If you’re planning to do your holiday shopping online this year, don’t pull out that credit card until you’ve read Rich Mogull’s article on ensuring that your electronic purchases are secure. Also in this issue, we detail the enhancements in the iPhone 2.2 Software for the iPhone and iPod touch and look at what’s new in the Apple TV 2.3 update. Matt Neuburg returns with a look at Script Debugger 4.5, Glenn Fleishman notes AnchorFree’s no-cost VPN for the iPhone, and Doug McLean – the newest member of the TidBITS staff – looks at Google’s new SearchWiki service. We wrap up with the release of “Take Control of Syncing Data in Leopard,” a DealBITS drawing to win a copy of MacSpeech Dictate, our annual Gift Guide survey to determine what will appear in the 2008 TidBITS Gift Guide, and the revival of the ExtraBITS name for a collection of interesting links from around the Web. Lastly, in this week’s extra-large Watchlist, we note the releases of HandBrake 0.9.3, MacSpeech Dictate 1.2.1, Freeway 5.3, Default Folder X 4.1, Adobe Camera Raw 5.2, Safari 3.2.1, DiscLabel 5.4, iTunes 8.0.2, Apple’s Pro Apps Updates 2008-004, PopChar X 4.1.1, KeyCue 4.3, OmniFocus 1.5, The Missing Sync for Windows Mobile 4.0.4, Daylite 3.8, AccountEdge 2009, Yum 3.0, Apple’s Compatibility Update for QuickTime 7.5.5, and Apple’s MacBook/MacBook Pro Trackpad Firmware Update 1.0.
The Apple TV Software Update 2.3 expands the media player's AirTunes capabilities, lets you use a third-party remote control, supports playlists that contain video content, and, at last, lets you control music volume from the remote.
Join us in a warm welcome to Doug McLean, our newest staff member.
Want your Mac to take dictation? Enter to win a copy of MacSpeech Dictate in this week's DealBITS drawing!
TidBITS Talk participants have suggested oodles of ideas for the upcoming TidBITS Gift Guide. Now it's your chance to vote for your favorites and help us pick the cream of the crop.
A major upgrade to Late Night Software's Script Debugger offers AppleScript programmers boosted power and convenience, along with an answer to the burning question, "What the heck has Matt Neuburg been up to for the past several months?"
Google has announced it will distribute their newest product, SearchWiki, to a select group of users. While SearchWiki provides several ways to customize your search results, its benefits are unclear.
The iPhone 2.2 Software Update adds a few welcome features to Maps, improves call setup and reduces dropped calls, provides a few interface tweaks, and fixes a number of bugs and security problems. Adam runs down the new features... and looks at what's still missing.
Keeping your secrets on open Wi-Fi networks just became easier with the latest from AnchorFree: a free VPN account for your iPhone.
Shopping online may save you from the dangers of traffic accidents and mall riots, but these tips from Security Editor Rich Mogull will also help ensure a fraud-free holiday season.
Our latest ebook, "Take Control of Syncing Data in Leopard," helps users sync data from a Mac with other Macs, with an iPhone or iPod, and even with other devices such as a BlackBerry, Palm handheld, or mobile phone.
Notable software releases since our last issue of TidBITS include HandBrake 0.9.3, MacSpeech Dictate 1.2.1, Freeway 5.3, Default Folder X 4.1, Adobe Camera Raw 5.2, Safari 3.2.1, DiscLabel 5.4, iTunes 8.0.2, Apple's Pro Apps Updates 2008-004, PopChar X 4.1.1, KeyCue 4.3, OmniFocus 1.5, The Missing Sync for Windows Mobile 4.0.4, Daylite 3.8, AccountEdge 2009, Yum 3.0, Apple's Compatibility Update for QuickTime 7.5.5, and Apple's MacBook/MacBook Pro Trackpad Firmware Update 1.0.
Read on for this week's collection of the most interesting links to interesting articles and resources elsewhere on the Web, all selected by the TidBITS staff.
Recent TidBITS Talk discussions include a great mix of topics: deconstructing Safari 3.2's anti-phishing feature, comparing iPhone file transfer applications, troubleshooting loading errors in Safari and Firefox, a solid aluminum mouse pad, sorting out years' worth of digital documents, and more.