Jurang Tayo

Sabtu, 12 Oktober 2019

Why macOS Catalina is breaking so many apps, and what to do about it - The Verge

Apple’s latest Mac update, macOS Catalina, was released earlier this week, and with it came a flurry of complications both minor and major.

For one, this update is the first for Apple to drop 32-bit application support, which is causing all sorts of headaches for users of smaller apps, plug-ins, and other software that may not be updated for quite some time or may have been created by a company that no longer exists. There are also a fair number of other issues with Catalina, like Adobe software incompatibility problems and unforeseen hurdles related to the removal of iTunes.

That leads us to a series of important questions for Mac users who may be at risk of having important workflows disrupted by Catalina. What exactly might go wrong if you do upgrade? Should you upgrade now, and what should you do before pulling the trigger? Or should you hold off for now, and if so, what’s the best way to do that and also monitor when it might be safe to make the jump?

What’s wrong with Catalina so far?

Apple first announced that it would ultimately wind down support for 32-bit apps more than a year and a half ago, when it began pushing alerts to macOS High Sierra users that 32-bit software was “unsupported.” The apps still worked, but with Catalina’s official unveiling back in June at WWDC, Apple made the eventual discontinuation official. With the launch of Catalina, 32-bit apps no longer function.

That has resulted in some understandably messy problems. For instance, legacy versions of Adobe products like Photoshop use some 32-bit licensing components and installers, meaning they won’t work after you upgrade. Not even Adobe’s uninstaller will work post-Catalina upgrade because that, too, is a 32-bit component.

Adobe recommends you not update your Mac if you rely on this older, pre-Creative Cloud version of Photoshop or Lightroom. It also says that, even if you do upgrade, you should probably uninstall that software first or else it will be difficult to get rid of once its rendered inoperable.

Other popular pieces of software ensnared by this 32- to 64-bit transition include older versions of Microsoft Office, numerous legacy versions of Mac apps like GarageBand, and discontinued apps like iPhoto. For those who do play games on a Mac, it’s likely quite a few are 32-bit and there’s no way to salvage them after upgrading to Catalina.

Over at The Tape Drive, Apple blogger Steve Moser has compiled a list of 235 apps and counting that aren’t supported in Catalina. That includes some versions of Transmit, 1Password, QuickBooks, VMWare Fusion, and Parallels.

But the issues extend beyond the loss 32-bit app support. Due to incompatibility issues, even newer versions of Photoshop installed and managed using Creative Cloud are having file naming issues, plug-in verification problems, and video rendering hiccups. Adobe says on its support page for the issue that droplets, ExtendScript Toolkit, and Lens Profile Creator will flat-out fail to run.

Because Catalina marks the official end of iTunes as a standalone app, third-party apps that relied on iTunes as a repository for music files and for the features it offered for linking with other software are also running into issues. This has mainly affected DJ apps like Rekordbox and Traktor that offer the ability to sync XML files generated from iTunes, which breaks that link between the software and DJs’ music libraries, a feature crucial for live performances. For those who depend on that software, Apple is telling them not to upgrade to Catalina, either.

There are bound to be more issues that pop up as more users upgrade to Catalina and run into new, unforeseen issues. But for now, if any of the above mentioned pieces of software are vital to your job or your daily computer use, it’s likely a good idea to hold off on upgrading.

Should you upgrade now?

If you do want to upgrade, there are some easy ways to figure out if your machine will be hit hard by the loss of 32-bit support. Apple has gone out of its way to ensure that when you do choose to install the new OS, you’ll be made aware of the software installed on your machine that won’t be supported post-update.

But if you want to do that ahead of time, before downloading Catalina and getting to the final stages of the install process, you can use Spotlight search on your Mac to open the System Information tool. From there, scroll down to “Software” and click on “Legacy Software.” At the top of the window you’ll find all the software that will become inoperable once Catalina is installed. On my work machine, it was only one app — an old piece of software for recording Skype calls. But on my home machine, a years-old Mac mini, I have loads of legacy software.

I have an old version of Microsoft Office on that machine, a 32-bit version of Valve’s Steam launcher I never uninstalled, and what appears to be old versions of iMovie and pre-Creative Cloud Adobe apps. I’m using my Creative Cloud subscription on this machine, so I can uninstall that Adobe software. But had I not heeded Adobe’s warning to do so pre-Catalina, the company says I would have had to resort to using its manual cleanup tool, which can be annoying to troubleshoot and time-consuming to perform.

The question of whether you should upgrade largely rests on whether you’re okay taking the risk that some apps might no longer function or you might run into issues you were unaware of even in supported 64-bit software.

