Apple’s “California Streaming” event is tomorrow! We expect a new iPhone, a redesigned Apple Watch, and release dates for iOS 15, iPadOS 15, watchOS 8, and tvOS 15. Today, Apple released macOS 11.6 Big Sur, Security Update 2021-005 Catalina, iOS 14.8, iPadOS 14.8, and watchOS 7.6.2 to address two security vulnerabilities that are being actively exploited in the wild. Update as soon as possible. Last week, the ruling came down in the Epic Games antitrust lawsuit—it favors Apple but requires some App Store changes. Worried about the privacy of your Internet communications? Two recent news stories about WhatsApp and ProtonMail illustrate the limits of even privacy-focused communication services. Finally, if you have multiple sets of speakers connected to your Mac, Adam Engst explains how to use the Audio MIDI Setup app to combine them into a single audio output device. Notable Mac app releases this week include SpamSieve 2.9.45, Live Home 3D 4.1, Merlin Project 8.0, Typinator 8.9, and Parallels Desktop 17.0.1.
Apple’s next product announcement event will be held 14 September 2021. Rumors suggest new iPhones with smaller notches and a redesigned Apple Watch.
Apple has updated macOS, iOS, iPadOS, and watchOS to fix two active vulnerabilities, one of which let attackers work around Apple’s BlastDoor protections.
In Epic Games v. Apple, US District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers has come down strongly in favor of Apple, rejecting nearly all of Epic’s claims and fining the company millions of dollars. But Apple suffered a blow too, with the judge determining that Apple’s in-app purchasing policies are anticompetitive.
No matter how private a communication service may claim to be, it’s only as private as its weakest link, as two recent stories illustrate.
After his 15-year-old Altec Lansing FX6201 speakers died, Adam Engst figured out how to bond the speakers in his 27-inch iMac and Thunderbolt Display to tide him over until he can decide on the best external replacement speakers.
Watchlist
Improves support for Mail in the forthcoming macOS 12 Monterey. ($30 new, free update, 19.2 MB, macOS 10.9+)
Maintenance release for the interior and exterior home design software adds 50 new house templates. ($29.99 new, free update, 448.1 MB, macOS 10.14+)
Major upgrade to the powerful project management app. ($149 annual subscription, free update for subscribers, 39.3 MB, macOS 10.14+)
Adds support for macOS 12 Monterey and fixes bugs. (€24.99 new, free update, 8.9 MB, macOS 10.10+)
Maintenance release improves compatibility with Windows 11. ($79.99 annual subscription for standard edition or $99.99 perpetual license, 311 MB, macOS 10.13.6+)
