O'Grady's PowerPage

Category: News

  • iOS 17.4.1 update allows for faster Qi wireless charging on iPhone 12 models

    iOS 17.4.1 update allows for faster Qi wireless charging on iPhone 12 models

    If you have an iPhone 12 and just upgraded to iOS 17.4.1, you can now use some of the additional charging speed that Qi2 wireless charging technology offers.

    Apple’s MagSafe first launched as a competitor to Qi charging with the iPhone 12 in 2020. Since then, a Qi2 standard has been released which is more in line with MagSafe, though Apple has continued to limit its peak charging speed.

    The MagSafe charging protocol allows charging of up to 15W, but to date, non-Apple-certified chargers have only been able to charge at 7.5W. This seems a bit odd given that Apple contributed its MagSafe technology to the Qi2 standard and the iPhone 15 range now supports that, but older iPhones do not.

    Per Macworld, following the iOS 17.4 upgrade, the iPhone 12 can now be charged at more than the old Qi charging speed.

    Using non-MagSafe chargers, Macworld testing showed that iPhone 12 charging was faster than before, and even displayed the Qi2 icon. Tests using both Apple and non-Apple chargers demonstrate clear improvement.

    Specifically, an iPhone 12 Pro Max was charged to 30 percent in 38 minutes with an Apple MagSafe Charger. It took an Anker Qi2 MagGi Wireless Charger 33 minutes to get it to 30 percent battery capacity.

    Before the iOS update, a regular iPhone 12 would take around 20 minutes to reach a 30 percent battery charge, demonstrating a bit of a speed boost to the protocol.

    If you’ve updated to iOS 17.4.1 on your iPhone 12, please let us know about your experience in the comments.

    Via AppleInsider and Macworld

  • Apple quietly releases updated iOS 17.4.1, iPadOS 17.4.1 builds

    Apple quietly releases updated iOS 17.4.1, iPadOS 17.4.1 builds

    Apple last week released its iOS 17.4.1 and iPadOS 17.4.1 updates to iPhone and iPad users, releasing two important security patches in the process. For a reason that has yet to be declared, the company quietly released a revised build of the iOS 17.4.1 update.

    The new build number is 21E237, while the previous one released to the public is 21E236. It’s thought that Apple fixed some critical bug with the new build, though you shouldn’t expect significant changes.

    The new build has been confirmed by 9to5Mac as only available to those who download the IPSW file to update or restore their iPhone or iPad through Finder (or Apple Devices app on Windows). Apple has yet to make the revised build of iOS 17.4.1 available as an over-the-air (OTA) update.

    The iOS 17.4.1 update patched two exploits that could lead to arbitrary code execution when processing an image. The exploits were found in CoreMedia and WebRTC. These exploits were fixed with the macOS Sonoma 14.4.1 update. Apple thanked Nick Galloway of Google Project Zero for finding and reporting the breach.

    Once the new build of iOS 17.4.1 becomes available as an OTA update, you can download and install it by going to Settings > General > Software Update on your iPhone or iPad.

    Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

    Via 9to5Mac

  • Apple Pay Express Mode now supported in all Toronto subway stations

    Apple Pay Express Mode now supported in all Toronto subway stations

    If you’re headed to Toronto, this should come in handy.

    TTC subway stations within the city have recently added pay for Apple Pay’s Express Mode, allowing riders to hold their iPhone or Apple Watch near the reader at the turnstile stations to pay their fee. The Express Mode feature allows the devices to be authenticated without having to use Face ID, Touch ID, or a passcode, and also works for up to five hours after an iPhone has run out of battery power.

    As noted by Toronto resident Andrew Escobar, it is still not possible to add a PRESTO card to the Apple Wallet app, so Express Mode is limited to credit and debit cards added to the Wallet app for now. Public documents related to recent TTC meetings suggest that the PRESTO card will gain Apple Wallet support later this year.

    Users can add a credit or debit card for use with Apple Pay to their Wallet app by tapping the plus sign in the top-right corner, and following the on-screen instructions. To set a payment card as the default option for Express Mode, open the Settings app on the iPhone, tap Wallet & Apple Pay, tap Express Transit Card, and select a card.

    Prior to this, a number of payment readers within the TTC system had already worked with Apple Pay’s Express Mode.

    If you’ve had a chance to try this out in Toronto, please let us know about your experience in the comments.

    Via MacRumors and @andrewe

  • Apple releases standalone Safari security updates for older versions of macOS

    Apple releases standalone Safari security updates for older versions of macOS

    It never hurts to run a security update.

    Following up on its recently released iOS 17.4.1, iPadOS 17.4.1, macOS Sonoma 14.4.1, and macOS Ventura 13.6.6 software updates, Apple has now released a standalone update for Safari, its own web browser, with the same patches included with macOS 14.4.1.

    As detailed on Apple’s website, Safari 17.4.1 fixes an exploit in WebRTC that allowed arbitrary code to be executed when processing images. Apple says that an “out-of-bounds write issue was addressed with improved input validation” and credits Nick Galloway of Google Project Zero for finding and reporting the exploit.

    The standalone Safari update is available for Macs running macOS Monterey 12.0 or later and macOS Ventura 13.0 or later.

    To update Safari on your Mac, open the System Settings app, click on the General menu, and then choose Software Update. Click the Update Now button and the process has begun.

    Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

    Via 9to5Mac

  • Apple announces WWDC 2024 conference, will take place online between June 10 and June 14

    Apple announces WWDC 2024 conference, will take place online between June 10 and June 14

    Apple’s 35th annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) is officially on the books and is set to take place from Monday, June 10 to Friday, June 14. As with all WWDC events since 2020, the event will be held online and will be available to all developers at no cost.

    The conference will include online sessions and labs so that developers can learn about new features and software set to be announced at WWDC.

    The event’s keynote will take place on Monday, June 10, and demo iOS 18, iPadOS 18, tvOS 18, macOS 15, watchOS 11, and visionOS 2. The keynote event will be available on the Apple Developer app, the Apple website, and YouTube, with Apple also planning to share videos and information all week long.

    Apple has also announced that the company will be hosting a special in-person event for both developers and students. The event will take place at its Apple Park campus in Cupertino, California. Attendees will be able to watch the keynote and State of the Union presentations at ‌Apple Park‌, as well as meet Apple employees and attend the Apple Design Awards.

    Current Apple Developer Program members, Apple Entrepreneur Camp alumni, prior Swift Student Challenge winners, and current Apple Developer Enterprise Program members can enter to attend the Apple Park event, with Apple choosing participants through a random lottery.

    Apple has also announced that it will announce its Swift Student Challenge on Thursday, March 28. Willers will be eligible to attend the special event at ‌Apple Park‌, and 50 Distinguished Winners will be invited to Cupertino for a three-day experience.

    Finally, Apple will provide developers with additional information about ‌WWDC 2024‌ through email, the Apple Developer app, and the Apple Developer website.

    Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

    Via MacRumors and developer.apple.com