Razer Introduces macOS Compatible Core X eGPU

Back in February Apple released macOS High Sierra 10.13.4, which added support for external graphics processors (eGPUs). Now Razer has introduce the Mac compatible Core X eGPU that’s compatible with Mac Thunderbolt 3 laptops.

It’s Mac ready with compatible AMD Radeon cards. The Razer Core X features an expanded internal design with a wider aluminum shell to accommodate up to 3-slot wide desktop graphics cards. The Core X supports the latest desktop PCIe graphics cards such as NVIDIA GeForce, NVIDIA Quadro, and AMD XConnect enabled Radeon and Radeon Pro cards. The Razer Core X embraces plug-and-play capabilities with the Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) connection to the laptop. This eliminates the need for lengthy reboots every time the external graphics enclosure is connected. The Thunderbolt 3 connection also yields speeds up to 40Gbps.

The Razer Core X houses a 650W ATX power supply. A single Thunderbolt 3 connection to the laptop now provides 100W of power for laptop charging. The aluminum enclosure is designed with open vents and additional desktop cooling to dispense heat. The Core X costs $299. However, that price doesn’t include a graphics card, which you’ll have to purchase separately.

Apple Releases iOS 11.3.1 And macOS High Sierra 10.13.4 Security Update

Apple has released iOS 11.3.1 and a macOS High Sierra 10.13.4 security update. Here are Apple’s release notes:

“iOS 11.3.1 improves the security of your iPhone or iPad and addresses an issue where touch input was unresponsive on some iPhone 8 devices because they were serviced with non-genuine replacement displays. 

Note: Non-genuine replacement displays may have compromised visual quality and may fail to work correctly. Apple-certified screen repairs are performed by trusted experts who use genuine Apple parts. See support.apple.com for more information.”

iOS 11.3.1 can be downloaded for free on all eligible devices over-the-air in the Settings app. Go to Settings --> General --> Software Update. 

Apple says the security update for macOS High Sierra 10.13.4 improves security. The upgrade can be downloaded at the Mac App Store or via the Software Update function in the Mac App Store on Macs that are already running macOS High Sierra.

Apple Releases macOS High Sierra 10.13.4

Apple has released the combo updater for macOS High Sierra 10.13.4. According to Apple’s release notes, this update:

• Adds support for Business Chat conversations in Messages in the U.S.;
• Adds support for external graphics processors (eGPUs);
• Fixes graphics corruption issues affecting certain apps on iMac Pro;
• Allows jumping to the right-most open tab using Command+9 in Safari;
• Enables sorting Safari bookmarks by name or URL by right clicking and choosing Sort By…;
• Fixes an issue that may prevent web link previews from appearing in Messages;
• Helps protect privacy by only AutoFilling usernames and passwords after selecting them in a web form field in Safari;
• Displays warnings in the Safari Smart Search Field when interacting with password or credit card forms on non-encrypted web pages;
• Displays privacy icons and links to explain how your data will be used and protected when Apple features ask to use your personal information.

macOS High Sierra Bug Unlocks App Store Systems Preferences With Any Password

A bug report submitted on Open Radar reveals a security vulnerability in the current version of macOS High Sierra that allows the App Store menu in System Preferences to be unlocked with any password. This only appears to be when logged in as a local admin. The security vulnerability means that anyone with administrator-level access to your Mac could unlock the App Store preferences and enable or disable settings to automatically install macOS updates, app updates, system data files, and even security updates that would fix a bug like this one. The security flaw is present in macOS 10.13.2 which is the current public version of macOS High Sierra, but resolved in the latest beta version of macOS 10.13.3.

iOS 11.2.2 And macOS 11.13.2 Supplemental Update Available With Security Fixes

Apple has released iOS 11.2.2 and macOS High Sierra 10.13.2 with, among other things, security fixes for the recently reported Spectre vulnerability. iOS 11.2.2 can be downloaded for free on all eligible devices over-the-air in the Settings app. Go to Settings --> General --> Software Update. macOS High Sierra 10.13.2 is a free update for all customers who have a compatible machine. The update can be downloaded using the Mac App Store. 

Chinese Clothing Brand Sues Apple Over Its App Store Logo

Apple is being sued for its App Store logo by a Chinese clothing brand called Kon that has a similar logo, according to The Verge. Its logo is a triangle of skeleton bones that symbolizes power over death. Apple changed its App Store logo in August with iOS 11 and macOS High Sierra from a paintbrush, pencil, and a ruler, to three sticks with rounded ends that overlap each other to form a triangle. The Chinese clothing brand says Apple’s new App Store logo used on iPhones and macOS is a violation of Chinese copyright law. KON is demanding Apple publicly apologize and pay damages.

Apple Releases MacOS High Sierra 10.13.2

Apple has released macOS High Sierra 10.13.2. Available at the Mac App Store via the Updates tab, it:

• Improves compatibility with third party USB audio devices;
• Improves VoiceOver navigation when viewing PDF documents in Preview;
• Improves compatibility of Braille displays with Mail.

Apple Will Review Its Software Development Process After macOS High Sierra Vulnerability

Apple has spoken to Reuters that it will review its software development process after releasing a software update to fix a security vulnerability in macOS High Sierra.

“We greatly regret this error and we apologize to all Mac users,” Apple says. “Our customers deserve better. We are auditing our development processes to help prevent this from happening again.” 

