Yesterday in the MacNN forums Mac Enthusiast bojangles points out a quiet bug fix in Mac OS X 10.7.4 that affects Screen Sharing on multiple displays, click here to read more. Also Yesterday one forum member was replacing a G5 Xserve with a late 2008 Xserve and had some questions, read more here.
A new version of the subscription streaming music service Rdio has launched, bringing with it a native Mac OS X application for the first time. Previous versions were web-based. The new version is available on browsers, and applications Windows, the iOS, Android, and Windows Phone 7. All versions allow listening to over 15 million tracks on the Rdio service.
Avatron's Air Display update has been approved and added to the App Store ($10, iTunes), enabling users to take advantage of the new iPad's Retina display. Users who run the wireless display app from a Retina device can now enable the HiDPI display mode that had been hidden in Mac OS X Lion, bringing the maximum output resolution up to 2048x1536.
Avatron has just detailed that its Air Display app ($10, iTunes) will be updated to support the new iPad's 2048x1536 resolution for its wireless secondary display technique. The update process did encounter challenges, however, as adding four times more pixels slowed frame rates. While resolving this problem, the Avatron programmers were able to improve the frame rates on older iOS devices, and especially the dual-core iPad 2 and iPhone 4S.
Today in the MacNN forums, members discuss the name change from "Mac OS X" to just "OS X" after one user suggested the possibility that Apple may be considering licensing the operating system to other hardware manufacturers. Yesterday besson3c started a discussion about the latest Mac trojan in the thread titled "OS X trojan horse."
New Chitika traffic data has seen Apple possibly cross a milestone for web use online. As of February, 8.15 percent of all web traffic being monitored was coming from an iOS device, passing the Mac for the first time with OS X share at 7.96 percent. The two platforms had been converging since October, with the Mac losing share mostly as Apple's other OS gained prominence.
A paper written by a former Apple intern, and now Core OS engineer, has detailed Apple’s attempts at getting a full version of Mac OS X to boot on an ARM processor, reports iMore. Initially subject to an embargo, but just recently published, the paper was written as part of a Bachelor degree thesis in 2010 by Tristan Schapp. It details the technical aspects and challenges associated with getting Darwin, which underpins OS X, to work effectively on the ARM architecture.
Today's release of Mac OS X 10.7.3 also incorporates Apple's first Security Update of 2012, addressing vulnerabilities in components throughout the OS and its components. The update is also available as a separate download for Snow Leopard users, and while none of the issues have been reported in the wild, the update is recommended for all users of Mac OS X 10.6 and 10.7, and closes potential issues in programs ranging from Apache to QuickTime.
A week after the last release, Apple has again posted a new beta of the upcoming Mac OS X 10.7.3 for developers. The new version lists no known issues and again asks testers to focus on iCloud Document Storage, Address Book, iCal, Mail, Spotlight, and Safari. The build, numbered 11D50, weighs in at 1.26GB for the combo update, and 997.01MB for the delta release (reversioners are no longer required).
DSPanel has utilized Java to create multi-platform native versions of its Performance Canvas Studio for Mac OS X, Linux and Unix as well as its original Windows platform. The suite is the company's flagship product for business intelligence (BI) correlation of various data sources and is also accessible on mobile devices via the web. The program is "multi-tenant" meaning databases can be set up to serve multiple clients, organizations or users to access the data.
Testing continues on the next minor update to Mac OS X, with a new version of 10.7.3, this time with a build number of 11D36, being released to developers. The new build comes five days after the previous version, which had a build number of 11D33. As before, no known issues are listed with the update. The small increment between versions may indicate that a public release will come soon.
Mimo has taken its turn at a capacitive USB-powered touchscreen monitor. The Mimo Magic Touch is a 10.1-inch display that can respond to as many as four touch-points at any one time when connected to a Windows 7 computer. For devices running other operating systems, including Windows 2000/XP/Vista and Mac OS X, it still supports a display-only mode.
Apple is now seeding OS X 10.7.2 to the public. The update is available through Lion's Software Update function, and should measure about 435.5MB in standard form. The main upgrade is support for iCloud, allowing Lion users to sync and backup data such as email, calendars, contacts, and Safari bookmarks and Reading Lists. It is also required for Back to My Mac remote access functions, and Find My Mac device tracking.
