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TidBITS#1212/03-Mar-2014

OS X 10.9.2 Mavericks is out, and our coverage dominates this week’s issue of TidBITS. It’s an important update from the security perspective, since it addresses the critical SSL/TLS vulnerability fixed in iOS and Apple TV last week, and 10.9.2 also adds FaceTime Audio and iMessage blocking. Perhaps more important from an everyday usage standpoint, 10.9.2 features a number of Mail improvements, and Joe Kissell ferrets out a number of changes beyond those Apple lists. Joe is deep in Mail this week, since we also published his “Take Control of Apple Mail,” and he has another article that shares some of the tips he didn’t have room for in the book. Rich Mogull digs deep into iCloud Keychain, and tells you how to make yours so secure that even the NSA can’t access it. Finally, Nick Mediati joins us for this week’s FunBITS to explain how blurry photos can be a good thing. Notable software releases this week include Mellel 3.3.1, Downcast 1.0.10, Mac Pro SMC Firmware Update 2.0, iTunes 11.1.5, Safari 6.1.2 (Mountain Lion and Lion), and Security Update 2014-001 (Mountain Lion and Lion).

Joe Kissell 174 comments

Mail Improvements in OS X 10.9.2

Apple’s OS X 10.9.2 update includes numerous fixes for Mail, including several that go beyond what Apple mentions. Mail may not be perfect yet, but it has improved markedly since 10.9.1. “Take Control of Apple Mail” author Joe Kissell reports what his testing has revealed.

Nick Mediati No comments

FunBITS: How Out-of-Focus Photos Can Be Works of Art

“Fuzzy” often has a positive connotation: kittens, puppies, warm blankets, all things cuddly. When it comes to photography, though, you don’t usually think of good things. You think of blurry, out-of-focus photos. Bleh. But with a little know-how, you can make “fuzzy” a good thing in photography, too.

TidBITS Staff No comments

ExtraBITS for 3 March 2014

In the latest ExtraBITS, Apple appeals the ebook price-fixing case ruling, Tim Cook lashes out at activist investors, Jeff Atwood explains everything that’s wrong with our unhealthy focus on apps, Apple’s shareholders vote against an anti-spying measure, and we get a look at Tim Cook’s childhood hairdo.