Not sure if anyone else is facing this issue, since last week or so, whenever I go to application Manager, and click on Download it takes longer time to check for updates. Screen shows 'Checking for updates...' and takes quite some time before showing the list

Is this happening to others too ?

Did you look forpossible duplicate repositories in your sources?
Did you check the log for any errors refreshing the package lists?
Did you just run to check for errors or slow repositories?

Yes, i have the same issue, it happens mostly when you have all the repositories enabled, and it takes longer when you have more apps. installed.

The quickest way is using Xterm.

sudo gainroot
apt-get update
apt-get upgrade

then you get a list of wich apps are going do be updated.
If you want to update just one app. then in Xterm

apt-get install "name of app"

If you want to select apps to update use

apt-get install "name of app1"space"name of app2"

I too feared that repositories was the issue. I had removed all catalogs except the default four and then added couple of catalogs. But am getting the same problem.

PS : I do not get any errors when i run apt-get update

I get application updates from xterminal only. But its when i need to install apps.. For apt-get install we need to use actual package name which at times is a pain ( to find the actual name)

not sure why this started but have a feeling that this all started after i disabled automatic updates ( after reading in one of the threads).. not sure though

I just disabled the two catalogs referring to Nokia since I guess we aren't expecting anything more from them, and got a notable speedup.