Apple Today Releases tvOS 12.4 for 4th/5th Gen Apple TV

Apple today released tvOS 12.4, the eighth update to the tvOS 12 operating system that runs on the fourth and fifth-generation Apple TV models. tvOS 12.4 comes more than a month after the release of tvOS 12.3, which brought an updated TV app.

tvOS 12.4 is a free update that can be downloaded over the air through the Settings app on the Apple TV by going to System > Software Update. Apple TV owners who have automatic software updates turned on will be upgraded to tvOS 12.4 automatically.


There were no new features discovered during the beta testing period for tvOS 12.4, making it unclear what's included in the update.

Apple does not provide release notes for tvOS updates, making it difficult to determine what might be new or improved in the operating system.

The update likely focuses on introducing performance improvements and bug fixes, and there could be some refinements to the TV app that was introduced in tvOS 12.3.

Apple has also released new 7.3.1 Apple TV software that's designed for the third-generation Apple TV.

Note: If you have any problems while using Apple TV, you can ask TunesKit iOS System Recovery for help since this powerful utility is able to fix lots of Apple tvOS issues such as  restart loop, no sound, crashing, black screen, etc. by yourself within a few minutes.

Source: https://www.macrumors.com/2019/07/22/apple-releases-tvos-12-4-update/

Apple MacOS Catalina: What's New?

Every year at WWDC, we get a look at what’s coming to the next version of Apple’s macOS desktop operating system. In the past, we’ve had big updates like Leopard and less-ambitious ones like Snow Leopard. This time, Apple abandoned its naming convention, moving from the (Mojave) desert to the California coast of Catalina.
The island update is less extensive than its predecessor, but there are some welcome changes on tap. Maybe more important than any new features are developer tools Apple is releasing in order to make converting iOS apps to Mac apps a cinch. At WWDC 2019, Apple showed versions of GameLoft’s Asphalt 9 Ledgends and Atlassian Jira ported from their respective iOS versions, with all the desktop options like keyboard shortcuts and drag-and-drop included.

Photos App Redesigned

As on iOS, the Mac Photos app has been redesigned with a new home screen, video autoplay, and new organization of views that bring out the best by Day, Month, and Year. The update also removes duplicates and clutter such as screenshots, and uses AI to determine your best shots and important events like birthdays and trips.

Find My

The very useful Find Friends and Find My iPhone apps are now joined into a single Find My app. A new benefit will be that you can find a device even if it’s offline, based on Wi-Fi and Bluetooth signals. Apple states that the info used to locate the device is anonymous and encrypted end-to-end. Nothing new about the Find My Friend part of the app was shown at WWDC, but it’s a great utility. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

Sidecar

This capability had been possible through third-party apps, but it’s never worked as seamlessly. Sidecar lets you use your iPad as an external monitor and use an Apple Pencil for markup and drawing. It also adds a Touch Bar to Macs that don’t have one. Sidecar works either wired or wireless, and in either extended or mirrored desktop views. Compatible sidecar apps for drawing include Adobe Illustrator, CorelDRAW, Cinema 4D, and ZBrush.

No More iTunes

At WWDC, Apple’s Craig Federighi joked that people wanted more functions in iTunes, while in truth the media application has long been criticized for its feature bloat. With Catalina, Apple cuts the cord, completely removing iTunes as a standalone app. Instead, all its music functions will be covered by the Music app and all its video apps by the Apple TV app. Podcasts gets its own app, just as it has on iOS, but the new Mac app will be able to index spoken words in podcasts to help in searching.

Screen Time

This is another feature that makes the move from iOS to the Mac with Catalina. Having Screen Time on all your devices will enable a full picture of your tech use. Set communication limits for offspring, schedule offline time, and see which apps and websites are occupying you and your family. A a new “One more minute” feature lets you add work time to finish up before breaks, and Family Sharing offers new child monitoring options.

Notes App

Notes has a new gallery view, shared folders, and more powerful search. The latter means you can now search for text in scanned documents and objects in photos. It also suggests search terms as soon as you click into the search box. New checklist options let you reorder items with drag and drop, and reuse old checklists.

Safari Updates

Apple’s default web browser has a new start page with suggested content based on your browsing history and even links from Messages. The browser now warns you about weak passwords, and lets you switch to picture-in-picture view from the tab audio button.

Accessibility and Voice Control

Voice control of computers has been around for over a decade, but with Catalina, Apple beefs it up with Siri AI smarts in the new Voice Control app. It works for both computer control and voice dictation, and offers a Hover Text zoomed-in window for easier text input. You can add custom words, or see suggested words or emoji.

