O'Grady's PowerPage

Category: Apple Silicon

  • VMware fusion currently unable to run x86 virtual machines on Apple SIlicon hardware, tech preview in the works to resolve issue

    VMware fusion currently unable to run x86 virtual machines on Apple SIlicon hardware, tech preview in the works to resolve issue

    The conversion to Apple Silicon hardware marks a huge step, and a number of software companies are working to catch up.

    VMware announced on Tuesday that its VMware Fusion software doesn’t currently support installing or running x86 virtual machines on M1-based Macs.

    The company explained that it is currently working to support the new hardware:

    We will be delivering a Tech Preview of VMware Fusion for macOS on Apple silicon this year. We don’t plan to support installing or running x86 VMs on Macs with Apple silicon. macOS VMs are not in scope in the short term. There are challenges there which will require Apple to work with us to resolve.

    Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

    Via The Mac Observer and blogs.vmware.com

  • Apple posts $89.6 billion in revenues, $23.6 billion profit for Q2 2021

    Apple posts $89.6 billion in revenues, $23.6 billion profit for Q2 2021

    The financial returns are in and Apple earned $89.6 billion in revenue for the second fiscal quarter of 2021.

    Released ahead of its customary conference call with analysts, Apple has confirmed revenue of $89.6 billion for the quarter ending March 2021. This represents a year-on-year growth of 54percent from Q2 2020, when Apple reported $58.3 billion at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Net profit rose a gargantuan 110 percent to hit $23.6 billion.

    The gross margin for the quarter reached 42.5 percent is up from the year-ago quarter, which was 38.4 percent. Operating expenses for the period were $10.6 billion, above Q2 2020’s $9.5 billion. Diluted earnings per share is reported at $1.40.

    Apple’s record-setting Q1 revenue of $111.4 billion was aided by considerable growth in iPhone sales, due to the release of its iPhone 12 handsets. iPhone revenues hit $42.9 billion, up from $28.96 billion in Q2 2020.

    The record-setting Q1 revenue of $111.4 billion was aided by considerable growth in iPhone sales, due to the release of the iPhone 12 range. Q2 benefits from Q1’s lead, with iPhone revenues hitting $47.9, up from the $28.96 billion seen in Q2 2020.

    Revenues from iPad rose to $7.8 billion for the quarter, up from $.4 billion from one year ago. Mac revenues rose to $9.1 billion, up from $5.4 billion in Q2 2020. Revenues for Wearables, Home, and Accessories rose to $7.8 billion form $6.3 billion from Q2 2020.

    This represents the first full quarter of sales for the iPhone 12 range, as well as the Apple Watch Series 6, the Apple Watch SE, the 2020 iPad, the iPad Air, the HomePod mini, the initial wave of Apple Silicon Macs, and the AirPods Max.

    It’s unknown as to whether Apple’s results met the company’s own internal forecast, as it has refused to issue quarterly forecasts since the start of the pandemic. However, for the Q1 results, CFO Luca Maestri said he expected Apple’s revenue growth to accelerate year-on-year in the second quarter.

    As expected, Apple did not provide a forecast for Q3 2020.

    Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

    Via AppleInsider

  • Rumor: Apple’s “M2” processor has entered mass production, will debut on next-gen MacBook Pro notebooks

    Rumor: Apple’s “M2” processor has entered mass production, will debut on next-gen MacBook Pro notebooks

    Apple’s M2 processor may already be in the works.

    According to sources close to the supply chain, the “M2” Apple Silicon processor has reportedly entered volume production, and will debut in MacBook Pro notebooks in the second half of 2021.

    Nikkei Asia reported that the processed entered mass production earlier this month. Anonymous sources have stated that shipments could begin as early as July.

    These sources also said that the new processor is intended to be used first in the MacBook Pro. However, as it has with the M1 processor, Apple is expected to later deploy it across more of its product range.

    Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

    Via AppleInsider and Nikkei Asia

  • Apple releases macOS Big Sur 11.3 update, focuses on M1 improvements, security fixes, assortment of other changes

    Apple releases macOS Big Sur 11.3 update, focuses on M1 improvements, security fixes, assortment of other changes

    Following a three-month beta, Apple released its macOS Big Sur 11.3 update to the public.

