MacUpdater scans and displays all installed software to let you know quickly and easily which of your apps need to be updated
It’s easy to see at a glance what apps are out of date
It’s also easy to find apps you may have forgotten about and you want to remove
It has version information for over 60,000 apps (and growing). And the 6,000 most popular apps (and growing) can be updated directly inside MacUpdater with a single click.
And the latest update, 2.1 added even more great features
Support for even more software types, including Adobe plugins.
They made it more flexible and added an integration with Alfred for yet another way to trigger app updates.
It has improved performance, tons of small quality-of-life interface improvements (like the ability to switch between classic and Big Sur icon styles), and it’s ready for Monterey and all your compatibility updates.
Mac Update is a universal build, compatible with Apple Silicon and a one-time purchase; no subscriptions. They also value privacy and don’t collect any personal data.
Best of all… they’re offering Maccast listeners 15% off off at www.corecode.io when they use the code "MACCASTQ1" (all uppercase).
That’s corcode.io (C-O-R-E-C-O-D-E dot I-O) for 15% off for Maccast listeners.
News
More Studio Reveals
Is the SSD upgradable or not?
Last time we mentioned that in the teardown of the Studio YouTuber MaxTech discovered that the SSD in the Studio was slotted in, not soldered.
Then [YouTuber Luke Miani](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xEwS_VGD2yY) tried to swap the SSD from one MacStudio and put it into another and while the machine recognized the drive it wouldn’t boot when the swapped or second drive was installed
iFixit was actually able to swap drives of the same storage size from one Studio to another Studio's drive by using Configurator to do a DFU restore.
So swapping does seem possible, but upgrading is not clear. It’s possible that Apple or an Apple Authorized Repair centers may be able to do so?
It’s also not clear if the second SSD slot is connected or functional? Maybe is for higher storage machines?
The Studio display has 64GB of storage, but only 2GB are used for it’s “OS”
The info was shared in a tweet by a developer who goes by Khaos Tian
On theory is that because it’s using an A13 bionic chip and the smallest storage option in an A13 iPhone was 64GB that the controller in the A13 just may not support NAND sizes below 64GB
Mac Rumors got their hands on internal Apple support docs that indicate the stands on the Studio Display can be updated or changed by an Apple Store or Apple Authorized Service Provider
There is no word on what that swap would cost and parts for doing so are not publicly available
The Studio Display’s cord is “removable” with a special tool
So again, not end-user serviceable
The Studio Display enables “Hey Siri” for older model Macs
Normally requires a MacBook Pro released in 2018 or later or an iMac released in 2020 or later
The display will allow the feature on 2016 and 2017 models of the 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Pro and 2017 through 2019 models of the 21.5-inch iMac and 27-inch iMac and the 2019 Mac Pro and 2018 and newer models of the Mac mini while connected to the display
Thanks to the onboard A13 Bionic Chip and built-in mic array
Early buzz for the Mac Studio products is good and there is a lot of excitement for these new machines
Ming Chi Kuo thinks that bodes well for Apple
In a recent research note he’s predicting Apple could sell 500-600 thousand units of each before the end of 2022
In the same note he also said Apple will “aggressively” expand their mini-LED supply chain capacity up to 20 to 30 percent
AZ is first state to get Apple Digital IDs
This week Arizona residents became the first folks who can add their driver's license or state ID to the Wallet app
And they can now use that digital ID at select TSA security checkpoints in Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport or other states
Travelers will have to check TSA checkpoint signage to confirm availability.
Arizona will still require drivers to carry their physical driver’s license “at all times”
The digital IDs will not be accepted by police due to privacy concerns according to the Arizona Motor Vehicle Division
Though they will be able to soon when they add “technology for law enforcement to request permission to access your digital driver’s license from a dedicated law enforcement device.”
