Always reset your Mac before selling or passing it along to a friend. Photo: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac
Selling your old Mac or passing it to a friend or family member? It is always a good idea to reset your Mac to factory settings before doing so.
This ensures the machine wipes clean all your data, so you won’t have to worry about any privacy problems. The best part is that Apple makes it very easy to reset a MacBook, iMac or Mac mini to its factory state.
iOS 16 and macOS 13 will still be around for months, even though we'll soon learn all about their replacements. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
The first betas of iOS 16.6 and macOS Ventura 13.5 went to developers on Friday. The same is true for iPadOS 16.6 beta 1, watchOS 9.6 beta 1 and tvOS 16.6 beta 1.
The timing might seem odd because Apple is expected to unveil iOS 17, macOS 14 and the replacements for its other operating systems in a couple of weeks, but this is normal.
Apple will bring Assistive Access, Live Speech and Personal Voice to iPad and iPhone. Photo: Apple
Just can’t wait for WWDC23? Apparently, Apple can’t either because it’s already starting announcing new features that will almost certainly be in iOS 17, iPadOS 17 and macOS 14.
These are aimed at those with disabilities, and include Live Speech and Personal Voice. These will allow those with speech disabilities to participate in conversations in a synthesized voice that sounds like the user.
iOS 16.5 will be out soon with a number of "nice to have" tweaks. Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac
The wait for iOS 16.5 is almost over. On Tuesday, Apple committed to releasing it “next week.” The same is true for watchOS 9.5.
Apple almost always introduces new versions of its operating systems simultaneously. So, those eager for macOS Ventura 13.4 and tvOS 16.5 should expect these updates soon, too. Especially as the release candidates for all these OS updates came out on Tuesday.
You should install a new Rapid Security Response on your iPhone, Mac or iPad as soon as possible. Photo: Cult of Mac
Apple began rolling out a Rapid Security Response to fix urgent security problems in iOS 16.4.1, macOS 13.3.1 and iPadOS 16.4.1.
If the term is unfamiliar, this is the first time these patches have ever been released. They allow Apple to quickly fix security problems without requiring a full OS update.
This free, open-source app makes it easy to fake your GPS location. Image: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac
You can use a free Mac app called LocationSimulator to spoof GPS in Pokémon Go or to hide your real location on your iPhone. After setting it up, you just plug your phone into a Mac and tell it where you want to “be.” You don’t need to jailbreak and you don’t need to install anything on your iPhone.
Every app on your phone will use it as your GPS location. It’s useful for maintaining privacy — for instance, if you’re posting screenshots online, it’ll mask your real home address. Developers can use it, too, for testing location features in their apps.
Best of all, you just need a Mac. LocationSimulator is free and open-source.
iOS 16.4.1 is ready for your iPhone. And there are macOS and iPadOS updates, too. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
iPhone, Mac and iPad users got fresh operating system updates on Friday. iOS 16.4.1, macOS 13.3.1 and iPadOS 16.4.1 fix a smattering of bugs on the devices — including some security vulnerabilities that Apple admits may have been exploited — but there are no new features.
At this time, there are no equivalent updates for Apple Watch or Apple TV.
This was the beginning of the end for System 7. Photo: Apple
April 7, 1997: Apple’s System 7 operating system receives its last update with the shipping of Mac OS 7.6.1.
The update brings a few bug fixes and support for Apple’s new PCI Power Macs and the PowerBook 3400. Most importantly, it marks the end of the System 7 era, which dawned way back in 1991.
Apple is already looking ahead to iOS 16.5 and macOS Ventura 13.4. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Apple seeded the initial betas of iOS 16.5 and macOS Ventura 13.4 to the general public on Thursday. Developers were given access on Tuesday. Beta testing began almost immediately after the public release of the previous versions.
iPadOS 16.5 beta 1, watchOS 9.5 beta 1 and tvOS 16.5 beta 1 are also available to the public and to devs.