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macOS 12.2 is out with smoother ProMotion scrolling … maybe

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macOS Monterey 12.2 is out with smoother ProMotion scrolling… maybe
macOS 12.2 takes care of a few bugs.
Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac

Mac users can now install macOS Monterey 12.2. Apple is vague about what’s in the new version. However, prerelease beta testers indicate it brings a rewritten Apple Music app and smoother scrolling for MacBooks with ProMotion displays. It definitely fixes a serious Safari bug.

Apple also released iOS 15.3 and iPadOS 15.3 to the public Wednesday. And watchOS 8.4, too.

How to enable voice isolation for FaceTime calls in iOS 15

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Enable voice isolation for FaceTime
Keep kids' voices out of your remote meetings.
Image: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

Remote meetings on FaceTime are a lot calmer in iOS and iPadOS 15, thanks to a feature called voice isolation that blocks out background noise. Even better, the feature works in other video-calling applications, including Zoom and Google Duo.

Here’s how you can enable it on iPhone and iPad.

Apple prepares fix for Safari bug that exposes user data

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Safari 15.1 design
But we don't yet know when we'll get it.
Screenshot: Cult of Mac

Apple has prepared a fix for a Safari 15 bug that allows websites to view your browsing habits and Google account details. And, because it’s a bug in WebKit — Apple’s browser engine used by Safari and third-party apps in the App Store — it affects virtually all iOS and iPadOS browsers, including Chrome and Brave.

Unfortunately, Apple’s patch won’t be available until the company rolls out new macOS, iOS and iPadOS updates. There’s currently no word on when that might be. Apple is in the process of beta testing new software updates, but it may be too late for the fix to be implemented into those before they are made available to all.

Popular Humble games subscription drops support for Mac

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Humble drops Mac
You have until January 31 to save your games.
Photo: Humble

Humble, the subscription service that offers a bunch of popular games for an affordable monthly fee, is dropping support for Mac and Linux.

Starting February 1, the company will roll out a new business model for Humble Choice, which will require a brand-new app that’s only available on Windows. You have until January 31 to download games you already own.

How to get the Dropbox beta with full Apple silicon support

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Dropbox for Apple silicon
It's now available to all.
Image: Dropbox/Cult of Mac

The next-generation version of the Dropbox app for macOS, which finally adds native support for Apple silicon chips, is now available to all in beta.

It comes less than a week after Dropbox began testing Apple M1 support with a small number of users. You can try it out for yourself by enabling “early releases” in your account preferences. We’ll show you how.

Here’s what today’s top Mac apps might have looked like on Mac OS 9

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Zoom on Mac OS 9
A taste of the past.
Image: Michael Feeney

Ever wondered what today’s most popular Mac apps might have looked like on earlier Macintosh machines? These incredible design concepts imagine the likes of Google Chrome, Spotify and Zoom running on the 22-year-old Mac OS 9.

Graphic designer Michael Feeney created the collection as part of his terrific (mac)OStalgia project. Check it out in the four-minute video below.

Protect your data with BusKill, a dead man’s switch for your laptop

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BusKill is a USB kill cord for your laptop that protects your data if someone snatches your computer.
BusKill is a USB kill cord for your laptop that protects your data if someone snatches your computer.
Photo: Alt Shift International

Last week a crowdfunding campaign launched for the new BusKill USB kill cord. It’s a dead man’s switch for laptops designed to protect your data by locking or even wiping your computer if someone snatches it away from you while you’re using it.

BusKill is designed for journalists, activists, crypto traders and travelers, the company said. Though it seems it could come in handy for anyone at risk of losing a laptop via smash-and-grab tactics.

Apple tests improved Music app for Mac — here’s how to try it out now

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Apple Music
It's a lot faster than before.
Image: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

Apple is testing an improved version of its Music app that’s built to run entirely natively on Mac. Parts of the app, such as the music library, were native on macOS before, and now the rest of it is catching up for improved performance.

You can try out the new Music app now by installing the macOS 12.2 Monterey beta, which is available to all through Apple’s public Beta Software Program.

