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Updates: Configurator, Firefox, OWC Dual NVME Enclosure, LG TV FW, HomePod
Mac Upgrades/Mods | Storage | Video | Audio/Home Theater | macOS Updates/Tips/WiFi
= Recent Articles/Updates =
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Apple Configurator version 2.15 update
Info from what's new in Apple Configurator.
What's new in Apple Configurator 2.15:
- Allow skipping the App Store pane in Setup Assistant.
- Support for restoring Mac computers with Apple silicon to macOS Monterey.
- Bug fixes and performance improvements.
App store link for Apple Configurator 2.15. Requires macOS 10.15.6 or later.
More details are in the Requirements to use Apple Configurator 2 article.
(At post time, that article still notes version 2.13, not revised for 2.14 or 2.15.)
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Firefox 94.0.1 update (bug fix for Monterey)
(Download links are on release notes pages.)
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HomePod Software Update 15.1.1
The About HomePod Software Updates article says:
"Software version 15.1.1 fixes an issue where Podcasts could fail to play."
Here's Apple's article on how to update HomePod.
You can check for feedback in Apple's HomePod forum.
(Our Tips page has a HomePod Apple Guides section.)
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Apple/Products related News, Updates, Tips, PR [= skip =]
- tvOS 15.1.1 (19J581) released. Info from about tvOS updates:
"What's new in tvOS 15.1.1
- South Korea: With Apple TV, the Apple TV app, Siri, and the App Store now available in South Korea, you can get incredible entertainment experiences for the entire family.
- Apple TV app: Localization improvements for South Korea.
Apple's security updates page says "This update has no published CVE entries".
- Apple forum thread MacBook won't turn on after Monterey install now 5 pages long.
- some required a firmware revive/restore using Apple Configurator from another Mac.
(one was told logicboard failed, but he insisted they try a revive/restore which worked.)
- some later reports noted a burnt smell and were told the logicboard wasn't repairable.
(Tips page has info on Revive/Restore firmware in T2 Chip Macs using Configurator.)
- Since the above thread, there's been others on intel MacBooks here, here, & here.
- Apple Reports Fourth Quarter Results (press release)
- Services and Mac revenue reach new all-time highs.
- Thunderbolt 3 vs Thunderbolt 4 and the M1 Max & M1 Pro Macs (sponsor blog)
- Pixelmator Pro version 2.2 (app store link, macOS 10.14.4 or later)
"includes full support for macOS Monterey and new M1 Pro and M1 Max chips, adds 28 image editing actions to the new Shortcuts app, includes a Split Comparison view for easily comparing edits, and more". (See linked page for more info.)
- SoftRAID 6.2 for Mac
- version 6.2 supports macOS Monterey. (A free 14 day trial available.)
- New WebKit Features in Safari 15 (webkit.org)
- Xcode 13.1 released (for macOS 11.3 or later).
- Support for macOS Monterey.
- Additional bug fixes and stability improvements.
- includes Swift 5.5 and SDKs for iOS 15, iPad OS 15, tvOS 15, watchOS 8, and macOS Monterey.
- macOS Monterey is now available (press release)
- How to upgrade to macOS Monterey
- macOS Monterey compatible computers
- and added Monterey to Create a Bootable installer for macOS article.
- Apple added a macOS Monterey discussion forum
- Apple's M1 Pro, M1 Max SoCs: New Performance and Efficiency Heights (anandtech)
- How to Schedule Your Mac to Reboot (and why you should) (sponsor blog)
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Apple Beta Updates
Current Developer releases as of Oct. 28, 2021.
(linked page has release notes for each.)
- macOS 12.1 beta (21C5021h)
(below from Oct. 27)
- Xcode 13.2 beta (13C5066c)
- iOS 15.2 beta (19C5026i)
- iPadOS 15.2 beta (19C5026i)
- watchOS 8.3 beta (19S5026e)
- tvOS 15.2 beta (19K5025g)
Apple also has Public betas. See Beta FAQ for info on joining or unenrolling.
(Public beta version updates are usually shortly after developer releases.)
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Safari Technology Preview 134
See the release notes for a list of changes, fixes and improvements.
A download is available for macOS Big Sur and macOS Monterey.
(If a previous version is installed, use software update in System Prefs.)
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Safari 15.1 for macOS Big Sur and Catalina
About the security content of Safari 15.1 for macOS Big Sur and Catalina.
(Webkit fixes for CVE-2021-30887, -30888, -30889, and -30890.)
You can check Apple's macOS Safari discussion forum for feedback.
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macOS Monterey 12.0.1, Big Sur 11.6.1, & Security Update 2021-007 Catalina
Apple's security updates page on Oct. 25, 2021 listed these updates.
(The articles on security fixes in these updates were revised on Oct. 27.)
Also listed are iOS 14.8.1/iPadOS 14.8.1, iOS 15.1/iPadOS 15.1, tvOS 15.1 & watchOS 8.1.
(The Developer releases lists Monterey 12.0 (21A559), & iOS/iPadOS/watchOS release notes.)
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HomePod Software Update 15.1
Info from About HomePod Software Updates for version 15.1:
"HomePod Software version 15.1 includes includes performance and stability improvements and support for these new audio features for HomePod:
- Spatial audio with Dolby Atmos support on HomePod.
- Lossless playback with Apple Music on HomePod and HomePod mini."
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Other News, Reviews, Firmware and Software Updates, and PR
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Recent Apple Support/How-To/Troubleshooting Article Updates (later first) [= skip =]
- macOS Monterey is compatible with these computers (Oct 28)
- How to Extend your AppleCare+ coverage (Oct 28)
- If your AppleCare+ plan will expire soon, you might be able to continue coverage.
