Tag: macOS

News

macOS Sonoma 14.4: Reasons Not to Update

Post author By miranda cosgrove
Post date March 18, 2024
No Comments on macOS Sonoma 14.4: Reasons Not to Update

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Since Apple unveiled macOS Sonoma 14.4 on March 7, the transition to the latest software update has not been entirely smooth for everyone, and a number of issues have been reported by users that significantly impact their daily workflow.

Reasons to Not Upgrade to macOS Sonoma 14
This article lists the most prominent challenges users have faced since updating to macOS Sonoma 14.4, and offers potential solutions where available.

USB Hub and Monitor Ports

Lost Connectivity

Some users have experienced connectivity issues with USB hubs and monitors with USB ports since updating to macOS 14.4, with several reports of mice, keyboards, and other peripherals no longer being detected. While Apple works on a fix, a handful of users have had some success by changing the setting “Allow accessories to connect” to “Ask for new accessories” under the Security section of System Settings ➝ Privacy & Security.

Java Processes

Unexpected Terminations

Oracle last week warned that the macOS 14.4 update can cause Java processes to “terminate unexpectedly” on Macs. The issue affects all Java versions from Java 8 to the early access builds of JDK 22, and there is no workaround available. Affected users might be unable to return to a stable configuration unless they have a complete backup of their systems prior to the OS update.

Printer Operation

Removed or Corrupted Drivers

The update may remove or corrupt printer drivers. Specifically, the core CUPS software for printing operations over a network seems to be removed. HP printers in particular appear to be affected, but the exact commonalities between the reports, such as the use of Microsoft Defender or JAMF mobile device management software, are not entirely clear. Some users have found a workaround by granting Full Disk Access to certain processes in System Settings ➝ Privacy & Security. Despite these attempts, a comprehensive solution has not yet been found.

PACE/iLok Protections

Audio Unit Plugins Crash

There have been reports of compatibility issues with PACE products, including the iLok License Manager, connected to Apple silicon Macs running macOS 14.4. The problem specifically impacts plugins from various manufacturers that are safeguarded by PACE/iLok, including those made by Universal Audio, when used with host DAWs such as Logic Pro. Temporarily setting a DAW and the iLok License Manager application to run in Rosetta mode appears to circumvent the issue.

Consider Not Updating

If you anticipate that any of these problems could significantly impact your daily operations or productivity, it may be prudent to delay updating to the latest version of macOS Sonoma until Apple addresses these concerns with a subsequent fix. Have you identified any other issues since updating? Let us know in the comments and we might include them here if they turn out to be commonplace.

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Tags macOS, Reasons, Sonoma, update

News

Oracle Warns macOS 14.4 Can Cause Java to Terminate Unexpectedly

Post author By miranda cosgrove
Post date March 16, 2024
No Comments on Oracle Warns macOS 14.4 Can Cause Java to Terminate Unexpectedly

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Oracle this week warned that the macOS 14.4 update released earlier this month for Macs can cause Java processes to “terminate unexpectedly.”

macos sonoma feature purple green
In a blog post on Friday, Oracle’s Senior Director of Product Management Aurelio Garcia-Ribeyro recommended that Apple silicon Mac users who rely on Java avoid updating to macOS 14.4 until the issue is resolved by Apple:

An issue introduced by macOS 14.4, which causes Java process[es] to terminate unexpectedly, is affecting all Java versions from Java 8 to the early access builds of JDK 22. There is no workaround available, and since there is no easy way to revert a macOS update, affected users might be unable to return to a stable configuration unless they have a complete backup of their systems prior to the OS update.

The blog post and bug report include more technical details about the issue.

Oracle says it has notified Apple about the issue. Apple did not immediately respond to our request for comment about the matter.

Proton’s Windows and macOS mail app is out of beta and available now

Post author By lisa nichols
Post date March 15, 2024
No Comments on Proton’s Windows and macOS mail app is out of beta and available now

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Proton, the privacy-focused company that offers a variety of internet tools like mail, calendars, online storage and a password manager, continues to built out its portfolio. As of today, Proton’s desktop mail app for Windows and macOS is out of beta and now available to all its paid users. At the same time, Proton is also releasing its app for Linux users in beta.