Apple begins testing macOS 12.2 with smoother ProMotion scrolling

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Apple begins testing macOS 12.2 with smoother ProMotion performance
macOS Monterey 12.2 beta 1 is out with some welcome improvements.
Photo: Cult of Mac

Apple began testing macOS Monterey 12.2 beta 1 on Thursday, just days after the release of macOS 12.1. An official list of what’s coming in the new version hasn’t yet been revealed by the Mac-maker, but tests with beta 1 have turned up a few changes. The much-anticipated Universal Control isn’t one of them, though.

This pre-release version seeded to developers was not accompanied by any iOS, iPadOS or watchOS betas on Thursday.

How to get Apple TV’s stunning new screen savers on your Mac

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Get Apple TV's screen savers on your Mac
The Aerial app is completely free to use.
Image: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

Apple’s new tvOS 15.2 update adds a bunch of stunning screen savers to Apple TV, including three from Scotland’s picturesque Isle of Skye and Loch Moidart, and another six from Iceland. And you can enjoy them all on Mac.

Thanks to a simple app built by developer John Coates, all tvOS wallpapers can be installed on macOS. We’ll show you how.

How a 1993 puzzle adventure became Apple’s 2021 Game of the Year

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Myst on Mac
It's easy to see why Myst is Apple's Mac Game of the Year.
Photo: Apple

Myst, the puzzle-adventure game from Cyan, has been named the 2021 Mac Game of the Year by Apple. But this popular classic actually made its debut way back in 1993.

Myst has gone through an incredible transformation since then. What was once a meager 3MB install is now a whopping 11.5GB download that’s packed with puzzles, glorious graphics and immersive sound. Here’s why the game picked up an Apple award — and why you might want to play it.

macOS 12.1 Monterey moves closer with SharePlay and (maybe) Universal Control

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SharePlay for Mac iPad and iPhone
A highlight of macOS 12.1 Monterey will be SharePlay.
Photo: Apple

Apple seeded macOS 12.1 beta 4 to developers on Wednesday. It has a build number that ends in “a,” which suggests the public release is only a week or two away. This version of Monterey will bring SharePlay to the Mac. It might also be the debut of the much anticipated Universal Control.

It is not accompanied by fresh betas of iOS 15.2, iPadOS 15.2 or watchOS 8.3.

Apple’s simple Shortcuts change greatly improves cross-device support

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Like Shortcuts? macOS Monterey's got 'em.
You no longer have to update storage locations for each Shortcut.
Photo: Apple

Apple’s newest betas for iOS, iPadOS and macOS make a simple Shortcuts change that greatly improves the user experience across different devices.

Shortcuts now know which storage folders to use automatically — depending on your device — negating the need to manually update them individually for different hardware.

WhatsApp said to be developing new Catalyst app for iPad and Mac

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WhatsApp Catalyst app for iPad
It still doesn't have a release date yet.
Photo: WABetaInfo

WhatsApp is reportedly working on a new app that will work on both iPad and Mac. It’s thought to take advantage of Apple’s Catalyst platform, which makes it easier for developers to build universal applications.

The popular messaging service is already available on macOS, but this would be the first native WhatsApp client for iPad. WhatsApp has already started rolling out improved multi-device support that is less reliant on a smartphone.

Samsung is ditching its awesome DeX app for Mac

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Samsung DeX on Mac
Well, that's a shame.
Image: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

Samsung has confirmed that it is dropping support for its official DeX app for Mac (and Windows 7) in January.

The move means Galaxy smartphone owners will no longer be able to connect their device to a macOS machine to turn it into an Android-powered desktop. However, the awesome DeX feature itself isn’t going anywhere.

Apple will accept App Store submissions over the holidays for the first time

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Trust in the App Store is critical to the success of the iPhone.
The updates will keep on comin'.
Image: Apple

Apple today confirmed that it will continue to accept App Store submissions over the holiday period for the first time.

The company usually takes a short break in December, during which App Store submissions are closed and developers must scramble to get their updates out. That changes this year, but Apple warns that reviews may be delayed.

Apple brings its TestFlight platform to Mac for the first time

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TestFlight lands on Mac
Download it today for free.
Screenshot: Cult of Mac

TestFlight, Apple’s own platform for distributing beta software, is now officially available on Mac for the first time. It gives developers the opportunity to invite up to 10,000 people to test early versions of their apps ahead of their release.

