O'Grady's PowerPage

Tag: Safari

  • Apple releases iOS 17 and iPadOS operating systems

    Apple releases iOS 17 and iPadOS operating systems

    The day you’ve been waiting for in terms of your iPhone and/or iPad has arrived.

    Apple on Monday released both iOS 17 and iPadOS 17, the latest versions of its mobile operating systems for the iPhone and iPad. ‌iOS 17‌ is compatible with the ‌iPhone‌ XR/‌iPhone‌ XS and later, while ‌iPadOS 17‌ runs on the iPad mini 5 and later, the ‌iPad‌ 6 and later, iPad Air 3 and later, the second-generation 12.9-inch iPad Pro and later, all 11-inch ‌iPad Pro‌ models, and the 10.5-inch ‌iPad Pro‌.

    The hefty quantity of fixes and changes are as follows:

    Phone

    • Contact Posters let you customize how you appear on other people’s devices when you call them with a customized poster
    • Live Voicemail displays a live transcription as someone leaves a message and allows you to pick up the call

    Messages

    • Stickers iMessage app brings all your stickers into one place including Live Stickers, Memoji, Animoji, emoji stickers, and your third party sticker packs
    • Live Stickers can be created by lifting the subject from photos or videos and stylizing them with effects like Shiny, Puffy, Comic, and Outline
    • Check In automatically notifies a family member or friend when you arrive at a destination safely and can share helpful information with them in case of a delay
    • Audio message transcription is available for audio messages you receive so you can read them in the moment and listen later
    • Search improvements help you find messages faster by allowing you to combine search filters such as people, keywords, and content types like photos or links to find exactly what you are looking for
    • Swipe to reply to a message inline by swiping to the right on any bubble
    • One-time verification code cleanup automatically deletes verification codes from the Messages app after using them with AutoFill in other apps

    FaceTime

    • Leave a video or audio message to capture exactly what you want to say when someone does not pick up your FaceTime call
    • Enjoy FaceTime calls on Apple TV by using your iPhone as a camera (Apple TV 4K 2nd generation and later)
    • Reactions layer 3D effects like hearts, balloons, confetti, and more around you in video calls and can be triggered with gestures
    • Video effects allow you to adjust the intensity of Studio Lighting and Portrait mode

    StandBy

    • Full-screen experience with glanceable information like clocks, photos, and widgets designed to view from a distance when iPhone is on its side and charging in places such as your nightstand, kitchen counter, or desk
    • Clocks are available in a variety of styles including Digital, Analog, Solar, Float, and World Clock, with elements you can personalize like the accent color
    • Photos automatically shuffle through your best shots or showcase a specific album you choose
    • Widgets give you access to information at a distance and appear in Smart Stacks that deliver the right information at the right time
    • Night Mode lets clocks, photos, and widgets take on a red tone in low light
    • Preferred view per MagSafe charger remembers your preference for each place you charge with MagSafe, whether that’s a clock, photos, or widgets

    Widgets

    • Interactive widgets let you take actions, like mark a reminder as complete, directly from the widget by tapping it on the Home Screen, Lock Screen, or in StandBy
    • iPhone widgets on Mac enable you to add widgets from your iPhone to your Mac desktop

    AirDrop

    • NameDrop lets you exchange contact information with someone new by bringing your iPhones close together
    • New way to initiate AirDrop allows you to share content or start a SharePlay session over AirDrop by bringing your iPhones close together

    Keyboard

    • Improved autocorrect accuracy makes typing even easier by leveraging a powerful transformer-based language model (iPhone 12 and later)
    • Easier autocorrect editing temporarily underlines corrected words and lets you revert back to what you originally typed with just a tap
    • Enhanced sentence corrections can correct more types of grammatical mistakes when you finish sentences (iPhone 12 and later)
    • Inline predictive text shows single and multi-word predictions as you type that can be added by tapping space bar (iPhone 12 and later)