If you’ve used Proton Mail before (or any recent / modern mail client), the app won’t be a surprise —it’s the standard three-pane view, with different folders on the left, a list of message in the middle and a preview of the message contents on the right. Like in Gmail, there’s a right-hand rail that has icons for your contacts and calendar that’ll expand to show the selected item if you click them. But for more calendar details, there’s a button to switch the whole window view from mail to calendar and back. Proton Drive and Proton Pass already have a desktop app, but for now Proton is keeping it separate from mail and calendar, which makes sense. Those two tools go hand-in-hand, but storage is kind of its own thing.

While the new mail app doesn’t improve on or change the design of Proton’s web tools in any major way, I can say that the beta app felt quite responsive in a little testing I did. And while I wouldn’t mind more than a slightly tweaked web wrapper (being able to draft an email in its own window would be nice), I do prefer keeping my email out of my browser window. I’m sure there are other Proton users who feel the same way and will find this app pretty handy for that.

If you’re not currently paying for Proton Mail, you can give the new app a try for two weeks, but after that you’ll need to upgrade your account to keep using it. The Mail Plus plan costs $4/month if you sign up for a year, or you can get Proton Unlimited for $10 per month with a year plan that includes 500GB of storage (instead of 15GB for Mail Plus) and Proton Drive, Pass and VPN.

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Tags App, Beta, macOS, Mail, Protons, Windows

Featured

The latest macOS Sonoma update is reportedly breaking some USB hubs

Post author By lisa nichols
Post date March 14, 2024
No Comments on The latest macOS Sonoma update is reportedly breaking some USB hubs

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Updating to macOS Sonoma 14.4 is breaking the functionality of some USB hubs, according to reports across the web – though it’s unclear how widespread the problem is, or which particular peripherals are affected.

The heads-up first came via AppleInsider readers, but there’s also some discussion on Reddit, Apple support forums, and MacRumors. So far, it appears to be just USB hubs built into monitors affected by the bug, including models from Dell, Samsung, and Gigabyte.

Judging by the number of replies to the article and threads linked above, several people are seeing this issue. That said, it doesn’t appear to affect everyone with a macOS Sonoma 14.4 machine and a monitor USB hub.

Apple hasn’t said anything about the issue and is unlikely to unless it becomes widespread. The 14.4 software update started rolling out last week, bringing with it new emojis and bug fixes – though it may have introduced some more bugs of its own.

Can you fix it?

macOS Sonoma bug

Changing this setting seems to help some people (Image credit: Future)

The users afflicted by the USB hub problem are trying various troubleshooting measures. There doesn’t seem to be a single solution that works for everyone, across different types of monitors and USB connections.

For some, completely powering down everything and then powering it back up again seems to work. Other people have reported that heading to the Privacy & Security page in macOS System Settings and changing the Allow accessories to connect option to Ask every time, then rebooting, fixes it.

Reading between the lines, there may be something awry with the way macOS ‘sees’ the USB hub and the devices connected to it as peripherals, but there are a lot of links along that chain – some users have found that simply switching to a different USB cable helps.

We’ll have to wait and see if Apple issues a fix for those affected. Of course, if workaround solutions are already being discovered, it’s more likely that any necessary bug fixes for the problem will get quietly rolled into the macOS Sonoma 14.5 update.

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Tags Breaking, Hubs, Latest, macOS, Reportedly, Sonoma, update, USB

News

macOS Sonoma 14.4 Causing USB Hub Issues for Some Users

Post author By miranda cosgrove
Post date March 13, 2024
No Comments on macOS Sonoma 14.4 Causing USB Hub Issues for Some Users

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Some Mac users who updated to Apple’s latest macOS Sonoma 14.4 software release are experiencing connectivity issues with USB hubs and monitors with USB ports, with several reports of mice, keyboards, and other peripherals no longer being detected.

belkin usb c hub
Users have taken to the MacRumors forums, Reddit, X (Twitter), and the Apple Support Community forums to relay their experiences, a selection of which we’ve reproduced below.

MacRumors forum member mjodotcom:

14.4 definitely breaks USB hub monitor functionality. Things worked without a hitch until my work MBP upgraded to 14.4 and now no devices are detected. On my personal MBP that is still on 14.3 everything is detected without issue. Clearly a OS related problem.