So as exciting as this tech is… seems like rollouts will be slow and acceptance an usage will be even slower
Still Apple says soon users in Colorado, Hawaii, Mississippi, Ohio, and Puerto Rico will also have the ability to add their driver's license or state ID to the Wallet app as well
Air rumors in the air
The next Mac rumor seems to be all about the MacBook Air, at least this past week
Well that and about the M2, what we think will be Apple’s next generation of their “consumer” Apple Silicon
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman thinks Apple will now have the much anticipated redesigned MacBook Air with an M2 in it out sometime in the second half of 2022
Ming-Chi Kuo is also predicting a second or third quarter 2022 launch though said it would have a tweaked M1, not M2. Though did agree with it having new colors and an all new form factor.
For next year, 2023, display analyst Ross Young says Apple might be considering a 15-inch version of the MacBook Air. Along with slightly bigger versions of the 10-inch iPad and the MacBook Air 13-inch.
Young came out on Twitter to say that larger 13-inch display could arrive this year thanks to the redesign. Apple would bump it from a 13.3-inch display to a 13.6-inch version.
Young also told MacRumors that neither of the new MacBook Air models will feature a mini-LED display or ProMotion technology.
Ming-Chi Kuo then said that a 15-inch version of the MacBook Air may not be called the MacBook Air, failing to say what it might be called. Said Apple’s goal would be to have it use the same 30W power adapter as the current 13-inch Air.
Along with a new MacBook Air with M2 in the fall Mark Gurman is also expecting Apple to update the iPad Pro from M1 to M2 around the same time
Says an M2 iPad Pro would have MagSafe charging as well
The CPU cores in the M2 are expected to remain the same at 8-cores with four high-performance cores and four high-efficiency cores, but the chip would get performance and efficiency gains thanks to TSMC’s 4nm manufacturing process
On top of that Apple is expected to bump the GPU cores in the M2 from 7 or 8 to 9 or 10 offering a jump in GPU performance.
Things that go bump in the iPhone
Lately there has been a resurfacing of the camera bump in the rumors for this years iPhone 14
Previously there were rumors Apple will make this years models slightly thick in hopes of removing the bump
Now things have been reversed based on supposedly leaked schematics
The latest via leaker Max Weinbach is that the iPhone 14 will be thicker and also have a more pronounced camera bump, at least in the Pro model
Ming-Chi Kuo says the larger bump is to accommodate the new 48-megapixel Wide camera systems. That’s because he says that the diagonal length of the contact image sensor (CIS) will increase by 25 to 35 percent and the height of the lens will increase by 5 to 10 percent with the jump to 48MP
The recent schematics also again show the pill+punch hole display design in lieu of the notch.
There is also general consensus that come 2023 (or maybe 2024) FaceID tech will go under the display
The latest this week is from The Elec who claims Apple will use tech from Samsung to move the Touch ID sensors under the display for the iPhone 15 in 2023
The reports says they will use a metal patterning layer that uses cathode mask materials through a partnership with Canada’s OTI Lumionics
In International News
It’s been a while since we mentioned Apple getting fined by the Dutch Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM), but that’s still happening
Apple had been ordered to allow Dutch dating Apps to use 3rd party payment options, which they did, but Apple made it so technically and cost prohibitive to use that option that the regulators said Apple’s solution was not “a serious proposal” and started issuing fines of €5M per week, up to €50M euro.
Create and maintain a completely separate app binary, with special entitlements that is only available in the Dutch App Store
Applications must declare what payment processor they intend to use, purchase support URLs, and other information
Developers who use 3rd party payment processors must also still pay Apple a 27 percent commission on in-app purchases
Apple has now been fined nine times (nine times) for a total of €45M
Apple has now submitted new proposals in an attempt to settle the dispute.
Apple acquired a startup in the UK called Credit Kudos
This startup has tech that uses banking data to offer insights and scores on loan applicants drawn from bank data
Basically it determines the credit worthiness of applicants
Apple reportedly acquired the company for around $150 million
The speculation is that the acquisition could be to move Apple closer to offering Apple Card in the UK
Apple rolled out it’s new Maps experience in Canada to Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver
Brings more highly detailed 3D maps, enhanced navigation, immersive walking directions, and transit updates
Apple is now selling HomePod mini in Belgium, Switzerland, and the Netherlands
Priced at 99 Swiss francs or 109 euros depending on the country.
