January 25th to 29th, 2021 Apple/Mac/macOS News, Updates, Tips and Tech Articles

Archive of January 25th to 29th, 2021 News Go to Current News Page

Mac Upgrades/Mods | Storage | Video | Audio/Home Theater | Tips/OS Updates/WiFi

Safari Technology Preview 119
See the release notes for a complete list of improvements & bug fixes.
A download is available for macOS Big Sur and Catalina.
(If a previous version is installed, use software update in System Prefs.)

HomePod Software Update 14.4
About HomePod Software Updates notes version 14.4 includes bug fixes
and the following new features with an Ultra Wideband (U1) equipped iPhone.

Hand off music with visual, audible, & haptic effects from iPhone to HomePod mini.
Get personalized listening suggestions on iPhone when it is next to HomePod mini.
Media controls automatically appear without having to unlock iPhone when it is close to HomePod mini.

Xcode 12.4, iOS 14.4, iPadOS 14.4, tvOS 14.4, watchOS 7.3 (with Security Fixes)
(Apple says the OS updates fix an issue reported to have been actively exploited.)

Xcode 12.4 (app store)
- Fixed issue that prevented debugging iPhone/iPad apps running on M1 Mac.
- Additional bug fixes and stability improvements.
(Supports iOS/iPadOS 14.4, tvOS 14.4, watchOS 7.3, macOS Big Sur 11.2.)
About the security content of Xcode 12.4
iOS 14.4 release notes
iPadOS 14.4 release notes
About the security content of iOS 14.4 and iPadOS 14.4
tvOS release notes info on version 14.4:
- "This update includes general performance and stability improvements."
About the security content of tvOS 14.4
watchOS 7.3 release notes
About the security content of watchOS 7.3

TechTool Pro 13.0.2 Update
Micromat TechTool Pro 13.0.2 (use in app update check) lists these changes:

Added support for macOS 11 'Big Sur'.
Fixed a crash of Battery Check test when updating & searching for Wi-Fi devices.
Fixed an issue detecting Boot Camp partitions which reside on an APFS volume.
Fixed issues with multiple users in the login window for a Mac OS X Basic device.
Fixed a Battery Check crasher reported by users of Mac OS X 10.11 'El Capitan'.
Fixed battery manufacturer date for new iOS devices which were introduced this year.
Fixed the Check Computer configuration window to correctly support the Data partition for the File Structures test.
Fixed Check Computer configuration suites menu when booted from a TechTool Protogo Basic profile device or eDrive.
Fixed Snapshot Usage feature in the TechTool Protection to correctly create snapshots according to user settings.
Added a warning dialog for Macs with T2 chip for TechTool Protogo & eDrive.
Added support for Home directories on external volumes for MacOS Basic profile devices.
Updated Disk Speed tool icon.
Updated model identification strings for the Check Computer configuration panel.
Updated Snapshot Recovery APFS snapshot deletion routine for improved performance.
Updated Sparkle to version 1.24.0 for the Check for Update feature.
Updated English, French, German, Italian, Japanese & Chinese (Simplified) localization.
Updated Battery Check status in Battery Check feature of TechTool Protection system preference for parity with the application.
Updated Battery Check toolTips to dynamically update the iOS version when a devices operating system is updated.
Other minor updates and enhancements.

Firefox 85.0 and Firefox ESR 78.7 Updates

Firefox 85.0 release notes lists new features, changes and security fixes.
(Firefox no longer supports Adobe Flash.)
Firefox ESR 78.7 has "various stability, functionality, and security fixes".

Apple/Products related News, Tips, Updates, PR (later first)

Pixelmator Pro version 2.0.4 (app store link, macOS 10.14.4 or later)
- Adds support for depth masks in ProRAW photos, improved Quick Look plug-in for Pixelmator Pro files, improved version of ML Super Resolution, and a few other improvements and fixes.
Introducing Techtool Pro 13 (micromat)
- See above for v13.0.2 update (adds Big Sur Support and more).
AppTrackingTransparency requirement update (Apple Developer news)
Data Privacy Day at Apple: Improving transparency and empowering users (pr)
Apple Reports First Quarter Results (press release)
App Store Connect (For App Developers) version 1.5.1 (app store)
- "includes stability improvements and bug fixes".
TestFlight iOS app version 3.0.1 (app store)
- "includes stability improvements and bug fixes".
Dan Riccio begins a new chapter at Apple (pr)
- Riccio had been senior VP of Hardware Engineering.
Apple Faces Italian Suit Over iPhones That Wear Out Too Quickly (bloomberg)

This week's Apple Support/How-To/Troubleshooting Article Updates

Mac Startup Key Combinations for Intel-based Macs
If the internal speakers on your Mac aren't working
Backup disks you can use with Time Machine
How to change or reset the password of a macOS user account
About iTunes for Windows background processes
- was titled "About macOS, iOS, and iTunes server host connections and iTunes background processes".
How to Set up home theater audio with HomePod and Apple TV 4K
About the magnets inside iPhone 12, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro Max, and MagSafe accessories
Institutions that support health records on iPhone and iPod touch

Page of How-To, Troubleshooting & Tips for Mac/OS X/iOS Users from Airplay to Thunderbolt.

Other News, Firmware/Software Updates, PR, OT (later added first)

About the security content of iCloud for Windows 12.0 (apple)
Samsung 870 EVO 1TB SSD Review (storagereview)
- vs 860 EVO 1TB, Seagate FireCuda 120 4TB, OWC Mercury Extreme Pro 4TB.
Yamaha RX-V481/V481D/V581/A660/HTR-4069/5069/TSR-5810 Firmware Update

Recent Updates, Tips, DIY Upgrades and Repairs:
List of Updates, DIY Upgrades, Repair Articles, Tips and more you may have missed. (Topics range from OS/software/driver updates and troubleshooting, to hardware upgrades and repairs.)

Previous News Archives:
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