• Meeting Intro with Harry
• "New iPhone"
• Q&A with "A" Team based on questions emailed prior to meeting
Location:
by ZOOM on-line
Magic Minutes for April 19, 2023
by Wendy Shimada, Secretary
Harry Anderson welcomed Magic Members to the meeting at 4:02 p.m.; there were 18 members in attendance.
The meeting was called to order at 4:04 pm by President Harry Anderson; 24 Members were in attendance. Harry welcomed everyone to the meeting then invited Treasurer Gary McIntyre to provide a report on Finances: monthly expense of $14.95 for web hosting, leaving a balance of $8829.78. Harry reminded everyone that due to the zoom format of the meetings, monthly dues are not being collected but as always, monetary support is welcome; contributions can be made on the MAGIC website: www.whidbey.com/magicmug.
Harry surveyed the members and asked for member input on the following:
Is the current format of short presentations and Q&A working for everyone or are there any recommended changes or additions? Are members interested in an in-person August meeting (& recommended location)? Is the day/time still convenient for everyone?
The current format seems to be supported; an August in-person meeting was also supported. Although the day and time was acceptable by meeting attendees, it was suggested that the question be included in the next newsletter to allow input from those members who were unable to attend. The current format of a short focused presentation, followed by Q & A will continue. May's presentation is on the new iPhone and June the Ventura OS.
Following the meeting, Ron Sharp gave a short informative presentation on Passwords, which was recorded and can be found at the zoom page of this website.
The meeting was adjourned at 5:15 pm
MAGIC Musings
I am the proud owner of a new iMac 24" Retina 4.5K display with the wondrous Apple M1 chip and the marvelous new Ventura operating system. This has sent me to MAGIC heaven for the last few days.
But it wasn't easy to get to MAGIC heaven. My 7-year-old iMac 21" with not so many bells and whistles had grown old and grumpier than its owner. It would freeze or do a modest crash. It was slow to open email and web sites. It wobbled and disconnected me as host during a recent MAGIC Zoom meeting. It would forget where somethings were filed. I nonetheless stuck with it out of loyalty — it was, after all, the first Apple computer I ever owned after decades in the PC universe. Finally, however, I had to face reality. My old iMac needed to retire. I called on Ron Sharp, one of our MAGIC experts, to help me transfer everything from the old machine to the new one. The grumpy old one didn't cooperate very well and it took a number of tries to get everything moved. Thank goodness I had followed MAGIC advice by connecting an external hard drive to the old machine, which meant that all my files and apps were saved no matter what Grumpy might do during a file transfer.
So I have now submitted a two-part question for our experts to discuss at our next meeting, which is scheduled for May 17 at 4 p.m. via Zoom. Here it is: What is the best way to dispose of an old Mac once you have removed all your files and apps, and what are your recommendations for how best to transfer files and apps from an old Mac to a new one? I anxiously await the experts' discussion.
Remember that our meetings now are mostly a Q&A format with our experts answering questions that you have submitted in advance to our MAGIC email: magicmug@whidbey.net.
This month, Gary McIntyre will do a short presentation on the new iPhone and will answer questions on that subject before tackling the other questions that have been submitted.
I will send out the Zoom link for the May 17 meeting the day before. If you have attended a meeting in the past or have asked to be on the Zoom list, you will receive the link by email. If you would like to be added to the list, please contact newsletter editor Ron Sharp.
Harry Anderson
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.
Apple releases first public Rapid Security Response update for iOS 16.4.1 and macOS 13.3.1
by Chance Miller, 9to5mac
Over the last several months, Apple has been beta testing a new "Rapid Security Response" feature for iOS. This allows the company to quickly roll out important security fixes to all iPhone users without releasing a full iOS update.
Now, Apple appears to be rolling out its first-ever public Rapid Security Response update to iOS 16.4.1 users.
iOS 16.4.1 Rapid Security Response update
The update, which was first spotted by Aaron Zollo on Twitter, is rolling out to iPhone users now. As of now, Apple hasn't published release notes on what specific security vulnerabilities this update fixes.
"This Rapid Security Response provides important security fixes and is recommended for all users," Apple says. The update comes in at around 85MB for iPhone users. Even though the update is appearing in the Settings app, however, some iPhone users are seeing an error message when they try to install it: "Unable to verify security response."
In a new support document published on Monday, Apple explained what Rapid Security Response updates are designed to do:
Rapid Security Responses are a new type of software release for iPhone, iPad, and Mac. They deliver important security improvements between software updates — for example, improvements to the Safari web browser, the WebKit framework stack, or other critical system libraries. They may also be used to mitigate some security issues more quickly, such as issues that might have been exploited or reported to exist "in the wild."
