Newsletter

Meeting information

Minutes for Magic Zoom meeting, August 17, 2022

by Penny Holland, MAGIC Co-Secretary

The August meeting of MAGIC was held via Zoom. President Harry Anderson called the meeting to order around 4:00 There were about 17 people in attendance on line with us.

BUSINESS MEETING

Treasurer, Gary McIntyre, reported that our bank account has a balance of $8910.07. (Remember that anyone can go to our MAGIC website to make a tax-deductible donation to MAGIC.)

The program plans for the rest of the year include:

• September will conclude the second half of a two-part presentation on PAGES by Robert Elphick
• For October, Gary will oversee a general Q & A session. Gary announced that he will soon be emailing members to gather questions prior to the October meeting. The idea is that he will collect everyone's questions and then prepare answers for the October meeting.
• In November Ron will do a presentation on EDITING PHOTOS in preparation for the holidays.
• There will be NO December meeting.

PRESENTATION

Note that these minutes will no longer include details of the presentation. Instead, this presentation may be viewed by going to the zoom page of the MAGIC website and locating the video presentation of the Zoom meeting of this date. (Please wait about a week for these to get posted.)

Harry pointed out one of his favorite discoveries - that PAGES can open and read WORD documents!

Q & A

Q: How do you use templates for different formats, such as Avery business cards, labels, etc?

A: You have to pull the template from the Avery website and then use it in PAGES or you can save it to use later.

Q: Harry asked how many use pages for word processing projects?

A: Quite a few of our members responded that they are faithful Pages users.

Q: People who don't have a Mac say they can't read my pages document? What can I do to share a Pages document with W0RD users?

A: When you finish creating your document in PAGES you can select EXPORT TO from the File Menu. There are several choices for exporting, (such as PDF, WORD, or PLAIN TEXT)

Q: Does PAGES work the same on an iPAD as on the Mac computer?

A: It is very similar. You can email Ron Sharp for his video on using PAGES on the iPad. Robert added that there is a free book in the Apple bookstore on this topic. Robert will put a copy of it in next months newsletter.

Here it is: https://books.apple.com/us/book/pages-user-guide-for-mac/id1450571737

Harry said if there are no further questions we will close the meeting, and see you on September 31 for PAGES part two.

The meeting was adjourned just before 5:00.

Note: This Software Update section of the newsletter lists the most relevant Apple updates. Not all updates are listed for all products. Additionally, I'll add other pertinent updates on occasion.

macOS Monterey 12.5.1 now available with security fixes

by José Adorno, 9to5mac

Alongside iOS 15.6.1, Apple is also releasing macOS Monterey 12.5.1. It fixes two important security issues that have been actively exploited. This could be one of the latest Monterey updates as Apple readies macOS 13 Ventura.

Today's build is 21G83. In the release notes, Apple says, "This update is recommended for all users and improves the security of macOS."

According to Apple, macOS Monterey 12.5.1 fixes two important bugs that affected the Kernel and WebKit. Here are they:

Kernel:

Impact: An application may be able to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges. Apple is aware of a report that this issue may have been actively exploited.

Description: An out-of-bounds write issue was addressed with improved bounds checking.

WebKit:

Impact: Processing maliciously crafted web content may lead to arbitrary code execution. Apple is aware of a report that this issue may have been actively exploited.

Description: An out-of-bounds write issue was addressed with improved bounds checking.

The last update macOS Monterey had, apart from this one, was 12.5; Apple seeded it nearly a month ago.

Different from other big macOS updates, macOS 12.5 brought two new features:

• TV app adds the option to restart a live sports game already in-progress and pause, rewind, or fast-forward
• Fixes an issue in Safari where a tab may revert back to a previous page

macOS Monterey 12.5 also fixed a problem found on Apple Books, as previously reported by 9to5Mac.

As Apple is mid-cycle through beta testing iOS 16, iPadOS 16, macOS 13 Ventura, watchOS 9, and tvOS 16, people's focus is on these new operating systems, expected to launch later this fall and that are also available to public beta testers as well.

