O'Grady's PowerPage

  • Nvidia’s Ultimate GeForce Now streaming tier allows for up to 120Hz refresh rates on Apple’s M5-based Vision Pro headset

    Nvidia’s Ultimate GeForce Now streaming tier allows for up to 120Hz refresh rates on Apple’s M5-based Vision Pro headset

    You may not own an Apple Vision Pro or have plans to snag one in the near future, but it appears that Nvidia and Apple are still working hand in hand to make it a nifty gaming device.

    Per 9to5Mac, Nvidia’s most expensive game streaming plan now supports 90 frames per second gameplay on Apple Vision Pro. GeForce Now also streams at a higher resolution for Vision Pro compared to other headsets.

    The new M5-based Apple Vision Pro now supports up to 120Hz refresh rates, while the original M2-based Apple Vision Pro offered up to 100MHz refresh rates.

    From Nvidia’s end, the streaming rate for its GeForce Now gaming application is streamed at 60Hz for its free and Performance ($10/month) tiers. However, the Ultimate ($20/month) tier increases the streaming rate to 90Hz. This allows Apple Vision Pro gamers to enjoy higher resolutions compared to Quest and Pico VR headset users.

    UploadVR offered the following comment on the difference:

    “…the $20/month Ultimate tier renders at up to 4K 240 FPS and now streams at 90FPS, with quadruple the vCPU and RAM of the free tier and an RTX 5080 equivalent GPU handling rendering for some titles, with an RTX 4080 for other less demanding ones.
    On the default Balanced quality mode, the Ultimate tier will stream to headsets at 1080p 90FPS by default. By switching to Custom mode, you can increase this to 1440p 90FPS on Quest and Pico, or 4K 90FPS on Apple Vision Pro headsets.”

    For flight simulation fans, X-Plane, the “world’s most advanced flight simulator”, will work with Apple Vision Pro, starting with visionOS 26.4, and iRacing will join.

    GeForce Now brings game streaming to Apple Vision Pro as well as the Mac for titles otherwise unavailable on either platform.

    Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

    Via 9to5Mac and UploadVR

  • Apple urges users running iOS 13 or iOS 14 to upgrade to iOS 15 or later, cites possible exploit issues

    Apple urges users running iOS 13 or iOS 14 to upgrade to iOS 15 or later, cites possible exploit issues

    If you don’t love upgrading your version of iOS, you may have to bite the bullet this time.

    Apple on Thursday urged iPhone users who are running iOS 13 or iOS 14 to upgrade to iOS 15 to protect themselves from being hacked through malicious web content.

    Via a support document, the company cited a series of iOS exploit kits known as “Coruna” and “DarkSword” that are in the wild which can take advantage of vulnerabilities in iOS 13 through iOS 17.2.1.

    “If your iPhone doesn’t have the latest software, update iOS to protect your data,” Apple noted.

    Apple has recently been more responsive with its security updates over the last several months, and users who have already upgraded to the latest versions of iOS available for their devices are generally safe from malicious websites and links. Apple has adviced that running iOS 15 through iOS 26 can be regarded as safe from these exploits.

    Apple released new iOS 15 and iOS 16 updates on March 11 to address the security issue, and Apple says that devices still on iOS 13 or iOS 14 need to upgrade to iOS 15 for protection from the hacking tool. iPhone users running an outdated version of iOS will get an additional alert to install a Critical Security Update in the next few days.

    Users who are unable to update their devices can alternatively turn on Lockdown Mode, which will offer protection from the attacks on out-of-date software. Lockdown Mode is available in iOS 16 or later, and it works by blocking hacking vectors like images in Messages and malicious websites.

    Apple’s Lockdown Mode is generally designed for users who are at risk of high-end, state-sponsored attacks, and this mode isn’t for the everyday iOS user. The exploits in question have been used in Ukraine, China, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Malaysia, and they are effective against anyone running an older version of iOS.

    Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

    Via MacRumors and support.apple.com

  • Apple distributes macOS Tahoe 26.4 Release Candidate build to developer and public beta tester communities

    Apple distributes macOS Tahoe 26.4 Release Candidate build to developer and public beta tester communities

    If you’re hankering for the next macOS update, you don’t have long to wait.

