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📰 News and Opinion
MAF Exceeds Fundraising Goal for Inaugural Membership Drive
The Mac Admins Foundation is proud to announce the resounding success of its inaugural membership drive, exceeding its original target by an astounding 75%.
⚙️ Apple Updates
macOS
- macOS Sequoia 15.2, 24C101: What's new, Developer Release Notes, Security, Enterprise, App Store, IPSW, PKG installer
- macOS Sonoma 14.7.2 (23H311): What's new, Security, Enterprise, PKG installer
- macOS Ventura 13.7.2 (22H313): What's new, Security, Enterprise, PKG installer
- Safari 18.2: WebKit Features, Developer Release Notes, Security
iOS and iPadOS
- iOS 18.2: About, Enterprise
- iPadOS 18.2: About, Enterprise
- iPadOS 17.7.3: About, Security
- iOS and iPadOS 18.2: Developer Release Notes, Security
Other Platforms
- watchOS 11.2: About, Developer Release Notes, Security
- tvOS 18.2: About, Developer Release Notes, Security
- visionOS 2.1.1: About, Developer Release Notes, Security, Enterprise
- HomePod Software 18.2: About
- Apple Business Manager: Release notes, User Guide, Revision history
- Apple School Manager: Release notes, User Guide, Revision history
- Apple Business Essentials: Release notes, User Guide, Revision history
Deployment Guides
- Apple Platform Deployment: Welcome, What's new, Revision history
Applications
- Xcode 16.2: Mac App Store, Developer Downloads, Developer Release Notes
- Pages 14.3: Mac, iPhone, iPad, iCloud
- Keynote 14.3: Mac, iPhone, iPad, iCloud
- Numbers 14.3: Mac, iPhone, iPad, iCloud
- Apple Remote Desktop 3.9.8: What's new
What has changed in macOS Sequoia 15.2?
The macOS 15.2 update includes the second phase of AI support for Apple silicon Macs, introducing the Image Playground app, and integrated ChatGPT support in both Siri and Writing Tools. AI now extends support to several of the non-US variants of English, including English (UK), although non-English languages won’t gain support until next year.
Apple has released macOS Sequoia 15.2, and security updates to 14.7.2 and 13.7.2
As eagerly anticipated, Apple has released the update to macOS 15.2 Sequoia, together with security updates to bring Sonoma to version 14.7.2, and Ventura to 13.7.2. There should also be Safari updates to accompany the latter two.
Has Apple stopped updating EFI firmware?
while the T2’s firmware has been updated, no change has been made in the EFI version. As far as I’m aware that’s the first time that has happened since the initial releases of T2 firmware at the end of 2017 and early 2018.
Managing Apple Intelligence features on macOS Sequoia 15.2
Richt Trouton on DerFlounder
Apple has added a couple of new management options for Apple Intelligence now that Apple Intelligence is able to communicate with external services like ChatGPT.
Suppressing the Apple Intelligence pop-up window with a configuration profile on macOS Sequoia
Rich Trouton on DerFlounder
The Apple Intelligence pop-up window can be suppressed for the logged-in user
From Smart to Smarter: Elevating Apple IQ Even More
Bob Gendler on Medium
What’s great is that all of these features have a way to be blocked.
🔐 Security and Privacy
Uncovering Apple Vulnerabilities: diskarbitrationd and storagekitd Audit (Part 2)
we will review a vulnerability (CVE-2024-40855) which allows someone to escape the sandbox and also fully bypass TCC by being able to mount over the user's TCC directory.
CVE-2024-44131 TCC Security Framework Bypass Vulnerability
Recently, Jamf Threat Labs discovered a TCC bypass vulnerability affecting FileProvider in both macOS and iOS; if successfully exploited, the vulnerability could result in an app that is able to access sensitive data without the end user’s knowledge.
🔨 Support and Tutorials
Make Your Life Easier With Open Source!
One underrated community aspect is the sheer number of open-source tools available. The sheer number of tools freely available by the community for the community is amazing!
IBM Data Shift
Simone Martorelli and Jonathan Krauer on Jamf Tech Thoughts
Developed in response to the unique challenges of managing large-scale Mac deployments, it provides a user-friendly, secure, and efficient method to migrate data on managed devices—bridging gaps left by traditional migration tools.
🤖 Scripting and Automation
Updating inventory after Zoom Rooms automatic update
When I deployed Zoom Rooms on Mac minis earlier this year, I assumed that the built-in automatic update functionality would run as the logged-in user.
♻️ Updates and Releases
🎧 Listen
MDOYVR 2025
Mat X, Nick and JD turn it up to eleven for MDOYVR 2025. Join us in beautiful Vancouver, British Columbia June 11-13, 2025 for the 11th annual MDOYVR!
When you trade in your fleet of iPhones, where do they go?
Biju Nair, EVP of Connected Living at Assurant, about their new repair facility in Tennessee.
🎈Just for Fun
A brief history of Mac servers
Although there’s little evidence of them today, Apple made a long succession of Mac servers and servers for Macs from 1988 to 2014, and only discontinued support for the last release of macOS Server in April 2022.