Apple is bringing continuity features across these new systems. iOS 16 has a new Lock Screen, iPadOS 16 and macOS Ventura bring new multitasking capabilities, watchOS 9 is revamping Watch Faces, while tvOS 16 was nearly forgotten by Apple.

Click for article.

PSA: Update your iPhone to iOS 15.6.1 for two major security fixes

by Chance Miller, 9to5mac

Apple released iOS 15.6.1 to iPhone and iPad users this week. Apple saying the update "provides important security updates and is recommended for all users." Apple has now updated its security updates webpage with the full details on what's been patched. Head below for the details on what the issue was and how to update.

iOS 15.6.1 security fixes

According to Apple, iOS 15.6.1 fixes two major vulnerabilities that were both exploited in the wild. Both of these vulnerabilities impacted every iPhone and iPad model capable of running iOS 15.

The first vulnerability could have allowed an application to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges. The second vulnerability was in WebKit, the browser engine that powers Safari and all third-party browsers on iOS. For this vulnerability, Apple says that "processing maliciously crafted web content may lead to arbitrary code execution."

Here are the full details according to Apple:

Kernel

Available for: iPhone 6s and later, iPad Pro (all models), iPad Air 2 and later, iPad 5th generation and later, iPad mini 4 and later, and iPod touch (7th generation)

Impact: An application may be able to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges. Apple is aware of a report that this issue may have been actively exploited.

Description: An out-of-bounds write issue was addressed with improved bounds checking.

CVE-2022-32894: an anonymous researcher

WebKit

Available for: iPhone 6s and later, iPad Pro (all models), iPad Air 2 and later, iPad 5th generation and later, iPad mini 4 and later, and iPod touch (7th generation)

Impact: Processing maliciously crafted web content may lead to arbitrary code execution. Apple is aware of a report that this issue may have been actively exploited.

Description: An out-of-bounds write issue was addressed with improved bounds checking.

Update to iOS 15.6.1 now

With two major security fixes, we recommend all iPhone users update to iOS 15.6.1 immediately and all iPad users update to iPadOS 15.6.1. You can do so by heading to the Settings app, choosing General, then choosing Software Update.

Click for article.

Apple patches dangerous security hole in iOS 12

by Ed Hardy, cultofmac

Hackers are aware of an iPhone security hole, but iOS 12.5.6 takes care of the problem for older Apple devices.
Graphic: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Older iPhone and iPad models that can't be updated to iOS 15 got a patch on Wednesday to fix a security hole that might have been used by hackers. Devices dating back to 2013's iPhone 5S can install iOS 12.5.6 to fix the problem.

Newer models can install the recently released iOS 15.6.1 or iPadOS 15.6.1 to accomplish the same.

Install iOS 12.5.6 to stay safe Nothing as complex as a modern operating system is every 100% perfect, though Apple, Google, Microsoft etc. close security holes whenever they turn up. The most dangerous of these are ones that hackers have already discovered and are taking advantage of.

And that's the case with a WebKit problem that's fixed by iOS 12.5.6 as well as iOS 15.6.1. The security hole allows a hacker to create a webpage that allows the hacker to execute code without users' permission. It comes with a warning from the iPhone-maker, "Apple is aware of a report that this issue may have been actively exploited."

The patch is for iPhone 5S, iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPad Air, iPad mini 2, iPad mini 3, and iPod touch (6th generation). These are older devices for which iOS 12.x is the most-recent OS they can run.

Apple continues to update iOS 12 when significant security holes turn up. The last occurrence was iOS 12.5.5 in fall 2021 to block Pegasus spyware.

Install the iPhone security patch now

iPhone and iPad users that need iOS 12.5.6 can install it with with an over-the-air update.That's accomplished by opening the Settings app and going to General > Software Update. Alternatively, connect the device to a Mac, or to a PC running iTunes.