Lion is still only the third most popular version of OS X, according to Chitika. New weekly data produced by the analytics firm puts Lion at just 14.18 percent of the market, compared with Snow Leopard, which remains dominant at 55.54 percent. Even Leopard -- now nearly four years old -- has greater representation at 22.23 percent.
As has become standard, Apple has quietly updated OS X definitions to counter a recently-publicized malware threat, checks show. Lion and Snow Leopard will now block a Trojan fronted by OSX/Revir.A, which in turn installs a backdoor program identified as OSX/Imuler.A. Although neither part of the Trojan is especially dangerous at the moment, Imuler could potentially be used at a later date to capture screenshots or steal files.
A newly-detailed Trojan attack is being directed at Macs, say security firms F-Secure and Sophos. Originally spotted in late July, the Trojan relies on two pieces of malware. The first is a downloader identified as "Trojan-Dropper:OSX/Revir.A," which not only retrieves the second piece of software but repeatedly opens a Chinese PDF document -- trojan.pdf -- said to contain offensive political statements. The real purpose of the document is thought to be distracting a person while the second app is downloaded.
Apple is seeding a new build of the forthcoming OS X 10.7.2 update to developers. Listed as 11C62, the release has no known issues, in keeping with other recent builds. The current Combo version of the update measures 790MB.
Apple has posted a trio of new software updates, the most important of which are Thunderbolt-related. The Thunderbolt Display Firmware Update fixes unspecified stability problems with Apple's latest product, and apart from the monitor requires a Mac running either OS X 10.6.8 or 10.7.1. A new Thunderbolt Software Update for Snow Leopard is required to use the Thunderbolt Display with the OS, and also fixes compatibility issues with other Thunderbolt devices. A matching Lion update was released late last week.
OS X Lion has a serious security vulnerability allowing hackers to alter the password of any user account, writes security blog Defence in Depth. The OS reportedly allows non-root users the ability to view password hash data. As a consequence, an attacker can potentially use a basic Python script to glean a person's password.
Apple is seeding another build of OS X 10.7.2 to developers, 11C57. The code is the second release to merge iCloud support into Lion, rather than require a separate download and installation. The Combo version of the latest release tops out at 790.2MB.
Apple has posted Security Update 2011-005, a new patch for OS X Lion and Snow Leopard. In each case the code is aimed at fixing just a single problem: fraudulent certificates issued by DigiNotar, a threat Microsoft dealt with on Wednesday. Apple notes that it has removed DigiNotar from the listed of trusted root and extended validation certificates. By default, OS X should now distrust any certificate connected to DigiNotar.
Continuing a regular Friday trend, Apple has released new developer seeds of OS X 10.7.2 and the Lion iCloud client. The v10.7.2 update is now in build 11C48. The iCloud client is actually in its 10th beta, suggesting that Apple is conducting an extensive amount of testing before it risks making its cloud technology public.
Apple may be working on a Mac OS X 10.6.9 update to extend iCloud to Snow Leopard, an error message reveals. After upgrading a MobileMe account to iCloud, one developer says he encountered a unique error message in Tiger's .Mac preferences pane. "You will no longer be able to sync with this machine because you've upgraded to iCloud," it begins. "iCloud requires running Mac OS X Snow Leopard v10.6.9 or later for Contacts, Calendars, and Bookmarks."
OS X Lion has a serious security vulnerability related to LDAP, reports say. If a machine is using LDAP to authenticate access to other resources, a person can use any password for logins as long as they get past Lion's initial login process. The issue is said to be sensitive in an enterprise environment. "As pen testers, one of the first things we do is attack the LDAP server," explains Errata Security CEO Rob Graham. "Once we own an LDAP server we own everything. I can walk up to any laptop (in an organization) and log into it."
Apple has released new developer seeds for three upcoming Mac updates. The first is OS X 10.7.2, now in build 11C43. The iCloud Lion client has now been advanced to beta 9, while iPhoto 9.2 is in its third beta. Apple warns that installing the latter will replace any existing installation of iPhoto, and that beta 3 will not open libraries created by beta 1. The only way to revert iPhoto to an earlier version is to do a clean install of OS X and then install iPhoto again separately.
