Two Laptop Stands Appropriate for a 15-inch MacBook Air

The new 15-inch MacBook Air with its large screen awakened Julio Ojeda-Zapata’s interest in laptop stands. He wants one that is robust but portable, and adjustability is a must. He found two stands that qualify in different, ingenious ways. | Continue reading


@tidbits.com | 1 year ago

Do You Use It? iPhone Always-On Display Popular but Not Universal

The results of our poll of iPhone 14 Pro users are in, with two-thirds of respondents saying they keep the Always-On enabled. The remaining third cited distractions and reduced battery life as their reasons for turning it off. | Continue reading


@tidbits.com | 1 year ago

macOS 14 Sonoma Now Available

Apple has released macOS 14 Sonoma, and you can upgrade compatible Macs now. The features aren’t likely life-changing, but nor are they causing significant compatibility issues. Read on for more details and upgrade advice. | Continue reading


@tidbits.com | 1 year ago

Zoom 5.16.1

Updates the video conferencing app with numerous improvements and bug fixes. (Free, 112 MB, macOS 10.10+) | Continue reading


@tidbits.com | 1 year ago

Default Folder X 6.0

Major upgrade for the Open/Save dialog utility that brings support for macOS 14 Sonoma and introduces a new Quick Search window. ($39.95 new, upgrades available, 17.2 MB, macOS 10.13+) | Continue reading


@tidbits.com | 1 year ago

SpamSieve 3.0

Major upgrade for the spam-filtering utility adds compatibility with macOS 14 Sonoma. ($39.99 new, $19.99 upgrade, 46.4 MB, macOS 10.13+) | Continue reading


@tidbits.com | 1 year ago

Unite 5.0.1

Major upgrade for site-specific Web browser app that turns Web sites into customizable, native Mac app. ($29.99 new, $19.99 upgrade, 15.6 MB, macOS 12+) | Continue reading


@tidbits.com | 1 year ago

Agenda 18.1.1

Adds support for widget changes in macOS 14 Sonoma. (Free with a $34.99 Premium subscription or $119.99 one-time Premium purchase, free update for subscribers, 72.9 MB, macOS 10.14+) | Continue reading


@tidbits.com | 1 year ago

Affinity Designer, Photo, and Publisher 2.2

Brings support for macOS 14 Sonoma and various improvements to the three Affinity graphic design apps. ($69.99 new for each, free updates, various sizes, macOS 10.15+) | Continue reading


@tidbits.com | 1 year ago

Pages 13.2, Numbers 13.2, and Keynote 13.2

Adds support for 3D objects to the three iWork apps. (Free, various sizes, macOS 12.3+) | Continue reading


@tidbits.com | 1 year ago

NewClimate Institute Reacts to Apple’s Carbon Neutral Apple Watch Claims

While noting that Apple is doing a better job than most multinationals with regard to the transparency and integrity of its climate pledges and strategies, the NewClimate Institute finds that Apple’s claims of carbon neutrality somewhat exaggerated. Read original article | Continue reading


@tidbits.com | 1 year ago

iFixit Puts Apple’s FineWoven Case Under the Microscope

Curious about Apple’s FineWoven fabric? iFixit looks at the FineWoven iPhone case under a high-powered microscope before and after subjecting it to scratches, liquids, and more.Read original article | Continue reading


@tidbits.com | 1 year ago

Update a New iPhone 15 to iOS 17.0.2 Before Transferring from Your Old iPhone

A bug in iOS 17 can cause a hang while transferring data from an old iPhone to a new iPhone 15. Update to iOS 17.0.2 first! | Continue reading


@tidbits.com | 1 year ago

1Password 8.10.16

Brings improvements and bug fixes to the password manager. ($35.88 annual subscription, free update, 4.88 MB, macOS 10.15+) | Continue reading


@tidbits.com | 1 year ago

Final Cut Pro 10.6.9, Compressor 4.6.6, and Motion 5.6.6

Adds support for log-encoded video shot on iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max. ($299.99/$49.99/$49.99 new, free updates, various sizes, macOS 12.6+) | Continue reading


@tidbits.com | 1 year ago

GraphicConverter 12.0.4

Brings numerous new features, improvements, and bug fixes to the Swiss Army knife of graphics programs. ($39.95 new, free update, 243.1 MB, macOS 10.13+) | Continue reading


@tidbits.com | 1 year ago

Safari 16.6.1

Patches a WebKit security vulnerability in Monterey and Big Sur. (Free, various sizes, macOS 11+) | Continue reading


