Apple Releases iTunes Update 12.5.1

Apple has updated iTunes for Mac OS X to version 12.5.1. The free update available in the Mac App Store  and includes support for iOS 10 and more. Here’s what the update also adds:

• Now with an all-new Apple Music design, which brings greater clarity and simplicity to every aspect of the experience.
• Siri. Play music from your Library and Apple Music using your voice. Just ask Siri.
• Picture-in-Picture. Watch videos as you multitask and use different apps. Your video floats above your desktop in any corner of the screen.

The Siri and Picture-in-Picture features require macOS Sierra, which is set for release on September 20.

There’s A Possible Security Bug On iOS And Mac OS X Devices

According to Cisco's Talos security team,  iOS and Mac OS X devices are possibly at risk. In its post, Talos described 5 particular vulnerabilities that would allow someone to insert malicious code that would activate when OS X processes certain image file formats: TIFF, OpenEXR, Digital Asset Exchange and BMP. The security team found the exploit to be a big threat as it could be triggered by many applications like iMessages that automatically render that file format when received or present multiple images in tiled arrangement. If you’re updated to the lasted version of OS X El Capitan and iOS (which were released on July 18th) then you’ll be fine.

Apple May Change OS X To MacOS

Apple has posted an updated webpage referring OS X as MacOS instead. This leads me to believe that Apple may change the name of OS X to MacOS. The term can be found on an FAQ page. The text is the only direct reference to either Macs or OS X in the FAQ, though the rest of Apple's website still appears to insist on using "OS X." Switching to MacOS makes sense to me, as this would align the platform's branding with Apple's other operating systems: iOS, tvOS, and watchOS together. Apple would mostly likely announce any name change at its Worldwide Developer Conference in early June, and launch a new Mac operating system later in the year. Until that this should be considered a rumor and treated as such. Personally if this is true, I could totally get be hide this.It would be a total throw back to how Apple named there OS before OS X (as seen in the picture). Which to me is pretty cool. What do you think of the name change ? 

Apple Puts A Stop To New Ransomware Targeting Macs

The ransomware (Which is is a type of malware that restricts access to the infected computer system in some way, and demands that the user pay a ransom to the malware operators to remove the restriction), known as KeRanger, was placed into 2 installers for Transmission, an open source BitTorrent client. Once infected, the malware would encrypt a user's files and demand a ransom of $400 to release the files. Thankfully, Apple has shut down KeRanger. Every Mac has built-in anti-malware software called XProtect that's part of File Quarantine. It's been part of OS X since 10.6 Snow Leopard, and it works with "file quarantine-aware" apps like Safari, Chrome, Mail and Messages to normally warn you that you're about to launch an application downloaded from the Internet. If File Quarantine sees that the app you're trying to launch is included in the XProtect malware definitions, you get a much more severe warning telling you exactly what malware will infected you computer. With Macs growing in popularity ver the years, this just makes them a bigger target for malware. Looks like Mac users are no longer safe from malware like in the good ol days. Practice save browsing everyone. 

Will Mac OS X 10.12 Have Siri Support ?

9to5Mac (Which I am not affiliated with) reports that the next major release of the Mac OS, dubbed OS X 10.12, will finally add support for Siri. OS X 10.12 will most likely be previewed this summer during Apple’s Worldwide Developer Conference and be available for users in the fall. 9to5Mac says Apple had been testing versions of OS X internally with Siri integration since at least 2012, “but sources now say that Apple has a clear vision for Siri on the Mac along with a polished user-interface and is nearly ready to launch the feature publicly.” What do you think of Apple possibly adding Siri to the Mac ? I say it’s about damn time. 

Apple Releases OS X 10.11.1

Apple has released OS X 10.11.1, which is the first update OS X El Capitan. The OS X 10.11.1 update can be downloaded through the Mac App Store and it is available to all users who are running OS X El Capitan. According to the patch notes, OS X 10.11.1 fixes several major bugs that El Capitan users have been experiencing. Heres what this update fixes:

- Improves installer reliability when upgrading to OS X El Capitan 

- Improves compatibility with Microsoft Office 2016 

- Fixes an issue where outgoing server information may be missing from Mail 

- Resolves an issue that prevented display of messages and mailboxes in Mail 

- Resolves an issue that prevents certain Audio Unit plug-ins from functioning properly 

- Improves VoiceOver reliability 

- Adds over 150 new emoji characters with full Unicode 7.0 and 8.0 support

Mac OS X El Capitan Beta Reveals Plans For A Multitouch Bluetooth Remote

A file reportedly discovered in the second beta of Apple's next- desktop operating system (OS X El Capitan) suggests that the company is exploring a new kind of Bluetooth enabled remote control, potentially hinting at future plans for the Apple TV set-top box. The file, called "AppleBluetoothRemote.kext," is said to contain references to a remote control with an integrated Bluetooth module, multitouch trackpad, and support for audio playback or recording. The kextextension indicates it is an OS X kernel extension, which is used to dynamically load code into the kernel. It does not appear in the first beta of OS X El Capitan, which was handed out earlier this month during the Worldwide Developers Conference. Apple is rumored to include a touchpad based remote when it eventually releases new Apple TV hardware. It is likely to be slightly thicker than the current Apple TV remote to account for the touchpad, but will retain the buttons on the current Apple TV remote (play/pause and menu button). In the latest beta of OS X El Capitan  you can also find support of a 4,096-by-2,304-pixel resolution, which has led to speculation that it could reveal a new 21.5-inch iMac with Retina display. What do you think ? would you use the multitouch

 bluetooth remote if it’s real ?