The tech giant said that security “is a top priority” but “regrettably we stumbled with the release of macOS.” 

Apple Releases Security Update To Fix macOS High Sierra Vulnerability

Apple has released Security Update 2017-001 to fix a vulnerability that enables access to the root superuser with a blank password on any Mac running macOS High Sierra version 10.3.1. Lemi Orhan Ergin revealed the security issue for macOS High Sierra on Twitter the other day. Anyone can -- or, rather could -- login as “root” with no password required. It turns out that the issue in question works with any authentication dialog in High Sierra.

Apple Releases New Public Betas For MacOS High Sierra And iOS 11

Apple has released the second public betas of macOS High Sierra and iOS 11 the public. The finished versions of the operating system updates are due this fall. The new public beta of High Sierra enables Time Machine support and adds routines to AVKit for developers to allow users more flexibility for content playback when multiple outputs are available. The new public beta of iOS 11 includes a fix for Bluetooth connection issues using Wireless iAP protocol and brings back the "swipe up" gesture to close an app in the app switcher and Control Center view on an iPad. If you haven’t already signed up for the public beta program, you can do so here. The public beta program is free, but remember: beta software is unfinished software so use with care.

Apple Announces macOS High Sierra

During there Worldwide Developer Conference keynote today, Apple announced macOS High Sierra, the follow-up to macOS Sierra. It delivers new core storage, video and graphics technologies that pave the way for future innovation on the Mac. High Sierra will be the first version to support the Apple File System (APFS), which features enhanced performance, security and reliability of data and provides a foundation for future storage innovations. An advanced architecture optimized for today’s massive storage technologies, APFS is designed to make common operations such as copying files and directories instantaneous, helps protect data from power outages and system crashes and keeps files safe and secure with native encryption. macOS High Sierra also maintains complete read-and-write compatibility with previously formatted HFS drives and data and is designed to accommodate future advancements in storage technology. AFPS is optimized for flash/SSD storage and features “strong encryption, copy-on-write metadata, space sharing, cloning for files and directories, snapshots, fast directory sizing, atomic safe-save primitives, and improved file system fundamentals.” 

macOS High Sierra also introduces Metal 2, an update of the technology that provides games and applications, direct access to your Mac’s GPU allowing improved rendering, frame rates, and other benefits. It features a refined API and improved performance that help developers accelerate their apps. Metal 2 adds support for machine learning used in speech recognition, natural language processing and computer vision. The combination of Thunderbolt 3 and Metal 2 allows the most demanding users to access powerful external GPUs, says Federighi. An External Graphics Developer Kit gives developers all the hardware and software they need to optimize their apps. Metal 2 provides near-direct access to the graphics processing unit (GPU), enabling developers to maximize the graphics and compute potential of your apps on iOS, macOS, and tvOS. Building upon an efficient low-overhead architecture with precompiled shaders, fine-grained resource control, and multithreading support, it further boosts performance by enabling the GPU to take more control of the rendering pipeline. Moving beyond just graphics, Metal 2 provides deep support for GPU-accelerated machine learning and purportedly offers enhanced developer tools that make it even easier to debug, optimize, and deploy Metal apps. Drawing on the performance of Metal 2 and the latest Mac hardware, macOS High Sierra adds support for VR content creation for the first time, enabling developers to create immersive gaming, 3D and VR content on the Mac. Leading VR companies are joining Apple to drive VR innovation on the Mac with features coming later this year. Valve is optimizing their SteamVR platform for macOS and enabling connection of the HTC Vive headset, while Unity and Epic are bringing their VR development tools to macOS. Also later this year, Final Cut Pro X will add support for professional 360-degree workflows with the ability to import, edit and export 360-degree video. 

Photos in macOS High Sierra adds a new always-on sidebar that presents albums and organization tools. A redesigned Edit view includes new tools like Curves, for fine-tuning of color and contrast, and Selective Color, for making adjustments within a defined color range. Live Photos can be edited with fun effects, and Memories curates user photos and videos around several new topics. Photos now supports external editors, so Photoshop, Pixelmator and other apps can launch directly within Photos, with edits saved back to the Photos library. The following are additional app refinements:

° Safari can automatically use Reader to open articles in a clean, uncluttered format, while Autoplay Blocking stops media with audio from automatically playing in the browser.

° Intelligent Tracking Prevention in Safari uses machine learning to identify and remove the tracking data that advertisers employ to follow users’ web activity.

° Mail search gets faster and easier with Top Hits, which puts the most relevant results at the top of a user’s message list.

° Siri on the Mac responds with a natural and more expressive voice, and when using Apple Music, it learns music preferences, creates custom playlists and answers music trivia.

° Notes adds simple tables, where a user can type in cells, make edits and move rows and columns.

° Spotlight provides flight status information, including departure and arrival times, delays, gates, terminals and even a map of the flight path.

° iCloud File Sharing lets users share any file stored in iCloud Drive and collaborate with other people.

The developer preview of macOS High Sierra is available to Apple Developer Program members at developer.apple.com starting today, and a public beta program will be available to Mac users in late June at beta.apple.com. macOS High Sierra will be available this fall as a free update from the Mac App Store. 

UPDATE 9/13/17 - macOS High Sierra will release on September 25.