Sadly, Apple’s cancellation of the AirPower wireless charging mat isn’t an April Fool’s joke—everything in this issue of TidBITS is entirely real (or at least obvious speculation). On the plus side, international users of the Apple Watch Series 4 will be happy to learn that watchOS 5.2 makes the ECG feature available in more countries. Finally, we look more deeply at Apple’s announcements of Apple TV+ and Apple Card from last week’s special event. Notable Mac app releases this week include Security Update 2019-002 (High Sierra and Sierra), Safari 12.1, macOS Server 5.8, Apple Configurator 2.9, SoundSource 4.0.1, Default Folder X 5.3.6, Cardhop 1.2, Ulysses 15.2, and Parallels Desktop 14.1.3.
Apple has officially canceled the AirPower wireless charging mat that it announced in September 2017 alongside the iPhone X and iPhone 8. Physics is a harsh mistress.
For users in Hong Kong and many European countries, watchOS 5.2 makes the Apple Watch Series 4’s ECG and irregular heart rhythm monitoring features available. It also supports the new AirPods and adds RTT for phone calls.
At its recent special event, Apple made a slew of TV-related announcements that transform the Apple TV into more of a service than a hardware product.
Apple’s forthcoming Apple Card and updated Wallet app promise innovative features and consumer-friendly particulars. But Jeff Porten thinks Apple Card will have a farther-reaching impact.
Watchlist
Patches 15 security vulnerabilities in Apple’s last two operating systems. (Free, various sizes)
Streamlines Web site login when filling credentials with Password AutoFill and updates cross-site tracking protection with Intelligent Tracking Prevention 2.1. (Free)
Brings enhancements to Profile Manager for configuring macOS and iOS. ($19.99 new, free update, 87.8 MB)
Maintenance update for the Mac utility that schools and businesses can use to manage and deploy software to multiple iOS and tvOS devices. (Free, 63.9 MB)
Major update for the sound utility adds per-application audio control, a 10-band equalizer, and volume boosting feature. ($29 new, $19 upgrade, free update from 4.0, 11.1 MB)
Maintenance release for the Open/Save dialog enhancement utility. ($34.95 new, free update, 8.9 MB)
Adds Google, Exchange, and Office 365 directories and the capability to mark contacts as favorites. ($19.99 new, free update, 11.9 MB)
Maintenance release for the writing app with a lengthy list of improvements and bug fixes. ($39.99 annual subscription, free update, 23.4 MB)
Addresses issues with Insider Preview beta releases of Windows 10 and Office for Windows. ($79.99 anual subscription for standard edition, $99.99 annual subscription for Pro and Business Editions, 204 MB)
