Apple Special Event September 12, 2018

From the Steve Jobs Theater on the Apple Campus, several announcements were made today related to the new  Watch Series 4 and some new iPhones.

Orders for the devices will begin soon with delivery in about 10 days for the first products.

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WWDC 2018 Today 10 am PDT

Apple is expected to display updates and refinements to the operating systems for Macs and iOS devices today.

You can watch the keynote address today from this link.

Hanx Writer – Hi-Tech Keyboard Old School Feel

Hanx Writer is a really nifty app for those who enjoy typing or want to switch up the feel of your keyboard. Basically, the app gives you the opportunity to type using a realistic typewriter GUI. The sounds and motions of the moving parts are recreated with accuracy.

Your screen can be used as the keyboard or you can connect an extern blue tooth or Smart Keyboard to the iOS device to give you more screen room as seen below.

[The app states it is not compatible with the iPad Pro but the standard free version of the typewriter seems to work with my iPad Pro 12.9″ with Smart Keyboard.]

You get one “Free” keyboard as shown. You can use and enjoy the sites and sounds of that keyboard from within the app.

Third Party Keyboard Functionality

With an in app purchase, you can upgrade to get other typewriters or add additional functionality like working with multiple documents from within the app or hearing all of the sounds in other apps while using this third party keyboard. The least expensive upgrade costs 99¢ and includes the standard “Prime Select” keyboard.

Like other keyboard apps, you can add this third-party keyboard. Tap Settings > Keyboard > Add New Keyboard… and choose Hanx Writer. Then, tap on Allow Full Access.

Now, from your keyboard, tap and hold on the Globe at the bottom left and choose Hanx Writer.

With the in-app purchases, you can have the ability to change the font size, color, and look of your keyboard.

Conclusion

If you are looking for a fun way to type, jot down notes or share the fun of an old fashioned typewriter, check out Hanx Writer.

iOS 10.3.2 is Out

Apple has just released iOS 10.3.2. To update your compatible iOS device, tap Settings > General > Software Update. Make sure you make a back up first.

The only information currently available is that the update improves the security of your iOS device and includes bug fixes.

According to Apple, the security updates includes:

Released May 15, 2017

AVEVideoEncoder

Available for: iPhone 5 and later, iPad 4th generation and later, and iPod touch 6th generation

Impact: An application may be able to gain kernel privileges

Description: A memory corruption issue was addressed with improved memory handling.

CVE-2017-6989: Adam Donenfeld (@doadam) of the Zimperium zLabs Team

CoreAudio

Available for: iPhone 5 and later, iPad 4th generation and later, and iPod touch 6th generation

Impact: An application may be able to read restricted memory

Description: A validation issue was addressed with improved input sanitization.

CVE-2017-2502: Yangkang (@dnpushme) of Qihoo360 Qex Team

iBooks

Available for: iPhone 5 and later, iPad 4th generation and later, and iPod touch 6th generation

Impact: A maliciously crafted book may open arbitrary websites without user permission

Description: A URL handling issue was addressed through improved state management.

CVE-2017-2497: Jun Kokatsu (@shhnjk)

iBooks

Available for: iPhone 5 and later, iPad 4th generation and later, and iPod touch 6th generation

Impact: An application may be able to execute arbitrary code with root privileges

Description: An issue existed within the path validation logic for symlinks. This issue was addressed through improved path sanitization.

CVE-2017-6981: evi1m0 of YSRC (sec.ly.com)

IOSurface

Available for: iPhone 5 and later, iPad 4th generation and later, and iPod touch 6th generation

Impact: An application may be able to gain kernel privileges

Description: A memory corruption issue was addressed with improved memory handling.

CVE-2017-6979: Adam Donenfeld of Zimperium zLabs

Kernel

Available for: iPhone 5 and later, iPad 4th generation and later, and iPod touch 6th generation

Impact: An application may be able to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges

Description: A race condition was addressed through improved locking.

CVE-2017-2501: Ian Beer of Google Project Zero

Kernel

Available for: iPhone 5 and later, iPad 4th generation and later, and iPod touch 6th generation

Impact: An application may be able to read restricted memory

Description: A validation issue was addressed with improved input sanitization.

CVE-2017-2507: Ian Beer of Google Project Zero

CVE-2017-6987: Patrick Wardle of Synack

Notifications

Available for: iPhone 5 and later, iPad 4th generation and later, and iPod touch 6th generation

Impact: An application may be able to cause a denial of service

Description: A denial of service issue was addressed through improved memory handling.

