• Meeting Intro and report with Harry
• "Organizing Photos on iPhone" with Ron Sharp
• Q & A with the "A" Team based on questions emailed prior to meeting
Location:
by ZOOM on-line
MAGIC Minutes for November 15, 2023
by Madelyn van der Hoogt, stand-inSecretary
Harry Anderson called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m., with 18 members in attendance. He announced that today's program will be by Robert Elphick on Search Techniques on the Mac and on the Internet, and there will be no meeting in December. The program in January (January 17th) will be given by Ron Sharp on Methods for Organizing and Labeling Photographs.
Gary gave the Treasurer's report: Thanks to recent contributions, the total is $9,136.88. Robert announced that our membership is currently 484 members.
Robert then presented the program, which is recorded and available on this website.
If you have questions you would like answered at our January 2024 meeting, please send them in advance to our MAGIC email.
MAGIC Musings
Note: This Software Update section of the newsletter lists the most relevant Apple updates. Not all updates are listed for all products. Additionally, I'll add other pertinent updates on occasion.
How to get the latest USB-C Apple Pencil firmware update
by Ed Hardy, cultofmac
Just about everything electronic requires firmware — Apple's iPad stylus is no exception. With software comes updates, and there's new one for the recently released version of the Apple Pencil with a USB-C port.
Here's how to check what firmware version your Apple Pencil is currently running, and a suggestion on how to get the new update.
Get your Apple Pencil firmware update
Apple Pencil isn't required to use an iPad, but the stylus is great for handwriting text or sketching. And the exceptionally talented even use one to create great art on the tablet.
But unlike the trusty old No. 2 pencil you pushed as a kid, the iPad version needs software to function.
And the Apple Pencil (USB-C), which hit the market in early November, reportedly got its first firmware update. Version 35347.35347.16 is now available, and that's build 10M5164.
Unfortunately, there's no way to know what's changed because Apple doesn't make release notes available for this type of update. It doesn't even announce them. The news trickles out.
The new software is only for the just-arrived USB-C version of the stylus. It doesn't apply to Apple Pencil 2 or the first-gen model.
Connect to get the new version
It's not possible to manually start a firmware update on an Apple Pencil. All you can do is connect the stylus to the iPad with a USB-C cable and wait.
And even that's only a recommendation. It's possible the Pencil will get an update from the tablet via Bluetooth. But a physical connection seems more prudent.
Nothing is going to happen if you don't have the accessory Bluetooth paired with your tablet. If you haven't done that, what are you waiting for?
Perhaps the best strategy is to connect the stylus to the iPad overnight to give plenty of time for the exchange to happen.
How to check on Apple Pencil firmware updates
Go to Settings -> General -> About -> Apple Pencil.
Apple Pencil users can at least easily find out if they have the latest firmware.
Start by opening the Settings app, then going to General -> About.
Scroll down to find an entry for Apple Pencil. If it's not there (just below SEID) double check that the stylus is connected to the iPad via Bluetooth.
Tap on that Apple Pencil entry to open a screen that lists, among other details, the firmware version.
Apple releases iOS 17.1.2 and macOS Sonoma 14.1.2 security updates
by Zac Hall, 9to5mac
Apple has released the iOS 17.1.2 software update for iPhone. Apple has also released macOS Sonoma 14.1.2. Both updates are described as security updates in the release notes.
The new version of iOS follows iOS 17.1.1, which was released on November 7, and addressed wireless charging issues for BMW drivers as well as a snow glitch. Apple similarly released macOS Sonoma 14.1.1 to address compatibility with new M3 MacBook Pros.
iOS 17.2
Apple has also been publicly testing a larger update to iOS 17 with iOS 17.2 beta. The upcoming release introduces Apple's new Journal app for iPhone, collaborative playlists in Apple Music, new Clock and Weather widgets, and updates to Tapback in Messages.
PSA: Update Chrome on Mac, as security flaw is being actively exploited
by Ben Lovejoy, 9to5mac
If you use Chrome on Mac, it's strongly recommended to update it immediately, as a security flaw discovered by Google is being actively exploited by attackers. It could potentially allow personal data to be extracted from your Mac (the same issue also affects Chrome on Windows and Linux).
