If you’ve been waiting for an update to the MacBook Air, wait no longer. Apple has refreshed the diminutive laptops with slightly faster processors and a $100 price drop. Mozilla has also overhauled the venerable Firefox Web browser with a fresh new look and synchronization service, and AgileBits has updated 1Password to integrate the company’s new Watchtower service for identifying sites vulnerable to the Heartbleed bug. If you’ve heard about how iOS 7 doesn’t encrypt email attachments properly, it’s true, but Adam Engst and Rich Mogull explain why you probably shouldn’t worry about it. ComiXology, after being purchased by Amazon, has dropped in-app purchases from its popular iOS app; Josh Centers explains why this could be a blow to the superheroes. Finally, Michael Cohen has an, umm…interesting entry for FunBITS this week: “Venice Under Glass,” an iBooks Author art theft mystery featuring a teddy bear cast. Notable software releases this week include Mailplane 3.2, Default Folder X 4.6.5, and OpenOffice 4.1.
Apple’s latest update of the MacBook Air is nothing revolutionary, but brings a small speed increase, as well as a $100 price cut.
Although Apple has confirmed that email attachments are not properly secured by iOS’s data protection mechanisms, there’s not much to worry about unless you’re carrying important business secrets or are an international spy.
Mozilla has released version 29 of its Firefox Web browser with a refreshed look and a new synchronization service, which requires you to sign up for a new Firefox Account in order to sync with other computers and Android devices.
AgileBits updated 1Password for the Mac with integration of its Web-based Watchtower service, which flags Logins as vulnerable if a Web site is found to be at risk for the Heartbleed bug.
Amazon’s newest acquisition, ComiXology, has removed in-app purchases from its iOS app, with potentially dire ramifications for the comic book industry.
A cuddly noir Multi-Touch novel demonstrates both the advantages and drawbacks of self-published ebooks.
Notable software releases this week include Mailplane 3.2, Default Folder X 4.6.5, and OpenOffice 4.1.
In ExtraBITS this week, Skype makes group video calls free to all and Woz remembers writing his version of BASIC for the Apple I. We learn just how shaky software is and why iPad sales are slowing down. Also, Congress votes to remain clueless on tech, Office for iPad gains AirPrint support, and we get an in-depth look at Google’s self-driving car.