. You can also set which application will be used to open specific file types.

Learn about all of the different Safari browser preferences that affect security. You can find them in more places than just the Security tab. Learn what each one does to protect you while you surf online and decide what the best settings are for you.

If you want to turn off your screen fast you can activate display sleep with a keyboard combination. Shift+Control+Eject will do it. If you have a MacBook Air without an eject key, the power key in the upper right corner will work. Then press any key to turn the screen back on.

While it is disappointing that the Pinterest app isn't sized for the iPad screen yet, it still is worth having if you are a big Pinterest user. You can browse your friends' pinboards while waiting in line at the bank and even update your own.

More iPhone and iPad App Recommendations

Rumors this week have Apple working on a $800 MacBook model. Right now the cheapest MacBook is the $999 MacBook Air ($950 educational pricing). Does Apple need to have a cheaper MacBook model? Is $200 really enough to make a difference?

On the one hand it is always good to expand the market a bit with a more affordable model. On the other hand, that model would have to offer something less than the current MacBooks. So would a sub-par MacBook experience be good for users and Apple?

Leave your thoughts in the comments below.