Apple has released updates to macOS, iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, and tvOS to address a security vulnerability in the kernel that could allow an app to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges. Update soon! | Continue reading
Updates the Audio Capture Engine for full compatibility with macOS 10.14 Mojave. ($29 new, free update, 12.2 MB) | Continue reading
Venerable relational database app is updated with a variety of new features to help developers build sophisticated custom apps. ($540 new, $197 upgrade, 376.2 MB) | Continue reading
Introduces Omni Automation to the Pro edition, enabling full support for running automation plug-ins written in JavaScript. ($39.99 new, free update, 39.1 MB) | Continue reading
The author describes his experience in setting up and using “Made for iPhone” hearing aids. The integration works, but in daily life not every usage aspect is obvious. | Continue reading
Confused by President Trump’s executive order aimed at rolling back liability protections given to online forums? The Verge’s Adi Robertson gives the order a line-by-line read to provide context, background, and a reality check. | Continue reading
If you have a recent Touch ID iPad but have been lusting after a new iPad Pro with a Magic Keyboard, the $150 Logitech Combo Touch might make you fall in love with your iPad all over again. | Continue reading
If you’ve seen some strange behavior on your iPhone or iPad lately, like a message that an app is no longer shared or large numbers of apps updating at once, it was a bug that Apple has now fixed. | Continue reading
If you’ve upgraded to macOS 10.15.5 Catalina, note that Apple has licensed a number of lovely fonts you can use for free. | Continue reading
Enables you to use templates to create notes with pre-filled content and improves Dropbox sync. (Free with $24.99 premium purchase option, free update, 48.5 MB) | Continue reading
Patches security vulnerabilities in Apple’s last two operating systems. (Free, various sizes) | Continue reading
Patches a variety of security vulnerabilities for those running Apple’s last two operating systems. (Free, various sizes) | Continue reading
Apple has released macOS 10.15.5 Catalina with a new battery health management feature for Mac laptops, along with a necessary option for Group FaceTime, calibration for the Pro Display XDR, and a smattering of bug and security fixes. | Continue reading
At long last, Spotify has removed the restriction that prevented subscribers from adding more than 10,000 tracks to their libraries. If Apple opens the HomePod up to third-party music apps in iOS 14, Adam Engst might take another look. | Continue reading
iFixit, the purveyor of repair tools and free repair guides that many computer users have relied upon for years, has now compiled a massive database of repair manuals for medical devices and made it freely available to everyone. | Continue reading
Apple adopted the space-saving HEIC image-package format early. That choice, coupled with a poorly coded test submission site from the College Board, caused problems for students taking Advanced Placement tests this year. Here’s how to avoid trouble. | Continue reading
A surprising number of people continue to force-quit iOS apps and restart or shut down their iOS devices as a matter of habit. Except when recovering from a frozen app or misbehaving device, those behaviors will reduce battery life and hurt performance. Here’s why. | Continue reading
Apple has released the iOS 13.5 and iPadOS 13.5 updates with COVID-19-focused changes, including a new Exposure Notification API and fixes to help make Group FaceTime and Face ID less painful. | Continue reading
Maintenance update for the contact manager that adds an option to filter by job title in smart groups. ($19.99 new, free update, 12.4 MB) | Continue reading
Adds a new menu item for accessing Quicken on the Web and fixes bugs. ($34.99/$49.99/$74.99 annual subscription, free update) | Continue reading
Enhances performance when exporting long lists to PDF and improves accessibility of material sheets. ($39.99 annual subscription, free update, 20 MB) | Continue reading
The FBI has cracked the iPhone at the center of the Pensacola naval base shooting case, but the agency still slammed Apple’s stance on encryption. This time, Apple didn’t pull any punches in its rebuttal. | Continue reading
Adam Engst was recently turned on to the VintageApple.org site, which has full archives of Macworld, MacUser, and Byte, along with hundreds of vintage books about the Mac and Apple. Check it out! | Continue reading
Apple has released watchOS 6.2.5, a highly focused update to bring the ECG app and irregular heart rhythm notifications to Saudi Arabia, along with as-yet-unspecified security fixes. | Continue reading