New Rapid Security Responses are delivered only for the latest version of iOS, iPadOS and macOS — beginning with iOS 16.4.1, iPadOS 16.4.1, and macOS 13.3.1.
Apple is also rolling out a separate Rapid Security Response update to Mac users running the latest public version of macOS 13.3.1.
You'll also need to make sure the ability to receive Rapid Security Response updates is enabled on your device:
iPhone or iPad: Go to Settings > General > Software Update > Automatic Updates, then make sure that "Security Responses & System Files" is turned on.
Mac: Go to System Settings, choose General in the sidebar, then click Software Update on the right. Click the Show Details button "i" next to Automatic Updates, then make sure that "Install Security Responses and system files" is turned on.
Apple releases new firmware for all AirPods models, MagSafe charger, and more
by Michael Potuck, 9to5mac
Apple has launched new firmware for eight of its products today. That includes all of its AirPods models (except gen 1), Beats Fit Pro, PowerBeats Pro, and its official MagSafe charger. Here's what to look out for to know if you've running the latest updates.
Apple's firmware updates for its headphones and other accessories are notoriously tricky. There's no way to manually install the updates, all you can really do is look to see if the new firmware has been auto-installed - or head to an Apple Store to get the firmware.
And Apple doesn't share release notes detailing the changes that come with its new firmware.
For AirPods or Beats headphones, you can head to your iPhone to see if the update has been installed:
Put in/on your headphones or connect them to your iPhone
Open the Settings app > tap them at the top
Swipe to the very bottom and look next to Version
If you don't have your headphones around, you can also head to Settings > Bluetooth > headphones > "i" > Version.
If your headphones haven't been updated yet, just keep them nearby your iPhone or other Apple device and have them in the case charging for the process to happen at some point. Apple also highlights to make sure your iPhone or iPad is running the latest software. Good luck! 😅
Latest Beats Fit Pro and Powerbeats Pro firmware update patches a security exploit
by Ed Filipe Esp&oacut;sito, 9to5mac
On Tuesday, Apple released firmware updates for multiple of its wireless earbuds, including not only AirPods models but also Beats headphones. But interestingly, Apple has now confirmed that the firmware update available for Beats Fit Pro and Powerbeats Pro fixes a security exploit.
Beats firmware update includes security patch
As noted by Twitter user Aaron, the company has included the latest firmware update for the Beats headphones in its list of security updates. Build 5B66 of the Beats Firmware Update, which is available for both Powerbeats Pro and Beats Fit Pro, fixes an exploit that could lead to someone spoofing the source device to gain access to your headphones.
The company says that an "authentication issue was addressed with improved state management." The vulnerability identified by CVE-ID 2023-27964 was attributed to researchers Yun-hao Chung and Archie Pusaka from the Google ChromeOS team.
Here's how Apple describes the exploit:
Impact: When your headphones are seeking a connection request to one of your previously paired devices, an attacker in Bluetooth range might be able to spoof the intended source device and gain access to your headphones.
Unfortunately, updating a Beats wireless headset is just as tricky as updating AirPods. That's because the update process happens automatically, and there's no way to force it. You can check the current firmware version of your AirPods or Beats headphones by pairing them to your iPhone or iPad and going to Settings > Bluetooth.
If your headphones haven't been updated yet, just keep them nearby your iPhone or other Apple device and have them in the case charging for the process to happen at some point. Apple also highlights ensuring your iPhone or iPad is running the latest software.
Apple trade-in values updated, with mix of increases and decreases
by Ben Lovejoy, 9to5mac
Apple trade-in values certainly don't match what you'll get from selling privately, but they do offer a safe and painless way to upgrade to a new device. The company has today updated the amounts offered, with a mix of increases and decreases (and some unchanged sums).
In the case of the iPhone increases, the differences range from $10 to $30. The maximum trade-in available now for an iPhone is $630, while the minimum is just $40 …
You can save money on new Apple devices by trading in old ones. Here's how Apple trade in and similar services work and how much you can get for an old iPhone, Mac, iPad or Watch.
Buying a new iPhone, iPad or Mac can be an expensive business. But if you don't mind trading in your previous device then you can make a decent saving on the cost of its replacement. We explain how Apple trade in works and why it's something you should definitely consider.
We also look at some of the alternative trade in services, since it's not only Apple who accepts an old iPhone, Mac, iPad or Apple Watch in exchange for a new one.
Update: On May 4, 2023 Apple increased the trade-in values for some iPhones, iPads and Macs, but in many case the trade-in price decreased.
What devices can I trade-in at Apple?
Apple trade-ins cover a wide variety of devices, including iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple Watch.
