01-23-26 -

Siri to Become a Real Chatbot?
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reports that Apple will update Siri with a Google-based language model in iOS 26.4 this spring, then unveil a true chatbot interface in OS 27 at WWDC in June.

01-23-26 -

Tinderbox 11.5.2
Note-taking assistant integrates AI, supports Readwise.io, and improves load times for large projects. ($289 new, free update, 37.3 MB, macOS 11+)

01-23-26 -

1Password 8.12
Password manager adds Dark mode and clear icons for macOS 26 Tahoe. ($47.88 annual subscription, free update, 4.8 MB, macOS 12+)

01-23-26 -

Heres to Unreasonable Standards
Seth Godin argues that the Mac’s success came not from the legendary 1984 Super Bowl ad but from the “unreasonable standards” of designers like Susan Kare and programmers like Bill Atkinson—a timely reminder as criticism of macOS 26 Tahoe�...

01-22-26 -

Do You Use It? Audit Your Subscriptions
Subscriptions have become an inescapable part of digital life, but how many do you pay for? Take our five-question poll to audit your subscriptions, tally your spending, and see how you compare with other TidBITS readers.

01-22-26 -

Acorn 8.4
Brings a couple of handy editing improvements to the image editor. ($29.99 new, free update, 87.4 MB, macOS 14+)

01-19-26 -

GraphicConverter 12.5
Packed with a plethora of enhancements and bug fixes for the Swiss Army knife of graphics programs. ($39.95 new, free update, 273.2 MB, macOS 10.13+)

01-19-26 -

Mimestream 1.9.7
Sets the title of links set to Reminders as the subject of the email. ($49.99 annual subscription, free update, 12.4 MB, macOS 12+)

01-19-26 -

Default Folder X 6.2.5
Brings improvements and (bug) resolutions for the new year to the Open/Save dialog utility. ($39.95 new, free update, 28.6 MB, macOS 10.13+)

01-19-26 -

Mellel 6.6
Word processor introduces a new Citation Inspector window and an Auto Expander feature. ($69.99 new, free update, 109.5 MB, macOS 10.13+)

01-19-26 -

Bookends 15.2.4
Introduces dynamic integration of notes and PDF annotations in Mellel's just-released Citation Inspector. ($74.99 new, free update, 126.4 MB, macOS 10.13+)

01-19-26 -

TextExpander 8.4.1
Adds support for creating custom date formats with the Date Picker feature. ($40 annual subscription, free update, 32 MB, macOS 11.1+)

01-16-26 -

TidBITS News App Updated and Open Sourced
Matt Neuburg’s free TidBITS News app gets a notable update with a complete rewrite for iOS 26 and Swift 6.2, plus Dark mode support. Even better, he has open-sourced the code on GitHub for curious developers.

01-15-26 -

Apple Bundles Pro Apps into New Creator Studio Subscription
The new Apple Creator Studio subscription bundles Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro, Pixelmator Pro, and more for $129 per year, but one-time purchases remain available for the Mac versions, so it’s worth doing the math before subscribing.

01-14-26 -

Apple Turns to Googles Gemini to Power Siri and Apple Intelligence
Apple and Google have announced a multi-year partnership to base the next generation of Apple’s foundation models on Google’s Gemini technology. This collaboration will drive future Apple Intelligence features, including an improved Siri expec...

01-12-26 -

BusyCal 2026.1.1 and BusyContacts 2026.1.1
Adds integration with Apple Mail to BusyContacts to capture contacts from emails. ($49.99 new for each, free update, various sizes, macOS 11.5+)

01-12-26 -

ScreenFloat 2.3.4
Updates the screen capture tool's quick-formatting options behavior. ($17.99 new, free update, 33.5 MB, macOS 12.3+)

01-12-26 -

Fantastical 4.1.7
Maintenance release for the calendar app with improvements and bug fixes. ($57 annual subscription, free update, 68.7 MB, macOS 12+)

01-12-26 -

Gmail to End POP Fetching and Gmailify Features
Gmail is dropping support for POP fetching from other accounts and the Gmailify feature. Most users won't notice, but those with complex email setups should start planning a migration.Read original article

01-09-26 -

Expired Certificate Breaks Logitech Mac Apps; Manual Fix Available
Logitech has released a manual fix for Logi Options Plus and G Hub users on macOS after an expired certificate caused both apps and their built-in updaters to stop working.Read original article

01-09-26 -

MacUpdater Shuts Down, Leaving Users Searching for Alternatives
CoreCode has stopped maintaining MacUpdater, the popular utility that tracked updates for over 100,000 Mac apps. If you relied on it to manage updates to all the apps on your Mac, here are some alternatives that might fill the gap.

01-07-26 -

Apple Card Moving from Goldman Sachs to JPMorgan Chase
JPMorgan Chase has reached a deal to take over the Apple Card program from Goldman Sachs, ending the investment bank’s costly experiment in consumer lending.Read original article

01-07-26 -

TipBITS: How to Ensure Mac Apps Open on the Correct Screen
If your Mac apps keep opening on the wrong screen after quitting and relaunching, the culprit is likely the “Close windows when quitting an application” setting in System Settings > Desktop & Dock. Disable it to allow macOS to rest...

01-06-26 -

How Tahoes Menu Icons Undermine Usability
Software engineer Nikita Prokopov uses Apple’s 1992 Macintosh Human Interface Guidelines to show how macOS 26 Tahoe’s menu icons violate fundamental usability principles—increasing visual search time and error rates, especially for users wit...

01-05-26 -

Why I Use Multiple Screenshot Utilities on the Mac
For documentation work, one size doesn’t fit all. Adam Engst finds that ScreenFloat’s floating windows, export options with borders, and Shot Browser address editing and reuse challenges, while CleanShot X excels at combining screenshots. And ...