If you’re like me, you don’t use highly specialized apps and you’re not using a four- or five-year-old Mac. You mostly use your newish laptop or desktop for web browsing, general productivity stuff (calendar, notes, file management, etc.), light media creation, and editing and writing. In that scenario, upgrading to Catalina is reasonable and likely won’t cause you too much trouble.

Why you might want to hold off

There are plenty of reasons not to upgrade to Catalina. Apple says the OS will run on computers from as far back as 2012, but that, of course, means you may have tons of 32-bit software lying around that you use from time to time without realizing it.

Forgoing those apps just to use Catalina is, in my option, not worth it when the upgrades you’re getting are mostly centered on new devices. For instance, you can’t use the new Sidecar mirroring feature without a Skylake Mac and a newer iPad.

Another reason why you may want to hold off on upgrading is if you’re a creative professional, someone who uses Photoshop or any of the above mentioned music software affected by the iTunes removal. It’s always safer to work on a machine that’s integrated into your existing workflow, instead of risking breaking something and hitting a roadblock on a project that has a due date.

As The Verge’s Dieter Bohn argues in an article aptly titled, “You don’t need to update your operating system right away,” consumers, and especially Apple fans, have been lulled into a sense of complacency over software updates because of how stable the mobile variety have typically been. He calls it a low-risk, high-reward decision to update a new app or move to the latest version of iOS because, while you might run into a bug here or there, you do get access to cool new features, nice wallpapers, and generally speedy third-party app adoption of new capabilities.

The same is not true for the Mac, which as a much more open platform, can involve more complications, and carries a higher risk in the event of a serious bug or incompatibility issue. “You probably depend on your Mac or PC for ‘real work,’ and so updating on day one could threaten that real work — literally threaten your livelihood,” Bohn writes. “It’s better to wait and see how things shake out, to let other people experience the problems and report them.”

In the event you do end up holding out, there is one thing you’ll want to do: head over to Settings, click Software Update, and uncheck the box for “Automatically keep my Mac up to date.” That will ensure that your Mac doesn’t try to sneakily install the update on your behalf. Most Mac users have this box checked by default, so you’ll have to manually turn off the setting to avoid a forced Catalina install.

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https://www.theverge.com/2019/10/12/20908567/apple-macos-catalina-breaking-apps-32-bit-support-how-to-prepare-avoid-update

2019-10-12 12:00:00Z
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Pixel 4 fully detailed by Best Buy Canada with specs, comparison, and pre-order - 9to5Google

Despite the official announcement being on Tuesday, Best Buy in Canada has already listed the Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL for pre-order. A dedicated product page notes the key features and specs, while also allowing buyers to place a deposit.

The official marketing copy for the Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL heavily emphasizes that this is a phone by Google:

Built around the helpful Google software you know and love, Pixel 4 is a phone made the Google way.

There are four “Pixel perfect” bullet points. Starting with the camera, Google touts the “software in Pixel 4” as helping you take “studio-like photos anywhere” in a point-and-shoot manner. The redesigned Google Camera 7.1 with a cleaner interface is shown off.

There’s nothing new to learn and no editing required. Just point at what you want to capture, and your Pixel will help you get a fantastic shot, every time.

The next photography highlight suggests unlimited “original quality” storage in Google Photos, but oddly shows a Pixel 3a that only offers “high quality” compressed backups not at full resolution.

Meanwhile, Quick Gestures through Soli are touted as a “new way to control your phone.”

Pixel 4 has Quick Gestures, letting you get things done without having to touch your phone. Which is actually pretty great for when you’re cooking or enjoying your favourite tacos.

The last point is Assistant, which is accessible via Active Edge or the Hey Google hotword. There is no explicit reference to the next-generation Assistant, though the functionality is referenced: “Send texts, get directions, and even plan your day, all from the palm of your hand.”

Full specifications are listed with a direct comparison to the Google Pixel 3 XL. The dual-rear cameras come in at 12 and 16MP with 4K video capture, while there is a 8MP front-facer for 1080p. The 90Hz “Smooth Display” is found on the 5.7-inch Full HD+ or 6.3-inch Quad HD+ OLED. There is a 900 mAh difference between the 2,800 mAh Pixel 4 and 3,700 mAh 4 XL. Also confirmed is the Snapdragon 855 with 6GB of RAM, though only the 64GB capacity is available for pre-order. It should also be available in 128GB.

This Pixel 4 specs leak by Best Buy will likely be removed, but customers this evening are able to place a CAD$50 deposit to reserve a unit at a local store from six different carriers. The Canadian retailer offers Just Black and Clearly White, but not Oh So Orange. While the full price is not listed here, details have previously leaked.

Thanks Ricky!

