MacRumors

Apple has shared a new support document that indicates kernel extensions — which it calls "legacy system extensions" — will not be compatible with a future version of macOS because they "aren't as secure or reliable as modern alternatives."

System extensions are a category of software that works in the background to extend the functionality of your Mac. Some apps install kernel extensions, which are a kind of system extension that works using older methods that aren't as secure or reliable as modern alternatives. Your Mac identifies these as legacy system extensions.

Starting in macOS 10.15.4, released this week, a warning will now appear when a kernel extension first loads, and again periodically while the extension remains in use. Users began noticing the warning during beta testing.

Apple says it began informing developers that macOS Catalina will be the last macOS to fully support kernel extensions in 2019, adding that it has been working with developers to transition their software. A final transition date has not yet been set, but some developers are assuming that kernel extensions will be deprecated in macOS 10.16.

Apps with kernel extensions will continue to work in macOS Catalina.

"By moving beyond these extensions, developers are helping to further modernize the Mac, improve its security and reliability, and enable more user-friendly software distribution methods," the support document reads.

One affected app is Malwarebytes, which said that "a significant percentage of our total support case volume" was related to the new kernel extension warning less than 24 hours after the public release of macOS 10.15.4.

Malwarebytes director Thomas Reed said Apple has a new EndpointSecurity framework as a replacement for kernel extensions:

We are aware of this, and have been working on replacing our kernel extension since late last year. We plan to replace it with Apple's new EndpointSecurity framework before the release of macOS 10.16, when it is assumed that kernel extensions will no longer work, in part or in full. (We only know that Apple has said they "will not work without compromise" in "a future version of macOS." But we'd rather not find out the hard way exactly what that means.)

The kernel extension will continue to be supported for macOS 10.14 (Mojave) and earlier, but macOS 10.15 (and later) will no longer need it, once we have an update available.

So, no need to panic. We've still got your back, and won't let your protection falter. All you've got to do is make sure you're keeping Malwarebytes for Mac up-to-date. If you have updated to at least version 4.2, and have not disabled the new auto-update feature, it'll update itself in the background without you needing to do anything. To ensure you're up-to-date, just open Malwarebytes and choose Check for Updates from the Malwarebytes menu.

Technical details for developers are available in an Apple document titled "Deprecated Kernel Extensions and System Extension Alternatives."

Apple has shared two new support documents that outline how to connect and use a Bluetooth mouse or trackpad with compatible iPad models, including all iPad Pro models, the iPad Air 2 or later, the fifth-generation iPad or later, and the iPad mini 4 or later.

Connecting a Bluetooth mouse, standalone trackpad, or keyboard with a built-in trackpad to an iPad requires iPadOS 13.4, released Tuesday. Apple's own Magic Keyboard, Magic Trackpad 2, and Magic Mouse 2 can be used, as can third-party options like Logitech's new trackpad keyboards for the 10.5-inch iPad Air and 10.2-inch iPad.

Apple explains how to connect and disconnect Bluetooth accessories, adjust mouse and trackpad settings, customize the cursor, and more.

Apple will be releasing its own Magic Keyboard case with a built-in trackpad in May for 2018 and later iPad Pro models, and we have put together a guide with everything you need to know. Ahead of time, we've also shared a hands-on video showing how trackpad functionality works on an iPad Pro using Apple's Magic Trackpad 2.

When available, the Magic Keyboard case will cost $299 for the 11-inch iPad Pro and $349 for the 12.9-inch iPad Pro in the United States.

Apple on Tuesday released firmware version 2.2.2 for its Pro Display XDR, adding support for customized reference modes. The feature also requires macOS 10.15.4 and is reflected in the release notes for the update.

In a new support document, Apple says advanced users can create customized reference modes tailored to unique workflow needs by selecting from several color gamut, white point, luminance, and transfer function options.

When a firmware update is available for the Pro Display XDR, you may be prompted to restart to apply the update. Otherwise, the update is applied the next time the display is disconnected and reconnected to a Mac or power supply. To check the firmware version of your display, click on the Apple logo > About This Mac > System Report > Graphics/Displays.

Priced at $4,999, the Pro Display XDR is a 32-inch 6K monitor with a P3 wide color gamut and true 10-bit color support, 1,600 nits of peak brightness, a 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio, and a super-wide, off-axis viewing angle. It is compatible with the 2019 Mac Pro, 2018 and later 15-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro, 2020 MacBook Air, and 2019 iMac models.

Firmware 2.2.2 for the Pro Display XDR also includes minor stability improvements.