    Apple has redistributed its Release Candidate build for its macOS Tahoe 26.4 operating system to its developer and public beta tester communities.

    The existence of an RC build means a public release is happening soon, though not necessarily immediately. There’s also no guarantee that there will be just one release candidate, as second builds have also been posted in the past.

    As usual, if you’re feeling brave and are part of a tester community, you can download and install the Release Candidate build. For other users wanting a less risky experience, Apple typically brings out a public beta version of its updates shortly after the developer counterpart.

    If you’ve had a chance to try the macOS Tahoe 26.4 Release Candidate, please let us know about your experience in the comments.

    Via AppleInsider and beta.apple.com

  • Apple releases change log for forthcoming iOS 26.4, iPadOS 26.4 updates

    Apple releases change log for forthcoming iOS 26.4, iPadOS 26.4 updates

    If you’re curious as to what changes to expect with the release of Apple’s iOS 26.4 and iPadOS 26.4 updates, Apple may have just disclosed them. The company, which distributed Release Candidate versions of the software updates, offered the following change logs:

    “Apple Music:

    • Playlist Playground (beta) generates a playlist from your description, complete with a title, description, and tracklist
    • Concerts helps you discover nearby shows from artists in your library and recommends new artists based on what you listen to
    • Offline Music Recognition in Control Center identifies songs without an internet connection and delivers results automatically when you’re back online
    • Ambient Music widget for Sleep, Chill, Productivity, and Wellbeing brings curated playlists to the Home Screen
    • Full screen backgrounds give album and playlist pages a more immersive look

    Accessibility

    • Reduce bright effects setting minimizes bright flashes when tapping on elements like buttons
    • Subtitle and caption settings are available from the captions icon while viewing media, making them easier to find, customize, and preview
    • Reduce Motion setting more reliably reduces the animations of Liquid Glass for users sensitive to on screen motion

    This update also includes the following enhancements:

    • 8 new emoji including an orca, trombone, landslide, ballet dancer, and distorted face are available in the emoji keyboard
    • Freeform gains advanced image creation and editing tools, and a premium content library, joining Apple Creator Studio
    • Mark reminders as urgent from the Quick Toolbar or by touching and holding, and filter for urgent reminders in your Smart Lists
    • Purchase Sharing lets adult members in Family Sharing groups use their own payment method when making purchases, without relying on the family organizer
    • Improved keyboard accuracy when typing quickly

    For information on the security content of Apple software updates, please visit:
    https://support.apple.com/100100

    Some features may not be available in all regions or on all iPhone models. To learn more, please visit: https://www.apple.com/ios/feature-availability/.

    Software updates, like this one, add new features and improvements that may affect performance and/or battery life. To learn more, please visit:
    https://support.apple.com/125039
    iOS 26.4 is likely to see a launch next Monday or Tuesday, ahead of when Apple begins accepting orders for the AirPods Max 2.”

    Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

    Via MacRumors

  • Apple releases Background Security Improvement update for macOS, iOS, and iPadOS, focuses on WebKit vulnerability

    Apple releases Background Security Improvement update for macOS, iOS, and iPadOS, focuses on WebKit vulnerability

    This could definitely come in handy.

    Apple on Tuesday released the first public Background Security Improvement for iPhone, iPad, and Mac.

    The four available versions are as follows:

    • iOS 26.3.1 (a)
    • iPadOS 26.3.1 (a)
    • macOS 26.3.1 (a)
    • macOS 26.3.2 (a)

    Apple has described the changes as a patch for its WebKit architecture:

    Impact: Processing maliciously crafted web content may bypass Same Origin Policy

    Description: A cross-origin issue in the Navigation API was addressed with improved input validation.

    Before today’s first public release, Apple released multiple sample Background Security Improvement updates to test the system.

    Apple noted that the fix is designed to improve the security of the WebKit framework stack for its Safari web browser, as well as other system libraries that benefit from smaller, ongoing security patches between software updates.

    The update can be installed via the following directions:

    • On iPhone and iPad: Go to Settings, then tap Privacy & Security.
    • On Mac: From Apple menu , choose System Settings. Then click Privacy & Security.

    Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

    Via 9to5Mac and support.apple.com