Thanks to a wary TidBITS reader, we can warn you about a new type of scam: fake obituaries that use real names to lure people to malicious websites that display alarming iPhone security warnings. Adam Engst explains what to do if you encounter such a site. Adam also shares his experience replacing a failed heated mattress pad with a new one that’s compatible with a HomeKit-compatible smart outlet. In the news, Apple has taken over the iCloud Passwords add-on for Firefox, and The Verge has added a subscription. Notable Mac app releases this week include 1Password 8.10.54, Cyberduck 9.1, Nisus Writer Pro 3.4.1 and Nisus Writer Express 4.4.1, OmniFocus 4.4.3, Pixelmator Pro 3.6.13, SoundSource 5.7.5, and Transmit 5.10.6.
Although there are no details about the transition, Apple has taken over the previously independent iCloud Passwords add-on for Firefox. The move enhances the company’s password management services for users outside its ecosystem.
After his heated mattress pad failed, Adam Engst looked into replacing it with a new HomeKit-compatible model and discovered that relatively few manufacturers promise compatibility with smart outlets.
After a TidBITS reader encountered security warnings on an obituary site, Adam Engst investigated: both the site and the warnings were fake, aiming to trick people into downloading system cleaner or VPN apps. Learn how to identify such scams.
Watchlist
Brings improvements and bug fixes to the password manager. ($35.88 annual subscription, free update, 4.8 MB, macOS 10.15+)
Adds a display of transfer progress in the Finder for downloads and uploads. (Free, 158.9 MB, macOS 10.13+)
Fixes compatibility issues and crashes related to macOS 15 Sequoia. ($65 and $26 new, free update, various sizes, macOS 10.13+)
Maintenance update for the task management app. ($74.99 new, free update, 32.4 MB, macOS 14+)
Minor maintenance update with bug fixes for the image editor. ($49.99 new, free update, 661.4 MB, macOS 12+)
Brings full support for macOS 15 Sequoia to the audio control utility. ($39 new, free update, 42.3 MB, macOS 14.5+)
Adds support for browsing shared folders in OneDrive and fixes bugs. ($45 new, free update, 36.7 MB, macOS 12+)
