Apple has issued security updates for prior generation iPhone and iPad models that are not compatible with iOS 17.6 and iPadOS 17.6. Specifically, the new updates are versioned as iOS 16.7.9, iPadOS 16.7.9, iOS 15.8.3, and iPadOS 15.8.3, and include important security fixes making them recommended for all users to install onto compatible devices.
Apple has released macOS Sonoma 14.6 for Mac users running the Sonoma operating system.
The MacOS Sonoma 14.6 software update primarily focuses on bug fixes and security updates for most Macs, however it does include a nice new feature specifically for the 14″ M3 MacBook Pro series allowing that Mac to support two external displays when running in clamshell mode (ie; the laptop lid is closed but the Mac is on).
Separately, Apple also has released iOS 17.6 for iPhone, iPadOS 17.6 for iPad, tvOS 17.6 for Apple TV, watchOS 10.6 for Apple Watch, visionOS 1.3 for Apple Vision Pro, along with MacOS Ventura 13.6.8, MacOS Monterey 12.7.6, iOS 16.7.9, iPadOS 16.7.9, iOS 15.8.3, and iPadOS 15.8.3.
Apple has issued software updates for iPhone and iPad, versioned as iOS 17.6 and iPadOS 17.6, respectively.
The new software updates include bug fixes and security patches, and do not include any new features or changes to the operating systems.
iOS 17.6 and iPadOS 17.6 are now the latest final stable builds of operating systems for iPhone and iPad, while the betas for iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 are under concurrent development by Apple.
Additionally, Apple has also released security updates for MacOS Sonoma 14.6, tvOS 17.6, watchOS 10.6, visionOS 1.3, MacOS Ventura 13.6.8, MacOS Monterey 12.7.6, iOS 16.7.9, iPadOS 16.7.9, iOS 15.8.3, and iPadOS 15.8.3.
Apple has released MacOS Ventura 13.6.8 and MacOS Monterey 12.7.6 with important security fixes for Mac users who are running the Ventura and Monterey operating systems. These updates include the same relevant security patches that are available in Sonoma 14.6.
Ventura and Monterey users will also find an update for Safari 17.6 as well.
Apple has issued the first beta versions of iOS 18.1, MacOS Sequoia 15.1, and iPadOS 18.1, each with Apple Intelligence AI features. These .1 beta releases are separate from the concurrent betas of iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and MacOS Sequoia 15, each of which is currently still versioned as beta 4.
The beta 1 version of iOS 18.1, MacOS Sequoia 15.1, and iPadOS 18.1 with Apple Intelligence features are only available on devices that are compatible with the Apple Intelligence AI features, which have remarkably strict system requirements.
Users who are engaged in the public beta testing programs for upcoming Apple system software will find updates available for their devices, including iOS 18 public beta 2, iPadOS 18 public beta 2, macOS Sequoia public beta 2, tvOS 18 public beta 2, and watchOS 11 public beta 2.
The second public betas match the build numbers of the fourth developer betas for each of these operating systems. Users can switch between the public beta to developer beta if they’d like to, but other than getting the new beta updates a little earlier there isn’t much reason to do so.
The Steve Jobs Archive, which was launched by Laurene Powell Jobs, Tim Cook, and Jony Ive, has shared an hour-long video of a then 28 year old Steve Jobs speaking in Aspen at the 1983 International Design Conference, as well as some thoughts from Jony Ive, and a nice collection of old photographs and Apple ads.
In the main video, Steve can be seen making jokes, discussing computers and their design, the future of computing, and how computers will impact our lives.
Apple has issued updated 4th beta versions for iOS 18 and iPadOS 18. The new build is 22A5316k.
It’s unclear what the purpose of the newly released 4th beta build is, but given it’s small size and quick release, it’s reasonable to assume it’s either a bug fix or security patch.
If you have already installed iOS 18 beta or iPadOS 18 beta as a developer, you’ll find the updates available right now through the standard software update mechanism.
Apple Maps is now available on the web, just in case you’d like to use a web based interface for Apple Maps instead of the Maps app on iPhone, iPad, or Mac. The introduction of a web interface for Apple Maps also means that Android users and Windows users can access Apple Maps now, if they so choose.
It’s worth noting that Apple Maps on the web is currently in beta, and has a beta URL that will surely change by the time it is finalized, but that doesn’t mean you can’t use it right away.
Some Mac users occasionally discover the ‘chronod’ process in MacOS is either consuming a large amount of system resources, or is requesting access to network connections. Sometimes chronod is flagged by overly zealous anti-virus apps as well. While there are plenty of people who ignore this kind of thing, another curious type of Mac user is actively curious about what specific resource heavy processes are, or what the intention is behind a process that wants or requires internet access.
So what is chronod on the Mac, why is it using high CPU and system resources, and why does it want network access? Let’s explore the chronod process a bit to better understand it’s fuction.
Want to switch from the iOS 18 public beta to the iOS 18 developer beta? You can easily do that if you want to, on your iPhone or iPad.
