Microsoft just released the official security update for Internet Explorer to address the serious browser exploit we told you about yesterday, so if you've got any computer running IE, you'd best get downloading. Security experts advised users to stay off Internet Explorer due to a serious security exploit in all versions of IE, and a third-party developer even pushed out an unofficial temporary fix, but you can now go grab the official patch straight from the source. The patches are available in several different downloads depending on what version of IE you're using and what OS you're running, and not all of the downloads are pointing to existing pages yet, but they should hopefully all be rolled out sometime today.

Mozilla has released a small update to Firefox in the form of Firefox 3.0.5. The update includes security and stability fixes, support for more languages, and smashes a whole handful of bugs. If you haven't updated already, click Help -> Check for Updates to get the update ball rolling.

Time to hit Software Update on your Mac: the OS X 10.5.6 update is now available, and promises improved reliability and stability throughout. Listed as a 190MB download (on my MacBook Pro at least), here's the full rundown of what you get in 10.5.6.

Windows only: If you're not particularly fond of the official Windows Update system provided through Internet Explorer, whether your reason being a distaste for the Windows Genuine Advantage software or the insistence that the next upgrade of Internet Explorer really is a mission critical system update, there is an alternative way to update your system. WindizUpdater is a Firefox plugin which mimics the official Windows Update application. The key advantage of using WindizUpdater is that you have complete control over what gets installed and what doesn't. The system never forces you to install an update you don't want and will skip updates that aren't necessary for your system.

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The long-awaited 2.2 firmware updates for iPhones and iPod touch models hit iTunes at midnight last night, pushing a good deal of new features and long-awaited fixes to the mobile devices. We've already detailed some of the major new features already: Street View with walking/transit directions in Google Maps (iPhones only, unfortunately) and "emoji" face emoticons, over-the-air podcast downloading, and, while not really a feature, it's expected that 2.2 will be jailbroken before you know it. There's a good number of interface and usability improvements too, like improved HTML email formatting and location sharing, stability and menu bar tweaks to Safari, and a few other punch-list items. I'm downloading my 240MB-ish iPod update just fine; tell us your impressions of 2.2 in the comments.

Zune Insider reports that Microsoft has updated the Zune firmware to 3.1, adding three new free games (Checkers, Sudoku, and Space Battle) and improving the Zune Social feature with better looks and a "like minded listeners" feature that shows you how your taste compares to your friends. Aside from the fun stuff, the update also promises improved stability and performance. To update, just launch the Zune software and go to Settings -> Check for Updates. Zune importers, let's hear how you like it in the comments.

The new Xbox Live Dashboard for Xbox 360s—known simply as 'NXE' (the New Xbox Experience)—is live, so fire up your Xbox and get downloading. The update only took a few minutes on my system, is followed by a bombastic welcome video, and is full of all kinds of promise. If you've already updated, let's hear what you think of the NXE in the comments.

Ahead of its MAX conference this week, Adobe has upgraded its AIR cross-platform application technology to version 1.5. Enhancements in the new version include support for design features introduced in version 10 of Adobe's Flash Player, incorporation of the WebKit HTML engine, and encrypted database support (to tempt all those corporate app types). Windows and Mac releases are available now; the Linux release is due before the end of the year, though in the meantime Adobe has released a 64-bit version of Flash Player 10 for Linux users. If you want to find out why AIR matters, check out our list of the 10 best AIR applications.

A security and stability update to Firefox—version 3.0.4—is now available. Hit the Help menu's "Check for Updates..." item to install it now, or get prepared to see the notification on your next restart. [via Mozilla Links]

According to the gadget junkies at Gizmodo, the iPhone 2.2 release is set for November 21—just ten days away. The software update promises several new features for your iPhone or iPod touch, including Google Street View, emoji icons, walking directions, and over-the-air podcasts. Even better: You'll probably be able to jailbreak it the same day it's released.