iOS 15.0.1 and iPadOS 15.0.1 Fix Unlock with Apple Watch and “Storage Almost Full” Bugs

Apple has released an update to fix both the bug that prevented the Unlock with Apple Watch from working for all iPhone 13 users and the annoying “Storage Almost Full” notification. | Continue reading


@tidbits.com | 3 years ago

Why Analysts “Believe” in Apple TV+

Apple TV+ has a small library and relatively few paying subscribers compared to competing streaming services, but thanks to a high-quality assortment of programs, analysts believe that Apple will be a major player in streaming. | Continue reading


@tidbits.com | 3 years ago

Unlock with Apple Watch Broken for Some iPhone 13 Owners, Fix Coming Soon

If you’re unable to turn on Unlock with Apple Watch on your new iPhone 13, you’re not alone. Apple promises a fix in an upcoming software update. | Continue reading


@tidbits.com | 3 years ago

How You Can Lose a File Despite Three Layers of Backup (and How To Avoid It)

You’d think that three separate continuous file-archiving systems would have been enough to protect Glenn Fleishman from his own mistake after modifying a file whose original he wanted to see. Unfortunately, circumstances conspired. His cautionary tale offers a lesson. | Continue reading


@tidbits.com | 3 years ago

Toast 20 Titanium and Toast 20 Pro

Major release for the venerable digital media suite provides support for both M1- and Intel-based Macs. ($99.99/$149.99 new, $59.99/$99.99 upgrade, 599 MB, macOS 10.14+) | Continue reading


@tidbits.com | 3 years ago

Zoom 5.8

Brings a variety of new features, improvements, and bug fixes to the video conferencing app. (Free, 25.8 MB, macOS 10.9+) | Continue reading


@tidbits.com | 3 years ago

iPhone 13 Upgrade Advice Based on the Age of Your Current iPhone

If you own an older iPhone, is it worth upgrading to an iPhone 13 or iPhone 13 Pro? Jason Snell outlines the improvements the new iPhones offer over older models back to the iPhone 7. | Continue reading


@tidbits.com | 3 years ago

GraphicConverter 11.5.2

Adds support for exporting GPS waypoint data via GPX file and importing JPEG LS. ($39.95 new, free update, 263 MB, macOS 10.9+) | Continue reading


@tidbits.com | 3 years ago

Fantastical 3.4.5 and Cardhop 2.0.6

Maintenance updates for the Flexibits calendar and contact management apps. ($39.96 annual subscription, free update, 53.9/34.4 MB, macOS 10.13.2+) | Continue reading


@tidbits.com | 3 years ago

Apple Releases iOS 12.5.5 and Security Update 2021-006 for Catalina to Block Exploited Vulnerabilities

Apple has updated iOS 12 and macOS 10.15 Catalina to address severe security vulnerabilities that are actively being exploited in the wild. Update right away. | Continue reading


@tidbits.com | 3 years ago

Hot New Features in Safari in iOS 15 and iPadOS 15

In iOS 15, Safari receives some of its most significant interface and feature changes in years. Here’s how to make sense of and take advantage of them (and how to revert to previous designs in a few cases). | Continue reading


@tidbits.com | 3 years ago

Center Stage Keeps You in the Video Chat Frame

Apple recently unveiled an iPad camera feature called Center Stage that keeps one or more people within the frame during video chats even when they move around. Julio Ojeda-Zapata gave Center Stage a try and compared it to smart displays from Amazon, Facebook, and Google. | Continue reading


@tidbits.com | 3 years ago

Safari 15

Updates Apple's desktop Web browser with several new features, faster performance, and security updates. (Free, 121.9 MB, macOS 10.15+) | Continue reading


@tidbits.com | 3 years ago

iOS 15, iPadOS 15, watchOS 8, and tvOS 15 Now Available

Apple has released iOS 15, iPadOS 15, watchOS 8, and tvOS 15 with some nice new features, but we recommend that those who aren’t early adopters wait for a week or two. | Continue reading


@tidbits.com | 3 years ago

Mellel 5.0.8

Adds support for for communicating with recently upgraded Bookends 14 and fixes bugs. ($49 new, free update, 91.6 MB, macOS 10.9+) | Continue reading


