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BitTorrent's messaging service goes wide, adds ephemeral options
Last we heard of BitTorrent's chat client, Bleep, it was just debuting. Today the news is that the secure messaging client is moving from open alpha to a release aimed at the general Android and iOS owning public. With it comes peer-to-peer messaging with the ability to communicate -- even sending messages to friends who are offline -- no servers required, which theoretically means no threat of hacking. Perhaps the biggest new feature is an ephemeral option called "whispers" for evaporating messages. Unlike Snapchat, though, you can choose on a message by message basis which texts or photos you send will evaporate after 25 seconds. It isn't an all or nothing affair here. And to further distance itself from the ghostly messaging service, you can even send these from a computer. BitTorrent says with whispers you can swap back and forth between them and normal messages seamlessly without breaking the flow of conversation too.
Apple is crawling the web to help your Siri and Spotlight searches
Apple doesn't have to rely solely on outside web providers like Google or Microsoft to fuel your iOS and Mac searches. The company has confirmed the rumored existence of Applebot, a web crawler that collects site information for the sake of Siri and Spotlight queries. It behaves much like Google's crawler, looking for the familiar "robots.txt" file that tells it what results to exclude on a given site; it'll follow typical Google instructions if there isn't any Apple-specific rule set. It's not clear how long Cupertino has been running its bot, or whether there's anything more in the works. However, it's evident that Apple wants its online searches to work no matter what its partnerships look like in the future.
'Portal' turning into a game of hyperdimensional pinball
Developer Valve legendarily has a hard time counting to "3" but that doesn't mean getting your hands on some new Portal action is too far out of reach. It just might not be in a place you'd expect. The long-running Zen Pinball series is taking a Newell-blessed trip to the test chambers with the "Aperture Science Heuristic Portal Pinball Device" table. As you might expect, there are plenty of nods to the series, with GLaDOS passive aggressively taunting while Chell jumps through the eponymous ingresses and co-op robots ATLAS and P-Body handling multi-ball duties. It's $2.99 for consoles, Mac and PC and $1.99 on mobile come May 25th.
Sharing app Droplr wants to woo you back with a 'free' tier
In case you dropped Droplr when the sharing app went from free to paid-only the company has a plan to potentially woo you back. How's that? It's going freemium starting tomorrow. Links and files you spread around with the free plan will have a week-long lifespan before evaporating. Should you want any long-term storage or whatnot, TechCrunch reports that you'll have to shell out basically double the price from before for Droplr Pro: $9.99 per month now versus the previous $4.99 action. Refreshed iOS and Mac apps are en route as well and the outfit has a few promotions going on to help take the sting out of the increased monthly price.
Researcher says Apple hasn't fixed major OS X security flaw
Earlier this month, Apple released an update that was supposed to patch a serious flaw in OS X, albeit only for Yosemite users. But, according to a recent finding by an independent researcher, the company from Cupertino failed to fix the problem. Objective-See, a website that provides tools to prevent OS X malware, reports that the backdoor security flaw, known as "RootPipe," can still be exploited. The root access vulnerability is a major one too, as it could give anyone with bad intentions a way to take over a user's machine and, if they want, inject malware into the operating system. We've reached out to Apple for comment and will be updating this story if and when it gets back to us.
Google Chrome's push notifications are now available to everyone
You no longer have to grab a test version of Chrome to try push notifications for yourself. Google has released the finished version of Chrome 42, which lets websites send you alerts (with your permission, of course) whether or not the browser is open. You can get breaking news, for example, or find out when someone outbid you in that antique auction. The feature will be more than a little familiar to Safari users, but this is platform-independent -- you should see it in Linux and Windows, too. There aren't any other conspicuous improvements to Chrome, but Google is promising lots of under-the-hood performance and security improvements that should make your update worthwhile.
Apple's Worldwide Developer Conference begins June 8th
If you're wondering what Apple will do next with its mobile devices and the Mac, you won't have to wait too long to find out. The tech giant has announced the 2015 Worldwide Developer Conference, which starts on June 8th. It's not providing too many clues as to what will be there, but you can apply for tickets now -- and you'll have the option to stream sessions live if you can't make it out to San Francisco. It's safe to say that the event will include news on software for the Apple Watch, iOS and OS X, and it won't be shocking if Apple has something to say about a new streaming music service or a next-generation Apple TV. Whatever happens, you know we'll be there to give you the full scoop.
