All articles tagged with #macos
A macOS XNU kernel timer wraps after 49 days, causing TCP connection cleanup to fail and effectively halting networking on affected Macs until they are restarted. Most users won’t hit the 49‑day window, but servers and long‑running Mac workflows can, so a restart restores connectivity and is recommended until Apple releases a fix. Photon documented the bug and says Apple is working on a remediation.
NotebookCheck reports aMacs networking bug affecting MacBook, iMac and Mac mini where, after roughly 49 days, a 32‑bit timer overflows and prevents new TCP connections from being established, causing apps and websites to fail; a restart resets the countdown and buys another ~49 days of normal operation.
Anthropic unveiled a research preview that lets Claude control a Mac—clicking, typing, and navigating apps—through Claude Cowork and Claude Code, with Dispatch now extending to mobile for ongoing desktop tasks. The agent prioritizes service connectors, falls back to Chrome when needed, and only uses screen-interaction as a last resort, requiring per-app permissions and exposing screen content. Early tests show roughly 50% success on complex, multi-app workflows, and Anthropic is pricing for Pro/Max while pursuing enterprise plugins and governance features as it competes in the AI-agent race.
Apple released 26.4 updates across its major platforms (iOS, iPadOS, macOS Tahoe, watchOS, tvOS, visionOS, and HomePod), prioritizing security fixes and adding features such as MacBook charging limits, Safari's compact tab view, Stolen Device Protection, new emojis, AI-generated Apple Music playlists, Freeform Creator Studio updates, and Family Sharing payment-method options; end-to-end encryption for RCS messaging is not included in this release, and older OS updates remain available for unsupported devices with a WWDC reveal anticipated on June 8.
Anthropic announced Claude Code and Claude Cowork can directly control a Mac computer to open files, browse, and run dev tools to complete tasks, using connectors when possible and, if not available, asking for permission to scroll, click, and explore on the machine. The feature is available to Claude Pro and Max subscribers in a “research preview” and can be used remotely via Claude Dispatch while the target computer stays on. Anthropic says it has safeguards to prevent risky actions and protect sensitive data, but notes that these safeguards aren’t perfect and Claude may still act outside intended boundaries or see visible on-screen content. Users are advised to start with trusted apps and avoid sensitive data during this preview.
Anthropic is adding autonomous on-device task execution to Claude via Code and Cowork for macOS, letting the AI open files, browse, and control apps with explicit user permission. Access is a research preview for Claude Pro/Max, requiring the Claude desktop app (paired with the mobile app) and depending on service connectors, though it can operate by directly controlling the browser, input devices, and display when necessary; complex tasks may need retries and aren’t guaranteed to be perfect.
Anthropic says Claude Code and Claude Cowork will support on-device task execution on macOS in a research preview for Claude Pro and Claude Max, enabling the AI to open files, browse, and run developer tools. It will first connect to supported services (e.g., Google Workspace or Slack) but can operate if no connector is available, and it should ask for permission before acting. The feature is for non-sensitive data and will work with Anthropic’s Dispatch for cross‑device conversations.
Anthrop ic has added a research-preview feature that lets Claude autonomously perform tasks on macOS by connecting to apps and tools, with user permission and a manual fallback via keyboard and mouse. The capability, integrated with Dispatch for mobile task orchestration, is available to Claude Pro/Max subscribers on Macs and is designed with safeguards, but carries security risks like prompt injections and potential vulnerabilities; some apps are disabled by default and not all tasks work perfectly yet.
Apple launches the MacBook Neo at $599 ($499 for education), aiming at new, budget-conscious customers by offering the familiar macOS experience and bundled software in a sleek chassis, even with some hardware compromises; it’s positioned against Chromebooks on software/ecosystem, though the $699 upgrade isn’t as compelling.
An opinion piece arguing that Apple’s 50-year habit of embracing change—abandoning 32-bit apps, Carbon APIs, and Intel in favor of ARM and ongoing macOS evolution—lets the MacBook Neo push the company forward, delivering high-quality, affordable hardware while contrasting Apple’s fearless reinvention with Microsoft’s reliance on compatibility.
Apple is rolling out Background Security Improvements—lightweight, between-update patches for Safari, WebKit, and other system libraries. These patches address vulnerabilities (including a Same Origin Policy bypass) without requiring a full OS update. To use them, enable Background Security Improvements in Settings > Privacy & Security (or System Settings on macOS) and install manually or automatically. The first updates appeared as iOS 26.3.1 / macOS 26.3.2 updates.
Apple has started delivering Background Security Improvements—small, lightweight security patches for Safari/WebKit and other system libraries—across macOS, iOS, and iPadOS. These updates run in the background and require a device restart to complete, with the inaugural patch targeting WebKit on devices running iOS 26.1, iPadOS 26.1, and macOS 26.1. Apple says these patches install faster than full software updates.
Three ClickFix campaigns have been found delivering the macOS infostealer MacSync by tricking users into pasting Terminal commands to download and run a shell script that fetches the payload and exfiltrates credentials, keychains, and seed phrases. The campaigns (Nov 2025 using OpenAI Atlas bait via Google ads; Dec 2025 via ChatGPT-related pages; Feb 2026 with a new variant) rely on social-engineering lures, malvertising, and trusted platforms to disguise malicious commands and payloads, with in-memory AppleScript execution to evade detection. Defenders are urged to patch hosting platforms (e.g., WordPress), monitor for ClickFix/trojan lures, and maintain zero-trust principles as attackers adapt tactics.
Apple's fourth developer beta of macOS Tahoe 26.4 brings MacBook Neo wallpapers to all Macs (Purple, Blue, Pink, Yellow) and adds new emoji; they can be enabled via System Settings > Wallpaper. A public beta is coming soon, with a spring launch expected.
Ars Technica reports that macOS Tahoe 26.3.1 retroactively renames the M5’s high-performance cores from “performance” to “super” cores, aligning with the new M5 Pro/Max naming. The change appears only cosmetic—no real performance difference for existing M5 Macs—while updating System Information and Activity Monitor and enabling Studio Display support. Older M-series chips (like the M4) are not affected.