@tidbits.com | 3 years ago

Timing 2021.5.2

Improves the display of durations in the sidebar in macOS 11 Big Sur. ($42 annual subscription, free update, 34.6 MB, macOS 10.13+) | Continue reading


@tidbits.com | 3 years ago

Carbon Copy Cloner 6.0.3

Maintenance update for the drive-cloning and backup utility with bug fixes and improvements. ($39.99 new, free update, 19.7 MB, macOS 10.15+) | Continue reading


@tidbits.com | 3 years ago

Bookends 14.0

Major upgrade to the full-featured bibliography, reference, and information management system for students and professionals. ($59.99 new, free update, 98.8 MB, macOS 10.13+) | Continue reading


@tidbits.com | 3 years ago

iPhone 13 Brings Evolutionary Improvements: A15 Bionic Chip, Improved Cameras, and Better Displays 

There’s no question that Apple’s new iPhone 13 models are the best iPhones the company has ever made, but their evolutionary changes may be compelling mostly to those with older iPhones. | Continue reading


@tidbits.com | 3 years ago

Apple Watch Series 7 Brings Modest Tweaks

Rumors suggested the Apple Watch was due for a major physical design, but the Series 7 turned out to look much like its predecessor—albeit with a few physical and software changes. Also, watchOS 8 gets some fitness improvements aimed largely at cyclists. | Continue reading


@tidbits.com | 3 years ago

iOS 15, iPadOS 15, and watchOS 8 Slated for 20 September 2021

Apple made no mention of operating system release dates during its big iPhone event, but the company press releases reveal that the new operating systems will drop on 20 September 2021, with macOS 12 Monterey expected later in the year. | Continue reading


@tidbits.com | 3 years ago

Apple Redesigns iPad mini; Upgrades the iPad

In an unexpected announcement, Apple unveiled new versions of the iPad and iPad mini. The ninth-generation iPad borrows a couple more features from the iPad Pro while maintaining its low price, while the company completely redesigned the sixth-generation iPad mini. | Continue reading


@tidbits.com | 3 years ago

Judge Rules for Apple over Epic Games, Strikes Down App Store Anti-Steering Policies

In Epic Games v. Apple, US District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers has come down strongly in favor of Apple, rejecting nearly all of Epic’s claims and fining the company millions of dollars. But Apple suffered a blow too, with the judge determining that Apple’s in-app purchasing po … | Continue reading


@tidbits.com | 3 years ago

Parallels Desktop 17.0.1

Maintenance release improves compatibility with Windows 11. ($79.99 annual subscription for standard edition or $99.99 perpetual license, 311 MB, macOS 10.13.6+) | Continue reading


@tidbits.com | 3 years ago

macOS 11.6 Big Sur, iOS 14.8, iPadOS 14.8, watchOS 7.6.2, and Security Update 2021-005 Catalina Fix Security Flaws

Apple has updated macOS, iOS, iPadOS, and watchOS to fix two active vulnerabilities, one of which let attackers work around Apple’s BlastDoor protections. | Continue reading


@tidbits.com | 3 years ago

Typinator 8.9

Adds support for macOS 12 Monterey and fixes bugs. (€24.99 new, free update, 8.9 MB, macOS 10.10+) | Continue reading


@tidbits.com | 3 years ago

Merlin Project 8.0

Major upgrade to the powerful project management app. ($149 annual subscription, free update for subscribers, 39.3 MB, macOS 10.14+) | Continue reading


@tidbits.com | 3 years ago

Live Home 3D 4.1

Maintenance release for the interior and exterior home design software adds 50 new house templates. ($29.99 new, free update, 448.1 MB, macOS 10.14+) | Continue reading


@tidbits.com | 3 years ago

SpamSieve 2.9.45

Improves support for Mail in the forthcoming macOS 12 Monterey. ($30 new, free update, 19.2 MB, macOS 10.9+) | Continue reading


@tidbits.com | 3 years ago

Remember, Communication Services Cannot Guarantee Privacy

No matter how private a communication service may claim to be, it’s only as private as its weakest link, as two recent stories illustrate. | Continue reading


@tidbits.com | 3 years ago

Improve Your Mac’s Audio by Combining Speakers

After his 15-year-old Altec Lansing FX6201 speakers died, Adam Engst figured out how to bond the speakers in his 27-inch iMac and Thunderbolt Display to tide him over until he can decide on the best external replacement speakers. | Continue reading