The same process allows more recent Apple handsets and tablets to install iOS 15.6.1 or iPadOS 15.6.1, which fixes this and another security hole.

Click for article.

How to adjust the date and time in the macOS Menu Bar

by Glenn Fleishman, Macworld

Apple likes to reorganize where you find things. Date & Time settings oddly don't include how the date and time appear in macOS.

It's the little things that sometimes drive people to distraction. That's true of Macworld readers wondering how to modify the date and time in the Menu Bar-a feature available for decades on Macs. With macOS 11 Big Sur, Apple moved customization options away from the Clock tab in the Date & Time preference pane, to System Preferences > Dock & Menu Bar.

With the increasing number of items managed in the Dock and the Menu Bar, it made sense for Apple to shift all of those settings to one place. However, with nearly all the other Menu Bar items, you find a checkbox or other settings in their respective preference pane and in the Dock & Menu Bar pane.

No bother. Just open the Dock & Menu Bar pane, click Clock under Menu Bar Only in the left-hand list, and you can customize just as you always have: use a 24-hour clock, flash the time separators for each passing second, and so on.

Apple didn't try to hide these settings, but they moved after many years to a new—temporary—home.

The bonus of this new location? A preview of all your choices appears in the upper-right corner of the pane for Clock and all other Menu Bar and Control Center choices. It's a great compact visualization even though you can see the changes take effect instantly in the Menu Bar, too.

Of course, this will change once again with the release later this year of macOS 13 Ventura! In that upcoming version, you find Clock and Menu Bar options in Settings > Control Center, which now includes all Control Center items and Menu Bar only items. Click Clock Options to the right of the Clock label to gain access to familiar choices. The preview? It's gone.

Click for article.

Apple reportedly introduced major under-the-hood security updates to macOS this year

by Filipe Espósito, 9to5mac

Apple is frequently releasing new updates to its operating systems with bug fixes and security improvements. In addition, macOS also has a system that lets Apple silently deliver anti-malware protections to Mac computers. And according to a recent research, the company this year introduced major under-the-hood security updates to macOS.

Anti-malware protection in macOS

Just like any other software on the market, macOS is susceptible to malware. And while Macs don't have an app like Windows Defender that is clearly visible to users, the Mac operating system has a tool called "XProtect" that constantly scans for malware in the background.

XProtect was first introduced with Mac OS X Snow Leopard in 2009, and it can not only find malware on a Mac but also get remote updates from Apple with new malware definitions without requiring a full macOS update. Another similar tool from Apple, Malware Removal Tool (MRT), works in a similar way to remove malware present on a Mac.

Researcher Howard Oakley of Eclectic Light Company (via ArsTechnica) has been monitoring both tools for some time to get an idea of how Apple keeps its computers secure. With macOS Monterey 12.3, which was introduced earlier this year, Apple released a new version of XProtect that replaces the old MRT in a more aggressive way.

Since then, Oakley claims that macOS malware protection "has changed more than it did over the previous seven years." For instance, Oakley notes that XProtect scans the Mac at least once a day "during periods of low user activity." The frequency can change depending on the situation, and the malware scan can run up to every hour.

Previously, macOS scanned the computer for malware at a much lower frequency and mostly after startup. While the latest updates don't make macOS immune to malware, the new system definitely makes it more difficult for Mac users to be targeted by such attacks.

Older versions of macOS also get updates

The best part is that even Macs running older versions of macOS benefit from the new version of XProtect. According to the researcher, the update has also been made available for computers running macOS Catalina and later.

As for Macs running even older versions of macOS, Oakley reveals that the last security update for versions between OS X El Capitan and macOS Mojave was released in April 2022. Of course, if you still have a Mac stuck on this software, it might be time to consider upgrading to a new machine, since it seems that Apple will no longer release regular security updates for it.

Earlier today, Apple released iOS 12.5.6 for older devices like iPhone 5s, iPhone 6, and the first generation iPad Air. The update fixes two security vulnerabilities that were also fixed for newer devices with iOS 15.6.1.

