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Thoughtful, detailed coverage of everything Apple for 35 years
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Category: Mac & macOS

Adam Engst 10 comments

Apple Boosts MacBook Air Base Memory to 16 GB

Apple has increased the base amount of memory in the M2 and M3 MacBook Air models, possibly to ensure optimal performance for Apple Intelligence.

Adam Engst 48 comments

Smaller Mac mini Powered by M4 and M4 Pro Chips

Apple’s new Mac mini models pack more power than ever into a case that has a smaller footprint but a taller profile than previous versions. The M4 Pro Mac mini also introduces the first Thunderbolt 5 ports in the Mac world.

Adam Engst 16 comments

New 24-inch iMac Upgraded with M4 Chip

Apple’s latest 24-inch iMac introduces the powerful M4 chip and enhances the user experience with a nano-texture glass option and a 12-megapixel Center Stage camera.

Adam Engst 42 comments

Apple Intelligence Arrives in macOS 15.1 Sequoia, iOS 18.1, and iPadOS 18.1

Apple has rolled out Apple Intelligence for compatible devices with macOS 15.1, iOS 18.1, and iPadOS 18.1, introducing new enhancements in Siri, Photos, Mail, and more. Adam Engst shares an overview and early impressions of the Apple Intelligence features.

Adam Engst 10 comments

AppBITS: FileUtils Turbocharges the Finder

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.

Adam Engst 9 comments

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

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. 

Adam Engst 8 comments

How to Avoid Sequoia’s Repetitive Screen Recording Permissions Prompts

Despite online criticism that continued through multiple betas of macOS 15 Sequoia, Apple has maintained the monthly permissions prompts for screen recording permissions. Adam Engst explains why these prompts reduce security and are examples of poor interface design before suggesting a way of eliminating them for a period of time.

Adam Engst 23 comments

macOS 14.7 Sonoma, macOS 13.7 Ventura, iOS 17.7, and iPadOS 17.7 Provide Security Fixes

If you aren’t making the jump to Apple’s just-released major upgrades for macOS, iOS, and iPadOS, you can install these security updates instead.

Adam Engst 48 comments

When Should You Upgrade to Apple’s 2024 OS Releases

Apple has released the initial versions of its 2024 operating systems—macOS 15 Sequoia, iOS 18, iPadOS 18, watchOS 11, visionOS 2, tvOS 18, and HomePod Software 18. You might want to upgrade immediately, but Adam Engst recommends that most people wait at least a bit. Or even longer, for macOS.

Adam Engst 88 comments

Apple Releases AirPods 4, Adds Hearing Aid Mode to AirPods Pro 2

The new AirPods 4 introduce an updated industrial design that Apple says will fit more ears and include a more expensive model with Active Noise Cancellation. However, the more exciting news may be the addition of hearing tests and a Hearing Aid mode for the current AirPods Pro 2.

Adam Engst 10 comments

This Year’s Crop of OS Upgrades Scheduled for 16 September 2024

Apple has revealed that the initial versions of its 2024 operating systems—macOS 15 Sequoia, iOS 18, iPadOS 18, watchOS 11, visionOS 2, tvOS 18, and HomePod Software 18—will ship on 16 September 2024.

Adam Engst 4 comments

CCATP Podcast Explains the macOS Sequoia Beta’s Excessive Permission Requests

On the Chit Chat Across the Pond podcast, Adam Engst explains why the macOS 15 Sequoia beta’s monthly check-ins on screen recording permissions are not only unnecessary but actively harmful.

Adam Engst 6 comments

Do You Use It? Moderate Usage of iPhone Apps on M-Series Macs

The results of our poll asking readers how often they use iPhone or iPad apps on an Apple silicon Mac show that roughly half don’t do it at all, but the other half appreciate the capability. If you didn’t realize you could do this, give it a try!

Adam Engst 10 comments

Apple Reduces Excessive Sequoia Permission Requests, Shifts to Monthly

Seemingly in response to the strongly negative feedback that arose from the potential in macOS 15 Sequoia of having to approve permission for each of your apps that require screen recording permissions every single week and after restarts, Apple has changed to a monthly schedule and made the prompt text more specific. The repetitive prompts remain too frequent: they are still unnecessary and bad for security.

Adam Engst 34 comments

macOS 15 Sequoia’s Excessive Permissions Prompts Will Hurt Security

macOS 15 Sequoia displays permissions prompts for apps that require screen recording permissions—more than just screenshot apps—at least once per week and after every restart or logout. Adam Engst explains why this is both unnecessary and counter-productive.