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AppBITS: Online Check Reports Internet Outages

https://tidbits.com/2024/10/21/appbits-online-check-reports-internet-outages/

Published: October 21, 2024 21:22

This free Mac utility can monitor your Internet connection’s stability with minimal resource use, helping you track and respond to outages.

BusyCal 2024.4.1

https://tidbits.com/watchlist/busycal-2024-4-1/

Published: October 18, 2024 21:21

Brings several improvements to the calendar app. ($49.99 new, free update, 65.2 MB, macOS 10.15+)

Yet Another Reason to Avoid Cryptocurrency: Physical Attacks

https://tidbits.com/2024/10/18/yet-another-reason-to-avoid-cryptocurrency-physical-attacks/

Published: October 18, 2024 17:06

Jameson Lopp has tracked physical attacks involving cryptocurrency since 2014. The list is far from comprehensive due to underreporting, but shows that public knowledge of crypto ownership can lead to personal danger.Read original article

SoundSource 5.7.2

https://tidbits.com/watchlist/soundsource-5-7-2/

Published: October 17, 2024 22:04

Introduces a new Excluded Applications list to help troubleshoot issues and incompatibilities. ($39 new, free update, 42 MB, macOS 14.5+)

Microsoft Office for Mac 16.90

https://tidbits.com/watchlist/microsoft-office-for-mac-16-90/

Published: October 17, 2024 22:00

Improves the Rewrite feature for the Copilot AI assistant to support fonts, lists, and original formatting. ($149.99 new for one-time purchase, $99.99/$69.99 annual subscription options, free update, macOS 12+)

LaunchBar 6.20.1

https://tidbits.com/watchlist/launchbar-6-20-1/

Published: October 17, 2024 21:56

Improves Quick Look's display plain text items in Clipboard History to use a larger font size. ($29 new, free update, 14.5 MB, macOS 10.14.6+)

Lightroom Classic 14.0

https://tidbits.com/watchlist/lightroom-classic-14-0/

Published: October 17, 2024 21:53

Big update for the photo cataloging and editing app with several new features. ($9.99/$19.99/$59.99 monthly Creative Cloud subscription, free update, macOS 13.1)

Little Snitch 6.1.2

https://tidbits.com/watchlist/little-snitch-6-1-2/

Published: October 17, 2024 21:50

Improves handling of connection errors in DNS encryption and fixes bugs. ($59 new, free update, 39.4 MB, macOS 14+)

Fantastical 3.9.2

https://tidbits.com/watchlist/fantastical-3-9-2/

Published: October 17, 2024 21:48

Brings a bevy of improvements and bug fixes to the calendar app. ($56.99 annual subscription, free update, 67.1 MB, macOS 11+)

VMware Fusion 13.6.1

https://tidbits.com/watchlist/vmware-fusion-13-6-1/

Published: October 17, 2024 21:39

Maintenance update for the virtualization package with a few tweaky yet important updates. (Free/$149.99/$199.99 new, free update, macOS 13+)

Comparing KUXIU’s X40Q and X55 Multi-Device Wireless Chargers

https://tidbits.com/2024/10/17/comparing-kuxius-x40q-and-x55-multi-device-wireless-chargers/

Published: October 17, 2024 19:01

When pressed to compare the new X40Q wireless charger for the iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods to the X55 model he had previously reviewed, Adam Engst found the X40Q offers a different design aesthetic and slightly improved specs but is largely similar.…

Apple Unveils Seventh-Generation iPad mini with A17 Pro and Apple Pencil Pro Compatibility

https://tidbits.com/2024/10/15/apple-unveils-seventh-generation-ipad-mini-with-a17-pro-and-apple-pencil-pro-compatibility/

Published: October 15, 2024 20:04

Apple has introduced its seventh-generation iPad mini with an A17 Pro chip, Apple Pencil Pro compatibility, increased storage, and improved connectivity, all while maintaining its size and price.

AppBITS: FileUtils Turbocharges the Finder

https://tidbits.com/2024/10/14/appbits-fileutils-turbocharges-the-finder/

Published: October 14, 2024 18:43

If you want more from the Finder, check out FileUtils. It offers options for immediate and secure deletion of files, support for more compression formats, more powerful batch renaming, file checksums, and more path formats.

Discussing the Value of the iPhone’s 80% Charging Limit on CCATP

https://tidbits.com/2024/10/11/discussing-the-value-of-the-iphones-80-charging-limit-on-ccatp/

Published: October 11, 2024 22:27

On the Chit Chat Across the Pond podcast, Adam Engst and Allison Sheridan explore whether there’s any point in limiting an iPhone’s maximum charge level to 80%.Read original article

California Moves to Regulate AI by Signing 18 New Bills Into Law

https://tidbits.com/2024/10/11/california-moves-to-regulate-ai-by-signing-18-new-bills-into-law/

Published: October 11, 2024 22:13

Despite all the news surrounding California Governor Gavin Newsom vetoing a bill aimed at preventing AI disasters, it’s more telling to look at the 18 AI bills he has already signed into law.Read original article

Guided Access Turns Your iPhone or iPad into a Sharable Single-App Tool

https://tidbits.com/2024/10/11/guided-access-turns-your-iphone-or-ipad-into-a-sharable-single-app-tool/

Published: October 11, 2024 19:42

Want to let someone use an app on your iPhone or iPad without sharing your passcode? Try the Guided Access feature that’s hidden deep within iOS and iPadOS. It prevents users from straying into other apps and keeps your notifications private.