01-05-26 -

GrandPerspective 3.6.1
Brings bug fixes and improvements to the graphical disk usage utility. (Free, 2.5 MB, macOS 11+)

01-05-26 -

DaisyDisk 4.33
Hard drive visualization utility improves support and updates icons for macOS 26 Tahoe. ($9.99 new, free update, 9.0 MB, macOS 10.13+)

01-05-26 -

URL Manager Pro 6.4.7
Adds support for the Dia and Comet AI-focused Web browsers. ($34.99 new, free update, 25.3 MB, macOS 10.13+)

01-04-26 -

Reuters Exposes Metas Tactics to Avoid Scam Ad Oversight
Meta earns as much as $7 billion annually from high-risk scam ads—according to a Reuters exposé. Rather than spend $2 billion on universal verification to prevent fraud, internal documents reveal the company developed a “playbook” to deflec...

01-03-26 -

Does Luxury Design for the Rest of Us Even Make Sense?
Remember when Apple products had personality? Colorful iMacs, handles on iBooks, texture you could feel? Adam Engst argues that Apple’s obsession with luxury aesthetics has led to a decade of cold, sharp-edged uniformity—and it’s time for th...

12-30-25 -

Ulysses 39.2
Updates from two maintenance releases since the writing app's recent upgrade. ($5.99/$39.99 monthly/yearly subscription, free update, 120.8 MB, macOS 14+)

12-30-25 -

Default Folder X 6.2.4
Venerable Open/Save dialog utility adds the Fn (Globe) key as a modifier key option in keyboard shortcuts. ($39.95 new, free update, 28.6 MB, macOS 10.13+)

12-30-25 -

SoundSource 6.0.2
Brings "massively faster" device switching to the recently upgraded audio control utility. ($49 new, free update for version 6 licenses, $25 upgrade, 51.8 MB, macOS 15+)

12-30-25 -

BusyCal 2025.4.4 and BusyContacts 2025.4.4
Updates the calendar and contact apps with improvements and bug fixes. ($49.99 new for each, free update, various sizes, macOS 11.5+)

12-30-25 -

BusyCal 2025.4.4 and BusyContacts 2025.4.4
Updates the calendar and contact apps with improvements and bug fixes. ($49.99 new for each, free update, various sizes, macOS 11.5+)

12-30-25 -

Scrivener 3.5.2
Provides a workaround for incorrectly displayed outline and page view footer bars. ($59.99 new, free update, 116.1 MB, macOS 11+)

12-30-25 -

Fission 2.9.3
Audio editor corrects a time picker regression from the previous version. ($35 new, free update, 14.8 MB, macOS 11+)

12-20-25 -

Quicken Classic 8.4
Updates the financial management app with a sackful of handy improvements and bug fixes. ($71.88/$95.88/$131.88 annual subscription, free update, 3.2 MB, macOS 12+)

12-20-25 -

Parallels Desktop 26.2
Maintenance update for the virtualization software focused primarily on bug fixes. ($99.99 Standard Edition, free update, 5.4 MB, macOS 13+)

12-18-25 -

Compromised Apple Gift Card Saga Ends Well, but Risks Remain
Paris Buttfield-Addison has regained access to his Apple Account after a tainted gift card locked him out. But his saga highlights serious risks associated with Apple Gift Cards that should make everyone think twice before giving or redeeming them.

12-17-25 -

Jeff Carlson Reveals How Cell Carriers Handle Disasters and Mega-Events
From the Las Vegas F1 race to the Pacific Northwest's devastating floods, Jeff Carlson's CNET articles reveal the trucks, trailers, drones, and dedicated spectrum that keep first responders connected when it matters most.Read original article

12-17-25 -

1Password App Zeroed Out by Failed Update
A failed update left 1Password’s app package empty on multiple Macs, rendering it non-functional. The good news: reinstalling 1Password resolved the issue with no data loss.

12-17-25 -

Compromised Apple Gift Card Leads to Apple Account Lockout
After trying to redeem an Apple Gift Card, Apple developer and author Paris Buttfield-Addison was locked out of his Apple Account with no explanation. Despite extensive media coverage and contact from Apple’s Executive Relations, his account rem...

12-15-25 -

TidBITS 2025 Holiday HiatusSee You in 2026!
We will be taking a few weeks off to spend time with family and friends over the holidays. You can expect the next email issue of TidBITS on 5 January 2026. Thank you for reading TidBITS, and we hope our articles have enriched your year!

12-15-25 -

How the Music Apps Skip When Shuffling Option Can Help (or Hinder) Holiday Pl...
After 30 frustrating minutes trying to fix a broken holiday playlist, Adam Engst finally found the culprit: a “Skip when shuffling” option he had enabled last year and forgotten about. Is there a better way to silence seasonal music when the h...

12-15-25 -

TunnelBear 5.8
Subscription-based VPN app for the Mac makes changes for its free user tier (Free with subscription options for unlimited data, 51.1 MB, macOS 11+)

12-15-25 -

Mimestream 1.9.3
Adds adaptive cache eviction to reduce disk space utilization. ($49.99 annual subscription, free update, 12.2 MB, macOS 12+)

12-15-25 -

Carbon Copy Cloner 7.1.4
Maintenance update with improvements and bug fixes for the drive cloning and backup utility. ($49.99 new, free update, 27.8 MB, macOS 13+)

12-15-25 -

Bookends 15.2.3
Reference management tool adds Apple Intelligence capabilities to the PDF Autocomplete feature. ($74.99 new, free update, 125.9 MB, macOS 10.13+)

12-15-25 -

Alfred 5.7.2
Overhauls the keyboard-driven launcher's File Search fallback ranking. (£34 new, free update, 5.7 MB, macOS 10.14+)