Apple Releases macOS Sierra 10.12.2 With New Emoji, Fixes for Graphics Issue and SIP Bug
Apple today released macOS Sierra 10.12.2, the second update to the macOS Sierra operating system that launched on September 20. macOS Sierra 10.12.2 comes two months after the release of macOS Sierra 10.12.1, and has been in testing since October 31.
macOS Sierra 10.12.2 is a free update for all customers who are running macOS Sierra. The update can be downloaded using the Software Update function in the Mac App Store.
macOS Sierra 10.12.2 includes new emoji, introducing dozens of Unicode 9 characters like selfie, face palm, owl, shark, avocado, pancakes, bacon, and more, plus there are new profession emoji available in both make and female genders.
Apple has also updated the artwork on many existing emoji to make them look more realistic, and new color explosion wallpapers — from the iPhone marketing materials — have been introduced.
Along with these outward-facing changes, the 10.12.2 update includes several important bug fixes. A serious graphics issue that has been affecting some new MacBook Pro owners has been solved, and a bug that caused System Integrity Protection to be disabled, also impacting the new MacBook Pro, has been fixed. A full list of bug fixes and improvements is below:
– Improves setup and reliability of Auto Unlock
– Allows addition of a Chinese Trackpad Handwriting button to the Touch Bar Control Strip
– Adds support for taking screenshots of the Touch Bar using the Grab app or Cmd-Shift-6 shortcut
– Fixes an issue that caused the Touch Bar emoji picker to appear on the display
– Resolves graphics issues on MacBook Pro (October 2016) computers
– Fixes an issue where System Integrity Protection was disabled on some MacBook Pro (October 2016) computers
– Improves setup and opt-out experience for iCloud Desktop and Documents
– Fixes an issue with the delivery of Optimized Storage alerts
– Improves audio quality when using Siri and FaceTime with Bluetooth headphones
– Improves the stability of Photos when creating and ordering books
– Fixes an issue where incoming Mail messages did not appear when using a Microsoft Exchange account
– Fixes an issue that prevented installation of Safari Extensions downloaded outside the Safari Extensions Gallery
– Adds support for new installations of Windows 8 and Windows 7 using Boot Camp on supported Macs
macOS Sierra is the latest Mac operating system. It includes Siri support, Apple Pay for the web, Universal Clipboard, Apple Watch auto unlocking, improved iCloud Drive integration, Picture-in-Picture multitasking, and dozens of smaller features that can be found in our macOS Sierra roundup.
Related Roundup: macOS Sierra
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Google acquires ex-Googler wearables startup Cronologics to improve Android Wear
What goes around comes around.
In a quiet announcement this week, Cronologics, a small wearables startup based out of Silicon Valley, said that it has been acquired by Google to help improve Android Wear.
Cronologics, which formed in 2014, is made up of former Google employees who set out on their own during the height of wearable excitement and smartwatch growth, hoping to build a cross-platform OS that, like Pebble and its new owner Fitbit, could live between worlds, so to speak. The company launched a crowdfunding campaign earlier this year for the CoWatch, an Alexa-powered touchscreen smartwatch powered by its proprietary Cronologics OS.
“Today, we’re excited to announce the next phase of our journey — we are joining Google to help grow the portfolio of watches powered by Android Wear. We see strong alignment with Android Wear’s mission and look forward to working with our new colleagues at Google to continue pushing the frontier of wearable technology and smartwatches with Android Wear 2.0 and beyond,” the company said in a statement on its landing page. It’s unclear whether the CoWatch will continue being offered — it shipped shortly after the Indigegogo campaign finished in June — but it’s unlikely we’ll see much of Cronologics OS going forward.
Instead, the team hopes to help Google improve Android Wear, the latest version of which is expected to launch in early 2017 alongside some new hardware.
The difference between Oculus Touch, HTC Vive, and PlayStation VR controllers
Are all VR motion controllers the same?
It doesn’t matter if you’re a PlayStation VR owner, an Oculus Rift Day One backer, or exploring the universe in an HTC Vive, there are now controllers for each that allow you to reach out with your real arms and interact with the virtual world.
But are all of these controllers equal? Does it really matter if you’re using the aging PlayStation Move controllers instead of the futuristic Oculus Touch? If an app was built with Vive controllers in mind, is the experience identical everywhere? Is there such a thing as a “best” motion controller? Let’s take a look!