@tidbits.com | 1 year ago

How to Restore the Slack Workspace Sidebar

Has your Slack interface changed recently, dropping the workspace sidebar in favor of another one that replicates capabilities available in the channel sidebar? Read on for the trick necessary to bring back a permanent sidebar of your workspaces. | Continue reading


@tidbits.com | 1 year ago

OS Security Updates Address Three More Exploited Vulnerabilities

Updates for macOS 13 Ventura, macOS 12 Monterey, iOS 17 and 16, iPadOS 17 and 16, and watchOS 10 and 9 fix a trio of security vulnerabilities likely being used to install the NSO Group's Pegasus spyware. Install the updates soon. | Continue reading


@tidbits.com | 1 year ago

Orion Turns a USB-C iPad into a Portable HDMI Monitor

In a brief break from working their Halide camera app, the developers at Lux have come up with an app that turns aRead original article | Continue reading


@tidbits.com | 1 year ago

AirPods Firmware Updates Add Features, Improve Automatic Switching

New AirPods firmware updates promise to improve the Automatic Switching experience for all AirPods, add a new press-to-mute feature for most models, and bring new Adaptive Audio, Conversation Awareness, and Personalized Volume features to the second-generation AirPods Pro. | Continue reading


@tidbits.com | 1 year ago

iFixit Retroactively Reduces iPhone 14 Repairability Score Due to Parts Pairing

Repair company iFixit has dropped the iPhone 14’s repairability score after community pushback thanks to Apple's reliance on parts pairing, which requires that new parts be cryptographically paired with the devices in which they're installed. Does Apple’s recent support for Calif … | Continue reading


@tidbits.com | 1 year ago

Photos Workbench 1.2

Organization and management companion utility for Apple’s Photos adds compatibility with macOS 14 Sonoma. ($29 new, free update, 5.9 MB, macOS 12+) | Continue reading


@tidbits.com | 1 year ago

Timing 2023.5.1

Introduces a vertical timeline to the time and productivity tracking app. ($96 annual subscription, free update, 25.4 MB, macOS 10.15+) | Continue reading


@tidbits.com | 1 year ago

Fantastical 3.8 and Cardhop 2.2.12

Introduces new interactive Event List + Calendar widgets that require macOS 14 Sonoma. ($56.99 annual subscription, free update, 70 MB, macOS 11+) | Continue reading


@tidbits.com | 1 year ago

SoundSource 5.6.1

Adds initial compatibility with macOS 14 Sonoma as well as numerous improvements. ($39 new, free update, 29.2 MB, macOS 11+) | Continue reading


@tidbits.com | 1 year ago

Apple Updates AirPods Pro with USB-C Case and Improved Dust Resistance

If you’re making the jump to USB-C, Apple has updated the second-generation AirPods Pro with a USB-C charging case (and a few other minor changes). The company also released a USB-C version of the wired EarPods. | Continue reading


@tidbits.com | 1 year ago

Avoid Overspending for iPhone 15 USB-C Cables and Chargers

With USB-C replacing Lightning across Apple’s new iPhone 15 series, shun expensive Apple cables and adapters in favor of third-party alternatives. | Continue reading


@tidbits.com | 1 year ago

Airfoil 5.11.6, Audio Hijack 4.2.3, Piezo 1.8

Three Rogue Amoeba audio apps add initial compatibility with macOS 14 Sonoma. ($35/64/25 new, free update, various sizes, macOS 11+) | Continue reading


@tidbits.com | 1 year ago

Pixelmator Pro 3.4

Adds support for opening and editing PDF pages and layers. ($49.99 new, free update, 633.3 MB, macOS 11+) | Continue reading


@tidbits.com | 1 year ago

Microsoft Office for Mac 16.77

Makes Microsoft Purview Information Protection the default encryption mechanism for the Office suite. ($149.99 new for one-time purchase, $99.99/$69.99 annual subscription options, free update, macOS 10.15+) | Continue reading


@tidbits.com | 1 year ago

iPhone 12 Sales Blocked in France over Radiation Levels

A French watchdog has ordered that Apple stop selling the iPhone 12 in France unless it reduces the amount of radiation emitted to meet European standards. Apple says it already complies.Read original article | Continue reading


@tidbits.com | 1 year ago

2023 Apple Watch Models Add Double Tap Gesture

The new Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 extend the wearable experience mostly through a double tap gesture that activates the primary button in an app. They also have brighter screens, on-device Siri, and Precision Finding for the iPhone 15. | Continue reading