Apple has released a new set of drivers for Epson printers. Now at v2.8, the drivers technically include both printing and scanning software. The download is a sizable 961.5MB, but is compatible with both Lion and Snow Leopard, and also supports a variety of languages.
Apple has at last updated the Mac App Store version of OS X Lion to v10.7.1. The v10.7.1 code was originally introduced last week through Software Update and Apple's website, but until today the Mac App Store copy of the OS remained stuck at v10.7. For several days this forced people upgrading from Snow Leopard to download an update immediately after installing Lion.
Apple has released Mac OS X 10.7.1, its first major update for Lion. The patch solves a collection of bugs, including reported trouble with Wi-Fi connections. Also fixed are data migration barriers, audio cutting out when using HDMI or optical audio output, and an error which caused computers to become unresponsive when playing video in Safari.
Following up on retail availability, Apple has made the USB release of OS X Lion available on its online store. The stick costs $69, as opposed to the normal Mac App Store price of $30, but provides a physical backup and allows a person to install or reinstall Lion without having an Internet connection handy. Shipping times are currently sitting at 1 to 3 business days.
Apple made a rare update to the malware definitions in OS X earlier this week, a look at the software's XProtect.plist file shows. An entry has been added for "OSX.QHost.WB.A," a Trojan known to disguise itself as an installer for Flash Player. Should a person encounter and launch the installer, the Trojan will modify a person's hosts file to redirect certain Google websites to an IP in the Netherlands.
Apple has released a now-rare patch for Mac OS X Leopard in the form of a Migration Assistant Update. The code fixes a problem that was preventing the transfer of data to Lion, including files, settings and programs. The file is 4.98MB, and requires Mac OS X 10.5.8.
Over the weekend Apple began seeding new developer betas of OS X 10.7.2 and the iCloud add-on for Lion. The Lion release is listed as build 11C35, and in its official description is said to be "provided solely for to testing iCloud." The iCloud add-on, distributed at the same time, is identified simply as beta 6.
Some OS X Lion users are continuing to encounter severe graphics-related crashes, according to reports and Apple's support forums. When affected, a person will see a Mac suddenly crash and display a black screen, or else a warning about a kernel panic. A factor in common is that some sort of graphics event is typically taking place; a crash may also happen when a computer wakes from sleep.
(Updated with counterclaim) Apple's promised USB sticks for OS X Lion should now be available for sale, internal AppleCare documents show. These allow a person to install the OS without an available Internet connection and/or Mac App Store access. Apple is charging $69 for each stick, $39 more than the cost of a downloaded Lion upgrade.
A small AppleScript utility that allows users to create a bootable DVD or USB key from OS X Lion's installation program has been released. When Lion Disk Maker is launched, it checks for the Mac OS X Lion installation program in the Applications folder, or attempts to find it using Spotlight. After finding the correct file, the software prompts the user to either insert a blank DVD or USB/Firewire drive. In order to create a DVD users will need a blank 4.7GB DVD or at least a 4GB USB drive. The software os offered as a free download, however the developer has set up a PayPal account for any donations customers wish to give.
Emerging from two weeks of site maintenance, Apple's professional training website has been updated with a new aesthetic, as well as new courses and certifications. The programs are intended for IT workers who need to prove familiarity with Apple products. Three new tracks have been introduced: these include OS X Lion, Final Cut Pro X, and Mac Integration Basics 10.7.
Apple will begin trying to merge iOS and OS X into a single platform in 2012, projects Jeffries analyst Peter Misek. The reasoning is that it would provide Apple with better profit margins, and simplify licensing content. "Users want to be able to pick up any iPhone, iPad, or Mac (or turn on their iTV) and have content move seamlessly between them and be optimized for the user and the device currently being used," the analyst writes.
The Snow Leopard version of Safari is failing to block cookies properly, says security firm Sophos. Users running the browser on Mac OS X 10.6.8 in particular are reportedly seeing the software continue to keep some cookies active, even when settings have been changed to block all of them. Even the Safari 5.1 update hasn't solved the problem, according to Sophos.
