Fantastical 4.1.3 - TidBITS
Calendar app improves sync reliability with iCloud accounts. ($57 annual subscription, free update, 76.3 MB, macOS 12+)| TidBITS
After analyzing macOS release patterns over the past two years, Howard Oakley provides a calendar showing when we can expect macOS 26 Tahoe updates throughout the upcoming year.| TidBITS
The powerful word processor hasn’t seen an update in nearly a year, it has disappeared from the Mac App Store, and support responses have been slow or nonexistent for some time. There is writing on the wall, and it’s not looking good.| TidBITS
Brings a smattering of updates to the audio control utility. ($45 new, free update, 38.7 MB, macOS 14.5+)| TidBITS
Calendar app improves sync reliability with iCloud accounts. ($57 annual subscription, free update, 76.3 MB, macOS 12+)| TidBITS
Thanks to a U.S. Customs ruling, Apple has found a technical workaround that restores blood oxygen monitoring capabilities to recently purchased Apple Watches in the U.S. by processing the sensor data on the iPhone instead of the watch.| TidBITS
Responding to widespread criticism of Liquid Glass’s excessive transparency, Apple has added an opacity control in iOS 26.1 beta 4 that significantly improves interface readability. While not a complete solution, it’s a welcome acknowledgment of user feedback.| TidBITS
Brings a variety of enhancements and an app icon updated for macOS 26 Tahoe . ($39.95 new, free update, 272.3 MB, macOS 10.13+)| TidBITS
Updates the Open/Save dialog utility with enhancements and bug fixes. ($39.95 new, free update, 27.5 MB, macOS 10.13+)| TidBITS
Apple Intelligence’s visual intelligence feature helps you learn more about or interact with anything you see through the iPhone’s camera or on its screen. It’s quicker to access than dedicated apps, but suffers from reliability issues and Apple restrictions.| TidBITS
Brings an option for using the new Liquid Glass user interface in macOS 26 Tahoe. ($29.99 new, free update, 88.2 MB, macOS 14+)| TidBITS
Refreshes user interface for macOS 26 Tahoe and adds support for opening multiple windows. (Free, 14.3 MB, macOS 13+)| TidBITS
Brings a redesigned index window and Action Editor app plus improved compatibility with macOS 26 Tahoe. ($35 new, free update, 15.1 MB, macOS 12+)| TidBITS
Apple has announced a discounted bundle of the Apple TV and Peacock streaming services, but the move doesn’t feel like Apple in its focus on price over premium positioning.| TidBITS
The group that creates USB standards listened to feedback and has released a reduced set of logos that make it easier to figure out the capabilities of your ports, peripherals, and cables. But changes to USB4 also mean the return of active cables to provide maximum throughput for a new 80 Gbps data rate over distances beyond 0.8 meters.| TidBITS
USB-C was supposed to make connectivity easier. Instead, it has acquired a profusion of footnotes, exceptions, and labeling that can leave average users frustrated—and with the wrong cable. USB 4 and Thunderbolt 4 are our last best hope.| TidBITS
Apple has rolled out a series of updates across its operating systems to fix initial bugs, including installation issues on the M3 Ultra Mac Studio, iPhone networking and photo problems, and audio sync issues in tvOS. Many of the updates also address a FontParser security vulnerability.| TidBITS
Apple’s newest M5 chip debuts in three devices, bringing substantial performance improvements to the 14-inch MacBook Pro, 11-inch and 13-inch iPad Pro, and Vision Pro while leaving nearly all other features unchanged.| TidBITS
Virtual camera system brings improvements to USB device adjustment controls. ($49.99 annual subscription, free update, 81.4 MB, macOS 12.3+)| TidBITS
Long-form writing tool adds support for macOS 26 Tahoe. ($59.99 new, free update, 117 MB, macOS 11+)| TidBITS
Adds support for new AI models, including Anthropic’s Claude 4.5 Sonnet and Google's Nano Banana. ($99 new, free update, 83.7 MB, macOS 13+)| TidBITS
Maintenance update with bug fixes and improvements for the spam-filtering utility. ($39.99 new, free update, 61 MB, macOS 10.13+)| TidBITS
Updates the audio editor with initial support for macOS 26 Tahoe and interface updates. ($35 new, free update, 14.3 MB, macOS 11+)| TidBITS
Brings more workarounds for bugs in macOS 26 Tahoe to the audio control utility. ($45 new, free update, 38.6 MB, macOS 14.5+)| TidBITS
Apple’s protection against juice jacking attacks—theoretical though they may be for everyday users—isn’t working as intended in iOS 26, with some users finding their security settings locked to Always Allow.| TidBITS
In a puzzling move that seems to epitomize form over function, Apple has rebranded its streaming service from Apple TV+ to simply Apple TV, despite the obvious confusion with its app and hardware of the same name.| TidBITS
Apple has discontinued Clips, its video creation app that struggled to find its footing between the demise of Vine and the rise of TikTok. The app’s fate may reflect broader issues with Apple’s approach to social media and app development.Read original article| TidBITS