Apple doesn't take iPods or Apple TVs, but it will recycle them for you for free. In fact, Apple says: "You can take your old small electronic equipment such as smartphones, tablets, computers or batteries to any Apple Store and we'll recycle them responsibly and free of charge."
How much do you get for trading in an old device with Apple?
As you might expect, the amount on offer varies depending on the device you want to trade. The newer the product, and the better its condition, the more you can expect to get for it. Obviously, if your device is a few years old it's likely it's condition won't be so great and you won't get as much money for it.
You can get money for trading in an old Mac, iPad, iPhone, or Apple Watch. Trade in an old MacBook Pro and you could save as much as $730/£615, an old iPad Pro could save you up to $445/£490, and an Apple Watch Series 7 could get you $165/£145 credit.
In the US you can even get up to $305 if you trade in an old Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra. Apple also offers trade in on other Android devices from a variety of manufacturers, such as Samsung, Google and Huawei, although at the time of writing tablets, PCs and other smartwatches were only available for recycling.
You can check the latest trade-in prices on Apple's US website here and the UK Apple site here.
Just be aware that this is a trade-in deal, so you won't get any cash in exchange for your old device. Instead, Apple will either credit the amount against a new purchase or give you an Apple gift card of the same value.
We round up the best printers for MacBook, Mac, iPhone and iPad. These AirPrint-equipped printers are easy to use and ideal for home and office.
In recent times, with many of us working at least part of the time from home, it has become more necessary to have access to a printer in our homes. There are so many different types of printers available and it's important to make the right choice and buy one that suits your needs-and doesn't end up costing a fortune in inks.
In this article we round up the best printers available for Mac owners, as well as for those who want to print from an iPhone or iPad.
Which printer to buy: Inkjet or laser?
Laser printers are relatively expensive, primarily aimed at business users who need a high-performance device that can cope with the workload in a busy office. For home users, and people who work from home or in a small office, we recommend inkjet printers instead.
Inkjet technology hasn't changed much in recent years, and most inkjet printers still stick to the traditional method of using cartridges that contain four different coloured inks - cyan, magenta, yellow and black, also known as 'CMYK' - for printing everything from simple text documents to glossy photographs.
There are a few variations, though, starting with basic mono (black and white) printers that just use black ink on its own for printing letters and other text documents. At the other end of the spectrum there are specialised photo printers that may use five or six different coloured inks in order to produce really colourful, high-quality photo prints. Beware that there are hidden costs when it comes to the inks though, which we discuss below.
Mac compatibility
Another thing to consider as a Mac user is whether the features will all work with your Mac, and whether the printer has features like AirPrint, which will make the set up much simpler.
Most printers these days are Mac-compatible, but we have seen quite a few printers that work better with Windows PCs. The problem here lies in the driver software that controls the printer, which may be different on Macs and PCs. One common weakness is printer software that provides duplex printing-two-sided printing, on both sides of the page-for Windows, but not on the Mac. So it's always worth checking the technical info on the manufacturer's web site to make sure that the Mac software provided with the printer includes all the same features as the Windows equivalent.
Of course, Macs have always been used for creative tasks such as graphic design and photo editing, so many Mac users may prefer to opt for a more specialised printer that is designed for graphics and photographic work.
You don't need to be a professional photographer, either, as many people now use their iPhone or iPad to shoot selfies, portraits and landscape photos when they're out and about. This has given rise to a new generation of printers that are more focused on mobile devices, so Apple users should check that the printer supports Apple's AirPrint software - which allows you to quickly print from an iPhone or iPad without having to install any other software or apps first.
All the printers tested below are AirPrint-compatible, which means you won't need to install printer drivers and that your Mac, iPhone and iPad will instantly connect to them.
5 features in Apple's Photos app you need to try today
by D. Griffin Jones, cultofmac
It might not be apparent at first, but Apple's Photos app gives you plenty of ways to manage your photo library and tweak the images in it.
If you have tens of thousands of photos like I do, your photo library is probably a big mess. You could spend hundreds of hours meticulously sorting images into albums, and tweaking settings to get everything just right. Or you can use some of the features Apple offers to make things easy.
I've already covered my top tips for taking photos. Here are my top five tips for managing and manipulating the great photos you took, using tools in Apple's Photos app.
I love tagging faces in my pictures. Finding great pictures of people you know is so much easier if your phone knows all their names and can look up pictures for you.
This is far easier to do in the Photos app on a Mac, but I'll also have instructions for iPhone.
This should go without saying, but I have edited my real photo library for the purposes of this article.
Screenshot: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac
On a Mac, open Photos and then click on the People album in the sidebar. You'll probably find it pre-populated with a few different faces. Hover the cursor over the icon and click + Name at the bottom; type in a name. Match it to a contact if you can.