- About Mac power adapters (added MagSafe 3 info)
(was titled "Find the right power adapter and cable for your Mac notebook")
- If your MagSafe cable or power adapter isn't working (added MagSafe 3 info)
- Adapters for the Thunderbolt 4, Thunderbolt 3, or USB-C port on your Mac (Oct 27)
- Added Thunderbolt 4 info.
- Identify the ports on your Mac (Oct 27)
- Added Thunderbolt 4 info.
- About USB on Mac computers (Oct 27)
- info on USB 1.1, USB 2, USB 3.1 Gen 1, USB 3.1 Gen 2, and USB 4.
- About the SD and SDXC card slot on your Mac (Oct 27)
- Added 2021 MacBook Pro.
- Identify your MacBook Pro model (Oct 27)
- Added 2021 MacBook Pro models (14" & 16").
- Mac computers with Apple silicon (Oct 27)
- Added 2021 MacBook Pro models (14" & 16").
- How to Connect a display to your Mac (Oct 27)
- Use FaceTime on Mac (Oct 27)
- Set up Exchange ActiveSync on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch (Oct 27)
- Play HDR video on Mac (Oct 26)
- Lists Mac models that support HDR video on HDR10-compatible displays and TVs.
- Find the model and serial number of your Mac (Oct 26)
- About iCloud Private Relay (Oct 26)
(Currently in beta in iOS/iPadOS 15, & macOS Monterey. Not available in all regions.)
- What to do before you sell, give away, or trade in your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch (Oct 26)
- What to do before you sell, give away, or trade in your Mac (Oct 25)
- (How to) Free up storage space on your Mac (Oct 25)
- What's new in the updates for macOS Monterey (v12.0.1 info)
- What's new for enterprise in macOS Monterey (v12.0.1)
- What's new in the updates for macOS Big Sur (added 11.6.1 note)
- How to upgrade to macOS Monterey (Oct 25)
- How to Update macOS on Mac (Oct 25)
- How to Create a Bootable installer for macOS (Oct 25)
- Covers macOS Monterey, Big Sur, Catalina, Mojave, High Sierra, and El Capitan.
- How to get old versions of macOS (Oct 25)
- added macOS Big Sur.
- How to reinstall macOS (Oct 25)
- Has separate instructions for Apple silicon Macs and Intel CPU Macs.
- About macOS Recovery on Intel-based Mac computers (Oct 25)
(Article includes link to macOS Recovery on a Mac with Apple silicon.)
- How to repair a Mac disk with Disk Utility (Oct 25)
- How to erase a Mac with Apple silicon (Oct 25)
- How to erase an Intel-based Mac (Oct 25)
- If your Mac starts up to a blank screen (Oct 25)
- How to set a firmware password on your Mac (Oct 25)
- For Intel processor Macs only.
- Use FaceTime with your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch (Oct 25)
- About HomePod Software Updates added 15.1 info (Oct 25)
- About spatial audio with Dolby Atmos in Apple Music (Oct 25)
- Connect a wireless game controller to your Apple device (Oct 25)
- If your iPad won't turn on or is frozen (Oct 25)
- Redownload TV shows and movies that you purchased (Oct 7)
- If Personal Hotspot is not working on your iPhone or iPad (Wi-Fi + Cellular) (Oct 5)
- Set up Find My on your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or Mac (Oct 5)
- Use the Find My app to locate a missing device or item (Oct 5)
- (How to) Upgrade to iCloud+ (Oct 1)
- How to cancel Apple Music (Oct 1)
- How to cancel a subscription from Apple (Oct 1)
Topic based page of Guides, Tips & Troubleshooting for Mac & iPhone/iPad/watchOS Users. |
Recent Updates, Tips, DIY Upgrades and Repairs: List of Updates, DIY Upgrades, Repair Articles, Tips and more you may have missed. (Topics range from OS/software/driver updates and troubleshooting, to hardware upgrades and repairs.)
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Previous News Archive Summary:
October 18th to 22nd, 2021 News Archive
- All new MacBook Pro 14" and 16" with M1 Pro & M1 Max.
- M1 Pro & M1 Max: the most powerful chips Apple has ever built.
- New MacBook Pro 14" & 16" tech specs.
- Apple introduces HomePod mini in colors ($99).
- Apple intros next generation of AirPods.
- Final Cut Pro 10.6, Logic Pro 10.7, Compressor 4.6, Motion 5.6.
- Logic Remote App 1.5.2 (long list of improvements).
- Apple press release on Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro updates.
- How to find saved PWs using the macOS Keychain app.
- Carbon Copy Cloner 6.0.4 Update (supports Monterey).
- Little Snitch 5.3.1 Update for Monterey & Big Sur.
- Micromat MachineProfile 1.4.7 update (supports Monterey).
- iOS Chrome browser 95.0.4638.50 (for iOS/iPadOS 14.0 or later).
- Freeware VM VirtualBox 6.1.28 update.
- Yamaha RX-S602/RX-S602D slimline AV receiver v1.40 Firmware Update.
- OWC AUX Power Cables for Powering PCIe Slots.
- LG CX/GX/WX OLED TVs 04.30.10 Firmware Update.
- LG BX OLED TV 04.30.10 Firmware Update.
- Chrome 95.0.4638.54 Stable Channel Update for Desktop .
- Chrome 94.0.4606.101 Extended Stable Channel Update for Desktop.
- Panasonic 4K/UHD Players Tips & Firmware page updated.
- Apple Support/How-To/Troubleshooting Article Updates.
For links to older news pages, see the Archives.
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