The main benefit to being on the iOS 18 developer beta track is that you typically get beta updates a little before the same build is issued as a public beta, depending on the beta releases and Apple’s internal schedule. Maybe you installed the public beta but now wish to get quicker access to new beta updates through the developer beta channel, in which case switching to the developer beta would allow for that.
Apple has released iOS 18 beta 4 and iPadOS 18 beta 4 for iPhone and iPad users enrolled in the developer beta testing program. Typically a public beta version matching the same build is released soon after.
While the developer beta program is intended for advanced users and developers, anyone can install iOS 18 beta or install iPadOS 18 beta onto a compatible device if they’re comfortable with bugs and other hassles associated with beta system software. More casual beta testers should instead run the public beta releases.
iOS 18 for iPhone, and iPadOS 18 for iPad, include a variety of interesting new features, including new dark mode icons and widgets, icon color customization options, AI Apple Intelligence features including ChatGPT connections to Siri, customizable Control Center, a Calculator app for iPad, improvements to Safari, and some other changes that will take some time for users to adapt to like the newly redesigned confusing Photos app.
Beta testers will also find macOS Sequoia beta 4 available, along with tvOS 18 beta 4, watchOS 11 beta 4, and visionOS 2 beta 4.
Apple has released the fourth beta version of MacOS Sequoia 15 to those who are actively running macOS Seqouia developer beta in the testing program. A matching build for public beta testers typically arrives soon after, which would be versioned macOS Sequoia public beta 2.
MacOS Sequoia 15 features some intriguing new features for the Mac, including new and improved window tiling capabilities, iPhone Mirroring to interact with iPhone from your Mac, Passwords app, AI Apple Intelligence features throughout various apps and MacOS, significant changes to Photos app, improvements to Safari, Notes, and other default apps, and more.
Aside from the MacOS Sequoia beta 4 release, iOS 18 beta 4 and iPadOS 18 beta 4 are also available.
Apple has issued the Release Candidate builds for iOS 17.6 for iPhone, ipadOS 17.6 for iPad, and macOS Sonoma 14.6 for Mac.
Release Candidate builds are typically the last finalized beta build, which, assuming there are no significant bugs or security issues found, often matches the final version of that software to be released to the general public. This suggests the final version of iOS 17.6, MacOS Sonoma 14.6, and iPadOS 17.6, will be released either later this week, or sometime next week.
The RC builds are available to download now for anyone running the current generations of beta system software. While most beta users are already running iOS 18 beta, iPadOS 18 beta, and MacOS Sequoia beta on their test devices, most developers also have devices running the current generation beta system software builds as well.
No new features are expected, suggesting the updates are focused on bug fixes and security patches.
With the public beta for iPadOS 18 available, any curious iPad user is now able to install the iPadOS 18 public beta onto an eligible device.
Running iPadOS 18 public beta provides an opportunity to test out features and the new operating system before the system software is finalized, giving early access to features like the Calculator app, Passwords app, a completely redesigned Photos app, improvements to Notes including Apple Pencil math support, new Dark Mode theme options and icon color hue options, and Apple Intelligence AI features, and much more.
It’s important to remember that running beta system software, including iPadOS 18 public beta, is not for everyone, and is generally only appropriate for advanced users. Since beta system software is buggier than final releases, you’ll likely encounter bugs, crashes, freezes, performance issues, battery issues, and other nuisances that are typically not part of a final OS experience. If you’re comfortable with the risks associated with running betas, you’ll find that installing iPadOS 18 public beta onto an iPad is very easy.
If you’re an advanced Apple Watch user, you might be intrigued by the idea of running the watchOS 11 public beta on your Apple Watch, to accompany your paired iPhone running iOS 18 public beta.
Sure, beta system software is buggier than final versions and may have issues with performance and battery life, but running watchOS 11 public beta can also offer an early look at the new features that are coming.
WatchOS 11 includes a variety of new compelling features, including functionality for adding rest days to your workouts, the ability to pause activity rings without losing streaks, workout load tracking, live language translation, tap-to-send-cash features, features for pregnant women, and more.
If you’re interested in installing watchOS 11 public beta on your Apple Watch, read on and you’ll be up and running shortly.
Now that iOS 18 is in public beta, intrepid iPhone users who are not developers may be interested in testing out the new operating system on their own devices. The iOS 18 public beta offers early access to intriguing new features, including dark mode icons and widgets, Passwords app, a redesigned Photos app, iPhone Mirroring on Mac, a bunch of AI Apple Intelligence features, and more.
Assuming you are comfortable with the inherent risks associated with running beta system software, then installing the iOS 18 public beta is pretty simple.
Apple has issued the fourth beta version of iOS 17.6, iPadOS 17.6, and MacOS Sonoma 14.6.
These new beta builds are separate from the concurrent beta tracks of upcoming system software, which most beta testers have likely installed instead, with iOS 18 beta, iPadOS 18 beta, and MacOS Sequoia 15 beta. If you are running any of those beta versions, you will not see beta updates to iOS 17.6, iPadOS 17.6, and MacOS Sonoma 14.6.
No major new features are expected in these releases, suggesting they’re likely to focus on security patches and bug fix updates.