Glitches in OS X Lion are causing freezing for a number of users, according to complaints. The problems are moreover happening under a variety of conditions. For some people, freezes are triggered on waking from sleep. 2011 iMacs appear to be the worst affected in this regard, but some MacBook Pros are suffering the same trouble. Only a reboot temporarily solves the situation.
Updated MacBook Airs should be a major driver of Mac sales in the second half of the year, says Barclays analyst Ben Reitzes. "For the September quarter, we estimate Mac unit sales to grow 18% y/y [year-over-year], which may be conservative given anticipation for the MacBook Air," he writes in a new memo. The Air has proven especially popular since its 2010 overhaul, which included an 11-inch option starting at $999, equivalent in price to the now-defunct white plastic MacBook.
Apple has released a number of supplemental updates for Macs already running Snow Leopard v10.6.8, including the Server editions. The downloads are claimed to resolve issues related to data migration of personal files, settings, and applications as users upgrade to Mac OS X Lion. Other bug fixes focused on Snow Leopard functionality, addressing problems with network-attached printers and audio output via HDMI or optical connections.
New installations of OS X Lion are causing Wi-Fi connections to fail, according to posts on Apple's support forums. Affected users say that despite perfectly functional Wi-Fi before the Lion upgrade, they are suddenly seeing connections become intermittent or broken. Other devices will continue to hold a link, such as iPads or Macs without Lion.
As is traditional with any new and significant update to an operating system, reports and discoveries are being posted throughout the Mac community regarding Lion, the latest version of Mac OS X. One issue in particular that stood out as being quite obscure but potentially important was a post from Online Tech Tips regarding changes for third-party Network Attached Storage (NAS) drive users, along a step-by-step guide on how to do a clean install of Lion from About.com.
Over 1 million downloads of OS X Lion have been made within the space of a day, Apple has announced. "Lion is off to a great start, user reviews and industry reaction have been fantastic," claims a prepared statement by senior worldwide product marketing VP Phil Schiller. "Lion is a huge step forward, it's not only packed with innovative features but it's incredibly easy for users to update their Macs to the best OS we've ever made."
Some Mac owners are being prevented from installing OS X Lion, talk on Apple's support forums shows. In select instances users will pick a destination drive and be given an error message, such as "this disk cannot be used to start up your computer," or "this disk is used for Time Machine backups," even though the target was previously used to boot up Snow Leopard. The issue can happen regardless of how much space is on the drive, and whether or not a Mac meets other Lion system requirements.
The release of OS X Lion is causing problems with a host of Adobe software, a support article shows. "Known issues" of varying degrees exist with high-profile titles such as Acrobat, Dreamweaver, Illustrator, Lightroom, Photoshop and Premiere Pro. The biggest problems however lie with Flash, spanning apps like Flash Builder, Flash Catalyst and most notably Flash Player.
In addition to OS X Lion, iTunes 10.4, iWork 9.1 and Safari 5.1, Apple has pushed out several minor software updates. These include the Server Admin Tools for Lion Server, which also incorporate Podcast Composer, Workgroup Manager, Xgrid Admin and the System Image Utility. The download is 193.25MB and will run only on Lion Server.
Apple's retail preparations for OS X Lion include three different install images, sources say. Most stores are said to be getting external LaCie drives with the images, which have three different labels: "Normal," "Pro" and "Joint Venture." Joint Venture is the name of Apple's support program for small- and medium-sized businesses, which was introduced in March this year.
OS X Lion has a special recovery mode which includes the option to reinstall the OS over the Internet, a leaked internal AppleCare document reveals. The mode is invoked by holding down Command-R during boot, and presents users with several options. On a basic level it lets people access online help, or run Disk Utility to scan, repair, partition or even erase volumes. Under dire circumstances a person can restore from a Time Machine backup, or "reinstall Lion over the Internet from Apple’s servers," according to the AppleCare note.
Apple has reportedly scheduled overnight briefings on Tuesday night for its retail employees. The staff are expected to use the time to prepare for the Mac OS X Lion launch, which is said to be set for Wednesday, unnamed sources have told MacRumors. The company is also claimed to have sent each store a Mac Pros preloaded with the upcoming OS.
