Apple has seeded a new release of Leopard (Seed 9A343) to developers Thursday January 18. This version is the latest sent to developers since Leopard (3A321) was seeded December 13th, 2006.

Apple has itemized a few of changes to Leopard from the last seed, including:

• HIToolbox provides new HIRect/Point/Shape-based Window Manager API for resolution independence compatibility
• Tab support in Terminal
• Terminal now lets you save a multi-window configurations through workspaces which are available through the “Terminal” menu.
• QuickLook APIs have been updated

I also noticed a new SMS feature in iChat. This should make iChat able to communicate directly with Apple’s forthcoming iPhone! There are some improvements to Safari in this build including better “snap-shots” when you hover over the tabs showing the website.

There are lots of the changes in the Network preferences inferface with the Ethernet, Airport, etc now on the left and the IP addresses on the right. Also further changes to the Firewall settings that is now been moved to the Security section since the last build. New screensavers called Arabesque and Retro are also in this build, nothing earth shattering with these.

Apple DVD Player hits version 5, a significant upgrade to the version included with Mac OS X Tiger. This version adds captures a screenshot of each chapter that it then displays in the new fullscreen navigation interface, running across the top. There is also bookmarking allowing you to save a point on the DVD and video clip feature to make a playlist of clips you choose.

There is little difference in the general “look and feel” from the last seed from December 13th. I think Apple is holding back some features planned in the final release until a later date. According to Apple, Leopard is coming “spring 2007″. Sounds right to me.

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