Apple Releases Security Updates To Address A Vulnerability

Apple has released security updates for OS X Yosemite, OS X El Capitan and Safari to address a vulnerability called “Pegasus” that potentially allows nefarious agents to take over a target device with a single click. You can download the updates via the Mac App Store. You should do it ASAP. 

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 Releases OS X 10.11.4 update for El Capitan

Apple has released OS X 10.11.4 update for El Capitan, introducing Live Photos support in Messages and AirDrop along with individually encrypted items in Notes. You can download the update through the Mac App Store. Full release notes can be found below:

• Adds the ability to passcode-protect notes containing personal data in Notes

• Adds the ability to sort notes alphabetically, by date created, or date modified in Notes

• Adds the ability to import Evernote files into Notes

• Adds support for sharing Live Photos between iOS and OS X via AirDrop and Messages

• Addresses an issue that may cause RAW images to open slowly in Photos

• Adds the ability for iBooks to store PDFs in iCloud, making them available across all your devices

• Fixes an issue that prevented loading Twitter t.co links in Safari

• Prevents JavaScript dialogs from blocking access to other webpages in Safari

• Fixes an issue that prevented the VIPs mailbox from working with Gmail accounts

• Fixes an issue that caused USB audio devices to disconnect

• Improves the compatibility and reliability of Apple USB-C Multiport Adapters

Apple Has Released OS X 10.11.3 El Capitan

Apple has released OS X 10.11.3. You can download the update through the Software Update mechanism in the Mac App Store. Here’s what you can expect in the update: 

• Fixes an issue that may prevent some Mac computers from waking from sleep when connected to certain 4K displays.

Enterprise content:

• Third-party .pkg file receipts stored in /var/db/receipts are now retained when upgrading from OS X Yosemite.

For detailed information about the security content of this update, see Apple Security Updates.

Apple Releases OS X 10.11.2 El Capitan

Apple today released OS X 10.11.2 to the public, the update can be downloaded through the Mac App Store. Here’s the patch notes for the update:

• Improves Wi-Fi reliability 
• Improves the reliability of Handoff and AirDrop 
• Fixes an issue that may cause Bluetooth devices to disconnect 
• Fixes an issue that prevented Mail from deleting messages in an offline Exchange account 
• Fixes an issue that prevented importing photos from an iPhone to a Mac using a USB cable 
• Improves iCloud Photo Sharing for Live Photos

What do you think of OS X 10.11.2 ?

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

Here’s What You Agreed To When You Updated To OS X El Capitan

Most if not all of us bother reading through software license agreements and just click the agree button. A lawyer and developer Robb Schecter read through Apple’s end user license agreement for OS X El Capitan and put it in plain English for everyone to understand and so you didn’t have to read it yourself. Here are a few highlights from Schecter’s article:

• Apple didn’t sell you this software. They still own it, in fact, you’re just borrowing it, just like any other Apple software.
• Slideshows made with Photos cannot be used for commercial purposes.
• You cannot use El Capitan with illegal copies of anyone’s stuff.
• Running El Capitan on Hackintoshes and non-Apple hardware is prohibited
• You must not operate a nuclear power plant with El Capitan 
• Using MPEG/H.264/AVC videos created on your Mac for commercial purposes requires additional licensing for the coded.

This is basically apple just covering their ass so they don’t get sued. I can understand that but some of this stuff seems ridiculous, like gee thanks Apple for letting us borrow you software. But then again i suppose thats how most software is these days. What do you think about the license agreement for OS X El Capitan ?

Apple Releases iOS 9 GM And OS X El Capitan GM

Apple has released the GM build of iOS 9, alongside the first beta of iOS 9.1. GM stands for Golden Master and represents the final build of the OS, matching the final version that will be released to the general public later in the month on September 16. Apple has also released the GM build of OS X El Capitan for Mac users participating in the Mac Developer Beta and OS X Public Beta programs. Additionally, Apple has announced that OS X 10.11 El Capitan will be available to the general public on September 30 as as free download.

Apple’s Next iPhone Event Will Be On September 9

Apple has sent out invites for an event on September 9 where it's expected to announce the next iPhone, the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus. Also at the event we should hear about release dates for iOS 9, OS X El Capitan, Watch OS 2 and the possible announcement of a new Apple Tv. What else do you think will happen at the iPhone event ? 