Apple and Google lead initiative for an industry specification to address unwanted tracking
from apple newsroom
Companies welcome input from industry participants and advocacy groups on a draft specification to alert users in the event of suspected unwanted tracking
Location-tracking devices help users find personal items like their keys, purse, luggage, and more through crowdsourced finding networks. However, they can also be misused for unwanted tracking of individuals.
Today Apple and Google jointly submitted a proposed industry specification to help combat the misuse of Bluetooth location-tracking devices for unwanted tracking. The first-of-its-kind specification will allow Bluetooth location-tracking devices to be compatible with unauthorized tracking detection and alerts across iOS and Android platforms. Samsung, Tile, Chipolo, eufy Security, and Pebblebee have expressed support for the draft specification, which offers best practices and instructions for manufacturers, should they choose to build these capabilities into their products.
"Apple launched AirTag to give users the peace of mind knowing where to find their most important items," said Ron Huang, Apple's vice president of Sensing and Connectivity. "We built AirTag and the Find My network with a set of proactive features to discourage unwanted tracking — a first in the industry — and we continue to make improvements to help ensure the technology is being used as intended. This new industry specification builds upon the AirTag protections, and through collaboration with Google results in a critical step forward to help combat unwanted tracking across iOS and Android."
"Bluetooth trackers have created tremendous user benefits, but they also bring the potential of unwanted tracking, which requires industrywide action to solve," said Dave Burke, Google's vice president of Engineering for Android. "Android has an unwavering commitment to protecting users, and will continue to develop strong safeguards and collaborate with the industry to help combat the misuse of Bluetooth tracking devices."
In addition to incorporating feedback from device manufacturers, input from various safety and advocacy groups has been integrated into the development of the specification.
"The National Network to End Domestic Violence has been advocating for universal standards to protect survivors — and all people — from the misuse of Bluetooth tracking devices. This collaboration and the resulting standards are a significant step forward. NNEDV is encouraged by this progress," said Erica Olsen, the National Network to End Domestic Violence's senior director of its Safety Net Project. "These new standards will minimize opportunities for abuse of this technology and decrease the burden on survivors in detecting unwanted trackers. We are grateful for these efforts and look forward to continuing to work together to address unwanted tracking and misuse."
"Today's release of a draft specification is a welcome step to confront harmful misuses of Bluetooth location trackers," said Alexandra Reeve Givens, the Center for Democracy & Technology's president and CEO. "CDT continues to focus on ways to make these devices more detectable and reduce the likelihood that they will be used to track people. A key element to reducing misuse is a universal, OS-level solution that is able to detect trackers made by different companies on the variety of smartphones that people use every day. We commend Apple and Google for their partnership and dedication to developing a uniform solution to improve detectability. We look forward to the specification moving through the standardization process and to further engagement on ways to reduce the risk of Bluetooth location trackers being misused."
The specification has been submitted as an Internet-Draft via the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF), a leading standards development organization. Interested parties are invited and encouraged to review and comment over the next three months. Following the comment period, Apple and Google will partner to address feedback, and will release a production implementation of the specification for unwanted tracking alerts by the end of 2023 that will then be supported in future versions of iOS and Android.
Apple Card Savings Account: Hands-on and how to sign up to start earning interest
by Chance Miller, 9to5mac
After first being announced back in October, Apple's new Apple Card Savings Account is officially available. Head below for a closer look at how to sign up for an Apple Card Savings Account, what it looks like in the Wallet app, and how to manage your Daily Cash rewards.
How to sign up for Apple Card Savings Account
Apple Card Savings Account is integrated directly into the Wallet app on your iPhone. It's available exclusively to Apple Card users, so if you aren't an Apple Card user, you won't be able to sign up for the savings account. This, of course, also means that the Apple Card Savings Account is only available in the United States.
The process to sign up for an Apple Card Savings Account is incredibly straightforward. Here's how to do it.
Open the Wallet on your iPhone.
Tap on your Apple Card.
Tap the "…" three dots in the upper-right corner.
Tap on the "Daily Cash" option in the menu.
Scroll down and look for the "Apple Card Savings Account" option.
Now, the Wallet app will walk you through the sign-up process for an Apple Card Savings Account. You'll need to enter your Social Security number, agree to the terms and conditions, then submit your application to Goldman Sachs (Apple's partner bank) for final approval.
It should only take a few minutes to complete this sign-up process. Once you're approved, you'll receive an email from Apple, and you'll be able to access your Apple Card Savings Account directly in the Wallet app.
After approval, you'll see a new "Savings Account" interface within the Apple Card section of the Wallet app. Tap on this to view your current account balance, to add money to your account, and to withdraw any money to a linked bank account or to your Apple Cash card.