    Safari and Passwords

    • Profiles keep your browsing separate for topics like work and personal, separating your history, cookies, extensions, Tab Groups, and favorites
    • Private Browsing enhancements include locking your private browsing windows when you’re not using them, blocking known trackers from loading, and removing identifying tracking from URLs
    • Password and passkey sharing lets you create a group of passwords to share with trusted contacts that stays up to date as members of the group make changes
    • One-time verification code AutoFill from Mail autofill in Safari so you can log in without leaving the browser

    Music

    • SharePlay makes it easy for everyone to control and play Apple Music in the car
    • Crossfade smoothly transitions between songs by fading out the currently playing song while fading in the next so the music never stops

    AirPlay

    • Intelligent AirPlay device list makes finding the right AirPlay-compatible TV or speaker even easier by showing your devices in order of relevance, based on your preferences
    • Suggested AirPlay device connections are proactively shown to you as a notification to make it even more seamless to connect to your preferred AirPlay devices
    • Automatic AirPlay device connections are made between your iPhone and the most relevant AirPlay-compatible device so all you have to do is tap “Play” to begin enjoying your content

    AirPods

    • Adaptive Audio delivers a new listening mode that dynamically blends Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency to tailor the noise control experience based on the conditions of your environment (AirPods Pro (2nd generation) with firmware version 6A300 or later)
    • Personalized Volume adjusts the volume of your media in response to your environment and listening preferences over time (AirPods Pro (2nd generation) with firmware version 6A300 or later)
    • Conversation Awareness lowers your media volume and enhances the voices of the people in front of the user, all while reducing background noise (AirPods Pro (2nd generation) with firmware version 6A300 or later)
    • Press to mute and unmute your microphone by pressing the AirPods stem or the Digital Crown on AirPods Max when on a call (AirPods (3rd generation), AirPods Pro (1st and 2nd generation), or AirPods Max with firmware version 6A300 or later)

    Maps

    • Offline Maps allow you to select an area you want to access, search, and explore rich information for places to download for use when your iPhone doesn’t have a Wi-Fi or cellular signal
    • EV routing improvements give you routes based on real-time EV charger availability for supported chargers

    Siri

    • Option to say “Siri” in addition to “Hey Siri” for an even more natural way to make requests
    • Back-to-back requests can be issued without needing to reactivate Siri in between commands (iPhone 11 and later)

    Visual Look Up

    • Expanded domains in Visual Look Up help you discover similar recipes from photos of food, Maps information from photos of storefronts, and the meaning of signs and symbols on things like laundry tags
    • Multiple or single subjects can be lifted from the background of photos and videos and placed into apps like Messages
    • Visual Look Up in Video helps you learn about objects that appear in paused video frames
    • Visual Look Up for subjects in photos enables you to look up information about objects you lift from photos directly from the callout bar

    Health

    • State of Mind reflection allows you to log your momentary emotion and daily mood, choose what factors are having the biggest impact on you, and describe your feelings
    • Interactive charts give you insights into your state of mind, how it has changed over time, and what factors may have influence such as exercise, sleep, and mindful minutes
    • Mental health assessments help you understand your current risk for depression and anxiety and if you might benefit from getting support
    • Screen Distance leverages the TrueDepth camera that powers Face ID to encourage you to increase the distance you view your device to reduce digital eye strain and can help reduce the risk of myopia in children

    Privacy

    • Sensitive Content Warnings can be enabled to prevent users from unexpectedly being shown images containing nudity in Messages, AirDrop, Contact Posters in the Phone app, and FaceTime messages
    • Expanded Communication Safety protections for children now detect videos containing nudity in addition to photos that children may receive or attempt to send in Messages, AirDrop, Contact Posters in the Phone app, FaceTime messages, and the system Photo picker
    • Improved sharing permissions give you even more control over what you share with apps, with an embedded photo picker and an add-only Calendar permission
    • Link tracking protection removes extra information from links shared in Messages, Mail, and Safari Private Browsing that some websites use in their URLs to track you across other websites, and links still work as expected