@tidbits.com | 1 year ago

Incremental iPhone 15 Improvements Focus on Photography and Connectivity

At its Wonderlust event, Apple unveiled its latest crop of iPhones, with the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus enjoying a more significant feature jump from their iPhone 14 predecessors than the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max. | Continue reading


@tidbits.com | 1 year ago

Five Unexpected Announcements from Apple’s Wonderlust Event

Sure, Apple announced the iPhone 15, Apple Watch Series 9, and Apple Watch Ultra 2 at its Wonderlust event on 12 September 2023. But we weren’t expecting these additional announcements. | Continue reading


@tidbits.com | 1 year ago

2023 OS Release Dates

Apple has revealed the release dates of its next-generation operating systems: iOS 17, iPadOS 17, watchOS 10, tvOS 17, HomePod Software 17, and macOS 14 Sonoma. | Continue reading


@tidbits.com | 1 year ago

Carbon Copy Cloner 6.1.7

Adds official support for macOS 14 Sonoma and fixes bugs. ($49.99 new, free update, 22.9 MB, macOS 10.15+) | Continue reading


@tidbits.com | 1 year ago

Do You Use It? iPhone 14 Pro Always-On Display

This week’s Do You Use It? poll asks owners of the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max if they keep the Always-On display enabled or disabled everyday use. Read original article | Continue reading


@tidbits.com | 1 year ago

Do You Use It? Apple’s Weather Leads a Wide Array of Popular Alternatives

After a pair of polls, we’ve found that TidBITS readers overwhelmingly use Apple’s Weather app on their iPhones, but they also rely on a vast number of other apps and websites. And lots of people miss Dark Sky. | Continue reading


@tidbits.com | 1 year ago

Photographing a Bicycling Tour with an iPhone

Julio Ojeda-Zapata recently spent four days crouching by the side of country roads, pointing his iPhone 14 Pro at oncoming bicyclists. An avid amateur shutterbug, he had become the semi-official photographer for the Bicycling Around Minnesota tour—and the iPhone was all he needed … | Continue reading


@tidbits.com | 1 year ago

Mozilla Says Modern Cars Are Data Collection Nightmares on Wheels

Mozilla’s *Privacy Not Included team has determined that carmakers are universally terrible regarding privacy—they collect vast amounts, share or sell it with third parties, give drivers little or no control, and don't even protect what they collect very well. | Continue reading


@tidbits.com | 1 year ago

OS Security Updates Plug Image and Wallet Vulnerabilities

Updates for macOS 13 Ventura, iOS 16, iPadOS 16, and watchOS 9 plug a pair of security vulnerabilities that are actively being exploited. Install the updates soon. | Continue reading


@tidbits.com | 1 year ago

Apple Explains Pullback from CSAM Photo-Scanning

In a letter responding to a child safety group, Apple has outlined its reasons for dropping its proposed scanning for child sexual abuse material in iCloud Photos. Instead, the company is focusing on its Communication Safety technology, which detects nudity in transferred images … | Continue reading


@tidbits.com | 1 year ago

Apple “Wonderlust” Event Scheduled for 12 September 2023

Apple has announced an event for 12 September 2023, teasing it to the press with the word “Wonderlust.” We expect new iPhones and Apple Watches, likely accompanied by release dates for iOS 17 and watchOS 10. | Continue reading


@tidbits.com | 1 year ago

Do You Use It? Proxy Icons Quietly Boost Productivity

The results of our poll asking about proxy icon use are in, and we hope that this article’s explanation of what proxy icons are good for encourages those who haven’t used them to give them a try. | Continue reading


@tidbits.com | 1 year ago

1Password 8.10.13

Updates the password manager with a lengthy list of improvements and bug fixes. ($35.88 annual subscription, free update, 4.8 MB, macOS 10.15+) | Continue reading


@tidbits.com | 1 year ago

Mimestream 1.1

Brings numerous improvements and bug fixes to the Gmail-specific email app. ($49.99 annual subscription, free update, 11.9 MB, macOS 12+) | Continue reading


@tidbits.com | 1 year ago

TextExpander 7.6.1

Text expansion utility fixes bugs and now requires macOS 11.1 Big Sur. ($40 annual subscription, free update, 30 MB, macOS 11.1+) | Continue reading


@tidbits.com | 1 year ago