Source: https://www.pcmag.com/feature/368747/what-s-new-in-macos-catalina/8

Also Check: 

• Apple unveils new Macbook Pro
• iOS 13: What can we expect?

Apple WWDC 2019: What to Expect

On Monday, Apple Inc.'s will start its opening keynotes for the 2019 Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in San Jose, when the company will show off its new iOS version, as well as other systems such as MacOS, WatchOS, TVOS. What else can expect at this annual big event? Well, let's read on to find out more.

Software updates

Apple usually shows of the next generation of iOS, its operating system for the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch. The next version is iOS 13, and is expected to include a dark mode, according to 9 to 5 Mac. The mode changes the color scheme of a screen so that it's easier to see in low light. Apple already has a dark mode available on its Macs. Other changes could include updates for its built-in apps like Reminders, new health-tracking features like a hearing-measurement tool, and more multitasking features on the iPad.

Read more: What's New in iOS 13?

An end to iTunes

After 18 years, Apple could finally take its main application for all music and video content out of commission, according to Bloomberg. The decision would not be a big surprise. The groundwork has already been laid, with Apple breaking music into its own app and investing heavily in content and partnerships for a revamped TV app.

Apple Watch breaks free

The four-year-old Apple Watch has always been somewhat dependent on the iPhone for key tasks. This year, Apple could give the wearable more independence with an App Store all its own, as well as updates to key apps and new ones for health-tasks like period tracking.

A possible Mac Pro

While WWDC is focused on software, Apple has been known to tack on some hardware announcements. Nothing iPhone related — those are saved for the big fall event — but Apple could finally unveil an update to its Mac Pro, along with a new Apple display. The company has been promising a new model of the powerful PC since 2017, after a lukewarm reception for its cylindrical "trash can" Mac Pro in 2013.

The event will start at 10am PT/1pm ET on Monday, June 3, and ended on Friday, June 7, 2019 and it will be streamed on Apple's site.

Source: https://www.cnn.com/2019/06/01/tech/apple-wwdc-2019-preview/index.html

Apple Unveils New MacBook Pro - the Fastest Mac Notebook Ever

Recently, Apple has introduced its new MacBook Pro with faster 8th- and 9th-generation Intel Core processors, bringing eight cores to MacBook Pro for the first time. MacBook Pro now delivers two times faster performance than a quad-core MacBook Pro and 40 percent more performance than a 6-core MacBook Pro, making it the fastest Mac notebook ever.

These new processors, combined with powerful graphics, the brilliant and colorful Retina display, super-fast SSDs, the Apple T2 Security Chip, all-day battery life and macOS, make MacBook Pro the world's best pro notebook.

"Whether it's college students mastering a course of study, developers building world-class apps or video editors creating feature films, we’re constantly amazed at what our customers do with their MacBook Pro,” said Tom Boger, Apple’s senior director of Mac Product Marketing. “Now with 8-core processors for an incredible performance boost, along with its stunning Retina display, fast storage, all-day battery life and running macOS, MacBook Pro continues to be the world’s best pro notebook and we can’t wait to get it into our customer’s hands to see what they do next."

When compared to the fastest quad-core 15-inch MacBook Pro, the new MacBook Pro with 8-core processors is up to two times faster, so:

• Music producers can play back massive multi-track projects with up to two times more Alchemy plug-ins in Logic Pro X.
• 3D designers can render scenes up to two times faster in Maya Arnold.
• Photographers can apply complex edits and filters up to 75 percent faster in Photoshop.
• Developers can compile code up to 65 percent faster in Xcode.
• Scientists and researchers can compute complex fluid dynamics simulations up to 50 percent faster in TetrUSS.
• Video editors can edit up to 11 simultaneous multicam streams of 4K video in Final Cut Pro X.

Compatibility

All new Macs come with macOS Mojave, the latest version of the Apple's desktop operating system, with features inspired by pros but designed for everyone. In Mojave, Dark Mode transforms the desktop with a dramatic new look that puts the focus on user content, Stacks organizes messy desktops by automatically stacking files into neat groups and FaceTime supports group calling. Mojave also brings iOS apps, including News, Stocks, Voice Memos and Home to the Mac and features a redesigned Mac App Store with rich editorial content and the addition of apps from top developers, including Microsoft and Adobe.

Pricing and Availability

Starting at $1,799 and $2,399 respectively, the updated 13-inch MacBook Pro with Touch Bar and 15-inch MacBook Pro are available from the release day (May 21, 2019) through apple.com, the Apple Store app and in select Apple Stores and Apple Authorized Resellers later this week.

Source: https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2019/05/apple-introduces-first-8-core-macbook-pro-the-fastest-mac-notebook-ever/