Apple's fixed a serious OS X security flaw, but only for Yosemite users
There are times in life when you wonder what it is that you've done to deserve such neglect from those you hold dear. It's a feeling that plenty of Mac users will be experiencing today as Apple has announced that it found a serious security flaw in OS X, but will only fix it for users of the latest version. If you aren't running Yosemite, which was updated yesterday with the relevant patch, then you'd better get it, and quick.
Apple's Photos app is now available to all OS X Yosemite users
You no longer have to be a beta tester (or work at Apple) to give the new Photos app a spin. The Cupertino crew has released the finished version of its OS X Yosemite 10.10.3 update, which centers around the more powerful and iOS-friendly picture management hub. Yes, you can now kick iPhoto to the curb and rely on iCloud Photo Library to sync your images. There are also a few things you might appreciate even if you're not a shutterbug, such as support for more diverse emoji and Spotlight suggestions in Look Up. While this isn't a gigantic update, it's definitely worth grabbing if you think that the Mac's official photo software is overdue for a tune-up.
Apple issues security patches to protect devices from the FREAK bug
In addition to launching new MacBooks and revealing its smartwatches' release date, Apple has also issued software updates to protect its devices from the FREAK bug. If you recall, the security flaw allows hackers to force weaker encryption on Safari (and Android browser) users visiting certain websites, including a few owned by the government. The weaker encryption makes it easier and faster for them to break into users' accounts and steal sensitive info, that's why Cupertino promised to issue a patch as soon as possible. To secure iPhones and iPads, you just have to install iOS 8.2, which also comes with Apple Watch support. MacBook users who have OS X Mountain Lion, Mavericks or Yosemite installed will get an update notification, while those who own the company's streaming box have to download Apple TV 7.1. The latest software updates also come with other security patches for both Mac and iOS, so don't forget to download them when you can.
The Office 2016 for Mac preview is now available
While Microsoft is hard at work on the final version of Office 2016 for Mac that'll arrive later this year, it's offering folks who are too eager to wait an early look. The preview version of Redmond's productivity suite is now available for download, serving up Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote and Outlook to machines running Apple's desktop OS. There's sure to be a truckload of updates in the months to come, but if you're still using Office for Mac 2011, the changes that are already in place (read: the redesigned UI) will certainly give you something to look forward to.
Try Apple's Photos app in the latest OS X public beta
If you've been anxious to try Apple's Photos app and kick iPhoto to the curb, you now have a (relatively) easy way to do it. The Mac maker has just released the first public beta of OS X Yosemite 10.10.3, which includes the simpler, streamlined imaging tool as a matter of course. This test release is bound to be rough around the edges (don't trust it with your irreplaceable pictures, folks), but it's worth a go if you're willing to experiment and want to know what all the fuss is about.
Apple's newest iOS and Mac betas let you use diverse emoji
If you're disappointed that current emoji characters don't reflect your skin tone, don't worry: Apple is getting ready to accommodate you. Both the latest betas of iOS 8.3 and OS X 10.10.3 include modifiers that let you choose the skin color of some icons. There are more flags, too. And Apple couldn't resist being cheeky -- you'll now see an Apple Watch in place of an ordinary timepiece, just as it already replaces generic phone pictures with an iPhone.
Apple made it harder for hackers to breach FaceTime and iMessage
As a means to further secure your digital life, Apple said today that it's adding two-step verification to FaceTime and iMessage. That still leaves the likes of iTunes and the Apple website vulnerable to ne'er-do-wells who want to remotely access your sensitive info (and have your password), of course, but now Cupertino's universal messaging and video chat programs are locked down a bit further. Given the progress that's been made toward adding the second authorization step to the rest of its ecosystem in recent months, it likely won't be too long before those spots are buttoned up too. Any questions? The Apple two-step verification FAQ is only a click away.
Heads-up: Apple will pull Aperture once Photos arrives
If you're determined to snag Aperture before Apple rides it into the sunset, you'd better do it quickly. Cupertino is now warning photo editing mavens that it's pulling Aperture from the Mac App Store once Photos is available this spring. You should still have the option of restoring your Aperture copy if you lose it, but there won't be a way to buy it if you decide that neither Photos nor Adobe Lightroom are your cups of tea. While the cutoff isn't all that shocking given Apple's historical eagerness to ditch older software as new versions roll out, it's not cheerful news if you were hoping that Aperture would stick around for a little while longer.