Click for article.

The Five Best Free Drawing Apps for Mac

from techjunkie

Digital art has made it easier than ever before for creatives to get to work on their passion projects, but unfortunately, premium professional art tools still cost an arm and a leg. Apps like Adobe's Illustrator and Procreate have made it so anyone with a computer or tablet and some decent talent can start crafting some fantastic pieces, but unfortunately, the price of both pieces of software can stop incredible artists from getting to share their talent.

Thankfully, if you have a Mac, drawing on your computer doesn't have to cost a pretty penny. In fact, while apps like Illustrator can be pretty expensive, there are plenty of apps that offer similar, if not identical, features as what you'll find in Adobe's drawing app. This means they allow you to create professional-grade sketches, vectors, and concept art. If you are really serious about digital drawing, the money you save on app subscription can go towards other gear. For example, a good drawing tablet is roughly the same price as Adobe Photoshop or the latest edition of Corel Painter.

Professional or novice, the software in this write-up allows you to hone your drawing skills, and you can hardly go wrong regardless of which one you choose. All in all, you should consider what you need out of an app before diving into any of these. With that in mind, let's see which apps made it on our top five list.

Continue reading and see video....

How to Use iCloud Private relay on a Mac to Avoid Web Trackers

by Dennis Sellers, rocketyard

With macOS Monterey, Apple's iCloud+ adds some new features such as iCloud Private Relay. It's a privacy-focused feature similar to using a VPN (more on the technical details below) that is designed to shield your internet traffic from ad trackers, your ISP, and even hackers.

About Private Relay

You should note that, as I wrote this, Private Relays was still in beta stage (as indicated by the screen shots). It's possible that some websites may have issues, like showing content for the wrong region or requiring extra steps to sign in.

To use iCloud Private Relay, you'll have to subscribe to one of Apple's iCloud plans. All paid iCloud plans are eligible, as are shared family iCloud plans or ones purchased through a shared Apple One subscription. iCloud pricing ranges from $2.99/month for the 50GB plan to $9.99/month for 2TB family plans.

Continue reading....

iPhone 14 camera improvements will sell it to me; the cutout not so much

by Ben Lovejoy, 9to5mac

I never used to upgrade my iPhone every year, but have done so for the last three: the iPhone 11, 12, and 13. I'm fully expecting the iPhone 14 camera improvements to see this trend continue.

A new look never hurts, and this year the Pro models will be getting this in the form of a pill-shaped cutout. I took advantage of a simple but clever way to preview this on my own phone …

Ian Zelbo came up with the cutout preview idea. Just download his image, view it full-screen, and turn your phone upside-down.

I don't see much practical benefit. The amount of usable display space lost is about the same either way. Indeed, as the cutout extends further down, in some ways you lose more of the screen with this approach.

But I do like two things about it. First, simply the novelty value. There comes a time when you've looked at the same thing so many times over such a long period that you get bored with it no matter how appealing the design. A pill cutout isn't better, in my view, but it is at least different.

Second - assuming the reports are correct - I like the idea of the camera and microphone alerts being in the middle of the cutout. This seems to be a much neater and more logical place to put them.

Continue reading....

There's no iPhone 14 mini, but you still have two ways to get the 'mini' design

by Chance Miller, 9to5ma

With today's launch of the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, and iPhone 14 Pro Max, Apple has rearranged the rest of its iPhone lineup.

This year, the iPhone 12 lives on to see another year, but the iPhone 12 mini has been dropped. The iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 mini live on to see another year, while the iPhone 11 has officially been discontinued three years after its original launch.