Check out 9to5Google on YouTube for more news:

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2019-10-12 06:12:00Z
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Blizzard: Chinese interests "had no influence" on Blitzchung ban - GamesIndustry.biz

Hearthstone developer reduces punishments for pro player's support of Hong Kong protesters as president J. Allen Brack insists response would have been the same to pro-China views

On Friday evening, Blizzard Entertainment president J. Allen Brack released a statement in response to a week of ongoing criticism from players, developers, and even politicians over its decision to ban pro Hearthstone player Chung "Blitzchung" Ng Wai and strip him of earned prize money for supporting Hong Kong protesters in a post-match interview this week.

"Our esports programs are an expression of our vision and our values," Brack said. "Esports exist to create opportunities for players from around the world, from different cultures, and from different backgrounds, to come together to compete and share their passion for gaming. It is extremely important to us to protect these channels and the purpose they serve: to bring the world together through epic entertainment, celebrate our players, and build diverse and inclusive communities."

Given the enormous success Activision Blizzard has enjoyed in mainland China and the nearly 5% ownership stake Chinese gaming giant Tencent owns in the publisher, the punishment handed down for Blitzchung has largely been interpreted as a way to avoid threatening the company's Chinese business interests. In its statement, Blizzard insisted that wasn't the case.

"The specific views expressed by Blitzchung were NOT a factor in the decision we made," Brack said. "I want to be clear: our relationships in China had no influence on our decision. We have these rules to keep the focus on the game and on the tournament to the benefit of a global audience, and that was the only consideration in the actions we took. If this had been the opposing viewpoint delivered in the same divisive and deliberate way, we would have felt and acted the same."

Despite that, Blizzard did reduce the punishments, with Brack saying that "In hindsight, our process wasn't adequate, and we reacted too quickly." Brack said Blitzchung would receive the prize money he had earned after all, and his ban from the Hearthstone pro circuit has been reduced from one year to six months.

"There is a consequence for taking the conversation away from the purpose of the event and disrupting or derailing the broadcast," Brack said after detailing the lessened penalties.

As for the broadcasters who were interviewing Blitzchung, Blizzard initially severed ties to them, but Brack said the company is suspending them for six months instead because "their purpose is to keep the event focused on the tournament" and that didn't happen in this case.

"Moving forward, we will continue to apply tournament rules to ensure our official broadcasts remain focused on the game and are not a platform for divisive social or political views," Brack said. "One of our goals at Blizzard is to make sure that every player, everywhere in the world, regardless of political views, religious beliefs, race, gender, or any other consideration always feels safe and welcome both competing in and playing our games."

Blizzard may have trouble trying to keep the focus on the games when the company's annual BlizzCon begins November 1. Kotaku reported today on multiple protest groups planning actions around the show, with organizers saying that Friday night's statement did little to change their plans.

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2019-10-12 05:10:05Z
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Jumat, 11 Oktober 2019

The Morning After: OnePlus unveils the 7T Pro - Engadget

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2019-10-11 13:14:08Z
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The Morning After: OnePlus unveils the 7T Pro - Engadget

But wait, there's more...

The Morning After is a new daily newsletter from Engadget designed to help you fight off FOMO. Who knows what you'll miss if you don't Subscribe.

Craving even more? Like us on Facebook or Follow us on Twitter.

Have a suggestion on how we can improve The Morning After? Send us a note.

In this article: av, entertainment, gadgetry, gadgets, gear, mobile, personal computing, personalcomputing, space, themorningafter, transportation

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https://www.engadget.com/2019/10/11/the-morning-after/

2019-10-11 11:17:17Z
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With Pixel 4, Google's experimental tech bets finally enter the spotlight - CNET

Google's Ivan Poupyrev unveiled the Project Soli chip in 2015.
James Martin/CNET

Amid a steady stream of leaks related to its upcoming Pixel 4 phone, Google released a "leak" of its own in July. The search giant posted a 22-second YouTube video of a woman in front of the new phone, waving her hands in the air to control the device from a few inches away. The video was accompanied by a blog post touting Google's radar technology, which the company has been developing since 2015.

The announcement wasn't surprising simply because tech giants usually guard marquee device features like state secrets. It was also notable because the new capability marks a big step for Google: One of its in-house experimental technologies is finally being released to a massive consumer market. And it's coming out on one of Google's most important devices -- a phone, a gadget that's as ubiquitous as they come.

On Tuesday, Google will formally introduce the Pixel 4 and its next generation of consumer devices at a splashy event in New York City. Among the expected new devices are updated versions of the Home Mini smart speaker and Wi-Fi router.

Google's Pixel phones aren't market leaders by any means. Samsung, Huawei and Apple are the most popular handset makers worldwide, according to IDC. Google's phones don't even crack the top five. Earlier this year, Chief Financial Officer Ruth Porat said on an earnings call that Pixel sales had dropped because of "recent pressures in the premium smartphone market," with customers bristling from the sticker shock of phones that cost more than $1,000. Sales have since rebounded with the addition of the budget Pixel 3A, unveiled in May.