CVE-2017-6982: Vincent Desmurs (vincedes3), Sem Voigtlander (OxFEEDFACE), and Joseph Shenton of CoffeeBreakers

Safari

Available for: iPhone 5 and later, iPad 4th generation and later, and iPod touch 6th generation

Impact: Visiting a maliciously crafted webpage may lead to an application denial of service

Description: An issue in Safari’s history menu was addressed through improved memory handling.

CVE-2017-2495: Tubasa Iinuma (@llamakko_cafe) of Gehirn Inc.

Security

Available for: iPhone 5 and later, iPad 4th generation and later, and iPod touch 6th generation

Impact: Update to the certificate trust policy

Description: A certificate validation issue existed in the handling of untrusted certificates. This issue was addressed through improved user handling of trust acceptance.

CVE-2017-2498: Andrew Jerman

SQLite

Available for: iPhone 5 and later, iPad 4th generation and later, and iPod touch 6th generation

Impact: A maliciously crafted SQL query may lead to arbitrary code execution

Description: A use after free issue was addressed through improved memory management.

CVE-2017-2513: found by OSS-Fuzz

SQLite

Available for: iPhone 5 and later, iPad 4th generation and later, and iPod touch 6th generation

Impact: A maliciously crafted SQL query may lead to arbitrary code execution

Description: A buffer overflow issue was addressed through improved memory handling.

CVE-2017-2518: found by OSS-Fuzz

CVE-2017-2520: found by OSS-Fuzz

SQLite

Available for: iPhone 5 and later, iPad 4th generation and later, and iPod touch 6th generation

Impact: A maliciously crafted SQL query may lead to arbitrary code execution

Description: A memory corruption issue was addressed with improved memory handling.

CVE-2017-2519: found by OSS-Fuzz

SQLite

Available for: iPhone 5 and later, iPad 4th generation and later, and iPod touch 6th generation

Impact: Processing maliciously crafted web content may lead to arbitrary code execution

Description: Multiple memory corruption issues were addressed with improved input validation.

CVE-2017-6983: Chaitin Security Research Lab (@ChaitinTech) working with Trend Micro’s Zero Day Initiative

CVE-2017-6991: Chaitin Security Research Lab (@ChaitinTech) working with Trend Micro’s Zero Day Initiative

TextInput

Available for: iPhone 5 and later, iPad 4th generation and later, and iPod touch 6th generation

Impact: Parsing maliciously crafted data may lead to arbitrary code execution

Description: A memory corruption issue was addressed with improved memory handling.

CVE-2017-2524: Ian Beer of Google Project Zero

WebKit

Available for: iPhone 5 and later, iPad 4th generation and later, and iPod touch 6th generation

Impact: Processing maliciously crafted web content may lead to arbitrary code execution

Description: Multiple memory corruption issues were addressed with improved memory handling.

CVE-2017-2496: Apple

CVE-2017-2505: lokihardt of Google Project Zero

CVE-2017-2506: Zheng Huang of the Baidu Security Lab working with Trend Micro’s Zero Day Initiative

CVE-2017-2514: lokihardt of Google Project Zero

CVE-2017-2515: lokihardt of Google Project Zero

CVE-2017-2521: lokihardt of Google Project Zero

CVE-2017-2525: Kai Kang (4B5F5F4B) of Tencent’s Xuanwu Lab (tencent.com) working with Trend Micro’s Zero Day Initiative

CVE-2017-2526: Kai Kang (4B5F5F4B) of Tencent’s Xuanwu Lab (tencent.com) working with Trend Micro’s Zero Day Initiative

CVE-2017-2530: an anonymous researcher

CVE-2017-2531: lokihardt of Google Project Zero

CVE-2017-2538: Richard Zhu (fluorescence) working with Trend Micro’s Zero Day Initiative

CVE-2017-2539: Richard Zhu (fluorescence) working with Trend Micro’s Zero Day Initiative

CVE-2017-2544: 360 Security (@mj0011sec) working with Trend Micro’s Zero Day Initiative

CVE-2017-2547: lokihardt of Google Project Zero, Team Sniper (Keen Lab and PC Mgr) working with Trend Micro’s Zero Day Initiative

CVE-2017-6980: lokihardt of Google Project Zero

CVE-2017-6984: lokihardt of Google Project Zero

WebKit

Available for: iPhone 5 and later, iPad 4th generation and later, and iPod touch 6th generation

Impact: Processing maliciously crafted web content may lead to universal cross site scripting

Description: A logic issue existed in the handling of WebKit Editor commands. This issue was addressed with improved state management.