@tidbits.com | 3 years ago

Apple Announces “California Streaming” Event for 14 September 2021

Apple’s next product announcement event will be held 14 September 2021. Rumors suggest new iPhones with smaller notches and a redesigned Apple Watch. | Continue reading


@tidbits.com | 3 years ago

MarsEdit 4.5.1

Brings several WordPress-specific improvements and bug fixes. ($49.95 new, free update, 20.6 MB, macOS 10.12+) | Continue reading


@tidbits.com | 3 years ago

Fission 2.7.1

Introduces initial compatibility with macOS 12 Monterey and is no longer available in the Mac App Store. ($29 new, free update, 16 MB, macOS 10.13+) | Continue reading


@tidbits.com | 3 years ago

Apple Delays CSAM Detection Launch

In a brief statement to media organizations, Apple announced that it is delaying the launch of its CSAM detection technology to collect input and make improvements. Why are we not surprised? | Continue reading


@tidbits.com | 3 years ago

Several Bricks Removed from Apple’s Garden Wall

Apple has dug in its heels against the clamor for changes to its App Store rules, but a couple of recent settlements show that the company is susceptible to pressure. | Continue reading


@tidbits.com | 3 years ago

Apple Announces Details of Storing State IDs in Wallet

Apple announced storing driver’s licenses and state IDs at this year’s WWDC keynote. It has now released details about the first participating states, and Daring Fireball’s John Gruber has some key takeaways. | Continue reading


@tidbits.com | 3 years ago

How I Learned To Love Quicken Deluxe and Give Up on the Past

Glenn Fleishman’s 14-year relationship with Quicken 2007 finally ended this year. But it took a dead motherboard, an old Mac mini, and a conveniently timed tip for him to break with his accounting software past. | Continue reading


@tidbits.com | 3 years ago

BBEdit 14.0.1

First maintenance release following the long-standing text editor's recent major upgrade. ($49.99 new, free update, 21.7 MB, macOS 10.14.2+) | Continue reading


@tidbits.com | 3 years ago

Acorn 7.1

Tweaks how the image editing app's color sampler works when picking images out from the screen. ($39.99 new, free update, 19.6 MB, macOS 10.14+) | Continue reading


@tidbits.com | 3 years ago

The Mystery of Why Web Hyperlinks Are Blue

Why are hyperlinks dark blue and underlined? On Mozilla’s blog, Elise Blanchard explores the history and possible reasons for this seemingly arbitrary design choice. | Continue reading


@tidbits.com | 3 years ago

Apple Buys Classical Music Service Primephonic

Apple has bought Primephonic, a classical music service. Apple will be shutting Primephonic down soon but promises to create a new app just for classical music fans. | Continue reading


@tidbits.com | 3 years ago

New South Korean Law Mandates Alternative App Store Payment Options

A new law in South Korea will force Apple and Google to let developers offer alternative payment methods in their apps. | Continue reading


@tidbits.com | 3 years ago

Zoom 5.7.6

Improves transitioning of meetings from mobile to desktop and back to mobile. (Free, 25.8 MB, macOS 10.9+) | Continue reading


@tidbits.com | 3 years ago

Apple Opens Repair Program for iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro Call Sound Failures

Suffering from an iPhone that emits no sound from the receiver when making or receiving calls? Apple has created a repair program to fix affected iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro models for free. | Continue reading


@tidbits.com | 3 years ago

Resetting Recent iCloud Bouncing Subscribers

It took us a few weeks to figure out that iCloud Mail servers had decided they didn’t like something about TidBITS. That’s now resolved, and we think we’ve reset all iCloud subscribers who bounced as a result. | Continue reading


@tidbits.com | 3 years ago

How to Set Up Custom Email Domains with iCloud Mail

Want to rely on iCloud Mail as your email provider but use a custom domain for your email address rather than icloud.com, me.com, or mac.com? Apple has now opened up that feature for testing. Here’s what you need to know. | Continue reading


@tidbits.com | 3 years ago

Little Snitch 5.3

Network traffic management utility now enables you to view individual background processes. ($45 new, free update, 32.6 MB, macOS 10.11+) | Continue reading


@tidbits.com | 3 years ago