Google says it is aware of at least one real-life case of the exploit being used by a bad actor …
The US government's National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has rated the severity of the security issue as high.
Google has given the flaw the same rating.
High CVE-2023-6345: Integer overflow in Skia. Reported by Benoît Sevens and Clément Lecigne of Google's Threat Analysis Group on 2023-11-24
The bug was discovered last week, but has now been found to be in active use.
Google is not yet revealing any details about how it works. This is standard practice: the company wants to ensure that the majority of users have updated before it reveals any details that might help an attacker exploit it.
The Verge notes the little we do know at this point.
What we do know is that CVE-2023-6345 is an integer overflow weakness that impacts Skia, the open-source 2D graphics library within the Chrome graphics engine. According to notes on the Chrome update, the exploit allowed at least one attacker to "potentially perform a sandbox escape via a malicious file." Sandbox escapes can be utilized to infect vulnerable systems with malicious code and steal sensitive user data.
But essentially if an attacker can run arbitrary code on your Mac, there is a great deal they can do, even with Apple's malware protections.
Google says the update rollout is taking place over time, but when I checked, my version of Chrome - set to automatically update - had already received it.
If you already have your Chrome browser set to update automatically then you may not need to take any action. For anyone else, it's worth manually updating to the latest version (119.0.6045.199 for Mac and Linux and 119.0.6045.199/.200 for Windows) within the Google Chrome settings to avoid your system being left exposed. Google says the fix is rolling out "over the coming days/weeks," so it may not be immediately available for everyone at the time of this writing.
Apple rolls out new AirPods Pro 2 firmware 6.1 update
by Amber Neely, appleinsider
Apple has released a firmware update for the AirPods Pro 2 to improve the performance and stability of the wireless earbuds.
The update includes build number 6B32. Apple has not released patch notes, so the update will likely improve existing features.
In October, Apple released the second firmware update for the AirPods Pro 2.
The new firmware is installed automatically for users. Manual updates are not available. The firmware will install itself when the AirPods or AirPods Pro are placed in a charging case and connected to an iOS device.
How to check your AirPods firmware version
AirPods users can check the current firmware for their audio accessories by accessing the Settings app on their iPhone or iPad.
Open the Settings App
Select General
Select About
Select the AirPods you wish to view
A menu will appear showing relevant device information
This iOS 17 and macOS Sonoma feature makes AutoFill even more convenient
by Chance Miller, 9to5mac
Over the years, Apple has drastically improved its AutoFill feature for autofilling passwords, addresses, credit card information, and more. With this year's iOS 17, iPadOS 17, and macOS Sonoma releases, Apple has made another significant enhancement: the ability to use AutoFill anywhere in the operating systems.
AutoFill anywhere in iOS 17 and macOS Sonoma
In an ideal world, this new AutoFill feature wouldn't be necessary. When prompted to enter a password, the password autofill will automatically pop up. When prompted to enter an address, your information would automatically pop up. And the majority of the time, this is what happens. But not always.
In situations where AutoFill doesn't automatically appear, macOS Sonoma, iOS 17, and iPadOS 17 have your back.
In macOS Sonoma, you can now right-click on a text field, choose AutoFill, and choose to autofill either a password or your contact information. You can tap a text field on iPhone and iPad, choose "AutoFill," and accomplish the same thing.
When you choose "Passwords" from this menu, you'll be prompted to authenticate with Face ID or Touch ID. After that, you'll see a list of your login information saved in iCloud Keychain. This includes usernames, passwords, and two-factor authentication codes.
While I've been using this new AutoFill anywhere feature since the early betas, I learned more about it from Dan Moren at Six Colors. He pointed out that anywhere really does mean anywhere. This includes third-party browsers like Chrome. In Chrome on Mac, you can right-click on a text box, choose "AutoFill," and fill in a password or contact information.
This is a prime example of a feature that arrived with little fanfare but is lifesaving when you need it. It's also a feature you might not know exists, but once you discover it, it's there whenever you need it.
