2025-12-19 06:42:01
I wrote earlier this week about the important security updates Apple just rolled out in its 26.2 operating system updates. Among the security fixes are two zero-day bugs affecting WebKit, the browser engine that drives Safari. According to Apple, “this issue may have been exploited in an extremely sophisticated attack against specific targeted individuals on versions of iOS before iOS 26.”
Pretty serious. There are also many other security fixes, including (as I mentioned) a major Messages privacy leak. When a serious security update comes out, users should update. It’s just the smart move.
Apple generally tries not to leave behind users who haven’t updated or can’t update to the latest OS version. Apple also usually offers security updates for past OS versions, and indeed, the company also released iOS 18.7.3 to address the same issues.
Unfortunately, there’s an ugly catch: Numerous iPhone users have reported that if your iPhone is capable of running iOS 26 but you’re still back on iOS 18, you won’t be offered iOS 18.7.3. Instead, the only update option you’ll be given is iOS 26.2.
There are a lot of reasons to avoid updating to iOS 26, from a dislike of Liquid Glass to software compatibility to a general wariness to install major updates for a while. This move effectively forces users to take the iOS 26 upgrade if they want the security updates. (iPhones not capable of running iOS 26 are offered the 18.7.3 update. iPads seem to be unaffected.)
This isn’t great. Apple shouldn’t be withholding a security update from people not willing to upgrade to the next OS version. I don’t know if this is an error, bug, or policy decision, and as of this writing, Apple hasn’t responded to my questions about this issue.
Several users have reported to me that a workaround is to sign up for Apple’s public beta program and opt in to the iOS 18 public beta track, at which point you’ll be offered 18.7.3. Seems like a long way to go just to get security fixes.
In general, Apple is very good about supplying security updates to older operating systems, so all its users can stay protected. But in cases like this, users should never be forced to choose between ignoring a security update and updating to an OS version they’re not ready for.
2025-12-19 05:12:37
Mac users with the Studio Display have been complaining about intermittent flickering since the [macOS Tahoe] update launched in September. There are also complaints from users who have other kinds of displays, so it might be a bug that is affecting more than one type of external monitor.
I’m glad this is finally gaining some attention because I have been seeing this since the earliest betas of Tahoe back in June (I complained about it again more recently). And that’s been on multiple Macs, including my Mac mini attached to a Studio Display, my old M1 MacBook Air, and my current M4 MacBook Air. I’ve tried deactivating several of the display features to see if makes a difference (TrueTone, Night Shift, automatically adjusted brightness); it felt like maybe turning off Night Shift helped, but it’s one of those frustrating intermittent issues that can be hard to track down.
Anecdotally, I’ve heard from others with this problem, and it’s definitely only been happening to me since Tahoe. I’m surprised Apple hasn’t squashed this bug yet, but hopefully gaining more attention will shed some more light on it.
2025-12-18 08:31:06
Tim Goodman pops down the chimney again to reunite with Jason and discuss the Oscars on YouTube, finding balance in the TV review game, the rise of international content, episode deconstructions, “Pluribus,” and his top shows of the year.
2025-12-18 04:29:23
iPhone rumors — under-glass Face ID and a foldable, the iMac Pro’s possible return and our ideal pro Mac lineup, automations that solve problems, and what we do when the power goes out.
2025-12-18 03:04:57
Harry McCracken of Fast Company has a great, in-depth story about how Apple is working with filmmakers and other creators to help them build more immersive content for the Vision Pro:
…much of the progress the Vision Pro has made hasn’t stemmed from the routine tick-tock of software and hardware updates. Apple has also been throwing itself into the equally vital work of getting third-party developers and creators to build experiences that will help the rest of us understand what, exactly, its headset is good for. That was the goal of a Vision Pro developer event the company held at its Cupertino campus in late October.
I wrote a little about this event at the time, and met some of the creators Harry interviewed for his story, which really captures the current state of Apple’s immersive content evangelism.
2025-12-17 06:42:48
Last week Apple released 26.2 updates to its operating systems, and if you’re on the 26 train, you should install .2 because it includes a bunch of security updates including some zero-days.
In its list of security update details, Apple credits a bunch of security researchers for discovering the issues. Among them is Rosyna Keller of Totally Not Malicious software—fantastic name—who found bugs in MediaExperience, Messages, and Telephony. Keller says that the Messages fix alone is worth updating to iOS 26.2, or if you’re still on iOS 18, updating to iOS 18.7.3.
Related: Due to health and other reasons, Keller has fallen on hard times and apparently hasn’t been compensated by Apple for the security reports. There’s a GoFundMe campaign to help the long-time Mac developer.
