Tag: macOS Ventura

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Apple’s macOS Ventura and iPadOS 16 are now available

macOS Ventura and iPadOS 16, the latest version of Apple’s desktop and tablet operating system (OS), are now available.

While the OS update is relatively low-key, there are a few standout features worth highlighting, including ‘Continuity Camera,’ which allows you to use your iPhone as a webcam wirelessly. macOS Ventura also offers ‘Stage Manager,’ a feature that’s received a lukewarm reception that offers a new way to organize apps on your desktop

Other new features include changes to Apple’s Mail app, new Safari collaboration tools, enhancements to Messages and more.

macOS Ventura

 

To download macOS Ventura, click the Apple logo in the top left corner of your desktop, then select ‘System Preference’ and finally, ‘Software Update.’ If you don’t see the update immediately, it could take a few minutes. For example, it took two minutes before the macOS Ventura update appeared on my MacBook Pro (2021).

On the iPadOS 16 side, the update includes Stage Manager, which like its desktop counterpart, has received a mixed response. While I like Stage Manager more than the iPad’s other forms of multitasking, it can be glitchy and confusing. It will be interesting to see if the final version of Stage Manager is more stable.

Other features include an iPad Weather app (finally) and changes to Mail, Safari, Messages and more. To download iPadOS 16, head to the ‘Settings’ app and then ‘Software Update.’ You’ll then see an ‘Upgrade to iOS 16 at the bottom of the page.

iOS 16.1 has also dropped and offers shared iCloud photo libraries and support for Apple Fitness+ without an Apple Watch.

Source: Apple

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Mobile Syrup

Apple to release iPadOS 16 and macOS Ventura on October 24th

iPadOS 16 will be available to iPad users on October 24th.

The software has several new features in various areas, including Messages and Mail.

For Messages, users will be able to edit or unsend texts, as well as recover deleted messages. In Mail, emails can be scheduled ahead of time or be cancelled before it gets to the recipient’s inbox.

Many will also be relieved to hear the Weather app is finally making its way onto the iPad.

Users will need an iPad or iPad mini (5th generation or later), an iPad Air (3rd generation or later) or an iPad Pro to access the update.

Apple revealed the details alongside two models of the 2022 iPad Pro, featuring the same M2 chip seen in the MacBook Air (2022) and 13-inch MacBook Pro (2022).

The tech giant also revealed a redesigned entry-level iPad. The 10.9-inch device with 2360 x 1640 pixel resolution features squared-off edges, a Touch ID button and USB-C.

Apple also lists October 24th as the release date for macOS Ventura and its notable Continuity Camera feature, which allows users to use their iPhone as a webcam.

Image credit: Apple

Source: Apple

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Mobile Syrup

Apple ‘finished’ iOS 16, iPadOS and macOS Ventura coming in October

Apple’s next big iPhone software update is ready to go, while iPad and Mac owners will need to wait a while longer.

The news comes via Bloomberg‘s reliable Mark Gurman. In the latest Power On newsletter, Gurman notes that Apple “finished work” on iOS 16 and the iPhone update is due in September alongside watchOS 9:

“The iOS 16.0 update, which Apple engineers finished work on this past week, is due to launch in September alongside watchOS 9. Those updates will correspond with the new hardware. The macOS Ventura and iPadOS upgrades, on the other hand, are now scheduled for October (after Stage Manager-related delays to the iPad software) to match the new hardware lineup.”

Gurman reported the iPadOS delay earlier this month, noting that the delay was connected to Stage Manager. However, it’s interesting to learn the macOS Ventura update will also be pushed back to October. That said, it makes sense. Stage Manager issues or not, Apple is reportedly expected to launch new iPad and Mac hardware in October. Pushing back the iPadOS and macOS updates would better align them with the new hardware launches.

Stage Manager, for those unfamiliar with the software, is a way to manage multiple on-screen apps on iPad and Mac. Stage Manager will likely have the most impact on the iPad, allowing users a more desktop-like experience where they can resize apps and display multiple apps side-by-side on the screen.

