For this week’s anchor article, Adam Engst examines productive uses for generative AI chatbots and artbots, providing real-world suggestions and advice on identifying other appropriate uses. Adam also discovers that iPhones being used for Continuity Camera won’t charge using MagSafe and may not even charge when plugged in using USB. Airbnb has banned all indoor security cameras in its listings, but since such bans haven’t been sufficient to eliminate all privacy abuses, Glenn Fleishman explains how you can locate hidden spycams in rentals when you’re traveling. Finally, we look briefly at Apple’s upcoming accessibility features and the story of how Apple’s Wi-Fi–based positioning system inadvertently revealed the location of billions of access points. Notable Mac app releases this week include Affinity Designer, Photo, and Publisher 2.5, Default Folder X 6.0.7, HandBrake 1.8, Keyboard Maestro 11.0.3, Lightroom Classic 13.3, Piezo 1.9.2, Quicken 7.7.1, and SpamSieve 3.0.4.
Don’t bother getting a Continuity Camera mount that incorporates a MagSafe Charger to prevent your iPhone’s battery from draining during meetings. It won’t charge wirelessly—and maybe not even over a USB cable—while using Continuity Camera.
Airbnb’s policy change to ban all indoor cameras at listed properties highlights the scourge of tiny cameras used for snooping. Here’s how to discover if you’re being watched in a rental, hotel, or elsewhere.
Adam Engst explores how you can use generative AI chatbots and artbots productively by helping you identify good uses such as brainstorming, programming, summarizing lengthy PDFs, and drafting difficult email messages. He also examines the utility of AI in Internet searches.
Watchlist
Adds support for variable fonts and a new QR Code Tool to all three apps. (Various prices new, free update, various sizes, macOS 10.15+)
Maintenance release with improvements and bug fixes for the Open/Save dialog utility. ($39.95 new, free update, 17.4 MB, macOS 10.13+)
Collects a number of macOS-specific improvements for the open-source video conversion program. (Free, 41.4 MB, macOS 10.13+)
Maintenance release for the the automation and clipboard utility. ($36 new, free update, 37.6 MB, macOS 10.13+)
Erase unwanted objects and imperfections in photos using the Generative Remove tool. ($9.99/$19.99/$59.99 monthly Creative Cloud subscription, free update, macOS 12+)
Improves the capture of audio played to secondary devices by VoIP applications. ($19 new, free update, 24.5 MB, macOS 14.4+)
Fixes a crash that could occur on Intel-based Macs. ($59.88/$83.88/$119.88 annual subscription, free update, 3.2 MB, macOS 11+)
Brings performance improvements and bug fixes to the spam-filtering utility. ($39.99 new, free update, 49.5 MB, macOS 10.13+)