Apple Stores may be closed outside of China, but today is still launch day for the new iPad Pro, with the first online orders beginning to arrive to customers around the world. The photo below was shared by a MacRumors reader from Manchester, England.

If you are patiently waiting for your new iPad Pro to arrive in the mail, be sure to participate in the order status thread in the MacRumors forums.

The new iPad Pro features an A12Z Bionic chip with faster graphics performance, an Ultra Wide camera for 0.5x zoom, a LiDAR Scanner for enhanced augmented reality, better sounding microphones, and compatibility with Apple's upcoming Magic Keyboard with a built-in trackpad. Pricing continues to start at $799 for the 11-inch model with 128GB of storage, while the 12.9-inch model begins at $999.

Online orders placed today on Apple.com are currently estimated for delivery in mid April, but Apple said select retailers will be carrying the new iPad Pro as of this week in regions where businesses are still open.

For more on the new iPad Pro, we have shared a reviews roundup and unboxing videos.

Adobe is in the process of inviting users to beta test its upcoming Illustrator app for the iPad, according to a MacRumors reader and Twitter users.

Illustrator for iPad is designed with an emphasis on Multi-Touch and the Apple Pencil as input methods, and the app also takes advantage of the iPad's hardware, including the camera system. For instance, you can take a picture of a hand-drawn sketch and the app will help you transform it into vector shapes. Files are saved in Adobe's Creative Cloud, so you can start a project on the iPad and continue on the desktop, or vice versa.

Adobe has committed to launch Illustrator for iPad in 2020, but it has yet to provide a specific release date. Users can sign up for early access here.

Illustrator for iPad will follow the release of Photoshop for iPad last year.

Apple's iPhone factories in India are closing temporarily, after the Indian government ordered the country's population of 1.3 billion people to stay at home for at least three weeks in a bid to reduce the spread of coronavirus.

The factories in India have suspended production until at least April 14 following the nationwide lockdown ordered by President by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. As reported by Bloomberg:

Foxconn and Wistron Corp. have suspended production at their India plants, which include the assembly of some Apple Inc. iPhone models, in order to comply with a nationwide lockdown ordered by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Foxconn, also known as Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., is suspending operations until April 14, the company said in a text message to Bloomberg News. It intends to resume India production based on further government announcements. A Wistron representative said the company is also adhering to the order, while declining to comment on exactly what products are affected.

The 21-day lockdown was announced by Modi via a televised address to the nation on Tuesday evening. "For a few days forget what it means to go out. Today's decision of a nationwide lockdown draws a line outside your home," the PM said.

Wistron's new plant in India was poised to assemble printed circuit boards (PCBs) for iPhones in April, a first for the Taiwanese contract manufacturer that will save Apple having to pay import taxes on the vital Indian smartphone component.

Wistron's other plant, located in central Bengaluru, has been pumping out ‌‌iPhone‌‌ SE, ‌‌iPhone‌‌ 6S and ‌‌iPhone‌‌ 7 models since 2017. Wistron's larger rival, Foxconn, began making ‌iPhone‌ XR models in India last year. Apple also has an office with thousands of employees in Hyderabad, working on Apple Maps data.

All of the plants and offices are likely to be impacted by the virus-fighting measures, which come into force just as Apple planned to ramp up efforts to bring online and in-store sales to customers in India for the first time.

Apple was the fastest growing premium smartphone brand in India last year with 41 percent annual growth, according to recent market research data. India also recently relaxed rules on local sourcing of components, paving the way for Apple to open an online store in India later this year and its first retail store in the country by next year.

Apple suppliers are reportedly ramping up production of hardware featuring Apple's scissor-switch Magic Keyboard, despite concerns over reduced orders owing to the global viral pandemic.

According to DigiTimes sources, suppliers have seen no cutbacks in orders for the products, which include the 16-inch MacBook Pro and Apple's recently announced 13.3-inch MacBook Air and new 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro models.

The MacBook models mentioned above have integrated Magic Keyboards, while users of ‌iPad Pro‌ devices can benefit from the new scissor switch design by way of the Magic Keyboard case, which is sold separately and will launch sometime in May.

The new Magic Keyboard for ‌iPad Pro‌ is equipped with scissor switch keys with 1mm of travel and backlighting, making the new keyboard more similar to a ‌MacBook Air‌ or ‌MacBook Pro‌ keyboard. It costs $299 for the 11-inch version and $349 for the 12.9-inch model.

Apple is rumored to be planning to release a new 13-inch or 14-inch ‌MacBook Pro‌ with an updated scissor switch keyboard during during the second quarter of 2020.

iPhone users in several countries who disconnect from WiFi on their devices will see a "Stay Home" message at the top of the Control Center where cellular network information is displayed.

