09-02-25 -

Should You Let Claude Learn from Your Chats?
Anthropic is prompting Claude users to opt into having their conversations used for training future models. While the immediate privacy risks seem low, the long-term implications of AI training data remain unclear, suggesting a cautious approach.

08-28-25 -

Are AI Subscription Models Sustainable?
The AI industry is standardizing around $20 monthly subscriptions for premium features. However, with multiple services requiring separate subscriptions and third-party apps dependent on model providers, will this approach ultimately prove practic...

08-26-25 -

Apple Awe Dropping Event Scheduled for 9 September 2025
Apple has announced an event for 9 September 2025, teasing it to the press with the phrase “Awe Dropping.” We expect new iPhones and Apple Watches, likely along with release dates for iOS 26 and watchOS 26 at a minimum, and probably the rest o...

08-25-25 -

No Email Issue on 1 September 2025 for Labor Day
We’re taking a brief break from building an email issue of TidBITS next week for the Labor Day holiday in the United States, so look for the next issue in your mailbox on 8 September 2025, likely right before Apple's big iPhone announcement.

08-25-25 -

Lightroom Classic 14.5
Brief maintenance update for the desktop-focused photo cataloging and editing app. ($9.99/$19.99/$59.99 monthly Creative Cloud subscription, free update, macOS 13.1+)

08-25-25 -

Carbon Copy Cloner 7.1.2
Brings official support for macOS 26 Tahoe, as well as a new "glass" icon. ($49.99 new, free update, 28.3 MB, macOS 13+)

08-25-25 -

Mimestream 1.8
Adds support for the new Liquid Glass user interface in macOS 26 Tahoe. ($49.99 annual subscription, free update, 12.4 MB, macOS 12+)

08-25-25 -

Airfoil 5.12.5
Introduces two new special sources to the wireless audio broadcasting app. ($35 new, free update, 34.2 MB, macOS 14.4+)

08-25-25 -

EagleFiler 1.9.18
Document organization and archiving app adds compatibility with macOS 26 Tahoe. ($49.99 new, free update, 34.3 MB, macOS 10.13+)

08-25-25 -

Do You Use It? Were Highly Invested in the Apple Ecosystem
Our latest reader survey confirms what you might expect: TidBITS readers are deeply committed to Apple’s ecosystem. From the Mac to the Vision Pro, discover which Apple products are central to our readers’ lives, where competing devices make i...

08-22-25 -

1Password 8.11.6
Maintenance update with a few improvements and fixes for the password manager. ($35.88 annual subscription, free update, 4.8 MB, macOS 12+)

08-22-25 -

Former Apple Executive Mike Shebanek Speaking at NMUG on 3 September 2025
Don’t miss this free presentation where former Apple executive Mike Shebanek—inventor of the VoiceOver screen reader—shares insider stories from his 19-year tenure developing revolutionary products like the original iMac, Rosetta, Boot Camp,...

08-22-25 -

AppleCare One Stumbles Over Multiple macOS User Accounts
Longtime Apple observer John Siracusa reports that Apple’s new AppleCare One plan has significant issues with multiple macOS user accounts, forcing him to pay more for individual device coverage.Read original article

08-22-25 -

Apple TV+ Monthly Price Increases to $12.99
Apple has raised the monthly Apple TV+ price to $12.99 while keeping the annual $99 plan unchanged. Prices are up across the industry, but Apple TV+’s smaller, originals-only library makes it a tougher sell for long-term subscriptions.

08-21-25 -

You Know What an Email Address Is, Right?
Take this quick quiz to test your knowledge of what makes for a legal email address.Read original article

08-21-25 -

Apple Expands Self Service Repair to Canada
Apple has finally brought its Self Service Repair program to Canada, though most Canadians other than Red Green will still find it easier to rely on a repair shop.Read original article

08-20-25 -

Apple Updates Block Zero-Day Malicious Image Exploit
Apple has released emergency security updates for multiple operating systems to block a zero-day vulnerability exploited in sophisticated attacks targeting specific individuals.

