I didn’t cover Apple’s WWDC immediately due to it being a lot of things to come that were generally just user features. There are several things I do want to note.
First, Apple is launching Rapid Security Response, which applies security updates to devices on the fly, outside of version updates. The description of the feature suggests that you might not need to reboot your phone for some updates to take effect.
Rapid Security Response is not limited to iOS. Apple’s bringing this feature to macOS Ventura as well, according to a feature preview page. Google has a similar feature with Google Play System updates.
Second, the next version of macOS, Ventura, will include a feature to alert on new USB and Thunderbold accessories, requiring user approval. From the description, On portable Mac computers with Apple silicon, new USB and Thunderbolt accessories require user approval before the accessory can communicate with macOS for connections wired directly to the USB-C port. This doesn’t apply to power adapters, standalone displays, or connections to an approved hub. Devices can still charge if you choose Don’t Allow.
That new OS will also only be supported on Intel Macs introduced after 2017. The current OS, Monterey, supports systems going back to 2013.
Why do we care?
It’s that last one that I think has the broadest impact – I’m expecting Microsoft’s announcement soon enough. The elimination of passwords to a more “key” based sets of solutions is going to be a huge step forward. Keep an eye here, as first movers will get a lot of benefits.
I’m very pro-automation when it comes to patching and applaud the specific design choice to allow those updates to simply happen in the background. Sure, trust but verify, but I continue to encourage the automatic approach rather than the manual one, particularly on mobile.
Finally, note the tightening of the support period by Apple. Something to care about – it will push upgrades but also now shrinks the value of the devices over time.