After closing most of its stores earlier this year in the wake of the COVID-19 epidemic, Apple has announced how it plans to reopen them. | Continue reading
Improves support for macOS 10.15 Catalina and fixes for video rendering on macOS. (Free, 49.4 MB) | Continue reading
Ensures that creating new tasks via the menubar application now works more consistently. ($39.99 new, free update, 14.5 MB) | Continue reading
Major release for the information management app with a lengthy list of new features and improvements including an enhanced sidebar and new automation options. ($99/$199/$499 new, free update, 106.5 MB) | Continue reading
Eggtronic’s Power Bar cuts down on clutter by charging all your Apple mobile devices in one tidy location. It’s a power bank with a USB-C port for MacBook and iPad charging, and it has wireless charging pads for an iPhone, AirPods, and Apple Watch. | Continue reading
If you need a new Mac or other Apple product, you may be waiting for a while. Direct orders for some of Apple’s most popular products have longer-than-usual shipping delays. It’s worth checking with independent Apple resellers too. | Continue reading
What should you do if you spill liquid on your laptop? The repair experts at iFixit tell you what to do. Save your rice for dinner. | Continue reading
If you use Adobe Acrobat Reader, you should update immediately to protect your Mac from some nasty security vulnerabilities accessible to local attacks. | Continue reading
Adds a new way to search for commands and help in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. ($149.99 new for one-time purchase, $99.99/$69.99 annual subscription options, free update) | Continue reading
Adds a new Replace Image feature and brings new and revised keyboard shortcuts to the image editing app. ($39.99 new, free update, 193 MB) | Continue reading
Adam Engst recently scheduled a Zoom call with colleagues on a non-profit board and had to apologize when one of them was irritated at ending up in Google Hangouts by himself for 10 minutes. The problem arose due to a confluence of issues with Siri and Google Calendar—read on to … | Continue reading
Adds support for Dark mode in macOS 10.14 Mojave. ($74.95/$124.95 new, $30 upgrade, 71.4/118 MB) | Continue reading
Major update to the professional audio app that adds a professional version of Live Loops and brings a redesigned sampling workflow. ($199.99 new, free update, 1 GB) | Continue reading
Bring enhancements and bug fixes to the two personal information management apps. ($49.99 new for each, free update, 22.9/13.1 MB) | Continue reading
Enables you to share links to items with other people in your 1Password account. ($64.99 new, free update, 54.5 MB) | Continue reading
Maintenance release with a couple of improvements for the character discovery utility. (€29.99 new, free update, 4.8 MB) | Continue reading
Although they hit the market with little fanfare, Apple’s AirPods have become a stealth hit, now singlehandedly outpacing the annual revenue of many large tech companies. | Continue reading
David Shayer, who has worked as a software engineer at Apple and other companies, explains Apple’s internal approach to privacy and contrasts it with other companies, all with an eye toward showing why we should trust the current draft of the COVID-19 exposure notification propos … | Continue reading
Your cellular carrier is likely offering more of a data allowance for no extra charge during the coronavirus pandemic. Wirecutter has a guide on how to make sure you know what you’re getting. | Continue reading
A number of podcasts helped us celebrate the 30th anniversary of TidBITS by inviting publisher Adam Engst on as a guest, and the resulting conversations are well worth listening to if you enjoy reminiscing about the early days of the Macintosh world. | Continue reading
Updates the Audio Capture Engine and adds support for Facebook's Messenger app and Cisco's Webex and Webex Teams apps as VoIP audio sources. ($19 new, free update, 9.8 MB) | Continue reading
Need to display your Apple TV on your Mac for screenshots or a presentation? It’s easy and the necessary software is included with macOS. | Continue reading
If you’re a small business owner—in any industry—check out ACES Conference: The Prequel, a free virtual event aimed at helping small businesses survive COVID-19. It takes place on May 19th and 20th. | Continue reading
The loss of the 32-bit ScanSnap Manager software has prevented users of Fujitsu’s older ScanSnap scanners from upgrading to macOS 10.15 Catalina. But ExactSCAN, third-party software that supports many ScanSnap devices, might provide a solution to this problem. Dave Kitabjian take … | Continue reading