08-18-25 -

HandBrake 1.10
Updates the open-source video conversion program with a few additions and improvements. (Free, 43.6 MB, macOS 10.13+)

08-18-25 -

ScreenFlow 10.5
Brings new screen recording capabilities, a lengthy list of bug fixes, and a change in system requirements. ($169 new, free update, 89.3 MB, macOS 14+)

08-18-25 -

Microsoft Office for Mac 16.100
Brings updates to Excel and Outlook. ($149.99 new for one-time purchase, $99.99/$129.99 annual subscription options, free update, macOS 12+)

08-15-25 -

Do You Use It? The Apple Ecosystem
After a question arose in TidBITS Talk, we wondered just how invested TidBITS readers are in the Apple ecosystem. Does everyone use Apple devices whenever available, or do many of us mix our Apple devices with those from other manufacturers?

08-15-25 -

Steve Wozniak Is a Happy Guy
A recent Slashdot comment from Steve Wozniak explains why he gave away his Apple wealth and reveals his lifelong philosophy of valuing happiness over accomplishment.

08-14-25 -

TickTick Provides a Focused Daily Task List and More
The cross-platform app TickTick does an excellent job of combining tasks and events into a single view, making it easy to see what you have on tap for the day. But it goes far beyond the basics, with a plethora of advanced features that answer mos...

08-14-25 -

Blood Oxygen Monitoring Returns with iOS 18.6.1 and watchOS 11.6.1
Thanks to a U.S. Customs ruling, Apple has found a technical workaround that restores blood oxygen monitoring capabilities to recently purchased Apple Watches in the U.S. by processing the sensor data on the iPhone instead of the watch.

08-11-25 -

GPT-5 Reduces the Need to Choose Models in ChatGPT
With GPT-5, OpenAI moves away from requiring users to choose between many different models in ChatGPT, instead allowing the system to automatically pick the right tool for each job. In an ideal world, this general approach would enable AI companie...

08-08-25 -

Dia AI Browser Introduces $20 Monthly Pro Plan with Unlimited Chat
The Browser Company has launched a paid subscription for its AI-powered Dia browser, even though it’s still in beta. But with increasing competition from Microsoft, Google, and others, Dia faces an uphill battle for user adoption.

08-08-25 -

How TMobiles New TSatellite Compares with Apples Free Satellite Features
T-Mobile’s new T-Satellite service brings Starlink-powered satellite communications to both iPhone and Android users, but Apple’s free satellite features likely already satisfy most iPhone users’ needs.

08-07-25 -

AppBITS: Proton Authenticator Takes on 2FA Apps
Looking for a free two-factor authentication app that works across platforms? Proton Authenticator offers broad import capabilities, iCloud sync, and thoughtful security features from a company you might actually have heard of.

08-04-25 -

Dropbox Passwords Shutting Down; Migrate Soon
Dropbox Passwords users (if there are any) must export their credentials before 28 October 2025, when the service shuts down permanently. 1Password offers the easiest migration option, but moving elsewhere is also possible.Read original article

08-04-25 -

ChatGPT Study Mode Aims to Teach, Not Just Answer
With its new study mode, ChatGPT becomes less of an answerbot and more of an interactive tutor, helping users understand concepts rather than just giving them answers.Read original article

08-04-25 -

Timing 2025.6
Adds support for copying activity list items to the clipboard and brings back Screen Time integration. ($108/$132/$192 annual subscriptions, free update, 29.3 MB, macOS 10.15+)

08-04-25 -

SoundSource 5.8.5
Addresses a few bugs in the audio control utility. ($39 new, free update, 44.5 MB, macOS 14.5+)

08-01-25 -

Apple Reports Record-Breaking Q3 2025 Results
Apple posted double-digit revenue growth year-over-year for its third fiscal quarter of 2025, with Services scoring an all-time revenue high. iPhone and Mac revenues were also up year-over-year, but Wearables and iPad revenues failed to match up t...

