OS X Mountain Lion v10.8.4 Fixes Annoying Compatibility Bugs

Apple released earlier this month a new OS X Mountain Lion update following months users have been reporting about annoying compatibility bugs with iMessages, VoiceOver, Microsoft Exchange and enterprise Wi-Fi networks, to name just a few. As of June 4th, Apple has released the OS X Mountain Lion v10.8.4 update, available via the Apple Store.

The list of compatibility issues OS X Mountain Lion v10.8.4 fixes is varied and quite long. Sure, we’re happy the fixes are finally here, but we cannot help wonder if this update will cause other compatibility issues later on. From the looks of it, most believe the v10.8.4 update could be the last version of Mountain Lion to make it to users, before next week’s WWDC event, when Apple is expected to announce OS 10.9.

It goes without saying you should update to OS X Mountain Lion v10.8.4 immediately, although you’ve surely been waiting for this update anxiously over the past few weeks. The fixes to those annoying compatibility bugs that have been bothering so many users lately are included in the last OS X Mountain Lion update, promising to put an end to many users’ frustration, particularly enterprises.

The v10.8.4 update delivers fixes for the following compatibility issues: not being able to call non-US phone numbers via FaceTime, not being able to connect or remain connected via certain enterprise Wi-Fi networks, being displayed iMessages out of order, having difficulties using VoiceOver with text in PDF documents, sending the device in scheduled sleep after running Boot Camp, the Microsoft Exchange fiasco in Calendar and not displaying Calendars Birthday accurately in some time zones.

But that’s not all. There are many more fixes the Mountain Lion v10.8.4 delivers, including resolving the issue that prevented users from saving files to an Xsan volume from certain apps, the one that hindered access to see changes in files when made over NFS, as well as the one that prevented documents from being saved to a server using SMB. Other fixes include improvements for Active Directory log-in performance (cached accounts and .local domains), OpenDirectory data replication and 802.1X compatibility with ActiveDirectory networks.

How to Fix the iOS 6.1 Microsoft Exchange Bug

Apple’s iOS 6 might give users 200 new features, but updates to more recent versions of the software are causing tons of bugs. One of them is the Microsoft Exchange bug for which Apple announced an upcoming fix. While you’re waiting for Apple’s software update, here’s how to fix the iOS 6.1 Microsoft Exchange bug.

Earlier this month, Apple had to issue a new software update for 6.1 on iPhone 4S that caused 3G performance problems after two European mobile operators Vodafone UK and 3 Austria even advised iPhone 4S users against upgrading to iOS 6.1. The Microsoft Exchange bug however is drawing a lot of scrutiny since enterprise users can’t go back to iOS 6.0 and remove the problem fully.

It wasn’t until just recently that Apple identified the cause of the Microsoft Exchange bug and announced a fix is in the works. “When you respond to an exception to a recurring calendar event with a Microsoft Exchange account on a device running iOS 6.1, the device may begin to generate excessive communication with Microsoft Exchange Server” reads the Apple Support page. The Exchange Server bug might also cause increased network activity or impact the battery life of your iDevice and eventually ends up blocking up the device.

So while you’re waiting for Apple to fix the Microsoft Exchange bug, you can avoid any other problems, by disabling and re-enabling the Exchange calendar on your iPhone and iPad. First of all go to “Settings”, select “Mail, Contacts, Calendars” and tap on the Exchange account available in your device’s list. Turn off the Calendars switch, wait about ten seconds and then turn it back on.

The Microsoft Exchange bug isn’t the only problem iOS 6 users are dealing with. There’s also the Lock Screen vulnerability that gives immediate access to everything on your iPhone, including photos, iMessages and FaceTime.