The new AutoFill anywhere feature in macOS Sonoma and iOS 17 marks a significant advancement to the convenience and functionality of an already incredibly convenient feature.
Apple has repeatedly preached the importance of using unique and secure passwords and two-factor authentication whenever possible. AutoFill anywhere removes some of the final paper cuts that may have prevented people from genuinely embracing that strategy.
Apple ending relationship with Goldman Sachs, fate of Apple Card unclear
by Chance Miller, 9to5mac
Apple and Goldman Sachs are ending their partnership that currently consists of the Apple Card and Apple Card Savings Account. According to The Wall Street Journal, Apple has "sent a proposal to Goldman to exit from the contract in the next roughly 12-to-15 months."
Update: In a statement to CNBC, Apple said that it will "continue to innovate" for Apple Card customers:
Apple and Goldman Sachs are focused on providing an incredible experience for our customers to help them lead healthier financial lives. The award-winning Apple Card has seen a great reception from consumers, and we will continue to innovate and deliver the best tools and services for them.
Apple and Goldman Sachs calling it quits
This news follows reports that Goldman Sachs was looking for a way out of its deal with Apple. The company has dramatically scaled back its ambitions in the consumer finance industry. According to regulatory filings, Goldman Sachs has lost a significant amount of money on the Apple Card partnership thus far.
The fate of Apple Card and Apple Card Savings account is unclear. "It couldn't be learned whether Apple has already lined up a new issuer for the card," today's report says. There are, however, a few possibilities.
It should be noted that in these types of partnerships, the merchant - Apple in this case - "plays a controlling role." This means that Goldman Sachs likely expressed its desire to end the partnership, and Apple sent the "proposal" at Goldman's request.
The WSJ reiterates that Goldman has discussed offloading the program to American Express. Amex, however, voiced concerns about "several aspects of the program, including its loss rates." Synchrony Financial has also reportedly considered taking over the Apple Card business.
Synchrony is among the companies that initially bid for the Apple Card partnership but was ultimately beaten out by Goldman Sachs. Today's report says:
Goldman has discussed with American Express the possibility of handing over the program to the card giant. Amex expressed concern about several aspects of the program, including its loss rates, and it's not clear if those discussions have continued.
Synchrony Financial has also been looking into the possibility of taking over the credit-card program, some of the people said. Synchrony, the largest issuer of store credit cards in the U.S., lends to a wide spectrum of consumers, including those with lower credit scores. Synchrony, which originally bid against Goldman for the Apple credit-card program, for years has been trying to position itself as an issuer with close ties to tech companies and counts Amazon and PayPal among its largest card partners.
Apple has also been working internally to bring as many of its financial products in-house as possible. Referred to as "Project Breakout," Apple is reportedly developing its own payment processing technology and infrastructure that would make it less reliant on partners such as Goldman Sachs.
Apple planning new iPad Pro, iPad Air, and MacBook Air for early 2024, Bloomberg says
by Chance Miller, 9to5mac
A report from Bloomberg today has new details on what to expect from the Mac and iPad in 2024. According to the story, Apple is planning new iPad Air, iPad Pro, and MacBook Air models that will all be released during the first several months of the year.
New iPad and Mac hardware coming soon
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman says that the new iPad Pro and iPad Air models are currently slated to launch "around the end of March." These devices will coincide with the release of iPadOS 17.4, the report says.
The new iPad Pro models will be available "with roughly 11-inch and 13-inch screen sizes" and feature OLED displays. They'll be powered by the M3 chip and also coincide with updated versions of the Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil.
The new Magic Keyboard will "make the iPad Pro look more like a laptop and include a sturdier frame with aluminum," the report says. There aren't any details on the new Apple Pencil other than the fact that this release will "represent the third generation" of the accessory.
Meanwhile, the new iPad Air will be available in two screen sizes, at 11-inches and 12.9-inches. This will mark the first time that the iPad Air is available in multiple different form factors.
And finally, Apple is planning new 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air updates powered by the M3 chip. The new MacBook Air is being developed alongside macOS 14.3, which is "likely to be released between the end of January and February." The report cautions, however, that "the hardware may not ship until the March time frame."
Looking for an iMac? Here's how the M1 and M3 models compare.