CVE-2017-2504: lokihardt of Google Project Zero

WebKit

Available for: iPhone 5 and later, iPad 4th generation and later, and iPod touch 6th generation

Impact: Processing maliciously crafted web content may lead to universal cross site scripting

Description: A logic issue existed in the handling of WebKit container nodes. This issue was addressed with improved state management.

CVE-2017-2508: lokihardt of Google Project Zero

WebKit

Available for: iPhone 5 and later, iPad 4th generation and later, and iPod touch 6th generation

Impact: Processing maliciously crafted web content may lead to universal cross site scripting

Description: A logic issue existed in the handling of pageshow events. This issue was addressed with improved state management.

CVE-2017-2510: lokihardt of Google Project Zero

WebKit

Available for: iPhone 5 and later, iPad 4th generation and later, and iPod touch 6th generation

Impact: Processing maliciously crafted web content may lead to universal cross site scripting

Description: A logic issue existed in the handling of WebKit cached frames. This issue was addressed with improved state management.

CVE-2017-2528: lokihardt of Google Project Zero

WebKit

Available for: iPhone 5 and later, iPad 4th generation and later, and iPod touch 6th generation

Impact: Processing maliciously crafted web content may lead to arbitrary code execution

Description: Multiple memory corruption issues with addressed through improved memory handling.

CVE-2017-2536: Samuel Groß and Niklas Baumstark working with Trend Micro’s Zero Day Initiative

WebKit

Available for: iPhone 5 and later, iPad 4th generation and later, and iPod touch 6th generation

Impact: Processing maliciously crafted web content may lead to universal cross site scripting

Description: A logic issue existed in frame loading. This issue was addressed with improved state management.

CVE-2017-2549: lokihardt of Google Project Zero

WebKit Web Inspector

Available for: iPhone 5 and later, iPad 4th generation and later, and iPod touch 6th generation

Impact: An application may be able to execute unsigned code

Description: A memory corruption issue was addressed with improved memory handling.

CVE-2017-2499: George Dan (@theninjaprawn)

iWork Suite, iMovie and GarageBand FREE

Over the last several years, Apple provided apps like Keynote, Numbers, Pages, and more free for those who purchased a new iOS or macOS device.

As of today, those apps are free from the App Store.

You can learn more about iWork apps and their features here.

iOS 10.2 Released

Today, Apple has released iOS 10.2 including new features like the TV app for United States only. The app provides a “new and unified experience for accessing your TV shows and movies across multiple video apps.” Also, Apple claims the “emoji have been beautifully redesigned to reveal even more detail and over 100 new emoji have been added including new faces, food, animals, sports, and professions.”

Before any iOS update, you should make a backup of your iOS device.

To obtain the download, connect to Wi-Fi then tap on Settings > General > Software Update. The update weighs in at over 300 MB.

This update also includes stability improvements and bug fixes.

TV

Use Up Next to see the movies and shows you’re currently watching and pick up where you left off

Get recommendations for new movies and TV shows in Watch Now

Discover new apps and the latest iTunes releases in the Store

Access the Library for your iTunes purchases and rentals

Emoji

Beautifully redesigned emoji that reveal even more detail

Over 100 new emoji including new faces, food, animals, sports, and professions

Photos

Improves stabilization and delivers faster frame rate for Live Photos

Improves accuracy of groupings of similar photos of the same person in the People album

Fixes an issue where Memories might generate a memory from photos of screenshots, whiteboards or receipts

Fixes an issue where the camera would stay zoomed in after switching back from the Camera Roll on iPhone 7 Plus

Additional support for RAW digital cameras

Messages

Adds new love and celebration full screen effects in Messages

Fixes an issue that sometimes prevented the keyboard from displaying in Messages

Music

Swipe up the Now Playing screen to more easily access Shuffle, Repeat and Up Next

Choose how to sort Playlists, Albums, and Songs in Library

News

Stories you’ve saved for later now appear the new Saved section

The best paid stories from channels you subscribe to will now appear in a dedicated section in For You

It’s now easier than ever to get to the next story, just swipe left or tap Next Story while reading

