All kinds of updates – Mac Observer | Jobs Vox

A day for all kinds of updates, getting the iPhone ready for third-party app stores, and Travelin’ Tim’s Tweetin’ his travels.

Big day of OS updates for Apple Gear

Apple released an update on Tuesday. Mac Observer The Cupertino company has had operating systems update for almost everything it makes. Hit some key features:

iOS and iPadOS 16.2 brings the new Freeform collaboration app to compatible iPhone and iPad, Apple Music Sing, enhanced data protection for iCloud, screen lock improvements, and secret products, as well as not-so-secret security issues. It’s also an update that reduces AirDrop to “everyone” for as long as you want, up to 10 minutes.

It’s worth noting – security isn’t just Apple’s latest and greatest. Check out Apple’s security page The company has released iOS 15.7.2 and iPadOS 15.7.2, which address security issues for iPhones as far back as the iPhone 6s, any iPad Pro that hasn’t upgraded to iPadOS 16, the iPad Air 2 on and later, the fifth-generation iPad and later, the fourth-generation iPad mini and later, and—bless its silicon heart—the seventh-generation iPod touch.

Back on the latest devices, watchOS 9.2 also brings Freeform. And I’m kidding. Can you imagine working on a borderless whiteboard from a postage stamp-sized window? It actually includes Race Route and a custom Kickboxing algorithm in the Workout app. TMO The update is also said to bring “improvements to Crash Detection and support for the Noise app with AirPods Pro and AirPods Max.” Meanwhile, slice 9 to 5 Mac It says, “Apple Watch Ultra gets battery improvements with watchOS 9.2,” as well as Multisport workouts. All this and security fixes waiting on your wrist.

Updates for your Mac and more

macOS Ventura 13.1 has hit the scene. It includes a new Freeform app — I’m not kidding this time — as well as end-to-end encryption for advanced iCloud data. Although TMO The piece lists that among the Mac’s features, it’s an iCloud feature that it uses on other devices as well. If you want to know more about it, I talked about it last week at Mac OS Ken, I wrote about it last Thursday for the Observer Platform TMOI talked about this in more detail in SecureMac’s No. 306 in Checklist: Security Features on the Road and Features You Don’t Use and we talked about it in The Mac Observer’s Daily Observations Podcast.

Back to the Mac specifically, macOS 13.1 has security fixes. Apple is also rolling out security fixes for Macs that don’t have or can’t upgrade to Ventura. They come in the form of macOS Big Sur 11.7.2 and macOS Monterey 12.6.2.

The upgrade tour continues on the sound + vision fronts. Mac Observer It says Apple released tvOS 16.2 on Tuesday, as well as version 16.2 of the operating system for the HomePod and HomePod mini. “On Apple TV,” the article says, “the update includes Siri multi-user voice recognition and the Apple Music Sing karaoke experience.” This update also includes security fixes. For versions of the HomePod, Apple’s release notes state, “Software version 16.2 includes general performance and stability improvements.”

All these updates are free. Each is available in the usual way or ways.

Emergency SOS is activated via satellite in the UK and parts of Europe

A potentially life-saving feature for those living in the UK and parts of Europe. Another piece Mac Observer Apple’s Emergency SOS via satellite for iPhone 14 models has been rolled out to France, Germany, Ireland and the United Kingdom.

Announced with the iPhone 14 lineup in September, Emergency SOS allows users to contact emergency services when needed when users are unable to get a cellular or Wi-Fi connection. Apple says the service will also allow users to “reassure friends and family of their whereabouts when traveling without cellular or Wi-Fi coverage” by sharing their location via satellite via the Find My app.

Emergency SOS via satellite is free for the first two years, starting with the activation of an iPhone 14 line unit. There’s no word yet on how much it will cost once it starts getting expensive.

Tesla’s ‘Holiday Update’ Brings Support for Apple Music

Apple-related update news on Tuesday, but not an Apple update. Open page Electrek Automaker Tesla has released a “celebratory update” for babies who can drive their own cars, it says. “Every year around the holidays,” the article says, “Tesla is known to roll out a bigger software update with some features that are generally more fun than functional.” This year they include support for Mahjong and Apple Music.

