Safari 5.1.4 update addresses PDF errors among other bugs
The latest version of Safari corrects a few problems with PDF handling, Private Browsing and cookie handling, and JavaScript performance.
Apple has released version 5.1.4 of its Safari Web browser, which addresses a number of bugs in the browser in OS X Lion, Snow Leopard, and Windows. The update should be available via Apple's Software Update utility, but can also be downloaded from the Safari Web site.
The update will be between 36MB and 48MB in size depending on the platform you are using, and will require the latest versions of either OS X Snow Leopard or Lion to install; the Windows versions require Windows XP SP2 or later.
The update includes two fixes that are specific to OS X Lion, one which should increase JavaScript performance and one that addresses a problem in which Flash content could appear incomplete when using gestures to zoom. But beyond these features, according to Apple's support page the Lion and Snow Leopard updates share the following fixes:
- Improve responsiveness when typing into the search field after changing network configurations or with an intermittent network connection
- Address an issue that could cause webpages to flash white when switching between Safari windows
- Address issues that prevented printing U.S. Postal Service shipping labels and embedded PDFs
- Preserve links in PDFs saved from webpages
- [...]
- Correct the contents of context menus on webpages that are PDFs
- Fix an issue that could cause the screen to dim while watching HTML5 video
- Improve stability, compatibility and startup time when using extensions
- Allow cookies set during regular browsing to be available after using Private Browsing
- Fix an issue that could cause some data to be left behind after pressing the "Remove All Website Data" button
As always, be sure to fully back up your system before installing this update. In OS X, updates to Safari include updates to several central frameworks and their support components, some of which are used by other applications and system services. As a result, if a problem occurs with the installation then other programs may be affected, so having a full backup is a recommended precaution.
Questions? Comments? Have a fix? Post them below or e-mail us!
Be sure to check us out on Twitter and the CNET Mac forums.