You can fund your account through a linked bank account or from your Apple Cash balance. Withdrawals and deposits "typically take 1-3 business days," Apple says, and there are no fees whatsoever.
Finally, to set up your Apple Card Daily Cash rewards to instantly deposit into your Savings account, follow these steps:
Open the Wallet on your iPhone.
Tap on your Apple Card.
Tap the "…" three dots in the upper-right corner.
Tap on the "Daily Cash" option in the menu.
Under "Daily Cash Election," choose "Savings."
The current interest rate for Apple Card Savings Account is 4.15%, but as always, this APY can change based on the broader economy. "Your account starts earning interest on the day of your first deposit," Apple explains. "Interest is compounded daily and paid at the end of the month."
How to join the awesome password-free future and use passkeys
by D. Griffin Jones, cultofmac
Managing passwords is and always has been a giant pain. It isn't the best system, but it's the system we've got. Well, not if Apple can do anything about it. Passkeys are a new system that automatically signs you in to online services using your phone's Face ID (or Touch ID) or your computer's password. It's one less thing to remember; it works without fiddling around with a password manager.
Passkeys aren't an Apple-exclusive feature. You can bet the technology will be supported no matter what devices you have because all of these companies are part of the FIDO Alliance that created the system … eventually.
Apple fully supports it in iOS 16 and Safari 16 for Mac, as does Google's Chrome browser on multiple platforms. Android 9 and above supports passkeys via Credential Manager, and Google just this week added passkey support to user accounts on "all major platforms." (Microsoft won't add it to Windows until later this year. Until every platform supports passkeys, you can still use your passwords to sign in.)
Is the Apple Card worth it? Here's what you need to know
by Chance Miller, 9to5mac
Apple Card has been available for several years at this point, and it's proven to be a very popular credit card. Despite its popularity, however, there are a few things to keep in mind before signing up for Apple Card. Here's what you need to know.
Apple Card quick facts
Apply and manage directly in the Wallet app on your iPhone
Get a free Apple-designed titanium card
No late fees
No over-limit fees
No foreign transaction fees
Created by Apple with a financial back-end powered by Goldman Sachs
All payments due on the last day of the month
Find out if you're approved with only a soft credit check
AirPods are the wireless earbuds that ordinary Bluetooth headphones want to be when they grow up. They're seamlessly integrated with your iPhone, Apple Watch, iPad and Mac. They're deceptively simple — but if you want to get more out of them, you need to dig through Settings.
I've done some spelunking and found six super-handy hidden features you might not know about.
How to improve iPad battery life: Why your battery is draining and 8 tips to boost it
by Michael Potuck, 9to5mac
If you're noticing faster battery drain with your iPad than expected, you're not alone. Here's a look at 8 tips and tricks to understand why you might be seeing it drain quickly and how to improve iPad battery life.
Almost all iPads models come with 10-hour battery life when they're new. But naturally, as a consumable component, battery capacity decreases over time.
Along with diving into what could be going on with your iPad battery and how to improve it, we'll cover how to see your iPad battery health.
What causes increased battery drain?
Streaming video
High background app activity or location services activity
Using a cellular connection
High screen brightness, long or "never" auto-lock time
Using a new iPad more than normal checking out new features, cameras, etc.
Downloading a large photo/video library is particularly draining
iPad will run hotter when restoring and use more battery
There are many other factors at play, but these six are notable ones.
How to check iPad battery health?
The lower your battery capacity (health), the faster your iPad will drain - so it's helpful to understand where your iPad is on that as a starting point.
iOS 16 features a "Battery Health & Charging" section in Settings that makes it easy to see iPhone's current battery capacity (health). And it's easy to check a MacBook's battery health and charge cycles in System Settings and System Report.
However, Apple hasn't brought that to iPadOS - at least yet. However, there are a few ways to check your iPad's battery health with third-party apps.
My two favorite third-party apps to see iPad battery health and much more are:
Alternatively, you could head to an Apple Store or see if Apple Support can run remote diagnostics on your iPad. There is also a roundabout way to see iPad battery health hidden in iPadOS Settings.
Heart Analyzer app for iPhone and Apple Watch overhauled with new 'Dashboard' and more for your Health data
by Chance miller, 9to5mac
Heart Analyzer is a popular iPhone and Apple Watch app that takes data from the Health app and provides more insight, additional trend information, and more. Today, a new update is rolling out to Heart Analyzer with an all-new Dashboard view, new charts, redesigned Apple Watch complications, and more.
Heart Analyzer is described as an app that gives you a "powerful understanding of your heart vitals." It takes data from the Apple Health app and gives you a comprehensive overview of trends, charts, and more. "The app offers an incredibly comprehensive way to engage with your Health metrics in a whole new way," developer Simon Edwards explains.
