macOS Ventura 13.1 is out with new Freeform app and iCloud safety updates | Nest Tech

macOS Ventura

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After releasing a number of beta variations for builders and public testers, Apple has lastly launched macOS Ventura 13.1. It features a new machine app known as Freeform, a brand new structure for HomeKit, and superior safety protections.

Obtain the replace by going to Settings > Common > Software program Replace.

We bought our first glimpse of Freeform in October. Apple unveiled the app at WWDC 2022, although the corporate did not embody it within the preliminary launch of macOS Ventura. On the time, Apple mentioned the app would arrive “later this yr.”

Whereas people can use Freeform, the app is meant extra for groups for collaborative brainstorming. It’s a whiteboard software that enables a number of individuals to work on the identical thought or job concurrently in a shared work setting.

Freeform is a clean canvas for drawings, textual content bins, movies, PDFs, hyperlinks, sticky notes, and different recordsdata. Folks can share boards through FaceTime for dialogue, and updates from all contributors are synced to everybody in actual time.

One other new characteristic in macOS Ventura is in HomeKit. It’s designed to enhance the efficiency of good house units, however customers might want to meet some necessities.

For instance, the minimal requirement is that every one HomePods run software program model 16.2. Different merchandise, together with Apple Watch, Mac, and Apple TV, would require the newest software program updates.

The Dwelling app will inform customers concerning the change and what they should do to make use of it. It would additionally checklist the units that require the newest software program replace to work with the brand new structure.

Apple introduced in early December some safety enhancements that it’ll add to the newest updates to the working system. They embody iMessage Contact Key Verification, Apple ID Safety Keys, and Superior Information Safety for iCloud.

With non-obligatory iMessage contact password verification, customers who allow it is going to be alerted if an attacker is ever in a position to breach Apple’s servers and listen in on messages between customers. Customers can examine a contact verification code in individual, through FaceTime or one other safe name.

Subsequent, Apple is including a layer of safety by way of two-factor authentication, which it has included for Apple ID since 2015. Customers can now add a {hardware} safety key to check in to their account with their Apple ID. Manzana.

The third essential characteristic is Superior Information Safety for iCloud, which extends the corporate’s use of end-to-end encryption. Till now, solely sure Apple companies had the sort of encryption, reminiscent of well being knowledge, passwords, Apple Card transactions, and others.

When a consumer allows the characteristic, the whole variety of knowledge classes protected by end-to-end encryption will increase to 23, together with iCloud Backup, Notes, Images, iCloud Drive, and different areas. The one main classes of iCloud knowledge that are not coated are iCloud Mail, Contacts, and Calendar because of the have to work with world e-mail, contacts, and calendar programs.

Customers can discover a full technical description of the non-obligatory safety enhancements supplied by Superior Information Safety in Apple’s Platform Safety Information.