Read more at VR Heads!
Ring in the best savings ever on Withings Wi-Fi Smart Scale
Right now you can save an additional 25% on the already-discounted Withings connected scale, dropping the price to the lowest we’ve ever seen. The scale can be yours for just $68.21, which is a huge savings from the normal price which sits closer to $130. Not only will you be able to track how many pounds you are shedding, but also get accurate BMI, body fat, muscle, water and more readings.
If 2017 is the year that you want to gain or shed a few pounds, this is a great way to easily track your progress. For the extra 25% savings you will need to be logged into your Amazon account before adding it to your cart. When you go to check out you should see the discount apply automatically.
See at Amazon
Snapchat Groups will let you chat with 16 friends at once
Even though Snapchat has quickly become a huge communication platform, there are still basic features it lacks, like group messaging. With Snapchat Groups, announced today, the app is beginning to fill those gaps. It’ll let you start group chats with up to 16 of your Snapchat friends. And, as you’d expect, the conversations will disappear after 24 hour. Recipients will also only be able to view Snaps sent to the group once.
Snap says you’ll be able to create group chats either when sending a new Snap or starting a new chat. You can also tap onto your friends’ names at the bottom of the screen to hop into one-on-one chats.
Groups is also joined by two new tools: scissors and paintbrush. The former will let you turn Snaps into stickers from the preview screen. While the paintbrush will apparently turns Snaps into “artistic masterpieces.” Whatever that means.
Given how much Snapchat has changed the way its users message, you could argue that it didn’t even need a traditional group chat function. But it makes sense when looking at Snap’s evolution as a company. Instead of being a weird thing kids use, it’s trying to become a more useful communication platform.
Source: Snap
Uber tweaks its app to make UberPool rides more convenient
UberPool is one of the cheaper ride-hailing options, grouping nearby passengers who are headed in the same direction. The problem is that all of those pickups and drop-offs can be time consuming. To help, Uber has announced a raft of new features for its mobile apps, including status notifications for riders. Once you’ve confirmed a booking, that means you’ll receive “real-time instructions” and updates such as “leaving shortly” and “be ready outside.” Drivers, meanwhile, will find a timer in the app specifying how long to wait at the pick-up point. If the passenger doesn’t appear, they’re free to move on and claim a no-show fee from Uber.
Uber is also rolling out automatic trip switching. If you’re waiting for a ride, but another, better journey is booked before your pickup, Uber will swap you over automatically. Passengers and drivers will receive a notification explaining the change, hopefully enabling a faster, more convenient journey. As an extension, the company is experimenting with a new feature called “predictive matching.” If you’re booking a ride and few drivers are available — or the other passengers are miles away — the app will hold off and wait for a better match-up. Uber will work this out based on historical trip data — so if you live in a place where lots of bookings typically take place, there’s a higher chance it’ll wait for another journey.
Finally, Uber is helping drivers with clearer payment information and “route extension” maps. The latter repositions the app to show the next two pick-up locations (rather than just the next one). That way, drivers have a more complete picture about their journey, and can shuffle lanes or take turns that will make both passenger pick-ups easier to complete.
Source: Uber
Apple’s BeatsX wireless headphones are delayed until February
When Apple announced it was killing the headphone jack on the iPhone 7, it revealed a handful of wireless options to keep the music going. In addition to those AirPods that just went on sale today, the company’s Beats line pulled the wraps off of three headphone models that featured the same W1 quick-pairing chip as Apple’s delayed wireless option. Today, Apple also updated the BeatsX product page to note that the set of wireless in-ear headphones won’t ship until February.
The other two Beats models that Apple announced back in September, the on-ear Solo3 and workout-focused PowerBeats3, are already available for $300 and $200, respectively. BeatsX is the third member of the trio and was originally supposed to ship back in the fall. Right now, there’s no word on exactly what’s causing the delay. When the headphones do arrive next year, they’ll be available in either black and white and charge via an included Lightning cable. If you don’t mind waiting, expect to pay $150 to nab a set in a couple of months.