The world saw hints of such support along the way at a museum exhibit last month. now, Electrek It says support is available, though Tesla’s release notes state that “a premium connection subscription is required to stream Apple Music over a cellular connection.”

Best Buy ‘Upgrade Plus’ plan now includes Mac Desktop

News about another update related to Apple – this one is related to a specific service. a piece CNET Says Best Buy has expanded its “Upgrade Plus” program. Initially focused on MacBooks, the article said the expanded service, which “helps people finance Apple computers for 36 months and then upgrade,” now includes iMac and Mac Studio desktops.

Bloomberg: iOS 17 May Open Up iPhone/iPad to Sideloading in EU

The biggest update to the iPhone since the introduction of the App Store could be coming next year. Mac Observer Emphasizes A Bloomberg A report stating:

Apple plans to allow third-party app stores on iPhone and iPad in Europe. The move comes after legislation was passed that would eventually require the Cupertino-based tech giant to support sideloading. [installing iPhone and iPad apps from sources besides the App Store].

Although the EU’s Digital Markets Act does not actually require such support until March 2024, sources say Bloomberg That functionality is “expected to be ready for iOS 17…” This is expected to arrive in the fall of 2023, about six months ahead of the EU deadline.

Big if true for EU countries, however – as it stands now – it will be business as it has been everywhere else. While other countries, including the US, are considering similar legislation, the article says that the provision is currently limited to EU countries.

Traveling Tim’s Tweetin’ all over Japan

Tim’s tweet and storm from Japan travels. Well… four tweets in the last 24 hours, but that’s a lot for Apple CEO Tim Cook.

one Twitter post CEO sang video games and video game maker @Konami. And hey – did you know that Konami has games in the App Store and Apple Arcade?

other Twitter post Tweetin’ Tim applauded classical musician Kokomi and thanked him for his amazing performance at Apple Omotesando. I wonder if it’s on primephonics…

Next Twitter post Apple’s CEO thanked artist VERDY for “sharing the creative process [their] Iconic design…”

And rounding off the fabulous four – A Twitter post Praises the teams at Apple’s technology center in Yokohama and the range of their work, “from pioneering new optical coating technologies for the iPhone to supporting our customers in Japan.”

where next come tomorrow

Apple TV+ series “The Unwanted Traveler” gets a premiere date

Speaking of travel, news about the premiere date for the Apple TV+ series. AppleInsider says Evgeny Levy A reluctant traveler The premiere is scheduled in a few months. In case you missed it, the article says:

Levy, not known for being adventurous and not necessarily the first choice for a travel show host, will expand her horizons by visiting several locations around the world.

Yes – he is a comic book actor. Although this show is supposed to be humorous, it is a travel show. Points on the show’s map include Costa Rica, Finland, Italy, Japan, Maldives, Portugal, South Africa and the USA. Eight episodes in the only season announced so far. A reluctant traveler Coming to Apple TV+ on Friday, February 24.

Keep your rings on for seven days for the Apple Watch New Year’s Activity Challenge

And finally, with Christmas still more than a week away, it’s never too early to think about the pounds you’re putting on from the cakes and candies and – did you know there’s actually Christmas pudding in the house?

Anyway – you can start thinking about working off the extra weight with the next Apple Watch activity challenge. It sounds kind of repetitive. MacRumors Says the New Year’s Activity Challenge calls for participants to close all three rings for seven consecutive days at any point in January.

I’m not bragging, but I did it in the first seven days of this year. Ended up doing this for about 100 days in a row. Then I got a shot that put me on my ass for a few days and that was it. And yet—a seven-day challenge can start a good habit.

Do this and you’ll get a virtual medallion and digital stickers to stick on Apple apps. You will also be healthy. Look for Apple to put a New Year’s activity challenge on your watch before the end of the year.

today on the Mac Observer’s Daily Observations Podcast

Last week, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman said that Apple had scaled back its automotive plans. Sorry, future guy – you’ll still have pedals and a steering wheel. For nearly a decade, I’d heard talk of the AppleCar, wondering what the automotive industry would make of it. To that end, I had a great chat with tech and automotive journalist Roberto Baldwin – you can listen to it today on the Daily Observations Podcast. Mac Observer.