With today's update to Heart Analyzer, the "Dashboard" interface has gotten a complete overhaul that makes it easier to scroll and view your data by swiping between days, viewing summaries, and tapping on specific days and data points for additional information. The Custom Heart Rate Zones feature can also now be tracked directly from the Dashboard view.
The update also brings a new "Insights" feature that lets you view your Health Vital trends:
In an effort to give more relevance to the section, the Heart Home has been renamed to Insights. Here you can view updated metrics and charts on various Vital Health types. Trends let you compare the past 30 days to the preceding 30 days. This gives the user quick, understandable summaries into how their Health data is looking. Beyond that I've also updated the Heart Reports to use the new Swift Charts for more visually compelling and accurate displaying of Health data.
Heart Analyzer also now offers a broader range of chart options with updated range charts for Oxygen Saturation, Heart Rate Variability, and Respiratory Rate.
These charts continue to indicate average values for the day, but the vertical bars now represent 10th & 90th percentiles of the data. Markers still also indicate the day's maximum and minimum values. These percentile bars offer better comparisons between day to day changes by ensuring spikes in the data have less effect on the overall picture.
The "Deep Analytics" section of Heart Analyzer has been revamped with new charts and Health types, including Cardio Fitness and Sleep Time averages. Finally, the Apple Watch app has been updated with new complications and support for Apple's AFib History feature:
All the Heart Analyzer Watch Face Complications that display charts have been refreshed - courtesy of Swift Charts. This looks particularly good with the Recent Heart Rate and Today/Yesterday Heart Rate complications. One Complication is completely brand new for V10, this is the new Recent HRV chart which works perfectly in conjunction with the new Apple Health AFib History feature. The chart shows your recent 12 hours of HRV data which can have a wide variety of use cases from monitoring readiness, indicating stress or even helping Apple Health AFib History users assess periods when their heart might be running in AFib.
Heart Analyzer is available on the App Store as a free download with a one-time $6.99 in-app purchase to unlock all of the premium features.
Apple TV+ shows and movies: Everything to watch on Apple TV Plus
by Benjamin Mayo, 9to5mac
Apple TV+ offers exclusive Apple original TV shows and movies in 4K HDR quality. You can watch across all of your screens and pick up where you left off on any device. Apple TV+ costs $6.99 per month. Here's every Apple original television show and movie available now on Apple TV+, as well as the latest trailers …
Apple TV+ content is available exclusively through the Apple TV app. You can watch on your Apple TV set-top box, iPhone, or iPad as you might expect.
But you don't need the latest Apple TV 4K to enjoy Apple TV+. The TV app is also available on other platforms like Amazon Fire TV, Roku, Sony PlayStation, Xbox, and even the web at tv.apple.com.
Apple TV+ offers original comedies, dramas, thrillers, documentaries, and kids shows.
For your $6.99/month subscription, you can watch all of Apple's originals — as listed below. You can download to watch offline too. Apple is adding new content every single month.
How to watch the free Apple TV+ shows
The TV app is the exclusive destination for Apple TV+, but the TV app is a little confusing because it blends together purchasable TV shows and movies from the iTunes Store, which you can buy or rent, content from other apps like Amazon Prime and Disney+, and Apple TV Channels.
The Watch Now screen does not really distinguish between content that you own and can watch, and just Apple's general recommendations.
The easiest way to get started with Apple TV+ is to open the Apple TV app on your device, and tap on the Originals tab. (On some platforms, this tab is simply labelled using the 'tv+' logo.)
This tab takes you to the Apple TV+ channel page. This shows you all of the Apple TV+ shows and movies available to watch, separated into categories like comedy, drama and family fun.
Be aware, the web experience at tv.apple.com is a bit barebonds compared to the native TV app on devices, and it only shows Apple original content. For the best experience, use the TV app on a device like Apple TV 4K.
What to watch on Apple TV+
Apple TV+ (Apple TV Plus, or as some erroneously call it Apple+ TV) is still in its infancy but has already seen breakout hits including comedy Ted Lasso and workplace sci-fi drama Severance.
Apple aims for premium quality across its drama, comedy, and documentary TV shows and movies so everything should reach a reasonable level of quality and hopefully be worth your time. In terms of personal recommendations, I suggest starting with Ted Lasso, For All Mankind, Severance, Trying, and the movie Finch.
Read on to see all of the TV shows, movies and specials streaming now on Apple TV+ as well as trailers for upcoming releases.
I was at a job interview today when the manager handed me a laptop and said:
"I want you to try to sell this to me."
So I put it under my arm, left the building and went home.
Eventually he called me and said:
"Bring my laptop back now."
I said: "$200 and it's yours."
