Apple today introduced three advanced security features focused on protecting against threats to user data in the cloud, representing the next step in its ongoing effort to provide users with even stronger ways to protect their data. With iMessage Contact Key Verification, users can verify they are communicating only with whom they intend. With Security Keys for Apple ID, users have the choice to require a physical security key to sign in to their Apple ID account. And with Advanced Data Protection for iCloud, which uses end-to-end encryption to provide Apple’s highest level of cloud data security, users have the choice to further protect important iCloud data, including iCloud Backup, Photos, Notes, and more.
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MarsEdit 5 Released⇢
Daniel over at Red Sweater Software has released version 5 of his excellent blog editor for macOS:
MarsEdit 5 features a beautiful new icon, a “Microposting” feature for streamlined short-form blogging, enhanced plain-text editing with built-in Markdown syntax highlighting, a completely rebuilt rich text editor based on Apple’s latest WebKit2 technologies, and a variety of nuanced improvements to make your blogging workflow smoother, and more enjoyable than ever.
My favorite feature of the update is the Markdown syntax highlighting, which you can see in this screenshot:
Orion Due to Splashdown Sunday⇢
The Orion spacecraft swung by the Moon on Monday, flying to within 130 km of that world’s surface as it set course for a return to Earth this weekend.
In making this “powered flyby burn” to move away from the Moon, Orion’s service module performed its longest main engine firing to date, lasting 3 minutes and 27 seconds. After successful completion of the maneuver, NASA’s mission management team gave the “go” to send recovery teams out into the Pacific Ocean, where Orion is due to splashdown on Sunday, during the middle of the day.
Running Classic Mac OS ... in the Browser
Kbase Article of the Week: Performa Computers: Display Support⇢
This article lists the various monitors supported by Performa computers which will drive an external monitor.
As you can probably guess, it’s a bit of a mess.
Inside a Rusty Molar Mac⇢
Steve at Mac84 has a new video up, in which he tears down a pretty sad looking Power Mac G3 All in One:
Sports Alerts Brings Scores to Dynamic Island and Live Activities⇢
This app was mentioned on last week’s Upgrade, but I wanted to highlight it here as well, as it offers in-depth stats on the player, team and game level, as well as loads of customization in the app itself.
Sports Alerts is one of the first apps I’ve found to bring live sports scores to the Dyanmic Island and Live Activies. I’m running the iOS 16.2 beta, and have had Apple’s own TV app prompt me to start a Live Activity for a handful of Memphis basketball games, but it seems hit or miss so far as to what games it can display.1
Mac Power Users #669: Drowning Out the Noise, with Charlie Chapman⇢
Charlie Chapman is the developer behind Dark Noise and the host of the Launched podcast. This week, he talks with David and Stephen about his experience as an iOS developer and what it’s like when Apple adds OS features that compete with something you’ve built.
Sponsor: TextExpander⇢
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Posting to Mastodon via RSS⇢
If you got to this post via Mastodon, this is how.
Recreating Apple News with ChatGPT
The folks behind OpenAI have opened up a new AI tool that can return text when given a prompt. Naturally, I asked it to write about Apple products.
Prompt #1: Write 5 paragraphs in the style of a news article written by about Apple’s new iMac computer, complete with quotes from experts
Apple has released a new iMac computer, bringing updated hardware and a renewed focus on performance to the iconic all-in-one desktop. The new iMac features the latest Intel processors, with options up to a 10-core Core i9 chip, along with AMD Radeon Pro 5000 series graphics, delivering up to 55 percent faster performance than the previous generation.
Man Stranded in Alaska Saved via Emergency SOS⇢
It was a matter of time before an iPhone 14 popped up in a story like this. Joe Wituschek has details over on iMore:
As reported by the Department of Public Safety, on December 1st around two o’clock in the morning, Alaskan State Troopers were notified that “an adult male traveling via snowmachine from Noorvik to Kotzebue had activated an Apple iPhone Emergency SOS via satellite on his iPhone after becoming stranded.”