    Accessibility

    • Assistive Access distills apps and experiences to their essential features in Phone and FaceTime, Messages, Camera, Photos, and Music, including large text, visual alternatives, and focused choices to lighten the cognitive load
    • Live Speech lets you type what you want to say and have it be spoken out loud in phone calls, FaceTime calls, and for in-person conversations
    • Personal Voice enables users who are at risk of losing their voice to privately and securely create a voice that sounds like them on iPhone, and use it with Live Speech in phone and FaceTime calls
    • Point and Speak in Magnifier Detection Mode uses an iPhone to read text out loud on physical objects with small text labels, such as keypads on doors and buttons on appliances

    This release also includes other features and improvements:

    • Roadside Assistance via satellite lets you contact AAA to help you with vehicle issues when out of Wi-Fi or cellular range (iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 Pro Max)
    • Pets in the People album in Photos surfaces individual pets in the album just like friends or family members
    • Photos Album widget lets you select a specific album from the Photos app to appear in the widget
    • Item sharing in Find My allows you to share an AirTag or Find My network accessory with up to five other people
    • Activity History in Home displays a recent history of events for door locks, garage doors, security systems, and contact sensors
    • Grid Forecast in Home shows when your electrical grid has cleaner energy sources available (Contiguous US only)
    • Grocery Lists in Reminders automatically group related items into sections as you add them
    • Inline PDFs and document scans in Notes are presented full-width, making them easy to view and mark them up
    • New Memoji stickers in Keyboard include Halo, Smirk, and Peekaboo
    • App Shortcuts in Spotlight Top Hit offer you app shortcuts to your next action when you search for an app
    • Redesigned Sharing tab in Fitness provides highlights of your friends’ activity like workout streaks and awards
    • Email or phone number sign-in lets you sign into your iPhone with any email address or phone number listed in your Apple ID account
    • New drawing tools in Freeform include a fountain pen, watercolor brush, ruler and more to create expressive boards
    • Crash Detection optimizations (iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 Pro Max)

    As usual, the updates can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update.

    If you’ve had a chance to try iOS 17 and/or iPadOS 17, please let us know about your experience in the comments.

    Via MacRumors

  • Apple to release macOS 14 Sonoma operating system on Tuesday, September 26

    Apple to release macOS 14 Sonoma operating system on Tuesday, September 26

    If you’re hankering for Apple’s upcoming macOS 14 Sonoma operating system, you don’t have long to wait. Following Monday’s “Wonderlust” media event, the company posted that macOS Sonoma will be released to the general public on September 26.

    Sonoma was first unveiled at WWDC earlier this year as the next iteration of Apple’s desktop operating system. It touts several new features, from interactive widgets and dynamic screen savers to big upgrades to Safari. Once September 26 comes around, users can find the update on their Macs under Settings -> General -> Software Update.


    These are the devices compatible with Sonoma, per Apple:

    • iMac 2019 and later
    • iMac Pro 2017
    • Mac Pro 2019 and later
    • Mac Studio 2022 and later
    • MacBook Air 2018 and later
    • MacBook Pro 2018 and later
    • Mac mini 2018 and later

    In the meantime, here are some of our a number of upcoming macOS Sonoma features:

    • Dynamic screen savers: Stunning slow-motion eye candy of landscapes, cityscapes, underwater scenes, overhead scenes, and more that play when you let your Mac sleep.
    • iPad-like Lock Screen: Sonoma fronts a slick new lock screen interface that takes a note from the iPad.
    • Safari profiles: Profiles allow users to partition information like history, cookies, and website data into specific profiles. This can allow for easier switching between work and personal browsing.
    • Widgets on desktop: You can now place interactive widgets on your desktop, giving you a quick glance at apps like music and weather.
    • Videoconferencing improvements: New presenter overlays that make for better screen sharing and new animations that activate via gestures captured by the camera.

