• Apple Plans First iMac Redesign in Nearly a Decade (bloomberg)
  
  
• Apple Plans Upgraded Macbook Pros with Return to MagSafe Charging (bloomberg)
  
  
• How to Use Boot Camp on an External Drive to Run Windows on a Mac (sponsor blog)
  (Boot Camp doesn't support M1 Macs.)
  
  
• Microsoft Office for Mac (365/2019) version 16.45 (21011103)
  - See Jan. 13 release notes (with security updates for Excel and Word).
  
  
• If you can't unlock settings in System Preferences
  

  "While using macOS Big Sur 11.1, your Mac with Apple T2 Security Chip has an issue that requires resetting the SMC. System Preferences should accept your password after you reset the SMC."

  A SMC reset was also reported to help with macOS 11.1 problems mounting external encrypted drives and with Touch ID problems some had after the Big Sur 11.1 update.
  (As noted before, the M1 Macs don't have the Apple T2 chip.)
  
  
• I saw a reply in Apple's Mac mini forum saying that the M1 had an Intel Thunderbolt chip, but Apple's M1 press release clearly notes "An Apple-designed Thunderbolt controller with support for USB 4, transfer speeds up to 40Gbps, and compatibility with more peripherals than ever."
  
  
• Apple services entertain, inform, and connect the world in unprecedented year (pr)
  
  
• Brother Printer Drivers 4.1.1 for macOS (apple page)
  - Just spotted this, but page is dated Dec. 19, 2020.
  
  
• How to Quickly Block an Email Address on Your Mac (sponsor blog)
  - You can also create Rules to delete or move mail to junk, trash, etc.
  
  
• Apple forum thread on Making a working M1 Mac External Boot Drive
  - Later posts include a list of verified working parts.
  (As noted before, some items that work with Intel-based Macs don't with a M1.)
  
  
• How to Use the Privacy Report in Safari 14 (sponsor blog)
  
  
• Tip for Printer Problems with M1 Chip Macs (run under Rosetta)
  - Also includes general printer problem tips like resetting the print system.
  
  
• The Top Mac Malware Types and Adware Tricks of 2020 (sponsor blog)

• Pages for Mac version 10.3.9
  - "Stability and Performance Improvements".
  
  
• Numbers for Mac version 10.3.9
  - "Stability and Performance Improvements".
  
  
• Keynote for Mac version 10.3.9
  - "Stability and Performance Improvements".
  
  
• iOS Pages version 10.3.9
  - "Stability and Performance Improvements".
  
  
• iOS Numbers version 10.3.9
  - "Stability and Performance Improvements".
  
  
• iOS Keynote version 10.3.9
  - "Stability and Performance Improvements".

• Fixed Processor Speed information for Apple Silicon Macs.
• Fixed incorrect internal battery condition.
• Added support for Macs with a connected eGPU.
• Added new feature icons to the application toolbar.
• Updated macOS 11 'Big Sur' versioning method.
• Updated power adapter detection support.
• Updated machine and location identification strings.
• Other minor fixes and enhancements.

• macOS Big Sur 11.2 beta 2 (20D5042d)
• iOS 14.4 beta 2 (18D5043d)
• iPadOS 14.4 beta 2 (18D5043d)
• watchOS 7.3 beta 2 (18S5793d)
• tvOS 14.4 beta 2 (18K5793d)

"This update fixes an issue where Exposure Notifications could incorrectly display logging profile language."

• Firefox 84.0.2 has a security fix.
  
  
• Firefox ESR 78.6.1 has the same security fix and
  "Fixed a crash during video playback on Apple Silicon devices (bug 1683579)".

• OWC Acquires LumaForge and Jellyfish Technologies (sponsor pr)
  
  
• Adobe security bulletins on updates for Photoshop (APSB21-01), Illustrator (APSB21-02), Animate (APSB21-03), InCopy (APSB21-05), and Bridge (APSB21-07).
  (In most cases only Windows ver. was vulnerable, but updates available for Mac & Windows.)
  
  
• Cubase 11: More Customizable, More Inspirational, More Productive (yamaha)
  "Steinberg unveils Cubase 11, update to the award-winning music production system".
  
  
• Microsoft January 2021 Patch Tuesday (isc.sans)
  - patches for 83 vulnerabilities, 10 critical.
  