Reddit user Nobodys10:

I have my MacBook (MacBook Pro 16 M2 Pro) connected to my monitor (Gigabyte M34WQ 34 Inch IPS Ultrawide WQHD (3440 x 1440)) via a thunderbolt 3 cable.

I have my keyboard and mouse connected to the USB ports in my monitor. After updating, my keyboard and mouse are no longer being detected on my MacBook. Before updating, it was working fine.

Apple Support Community user LucaPascarella:

I have the same issue with my MacBook Pro M2 Max 64GB RAM and monitor Dell U3219Q; none of the USB peripherals connected to the Monitor’s USB hub work.

On the contrary, all peripherals work fine when I attach a Windows computer to the Dell Monitor. In addition, I check every USB peripheral by attaching them directly to the Mac, and of course, they are working.

I rebooted the Mac and detached the power plug from the Monitor, trying any configurations or sequences of rebooting as possible. Nothing is working since the update to Sonoma 14.4.

While Apple works on a fix, a handful of users have had some success by changing the setting “Allow accessories to connect” to “Ask for new devices” under the Security section of System Settings ➝ Privacy & Security.

Have you had a problem connecting peripherals over USB hubs since updating to macOS Sonoma 14.4? Let us know in the comments.

(Thanks, Matt!)

iOS 18 and macOS 15 to Include Updated Freeform App With ‘Scenes’ Feature

Post author By miranda cosgrove
Post date March 11, 2024
No Comments on iOS 18 and macOS 15 to Include Updated Freeform App With ‘Scenes’ Feature

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With iOS 18 and macOS 15, Apple intends to introduce a plethora of new features and enhancements affecting system applications and settings. Through industry sources, MacRumors has received details about the updated version of the Freeform app, which is set to include an interesting addition.

Known as “Freeform Scenes,” the new feature will give users the option to select specific sections or “Scenes” within their boards for easier navigation. Once selected and named, users will have the ability to easily return to them after viewing other areas of the board. Users will have the option to edit scenes after the fact as well, and will even be able to collaborate with others in doing so. Our sources claim that Freeform Scenes will be compatible with iCloud, allowing for easier sharing and editing.

The controls for the Freeform Scenes UI will be located near the zoom controls, towards the bottom left area within the app. Users will see a new sandwich-bar type icon with three vertical lines, and tapping or clicking the icon will show the Scenes UI. The Scenes UI includes a bar with individual arrow icons for easier navigation between Scenes, along with a square icon between the two arrows. Clicking or tapping the square icon will present the user with additional options to select or navigate between scenes.

Apple has also developed the following keyboard shortcuts for Freeform Scenes:

Save – Shift + Command + S
Next Scene – Option + Command + ]
Previous Scene – Option + Command + [

Although this feature is in testing, it is worth noting that not all features make it to release, and Apple also sometimes delays new additions until a later version of iOS. While Freeform Scenes is in development for ‌iOS 18‌ and macOS 18, it could be pulled or introduced at a later date.

For more details on what to expect with Apple’s upcoming operating systems, check out our rumor roundup page for iOS 18.

Here are the new features to try in macOS Sonoma 14.4

Post author By miranda cosgrove
Post date March 9, 2024
No Comments on Here are the new features to try in macOS Sonoma 14.4

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macOS 14 Sonoma — macOS Sonoma 14.4 brings in a couple of nice tweaks.
*Photo: Apple*

The wait is over for macOS Sonoma 14.4, with the new version going out a bit sooner than expected. It brings in new emoji plus auto-generated transcripts in the Apple Podcasts app.

watchOS 10.4 also went to all users on Thursday, as did tvOS 17.4 and visionOS 1.1.

macOS 14.4 Sonoma reflects a focus on iOS 17.4

While macOS Sonoma 14.4 includes new features, it’s a fairly modest update. This is at least partially a result of Apple’s need to bring truly significant changes in iOS 17.4 and the iPadOS equivalent to comply with a new European Union law, likely taking up much of the company’s attention.

Nevertheless, Mac users just got a fresh crop of emoji. The list includes a phoenix, a breaking chain and other emoji that were approved by the Unicode Consortium last year.