Updates the virtualization software with Linux and Windows improvements. ($99.99 Standard Edition new, free update, 5.4 MB, macOS 13+)| TidBITS
Introduces new Liquid Glass app icon and fixes several bugs related to macOS 26 Tahoe. ($49.99 annual subscription, free update, 12.2 MB, macOS 12+)| TidBITS
Brings a short list of enhancements to the document organization and archiving app. ($49.99 new, free update, 34.1 MB, macOS 10.13+)| TidBITS
Apple’s new Liquid Glass design language aims to give greater focus to content over controls, but at what cost to the tools we use to create that content? Here’s why that tradeoff matters.| TidBITS
Adam Engst finds that, despite similar specs on paper, macro photos from last year’s iPhone 16 Pro edge out those from the new iPhone 17—but the difference is sufficiently subtle that it might not matter to most people.| TidBITS
Improvements and bug fixes for Apple's three professional video apps. ($299.99/$49.99/$49.99 new, free update, various sizes, macOS 15.6+)| TidBITS
Brings a lengthy list of bug fixes to to all three Affinity graphic design apps. ($69.99 new for each, free update, various sizes, macOS 10.15+)| TidBITS
Maintenance update that's recommended for all users running macOS 26 Tahoe. ($39.99 new, free update, 5.8 MB, macOS 12+)| TidBITS
Adam Engst| TidBITS
If you haven’t yet upgraded to OS 26 (and most people shouldn’t), you should instead install the other security updates that Apple released for older operating systems. Apple even fixed a zero-day exploit that could still impact iOS and iPadOS 15 and 16.| TidBITS
Apple has released the first versions of its 2026 operating systems—macOS 26 Tahoe, iOS 26, iPadOS 26, watchOS 26, visionOS 26, tvOS 26, and HomePod Software 26. You might want to upgrade right away, but Adam Engst advises most people to wait at least a little while. Or even longer for macOS.| TidBITS
Archive: Oct 2025| TidBITS
Apple’s new Liquid Glass interface design can be hard to read in certain situations. If you encounter any issues, here’s how to adjust the transparency and other visual effects across macOS, iOS, watchOS, and tvOS to suit your needs.| TidBITS
Adam Engst stumbled across an Accessibility setting that ensures that window proxy icons—those little icons that appear next to window titles—show at all times, rather than after a 1-second hover. This setting returns proxy icons to their former utility, and if you’re not clear what that was, Adam explains that too.| TidBITS
Why did Sierra change the modifier key necessary to reveal your Library folder from Option to Shift? Or did it? Adam Engst delves into a minor mystery that takes place deep within the Finder.| TidBITS
Apple has decided that the user-level Library folder should be hidden from view in Lion. But you don’t need to let that decision slow you down, and if you’re a developer, you shouldn’t let it cause you to put application support files in the user’s Documents folder.| TidBITS
Archive: Jul 2025| TidBITS
Archive: Jun 2023| TidBITS
Archive: May 2023| TidBITS
Archive: Sep 2025| TidBITS
Adam Engst investigates whether his choice to downgrade from a triple-camera iPhone 16 Pro to a dual-camera iPhone 17 was justified by analyzing a year’s worth of photos using EXIF metadata.| TidBITS
Apple issued a statement arguing that the EU’s Digital Markets Act harms user experience and safety, but the core issue may be competing mandates: a democratic regulator representing all EU residents versus a platform owner advocating for its users. As Big Tech’s power grows, expect more of these clashes—with no clear heroes.| TidBITS
macOS 26 Tahoe marks the end of an era as Apple removes support for FireWire, the high-speed connection technology that preceded today’s USB and Thunderbolt standards. Those who still rely on legacy FireWire devices through adapters will need to delay upgrades and make alternative plans.| TidBITS
The title says it all—if you have a Mac Studio powered by an M3 Ultra chip, you cannot upgrade to macOS 26 Tahoe at this time. macOS 15.7 Sequoia will install, or you can wait until Apple resolves the issue.| TidBITS
In macOS 26 Tahoe, Apple automatically enables FileVault during setup when users sign in with an Apple Account, and it changes how Recovery Keys are stored to protect against government overreach. You can turn FileVault off, but we recommend using it.| TidBITS
Apple’s new Memory Integrity Enforcement feature, available only on iPhone 17 models and the iPhone Air, represents a significant advancement in preventing memory-based security exploits used by mercenary spyware.| TidBITS
Apple has quietly extended free satellite features for iPhone 14 and 15 users for another year, suggesting that the company continues to view satellite connectivity as an ecosystem enhancement rather than a revenue source.| TidBITS
Although there’s much to look forward to in macOS 13 Ventura, iOS 16, and iPadOS 16, there are also some features that had us scratching our heads, wondering what had gotten into the Cupertino drinking water.| TidBITS
