| Cult of Mac

Apple insists big Mail app security flaws have not been exploited

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Mail app inbox
Nothing to worry about?
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Apple insisted on Friday that there is no evidence to suggest serious security flaws in its Mail app have been exploited.

The company says the issues do not pose an immediate risk to iPhone and iPad users. Its statement seems to dispute earlier claims from security researchers, who published details of at multiple suspected “attacks” on Wednesday.

Apple drops first public iPadOS and iOS 13.4.5 bug-fix betas

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Even the best iPads have bugs
iPadOS and iOS 13.4.5 are all about killing bugs. The public can now beta test this upcoming version.
Photo: Cult of Mac/Pexels CC

More than developers can test iOS 13.4.5 and the iPad equivalent. Starting Thursday, the general public can download a beta version if they’re brave enough to run pre-release software.

Just be aware, these updates are almost entirely about fixing bugs in the iOS and iPadOS versions released March 24, not new features.

How to share a mouse, keyboard and trackpad between iPad and Mac

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iPad, share keyboard, and trackpad
Tap a switch to use your Mac's trackpad and keyboard with your iPad.
Photo: Charlie Sorrel/Cult of Mac

Apple’s new Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro — the one with the built-in trackpad — looks amazing. But it costs $350. That’s very pricey for a keyboard. Plus, it’s a keyboard that will only be useful for as long as it can attach to your iPad Pro. That means it might not fit your next tablet if Apple tweaks the iPad Pro design.

Compare that to a USB or Bluetooth keyboard, which will remain compatible with every computer that gets made in the foreseeable future. Toady we’ll see how to share your Mac’s keyboard and mouse or trackpad with your iPad. We’ll also learn how to instantly switch between the two, both with USB and Bluetooth.

No, it’s not as portable as the new Magic Keyboard case, but it’s less messy on your desk. And you will likely have a better keyboard, and a better trackpad.

This is the end: Apple stops signing iOS 13.4 after the release of iOS 13.4.1

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Stop the madness
There's no going back... iOS 13.4.1 has changed things.
Photo: Charlie Sorrel/Cult of Mac

Apple has stopped signing iOS 13.4 following the release of iOS 13.4.1 last week. This means that, if you’ve upgraded to the latest version of iOS, it’s no longer possible to downgrade again.

iOS 13.4.1 most significant improvement was patching a problem with FaceTime that broke compatibility with older iPhones and iPads. News of the bug came to light shortly after the release of iOS and iPadOS 13.4 on March 24. Thanks to the upgrade, that is no longer a problem.

Apple’s latest updates kill FaceTime on older iPhone, iPad models

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Group FaceTime is a great way to stay in touch with your family and friends during coronavirus quarantine.
It's not a good time to lose FaceTime.
Photo: Apple

Apple’s most recent software updates have reportedly broken FaceTime compatibility with older iPhone and iPad models, leaving many users unable to make voice or video calls during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The issue affects devices running iOS 13.4 and macOS 10.15.4 when they attempt to connect with devices running iOS 9.3.5 or iOS 9.3.6 — or vice-versa. There is no fix for now.

Keep on keeping on: It’s too late to downgrade to iOS 13.3.1 again

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Stop the madness
There's no turning back!
Photo: Charlie Sorrel/Cult of Mac

Apple has stopped signing iOS 13.3.1 after the release of iOS 13.4, stopping people who have upgraded to the latest version from going back again.

Every iOS update Apple introduces is designed to be speedier, more stable, and more secure than its predecessor. As a result, Apple blocks downgrades soon after its latest release has rolled out to everyone. This was the turn of iOS 13.3.1 to go to the big software graveyard in the sky!

iPad Pro’s been supercharged, but not how you think … we discuss! On The CultCast

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CultCast 433
It's not the LIDAR cam that makes the new iPad Pro magical....
Photo: @YSR50

This week on The CultCast: Forget the A12Z and LiDAR Scanner, it’s iPadOS and the new Magic Keyboard that just supercharged the iPad Pro — we discuss! Plus, we’ll tell you the best new features in iOS 13.4. And Tim Cook, aka The Cookie, uses Apple’s massive supply chain prowess to deliver hugely needed supplies for medical workers — we got the story for ya right here!

Our thanks to LinkedIn for supporting this episode. A business is only as strong as its people, and every hire matters. So head to LinkedIn.com/cultcast and get a $50 credit toward your first job post.

6 iPad trackpad gestures you need to know

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iPad trackpad gestures
Trackpad gestures transform the iPad into something entirely new.
Photo: Charlie Sorrel/Cult of Mac

The trackpad and mouse support Apple added in iOS 13.4 is just amazing. It’s like getting a whole new computer, just by updating your iPad. I’ve been using it for a week for so now, and I want to share my favorite trackpad gestures.

If you use a trackpad with your iPad, these gestures will change the way you use your tablet.

Move over, Dropbox: How to share iCloud folders in iOS 13.4

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colored notebooks
Some folders, which could totally be shared.
Photo: Laika Notebooks/Unsplash

In iOS 13.4, you can share iCloud folders with other people for the first time. You’ve long been able to share a single file via iCloud, but now you can share folders, so all the people sharing can drop files in there. Just like Dropbox has done since, like, forever.

This new capability, which arrived Tuesday in iOS 13.4 and macOS Catalina 10.15.4, will finally let people ditch Dropbox and go all-in on iCloud. Let’s see how it works.