Scripting OS X — Weekly News Summary for Admins — 2021-06-11

WWDC week! We got to see new iOS, iPadOS, watchOS and most importantly: the new macOS 12 Monterey.

What a week (or two). In addition to WWDC, there were and are MacDeployment last week and MacDevOps YVR this week. It is a good thing that all the sessions (including WWDC) will be made available online, because I have a lot of catching up and re-watching to do. You can find links to all the conferences and their session archives on my conferences page.

(Sponsor: SentinelOne)

Focus on Security
Among all the new features announced by Apple this week with macOS Monterey are a number of topics directly related to security. Let’s take a look at 12 things to know from WWDC!

The first MacAdmin reactions for macOS Monterey are (cautiously) positive. Apple introduced several new features, like an “Erase all Content and Data” option, better management features for software updates, remote lock, and better extension management, which MacAdmins had been clamoring for. We also got a preview of some technologies like declarative management. It all looks very promising and I hope the features will hold up to practical use.

AppleSeed for IT is making the beta available, along with some extra documentation for admins. You can sign up with the managed Apple ID you use to sign into Apple School Manager or Apple Business Manager. The earlier you get your feedback in to Apple, the higher the chance that it can be addressed before release.

MacSysAdmin conference will be online again this year. While it is sad that we will not be able to meet in Gothenburg this year, this was my favorite virtual conference to watch and present at last year. Like WWDC, MacSysAdmin will be releasing pre-recorded presentations every day from October 5 through 8. There will be T-shirt sale to help fund the conference.

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News and Opinion

macOS 12 Monterey and iOS 15

Reactions

Developer Release Notes

MacAdmins on Twitter

Anthony Reimer: “I’ve updated my Mac Hardware/Software Obsolescence chart by adding the new 24-inch M1 iMac.” (and Monterey support)
Mr. Macintosh: “macOS 12 Monterey compatibility list RIP 2013* & 2014 Mac Computers *2013 Mac Pro Saved!” (Image)
Pepijn Bruienne: “Hey macadmins here’s a fun thing to look forward to with upcoming macOS Monterey” (Thread)
Marcus Ransom: “Thank you for focusing on the enterprise and listening to the hordes of passionate MacAdmins Apple. You have some seriously good people working for you @tim_cook and you should be proud of them!”
Rosyna Keller: “I’d been meaning to discuss the features in the altool command line tool used for notarization that were new to Xcode 12.5, and it seems like I’ve smacked against a deadline. So here’s a thread of some new stuff in Xcode 12.5’s altool 4.047.1207 for use with notarization et fam” (Thread)
Rosyna Keller: “Let’s briefly talk about the notarytool, a new, dedicated command line tool for notarization that replaces altool (for notarization). There will be a session about notarytool available tomorrow at 6am PT.” / Twitter
Mitchell Hashimoto: “We’re happy to announce that the Vagrant VMware plugin is now free and open source. This plugin paid for the salaries of numerous people over the years, but we’ve happily outgrown it and are excited to share this now with the broader community.”
Rosyna Keller: “FWIW, macOS Monterey does not change Gatekeeper, signing, or notarization requirements from macOS Big Sur. Still getting used to that name.”

Support and HowTos

Scripting and Automation

Apple Support

Installing macOS on a separate APFS volume (might come in useful)
SwiftUI Tutorials – Apple Developer Documentation (for Big Sur)
Turning on Mac Catalyst — Mac Catalyst Tutorials, Apple Developer Documentation
Apple Style Guide (Updated, via Schoun, and Arek Deryer)

Updates and Releases

SF Symbols 3 beta
Munki 5.5 Official Release
Twocanoes Software: “Introducing MDS 4!” (Twitter thread with highlights, product page)
MunkiAdmin 1.8.1
Adobe Brings More Creative Cloud Apps to the M1 Macs and Announces New Features Across Its Apps – John Voorhees MacStories

To Watch

To Listen

Just for Fun

Louie Mantia, Jr.: “Happy WWDC21! This weekend, I made some retro Quantum Foam wallpapers, with the new iMac colors. Automatic light mode + dark mode with HEIC files, and separated as JPG files too.”
WWDC 2021 Playlists on Apple Music: (via Eric Boyd)

Support

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