It remains unclear what the Stage Manager issues are, but hopefully, Apple resolves them before October.

Source: Power On newsletter from Bloomberg Via: 9to5Mac

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Mobile Syrup

Apple users might never do CAPTCHAs again thanks to iOS 16 feature

Apple’s upcoming iOS 16 and macOS Ventura updates will give users a reprieve from annoying CAPTCHA tests.

As spotted on Reddit (via 9to5Mac), a feature called ‘Automatic Verification’ uses ‘Private Access Tokens’ to confirm to websites that users are, in fact, real people and not robots. This confirmation will allow users to bypass CAPTCHAs on websites that support the feature.

Apple detailed how the feature works in a WWDC session called “Replace CAPTCHAs with Private Access Token,” explaining:

“Private Access Tokens are a powerful alternative that help you identify HTTP requests from legitimate devices and people without compromising their identity or personal information. We’ll show you how your app and server can take advantage of this tool to add confidence to your online transactions and preserve privacy.”

Those curious about how this all works should check out the WWDC session here. In short, web servers can use a new HTTP authentication method called ‘PrivateToken’ to request access to a token that confirms the user passed an ‘attestation check’ — in other words, proof that the user is legitimate. Apple devices with Automatic Verification generate these tokens through a combination of details, such as information about your device and Apple ID.

Crucially, Apple says the cryptographic signatures used in the process are “unlinkable,” which means that servers can only use the tokens to confirm that a user is legitimate. Servers cannot use the tokens to discover users’ identities or track users.

Put simply, Apple verifies that users are legitimate and then vouches for them to websites so users don’t need to complete CAPTCHAs.

Moreover, it’s worth noting that Automatic Verification utilizes a new industry standard called ‘Privacy Pass.’ That means the underlying tech isn’t an Apple-exclusive feature and we could see similar CAPTCHA bypass features come to, say, Android or Windows, in the future. Cloudflare has a whole blog post about Privacy Pass and how it works, including an explanation of how it improves privacy by reducing the need for websites to gather user data.

9to5 reports that companies like Fastly and Cloudflare are already building support for Privacy Pass and have enabled their issuer services. Later this year, other companies will be able to sign up for the feature through Apple’s website.

For now, Automatic Verification is only available in the first developer beta of Apple’s new software. Those trying out Apple’s new software may be able to test Automatic Verification on websites that support the feature. However, once iOS 16 and macOS Ventura become widely available, Apple users may see way fewer CAPTCHAs.

Source: Apple, Reddit Via: 9to5Mac

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Mobile Syrup

Continuity Camera is great, but here’s how it actually works

On day one of WWDC 2022, Apple showed off Continuity Camera, a feature with which macOS Ventura users would be able to prop their iPhone on top of their Mac, and use the smartphone’s camera for video calls. The feature was widely appreciated, though left many confused about how it would work, so on day two, Karen Xing, a Camera Software Team engineer at Apple, explained the feature in detail.

For starters, in addition to your mac running macOS Ventura, you need an iPhone that can run iOS 16, so those still using an iPhone older than the iPhone 8 won’t be able to use Continuity Camera. Additionally, both your Mac and iPhone need to be signed into the same Apple ID using two-factor authentication.

According to Xing, you simply “bring your iPhone close to your Mac, and it works wirelessly so you can quickly join a call. Your iPhone will appear on your Mac as an external camera and microphone.”

You can also use Continuity Camera by plugging in your iPhone to your Mac over a USB.

Xing demonstrated the feature on Zoom, and said that the app will initially launch with the built-in camera on your Mac, and will prompt you to switch to the iPhone camera, along with notes to let users know what all they can do with Continuity Camera, as seen in the screenshot below:

Xing went on the explain that you can prop up your iPhone in either landscape or portrait orientation, with the latter giving you a more zoomed-in field of view. Xing said, “Continuity Camera also lets you do things that were never before possible with a webcam, including several new video effects,” including the new Studio Light effect that illuminates the subject while darkening the background.

