We’re back from our break, refreshed and ready to delve into whatever 2013 may bring. To get you started on the new year, we have a wide-ranging issue. Agen Schmitz leads off with brief coverage of the iOS 6.0.2 release for the iPhone 5 and iPad mini, and Adam Engst follows up with a warning about how some users are seeing unexpectedly poor battery life after updating to 6.0.2. Michael Cohen passes on the news that Google Sync will cease to be available for new devices later this month, Glenn Fleishman writes about the City of Seattle’s gigabit Internet plans, Jeff Carlson ponders the design-driven trend away from outsourcing manufacturing to China, and Rich Mogull examines Apple’s security efforts in 2012. Notable software releases over the past few weeks include Carbon Copy Cloner 3.5.2, Airfoil 4.7.5, SpamSieve 2.9.6, BusyCal 2.0.2, Typinator 5.4, and BBEdit 10.5.1.
Prepared solely for the iPhone 5 and iPad mini, the iOS 6.0.2 update hopefully improves Wi-Fi connections.
Although reports are still anecdotal and we have no explanation as yet, we recommend holding off on the iOS 6.0.2 update to avoid potentially significant battery drains on the iPhone 5 and iPad mini.
For years, Google has offered Google Sync for syncing iOS calendars, contacts, and mail. Except for those who have paid Google Apps accounts, that option is going away.
The City of Seattle has partnered with a private firm and the University of Washington to bring gigabit-per-second fiber-backed Internet service to several neighborhoods — but not those inhabited by any of the Seattle-based TidBITS staff, darn it!
Some companies, such as GE, are unexpectedly shifting manufacturing from China to the United States. Although Apple isn’t mentioned in an article in The Atlantic about the trend, the reasons for the shift are undoubtedly Apple-inspired.
2012 was a watershed year for Apple’s security efforts. While dealing with significant challenges, the company made strong advances, setting the stage for strong security for years to come.
Notable software releases include Carbon Copy Cloner 3.5.2, Airfoil 4.7.5, SpamSieve 2.9.6, BusyCal 2.0.2, Typinator 5.4, and BBEdit 10.5.1.