Apple has updated its colorful all-in-one desktop with the latest M3 chipsets, bringing the promise of faster performance to the table. But, with most of the components remaining the same as the already powerful M1 iMac, is it really worth spending more to get the latest silicon? We compare the M1 iMac against the M3 iMac to see which one you should buy while the iMac M1 is still available from certain resellers.
You may also be wondering if it's time to update from an Intel-powered iMac. If you've been holding out for Apple to update the iMac it is definitely time to buy one now. Read on to find out just how good the M3 is compared to the old Intel-powered iMacs-it even beats the best iMac Pro!
Shocker: Apple commits to RCS for better texting with Android user
by Ed Hardy, cultofmac
In what is apparently an enormous change of direction, Apple reportedly plans to add support for Rich Communication Services to the iPhone Messages app in 2024. This will enable iPhones and Androids to communicate more effectively, with more of the bells and whistles associated with Apple's proprietary iMessage platform.
It also could be the end of the green bubble versus blue bubble controversy, though not necessarily.
RCS on iPhone?!
iPhone and Android users can already exchange simple SMS and MMS messages. But because iMessage does not support Rich Communication Services, communications between the platforms are limited. There are no emoji reactions, read receipts or other advanced features.
But that's going to change in the coming months. Apple gave a statement to 9to5Mac that reads:
"Later next year, we will be adding support for RCS Universal Profile, the standard as currently published by the GSM Association. We believe RCS Universal Profile will offer a better interoperability experience when compared to SMS or MMS. This will work alongside iMessage, which will continue to be the best and most secure messaging experience for Apple users."
Many details are still lacking. The company did say that users should expect higher-quality images as well as the ability to share location data between platforms. But there is no word if Android users will start appearing in the same color bubbles as iPhone users.
Other improvements that potentially might be included are end-to-end encryption and typing indicators.
To be clear, the Messages app won't use RCS for communications between iPhone users, according to 9to5Mac. It'll be an addition for texting between iPhones and Android devices.
Has hell also frozen over?
Apple always resisted adding RCS support because making it easier for Android users to text with iPhones will likely lead to some iOS users switching to the other platform.
But there's regulatory pressure to open up the Apple ecosystem. The EU Digital Markets Act is forcing a variety of changes on Apple, including adding support for sideloading iPhone applications. And while European regulators have not yet required the iPhone Messages app to support RCS, it's moving in that direction.
Blue bubbles vs. green bubbles could continue
A whopping 87% of U.S. teens own an iPhone and are accustomed to the full benefits of chatting between these devices. There's peer pressure to not use Android, as a lack of RCS support in cross-platform communications can cause problems for everyone in group chats.
Users can tell what type of handset everyone is using. In Apple's Messages application, texts from an iPhone show up in blue bubbles but Android users are in green bubbles.
And it's not only teens who get judgy about bubble color. The CEO of a popular startup says that entrepreneurs seeking funding from venture capitalists are less likely to get it with texts that appear in green bubbles.
But adding support for RCS doesn't automatically mean the end of the blue/green bubble divide. Because the application is adding RCS only for cross-platform communication, it will be able to tell who is using an iPhone and who is not. That could be reflected in bubble color.
Apple extends Emergency SOS via satellite for an additional free year for existing iPhone 14 users
from apple.com
Since its launch a year ago, this groundbreaking service has made a significant impact around the world
One year ago today, Apple's groundbreaking safety service Emergency SOS via satellite became available on all iPhone 14 models in the U.S. and Canada. Now also available on the iPhone 15 lineup in 16 countries and regions, this innovative technology — which enables users to text with emergency services while outside of cellular and Wi-Fi coverage — has already made a significant impact, contributing to many lives being saved. Apple today announced it is extending free access to Emergency SOS via satellite for an additional year for existing iPhone 14 users.1
"Emergency SOS via satellite has helped save lives around the world. From a man who was rescued after his car plummeted over a 400-foot cliff in Los Angeles, to lost hikers found in the Apennine Mountains in Italy, we continue to hear stories of our customers being able to connect with emergency responders when they otherwise wouldn't have been able to," said Kaiann Drance, Apple's vice president of Worldwide iPhone Product Marketing. "We are so happy iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 users can take advantage of this groundbreaking service for two more years for free."
