• apple,  ios 7,  ipad,  iphone,  ipod touch,  mac os x,  mavericks

    Apple Releases iOS 7.1.2, Mavericks 10.9.4, Apple TV 6.2

    Yesterday, Apple let a trio (or “Treo” for my long time readers) of updates for iOS, Mavericks, and Apple TV.

    iOS 7.1.2

    iOS 7.1.2 is minor security update for current model iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch devices.  The 25MB delta update improves iBeacons connectivity, fixes issues related to some third-party accessory data transfers, and closes a hole in data protection for certain email attachments.

    The update is available now via the iOS Settings app > General > Software Updates.  The update should install on any device that is already running iOS 7.

    iOS 7.12 is expected to be the last iOS 7 maintenance update before the iOS 8 release that is coming this fall.

    Mavericks 10.9.4

    Similar to iOS, Mavericks 10.9.4 is a minor update that corrects some Wi-Fi connection issues, fixes relating to waking up a sleeping Mac, and a minor Safari update.

    The update is available now via the Mac App Store.  For more information about the OS X Mavericks 10.9.4 update, please review Apple’s 10.9.4 update KB article.

    Apple TV 6.2

    Along side of the iOS and OS X update, the Apple TV got a little boost to OS 6.2.  There does not appear to be any outward software changes, leaving us to assume that the update is strictly a bug fix maintenance release.

  • apple,  ios 7,  itunes,  mac os x,  mac pro,  macbook pro,  windows

    Apple Releases OS X, Windows, and iOS Software Updates

    Earlier today, Apple released maintenance updates for OS X 10.9 Mavericks, iTunes 11.2, Safari 7.0.3, and the iOS Podcast app.

    The OS X Mavericks update, available now from the Mac App Store, is recommended for all customers running OS X 10.9.  For Mac Pro and 15-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display customers using 4K displays, Apple has added improvements for the new hi-resolution monitors.

    The update also includes Safari 7.0.3, bringing with it security improvements.

    Apple also rolled out iTunes 11.2 for Mac OS X and Windows PCs.  The latest maintenance release of iTunes brings with it enhancements for finding, playing, and managing podcasts.  In addition to iTunes 11.2, Apple also updated their iOS Podcast app to version 2.1.

    iTunes 11.2 and Podcasts 2.1 are available now from the Mac App Store (Macintosh), Apple Software Update control panel (Windows PC) and the App Store (iOS).

  • apple,  ios 7,  keynote,  numbers,  pages,  safari

    iWork for iOS Apps and Safari for OS X Get Version Bumps

    As is usually the case, Apple can’t just rollout one software update, it has to make it a party!

    Alongside the iOS 7.1.1 update that was released shortly after 1:00pm eastern this afternoon, Apple also upgraded Pages, Numbers, and Keynote for iOS and the Safari 7.0.3 maintenance update.

    The Safari 7.0.3 update tweaks stored credit card information, address/search bar and other minor fixes.
    Use the iOS 7 and Mac OS X Software Update features to download and install the updates.
  • apple,  ios 7,  ipad air,  ipad mini,  iphone 5s,  ipod touch,  update

    Apple Releases iOS 7.1.1

    Earlier this afternoon, Apple released iOS 7.1.1, a minor update to iOS 7.

    iOS 7.1.1 focuses in on three areas for enhancement and updates, including additional enhancements to the iPhone 5S fingerprint sensor, a bug fix for keyboard responsiveness and corrects and issue with Bluetooth keyboards when the VoiceOver feature is enabled.

    The iOS 7.1.1 update is coming in at about 16.5MB for both my iPhone 5S and iPhone 4S.  To install the latest iOS update on your iOS device, go to: Settings > General > Software Update.

    To learn more about this and other Apple software updates, visit the Apple Support website.

  • apple,  ios 7,  ipad,  microsoft,  office,  office365,  productivity

    Microsoft Releases Office Apps for Apple’s iPad

    In a bold move yesterday, Microsoft, lead by their new CEO Satya Nadella, launched Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint for the Apple iPad.

    I’m not talking about watered down, half-hearted, sort-kinda Office applications, I’m talking about the real, full blown, well featured, iOS native Office applications for the iPad.  Did I mention this is Microsoft’s Office on the iOS platform?!

    To see Office in action on an iPad, you can watch Microsoft’s introductory video.

    [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=frpsGFQ4AIY?rel=0]
    I’m really excited about having Word, Excel, and PowerPoint on my iPad.  The apps look and feel great!  Taken together with the already released OneNote and OneDrive (formerly known as SkyDrive), Microsoft has seemingly overnight, empowered millions of iPad owning Office users around the world.
    So what do you get?  Available now in the iOS App Store, users can download, free of charge, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint for the iPad.  The apps are free and will enable anyone who installs them to read Office documents.  If you just happen to be an Office 365 customer, you can sign in to your account from the Office apps on your iPad and instantly have the ability to edit your documents.
    You will need to have an iPad running iOS 7.0 or later and to edit documents, a Microsoft Office 365 Home subscription.

    Microsoft’s Office Apps for iPad are available now on the App Store, or you can use these handy download links.

    You can read more about Microsoft’s Office Apps for the Apple iPad on the Microsoft blog.
  • apple,  apple tv,  ios 7,  ipad,  iphone,  ipod touch

    Apple Releases iOS 7.1

    Earlier today, Apple released the long awaited iOS 7.1 update.