Mail

Fixes an issue that caused the Move sheet to persist after filing a Mail message

Addresses an issue with long press activating copy and paste in Mail

Fixes an issue in which the wrong message would be selected after deleting a Mail conversation

Accessibility

Adds BraillePen14 support to VoiceOver

Fixes an issue where the braille table could switch unexpectedly with VoiceOver

Fixes an issue where sometimes Siri enhanced voices were unavailable to VoiceOver

Fixes an issue where VoiceOver users could not re-order items in lists

Fixes an issue where Switch Control was sometimes unable to delete Voicemails

Other improvements and fixes

Adds notification support for HomeKit accessories including window coverings, occupancy, motion, door/window, smoke, carbon monoxide, and water leak sensors

Adds notification support for HomeKit accessories when software updates are available to HomeKit accessories

Improves Bluetooth performance and connectivity with 3rd party accessories

Fixes an issue that could cause FaceTime participants to appear out of focus

Fixes an issue that could cause FaceTime calls to appear with incorrect aspect ratio and orientation

Fixes an issue that prevented some Visual Voicemail from completing playback

Fixes a Safari Reader issue that could cause articles to open as empty pages

Fixes an issue that could cause Safari to quit unexpectedly after marking an item as read in Reading List.

Pixelmator Update Quick Selection Tool

Pixelmator is an incredibly useful and full-featured image editor that also allows you to sketch or draw with layers.

The newest update includes the Quick Selection Tool, a precise Magnetic Selection Tool and other improvements and fixes.

According to the developer, the fixes and improvements include:

New:
• The advanced Quick Selection Tool lets you make incredibly accurate selections.
• The smart Magnetic Selection Tool snaps precisely to the objects you trace.
• Many small, but awesome changes improve the selection experience on iOS.

Selection improvements:
• When making selections, you can now tap Invert to invert your selection.
• The outline of selections made with the Color Selection Tool is more precise thanks to a content-aware smoothing algorithm.
• The all-new marching ants design improves performance and has ants that actually march around your selections.
• The Color Selection Tool is now faster (especially on older devices).
• Added a Create New selection mode, which is now the default.
• A live preview of your final selection is now shown when using the Add or Subtract selection modes.
• You can now transform selections in the Arrange pane.
• Selections now snap to layers and the canvas, just like layers do (but you can turn this off by turning off Guides).
• Selections made with the Free Selection, Rectangle Selection, and Ellipse Selection tools now always snap to pixels, meaning there won’t be any unwanted, half-transparent pixels at the edges of a selection when you copy, delete, or transform it.
• The selection paths of the Free Selection Tool are now made up of twice as many points, which makes them smoother.
• When you open up Select with an already selected area, the selection tool that you were using previously will automatically become active.
• When moving a selected area, dragging inside the selection will move it, and dragging outside the selection will now pan the image.
• The selection outline that is added as you select with the Free Selection Tool now has a subtle animation.
• When making selections with the Quick Selection or Color Selection tools, the selection preview now fades into the marching ants.
• Tapping Undo after transforming a selected area sometimes used to make that area flicker. Fixed.
• When using the Free Selection Tool, quickly tapping could sometimes make really small selections instead of adding points. Fixed.

Improvements and bug fixes:
• Use a two finger double tap to zoom in or zoom to fit.
• The 9:16 aspect ratio is now in the list of ratios in Crop.
• The request to let Pixelmator access your Photos library wouldn’t appear if you tried to save to Photos before having opened an image from Photos – it does now.
• If you use Copy to Photos to save a new image to your Photos library, you’ll now be able to use Save to Photos to save over that new image.
• If you drag a layer that is not selected (the transform handles aren’t visible) and it does not fit in the screen, the layer will not be moved. To move it – first, tap to select it.
• When you hold two fingers to rotate a layer but one or both fingers are outside the currently selected layer, other layers in your image will not be selected – first tap to select the layer you want to rotate, then hold two fingers inside it to start rotating.
• Zoom animations are a little more smooth as they now have subtle ease-out transitions.

Apple Pencil improvements and bug fixes:
• When using Apple Pencil, the brush size of the Quick Selection Tool is pressure-sensitive.
• Selections made using Apple Pencil and the Free Selection Tool are now more accurate.
• The transform handle area is now smaller, giving you more precision.

Pixelmator for iPhone improvements:
• The Select and Distort tool choosers are now laid out more symmetrically.
• The selection mode in the Select tool chooser is highlighted more clearly.
• Tapping to choose a selection mode will now close the Select tool chooser.