Blog - Archived Entries

March 30, 2023:
Apple releases new software via macOS Software Update:

Apple XProtect Configuration Data version 2167 for OS X 10.11 to macOS 10.14 (Update Product ID: 032-57220)
Apple XProtect Configuration Data version 2167 for macOS Catalina (Update Product ID: 032-57219)
Apple XProtect Payloads version 95 (Update Product ID: 032-65029)

XProtect is part of the built-in antivirus software of macOS. The package does not appear in the Software Update section of System Preferences (or App Store in older versions of the operating system). macOS is updating the software automatically in the background if you have granted the system permission to download system data files and security-related files.

March 29, 2023:
We are releasing System Monitor version 5.8 through the Mac App Store:

Virtual APFS snapshot volumes are no longer offered for continuous monitoring in the Storage Volumes settings.
Fixes a problem where storage volumes have not been monitored automatically before confirming the “menu only” settings when updating from version 5.6 or lower.
A cryptographic security feature was removed to ensure the App can be imported to France again.

System Monitor is an application for the menu bar of macOS, designed to inform you unobtrusively about the activity of your computer. A Trial Version is available as free download.

March 27, 2023:
Apple releases new software via macOS Software Update:

macOS 13.3 Ventura
macOS 13.3 Ventura Update for macOS 10.12 and later (Update Product ID: 002-75541)
macOS 11.7.5 Big Sur (Update Product ID: 032-63762)
macOS 12.6.4 Monterey (Update Product ID: 032-63749)
BridgeOS Customer Update 13.3 (Update Product ID: 002-75542)
Safari 16.4 for macOS Big Sur (Update Product ID: 012-70142)

The updates address product defects and security issues in Safari and the other operating system versions.
macOS Ventura 13.3 includes new emoji along with other enhancements, bug fixes, and security updates:

21 new emoji, including animals, hand gestures, and objects are now available in emoji keyboard
Remove background option in Freeform automatically isolates the subject in the image
Photos duplicates album expands support to detect duplicate photos and videos in an iCloud Shared Photo Library
Transliteration support for Gujarati, Punjabi, and Urdu keyboards
New keyboard layouts for Choctaw, Chickasaw, Akan, Hausa, and Yoruba
Accessibility setting to automatically dim video when flashes of light or strobe effects are detected
VoiceOver support for maps in the Weather app
Resolves an issue where Trackpad gestures may occasionally stop responding
Fixes an issue where Ask to Buy requests from children may fail to appear on the parent's device
Addresses an issue where VoiceOver may be unresponsive after using the Finder

March 21, 2023:
Apple releases new software via macOS Software Update:

Apple Mobile Device Update (Update Product ID: 012-72530)

The update provides support and icons for new Apple devices released in March 2023.

March 16, 2023:
We are releasing PrefEdit version 5.3:

Added new feature to hide the column “Managed” in the property list editor.
Added new feature to temporarily change the time/date mode of date fields when reviewing or editing property lists without the need to modify the corresponding preference setting. This option is available via the context menu of the property list editor.
Legacy support for macOS 10.14 Mojave and macOS 10.15 Catalina has been removed. The new version requires macOS 11 or later.

PrefEdit is an application to manage nearly all aspects of the preference system contained in every macOS installation. The program consists of two components which are tightly integrated with each other: (1) An entry point to the preferences database of macOS, with access to all settings which are effective for your user account, (2) a browser and editor for macOS property list files (plists).

March 16, 2023:
Apple releases new software via macOS Software Update:

Apple XProtect Payloads version 93 (Update Product ID: 032-59639)

XProtect is part of the built-in antivirus software of macOS. The package does not appear in the Software Update section of System Settings. macOS is updating the software automatically in the background if you have granted the system permission to download system data files and security-related files.

March 15, 2023:
We are releasing TinkerTool System 8 version 8.4:

Added new feature to manage the user accounts of FileVault.
Added new feature to check the personal recovery key of FileVault.
Added new feature to list the user accounts which are capable of decrypting a given APFS volume.
Added new feature to determine which user accounts are defined as owners of an APFS volume (only on Macs with Apple Silicon). “APFS volume ownership” is required to manage the startup security policy for a macOS installation, to perform macOS installations and updates, or to run the “erase all contents” procedure.
Added support for future versions of macOS 13.
The preference setting to automatically show the sub-feature overview menus when switching between application panes is now enabled by default. Experienced users can disable this option any time via the settings window.
The feature to analyze Ventura “Background Items” has been extended to support very complex setups.
The wording to describe the different types of recovery systems on Macs with Apple Silicon has changed for clarification.
If the installation of the security component is damaged, the application will now determine the exact technical reason together with individual instructions how to resolve the problem.
Fixed a problem where clicking the button to analyze Ventura “Background Items” appeared to have no effect in some cases.

TinkerTool System 8 is a collection of system utility features helping you in performing advanced administration tasks on Apple Macintosh computers.

March 15, 2023:
Apple releases software via macOS Software Update:

Allow List for Macintosh firmware security checks (“EFI Check”), version 135 (Update Product ID: 032-12798)

Security-related packages do not appear in the Software Update section of System Settings. macOS is updating the software automatically in the background if you have granted the system permission to download system data files and security-related files.

March 14, 2023:
Apple releases new software via macOS Software Update:

Apple SafeView version 9.7 (Update Product ID: 002-76369)

SafeView 9.7 streamlines the ability to access SafeView Health and release notes. Privacy disclaimers have been removed from the main canopy window for SafeView and Shared Settings, and a new feedback system for SafeView Privacy Masking has been added.

SafeView is an internal utility that macOS customers can use to share their screens via Internet with service representatives from Apple or AppleCare. It allows remote access for support purposes. This software is not available to the general public.

March 8, 2023:
We are releasing Autostarter version 1.2 through the Mac App Store:

Enhanced handling of autolaunched applications which crash or only run for a few seconds.
The time and number of retry attempts if applications do not respond correctly to commands to change their visibility of windows have been extended.
Small enhancements in the user interface.
By request of Apple, the application icon had to be changed.

Autostarter is a small app that makes it possible to launch applications automatically during login without letting the applications show windows, even with macOS Ventura or later.

March 7, 2023:
We are introducing the new application Autostart App Check:

Autostart App Check is a free utility that allows you to test whether applications you like to use with Autostarter are indeed native macOS programs that support the required features.

Autostarter can launch programs with all their windows hidden. Unfortunately, some apps on the market aren't “real” macOS applications, but rather JavaScript Web Apps that run in a window of an otherwise invisible web browser, for example. Those constructions may not respond correctly to the window control commands sent by macOS, which means they will not work as expected with Autostarter. Autostart App Check can verify this in advance: You can send the commands

hide,
unhide,
launch hidden

to any application on your computer. If this works as expected, you will know that the tested app will also work fine with Autostarter.

March 2, 2023:
Apple releases new software via macOS Software Update:

Apple XProtect Payloads version 91 (Update Product ID: 032-48307)

XProtect is part of the built-in antivirus software of macOS. The package does not appear in the Software Update section of System Settings. macOS is updating the software automatically in the background if you have granted the system permission to download system data files and security-related files.

Blog - Archived Entries - March 2023