Source: Apple
Microsoft will put Cortana in your smart home
Microsoft doesn’t just want its Cortana in your phone or on your desk — it wants the voice assistant to be a mainstay in your smart home. As part of a WinHEC presentation, the company’s May Ji has revealed that Windows 10 Creator Update will bring Cortana to Windows 10 IoT Core devices with screens. Combined with longer-ranged voice detection (key to Microsoft’s Home Hub plans), you wouldn’t have to be anywhere near a PC to use the digital helper — you could ask your thermostat about the weather, or add an appointment to your calendar through your fridge. Those concepts aren’t new, of course, but Cortana can sync with your phone and Windows PC on a level that isn’t possible with most smart home devices.
The Creators Update arrives in spring 2017, although you won’t necessarily see Cortana-equipped appliances shipping at the same time. Hardware makers will still have to integrate the new Windows 10 release into their products, so it could take some months after that before you’re upgrading your home. Even so, it could be a big deal when it arrives. Most smart home equipment doesn’t have direct access to an advanced voice assistant — this would make the technology virtually ubiquitous.
Via: ZDNet, The Verge
Source: Channel 9
Teenage TalkTalk hacker sentenced
The teenage hacker that played a key role in the 2015 TalkTalk data breach has been sentenced to a 12-month youth rehabilitation order today, after pleading guilty to seven charges under the Computer Misuse Act last month. Alongside a nominal fine, the 17-year-old has also surrendered his iPhone and a computer hard drive to police. As The Guardian reports, the rehabilitation order is intended to “draw him from the lonely confines of a bedroom and that lonely world of computing to a family where his knowledge and skills could be put to good use and to project that out to the wider world.”
The teen used an SQL mapping tool to identify a vulnerability in TalkTalk’s website last year, which he then proceeded to publish online. Only two of his seven charges are related to this, though, as during the investigation police discovered he’d targeted other websites, including those of Manchester and Cambridge universities.
He didn’t attempt to profit from the TalkTalk hack, and claimed he was just “showing off.” But after publishing details of the vulnerability online, others ran with it and bombarded the ISPs website over 14,000 times. More than 150,000 customer details were stolen, including over 15,000 bank details.
According to an earlier BBC report, seven people have been arrested in connection with the breach, with several court cases in progress. One 19 year-old, for example, faces more serious charges of blackmail and fraud, after allegedly trying to extort a Bitcoin ransom (worth upwards of £200,000) from TalkTalk following the breach.
Speaking at this first sentencing today, chairman of the bench Jean Bonnick said to the 17 year-old: “Your IT skills will always be there — just use them legally in the future.”
In its latest financial report, TalkTalk said it’s well on the road to recovery after last year’s data breach, which damaged its reputation significantly. Less than six months after the attack, almost 100,000 customers had jumped ship despite the company offering free upgrades in apology.
The Information Commissioner’s Office has also fined the ISP £400,000 for failing to patch a known vulnerability that ultimately led to the hack. That’s small fry in the grand scheme of things, though. In its last annual report, TalkTalk said it had incurred £42 million in costs related to the breach.
Via: The Guardian
Apple Warns Customers to Beware of Counterfeit Power Adapters and Batteries
Nearly two months after filing a lawsuit against a firm selling counterfeit Apple power adapters and Lightning cables on Amazon, Apple has updated its website to advise customers to beware of counterfeit parts.
Apple warns some counterfeit and third-party power adapters and batteries could pose safety risks, and recommends customers visit an Apple Store or Apple Authorized Service Provider for genuine parts.
Beware of counterfeit parts
Some counterfeit and third party power adapters and batteries may not be designed properly and could result in safety issues.
To ensure you receive a genuine Apple battery during a battery replacement, we recommend visiting an Apple Store or Apple Authorized Service Provider. If you need a replacement adapter to charge your Apple device, we recommend getting an Apple power adapter.
As revealed in its lawsuit against counterfeiter Mobile Star LLC, Apple found almost 90% of so-called “genuine” Apple products and accessories it purchased from Amazon in a nine-month period were actually counterfeit. U.S. certification company UL later found 99% of fake Apple chargers sold online fail basic safety tests.
Following the lawsuit, an Amazon spokesperson informed MacRumors it has “zero tolerance for the sale of counterfeits” on its website. “We work closely with manufacturers and brands, and pursue wrongdoers aggressively.”
Amazon reportedly plans to crack down on counterfeit products sold through its website next year by creating a registry to prevent fake goods from being listed for sale. Apple could sign up for the registry, for example, and merchants would then have to obtain official brand permission before they can sell products and accessories.
Tags: Amazon, Apple Support
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