Here's a first look at Apple's redesigned 'Photos' app for Macs
By now, you've all heard of Yosemite, the most recent version of OS X. We reviewed it four months ago and since then, millions of people have downloaded it. As it turns out, though, the operating system isn't quite finished: Apple is about to replace iPhoto with a new image editor, simply dubbed "Photos." Not only does it bring a drastic redesign (in the style of Yosemite, of course), but it'll also come built into OS X so that you no longer need to download it from the App Store. In addition, Photos brings richer editing tools and tighter integration with iOS. In particular, because all your pics are stored in iCloud, any edits you make on your Mac will appear in the iOS app. Apple just released an early build to developers, with general availability to follow sometime this spring. I'm not a developer, as you know, but I managed anyway to get my hands on the new app. Read on for a rundown on how it works. And, of course, screenshots. Always with the screenshots.
iTunes for Mac gets its own Notification Center widget
The latest iTunes is now available for download, and while it won't clothe your old application in a newer, fancier interface, it does come with a convenient new feature. To be exact, it adds an iTunes widget right within the notification center that lets you play, pause and skip songs without accessing the program itself. You can even buy tracks from within the widget if you're jamming to songs on iTunes Radio. To get this new feature, fire up your Mac App Store and find iTunes 12.1 from among all your outdated applications in the Updates tab -- just take note that you need to have OS X Yosemite installed to see the download and enjoy the widget's features.
OS X Yosemite update tackles 'surprise' Mac security flaws
You know those unpatched Mac security exploits that Google revealed a few days ago? You probably won't have to worry about them any more. Apple has released OS X Yosemite 10.10.2, a hefty update that fixes those vulnerabilities, which let an intruder hijack your system in the right circumstances. There's also a solution for Thunderstrike, a nasty (if unlikely) attack that would compromise your computer through a malicious Thunderbolt device. Most of the other 10.10.2 tweaks aren't huge, although you'll probably like having access to iCloud Drive storage in your Time Machine backups. You'll definitely want to grab the upgrade, even if you don't need some of the smaller perks -- it should go quite some distance toward safeguarding your Mac.
Google reveals Mac security holes before Apple's fix is ready
Microsoft isn't the only big tech firm grappling with surprise security flaw disclosures these days. Google's Project Zero security unit revealed at least two unpatched vulnerabilities in OS X (Yosemite appears to have mitigated a third) that theoretically help attackers take control of your Mac. The search company says it privately notified Apple about the holes back in October, but automatically published the details after Project Zero's usual 90-day cutoff period. Apple's usual policy is to decline comment on exploits like this until it has a solution. However, relief is at least relatively close -- iMore reports that an upcoming Yosemite update (10.10.2) is expected to tackle these flaws. The main question is whether or not Apple can deliver its fix before malware writers find a way to use those bugs for sinister purposes.
Critical flaw forces Apple to push first automatic OS X security update
A critical security issue in the network time protocol (NTP) has prompted Apple to push an automatic OS X update to users for the first time. Google researchers discovered the flaw which could allow a remote attacker to "send a carefully crafted packet that can overflow a stack buffer and allow malicious code to be executed." NTP is a common protocol that's been successfully hacked before, so the security hole could result in remote DDoS attacks on many UNIX-based systems, including Linux servers and OS X. The US government deemed it serious enough to flag it, and at first Apple advised users of Yosemite, Mountain Lion and Mavericks to update "as soon as possible." However, several years ago it introduced an automatic OS X update system that requires no user action, and decided to deploy it for the first time ever. An Apple spokesman told Reuters "the update is seamless. It doesn't even require a restart." Update: Patrick Nielsen, Senior Security Researcher at Kaspersky told us the vulnerability is quite widespread. "The software is installed on everything from consumer gadgets to critical infrastructure; it's possible to execute malicious code on both servers and clients, a dream situation for worms which can spread very quickly by compromising servers and then all their clients," he said. What's more, many firewalls don't block attacks against NTP servers, especially in corporate networks.