Today has seen another round of software updates from Apple. In addition to iOS 12.3, Apple has released macOS Mojave 10.14.5, watchOS 5.2.1, and tvOS 12.3.
The macOS Mojave 10.14.5 update appears to focus on under-the-hood bug fixes and performance improvements, with the only notable change being adding support for the Reiwa era of the Japanese calendar.
tvOS 12.3 includes the revamped Apple TV app that Apple debuted at its services-focused event in March.
The upgraded TV app offers better integration of bundle providers including Spectrum and PlayStation Vue, and streaming apps like Hulu, and, as a result, a much improved user experience.
A new feature of the TV app is what Apple calls Channels, which are third-party video services that you can sign up for and watch content from without needing to leave the TV app. The channels available include CBS All Access, Starz, Showtime, HBO, Nickelodeon, Mubi, The History Channel Vault, and Comedy Central Now.
MacStories explains how channels differ from how integrated services worked previously in the TV app:
Channels work differently from how TV app-integrated services currently operate. Today, for example, if you find an HBO show in the TV app that you want to watch, you have to download the HBO app and sign up for HBO Now inside that app, then you can launch HBO content from the TV app and it will play inside HBO's own app – the TV app's only benefits are initiating playback and tracking your shows via the Up Next queue. When Channels launch, things will be much simpler for Channels-partnering services: when you find that HBO content you want to watch, you'll be able to sign up for HBO Now quickly and easily from inside the TV app and the video will play right from TV. There's no need to download or use a separate app at all.
The upgraded TV app uses curation and machine learning to recommend new shows and movies to you. It also includes a new tab that provides access to content appropriate for kids.
A Mac version of the TV app is coming this fall. It will also launch this year on Roku; Amazon video hardware; and selected televisions from Samsung, Sony, LG, and Vizio.
MacRumors previously reported that no changes were found in the early watchOS 5.2.1 beta releases, suggesting that as a double dot release the focus is on bug fixes and other under-the-hood performance improvements.
9to5Mac has since reported that watchOS 5.2.1 gives the Pride watch face introduced last year a new design. There's also a new Pride Analog watch face, with full screen and circular versions.
At the time of posting, the only accessibility-related change that we are aware of in these releases is the removal of the Accessibility Events switch introduced with macOS Mojave 10.14.4, with Apple saying that this is because “related aspects of the W3C AOM effort are no longer applicable.” It is unknown at this time whether the removal of this setting is permanent or temporary to allow Apple to put more in place to support this functionality.
If you identify any fixes, regressions or enhancements in your own use of today's releases, please do let us know by posting a comment below.
How to Update
To install macOS 10.14.5, choose System Preferences from the Apple menu, then click the Software Update preference pane to check for updates. If any updates are available, click the Update Now button to install them. Or click ”More info” to see details about each update and select specific updates to install.
watchOS 5.2.1 is available by going to the Watch app on your iPhone and navigating to General> Software Update. To install the update, your Watch must be connected to its charger and have at least 50% battery power.
To install tvOS 12.3 on Apple TV 4K or Apple TV (4th generation), go to Settings > System > Software Updates and Select Update Software. If there's an update, select Download and Install. Wait for your Apple TV to download the update. Don't disconnect or unplug your Apple TV until the update completes.
Comments
Apple watch
Nothing about OS for watch? Well I am downloading it.
VO sounds fixed?
Hi, just wondering if the web sounds for Safari have been fixed?
Warning: External DAW and Speakers Disconnected
HI. I'm running a Focusrite 4-pre with 2 external speakers off my iMac Pro. After updating to this new MacOS, and after getting past the usual annoying no speech problem updates cause on first restarting the computer, it immediately became apparent that my iMac Pro had completely forgotten all audio input and output systems preference sound settings involving my Focusrite. therefore, if you run external speakers off a DAW off your Mac, watch out. You, like me, may have to spend a few hours on the phone with Apple technical support to get your external speaker sound back.
Joy!
Bruce
Mac OS Fix
In mac OS 10.14.4. it was impossible to highlight the contents of the Safari address bar when using Voiceover. This appears to have been fixed.
what about the inturnal
what about the inturnal speakers?
