Apple has released iOS 17.0.3 to address overheating in the iPhone 15, which can also be triggered by buggy apps like Instagram and background housekeeping after moving to a new phone. We report on last week’s Mac Web browser poll results, where Safari took the top spot, as expected, but Firefox was an unexpectedly strong second, ahead of Google Chrome. Newcomer Arc did well for its age, and its developers just unveiled five experimental AI features on a 90-day-trial basis. Glenn Fleishman looks in depth at iOS 17’s new Check In feature, which helps iPhone users check in with one another for peace of mind and personal safety. This week’s Do You Use It? poll asks how often you use Finder tags. Notable Mac app releases this week include Audio Hijack 4.2.4, SoundSource 5.6.2, and Fission 2.8.5.
Apple has made good on a promise to update iOS 17 to respond to a bug that could cause overheating, particularly in the iPhone 15. The update also blocks several security vulnerabilities, one of which has been exploited in the wild.
Which Web browsers do TidBITS readers use on their Macs? Safari, of course, but Firefox proved surprisingly popular, and an emphasis on privacy may account for several other unexpected deviations from global browser share numbers.
The Browser Company of New York has unveiled Arc Max, a collection of five experimental AI tools. From Ask on Page to Tidy Downloads, we explore how Arc Max enhances browsing. But are these AI tools genuinely useful? Learn how The Browser Company approaches AI and follow along to see which features survive the trial period.
Glenn Fleishman explores iOS 17’s new Check In feature, which lets you specify someone as a temporary safety partner who can confirm you got where you intended to to go. It’s a welcome addition to Apple’s collection of features aimed at increasing personal safety.
Watchlist
Three Rogue Amoeba audio apps gain full compatibility with macOS 14 Sonoma. ($64/39/29 new, free updates, various sizes, macOS 11+)