Despite unsettling times, the 35th anniversary of TidBITS demonstrates how a commitment to clear communication and mutual respect can elevate individual capabilities and foster lasting communities.| TidBITS
In Epic Games v. Apple, US District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers has come down strongly in favor of Apple, rejecting nearly all of Epic’s claims and fining the company millions of dollars. But Apple suffered a blow too, with the judge determining that Apple’s in-app purchasing policies are anticompetitive.| TidBITS
Apple’s App Store policies continue to incite ire from developers and face increasing scrutiny from government regulators. We outline the most common complaints against the company, evaluate them, and propose potential solutions.| TidBITS
T-Mobile’s new T-Satellite service brings Starlink-powered satellite communications to both iPhone and Android users, but Apple’s free satellite features likely already satisfy most iPhone users’ needs.| TidBITS
The latest Apple Watch lineup arrives with updates across all three models. The Apple Watch Series 11 and Apple Watch Ultra 3 gain health monitoring improvements, the Ultra 3 adds satellite connectivity, and the Apple Watch SE 3 inherits several premium features while maintaining its more affordable price point.| TidBITS
In which Adam Engst finally hops on the HomeKit bandwagon for real and gets totally sucked in, installing smart outlets, controlling motorized shades, and adding some Flic buttons.| TidBITS
Archive: May 2025| TidBITS
Looking for better search results? Adam Engst explores how AI-powered answer engines are transforming online research by providing direct answers rather than just links.| TidBITS
The high point of Hypertext '93 was of course the talk given by Ted Nelson after the reception in his honor. Nelson is a thoroughly engaging speaker, and he devoted much of the first half of his talk to providing the audience an overview of the 32-year history of Xanadu, Nelson's electronic publishing world view| TidBITS
With GPT-5, OpenAI moves away from requiring users to choose between many different models in ChatGPT, instead allowing the system to automatically pick the right tool for each job. In an ideal world, this general approach would enable AI companies to enhance performance and reasoning internally while maintaining consistent interaction methods and AI personalities.| TidBITS
Archive: Jun 2025| TidBITS
Archive: Aug 2025| TidBITS
The Browser Company has launched a paid subscription for its AI-powered Dia browser, even though it’s still in beta. But with increasing competition from Microsoft, Google, and others, Dia faces an uphill battle for user adoption.| TidBITS
Looking for a free two-factor authentication app that works across platforms? Proton Authenticator offers broad import capabilities, iCloud sync, and thoughtful security features from a company you might actually have heard of.| TidBITS
Dropbox Passwords users (if there are any) must export their credentials before 28 October 2025, when the service shuts down permanently. 1Password offers the easiest migration option, but moving elsewhere is also possible.| TidBITS
With its new study mode, ChatGPT becomes less of an answerbot and more of an interactive tutor, helping users understand concepts rather than just giving them answers.| TidBITS
Apple posted double-digit revenue growth year-over-year for its third fiscal quarter of 2025, with Services scoring an all-time revenue high. iPhone and Mac revenues were also up year-over-year, but Wearables and iPad revenues failed to match up to last year’s Q3.| TidBITS
Ready for a glimpse into our future as Apple users? Public betas for macOS 26 Tahoe, iOS 26, iPadOS 26, and other major Apple operating systems are now available—but beware of bugs and make sure to back up your devices first.| TidBITS
Apple hides the user’s Library folder by default, but an obscure method to show it permanently lets you avoid pressing Option to access it in the Finder’s Go menu.| TidBITS
Our recent tab management poll revealed that many readers don’t fully understand pinned tabs and thus aren’t taking advantage of them. Adam Engst takes a deep look at the history and goals of Web navigation to explain where pinned tabs came from, why many people don’t use them, and how usage varies by browser.| TidBITS
This charming behind-the-scenes story reveals how Apple’s whimsical crayon color picker was born from one engineer’s creative impulse—and how hiding poetry in the code nearly ended his career.| TidBITS
John Nemerovski joins us to mark the passing of Tim Robertson, founder and publisher of MyMac.com and a long-time member of the Apple media ecosystem.| TidBITS
As AI threatens traditional publishing business models, Cloudflare proposes a solution that could ensure content creators get paid when AI crawlers ingest their work—and potentially revolutionize how we pay for online content.| TidBITS