Internal speakers work fine.
Internal speakers work fine. Also with external audio sources, everything is working fine on my end. I don't know what to say Bruce. Not sure what sorts of settings you've changed on your side of things when using external speakers, but external audio thru bluetooth is working fine on my side. Tested using Skullcandy Crusher bluetooth headphones.
OS for watch
Notice that in my apple faces, the timer is showing. Did not do so in the past. If I change faces I still see start stop watch. Do not want to see this in my face, Can I remove this from my face? Help.
Hi Matt
Internal speakers is the only option offered by system preferences>sound>output. Happily, the internal speakers work just fine. Unfortunately for me, though, I use the external speakers for 2 reasons: they are easier to hear and understand (I am hard of hearing); and, I use Logic Pro X for sound studio work.
Hi Justin
Thanks. My DAW and external speakers were functioning normally right up to the point I did the restart after the MacOS upgrade. After that, no sound from them, so I'm going on internal for now. Later, I will be calling Apple technical support, something I'm really not looking forward to because the last time I called them, it took 11 months, around 17 people and over 30 phone calls totally around 50 hours before my last issue was resolved.
Joy!
Bruce
Hello all, Not so sure if I
Hello all, Not so sure if I wanna upgrade just yet on my side of things as everything I do in the studio, I have hooked up to studio gear and other things. You all sure that you can't even see your devices in system prefs after a mac restart? If so, that's to bad as I was gunna upgrade but not so sure up to this point.
Hi Jonathan
You are wise. Here's my update:
1. system preferences>sound>output does recognize my external device if it is turned on.
2. Turning on my external device silences all speech output.
Bruce,
Bruce,
Just thought of something. I don't know if it'll work but maybe give it a go, or maybe you've already tried this. When in sound prefs, under output, turn off the external speaker, tab to the output device, turn speaker back on again, then try to arrow to the external speaker, it should start speaking thru it. If that doesn't work, maybe it's your device and it needs reset or something. Other than that, I have no other idea.
No issues here
Just thought I'd jump in and let you know that I have no such problems with my DAW setup after updating. I'm using a Digi 003 as my controller for Pro Tools and also as my audio interface, now also known as an Avid 003. I updated yesterday and everything's still working just fine here in regards to audio output.
@bruce perhaps you could try updating or reinstalling drivers for your audio interface, if you are using one that needs extra drivers..? Or try resetting SMC and PRAM, if you’re using a laptop. The last 2 suggestions can sometimes fix wierd issues like that... What kind of connection are you using? If e.g. USB, have you tried switching to another USB port on your computer, or tried with or without a powered USB hub? Tried another cable? Hmm... That's all I can think of right now! Hope you get that one fixed, cause no audio for us guys is pretty damned frustrating! :)
All Good on My End Thus far
My Mac just finished updating an hour or so ago. Haven't done much with this update yet, but everything seems to be clipping along just fine.
DAW/external speaker problem solved
Hi all. Thanks tons for your helpful advice. In the end, a quick call to Focusrite technical support resolved the problem. It turned out that the Focusrite Clarett 4-pre clock lost sync with my iMac Pro clock during the Mojave 10.14.5 update. Focusrite technical support immediately found and fixed the problem during what is probably the shortest, least painful call to any technical support I've ever had. Smile.
Joy!
Bruce
MacOS Mojave Audio Compatibility.
Hi everyone! If you're having audio issues with your Mac, whether desktop or laptop after updating to Mojave, you may want to check out the website I'm posting below. Apparently you need to give Mojave more permissions to access audio inputs, even the internal microphone gets affected with it. This is Apple's way of making sure your device isn't being used by third parties to eavesdrop on you and things like that. Anyway, here's the link should you want it. Just so you all know, I haven't upgraded to MacOS Mojave yet myself. My iMac is a Late 2014 model 27 inch with 5K Retina display with a 1TB Fusion Drive. I'm a little nervous to update as I'm wondering how APFS will be on it. As I'm an audio person myself, these audio issues also concern me, but this website seems to know what they're talking about.
https://www.pro-tools-expert.com/production-expert-1/2019/2/26/are-you-using-macos-1014-mojave-with-audio-applications-read-this-now