Phone makers are also facing a difficult side effect of their success: Most premium phones are so well-made that people are holding onto them longer, and it's become harder to convince them of a compelling reason to upgrade every year. Google can use its hard-core engineering chops to try to get an edge, says Bob O'Donnell, principal analyst at Technalysis Research.

"We're in an environment where phones are so incredibly similar," O'Donnell said. "You need something to stand out."

Google began developing its radar tech, called Project Soli, four years ago in the search giant's Advanced Technology and Projects unit, or ATAP. The division, which operated like Google's version of DARPA, was responsible for experimental hardware. It was even led by former DARPA head Regina Dugan. The unit worked on several ambitious initiatives, including modular phones, augmented reality tablets and sensor-infused clothing.

ATAP's progress was rocky. Google eventually pulled the plug on the modular phone project, in 2016. The fate of the division was left uncertain when Dugan departed that year for a similar effort at Facebook (she's since left Facebook, too).

Google also restructured its hardware operation in 2016. As part of the reorganization, ATAP's autonomy was scaled back and the unit was placed within a new hardware division under Rick Osterloh, an industry veteran from Motorola, that Google tapped to lead its recalibrated consumer device efforts.

Since then, Google has slowly made good on some of its experimental hardware bets. Soli isn't the only ATAP project that's found its way to consumers. Two years ago, Google partnered with Levi's on a jean jacket equipped with Jacquard technology, the clothing-sensor project. Google followed up this year with a new version of the jacket, as well as a smart bag made by Yves Saint Laurent.

Google's Pixel 3 phones, released last year.

Angela Lang/CNET

While those are still niche products, the Soli-powered Pixel 4 has the ability to reach a new mainstream audience. And it could just be the beginning for the technology.

Last month, fake renderings of what was purported to be the new version of the Google Home were circulated to tech journalists. (CNET received the photos but didn't publish them.) The hoax renderings included a circular screen, a removable charging dock and a Soli logo that indicated it had radar technology built in, just like the Pixel 4.

Though the photos were bogus, the move to include gesture controls in home products would make sense, says O'Donnell, the analyst. That's especially true as voice software, like Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa, faces more scrutiny for privacy issues. A hand wave, O'Donnell points out, can't really be transcribed or accidentally give up sensitive information, though it could open up another can of privacy concerns as the company starts to focus on physical movement.

Though the feature is first coming to the Pixel, the technology could be more appealing in smart displays, says Frank Gillett, an analyst at Forrester. So if you're cooking in the kitchen, you could wave your hand in front of the screen rather than smear it with your messy fingers. Or if you're sitting on the couch watching TV, you could use your hand as a remote.

"This event is really a chance for them to lay out that vision," Gillett said.

The self-leaked Soli phone may've just been a teaser for next week's event. But it might also provide a broader indication of what's to come.

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https://www.cnet.com/news/with-pixel-4-googles-experimental-tech-bets-finally-enter-the-spotlight/

2019-10-11 12:00:11Z
CBMiYmh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmNuZXQuY29tL25ld3Mvd2l0aC1waXhlbC00LWdvb2dsZXMtZXhwZXJpbWVudGFsLXRlY2gtYmV0cy1maW5hbGx5LWVudGVyLXRoZS1zcG90bGlnaHQv0gFtaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuY25ldC5jb20vZ29vZ2xlLWFtcC9uZXdzL3dpdGgtcGl4ZWwtNC1nb29nbGVzLWV4cGVyaW1lbnRhbC10ZWNoLWJldHMtZmluYWxseS1lbnRlci10aGUtc3BvdGxpZ2h0Lw

Jurang Tayo

Sabtu, 12 Oktober 2019

Why macOS Catalina is breaking so many apps, and what to do about it - The Verge

What’s wrong with Catalina so far?

Should you upgrade now?

Why you might want to hold off

Pixel 4 fully detailed by Best Buy Canada with specs, comparison, and pre-order - 9to5Google

Blizzard: Chinese interests "had no influence" on Blitzchung ban - GamesIndustry.biz

Hearthstone developer reduces punishments for pro player's support of Hong Kong protesters as president J. Allen Brack insists response would have been the same to pro-China views

Jumat, 11 Oktober 2019

The Morning After: OnePlus unveils the 7T Pro - Engadget

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The Morning After: OnePlus unveils the 7T Pro - Engadget

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With Pixel 4, Google's experimental tech bets finally enter the spotlight - CNET

Microsoft's leaner Windows 10 update process begins with new patch - Engadget

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