firmware

How to get the latest USB-C Apple Pencil firmware update

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Apple Pencil (USB-C) firmware update
Yes, you might need to think about updating the software on your Apple Pencil.
Image: Apple/Cult of Mac

Just about everything electronic requires firmware — Apple’s iPad stylus is no exception. With software comes updates, and there’s new one for the recently released version of the Apple Pencil with a USB-C port.

Here’s how to check what firmware version your Apple Pencil is currently running, and a suggestion on how to get the new update.

How to see if your original AirPods updated themselves

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AirPods supplier confident of booming business through 2021
Your old Airpods aren’t dead yet.
Photo: Charlie Sorrel/Cult of Mac

If you’ve updated your iPhone or iPad to iOS 12.2, and you own a pair of first-gen AirPods, the wireless earbuds probably got an automatic firmware update already. Today we’ll see how to check your AirPods firmware version, and learn what’s new in the update.

Spoiler: Some owners even report better battery life in their original AirPods.

iPad Pro can update accessories’ firmware via Smart Connector

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Logitech's Create case turns iPad Pro into workhorse.
Logitech's Create iPad Pro keyboard receives its first firmware update in a most unusual manner.
Photo: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac

A Twitter user has shared surprising details of the first firmware update for Logitech’s Create iPad Pro keyboard, which he was prompted to install after grabbing the iOS 9.3 beta 2 seed.

The Logitech update appears to fix a nagging keyboard lag experienced by some users, but that’s not even the coolest part: It looks like the iOS beta pushed the firmware update to the Logitech Create through the iPad Pro’s Smart Connector.

Late 2013 Mac Pros Get A (Literally) Quiet Update

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macpro

If you have a brand spanking new Mac Pro, Apple has released a new firmware update that will help it stay quiet and not sound like the jet engine that it may physically resemble.

Recommended for all late 2013 Mac Pros, the Mac Pro SMC Firmware Update 2.0 allows the Mac Pro to enter Power Nap without running the Mac Pro’s fan for most Power Nap activities.

The update also addresses a rare issue where a low-speed USB device may not be detected at boot.

If you’ve already dropped a few grand on a Mac Pro, the good news is the update’s free. You can grab it from the link below.

Source: Apple

iOS 7.1 Beta 3 Lets You Manually Delete Over-The-Air iOS Install Files

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(Credit: Macerkopf)
(Credit: Macerkopf)

A new feature in iOS 7.1 beta 3 is the ability to delete iOS installation files that have been automatically downloaded over-the-air.

Until now, iDevice users who chose not to install a particular update to iOS would find that their iPad or iPhone would nonetheless download the install file and store it locally — the only way to remove it being to update your device’s firmware.

Apple Updates MacBook Air Flash Storage Firmware To Resolve Potential Data Loss

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Photo: Apple
Photo: Apple

Apple just released a new firmware update for mid-2012 MacBook Air owners. The release notes say that Apple recently discovered that a small percentage of flash storage drives in these models may have an issue that could cause data loss.

The update, available here, tests your drive and should, if there’s a problem, install new firmware to prevent the issue from happening to you.

If your drive can’t be updated, Apple will replace it free of charge. That’s big news.

Apple TV Update Pulled After User Reports Of Bricked Devices

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Apple TV 6.0

Friday, we reported that Apple TV was updated with a new v6.0 update, bringing with it features like AirPlay from iCloud and iTunes Radio.

Today, however, Electronista reports that the update has been pulled. We’ve confirmed that the update is no longer available, as our un-updated Apple TV still says it has up to date software today, showing Apple TV software version 5.3.

We assume the update was pulled due to several user reports on the Apple TV discussion forum of Apple TV devices becoming useless after updating to the new OS.

How To Downgrade From iOS 7 Beta To iOS 6 In Two Steps

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Heading
Here's how to get your beloved iOS 6 back.
Photo: CBS Interactive

We’ve already told you why you probably shouldn’t install the new iOS 7 beta; it’s not just that the icons suck, but there are good reasons why beta releases should be avoided if you’re not a developer — particularly if you plan to use them on your primary device.

But if you went ahead and did it anyway, and now you’re looking for a way back, look no further. Despite what Apple says, iOS 7 can be downgraded to iOS 6 — and it’s pretty simple. Here’s how to do it in just two steps.

Apple Releases MacBook Firmware Update To Address Rare Battery Issue

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new macbook pro 2012

Apple has released a new SMC firmware update for the MacBook, MacBook Pro, and MacBook Air. “This update addresses a rare issue on some Apple notebooks where a battery that has accumulated more than 1000 charge cycles may unexpectedly shut down or stop functioning,” according to Apple. This applies specifically to older batteries, but the update is recommended for all MacBook models.

You can find this new firmware update in the Mac App Store or download it directly from Apple’s website.

Source: Apple Support

Retina MacBook Pro’s Latest EFI Update Causing Graphics, Processor Issues For Some Users

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Apple's latest EFI update for the Retina MacBook Pro should be avoided if possible.
Apple's latest EFI update for the Retina MacBook Pro should be avoided if possible.

If you haven’t already installed Apple’s latest EFI firmware for your 15-inch Retina MacBook Pro, you may want to avoid it for a little while. Users on the Apple Support Communities forum are reporting that the update causes reduced frame rates and processor slowdowns when using graphically-intensive applications.

Canon 7D Firmware Update Turns It Into A New Camera

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wpid-Photo-28062012-1319.jpg
It might look the same on the outside, but inside this Canon 7D is almost a different camera.

 

 

Remember the bad old days of the iPod? Apple would release a new model with a bunch of new features, and the old model – while capable of running the new software – would be left out in the cold. It was obviously a cynical scheme to make you upgrade your perfectly good music player early, but it worked.

So it is with cameras. Firmware upgrade are almost always limited to small bug fixes. The latest 7D update, though, is huge, and almost gives owners a brand new camera.

Safari Download Manager For iOS Finally Gets Support For iOS 5 [Jailbreak]

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It took a while, but Safari Download Manager finally supports iOS 5.
It took a while, but Safari Download Manager finally supports iOS 5.

One of the first tweaks I used to install after jailbreaking previous iPhones was Safari Download Manager, a terrific little package that does exactly as its name suggests: allows you to download files right within mobile Safari. The downside to this tweak, however, has long been its lack of support for iOS 5. That is, until it got updated today.