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Current News: (Updates to Apple Pro Apps, Apple Betas, Mac Tip, Other News)
Mac Upgrades/Mods | Storage | Video | Audio/Home Theater | macOS Updates/Tips/WiFi
= Recent Articles/Updates =
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Final Cut Pro, Compressor, and Motion Updates
See details on Final Cut Pro 10.5.2, Motion 5.5.1, and Compressor 4.5.2 updates. |
Apple Beta Updates
Current Developer releases as of March 4, 2021.
- watchOS 7.4 beta 3 (18T5169f)
(below from Mar. 3rd)
- tvOS 14.5 beta 3 (18L5173f)
(below from Mar. 2nd)
- macOS Big Sur 11.3 beta 3 (20E5196f)
- Xcode 12.5 beta 3 (12E5244e)
- iOS 14.5 beta 3 (18E5164h)
- iPadOS 14.5 beta 3 (18E5164h)
(below from Feb. 17th)
- Apple Configurator 2.14 beta (6A9)
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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Apple/Products related News, Tips, Updates, PR (later first) [= skip =]
- How to Merge Finder & Application Windows in macOS (sponsor blog)
- Forum thread on Cracked screen MacBook Pro with Touch Bar now 47 pages long.
- Apple M1 Q&A Session With Larry O'Connor & David Helmly, Sr. (sponsor blog)
- Apple forum thread on Mac Trade-In experiences (complaints)
(Not a new thread, but worth reading if considering it. Especially the complaints on reduced trade-in price from (disputed) claims of 3 or more 'white spots' on screens.)
- Apple Hearing Study shares new insights on hearing health (pr)
- How to Scan and Store Documents with the Files App (sponsor blog)
- All U.S. Apple Stores Now Open a Year After Closures Began (bloomberg)
- Mac "Silver Sparrow" Malware Threat: How to Find and Remove It (sponsor blog)
- Apple Big Sur forum thread on some websites using GBs of Memory.
- Includes Activity monitor screenshots from a M1 MacBook Air (8GB ram).
(Heavy M1 swap file use has caused some concern on impact to SSD lifespan.)
- The mystery of the Silver Sparrow Mac malware (malwarebytes)
- Many Malware posts in Apple's forums on (name) "will damage your computer".
Posts on CleanParameterd, Original Moduled, ActivityInputd, DominantPartitiond, InitialSkilld, RecordMapperd, StandardBoostd, & "ManagerAnalogd" (here & here).
There's other examples in both the Catalina & Big Sur forums. Some have removal info.
(Typically using free version of https://www.malwarebytes.com.)
Check System Preferences > Network > Advanced > Proxies (Uncheck any Proxy).
Also check if a "Profiles" preference pane exists. (If so, delete unrecognized profiles.)
Check in ~/Library/LaunchAgents, /Library/LaunchDaemons, /Library/LaunchAgents.
One post said his browser search engine had also been changed (serving ads), so check browser extensions/addons, and clear browser cache/cookies.
(I'm guessing Apple may have recently updated protections to detect these.)
- Apple wins a patent for advanced monitors based on a new Micro-LED Chiplet Architecture (ledinside)
- Video Pros Weigh in on Where Apple Should Take Its Platform (sponsor blog)
- Apple's Advanced Manufacturing Fund helps COPAN Diagnostics ship millions of COVID-19 test kits (apple)
- A Comprehensive Guide to All Startup Modes for M1 Macs (sponsor blog)
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Little Snitch version 5.1.1 Update
Feb. 26th dated Little Snitch 5.1.1 update for macOS Big Sur.
Info from the release notes for version 5.1.1:
"This patch release fixes a possible loss of network connectivity due to a crash of the Little Snitch network extension. This crash could occur when an application used the QUIC protocol. This protocol is a replacement for HTTPS which is used primarily by Google Chrome and its derivatives when connecting to Google servers."
(The Feb. 23rd v5.1 update had a long list of improvements and bug fixes.)
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Safari Technology Preview 121
See the release notes for a complete list of improvements & bug fixes.
A download is available for macOS Big Sur and Catalina.
(If a previous version is installed, use software update in System Prefs.) |
macOS Big Sur 11.2.2 (build 20D80) released
Available via software update. Info from What's new in macOS Big Sur:
"macOS Big Sur 11.2.2 prevents MacBook Pro (2019 or later) and MacBook Air (2020 or later) models from incurring damage when they are connected to certain third-party, non-compliant powered USB-C hubs and docks."
Apple's security updates page says the update has no published CVE entries.
(If you have trouble, try updating from Safe Mode.)
I'm not running Big Sur, but watching Apple's Big Sur, Mac Mini, MacBook Pro, and MacBook Air forums for early feedback. (Was hoping it fixes CVM Server crashes, including from DVD playback.)
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Micromat Lifespan 1.0.2 update
Changes in Lifespan ("safety monitor for flash media") v1.0.2 (use in-app update check):
- Updated for macOS 11 'Big Sur' support.
- Fixed an issue in which valid SSDs would report as "not supported."
- Fixed an intermittent NVMe crashing issue.
- Fixed issue reading updated drive database.
- Updated Sparkle update framework to version 1.25.0.
- Other minor fixes and enhancements.
Requirements:
- Intel-based Mac.
- OS X 10.10 or greater, including macOS 11 Big Sur.
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Micromat Drive Scope 1.2.11 update
Changes in Drive Scope version 1.2.11 (use in-app update check):
- Fixed an application crasher at launch.
- Corrected a drive database format change.
- Updated Sparkle update framework to version 1.25.0.
- Other minor fixes and enhancements.
(Version 1.2.10 changes listed Big Sur compatibility.)
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Other News, Software/Firmware Updates, PR, OT (later first)
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= from my sponsor =
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Recent Apple Support/How-To/Troubleshooting Article Updates (later added first)
Page of How-To, Troubleshooting & Tips for Mac/OS X/iOS Users from Airplay to Thunderbolt. |
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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= From my Sponsor =
More Memory = A Faster Mac
Use our memory guide to see how much RAM your Mac can use and the cost. Our installation videos make this a simple "DIY" job for almost any Mac.
Or Search for Upgrades for Your specific Mac Model |
Previous News Archive Summary:
February 15th to 19th, 2021 News Archive
- DisplayLink Manager macOS App v1.3 (for macOS Big Sur & Catalina).
- How to Create a Bootable USB Installer Disk for macOS Big Sur.
- Epic Games Attacks Apple in Antitrust Complaint to EU.
- Microsoft Office for Mac v16.46 (with Excel & Word Security Update).
- Apple Working on Magnetic Battery Pack Attachment for iPhones.
- How to Rename Your macOS Big Sur User Account & Home Folder.
- watchOS 7.3.1 Update (bug fix).
- New OWC Thunderbolt 4 / USB-C Cable.
- FW Update download pages date revised for LG BX/CX/GX/WX OLED TVs.
- Firmware Updates for 2018 Yamaha Receivers and CX-A5200 Pre-Pro.
- Chrome 88.0.4324.182 Stable Channel Update.
- Apple Support/How-To/Troubleshooting Article Updates.
For links to older news pages, see the Archives.
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