    If you’ve had a chance to play with the recent macOS 14 Sonoma builds, please let us know about your experience in the comments.

    Via 9to5Mac

  • Google Chrome receives significant search-related updates in the latest versions for macOS and iOS

    Google Chrome receives significant search-related updates in the latest versions for macOS and iOS

    If you like Google Chrome for iOS and macOS, it just got a few hefty improvements under the hood.

    Google has announced a few updates for its cross-platform browser across iOS and desktop. The iOS update focuses on giving users more opportunities to initiate searches, while the desktop update is more modest.

    The four search-specific features for Google Chrome following the update are as follows:

    • The address bar is now more content-aware of the webpage you’re visiting. That means if you select the address bar while browsing a website, search suggestions will appear under “Related to this page.”
    • Trending searches will soon appear in the iOS version of Chrome, similar to how they have on Android. Tap on the address bar and scroll down to see these suggestions when they appear later in 2023.
    • Related searches are coming to the iOS version of Chrome. These appear on a card at the bottom of the app when a word or object is selected.
    • Finally, Chrome for iOS will show ten total search suggestions instead of six. As always, more relevant results will appear at the top.

    For desktop Chrome users, downloaded files will be moved to a tray next to the address bar. This location is more modern and standardized across other browsers like Safari. The download tray is visible whenever a download is in progress or within the last 24 hours of a download. It offers expected features like the ability to pause, resume, or stop a download. The new location also offers more content about a download, such as warnings or errors. Files that are determined to be dangerous are clearly labeled. Finally, by moving the download section into the UI Chrome by the address bar, websites can no longer spoof the bottom download tab within a webpage.

    Google has also added more options for the download view in the application’s settings.

    The new version of Google Chrome is available via the App Store on iOS or through the Chrome website for macOS.

    If you’ve tried the newest version and have any feedback to offer, please let us know about your experience in the comments.

    Via AppleInsider

  • Apple releases first public betas for iOS 17, iPadOS 17, and macOS Sonoma operating systems

    Apple releases first public betas for iOS 17, iPadOS 17, and macOS Sonoma operating systems

    If you’re feeling brave and/or curious, after a month of testing its new operating systems with developers, Apple has released the first public betas for iOS 17, iPadOS 17, and macOS Sonoma. The programs are available through the Apple Beta Software Program.

    The iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 public betas have a build number of 21A5277j, while the macOS Sonoma public beta build number is 23A5286i.

    Key updates include additional privacy features for the Safari web browser, improved PDF support for Apple Notes, location sharing in iMessage, enhanced collaboration capabilities in Freeform, and a slew of new fixes and features.

    New features in iOS 17:

    Phone:

    • Personalize your phone calls: Customize what people see when you call with Contact Posters.
    • Live Voicemail: Send a call to voicemail and see a live transcript of the message. Messages:
    • All your iMessage apps in one place: A new plus button allows you to view all the things you send the most.
    • Check In: Automatically notifies your friend or family member when you arrive at your destination.
    • Catch-up and swipe to reply: A new catch-up arrow lets you jump to the first message you haven’t seen in a conversation.
    • Search filters: Find the message you’re looking for faster by combining search filters.
    • Share and view locations: Share your location or request a friend’s location from the plus button.
    • Audio message transcription: Audio messages are now transcribed, so you can read them at the moment and listen later.
    • Stickers: Access all your Live Stickers, emoji, Memoji, and other sticker packs in one place.

    FaceTime:

    • Leave a message: Record a video or audio message when someone misses your FaceTime call.
    • React with your hands: Add a reaction that fills the camera frame with fun 3D augmented reality effects.
    • FaceTime on Apple TV: Use your iPhone as a camera and start a call directly from the FaceTime app on Apple TV.

    AirDrop:

    • Swap numbers with NameDrop: Hold your iPhone near someone else’s iPhone or Apple Watch to use NameDrop. To start the transfer via AirDrop, bring your phones near each other.

