A number of sources seem to be convinced that Apple is preparing to drop a number of updates this Friday. Rumors suggest that Mac OS X will be updated to 10.6.5, while the iOS will move to version 4.2. It is hard to know if this is just talk or if Apple is actually close to release.

From the whispers we are hearing, the updates are necessary for the support of AirPrint and AirPlay streaming functionality that is said to be in the pipeline. Of course, to take advantage of this functionality you will need iTunes 10.1, which is also expected to arrive at the same time.

A number of other sources around the Web seem skeptical about a Friday release yet seem to be in agreement that the updates are in the pipeline. Based on what we are hearing, we, too, would have to agree.