Building on this satellite infrastructure, Apple recently introduced Roadside Assistance via satellite to connect users to AAA if they have car trouble while outside of cellular and Wi-Fi coverage.2 Other safety capabilities that can provide assistance when it matters most include:
Users can open the Find My app and share their location via satellite to reassure friends and family of their whereabouts while traveling off the grid.
Crash Detection can detect a severe car crash and automatically dial emergency services if a user is unconscious or unable to reach their iPhone.
Check In allows users to automatically notify friends and family when they have made it to their destination safely.3
Users can set up their Medical ID in the Health app to help first responders access critical medical information from the Lock Screen without needing a passcode.
The free trial will be extended for iPhone 14 users who have activated their device in a country that supports Emergency SOS via satellite prior to 12 a.m. PT on November 15, 2023. For Emergency SOS via satellite availability, visit support.apple.com/en-us/HT213426.
Roadside Assistance via satellite is available in the U.S., in partnership with AAA, and is included for free for two years, starting at the time of activation of a new iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, or iPhone 14 Pro Max. This satellite service requires iOS 17. There may be associated costs for certain roadside assistance services provided by AAA. iPhone 15 and iPhone 14 users who are not AAA members can take advantage of Roadside Assistance via satellite on a pay-per-use basis for AAA's roadside assistance services.
Find charging stations from Apple Maps. Image: Ank Kumar/Wikimedia Commons/D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac
Find electric car charging stations from Apple Maps while you're on the road to figure out where you can top up your EV. Apple Maps added some powerful new features in iOS 17 to make it easy: you can see charger availability, charging speed and connector types for your vehicle.
Here's how it works.
How to find electric car charging stations in Apple Maps
Note: Showing car charging stations in Apple Maps is a feature of iOS 17. If you bought a new iPhone 15, you've got it already. Otherwise, head to Settings > General > Software Update to get the latest version of iOS. Upgrading should take about 20 minutes after downloading, so make sure you don't start it at a bad time.
1. Search for "charging station" or "car charge point"
If you are already following a route in Apple Maps, swipe up from the bottom to add a stop to your route. Screenshot: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac
Opening the Maps app, you can type directly in the search field. If you already have directions going, swipe up on the bottom and hit Add Stop.
In my testing, searching for "charging station" will only show dedicated charging stops, like Tesla Superchargers, Electrify America and travel stops.
Typing in "car charge" autocompletes to "car charge point," which brings up a few dozen more results in my area. This term includes more places like hotels, campgrounds and libraries that have chargers on the lot.
2. Filter by speed and availability
Use the filters to find the station you need. Screenshot: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac
Tap the filters along the top to focus on which charging stations are open now, offer fast charging or offer charging for free.
In the search results, you'll see how many chargers are at the location and how many are available.
3. Check for plug compatibility
Tap on a location. In the detail view, you can see which connectors they offer, how many of each type there are, and the speeds they work at.
CCS is the modern plug standard in most of the world; Tesla's NACS connector is popular in the United States and will soon be adopted by all other major brands; CHAdeMO is common on older vehicles.
Tap Directions or Add Stop to get driving directions there.
A good start for electric car owners
These advanced search features are promising, but Apple could do a lot more. Electric cars are predicted to outsell gasoline cars by 2035 globally, even sooner in the United States; Apple Maps will soon need to make more changes to accommodate the growing number of electric car owners.
Right now, for example, it's pretty easy to find gas stations in Apple Maps: There's a prominent shortcut in the app to search for gas stations along your route. But you can't change 'gas stations' to 'charging stations.' If I had an electric car, I would be pretty peeved about that. Manually typing in "charging station" while you're behind the wheel is distracted driving, a serious traffic offense in a growing number of US states and countries around the world.
