Hasta La Gadget!

Apple may have just released OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion a few months ago, but that doesn’t mean the next version isn’t being worked and tested on. According to several websites, they have been noticing visits from users with machines listed as running OS X 10.9, which would be Apple’s next major OS X update.

Obviously, not a large number of hits are coming from these supposed OS X 10.9 machines. AppleInsider said they have received over 30 total visitors that were marked using “Intel 10.9″, and other websites have reported a few visitors with OS X 10.9 machines as well. However, we at SlashGear haven’t spotted any OS X 10.9 activity yet.

The small number of computers that are supposedly running OS X 10.9 could mean that Apple is already testing very early betas of the next major OS X update, and only a select handful are trying it out at the moment. Of course, these statistics can be faked, so it’s definitely something to take with a grain of salt.

However, it’s obvious that Apple will release a major update to OS X at some point in the future, and they’ve been on a yearly release schedule recently, so it could be as far ahead as summer 2013 before we see 10.9 pop up. The only other question remains, however: What cat will Apple give its next major OS X update this time around?

[via AppleInsider]

Apple OS X 10.9 appears across the web is written by Craig Lloyd & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

For those smatterings of users who own a Mac computer and a Windows mobile, Microsoft has released the newest version of what was previously called Windows Phone 7 Connector for Mac. Now just called “Windows Phone,” this version 3.0 app allows users to sync their Windows Phone smartphone with their OS X machine for easy data transfer. The app has received a pretty extensive overhaul and gained many new features.

The new Windows Phone app is simplified to be minimalistic and easy to use. Changes include support for Windows Phone 8, iPhoto 9.3.2 and Aperture 3.3.2, support for Retina display Macs, and for battery charge state for Windows Phone 8 smartphones. Users can now drag and drop files from their Apple computer onto the device, and vice versa.

Using Windows Phone, users can sync movies, music, and other data from iTunes to a Windows Phone device. When transferring media files from iTunes, only DRM-free files are supported, however. Photos and videos can be synced using iPhoto and Aperture library, and can be imported from the phone into both the aforementioned apps.

Overall, this new version brings with it a sleek, uncluttered interface, which you can see in the gallery below. The host of features make using a Windows phone in a Mac world pretty easy, while the drag and drop feature for files saves time and can’t get any easier. You can pick up Windows Phone 3.0 for OS X at the App Store.

Microsoft launches Windows Phone 3.0 for OS X is written by Brittany Hillen & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

On Wednesday, Apple released a Mac update for Lion and Mountain Lion that strips all Mac browsers of the Java plugin, another move in the company’s effort to distance itself from Oracle’s Java software. Once the update is installed, users presented with Java content will see a placeholder that reads “Missing Plug-in.” After which point, users can then download the plug-in directly if desired.

Earlier this year, Apple had a bit of battle going on with the Flashback malware that threatened OS X users by exploiting a vulnerability in Java. In April, the company was forced to release a second software update for Lion 10.7 to solve the problem. Previously, Apple ceased including pre-installed version of Java in its OS, and then later released an update that disabled Java if it hadn’t been used in a certain period of time.

This isn’t the first time Java has come under fire for its vulnerabilities. Oracle’s software framework is one of the most exploited pieces of software you can run, and Oracle has been forced to address vulnerabilities in the recent past. One of the latest examples happened back in August, when exploits were produced and released for Java 1.7, forcing Oracle to cobble together a patch.

According to the Apple Support page, this update is for OS X 10.7 and later. In addition to stripping browsers of the Java plug-in, it also removes the Java Preferences application, which it says is not required for applet setting configuration. Some tech experts recommended that you disable Java if you don’t use it, thusly reducing the odds of your machine being infiltrated.

[via Engadget]

Apple removes Java from OS X browsers with Mac update is written by Brittany Hillen & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

While the latest software for OS X Lion isn’t nearly as exciting as a couple of other updates that Apple released today, Lion users will find a few worthwhile improvements within the new OS X 10.7.5 update. Most importantly, the latest software introduces Gatekeeper, a security feature from Mountain Lion that makes it more difficult to inadvertently install malicious software. The update also brings improved WiFi reliability for the iMac (late 2009 and newer) and squashes a bug that’d caused Launchpad icons to become rearranged. You’ll find an even greater number of fixes / improvements after the break, and it’s also worth a mention that even Snow Leopard users have received a bit of love today in the form of a security update. Want to prove you’re a good cat owner? Go ahead and check for new updates right away.

Continue reading OS X Lion hits 10.7.5 with most recent update, brings improved security with Gatekeeper

Filed under: Software

OS X Lion hits 10.7.5 with most recent update, brings improved security with Gatekeeper originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 20 Sep 2012 04:39:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink CNET  |  Apple (1), (2)  | Email this | Comments

We’ve been using the Tweetbot for Mac alpha for several weeks now. It’s about time that a more polished beta version arrive, we’d say — and the new 0.8 revision does its best to justify moving one letter up the alphabet. Most of the upgrade focuses on improved multi-column and keyboard support, along with a heap of bug fixes. The real story, though, may be what Tweetbot can’t do. Twitter’s tough new API limits put a sharp curb on the number of new users that a third-party developer like Tapbots can bring into the fold. To maximize the number of customers buying the finished version, the company is limiting beta access solely to those who’ve already linked their Twitter accounts to the alpha; if you aren’t already part of the secret club, you’re not getting in today. We’re still looking forward to the completed Tweetbot release, but the hoop-jumping required to keep the app commercially viable doesn’t bode well for any future competition with the official Twitter clients.

Filed under: Internet, Software

Tweetbot for Mac hits beta, runs headlong into new Twitter API limits originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 01 Sep 2012 01:11:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink The Next Web, 9to5 Mac  |  Tapbots  | Email this | Comments