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Apple event - WWDC 2023.

With a very busy World Wide Developers Conference this year, there was definitely a lot of things announced.

Apple mentioned the next version of macOS14, iOS 17, iPadOS 17, watchOS10. They also updated the Mac mini and the Mac Studio to the M2 Max/M2 Ultra chip and the last of the hardware to go Apple Silicon - the Mac Pro. They also released a MacBook Air 15.3”. They also demo’ed the move into AR/VR with the announcement of the Apple Vision Pro - a VR/AR headset.

You can find more information about these items below -

macOS 14 (Sonoma)

iOS 17

iPadOS 17

watchOS 10

Mac mini with M2, M2 Pro chip

Mac Studio with M2 Max/ M2 Ultra chip

MacBook Air 15.3”

Mac Pro

Apple Vision Pro

You can also watch the full 2 hour Keynote here.

Apple announce they are closing off “My Photo Stream” on 23rd July 2023

At the end of May, Apple started sending out emails to people advising that My Photo Stream will be closing near the end of July.

You can read Apple’s announcement here.

I know a lot of clients, myself included, used this feature, so it will be a shame to see it go. 

But to help people out I have written an article with more information about it here.

** BEWARE ** “MacStealer malware has been identified

A security research firm have identified a new piece of Apple malware dubbed “MacStealer”. It has the ability to grab iCloud passwords, files and credit card details stored in browsers.

Thankfully, it’s something you have to download first. So as long as you’re cautious where (and what) you download off the internet and be aware of any installer asking for your computer password, then hopefully you should be alright. As it has to have actions from the user to install it. So if you’re vigilant in reading installers, checking what things are installing and just being aware - then you shouldn’t fall for activating it.

You can read more about it here and here

If you don’t have it already then MalwareBytes for Mac is well worth grabbing (Even just the free version is fine), as they regularly update it with new things out there.

You can download it from here.

And as long as you’re cautious and vigilant and keep regular backups, plus the above checker, all should be okay.

Apple also have a background checker for a lot of things called XProtect, so hopefully we’ll see that get updated in the next few days as well. (Though as this can be run as a standard download with user input - it may be harder to check for. I’m sure Apple will release some info over the next few days on this also).

Have you considered if your computer stops working or could be down for quite a while?

If your computer crashes or is down for a long period time, or even if it’s going to be away for service work for a while, have you considered the down time this could cause to yourself, your work and/or business?

There is a way that an external drive can be set up beforehand where in these sort of circumstances you can still be up and running relatively easy - even if your computer has to go away for days to be repaired.

It’s a relatively cheap and easy process. 

If you would like to find out more about how this can be set up for yourself or your business please feel free to drop me an email or call to discuss.

Be aware of “Fake webpages” advising you need to update.

So there is a bit of a rise on the number of webpages or fake links that will try to trick you into calling a number or clicking a link to “update” some piece of software.

I’ve written a page with a bit more info on it here