Apple first confirmed TestFlight would be coming to Mac back in June at WWDC. It was previously only available on iPhone and iPad.

Master Macs with one $25 course during our Pre-Black Friday Sale

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Use your mac to the fullest for $25 during pre black Friday sale.Master Macs for $25 during the pre black Friday sale.
Learn everything you need to know about Macs with this affordable course bundle.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

It pays to know your way around a Mac. Whether you want to keep your home or office machines humming, or become a fully qualified tech professional with a lucrative new career, the Apple Certified Support Professional macOS 11 Course can teach you everything you need to know.

And during our Pre-Black Friday Sale, you can get this ACSP course for only $25.49 (regularly $295) if you use the code SAVE15NOV.

macOS Monterey launches without some of its biggest features

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macOS Monterey brings powerful new features to Macs.
macOS Monterey brings powerful new features to Macs.
Photo: Apple

Mac users can now upgrade to macOS Monterey. This new version offers improvements to Safari and FaceTime, and new Focus mode. But two of its biggest features — Universal Control and SharePlay — won’t debut until later.

It’s free to download and install on all compatible computers.

macOS Monterey will be available to all on October 25

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macOS Monterey turns a second Mac into an external display
It will be free for all compatible machines.
Photo: Apple

Apple Unleashed event bug Apple today confirmed after its big “Unleashed” event that macOS Monterey will make its public debut on October 25. It will be free to download and install on all compatible machines.

The next major upgrade to macOS brings a revamped Safari interface, Focus mode, and some big enhancements to the Notes app. It also paves the way for Universal Control, which lets you seamlessly control both a Mac and iPad.

macOS Monterey might debut without handy Universal Control feature

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Universal Control is part of macOS Monterey and iPadOS 15.
Working with multiple Macs and iPads get a lot easier with Universal Control.
Screenshot: Apple

Apple released the tenth and possibly final beta of macOS Monterey on Wednesday and it still doesn’t allow testers to try out Universal Control. Apple will either have to delay the introduction of one of the highlights of macOS 12 or release it without it having gone through the usual beta testing program.

Apple normally announces when the debut of a major feature has been delayed. But it has not done so with Universal Control.

Safari 15 frustrates macOS users with a plethora of bugs

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Safari 15 on macOS
Frequent crashes have become the norm for some users.
Image: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

If you haven’t yet upgraded to Safari 15 for macOS, you’re one of the lucky ones. The latest version of Apple’s web browser is frustrating users with a plethora of bugs that cause repeated crashes. However, there are fixes you can try.

Safari 15 comes bundled with macOS Monterey, which is still in beta testing ahead of its public debut later this fall. It’s also available as a standalone upgrade for those running macOS Big Sur and Catalina.

iOS 15, iPadOS 15 and watchOS 8 take giant step toward release [Updated]

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iOS 15, iPadOS 15 and watchOS 8 take giant step toward release
The OS upgrades for almost every Apple device are nearly ready. But an important one is missing.
Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac

The moment we’ve been waiting for since June is almost here. Apple seeded Release Candidates for iOS 15, iPadOS 15, watchOS 8 and tvOS 15 to developers on Tuesday. This means the beta testing process is almost over.

The final versions will reach users in under a week. Apple promised the iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch updates will launch on Monday, September 20. And the Apple TV one could be out the same day.

Microsoft says Windows 11 on Apple Silicon is ‘not a supported scenario’

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Windows 11 not supported on Apple Silicon. It's not surprising, but it is a shame.
It's not surprising, but it is a shame.
Photo: Dwayne/Flickr CC

Microsoft has dashed hopes that Windows 11 might one day be available on Apple Silicon machines. The company says running its newest operating system on an M1 Mac is “not a supported scenario.”

The statement comes after Parallels Desktop 17 users ran into hardware compatibility errors when running Windows 11 on newer Apple devices.

Submissions fall to all-time low as devs lose interest in Mac App Store

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Office Mac App Store
Fewer than 300 new apps hit the Mac App Store last month.
Photo: Apple

Developers are seemingly losing interest in bringing their titles to the Mac App Store, with new submissions steadily declining since the beginning of 2021. There were fewer than 300 new releases for the first time ever in July.

And research indicates August could prove even worse for new Mac App Store submissions.