The big news for this issue is Apple’s release of new 11-inch and 13-inch iPad Air and iPad Pro models, plus the new Apple Pencil Pro and redesigned Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro. We have all the details, including a follow-up on the ill-advised and much-maligned “Crush!” ad for which Apple was forced to apologize. iOS 17.5 and iPadOS 17.5 stand out among numerous OS updates with their support for detecting and alerting users to cross-platform location trackers moving with them. They also provide Apple News+ subscribers with two new features: the spelling game Quartiles and Offline Mode. Finally, Adam Engst uses the results of our Do You Use It? poll about macOS versioning to explain the little-known feature. Notable Mac app releases this week include Bookends 15.0.2, BusyCal 2024.2.2, Fantastical 3.8.16, and Mactracker 7.12.15.
Apple has released a large set of operating system updates, including iOS 17.5, iPadOS 17.5, macOS 14.5 Sonoma, watchOS 10.5, tvOS 17.5, HomePod Software 17.5, macOS Ventura 13.6.7, macOS Monterey 12.7.5, iOS 16.7.8, and iPadOS 16.7.8. New features include alerts for Android-paired tracking devices moving with you and a new game and leaderboard for Apple News+ subscribers.
The results of our poll asking how often you use macOS’s versioning feature show that nearly three-quarters of TidBITS readers either never use versioning or don’t even know what it is. But versioning could save you from losing work—it’s worth trying.
Everyone expected iPad announcements from Apple’s Let Loose event, and the company didn’t disappoint. It introduced new 11-inch and 13-inch models of the iPad Air and iPad Pro, alongside a new Apple Pencil Pro and redesigned Magic Keyboard for the iPad Pro.
Watchlist
Adds barcode scanning capabilities to the reference management tool. ($74.99 new, free update, 114.3 MB, macOS 10.13+)
Displays ongoing and upcoming events with a countdown timer in the menu bar. ($49.99 new, free update, 67.6 MB, macOS 10.15+)
Brings a bevy of bug fixes to the calendar app. ($56.99 annual subscription, free update, 66.4 MB, macOS 11+)
Adds detailed information about the latest MacBook Air models and several legacy Apple products. (Free, 216.8 MB, macOS 10.12+)