Accessing video effects is as simple as pulling down the Control Center and selecting the desired video effect.

All the video effects, including Center Stage (keeps you centred), Portrait (blurs your background) and Studio Light can be used together in combination.

Control Center is also where users would be able to access ‘Desk View,’ another new video effect introduced alongside the Continuity Camera. Desk View enables your iPhone’s ultra-wide-angle camera to display your desk, and you, kind of like an over-head camera setup combined with a regular one. The feature will be highly beneficial for remote teachers, and can also be used by the likes of Twitch streamers to display a handcam, provided that they are gaming on a Mac.

The feature will support a maximum frame rate of 60 frames per second (FPS) at a resolution of 1920 x 1440 pixels. The resolution will stay the same in Desk View mode,  though it will be limited to 30 frames per second.

macOS Ventura and iOS 16 developer betas are available to Apple Developer Program members at developer.apple.com starting now, while a wide rollout will take place later this fall.

For all of the Apple news from WWDC 2022, follow this link.

Image credit: Apple

Source: Apple

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Apple’s macOS Ventura says farewell to MacBook Pro (2015)

Whenever a new version of macOS drops, some Macs are left in the dust — and macOS Ventura is no different.

For example, Apple’s MacBook Pro (2015) and the “trash can” Mac Pro aren’t compatible with the desktop operating system update, but any Mac device 2017 and later will run macOS Ventura.

Below is a complete list of Macs that work with macOS Ventura:

  • iMac (2017 and later)
  • iMac Pro (2017)
  • Mac Pro (2019 and later)
  • Mac Mini (2018 and later)
  • Mac Studio (2022)
  • MacBook Pro (2017 and later)
  • MacBook Air (2018 and later)
  • MacBook (2017 and later)

The 2015 MacBook Pro is a popular model because it was one of Apple’s last laptops with a scissor switch keyboard before the tech giant moved to the ‘Butterfly keyboard (which it has since ditched).

macOS Ventura’s developer beta is available to Apple Developer Program members at developer.apple.com now, while a wide rollout will take place later this fall.

For all of the Apple news from WWDC 2022, follow this link.

Sources: Apple Via: The Verge

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New macOS Ventura feature requires you to grant USB-C and Thunderbolt accessories permission

Alongside dropping the first developer beta for macOS Ventura at WWDC 2022, Apple also revealed some information about the new SDK and how it aims to provide a higher degree of “accessory security” to users.

According to Apple, you’ll have to grant permission to USB-C and Thunderbolt accessories before they can communicate with your Mac. “On portable Mac computers with Apple silicon, new USB and Thunderbolt accessories require user approval before the accessory can communicate with macOS for connections wired directly to the USB-C port,” reads Apple’s release notes. 

It’s worth noting, however, that you don’t need to grant permission to power adapters, standalone displays or connections to an “approved hub.” Additionally, if you choose to not allow the USB-C or Thunderbolt accessory to communicate with your device, you’ll still be able to charge it.

By default, your Mac will ask to grant the accessory permission if it’s being plugged in for the first time, though you can adjust the settings by going into System Settings > Security and Privacy > Security. Additionally, this is where you can choose to completely toggle off the security option if don’t wish to use it.

macOS Ventura’s developer beta is available to Apple Developer Program members at developer.apple.com starting now, while a wide rollout will take place later this fall.

For all of the Apple news from WWDC 2022, follow this link.

Source: Apple Via: The Verge

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Mobile Syrup

Use your iPhone’s camera for videocalls on your Mac with ‘Continuity Camera’

While talking about the new macOS Ventura at its Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC 2022), Apple also showed off a useful new feature that will upscale video calls on your Mac. No, it’s not software upscaling, and instead, it adds a new piece of camera hardware to your Mac.

