Apple’s clown-car release approach continues, with iOS and iPadOS 13.1 delivering some promised iOS 13 features like personal automations and driving ETAs, and more bug and security fixes coming from the subsequent iOS and iPadOS 13.1.1 and 13.1.2, plus iOS 12.4.2. And don’t forget watchOS 6.0.1 and 5.3.2! For this issue’s feature articles, Josh Centers explores the features that set iPadOS apart from iOS, and Julio Ojeda-Zapata compares Apple’s competing earbuds: the AirPods and the PowerBeats Pro. Notable Mac app releases this week include macOS Mojave 10.14.6 Supplemental Update 2, Security Update 2019-005 (High Sierra and Sierra), Pixelmator 3.8.6, Agenda 7.0, and LaunchBar 6.12.
iOS 13.1 is here to fix numerous bugs in the short-lived iOS 13.0 and to provide some features that were missing from iOS 13’s initial release. Alas, there are still more features that Apple has pushed off to a future iOS update.
Apple has quickly updated both iOS 13.1 and iPadOS 13.1 to version 13.1.1 to fix a variety of bugs and address the keyboard security issue.
Apple has released its third iOS 13 update in a week with iOS 13.1.2 and iPadOS 13.1.2, which squash more bugs, along with the first update to watchOS 6 and a security fix update to watchOS 5.3.2.
The small iOS 12.4.2 update fixes a vulnerability that could allow a remote attacker to cause application termination or arbitrary code execution. It's available only to devices that can run iOS 12 but not iOS 13.
iPadOS 13.1 is now available, with iPad-specific features like improved multitasking, a desktop-class version of Safari, Home screen enhancements, a floating keyboard, and more. Here are some tips to get the most out of it.
AirPods aren’t Apple’s only earbuds. The PowerBeats Pro buds, a product of the Apple-owned Beats by Dre brand, have features in common with their little white cousins yet differ in many ways. Which should you pick? Julio Ojeda-Zapata walks you through your options.
Watchlist
Second supplemental update for Mojave improves macOS security. (Free update, 1.26 GB)
Patches a vulnerability that could allow a remote attacker to cause unexpected application termination or arbitrary code execution. (Free, various sizes)
Introduces a rebuilt photo browser and fixes color space-related issues. ($29.99 new, free update, 112.3 MB)
Brings improvements and bug fixes to the date-focused note-taking app. (Free with $24.99 premium purchase option, free update, 48.8 MB)
Adds support for macOS 10.15 Catalina and improves Dark mode. ($29 new, free update, 15.7 MB)