Newsletter Archives

• New AskWoody support for Apple products

  Posted on September 25, 2019 at 11:10 CDT by woody • Comment in the Forums

  Nathan Parker has assembled, and PKCano has posted, a new AskWoody Knowledge Base article, AKB 2000014: Ongoing List of Apple Operating System Updates. It’ll keep you updated on the latest Apple patches, and our recommendations about installing or waiting on each. Given the recent problems, particularly with iOS13, it’s a must-read for anybody with an Apple product.

  Our approach to Apple is the same as our approach to Microsoft (and Google, too, for that matter): We calls ’em like we sees ’em. Don’t expect any pulled punches or marketing pablum.

  Thanks, folks!

  And while you’re at it, wander through the MacOS for Windows Wonks Forum. Nathan has added many interesting topics to the list.

  Apple AirPods, AKB 2000014, HomePods, iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, watchOS

• iOS 13 for iPhone, watchOS 5 released, Apple Arcade launches

  Posted on September 20, 2019 at 06:39 CDT by woody • Comment in the Forums

  From Nathaniel Parker:

  Apple released iOS 13 for iPhone and iPod Touch on Thursday, as well as watchOS 5 for Series 3 and Series 4 Apple Watch models (older models are being delayed).

  Unless one wishes to be adventurous, my recommendation is to wait on updating Apple
  devices. I will have more details coming up this weekend, as well as AskWoody will be releasing
  a regularly updated list of Apple operating system updates with update guidance coming up.

  Apple Arcade, Apple’s $4.99/month (after one month trial) gaming service, also launched today
  (requires iOS 13). I personally don’t play games, so I’m not interested in it, but early reviews
  have been overall positive for some gamers who want the experience of playing games across
  Apple devices, as well as the unique titles and family sharing included with it.

  Lastly, iOS 13.1 and iPadOS will now be released on September 24 instead of September 30.

  From what I hear, iOS 13.1, in particular, has loads of bug fixes.

  UPDATE: From @PKCano, a pointer to a sobering article in CNN Business:

  A flaw in iOS 13, the new iPhone operating system Apple released Thursday, exposes contact details stored in iPhones without requiring a passcode or biometric identification. And Apple (AAPL) has known about the flaw since July, a person who reported the bug to Apple told CNN Business.

  A hacker would need physical access to a target’s phone to complete the hack — but once it is in their possession they could bypass Apple’s standard security features like facial I.D. Once they have done so, they can access the phone’s address book and see information for contacts stored on the phone, as well as indications of the most recent contacts with whom the phone’s owner had been communicating.

  It’s like deja vu all over again….

  Apple iOS, watchOS