Apple today released a software update for the second-generation Apple TV, bringing the set-top box to version 4.4.4. The update arrives as Build 9A406a, but it is not yet clear what improvements are included in the release

Jobs site Glassdoor yesterday announced the release of its annual list of the 50 best places to work .

Forbes publishes a lengthy guest post from advertising executive Rob Siltanen, one of the primary contributors to the development of Apple's famous "Think Different" advertising campaign that helped turn the company around following Steve Jobs' return. In the piece, Siltanen details the process of pitching the campaign to Jobs and his work on the "Here's to the Crazy Ones" script

Late last month, we noted that Apple's founding corporate papers were headed up for auction, with Sotheby's estimating that the documents would fetch in the range of $100,000-$150,000. The set of documents included the original three-page contract signed by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ron Wayne, as well as several other documents related to withdrawal from the company just 12 days after it was founded.

Apple today released iTunes 10.5.2 , an update bringing improvements to iTunes Match and fixes for an audio distortion issue experienced with certain CDs. About iTunes 10.5.2 iTunes 10.5.2 includes several improvements for iTunes Match and fixes an audio distortion problem when playing or importing certain CDs. The download is currently available via Apple's downloads page and the dedicated iTunes download page

One popular hobby of those interested in discovering hints of Apple's future iOS devices has been the examination of various configuration files in each beta and public version of iOS for new entries referring to future iOS devices. While the references provide essentially no information on the new devices themselves, as they simply appear in the form of "iPhone4,1" for what ultimately became the iPhone 4S as one example, they are carefully watched as hints of what devices Apple is likely to be testing with the software and perhaps how many variations of an upcoming device there might be. With today's release of iOS 5.1 beta 2, Apple has now taken steps to obscure that information, planting numerous fake references within configuration files typically examined for such evidence.

Japanese blog Macotakara (via AppleInsider ) reports that Apple held a MFI Conference conference in Shenzen, China this past week. "MFI" is Apple's Made for iPod / iPhone / iPad certification program for accessory manufacturers

With Apple still searching for a new head of retail operations in the wake of Ron Johnson's departure to become CEO of department store chain J.C.

While much has been made of Apple's strong iPhone sales this quarter with estimates now pushing toward 30 million units , what hasn't been known is the mix of iPhone models contributing to that number. The significant majority of sales are almost certainly from the current iPhone 4S, but the company continues to offer lower-end 8 GB iPhone 4 and iPhone 3GS models in some markets. Higher-capacity iPhone 4 models are also available in countries where the iPhone 4S has yet to launch

The ongoing battle between Samsung and Apple might get a little more intense come February. BGR reports that Samsung is preparing to launch its own high resolution 11.6" tablet that will carry a 2560 x 1600 resolution screen.