Parallels Desktop 11 for Mac Will Have Windows 10 Support

Parallels announced the release of Parallels Desktop 11 for Mac with dual support for OS X El Capitan and Windows 10. Parallels Desktop 11 for Mac Business Edition and Parallels Desktop for Mac Pro Edition were also released for business customers, developers, designers and power users. For those that don’t know what Parallels is its a virtualization software that enables users to use OS X El Capitan and Windows 10 side by side without rebooting, including full support for Windows and Mac apps. The software includes a setup assistant for switching from PC to Mac, one click optimization settings, Linux and Google Chrome support, advanced security features and  much more. You can also expect performance improvements including up to 50% faster boot and shut down times, up to 15% longer battery life and up to 20% faster tasks. Parallels Desktop 11 for Mac will cost you $79.99 with a free 14 day trial available, while customers with Parallels Desktop 9 or newer can upgrade for $49.99. Parallels Desktop 11 for Mac Business Edition and Pro Edition both retail for $99.99 per year. You can watch the video below for more detail. Are you going to use Parallels Desktop 11 ? 

Apple To Have Flight Tracking Support For iOS9 And OS X El Capitan

Looks like there is an unannounced coming to iOS 9 and OS X El Capitan that will let users view up to date airline flight status, as well as a preview of projected flight paths. Discovered by a Reddit user, Apple's new flight tracking feature is already functional in the latest iOS 9 and OS X El Capitan beta builds, the data detectors are for now limited to Mail, Messages and Notes. When iOS 9 beta detects a flight number,it transforms the text into an actionable link connected to data pulled from an offsite server. A long press on said link brings up options to preview flight information or copy text. Information consists of flight numbers, current flight status, departure and arrival times, relevant airport terminals and an animation of the flight's path presented in Apple Maps. Status is clearly defined at the top-right, with options including Early, Delayed and Landed, while departure and arrival times are shown at the bottom with to the minute accuracy. The same information can be found in OS X El Capitan, but instead of a long press, users access flight data with a right click. Apple is expected to release iOS 9 and OS X 10.11 El Capitan this fall.

4th Public Beta Of OS X El Capitan Goes Live And A New 4K iMac Is Rumored

Apple has seeded the 4th public beta of OS X El Capitan to testers. The new build is available to registered public testers who are already on beta 3 via the Updates section of the Mac App Store, or a standalone download. You can enroll in the program by clicking here. There’s a new General icon in the System Preferences app, and a new blue wallpaper. There are a few files in Beta that point to a new built in display having a standard 4K 4,096-pixel-by-2,304-pixel default resolution. Speculation over which  product would get a 4K upgrade is in question, though it may be the 21.5 inch iMac as it hasn’t seen a major in about 2 years. What do you think ? What Apple product could it be ? A final version of OS X El Capitan is set to release sometime this fall.

Apple Releases The Public Beta For iOS 9 And OS X 10.11 El Capitan

Today Apple released the public beta of OS X 10.11 El Capitan and the public beta of iOS 9. The public beta will allow users to test the new features of iOS 9 and OS X 10.11 El Capitan before Apple launches in a stable build of the operating system this fall. Users can sign up to be a Beta Program member on Apple’s Beta Program site. With the public beta of OS X, Apple has in the past updated it less frequently than it does with the developer builds so we can assume it will take the same strategy with iOS. iOS 9 includes a variety of new features  like Proactive search, Transit in Apple Maps, and a new Notes application. 

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 ? 

Apple Reveals OS X 10.11 El Capitan

Apple today revealed OS X 10.11 El Capitan, which has two primary focus areas experience, and performance. OS X El Capitan will bring many improvements to Spotlight search performance, natural language detection for all searches, enhancements to Mission Control and window management, a new split-screen view and workflow, and many smaller changes to built-in apps and system functionality,  Apple is also heavily emphasizing a variety of performance improvements derived from architectural refinements within OS X El Capitan, aiming to speed up a variety of actions and activities in OS X 10.11 when compared with OS X 10.10 Yosemite. For those wondering why Apple choose the name “El Capitan”, it’s the name of a mountain in Yosemite National Park. Given that OS X El Capitan will improvements and reiterations of OS X Yosemite, the OS X El Capitan makes sense when you think about. This is similar to how  Snow Leopard was a refinement of Leopard, and Mountain Lion improved a pound Lion. 

OS X 10.11 El Capitan will be available for iMac (Mid-2007 or later), MacBook (13-inch Aluminum, Late 2008), 13-inch, Early 2009 or later), MacBook Pro (13-inch, Mid-2009 or later), (15-inch, Mid/Late 2007 or later), (17-inch, Late 2007 or later), MacBook Air (Late 2008 or later), Mac Mini (Early 2009 or later), Mac Pro (Early 2008 or later) and Xserve (Early 2009). OS X El Capitan will be released for developers today, and will become part of the OS X Public Beta program in July. A final public release of OS X El Capitan will be available in the fall as a free upgrade.