    For iOS 7 users, this is the update that we have been waiting for.  Since it’s launch in September 2013, Apple has released six minor updates to address issues that have cropped up.  With iOS 7.1, Apple has taken the time to bake in a number of meaningful feature improvements.

    Support for CarPlay is new in iOS 7.1 – if you happen to own a new car that takes advantage of it.  Siri has learned a new usability trick, while iPhone 5S customers will appreciate the enhancements to Touch ID.

    iOS 7.1 is available for all current model iPhones, iPads, and the latest generation iPod touch.  The upgrade will weigh in somewhere around 265MB.  There is also a corresponding iOS update for the second and third generation Apple TV boxes.

    To start the software installation, tap Settings > General > Software Update and then tap the Download and Install button.  Before downloading and upgrading to any new iOS update, I recommend that you perform an iCloud backup first.

  • apple,  ios,  ios 7,  ipad,  ipad mini,  iphone,  ipod touch

    Apple Rolls Out iOS 7.0.6

    Earlier today, Apple released what you might consider an “unscheduled” iOS update, iOS 7.0.6.

    According to the notes provided in the summary screen, iOS 7.0.6 is a security fix for SSL connections.

    It doesn’t look like the release notes have been replicated around to Apple’s servers because I wasn’t able to find mention of iOS 7.0.6 on the referenced Apple Support page.  One can assume, however, that this update will be rolling out for current supported models of iPhones, iPads, and iPod touches.

    Update

    9to5Mac has a note on their iOS update article that says Apple also rolled out iOS 6.1.6  to update the iPhone 3GS and fourth generation iPod touch handsets.  After upgrading my iPod touch 4th-generation, it now lists iOS at version 6.1.6 (10B500).

  • apple,  apple tv,  ios 6,  ios 7,  ipad,  ipad mini,  iphone 5s,  ipod touch,  iwork

    Apple Releases iOS 7.0.4, Other Software Updates

    Following Tuesday’s surprise iPad mini with Retina display launch, Apple released a number of updates for iOS devices, Apple TV, and iWork for iCloud.

    iOS 7.0.4, iBooks and iTunes U

    iOS 7.0.4 is  a minor maintenance update for all current generation iOS devices that fixes a potential issue with FaceTime calls.  The 37MB update also addresses other unspecified bug fixes and improvements.  iOS 7.0.4 is available for the iPhone 5S, 5C, 5, 4S, and 4; iPad Air, iPad 4, 3, and 2; iPad mini with Retina and iPad mini.

    In addition to iOS 7.0.4, iBooks and iTunes U finally received their iOS 7 makeovers.

    iOS 6.1.5 Update for 4th Generation iPod touch

    What, what?!  The iPod touch 4th generation also go a little bit a love today with the release of iOS 6.1.5.  This minor update for the iPod touch which cannot be upgraded to iOS 7, received a similar FaceTime update.

    Apple TV 6.0.2

    Apple TV also received such a small update that there was no mention of what was fixed.  I did not notice any new channels or new features after the update was applied.

    iWork for iCloud Beta Update

    If all of the iOS love wasn’t enough for you, iWork for iCloud received some much needed collaboration updates.  Document editors can now see who else can collaborate on a document and where their cursor is positioned inside the document.

  • airport,  apple,  apple tv,  apps,  ios 7

    Briefly Noted: Apple Updates Remote, AirPort Apps

    Yesterday afternoon, Apple released updates to their Remote and AirPort Utility apps.

    Evident from the app descriptions, the AirPort Utility did not receive an iOS 7-like remake.  It still looks like it’s older iOS 6 version of the add.  The jump to 64-bit native code should make the app run smoothly on the new iPhone 5S, iPad Air, and the soon to be released, iPad mini with Retina Display.

    The Remote app, received a complete iOS 7 design make over.  While the functionality of the software does not appear to have changed, the UI has.  Remote now has the Help screen overlay that flies in when you tap the help question mark icon located at the top right of the screen.  The Menu button now appears a circle icon with a text label “Menu” at the bottom center of the screen, with additional playback controls on either side.  The large “track pad” area still dominates the majority of the screen, however, now appears as a frosted pane allowing you to “see” your wallpaper in typical iOS 7 blurred effect fashion.

    Both applications are available in the iTunes App Store for free.

  • apple,  ios 7,  iphone 5s

    Apple Releases iOS 7.0.2 for iPhone 5S, iPhone 5C

    Earlier today, Apple released the second iOS 7 update, iOS 7.0.2.

    This minor update for the newly released iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C is intended to address a vulnerability that was detected last week that could allow an attacker to bypass the security lock screen. If you happen to have the Greek version of iOS installed on your device, you can once again use the Greek language keyboard for passcode entry.
    The latest iOS upgrade can be downloaded via the Software Update control panel located at: Settings > General > Software Update.
    The iOS 7.0.2 upgrade weighs in at 17.4MB, which is practically nothing when compared to the over 700MB iOS 7 upgrade package pushed out on Wednesday, September 18.  Previously, Apple released iOS 7.0.1 for the iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C last Friday, September 20 as a minor tweak for the new hardware.
    Apple is also working on an iOS 7.1 update that many people believe will be released on or around October 15 as part of what is rumored to be the iPad refresh event held ahead of the all important holiday shopping season.