Mac OS X 10.7 Lion has arrived, and Apple also took the opportunity to release new MacBook Air and Mac mini models, along with the new Thunderbolt Display and a slew of software updates. We’re devoting pretty much the entire issue to Lion and Apple’s new hardware, along with Michael Cohen’s report on Apple’s record-breaking Q3 2011 financial results and a quick note about an iOS security update. After the basics, we also go in depth, with Glenn Fleishman reporting on which Mac models work with AirDrop, Adam explaining how to deal with Lion’s hidden Library folder, and the entire staff collaborating to share our favorite hidden features in Lion. Of course, for all the details about Lion, check out our “Take Control of Upgrading to Lion” and “Take Control of Using Lion,” which provide over 300 pages of essential tips, tricks, and advice. Notable software releases this week include Safari 5.1 and 5.0.6, Windows Migration Assistant for OS X Lion 1.0, Server Admin Tools 10.7, iTunes 10.4, Java for OS X Lion, iWork 9.1, Apple Remote Desktop 3.5 Admin, SuperDuper 2.6.4, Things 1.5.0, MenuMeters 1.5, Cyberduck 4.1, Sparrow 1.3.1, Fantastical 1.0.3, and SpamSieve 2.8.6.
Apple has now made Mac OS X Lion available from the Mac App Store for $29.99. A new bit of information is Apple’s promise of a $69 version of Lion on a USB thumb drive that will be available from the Apple Store in August.
As promised, our final versions of Joe Kissell’s “Take Control of Upgrading to Lion” and Matt Neuburg’s “Take Control of Using Lion” are available now that Apple has released Mac OS X 10.7 Lion. Together, they can help you avoid the claws that catch and the jaws that bite!
Apple has released the Migration Assistant Update for Snow Leopard, which eliminates a bug that could prevent the migration of your data from an old Mac running Snow Leopard to a new one running Lion. Get it before upgrading to Lion.
Apple’s latest revision of its low-end desktop Mac eliminates the internal optical drive but adds faster CPUs, a discrete graphics option, and faster CPUs, along with a Thunderbolt port.
Apple’s new MacBook Air models feature notably faster processors and a backlit keyboard, along with a Thunderbolt port, all for the same price points. What’s not to like, other than the demise of the white MacBook?
Apple has updated its only external display to rely on Thunderbolt connections. It includes a Thunderbolt port for chaining compatible devices and displays, and for the first time offers a built-in Ethernet port to provide wired networking to the MacBook Air. It’s scheduled to ship in 6 to 8 weeks.
iOS updates close an SSL-related security vulnerability that could enable protected communications to be captured or modified by someone on the same network.
Apple announced the highest quarterly revenues ($28.6 billion) and earnings ($7.3 billion) in the company’s history, new quarterly records for iPhone and iPad sales, and a new June quarter record for Mac sales.
AirDrop is advertised as a major new feature in Lion, but to get it to work, you need the right model of relatively recent Mac.
Apple has decided that the user-level Library folder should be hidden from view in Lion. But you don’t need to let that decision slow you down, and if you’re a developer, you shouldn’t let it cause you to put application support files in the user’s Documents folder.
You’ve seen Apple’s Web pages about what’s new in Mac OS X Lion, but much more lurks within the Lion’s den. Here are a few of our favorite features that you might not stumble across on your own.
Notable software releases this week include Safari 5.1 and 5.0.6, Windows Migration Assistant for OS X Lion 1.0, Server Admin Tools 10.7, iTunes 10.4, Java for OS X Lion, iWork 9.1, Apple Remote Desktop 3.5 Admin, SuperDuper 2.6.4, Things 1.5.0, MenuMeters 1.5, Cyberduck 4.1, Sparrow 1.3.1, Fantastical 1.0.3, and SpamSieve 2.8.6.
Lion dominated our lives last week, with Adam guesting on the Tech Night Owl Live, Matt looking at Lion’s new features on MacVoices, and Glenn writing an article for Macworld about upgrading at an Apple Store. Plus, don’t miss John Siracusa’s Lion review at Ars Technica. But there were a few non-Lion-related items worth noting, such as Boomerang for Gmail’s release, counterfeit Apple retail stores appearing in China, and Chris Breen’s look at the Spotify music service.