Apple could also more deeply integrate Apple Maps with advanced CarPlay in electric vehicles, tying in your destination with estimates on your vehicle's range. Perhaps it could automatically add charging stops to a long road trip, or filter out charging stations outside your EV's current range.
iOS 17.2 lets users disable inline text predictions
by Filipe Espósito, 9to5mac
Apple has made a number of improvements to the iPhone and iPad virtual keyboard with iOS 17, which now uses a large language model (LLM) to improve autocorrection and provide inline text predictions. Until now, turning off inline text predictions required users to also turn off predictive text. With iOS 17.2, however, users can toggle each feature separately.
Turning off inline text predictions in iOS
For those unfamiliar, predictive text is the name given to the word suggestions displayed just above the virtual keyboard while you are typing. This feature was added in 2014 with iOS 8. Inline text predictions were added with iOS 17, and they essentially try to autocomplete sentences you're typing - and you can use these suggestions by pressing space.
Some users didn't like having the new inline text predictions, but to turn them off, they were also forced to turn off predictive text.
With the third beta of iOS 17.2, released to developers on Tuesday, Apple made different toggles for each feature. This means that you can now turn off inline text predictions and still use predictive text. However, turning off predictive text from the keyboard will still turn off inline text predictions.
The new toggle can be found in the Keyboard settings. One thing to keep in mind is that inline text predictions require an iPhone 12 or later to work. The same applies to the improved autocorrect.
Here are a few secret tricks and gestures that'll help you get around your iPhone faster. These hidden gestures help you text pictures to your friends faster, scroll through big pages and screens, type special characters and use your phone one-handed.
This is a follow-up to an article from earlier this year with three other secret iPhone gestures you need to know. Learn all of these gestures and you'll feel like an iPhone power user.
It's good to know how to close apps on iPhone for those times when an app is acting buggy or becomes unresponsive. It's really easy — just swipe up to see your running apps and swipe up again to close them.
Does this mean you should you quit open apps? No, not at all. Despite what you may have heard, quitting apps on iOS makes things worse, not better. It's a myth that quitting apps will save battery life, make your iPhone run faster or free up memory. Overall, it makes things worse.
WIZARD SEZ: I am not sure that this article is true. The battery saved is minimal, if at all - it is not noticeable. I still clear the apps on a daily basis.
Apple TV+ kicks off the holiday season with a Christmas musical special starring Hannah Waddingham and an assortment of Ted Lasso cameos
by Benjamin Mayo, 9to5mac
Apple TV+ today kicked off its holiday programming lineup with a new musical special 'Home for Christmas', in which Hannah Waddingham sings a variety of classic songs with cameos from much of the Ted Lasso cast. The 45-minute show was filmed earlier this year in front of a live audience at the London Coliseum, and includes duets with Leslie Odom Jr., Sam Ryder, Phil Dunster and more.
The service also premiered The Velveteen Rabbit, a loving and tender adaptation of the classic children's novel. And due to the Thanksgiving holiday in America, all new episodes of TV+ content have been released earlier this week than usual.
While many high-profile Apple TV+ series usually drop on Fridays, Apple has moved up the releases this week to account for the Thanksgiving break.
That means new episodes of Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, For All Mankind, Lessons in Chemistry and The Buccaneers are now streaming on Apple TV+, perfect for Thanksgiving holiday break viewing.
Apple will also roll out additional holiday content in the run-up to Christmas, including new seasonal episodes of family favorites like Frog and Toad, Shape Island, and The Snoopy Show. A new singalong version of Spirited, starring Will Ferrell and Ryan Reynolds, will also stream from December 1. Action comedy movie The Family Plan premieres December 15.
The Hannah Waddingham: Home for Christmas special includes solo performances from Waddingham herself and duets Leslie Odomon Jr. Sam Ryder, Luke Evans, Phil Dunster. You can also get the soundtrack of all the songs on Apple Music.
How to watch Hannah Waddingham Christmas special
The new Hannah Waddingham special and all of the aforementioned Apple original content is available exclusively on the Apple TV+ streaming service, priced at $9.99 per month. If you are new to Apple TV+, you can get a seven-day free trial here. You can also get Apple TV+ as part of your Apple One bundle subscription, included in your T-Mobile phone plan and more.
