TidBITS

Patches a security vulnerability in Ventura and Monterey. (Free, various sizes, macOS 12+)

Major new release for the drive cloning and backup utility loaded with new features and enhancements. ($49.99 new, $24.99 upgrade, free update, 23.6 MB, macOS 13+)

Maintenance release brings a variety of improvements and bug fixes to the password manager. ($35.88 annual subscription, free update, 4.8 MB, macOS 10.15+)

Renames ChatGPT Worksheets to AI Chat Worksheet with preferences that provide settings to select alternative services. ($59.99 new, free update, 29.7 MB, macOS 11+

Apple has released a large set of operating system updates, including iOS 17.5, iPadOS 17.5, macOS 14.5 Sonoma, watchOS 10.5, tvOS 17.5, HomePod Software 17.5, macOS Ventura 13.6.7, macOS Monterey 12.7.5, iOS 16.7.8, and iPadOS 16.7.8. New features include…

The results of our poll asking how often you use macOS’s versioning feature show that nearly three-quarters of TidBITS readers either never use versioning or don’t even know what it is. But versioning could save you from losing work—it’s worth trying.

Adds barcode scanning capabilities to the reference management tool. ($74.99 new, free update, 114.3 MB, macOS 10.13+)

Adds detailed information about the latest MacBook Air models and several legacy Apple products. (Free, 216.8 MB, macOS 10.12+)

Brings a bevy of bug fixes to the calendar app. ($56.99 annual subscription, free update, 66.4 MB, macOS 11+)

Displays ongoing and upcoming events with a countdown timer in the menu bar. ($49.99 new, free update, 67.6 MB, macOS 10.15+)

After significant backlash, Apple has apologized for and pulled its “Crush!” ad showing creative and cultural objects pulverized by an industrial press. Was the ad just an ill-considered effort to shock or an all-too-accurate metaphor for today's tech…

Everyone expected iPad announcements from Apple’s Let Loose event, and the company didn’t disappoint. It introduced new 11-inch and 13-inch models of the iPad Air and iPad Pro, alongside a new Apple Pencil Pro and redesigned Magic Keyboard for the iPad Pro.

Since upgrading to an iPhone 15 Pro last year, Adam Engst has been working to incorporate MagSafe charging into his tech life, adding mounts and chargers that make it easier to use and charge the iPhone in different aspects of his life.

Want to wax nostalgic? This history of online messaging system is sure to trigger some memories of when the Internet was a smaller, kinder place.Read original article

Works around a bug in Safari 17.4 that caused the capture key to fail. ($49.99 new, free update, 34.5 MB, macOS 10.13+)

Adds a plug-in for querying the Ecosia search engine to the research software. (Free/$4.95/$49.95 new, free update, various sizes, macOS 10.14+)

Though Apple revenues declined compared to the same quarter last year, the drop was less precipitous than many had feared, and Apple still announced profits of $23.6 billion. Revenue increases came from the Services and Mac segments.

This MIT Technology Review piece points out that relying too heavily on the term "user" exacts a cost in depersonalizing the relationships we have with the software that fills our lives. Let's work to use more precise terms.Read original article

An update to the Arc Search app for the iPhone gives Arc users using macOS and Windows access to all their tabs and the ability to save pages from the iPhone to the Arc sidebar.

If you have a LastPass account, beware of voice phishing calls that will warn about your account being accessed from a new device. Are we on the cusp of being targeted by AI-driven phishing calls?Read original article

Adds support for the new Microsoft Graph API for enhanced syncing with Outlook. ($49.99 new, free update, 67.2 MB, macOS 10.15+)

If your devices mysteriously ask you to reset your Apple ID password and then lock your account, you’re not alone. Unfortunately, there’s nothing to do but go with the flow.Read original article

Losing Charles Edge recently caused Adam Engst to think morbid thoughts that turned into advice about how planning for the unexpected can make life a little easier for those left behind.

Anticipate new iPads, possibly along with a new Apple Pencil and updated Magic Keyboards. But will the announcement make the iPad exciting again?

It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of the passing of Charles Edge, a prolific author, blogger, and podcaster who was one of the best-known figures in the Mac admin community. 

Video conferencing app receives a new name, new color schemes for the user interface, and more improvements. (Free, 123.3 MB, macOS 10.13+)

Maintenance update for the Swiss Army knife of graphics programs. ($39.95 new, free update, 261 MB, macOS 10.13+)

Brings a grab-bag of improvements and bug fixes to the password manager. ($35.88 annual subscription, free update, 4.8 MB, macOS 10.15+)

Maintenance release for the Open/Save dialog utility. ($39.95 new, free update, 17.4 MB, macOS 10.13+)

Update focused on new features and improvements for Outlook. ($149.99 new for one-time purchase, $99.99/$69.99 annual subscription options, free update, macOS 12+)