AI voice scams: Report shares 77% of victims lose money, how common it is, and how to protect yourself
by Michael Potuck, 9to5ma
AI voice scams are becoming more prevalent and can be extremely convincing because it sounds like you're talking to a loved one. Now we've got an in-depth report that digs into how AI voice cloning works, how common the scams are, the likelihood of falling for one, the average cost, plus how to prevent and protect against AI voice scams.
In April, we saw some real-world examples of next-gen AI scams that are quite frightening. One of them used call spoofing so a loved one showed up on the victim's phone as the person calling. Another one used an AI voice clone to try and extort ransom money from a mother to release her daughter - that wasn't kidnapped.
As I noted in the piece above, it's likely just a matter of time before attackers combine both call spoofing with AI voice clones.
Now McAfee has released an in-depth report on AI voice scams to help build awareness of the threat and a few easy ways to prevent and protect against it.
How does AI voice-cloning work?
McAfee highlights AI voice scams are a remix of "imposter scams" that have been around for a long time, but they can be much more convincing. Often it involves the scammer using a loved one's voice and asking for money for an emergency or in some cases pretending to hold a loved one for ransom.
Because AI voice clone tools are so cheap and available, it's fast and easy for malicious parties to create voice clones. And the way they get sample audio to do that is from people sharing their voices on social media. And the more you share your voice online, the easier it is for threat actors to find and clone your voice.
How common are AI voice scams?
While we've just started to see some real-world stories in the news about AI voice scams, McAfee's study found they're becoming quite common.
The global average showed 25% of people surveyed either experienced an AI scam or someone they know did.
That was higher in the US at 32% with India seeing the most trouble with AI voice scams at 47% of respondents saying they or someone they know has been affected.
How accurate is it?
McAfee's research found that voice-cloning tools deliver up to 95% accuracy.
In the publicly reported cases of AI voice-cloning scams, victims have recounted how the voice sounded "just like" the person being cloned. In one particularly egregious case, where a cybercriminal demanded a ransom for a fake kidnapping, the mother said it was "completely her voice" and that "it was her inflection." It's now harder than ever to tell real from fake, so people will need to assume they can't always believe what they see and hear.
How often and how much do victims lose?
Sadly, McAfee's research shows that 77% of AI voice scam victims lose money
More than one-third lost over $1,000
7% were duped out of between $5,000 and $15,000
In the US, that number is highest with 11% losing between $5,000-$15,000
As a whole, imposter scams are believed to have stolen $2.6 billion in 2022.
How to prevent and protect against AI scams
As I previously wrote, and McAfee also shares, three major ways to prevent and protect against AI voice scams are:
Limit how much you share your voice and/or video online and/or set your social media accounts to private instead of public
Ask a challenge question or even two if you get a suspicious call - something only your loved one would be able to answer (e.g. name your childhood stuffed animal, etc.)
Remember, don't ask a question to which the answer could be found on social media, online, etc.
Let unknown numbers go to voicemail and call or text the person directly from your phone if you're concerned about them
Here are McAfee's full recommendations:
Think before you click and share—who is in your social media network? Do you really know and trust your connections? Be thoughtful about what you are sharing on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok. Consider limiting your posts to just friends and family through the privacy settings. The wider your connections, the more risk you may be opening yourself up to when sharing content about yourself.
Identity monitoring services can help to alert you if your personally identifiable information is available on the Dark Web. Identity theft is often where AI voice and other targeted scams start. Take control of your personal data to avoid a cybercriminal being able to pose as you. Identity monitoring services provide a layer of protection that can safeguard your identity.
And four ways to avoid falling for the AI voice scam directly, include:
Set a 'codeword' with kids, family members, or trusted close friends that only they could know. Make a plan to always ask for it if they call, text, or email to ask for help, particularly if they're older or more vulnerable.
Always question the source—If it's a call, text, or email from an unknown sender, or even if it's from a number you recognize, stop, pause, and think. Asking directed questions can throw off a scammer. For instance, "Can you confirm my son's name?" or, "When is your father's birthday?" Not only can this take the scammer by surprise, but they may also need to regenerate a new response, which can add unnatural pauses into the conversation and create suspicion.
Don't let your emotions take over. Cybercriminals are counting on your emotional connection to the person they're impersonating to spur you into action. Take a step back before responding. Does that really sound like them? Is this something they'd ask of you? Hang up and call the person directly or try to verify the information before responding.
Consider whether to answer unexpected calls from unknown phone numbers. It is generally good advice not to answer calls from strangers. If they leave a voicemail, this gives you time to reflect and contact loved ones independently to confirm their safety.
For more details, check out the full report. You can also read more about AI voice scams on the FTC's website.