    The new update offers the following fixes and changes:

    AirTags and Find My:

    • Support for AirTags to keep track of and find your important items like your keys, wallet, backpack and more, privately and securely in the Find My app
    • The Find My network with hundreds of millions of devices can help you find your AirTag, even when it isn’t nearby
    • Lost Mode notifies you when your AirTag is found, and you can enter a phone number where you can be contacted

    iPhone and iPad apps on Macs with M1:

    • Option to change an iPhone and iPad app’s window size
    • Support for displaying the highest resolution version of an iPhone or iPad app in full screen
    • Keyboard support for iPhone and iPad games designed to use device tilt
    • Keyboard, mouse and trackpad support for iPhone and iPad games that support game controllers

    Emoji:

    • Support for separate skin tones for each individual in all variations of the couple kissing emoji and couple with heart emoji
    • New face emojis, heart emojis, woman with a beard emoji

    Siri:

    • Siri now includes more diverse voice options

    Apple Music:

    • Autoplay keeps music playing by automatically playing a similar song, once you’ve reached the end of a song or playlist
    • City charts showcase what’s popular in over 100 cities from all over the world

    Podcasts:

    • Podcasts Show Pages are redesigned to make it easier to start listening
    • Option to save and download episodes, automatically adding them to your Library for quick access
    • Download behavior and notification settings can be customized on a show-by-show basis
    • Top Charts and popular categories in Search help you discover new shows

    News:

    • Redesigned News+ feed enables Apple News+ subscribers to quickly find, download, and manage magazine and newspaper issues
    • All-new Search experience that helps you find relevant topics, channels, and stories

    Safari:

    • Start Page section order can now be customized
    • Additional WebExtensions API lets developers offer extensions that replace the new tab page
    • Web Speech API lets developers incorporate speech recognition into their web pages for real-time captioning, dictation, and voice navigation
    • WebM and Vorbis video and audio format support

    Reminders:

    • Ability to sort Today Smart list
    • Support for syncing the order of reminders in lists across your devices
    • Option to print your reminder lists

    Gaming:

    • Xbox Series X|S Wireless Controller or Sony PS5 DualSense™ Wireless Controller support

    Mac computers with the M1 chip

    • Hibernation support

    About This Mac

    • About this Mac displays Apple warranty status and AppleCare+ coverage in the Service tab when signed in with Apple ID
    • Support for purchasing and enrolling in AppleCare+ for eligible Mac computers from About This Mac

    This release also fixes the following issues:

    • Reminders created via Siri may be unintentionally set for early morning hours
    • iCloud Keychain might not turn off
    • AirPods audio routing to incorrect device for Automatic Switching
    • AirPods Automatic Switching notifications might be missing or duplicated
    • External 4K monitors may not display in full resolution when connected over USB-C
    • Login window may not display properly after restarting Mac mini (M1, 2020)
    • The Dwell feature may not work in the Accessibility Keyboard

    Apple also commented that it addressed a malware issue that had left earlier versions of macOS susceptible to abuse, and released updated rules to XProtect, macOS’ built-in anti-malware engine, to block malware from exploiting the vulnerability.

    macOS 11.3 is officially available for all users and can be located, downloaded, and installed by navigating to System Preferences > Software Update.

    If you’ve tried the update, please let us know about your experience in the comments.

    Via 9to5Mac and TechCrunch

  • REvil hacking group publishes purported Macbook schematics, demands $50 million ransom to prevent further leaks

    REvil hacking group publishes purported Macbook schematics, demands $50 million ransom to prevent further leaks

    This seems like a pretty good way to get sued into oblivion provided Apple catches you.

    On Tuesday, and apparently timed with Apple’s “Spring Loaded” media even, the hacking ground behind REvil ransomware claims to have secret device schematics hacked from Quanta Computer.

    Quanta Computer functions as a longtime supplier that assembles Apple products based on their design and schematics. The team posted a message on the dark web said that Quanta refused to pay the ransom demand to get the data back. Now the group is going after Apple.

    The group posted 21 screenshots that purport to show upcoming Macbook schematics and has threatened to publish new ones every day until either Apple or Quanta paid the ransom. A source said they asked for $50 million and provided this statement:

    Our team is negotiating the sale of large quantities of confidential drawings and gigabytes of personal data with several major brands. We recommend that Apple buy back the available data by May 1.

    At present, the screenshots don’t appear to contain sensitive or secret information beyond standard assembly instructions and other technical details.

    Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

    Via The Mac Observer and The Record