macOS Ventura 13.1 is out with new Freeform app and iCloud security updates

macOS Ventura

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After releasing a number of betas for builders and public testers, Apple has lastly launched macOS Ventura 13.1. It features a new app for groups referred to as Freeform, a brand new structure for HomeKit, and superior safety protections.

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

We bought our first glimpse of Freeform in October. Apple launched the app at WWDC 2022, though the corporate did not embody it within the preliminary launch of macOS Ventura. On the time, Apple stated the app would arrive “later this 12 months.”

Whereas people can use Freeform, the app is supposed extra for groups for collaborative brainstorming. It is a whiteboard app enabling a number of individuals to work on the identical concept or process concurrently in a shared working atmosphere.

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

One other new function in macOS Ventura is in HomeKit. It is designed to enhance the efficiency of sensible dwelling gadgets, however customers might want to meet some necessities.

For instance, the minimal requirement is all HomePods working software program model 16.2. Different merchandise, together with Apple Watch, Mac, and Apple TV, will want the latest software program updates.

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

Apple introduced in early December a couple of safety enhancements it is including to the newest working system updates. They embody iMessage Contact Key Verification, Safety Keys for Apple ID, and Superior Information Safety for iCloud.

With the optionally available iMessage Contact Key Verification, customers who allow it would get alerted if an attacker is ever capable of breach Apple’s servers and spy on messages between customers. Customers can examine a Contact Verification Code in individual, by way of 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 signal into their account with their Apple ID.

The third main function is Superior Information Safety for iCloud, which expands the corporate’s use of end-to-end encryption. Till now, solely sure Apple providers had this kind of encryption, comparable to well being knowledge, passwords, Apple Card transactions, and others.

When a person permits the function, the whole variety of knowledge classes protected utilizing end-to-end encryption rises to 23, together with iCloud Backup, Notes, Pictures, iCloud Drive, and different areas. The one main iCloud knowledge classes that aren’t coated are iCloud Mail, Contacts, and Calendar due to the necessity to work with the worldwide e-mail, contacts, and calendar methods.

Customers can discover a full technical overview of the optionally available safety enhancements supplied by Superior Information Safety in Apple’s Platform Safety Information.