You can watch Apple TV+ through the Apple TV app available on devices including iPhone, iPad, Mac, smart TVs, Amazon Fire Stick, Roku, PlayStation, Xbox and more. You can also watch in a web browser at tv.apple.com, which is currently the only official option for Android phone and tablet users. A native Apple TV app for Windows PC is currently in beta.
Apple Vision Pro launch likely delayed to March 2024
by Zac Hall, 9to5mac
Apple is reportedly still working on the Vision Pro's distribution plan and final testing. Due to this, the mixed-reality headset will launch around March 2024.
This is a couple of months later than the company's initial target of a January launch. At the "Wonderlust" event on September 12, Apple CEO Tim Cook claimed the Vision Pro is "on track to ship early next year."
Apple works to finalize Vision Pro distribution plans
In the latest Power On newsletter, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman says Apple initially planned to launch the Vision Pro in January 2024. But with final testing and distribution plans not yet finalized, the launch is now pushed back to March 2024. This is also the time frame when the company typically unveils new products through a press release or a launch event.
The Vision Pro was first showcased at WWDC23, giving the world a peak at spatial computing. After the official showcase, the company released an SDK for developers to build apps for visionOS. It even opened Vision Pro developer labs worldwide to help coders build and test apps for the upcoming mixed-reality headset.
A previous report suggested that buying the Vision Pro will require an in-store appointment at the Apple Store. This will make the $3,499 headset's retail launch the most complex one for Apple yet.
Getting your hands on Apple's $3,499 headset won't be easy
The company initially will sell the Vision Pro in its U.S. retail stores. However, only selected outlets will have designated areas to try out the headset. In other stores, Apple will provide one or two demo units for customers to try.
Purportedly, Apple won't expand the Vision Pro's availability outside the United States to the United Kingdom and Canada until the end of 2024. The European and Asian launches will follow soon after. Third-party resellers can seemingly start selling the Vision Pro only in 2025. The limited launch and availability are also due to the headset's complex design and production challenges.
Take a first look at Vision Pro's 3D virtual 'Yosemite Environment'
by William Gallagher, appleinsider
Vision Pro controls floating in a wintery Yosemite environment.
Apple Vision Pros 3D wallpaper has now been shown off by a developer, revealing how the headset can present apps and controls as if floating in a 3D environment like a wintry Yosemite.
Apple Vision Pro is now expected to launch in March, according to the latest rumors, and users will initially see apps as if they are floating in your own room, or whatever space they are in. But just as Mac and iPad can have different wallpapers and desktops, Vision Pro can present your apps immersed in a totally different environment.
The video is necessarily a 2D representation of what is an all-encompassing 3D view in Apple Vision Pro. Later in the discussion thread, M1Astra shows a "dark version of Yosemite," plus a longer version that reveals "cloud movement and the sparkle in the snow."
A commenter who claims to have used the Yosemite Environment in an Apple Vision Pro, described it as being "really powerful."
"The first time I tried it [I] almost felt the cold!" wrote Piotr Baczynski on Twitter/X.
Most recently, @M1Astra has revealed that a new Persona Environment video has been added to the Vision Pro beta. It shows how to set up the view that other people see of you, the eyes and facial expressions that get shown on the headset's external display.
While this is the first time that a Vision Pro has been shown publicly, people had a limited chance to try out the headset's environments when it was launched. AppleInsider's Andrew O'Hara reported that at that time, there were 14 such environments, which were a mix of specific locations such as Yosemite and Haleakala, or more abstract views like "summer light."
My boss calls me "the computer". Nothing to do with intelligence, I go to sleep every 15 minutes if unattended.
Remember when people used to have diaries and got mad when someone read them? Now they put everything online and get mad when people don't.
Malware Examples
by Ron Sharp and Robert Elphick, MAGIC *
Scam emails. Do not click the links. Do not call the number.
Neither Apple nor Google or anyone else will tell you you have a virus unless it's an antivirus app that you have specifically installed. Delete. Mark as junk.
Scam email simulating McAfee. No McAfee account used.
If it sounds too good to be true... DO NOT CLICK!
I get quite a few of these on my iPhone and they ALL expire in the same time! DO NOT CLICK!