And in macOS 14.4, the Apple Podcasts app offers automatically generate transcripts for shows.

With the release candidate going out Monday, the final version was expected in mid March. But it is instead available for all compatible Mac models now.

Apple’s macOS 14.4 release notes:

macOS Sonoma 14.4 introduces new emoji as well as other features, bug fixes, and security updates for your Mac.

Emoji

New mushroom, phoenix, lime, broken chain, and shaking heads emoji are now available in emoji keyboard
18 people and body emoji support facing the opposite direction

This update also includes the following improvements and bug fixes:

Podcasts Episode text can be read in full, searched for a word or phrase, clicked to play from a specific point and used with accessibility features such as Text Size, Increase Contrast, and VoiceOver
Business Updates in Messages for Business let you get updates that you’ve opted into, like order status, flight notifications, fraud alerts or other transactions from trusted businesses
Safari Favorites Bar adds an option to show only icons for websites

Don’t forget watchOS 10.4 and visionOS 1.1.

Apple Watch users are getting some tweaks in watchOS 10.4, too. The release notes mention that “Tap to Show Full Notification setting now allows you to double tap to expand the notification .”

And visionOS 1.1 reportedly will make users’ Personas look less eerie.

These Apple Watch and Vision Pro updates are also now available to users of compatible devices.

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Tags features, macOS, Sonoma

Featured

Voice Control is a great hidden feature in macOS that gives you hands-free control of your Mac

Post author By lisa nichols
Post date March 9, 2024
No Comments on Voice Control is a great hidden feature in macOS that gives you hands-free control of your Mac

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A couple of years ago, Apple introduced the Voice Control feature without a lot of fanfare, but it was quickly considered a valuable feature that improved user accessibility.

Even if it doesn’t necessarily impact your accessibility, you can still try a different way of using your computer where you use your voice to control more, and your mouse or trackpad less.

Hidden Features

We love a good hidden feature, that functionality on your device that may not necessarily be active at default but which elevates your experience (or even your life). This series explores our pick of them – and you can read them all here.

Previously, I pointed out a way that Windows users could more easily navigate their memory (both their own and digital) in Clipboard History. Here, I’m going to talk about a way macOS users can extend their reach when it comes to controlling their devices beyond their mice, trackpads, and keyboards.

This feature isn’t just impressive as a demonstration of technology or of Apple’s consideration for users (Voice Control is included for free on every suitable Mac, iPhone, and iPad), it’s also important for users who have little or limited mobility in their hands or arms. Many people can already experience the possible benefits, and I think it’s worth giving it a spin even just to familiarize yourself in case you ever need it.

In this article, I’ll tell you how you can get started with Voice Control, and there’s some decent customization options that you can use to tweak this feature to work best for you.

You can always revert to your previous settings, or you might just fall in love with your macOS device all over again.

While we’re talking about macOS, check out our recommendations for the best MacBook and Macs, and the best MacBook Pro in 2024.

Who is Voice Control for and what can you do with it?

Using your macOS device with your voice may feel unusual to many able-bodied users. Still, it’s a crucial feature for many who have different user needs. With Voice Control, you can do many things like navigate desktops and apps, interact with what’s onscreen, and edit and dictate text.

You can customize your Voice Control settings including the language, the microphone you want to use when you’re using Voice Control, the ability to use a numbered grid to navigate to different parts of the screen hands-free, and more.

You can also get more into the details of Voice Control to fine-tune it to your needs and preferences further by going beyond the standard commands that come built-in with the feature. You can craft your own commands, delete commands, and import and export custom commands. If this isn’t tuned to your liking enough, you can go further and add specific individual vocabulary terms, as long as custom vocabulary is supported in the language you’re using Voice Control in.

To be able to use Voice Control, you’ll have to make sure that your device is running macOS Catalina 10.15 or later. Apple recommends that you keep your laptop lid open if you’re using a laptop, use an external microphone if you can, or use a display that comes with a microphone built-in. It also reassures users that all the processing of any audio happens right on your device, so whatever you tell it stays private.

Also, in a somewhat cruel but necessary irony, you do have to set up Voice Control using traditional peripheral or built-in controls. If you have accessibility needs. this probably means you’ll need to ask for help in getting Voice Control set up.