    Journal (Coming later this year):

    • A new app to write and remember: A new approach to savoring life’s experiences and safeguarding your cherished memories.
    • Personalized for you: Based on your photos, music, workouts, and other factors, your iPhone generates tailored recommendations for memorable moments to recall and document.

    Keyboard:

    • More accurate autocorrect: As you type, autocorrect provides enhanced assistance for a smoother experience.
    • Predictions inline as you type: Inline predictions are displayed while you type, enhancing typing speed and efficiency.

    Safari and Passwords:

    • Create a profile: Maintain different browsing experiences for categories such as work and personal matters by utilizing distinct profiles within Safari.
    • Enhanced Private Browsing: Private Browsing now locks your private browsing windows when you’re not using them with Face ID.
    • Autofill verification codes received in Mail: One-time verification codes you receive in Mail are filled in automatically.

    Music:

    • Play music together: Now SharePlay makes it easier for everyone to control music in the car.
    • Collaborate on playlists: Invite friends to join your playlist, and everyone can add, reorder, and remove songs.

    AirPods:

    • Adaptive Audio: The introduction of a completely new listening mode for AirPods Pro (2nd generation) combines Transparency and Active Noise Cancellation dynamically, adapting audio to customize the noise control experience.

    Maps:

    • Download maps to use offline: Save an area of a map to your iPhone and explore it while offline.
    • Enhanced electric vehicle routing: See real-time charging station availability along your route.

    The iOS 17 release will be compatible with the iPhone Xs and later as well as the iPhone SE (2nd generation).

    New features in iPadOS 17:
    Lock Screen:

    • Personalize your Lock Screen with stunning wallpapers.
    • An all-new motion effect for Live Photos makes your Lock Screen more dynamic.
    • Use Live Activities to stay on top of things happening in real-time, right from your Lock Screen.
    • Add your favorite widgets to the Lock Screen for quick information access.

    Interactive Widgets:

    • Easily play music, dim the lights, and perform other actions directly from a widget.


    Health:

    • The Health app comes to iPad with a design optimized for the larger display.
    • The latest enhancements in mental health features enable you to contemplate your emotional well-being and access valuable insights about your state of mind.

    PDFs and Notes:

    • Enhanced AutoFill allows you to securely use your saved information from Contacts to fill out a PDF or scanned document faster.
    • Read and annotate a PDF right in your note.
    • Link related notes, like a trip itinerary and a list of recommended restaurants.
    • Collaborate on PDFs with real-time updates.

    Freeform:

    • Use new drawing tools like a watercolor brush, calligraphy pen, highlighter, variable-width pen, and ruler while brainstorming.
    • See what your collaborators are working on with Follow Along.

    Spotlight:

    • When you search for an app, Spotlight intelligently offers you app shortcuts to your next action within the Top Hit.

    AirPlay:

    • On-device intelligence learns your AirPlay preferences over time.
    • Later this year, AirPlay will be available in supporting hotel rooms.

    The iPads that can download iPadOS 17 include iPad Pro 12.9-inch (2nd generation and later), iPad Pro 10.5-inch, iPad Pro 11-inch (1st generation and later), iPad Air (3rd generation and later), iPad (6th generation and later), and the iPad mini (5th generation and later).

    New features in macOS Sonoma:

    General Features:

    • Screen Savers: New slow-motion screen savers featuring breathtaking locations from around the world.
    • Widgets on Desktop: Add widgets to your desktop from the new widget gallery. Widgets fade into the background when you open an app or window for better focus.
    • Continuity: Add your iPhone widgets to your Mac desktop without having to install the corresponding apps on your Mac.
    • Game Mode: With this newly introduced feature, games are granted the highest priority on your Mac’s CPU and GPU, minimizing resource consumption for background tasks and decreasing latency when using wireless accessories.
    • Video Conferencing:
    • Presenter Overlay: Stay part of the conversation when sharing your screen with two overlay options, large and small.
    • React with your hands: Add a reaction that fills the camera frame with fun 3D augmented reality effects.
    • New Screen Sharing Picker: Easily share an app or even multiple apps when on a video call right from the window you’re in.
    • Stay in frame: Control the composition of your video when using Studio Display or iPhone as your camera.