Parallels Desktop 20.1

https://tidbits.com/watchlist/parallels-desktop-20-1/

Published: October 11, 2024 15:32

Adds support for macOS 15 Sequoia's Writing Tools in Windows apps like Microsoft Word. ($99.99 Standard Edition, free update for subscribers, macOS 10.14.6+)

Mellel 6.0.7

https://tidbits.com/watchlist/mellel-6-0-7/

Published: October 11, 2024 15:30

Restores QuickLook and thumbnail previews for Mellel files when running macOS 15 Sequoia. ($69.99 new, free update, 97.5 MB, macOS 10.13+)

iOS 18’s Messages via Satellite Feature Is Magic

https://tidbits.com/2024/10/10/ios-18s-messages-via-satellite-feature-is-magic/

Published: October 10, 2024 18:45

The ability to communicate while outside cellular coverage using Messages via satellite is so useful that Adam Engst recommends everyone with an iPhone 14 or later upgrade to iOS 18 for disaster preparedness—especially if you’re in Hurricane Alley.

Restoring Office Document Associations after Sequoia Upgrade

https://tidbits.com/2024/10/07/restoring-office-document-associations-after-macos-sequoia-upgrade/

Published: October 7, 2024 21:47

If you’re having trouble opening Word and Excel files after upgrading to macOS 15 Sequoia and the latest version of Microsoft Office, reassociating the documents with their apps will fix it.

The Privacy Risks of Facial Recognition in Smart Glasses

https://tidbits.com/2024/10/06/the-privacy-risks-of-facial-recognition-in-smart-glasses/

Published: October 6, 2024 22:12

A pair of Harvard students have developed smart glasses equipped with facial recognition technology that can automatically identify individuals. While this may sound appealing to some, the potential for misuse is concerning, and comprehensive privacy…

Understanding the iPhone 16 Pro’s 48-Megapixel Macro Photography… and Reverting to 12-Megapixel Shots

https://tidbits.com/2024/10/04/understanding-the-iphone-16-pros-48-megapixel-macro-photography-and-reverting-to-12-megapixel-shots/

Published: October 4, 2024 22:35

Although the iPhone 16 Pro’s new Ultra Wide camera enables 48-megapixel macro photos, taking them requires more manual steps, and Adam Engst’s testing shows that the 12-megapixel macro images are often better anyway.

1Password 8.10.46

https://tidbits.com/watchlist/1password-8-10-46/

Published: October 4, 2024 22:07

Password manager adds support for signing into the app via QR code. ($35.88 annual subscription, free update, 4.8 MB, macOS 10.15+)

Quick Bug Fixes in macOS 15.01 Sequoia, iOS 18.0.1, iPadOS 18.0.1, watchOS 11.0.1, and visionOS 2.0.1

https://tidbits.com/2024/10/04/quick-bug-fixes-in-macos-15-01-sequoia-ios-18-0-1-ipados-18-0-1-watchos-11-0-1-and-visionos-2-0-1/

Published: October 4, 2024 21:46

Apple has released updates for its five most prominent platforms, fixing a bug that caused Messages to crash when replying to a conversation with a shared Apple Watch face, along with other high-profile bugs on specific devices.

AI: A Means to an End or a Means to Our End?

https://tidbits.com/2024/09/30/ai-a-means-to-an-end-or-a-means-to-our-end/

Published: September 30, 2024 20:15

In a talk at King's College London, Stephen Fry explores the promise and threat of artificial intelligence, concluding that the core danger is greed and suggesting that our best hope may lie in regulating and controlling AI like money.Read original article

How Gmail Users Can Configure an Email Alias in iPhone Mail

https://tidbits.com/2024/09/27/how-gmail-users-can-configure-an-email-alias-in-iphone-mail/

Published: September 27, 2024 21:39

Frustrated by having to reveal his backend Gmail address, Adam Engst figures out how to configure Mail on the iPhone to use a Gmail alias.

Carbon Copy Cloner 7.0.3

https://tidbits.com/watchlist/carbon-copy-cloner-7-0-3/

Published: September 27, 2024 18:06

Brings bug fixes and improvements to the drive cloning and backup utility. ($49.99 new, free update, 24.2 MB, macOS 13+)

SoundSource 5.7.1

https://tidbits.com/watchlist/soundsource-5-7-1/

Published: September 27, 2024 18:03

Maintenance release for the recently upgraded audio control utility. ($39 new, free update, 41.8 MB, macOS 14.5+)

Timing 2024.4

https://tidbits.com/watchlist/timing-2024-4/

Published: September 27, 2024 18:02

Adds AI-generated summaries of your workday. ($108/$132/$192 annual subscriptions, free update, 26.8 MB, macOS 10.15+)

Mimestream 1.4.1

https://tidbits.com/watchlist/mimestream-1-4-1/

Published: September 27, 2024 17:59

Adds compatibility with macOS 15 Sequoia and fixes bugs found in the new operating system. ($49.99 annual subscription, free update, 12.4 MB, macOS 12+)

Acorn 7.4.5

https://tidbits.com/watchlist/acorn-7-4-5/

Published: September 27, 2024 17:56

Brings official support for macOS 15 Sequoia to the image editor. ($39.99 new, free update, 36.4 MB, macOS 10.14+)

iMore Shuts Down, Archives to Remain

https://tidbits.com/2024/09/26/imore-shuts-down-archives-to-remain/

Published: September 26, 2024 13:20

Longstanding Apple site iMore will no longer be publishing new content, but at least its 15 years of archives will remain online for posterity.Read original article

Does Limiting an iPhone’s Battery Charging to 80% Increase Lifespan?

https://tidbits.com/2024/09/25/does-limiting-an-iphones-battery-charging-to-80-increase-lifespan/

Published: September 25, 2024 17:32

Juli Clover of MacRumors used a new feature of the iPhone 15 lineup to restrict her iPhone 15 Pro Max from charging over 80% for an entire year. It was an inconvenience, but it may have slightly improved her battery longevity.