Look at the "From" address - this is NOT McAfee All the detail is quite impressive though. DO NOT CALL!
Internet Crime
Any one bothered by internet criminal activity should report it to the Federal Bureau of Investigation Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at this web page. This includes phishing, malware, spoofing, any demand for money.
One of the questions I get asked is how to move photos from an iPhone to the computer. The iPhone cameras are great but our phones gets loaded up with photos and some of us want to save them to the computer and clear out the phone a little. This function used to be simple with Apple's iCloud Photo Stream option. But since that has been discontinued, the procedure can get a little complicated. (If you don't want the details, you can skip right to the conclusion)
You'll see what I mean when I start explaining the procedure, and it's because it depends on iCloud and your settings and your devices. To start with, most people know that iCloud will store your photos if you turn it on for photos. So that's an easy way to have your photos automatically go to your Mac from your iPhone. (iCloud for Photos has to be turned on for each device.) However, you get 5GB free iCloud space but most people have much more than 5GB of photos. So you have to purchase more iCloud space, which is relatively inexpensive. But since iCloud syncs photo on the devices that you have it turned on for, then you can't delete photos from your phone without them disappearing from your other devices. So if you were hoping to make more space on your phone then you're out of luck.* However, once your photos are synced, and that might take a little time, then you could turn iCloud off for the phone. Afterwards photos can be deleted from the phone without them disappearing from the Mac.
If you don't use iCloud, then it's an easy procedure to connect your iPhone to your Mac with a cable (usb or usb-c) and select the the photos tab after selecting the iPhone in the Finder window. Then transfer your photos to the Mac. Once you have your photos transferred and disconnected from the Mac then you can delete photos from your phone if you need more space.
If you happen to have iCloud turned on for either device then you can't transfer photos manually. It's not an option. You could turn iCloud off for your phone, if that's the device that's connected to iCloud, then you can transfer files manually. But then you may not have enough space on your phone to download all the cloud photos. And the wording that iCloud uses to warn you is not very clear. It says if you turn iCloud off without enough space it will delete the low resolution copies/thumbnails in one warning, and you think okay, but then it gives you another warning and doesn't clarify. So that adds a bit of confusion and makes the procedure more complicated. It seems you have to decide to use iCloud, or go thorough all your photos and delete enough to allow them to fit on your phone, or risk loosing photos.
Conclusion: If you don't use iCloud on any device it's not difficult to transfer photos manually to the Mac via a cable. If you use iCloud then a good option is to purchase enough space to make it work with all your photos. Once you get your photos all squared away, synced to the devices you want, then you could turn iCloud off and/or cancel the extra cloud storage.
*Using iCloud on your iPhone, or any device, will store the photos on your device and in the cloud unless you don't have enough room on your device then it only puts a low resolution thumbnail of the photo on the phone until you click on it. Then it downloads a full resolution of the individual photo to show. You won't notice much difference in function except you'll be able to view more photos than your phone can hold.
The most recent Mac operating system which was introduced this fall, 2023, is Sonoma. I have long been interested in Apple's choice of operating system names. They started with big cats, Tiger, Leopard, Lion, Mountain Lion. Then they switched to popular sites in California.
Once in the past I tried to guess the next name they would choose. Of course I was wrong, they went from Sierra to High Sierra. Who would have guessed that? But now I'm venturing to guess again. Recently they have been moving along the California coast with Catalina, Big Sur, Monterey, Ventura, and now Sonoma. Prior to the coast there was Yosemite, El Capitan, the two Sierras, and Mojave.
I know the next Mac OS is a ways off but I'm guessing the next iteration will be Calistoga. But I will throw out a few other names just to try to cover a small range, I'll suggest Novato and Bodega too. Of course, they could switch to a whole new category!
I've circled 7 recent name / locations on the map below. So what is your guess? Let me know!
MAGIC, the Macintosh Appreciation Group of Island County, serves people who use Macintosh computers, software and peripherals. Our goal is to share information and get answers to questions to make us more productive with our use of technology. Our monthly meetings give us a chance to discuss computer problems and share ideas with other Mac users, feature speakers on specific topics, and to keep apprised of Apple news.