All five colors of the device, white, space grey, blue, orange, and yellow, are now available
Sponsor: Hunter Douglas
Hunter Douglas
Who doesn’t love to live well? To be perfectly at ease, in comfort and style?
Hunter Douglas can help you do just that with their innovative window shade designs, gorgeous fabrics, and control systems so advanced, they can be scheduled to automatically adjust to their optimal position throughout the day.
Perhaps it’s the way the shades diffuse harsh sunlight to cast a beautiful glow across the room.
Or being able to enjoy the view outside the window, while protecting your privacy inside.
Maybe it’s the superior insulation the shades provide, keeping you warmer in winter, cooler in summer and lowering utility bills.
Or is it simply that Goldilocks moment when you walk into a room and everything about it looks and feels just right.
And when you tap into Hunter Douglas’ PowerView technology, your shades can be set to automatically reposition for the perfect balance of light, privacy and insulation...morning, noon, and night.
What’s great about Hunter Douglas’ PowerView technology is it’s HomeKit compatible. That means you can easily integrate it with the Home app and your iOS devices, Mac, and HomePods
Then you can build automations to full control your Hunter Douglas window shades
So cool
So ‘Live Beautifully’ with Hunter Douglas – enjoying greater convenience, enhanced style and increased comfort in your home throughout the day.
Visit Hunter Douglas dot com slash MACCAST TODAY for your free Style Gets Smarter design guide with fresh takes, creative ideas, and smart solutions for dressing your windows.
That's Hunter Douglas dot com slash MACCAST for your free design guide.
Feedback, commentary, opinions
Buzz for the Studio
Play comment from Dan
Play feedback from Chris on missing “mid-level” desktop options.
An M1 Mac mini with 1TB of storage and 16GB of RAM comes in at USD $1,299.00 which is not bad.
Andy wrote and sort of illustrated the problem with the “base” model Studio which starts at USD $1999.00
Once you add a 27-inch studio display, a Magic Trackpad, a Magic Keyboard, and AppleCare your well toward USD $4K
The 27-inch iMac came with a great display and the mouse and keyboard at a much more affordable price
Now I would think Apple would argue that the 24-inch iMac fills the need for a “consumer” all in one desktop and I guess they might be right?
Display issues after macOS 12.3 update
If you ran the macOS Monterey 12.3 update and you’re having external display issues you may not be alone
Reports from MacRumors and Apple Support forums have been popping up since the release
It seems like displays connected via USB-C are having the most trouble. Basically not being recognized.
Though there are also reports of issues with displays using HDMI as well.
One fix seems to be rolling back to an earlier version of the DisplayPort protocol from 1.4 back to 1.2. Would mean losing the advanced features of 1.4 like faster data rate, faster refresh, and stream compression
Some users have also noted that unplugging the external display for a short time, plugging it back into the Mac, and then plugging the display back into a power outlet will sometime resolve the issue.
Has anyone in our community been hit by this one? Are you finding fixes or other workarounds not yet discussed?
Let’s talk subscription hardware
There we’re reports this week about Apple considering a hardware subscription service for iPhones and other devices (source: Bloomberg)
This could happen in 2022 or 2023 and might be part of Apple One bundles and AppleCare.
Knowing how many of you in the community feel about subscription apps, I’m curious how this concept sit with you.
I feel like it moves us even closer to “leasing” instead of owning our devices
Right now Apple has their financing options via Apple Card ad the iPhone Upgrade Program through Citizens Bank, but these are really financing programs.
There would be a “yet-to-be-determined” monthly fee based on the device level you choose
In theory Apple could also then take this concept beyond the iPhone and apply it to any device including Macs