According to reports on Twitter, the status bar messages are showing up in countries that include Germany, Belgium, United Arab Emirates, Peru, Turkey, India, Luxembourg, Romania, Indonesia, Nigeria, and more.

The message appears when WiFi is toggled off in the Control Center, causing cellular network connectivity information to appear, but it would also show up without turning off WiFi when leaving an available WiFi network and transitioning to cellular. No U.S. networks appear to be showing the Stay Home wording this time.

Countries where the Stay Home message is showing up are encouraging residents to stay inside and practice social distancing to minimize the spread of the coronavirus, with the text serving as a reminder.

Apple today informed developers that ARKit 3.5 is now available, with the update adding support for the LiDAR Scanner and depth-sensing system included in the new 11 and 12.9-inch iPad Pro models.

According to Apple, the new LiDAR Scanner will allow for a "new generation of AR apps" that use Scene Geometry for enhanced scene understanding and object occlusion.

Existing AR experiences on ‌iPad Pro‌ can also be improved with instant AR placement and improved Motion Capture and People Occlusion.

The LiDAR Scanner uses reflected light to measure the distance from the sensor to surrounding objects up to five meters away, indoors and outdoors. Depth frameworks in iPadOS combine depth points measured by the LiDAR Scanner, data from the two cameras, and data from motion sensors with computer vision algorithms handled by the A12Z Bionic to create a detailed and complete understanding of a scene.

At the current time, the new LiDAR Scanner with its enhanced augmented reality capabilities is limited to the new ‌iPad Pro‌ models, but Apple is also expected to include the feature in the 2020 iPhone models set to be released this fall.

Apple last week introduced new 11 and 12.9-inch iPad Pro models, which are set to arrive in the hands of customers starting this week. Apple introduced a nifty new Magic Keyboard with trackpad alongside the new ‌iPad Pro‌ models that's coming in May, but it also debuted a new Smart Keyboard Folio, which is available now.

We picked up the ‌Smart Keyboard‌ Folio for the designed for the 2020 ‌iPad Pro‌ models and compared it to the ‌Smart Keyboard‌ Folio that was released alongside the 2018 ‌iPad Pro‌ models to see if there are any notable differences.

Design wise, the two keyboard are close to identical, but the new model is slightly darker in color, though it's still a dark gray shade. The material on the outside feels the same, but there is one major exterior difference - an Apple logo. The new ‌Smart Keyboard‌ Folio is outfitted with an Apple logo, which the original did not have.

There's also a square-shaped camera cutout instead of the vertical camera cutout of the prior model, which allows it to accommodate the new square-shaped camera bump on the new ‌iPad Pro‌ models.

Apple's 2020 ‌iPad Pro‌ models feature a dual-lens camera setup with wide-angle and ultra wide-angle lenses along with a new LiDAR Scanner that's designed to scan the area around you for all-new augmented reality experiences.

When it comes to the keyboard and the typing experience, there's no change. The keys are shallow with little travel and have a fabric-like texture that's meant to be waterproof and spill proof. It's not the greatest typing experience, but it's passable.

The new ‌Smart Keyboard‌ Folio replaces the prior model and it is designed to work with both 2018 and 2020 ‌iPad Pro‌ models. On 2018 ‌iPad Pro‌ models, the camera cutout will be larger than necessary, but it fits both. Apple is no longer selling the version with the vertical camera cutout.

Apple in May will release the new Magic Keyboard, which is equipped with scissor switch keys with 1mm of travel and backlighting, making the new keyboard more similar to a MacBook Air or MacBook Pro keyboard.

The ‌Smart Keyboard‌ Folio is priced starting at $179 for the 11-inch version and $199 for the 12.9-inch version, which is a good deal cheaper than the $299/$349 asking prices for the new Magic Keyboard options.

Apple today informed employees that it plans to reopen its Apple retail stores starting in the first half of April, according to Bloomberg. Retail stores will not all reopen at once and will likely remain closed longer in areas with more widespread outbreaks.

We will reopen our stores on a staggered basis. At this time, we anticipate some stores may be able to open in the first half of April depending on the conditions in their community. We will provide updates for each store as soon as specific dates are established.

Apple closed all of its stores outside of China on March 14, and at the time of the closure, said that retail locations would remain closed until March 27. That date was later extended with vague wording on the Apple Store website that said stores would be closed "until further notice."

Apple's retail chief Deirdre O'Brien apparently told employees today that remote work plans will be extended through at least April 5, but after that date, brick and mortar stores will be reopening on a staggered basis. Apple plans to reevaluate work from home arrangements on a weekly basis based on workers' locations.