Please welcome our latest long-term sponsor, SaneBox, a powerful email filtering service that works within your existing email setup.| TidBITS
Just weeks after recalling 1.1 million power banks, Anker has expanded its recall to include six more models, including an iPhone-specific MagGo device.| TidBITS
After more than a decade using a 27-inch iMac and a 27-inch Thunderbolt Display, Adam Engst shares his experience transitioning to a 14-inch MacBook Pro, exploring how differences in input devices, cloud storage, and modern display options shaped his approach to setting up his new Mac.| TidBITS
How many browser tabs do you keep open? This week’s Do You Use It? poll explores tab management habits and examines how different browsers handle the challenge of tab overload.| TidBITS
After becoming a convert to vertical tabs thanks to Arc, Adam Engst is now seeing and hearing about vertical tabs support all over the place. Though none are luring him away from Arc, he runs down the options in Brave, Firefox, Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Opera, Orion, Safari, SigmaOS, and Vivaldi. So many browsers!| TidBITS
The Web browser Arc has made a larger difference in jaded tech reviewer Adam Engst’s digital work life than any app in decades. Read his deep dive on what sets Arc apart from other browsers.| TidBITS
Mark Gurman of Bloomberg reports that Apple will switch its operating system version numbering scheme from the current mess to identifying them by years. It’s about time.| TidBITS
Are you constantly fighting with macOS over your external disks, either forgetting to eject them before unplugging their cables or being unable to eject them due to some unidentified open file? St. Clair Software’s Jettison may be the solution.| TidBITS
The results of our poll about how you use VPNs reveal widespread VPN usage, with most respondents using VPNs for security, privacy, and bypassing access restrictions.| TidBITS
Enterprise release notes for the recent macOS 15.5 update reveal that Apple plans to remove AFP (Apple Filing Protocol) entirely in a future version of macOS. Howard Oakley explains how this impacts Time Capsule backups and network shares, while Adam Engst offers practical alternatives for Time Capsule users.| TidBITS
Former Apple design chief Jony Ive and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman have announced a partnership to create AI devices valued at $6.5 billion in stock. The collaboration highlights Apple’s ongoing struggles with AI, potentially signaling a shift in who will define our technological future.| TidBITS
Science fiction author Neal Stephenson offers a fresh perspective on AI by pointing out that we have long figured out how to coexist with non-human intelligences: animals.| TidBITS
Join Adam Engst for a free online presentation about creating an effective modern backup strategy at the Naples MacFriends User Group meeting on 21 May 2025.| TidBITS
Adam Engst reviews the SmartWings Hazel shade and finds it a worthy addition to his HomeKit setup, despite minor issues with motor noise.| TidBITS
Nearly three years after its initial announcement, Apple has finally launched CarPlay Ultra—a deeply integrated, next-generation version of CarPlay—with ultra-luxury automaker Aston Martin. Despite claims of broad industry interest, only Hyundai Motor Group brands have committed so far.| TidBITS
A detailed analysis demonstrates that individual ChatGPT use has minimal environmental impact compared to other everyday activities.| TidBITS
This week’s Do You Use It? poll asks if you use a VPN, what you use it for, what type of VPN you use, and which one you prefer.| TidBITS
Apple’s latest operating system updates deliver security fixes, Screen Time notifications for parents, and a few minor improvements and bug fixes.| TidBITS
Despite Apple positioning itself as a force for good, the company’s App Store policies and grudging compliance with court orders reveal a company prioritizing profits over developer partnerships. Now is the time for Apple to realign the less attractive aspects of its corporate behavior with its values of excellence and care.| TidBITS
After years of litigation, WhatsApp has won a nearly $170 million judgment against the Israeli company NSO Group, maker of the Pegasus spyware. The ruling follows Apple’s quiet abandonment of a similar lawsuit in late 2024.| TidBITS
Apple’s latest operating system updates bring Apple Intelligence to more languages and regions, improve Photos organization, expand Mail categorization to the Mac and iPad, and address what must be a record number of security vulnerabilities.| TidBITS
Last year, Google Docs gained document tabs that let you break long documents into more manageable sections, making it easier to organize and navigate complex content. Adam Engst explains how to use these tabs, document types where they are especially useful, and some usage quirks.| TidBITS
Mark your calendars—Apple has announced that its Worldwide Developer Conference will kick off on 9 June 2025. Last year’s question if WWDC would bring an AI-powered version of Siri remains open.| TidBITS