How to turn on Voice Control in macOS

Again, make sure you’re running macOS Catalina 10.15 or later. Once you’ve made sure this is the case, follow the following steps:

1. Open your Apple menu which can be found by clicking the Apple icon. Click on System Settings (which might be System Preferences in some macOS versions).

2. Select Accessibility. In Accessibility settings, click on Voice Control.

3. Turn Voice Control on.

When you turn on Voice Control for the first time, your Mac device might be prompted to do a one-time download of the feature from Apple. Allow it to do this and then you’ll be able to use the feature after this is complete.

Once you have Voice Control turned on

If you’re using macOS Sonoma or a later version, a blue icon depicting a sound signature will appear in your menu bar. Clicking this icon will open the actions you can do with Voice Control like start or stop listening, change the microphone or language, and opening more Voice Control settings.
You can also stop and start Voice Control listening by using the commands “Go to sleep” and “Wake up.”
If you’re using macOS Ventura or an earlier version, a microphone icon will appear on your screen. Clicking this icon will open your Voice Control actions like ‘Wake up’ to start listening and ‘Sleep’ to stop listening.
You can also say “Wake up” or “Go to sleep” to start or stop Voice Control listening.

How to get started using Voice Control with a guide

You can familiarize yourself with the built-in voice commands of Voice Control or bring them up whenever you’d like to see a full list by telling it “Show commands.” This will show you the list of existing commands that you can use based on the context of what you have open at that moment.

Then you can say one of the commands from the list to carry out an action.

In macOS Sonoma or later, you can go for a practice run with Voice Control to get used to it with an interactive guide that Apple has included.

To access this interactive guide, follow the following path:

Go to the Apple menu by clicking the Apple icon > Click on System Settings > Select Accessibility in the sidebar of settings > Click on Voice Control in the Accessibility menu > Select Open Guide.

It’s in these same Voice Control settings where you can also turn the Play sound when command is recognised setting to make it easier to know if and when Voice Control has recognized a command (similar to Siri).

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Tags control, feature, great, handsfree, Hidden, Mac, macOS, Voice

News

New M3 MacBook Air Models to Have Day-One macOS Update

Post author By miranda cosgrove
Post date March 9, 2024
No Comments on New M3 MacBook Air Models to Have Day-One macOS Update

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The new MacBook Air models that are set to be released tomorrow will have a day-one update, according to MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris.

macbook air blue image
Both the 13.6-inch and 15.3-inch ‌MacBook Air‌ models that are set to launch tomorrow are running a special build of macOS Sonoma 14.3, with a version number of 23D2057.

Users will be prompted to update to ‌macOS Sonoma‌ 14.4 tomorrow, as the software saw a public release today. Given the timing of the software’s launch and the debut of the new ‌MacBook Air‌ models, Apple was not able to get the ‌macOS Sonoma‌ 14.4 update installed on them.

Apple’s M3 ‌MacBook Air‌ models are priced starting at $1099 for the 13-inch version and $1299 for the 15-inch version. Customers who pre-ordered will receive their machines on March 8, which is also when the new ‌MacBook Air‌ models will be available in Apple retail locations.

Windows Migration Assistant Upgraded for macOS Sonoma 14.4

Post author By miranda cosgrove
Post date March 9, 2024
No Comments on Windows Migration Assistant Upgraded for macOS Sonoma 14.4

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In addition to releasing the latest macOS Sonoma 14.4 update on Thursday, Apple also released a new version of its Windows Migration Assistant software for PCs to include compatibility with the latest version of macOS.

migration assistant
Version 3.0.0.0 of the utility provides support for users looking to migrate their data from a PC running Windows 10 or later to Apple’s latest Mac operating system. The assistant transfers users’ contacts, calendars, email accounts, and more from a Windows machine and migrates the data to the appropriate places in macOS.

Version 2.4.5.0 remains available for users whose Mac is running macOS Ventura, macOS Monterey, or a version of macOS Sonoma earlier than 14.4. Versions of Windows Migration Assistant for macOS Big Sur and earlier also remain available. The macOS version of Migration Assistant lives in the Applications/Utilities folder.

Apple advises users to turn off any antivirus, firewall, or VPN software until the transfer of information is complete. For more information, consult Apple’s updated support article.

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