Back in March, we saw a piece of malware surface for macOS called MacStealer that's able to compromise iCloud Keychain passwords, credit card information, files, and more. Now a new malware called Atomic macOS Stealer is being sold as a service to malicious parties that may be more threatening.
This year we've seen a report from Malwarebytes covering the state of malware on Mac as well as another study from Elastic Security Labs. In the latter, results showed just 6% of all malware impacted Macs. But even though it's more likely to affect Windows and Linux, threat actors are actively designing malware specifically for macOS and it's important to stay diligent.
With the MacStealer malware that we saw in March, it indeed was powerful but is likely a lower risk overall because macOS Gatekeeper should block it from being installed.
Cyble Research & Intelligence Labs (via MacRumors) recently found the new Atomic macOS Stealer (AMOS) malware as it was advertised for sale on Telegram. The threat actor marketing it is regularly updating the malware and is charging $1,000/month for it.
Notably, Cyble didn't mention macOS Gatekeeper as offering protection for the new AMOS in its technical analysis, so it could prove more dangerous than MacStealer.
What can Atomic macOS Stealer (AMOS) do?
If installed, AMOS can compromise a long list of items including iCloud Keychain passwords; the macOS system password; cookies, passwords, and credit card details from Chrome, Firefox, Brave, Edge, Opera, and more. It can also compromise crypto wallets including Atomic, Binance, Exodus, Electrum, MetaMask, and many more.
The malicious party selling the malware as a service also includes a web panel, Brute MetaMask tool, logs in Telegram with notifications, and more to buyers.
Here is the threat actor pitching the malware on Telegram:
After the malware compromises a user's information, it compresses the data into a ZIP file and sends it back to the malicious party through a C&C server URL.
Cyble has a detailed breakdown of how the malware works in its post here.
How to stay protected against AMOS and other malware
Cyble also shared a reminder about best practices when it comes to installing apps and broader security habits. While you probably know these, it might be helpful to remind friends and family 😁:
Download and install software only from the official Apple App Store.
Use a reputed antivirus and internet security software package on your system.
Use strong passwords and enforce multi-factor authentication wherever possible.
Enable biometric security features such as fingerprint or facial recognition for unlocking the device wherever possible.
Be wary of opening any links received via emails delivered to you.
Be careful while enabling any permissions.
Keep your devices, operating systems, and applications updated.
How to check your Mac for malware
If you're curious to do a checkup on your Mac to make sure there's no malware or adware, Malwarebytes offers a free app (for individuals) to find and remove it.
No, the IRS isn't calling you. It isn't texting or emailing you, either.
This is a SCAM Note the senders address.
No, this is from NAVY FEDERAL. See the from address This is SPAM
An iPhone message. DO NOT CLICK Easy for me as I do not have Netflix. But any request for money with a suspicious link should be check by going to the website of the genuine article.
This is SPAM Note the From address is unlikely and the HTML language at the bottom should not be there.
This SPAM Note the From address is unlikely and the HTML language at the bottom should not be there. It looks like the same spammer as the last one.
This is Malware DO NOT CLICK ON ANYTHING!
This is Malware DO NOT CLICK ON ANYTHING! DO NOT CALL!
Another Fraudulent Browser popup DO NOT CLICK!
Internet Crime
Any one bothered by internet criminal activity should report it to the Federal Bureau of Investigation Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at this web page. This includes phishing, malware, spoofing, any demand for money.
Options are finally becoming available to replace the annoying password system. It may be a slow transition but it's so nice when it's implemented. How it works is that for each site that you log into you will have to go to the settings and select the option to use biometrics if it's available for that site. Then, after it's set up, when you log into the site you'll use either face ID or finger print ID and it will log you in. No password necessary.
Some websites such as Facebook, Best Buy, eBay and some banking apps offer the passkey option now. So convenient. Like logging into your iPhone with Face ID. Your iPhone reads your face ID and opens so quickly without having to enter a passcode. The same applies for websites but is even more convenient because websites usually have such long passwords.
Since this feature uses face ID and finger print ID then your device needs to be able to use those features. The iPhone works great for the new system.
That's how passkeys work as far as the average user is aware. Actually, it's a bit more complex underneath, more than the user needs to know to make it work. When you set up a passkey/ biometric login for a site, a "key" is set with the website and another private key is set on your device. This works via cryptography magic to keep it all data secure in transit.
You may be using it now on a website login and not realize the industry wide change that is implied.
MAGIC, the Macintosh Appreciation Group of Island County, serves people who use Macintosh computers, software and peripherals. Our goal is to share information and get answers to questions to make us more productive with our use of technology. Our monthly meetings give us a chance to discuss computer problems and share ideas with other Mac users, feature speakers on specific topics, and to keep apprised of Apple news.