‘Continuity Camera’ is a new feature that lets you prop your iPhone on top of your Mac and use the smartphone’s camera for video calls on the Mac. “With the power of Continuity, Mac can automatically recognize and use the camera on iPhone when it is nearby — without the need to wake or select it — and iPhone can even connect to Mac wirelessly for greater flexibility,” reads Apple’s press release about the new feature.

But a crisper video is not all the feature offers. With Continuity Camera, users would be able to use Center Stage, Portrait mode and a new “Studio Light” effect that illuminates the user, while darkening the background.

Apple plans to release a Belkin stand for users to mount their iPhones on top of their Macs to use Continuity Camera seamlessly, though the stand isn’t an integral part of the feature (it’s also unclear how muchit will cost). Of course, duct taping your phone to your mac to hold it in place should work just fine.

macOS Ventura’s developer beta is available to Apple Developer Program members at developer.apple.com starting now, while a wide rollout will take place later this fall.

For all of the Apple news from WWDC 2022, follow this link.

Image credit: Apple 

Source: Apple

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Mobile Syrup

Apple adds new features to Safari and Mail with macOS Ventura

At its annual Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) 2022, Apple unveiled macOS 13, which the company is calling the macOS Ventura.

The new operating system (OS) is an upgrade from the last WWDC-revealed MacOS Monterey.

For starters, the new desktop OS will help you keep your device automatically organized with ‘Stage Manager.’ According to the Apple, when there are multiple windows open on your device, it makes it difficult to concentrate what you need to work on. With the new Stage Manager — which can be activated from ‘Control Center’ — the app you’re working on comes front and centre, while all other windows collapse to a tab on the side.

macOS Ventura

Image credit: Apple

This helps you cycle through multiple windows, and can even pair two windows together, like Pages and Notepad, making multitasking a breeze.

Additionally, you can click on your desktop to send all open windows to the tab on the side and focus on files on your desktop.

Next up is an update to Spotlight. Performing quick actions, like setting a timer, alert, reminder and more are easier now. You simply type what you want to do in Spotlight, and it launches that app for you. Additionally, the feature will also help users look up photos and files just by typing them out. The updated Spotlight experience is also coming to iPhone and iPad.

Mail is also getting a few new features that would make searing for information easier. But first, similar to the new un-send feature in iOS 16, you can now un-send mails, allowing you to redact an email before sending it out again. Users would also be able to schedule emails and set reminders to reply to received emails. Additionally, Mail search now supports autocorrect, making it easier to find those emails that you forgot about. The new Mail features are also coming to iOS and iPadOS.

macOS Ventura Spotlight

Image credit: Apple

Apple also introduced a new feature for Safari that would make collaborating with your friends easier. Safari, which Apple says is the “World’s fastest browser” and the “most power-efficient” on the new OS, now features “Shared Tab Groups,” allowing you and your friends to share a group of tabs and collaborate.

Once on a shared tab group, you’ll be able to see what tabs your friends are viewing/working on in real-time, whereas your friends would be able to add new tabs of their own.

Lastly, Apple envisions a “passwordless future,” and to make that idea a reality, the Cupertino, California-based company unveiled “Passkeys” as a replacement for traditional passwords. “Passkeys use powerful cryptographic techniques and the biometrics built into your device to keep [your] account safe,” said Darin Adler, VP, internet technologies at Apple, during the keynote.

To create a passkey, users would need to use Touch ID or Face ID to authenticate, and that is it. Once a passkey is created, a unique digital key is created that only works for the site it was created for. “Passkeys cant be phished since the passkey never leaves your devices, hackers cant trick you into sharing it on a fake website.

Passkeys can’t be leaked because nothing secret is kept on a web server,” said Adler.  Passkeys are securely synced across all Apple devices, including your Mac, iPhone, iPad and Apple TV, and even work across platforms.

For all of the Apple news from WWDC 2022, follow this link.