    Macs that will be compatible with macOS Sonoma include iMac (2019 and later), Mac Pro (2019 and later), iMac Pro, Mac Studio (2022 and later), MacBook Air (2018 and later), Mac mini (2018 and later), and MacBook Pro (2018 and later).

    If you’ve had a chance to try any of these public betas on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac, please let us know about your experience in the comments.

    Via AppleInsider and beta.apple.com

  • WWDC: Apple announces iPadOS 17, highlights upcoming features and changes

    WWDC: Apple announces iPadOS 17, highlights upcoming features and changes

    On Monday, Apple announced its iPadOS 17 operating system during the WWDC keynote, and highlighted the following new features and changes:

    Lock Screen: Like iOS 17, the new Lock Screen will offer a way to personalize the area. Users can choose an image, or multiple images, to appear on the Lock Screen. This image could be a Live Photo and Apple will synthesize additional frames to create a slow-mo effect when the iPad wakes. Fonts and colors can also be customized within the feature.

    Stage Manager: iPadOS will see significant improvements to its Stage Manager feature so that the size of windows can be more easily adjusted and users get more control over the workspace. The feature will support built-in cameras on an external display.

    Live Activities: Users will be able to see notifications for events such as sports scores, travel details, or a food delivery order, in real-time on the Lock Screen.

    Widgets: Widgets will be able to appear on the Lock Screen and perform actions such as turning on the lights or playing a song. Interactive widgets can also be placed on the Home Screen, which they blend in with, according to Apple, thanks to “adaptive tinting”.

    New PDF tools: Users will be able to have greater PDF functionality with the ability to use AutoFill with PDF documents. The iPad will use machine learning to identify and fill in the fields in forms intelligently. Other new features include being able to add notes and edit PDFs collaboratively in real-time with other users.

    Messages: Similar to the iOS feature, users will be able to lift subjects out of their photos and add Live Stickers and special effects. Live stickers are available wherever you can access emoji. The Messages app will also receive a new expandable menu where users can see frequently used iMessage apps. Users will also be able to jump to the last message you missed in a group chat. Other new features include an improved search engine for Messages, the ability to display your location live for the duration of your Messages conversation, and the ability to see a transcription of incoming audio messages.

    FaceTime: FaceTime will be undergoing changes, and users will be able to leave audio and video messages as well as use Reactions such as animations like fireworks and balloons that appear in the background. These Reactions can be triggered with a simple gesture, like a thumbs up. These animations will be available in other video-calling apps.

    Safari: Apple’s web browser will be gaining a Profiles feature that can be used to separate work-related browsing from private browsing. Profiles can be tied to Tab Groups and Favorites.

    Health app: The Health app will finally be surfacing on the iPad, and HealthKit will be available for developers to take advantage of the iPad screen.

    Finally, where compatibility is concerned, the following iPads will be able to install and run iPadOS 17:

    • iPad Pro 12.9 (5th, 4th, 3rd and 2nd gen)
    • iPad Pro 11 (3rd, 2nd and 1st gen)
    • iPad Pro 10.5
    • iPad (10th, 9th, 8th, 7th and 6th gen)
    • iPad mini (5th and 6th gen)
    • iPad Air (5th, 4th and 3rd gen)

    The following iPads will not be able to support the new operating system:

    • 2016 iPad Pro 9.7-inch (A9X chip)
    • 2015 iPad Pro 12.9-inch (1st generation) (A9X chip)
    • 2017 iPad (5th generation) which runs on an even slower A9 processor.

    Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

    Via Macworld