TidBITS

Adds support for creating rules based on the time of day and introduces new AI-powered summary features. ($108/$132/$192 annual subscriptions, free update, 25.8 MB, macOS 10.15+)

Major upgrade for the image editor with new AI features. ($29.99 new, free update, 84.9 MB, macOS 14+)

Introduces new AI features to help you generate and enhance text graphics. ($29.99 new, free update, 795.2 MB, macOS 10.13+)

Improvements and fixes for the bundled calendar and contact apps. ($56.99 annual subscription new, free update, various sizes, macOS 12+)

Brings a major update for working with tasks in the calendar app. ($49.99 new, free update, 66.3 MB, macOS 10.15+)

Small maintenance update for the “charmingly simple” audio recording tool. ($19 new, free update, 18.7 MB, macOS 14.4+)

Adam Engst and Allison Sheridan delve into the latest online scams, offering practical tips to help you steer clear of these digital traps.Read original article

Rogue Amoeba has finished moving its entire fleet of audio apps to its next-generation audio capture technology, a process that took three years after being forced by Apple security changes. Here’s the story.Read original article

With macOS 15 Sequoia, Apple has addressed a long-standing issue by letting update notifications open the App Store’s Updates screen. It’s a small improvement that improves the user experience when updating apps from the Mac App Store.

We will be taking a few weeks off to spend time with family and friends over the holidays. You can expect the next email issue of TidBITS on 6 January 2025. Thanks for reading TidBITS, and we hope our articles enriched your year!

If you rely on a bootable backup of your Mac and haven’t yet updated to macOS 15.2 Sequoia, hold off. Those who have already updated can protect their work with a data-only backup.Read original article

Adds support for Apple Intelligence to the three iWork apps. (Free, various sizes, macOS 14+)

Brings feature enhancements and bug fixes to the photo editor and image manager. ($9.99/$19.99/$59.99 monthly Creative Cloud subscription, free update, macOS 13.1+)

Major upgrade to the powerful project management app adds a new intelligent assistant. ($199 annual subscription, free update for subscribers, 41.3 MB, macOS 12+)

Focused on enhancements and bug fixes for Outlook. ($149.99 new for one-time purchase, $99.99/$69.99 annual subscription options, free update, macOS 12+)

Improves support for the Apple Intelligence Writing Tools. ($49 new, free update, 123.6 MB, macOS 10.13+)

Adds import/export support for comments in Microsoft Word DOCX documents. ($69.99 new, free update, 102.2 MB, macOS 10.13+)

Maintenance updates for the wireless audio broadcasting and full-featured audio recording apps. ($35/64 new, free update, various sizes, macOS 14.4+)

Patches security vulnerabilities for the Web browser. (Free, various sizes, macOS 13+)

Adds a CSV export option for moving passwords to Apple's Passwords app. ($25 new, free update, 7.3 MB, macOS 10.13+)

Despite Apple's efforts to improve Siri with ChatGPT integration, Adam Engst finds that the new feature presents more challenges than solutions. Functional hiccups and broader concerns cast doubt on its effectiveness.

We don’t have deep-pocketed corporate backers, nor do we peddle your personal information to advertisers, so would you contribute a few bucks to keep TidBITS vibrant in the next year?

Apple’s December 2024 updates bring substantial changes across the company’s ecosystem, from new Apple Intelligence features to Mail categorization, enhanced Find My item sharing capabilities, and natural language Apple Music searches.

Brings new and re-written Shortcuts actions and enhanced Spotlight results to the task management app. ($74.99 new, free update, 32.5 MB, macOS 14+)

Fixes various bugs in the Open/Save dialog utility. ($39.95 new, free update, 17.6 MB, macOS 10.13+)

Maintenance update focused on bug fixes for the text editor. ($59.99 new, free update, 29.7 MB, macOS 11+)

After his heated mattress pad failed, Adam Engst looked into replacing it with a new HomeKit-compatible model and discovered that relatively few manufacturers promise compatibility with smart outlets.

Minor maintenance update with bug fixes for the image editor. ($49.99 new, free update, 661.4 MB, macOS 12+)

Adds a display of transfer progress in the Finder for downloads and uploads. (Free, 158.9 MB, macOS 10.13+)

Brings full support for macOS 15 Sequoia to the audio control utility. ($39 new, free update, 42.3 MB, macOS 14.5+)