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TidBITS#1213/10-Mar-2014

iOS 7.1 is out, and Adam Engst examines its important visual and functional changes. Apple also updated the Apple TV and the Remote app with welcome interface improvements — Josh Centers has the details about those and Google’s updated Gmail app for iOS, which now supports background refresh for speedier email viewing. Speaking of email, Joe Kissell returns with a FlippedBITS column that delves into misconceptions about changing email addresses. Then Adam is back with a story about how he replaced the battery in his iPhone 5, a task that turned out to be harder than anticipated, and a look at how Apple has phased out support for Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard — is it finally time to upgrade? Josh closes out the issue with a FunBITS column profiling the iOS game Ridiculous Fishing, which introduces shotguns and chainsaws to the popular pastime. Notable software releases this week include BBEdit 10.5.9 and TextWrangler 4.5.7, Dragon Dictate 4.0, Delicious Library 3.1.6, OmniOutliner 4.0.3, and Retrospect 11.

Adam Engst 25 comments

iOS 7.1 Tweaks Visuals, Adds CarPlay and Other Features

The first feature update to iOS 7 is now out. iOS 7.1 offers a number of changes that make the interface more visible, adds support for CarPlay, enhances iTunes Radio and Siri, and more. It should also eliminate annoying Home screen crashes, improve iPhone 4 performance, and make Touch ID more accurate.

Adam Engst 10 comments

Replace a Dying iPhone 5 Battery

Faced with an iPhone 5 that had become increasingly unreliable after installing iOS 7, particularly as the weather got colder, Adam Engst replaced its battery himself, a task that proved significantly more nerve-wracking than doing so for an iPhone 4.

Adam Engst 20 comments

Apple Support for Snow Leopard Wanes

It appears that Apple has pushed Snow Leopard off the back of the support truck, releasing the most recent security fixes only for Lion, Mountain Lion, and Mavericks. Adam Engst explains what’s likely behind the decision and offers suggestions on what Snow Leopard users can do next.

Joe Kissell 37 comments

FlippedBITS: Misconceptions about Changing Email Addresses

Are you still using an AOL address, or one provided by your ISP? Do you share an email address with your spouse? Have you ever wished you could have a professional-looking email address in your own domain? In this installment of FlippedBITS, Joe Kissell looks at some common ways of using email accounts that are, shall we say, less than optimal, and explains how to improve your email image.

TidBITS Staff No comments

ExtraBITS for 10 March 2014

This week, Michael Cohen’s “Take Control of Pages” pre-book received a major update, Jean MacDonald left Smile for a higher calling, a mad genius learned to control his Mac with a smartwatch, Joe Kissell and Jeff Carlson both appeared on MacVoices, Apple CFO Peter Oppenheimer decided to retire, and Apple began rolling out its CarPlay automotive integration system.