By Katie Marsal

Published: 03:00 PM EST (12:00 PM PST)

Apple has picked up the pace in which it is distributing to developers test builds of a forthcoming update to its Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger operating system, sometimes a telltale sign an official release is near.

But at the same time, it's reported that Mac maker continues to stomp out clumps of known glitches in Mac OS X 10.4.9 with each pre-release seeding -- suggesting it may have more fish to fry.

According to people familiar with the ongoing beta test, the latest build of the software -- 8P2120 -- packs over 40 new fixes since build 8P2117 was released to developers just days ago. Similarly, those same people say that a build for PowerPC-based Macs -- 8P120 -- includes over 25 code corrections since the previous seeding.

Thus far, the Intel and PowerPC versions of Mac OS X 10.4.9 bundle an approximate total of 60 and 80 individual corrections, respectively.

Specifically, the latest build for Intel Macs is said to address issues related to the Rosetta cache, Color Sync and V4 profiles, CoreAudio and MIDI files, and waking Bluetooth mouse from sleep.

Over in the PowerPC department, fixes reportedly target DVD Player, Bluetooth headset pairing, Bluetooth enabling/disabling, and incorrect time zones in certain areas.

Those familiar with Mac OS X 10.4.9 believe it is shaping up to be one of the more significant updates to the Tiger operating system, and also one of the last.

A bit later this year, Apple will introduce Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard, its next-generation OS featuring workspaces, built-in backup software and Windows support.