So as it stands today, here's the iPhone lineup currently available from Apple's website:

• iPhone SE with 64GB: $429
• iPhone 12 with 64GB: $599
• iPhone 13 mini with 128GB: $599
• iPhone 13 with 128GB: $699
• iPhone 14 with 128GB: $799
• iPhone 14 Plus with 128GB: $899
• iPhone 14 Pro with 128GB: $999
• iPhone 14 Pro Max with 128GB: $1099

As is standard practice, Apple has discontinued last year's iPhone 13 Pro lineup. The notable change this year is that the iPhone 13 mini is still available for those who want a 5.4-inch iPhone form factor. Apple had been selling the iPhone 12 mini up until today, but it's no longer available outside of the refurbished store.

With today's changes, Apple discontinued the "mini" form factor for new iPhones and instead opted to launch the iPhone 14 Plus with a 6.7-inch display.

If you want a "mini" iPhone, you have two options as it stands today. You can buy the iPhone 13 mini in brand new condition starting at $599 for 128GB. Or, you can head to Apple's refurbished store and buy the iPhone 12 mini with 256GB for $569.

As always, it's important to keep in mind that the availability of Apple's refurbished products is often limited and can change at any time.

Click for article.

AirPods Pro and AirPods 3 buying options and price changes

by Filipe Espósito, 9to5mac

Apple on Wednesday introduced the second generation of its high-end AirPods Pro wireless earbuds, and they come with multiple enhancements. At the same time, the company also made some changes to the entire lineup of AirPods. Read on as we detail what's new for the AirPods lineup.

AirPods Pro 2

First and most obviously, there are AirPods Pro 2. The new generation comes with the same design as the previous version, but this time with hardware improvements.

For instance, the new earbuds feature Apple's new H2 chip, which is able to increase Active Noise Cancellation by up to two times and make the Spatial Audio experience even more immersive.

AirPods Pro 2 also comes with new ear tip sizes to ensure that users will find the perfect fit for their ears. The battery life of both the earbuds and the charging case have been increased and now deliver up to six hours of listening time and 30 hours total with the case. The new AirPods Pro also features touch controls, so you can swipe up or down to change the volume.

Apple has also introduced a new charging case that has precision finding support, just like AirTag. The new case also has a built-in speaker for the first time, so you can play audible alerts on it through the Find My app. Other changes include support for the Apple Watch charger and the option to add a lanyard loop to it.

AirPods Pro 3

AirPods 3 was introduced last year and it remains in the lineup as a more affordable option to Apple's wireless earphones. However, while Apple has made no changes to the hardware of the AirPods 3, the company introduced a new $10 cheaper version that comes with a charging case with no support for Qi or MagSafe chargers.

First-generation AirPods Pro discontinued

With the introduction of the second-generation AirPods Pro, Apple has chosen to discontinue the first generation of its Pro wireless earbuds rather than keep them in the lineup for a lower price. Of course, you can still find the first generation AirPods Pro for lower prices on Amazon.

This is the new AirPods lineup

With all that in mind, here's how the AirPods lineup looks now:

• Second-generation AirPods: $129
• Third-generation AirPods (Lightning case): $169
• Third-generation AirPods (MagSafe case): $179
• AirPods Pro 2: $249
• AirPods Max: $549

Pre-orders of the new AirPods Pro begin at 5:00 a.m. PT on Friday, September 9. The new earbuds will hit stores later this month on September 23.

Click for article.

AirPods Pro 2 vs AirPods Pro, AirPods 2/3: How the lineup compares

by Michael Potuck,, 9to5mac

AirPods Pro 2 are here and the follow-up to Apple's hit earphones with active noise cancellation have a ton of upgrades. That includes features like 2x more noise cancellation, adaptive transparency, an upgraded charging case with Find My tracking, speaker, and lanyard loop, and much more. Read along for our in-depth comparison of AirPods Pro 2 vs AirPods Pro, AirPods 3, and 2.

Table of contents

• AirPods Pro 2 vs AirPods Pro, AirPods 2/3: In-depth comparison
• Key features
• Battery life and charging case
• Chips and connectivity
• Mics, sensors, and audio tech
• AirPods Pro 2 fit, size, and weight
• AirPods Pro 2 vs AirPods Pro and AirPods 3 wrap-up

Continue reading....