  
• Yamaha RX-A2A/V6A/V4A, TSR-700/TSR-400 Receivers Firmware Update
  
  
• OWC Announces Envoy Pro FX as Fastest, Most Compatible Waterproof, & Ultra Rugged Drive Available (sponsor pr)
  
  
• OWC Announces New Thunderbolt™ Dock (sponsor pr)
  
  
• OWC Announces High-Powered 6 Port USB-C Travel Dock E for Macs, PCs, iPads, Tablets, or Phones (sponsor pr)
  
  
• OWC Announces World's First U.2 Carrier Shuttle for 3.5" Drive Bays (sponsor pr)
  
  
• Chrome 87.0.4280.141 Stable Channel Update (google)
  - includes 16 security fixes.
  
  
• The Top 14 Things People Really Want to Know About Thunderbolt (sponsor blog)
  
  
• 03.21.09 Firmware Update for 2020 LG CX/GX/WX OLED TVs
  - with info on changes and download pages. (Added to the FW Updates listing.)
  
  
• 05.30.02 Update for 2018 LG B8/C8/E8/W8 OLED TVs
  - Change notes say "Apple AirPlay/HomeKit available in selected countries".
  (Some owners have reported WiFi problems with this update.)
  
  
• OWC Thunderbolt 3 10GbE Ethernet Adapter Review (storagereview)
  
  
• Yamaha RIVAGE PM Editor V4.7.0 for Mac (macOS 10.15-10.13)
  - See system requirements down the page.
  
  
• Yamaha RIVAGE PM Firmware V4.70
  - Added a new plug-in "Bricasti Design Y7 Stereo Reverb Processor".
  - Improved Event List functionality so order of timecode events can be freely changed.
  
  
• Scans for Zyxel Backdoors are Commencing (isc.sans)
• Zyxel Security Advisory for Hardcoded Credential Vulnerability (zyxel)

• Add your Desktop and Documents files to iCloud Drive
  
  
• Access iCloud Drive files from your iPhone and other devices
  
  
• Obtaining service for your Apple product after an expired warranty
  - originally titled "Vintage and Obsolete products".
  
  
• Measuring and calibrating Apple Pro Display XDR
  
  
• How to get old versions of macOS
  
  
• Back up your Mac with Time Machine
  
  
• Use AirPlay to stream video or mirror your device's screen
  
  
• How to use AirPlay to stream audio
  
  
• If the supported resolution isn't available on an ultrawide or super-ultrawide external display connected to your Mac with Apple M1 chip (new)
  
  
• If you can't unlock settings in System Preferences
  
  
• How to use external monitors with your Mac
  - Lots of M1 Mac owner problems with Displays and adapters.
  (Some adapters & Displays that worked with Intel-based Macs, didn't with the M1.)
  
  
• If iCloud Mail isn't working
  
  
• (How to) Use Apple products on enterprise networks
  
  
• How to set a firmware password on your Mac
  
  
• Get help with video problems on external displays connected to your Mac
  
  
• How to erase your Intel-based Mac
  (was titled "How to erase a disk for Mac")
  
  
• If you get a personalization error when reinstalling macOS on a Mac with Apple M1 chip
  
  
• Cameras supported by Final Cut Pro X
  
  
• Measuring and calibrating Apple Pro Display XDR
  
  
• If your Mac doesn't turn on
  
  
• Resolve Wi-Fi and Bluetooth issues caused by wireless interference
  - Many M1 owners have reported Bluetooth problems in Apple's Mac mini Forum.
  (Probably the most common problem topic, followed by Displays.)

December 21 to 25, 2020 News Archive
• Display Adapter to use 27in LED Cinema Display with M1 Mini.
• Mojave forum thread on Security Update 2020-007 NET::ERR_CERT_INVALID.
• Apple says a macOS update will fix Ultrawide displays missing resolutions w/M1.
• Apple's $549 AirPods Max Headphones Offer Big Sound and Bugs.
• FCPX Summit: Thunderbolt 4, macOS 11, Apple M1 Macs, & iPhone.
• Pixelmator Pro version 2.0.3 (Same change info as v2.0.2).
• SoftRAID Comes to the M1 Macs.
• Yamaha CL StageMix iOS app v8.5.1.
• Yamaha QL StageMix iOS app v8.5.1.
• Firefox 84.0.1 (bug fixes).
• OWC Mercury Elite Pro Dual Review.
• FW Update for Onkyo TX-RZ740, RZ840, NR797 A/V Receivers.
• Apple Support/How-To/Troubleshooting Article Updates.

For links to older news pages, see the Archives.