07-30-25 -

AppBITS: TrackWeight Turns Your Trackpad into a Scale (Sort Of)
From the department of “Because we can” comes TrackWeight, a new Mac app that transforms your trackpad into a precision scale. Although obtaining accurate measurements is nearly impossible, it’s the kind of creative hack that would have earn...

07-29-25 -

Apple Focuses on Security in iOS 18.6, macOS 15.6, and Other x.6 OS Updates
Apple’s latest operating system updates focus primarily on security updates, with iOS and iPadOS receiving new EU app marketplace options and fixes for sharing memory movies in Photos.

07-28-25 -

Survey Results: How TidBITS Readers Position Themselves to Work
Our recent survey of TidBITS readers examined eight different working positions, from traditional desk setups to treadmill workstations. The results show that while most stick to conventional seating, a surprising number use alternative arrangements.

07-28-25 -

SoundSource 5.8.4
Updates the audio control utility to capture audio correctly from Apple’s Screen Sharing app. ($39 new, free update, 44.1 MB, macOS 14.5+)

07-28-25 -

Apple Unveils AppleCare One for Multiple-Device Protection
Apple has introduced AppleCare One, a new protection plan that allows you to bundle multiple devices under a single monthly subscription that starts at $19.99 per month. While the simplified coverage may appeal to many Apple users, the financial b...

07-24-25 -

Apple Opens Public Betas for macOS 26 Tahoe, iOS 26, iPadOS 26, watchOS 26, t...
Ready for a glimpse into our future as Apple users? Public betas for macOS 26 Tahoe, iOS 26, iPadOS 26, and other major Apple operating systems are now available—but beware of bugs and make sure to back up your devices first.

07-21-25 -

What Happened to Dave Barry?
Dave Barry’s encounter with his AI-generated death notice highlights the gap between Google’s quick AI Overview responses and the slower but more accurate AI answer engines.

07-21-25 -

Lessons from 14 Years at a Standing Desk
In response to a reader query, Adam Engst describes the standing desk setup he has used since 2011, explains the ergonomics involved, offers setup advice, answers questions, and kicks off a poll to see how other TidBITS readers work.

07-21-25 -

Microsoft Office for Mac 16.99
Brings a variety of Copilot AI improvements to the productivity suite. ($149.99 new for one-time purchase, $99.99/$129.99 annual subscription options, free update, macOS 12+)

07-21-25 -

BBEdit 15.5.2
Maintenance update for the venerable text editor focused on bug fixes. ($59.99 new, free update, 28.3 MB, macOS 12+)

07-16-25 -

Seagate Ships 30 TB Hard Drives for $600
The million-fold increase in storage capacity from Adam Engst’s first hard drive to Seagate’s latest offering—at essentially the same price—illustrates just how far storage technology has come since 1989.Read original article

07-14-25 -

DEVONthink 4.0.2
Maintenance release for the recently upgraded document and information manager. ($99 new, free update, 83.1 MB, macOS 13+)

07-14-25 -

Marcin Wicharys Frame of Preference Explores 20 Years of Mac Control Panels
Through working emulators and clever interactive elements, Frame of Preference brings two decades of Mac control panel history to life, offering both a nostalgic journey and insights into Apple’s interface design evolution.Read original article

07-14-25 -

Audio Hijack 4.5.2
Adds support for the Zoho Meeting desktop app as a VoIP audio source. ($64 new, free update, 32.4 MB, macOS 14.4+)

07-14-25 -

1Password 8.11.1
Brings a smattering of bug fixes and improvements to the password manager. ($35.88 annual subscription, free update, 4.8 MB, macOS 12+)

07-14-25 -

How to Keep the User Library Folder Visible in macOS
Apple hides the user’s Library folder by default, but an obscure method to show it permanently lets you avoid pressing Option to access it in the Finder’s Go menu.

07-11-25 -

Do You Use It? Revisiting Websites with Windows, Bookmarks, Tabs, and Pinned ...
Our recent tab management poll revealed that many readers don’t fully understand pinned tabs and thus aren’t taking advantage of them. Adam Engst takes a deep look at the history and goals of Web navigation to explain where pinned tabs came fr...