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AppleDB Offers Useful Database of Apple Devices, Software Updates, Firmware Releases, and More

mansplains said:
They do credit MT. It could be cool if they worked together in a way for MT or others to pull this kind of data in cases where lacking.
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I second this completely. Mactracker has barely changed within the last 8 years or so (other than adding new releases) and is badly in need of a modernization, maybe even a full rework. It takes way too long to get updated with new releases.

AppleDB is built with a decoupled/asynchronous API philosophy meaning new releases could show up almost instantaneously. Someone else could write a frontend for AppleDB and I'm officially putting this out as an idea if someone is looking for a fun and nifty Swift / SwiftUI project!
 
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To echo a few others, I've been using Mactracker and EveryMac for years. They're both extremely comprehensive. I may have an unpopular opinion, but despite how long it takes for new updates to MT, I do actually appreciate it being a "dumb" app (as in, not requiring an internet connection for every single thing), especially if I end up far away from an internet. That said, the AppleDB website did have info on other obscure Macs like the Developer Transition Kits and beta releases, which would be a nice feature to have in MT.
 
QuickSilverLining said:
To echo a few others, I've been using Mactracker and EveryMac for years. They're both extremely comprehensive. I may have an unpopular opinion, but despite how long it takes for new updates to MT, I do actually appreciate it being a "dumb" app (as in, not requiring an internet connection for every single thing), especially if I end up far away from an internet. That said, the AppleDB website did have info on other obscure Macs like the Developer Transition Kits and beta releases, which would be a nice feature to have in MT.
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Bingo.

I don't need some fancy React enabled Web 3.0 crypto NFT crazy app ... how about just a plain old "it works" app? That's MacTracker. It's basically a database with some unique fields ... that's it. And it does a damn fine job of it.

The update timing is based on the author's schedule... I sure don't mind it. And don't really need it any faster - anything that new will have its Tech Specs published on Apple's webpage anyway.
 
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I have started to maintain a small page of Mac Model ID #s since these frequently pop up in rumors about new models: https://appletalk.neocities.org/mac-model-IDs

Also with release dates for more context when parsing rumors of new models.

And I link to AppleDB.dev at the top for more info because it's a great resource!
 
MacRumors said:


Launched in 2022, AppleDB is a helpful resource that provides a database of Apple devices, software updates, firmware releases, and more. The website was recently updated with all macOS releases and beta versions dating back to Mac OS X Tiger in 2005.

AppleDB.jpg

AppleDB catalogs over 4,000 software and firmware versions for a wide range of Apple products, along with model numbers, model identifiers, tech specs, release dates, and other information. This includes iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, tvOS, visionOS, and HomePod software releases, along with firmware for accessories like AirPods, Beats, the Studio Display and Pro Display XDR, the AirTag, MagSafe accessories, and more.

The database also lists bridgeOS versions for the T1 and T2 security chips in Intel-based Macs, Xcode versions, Safari Technology Preview releases, and more.

AppleDB is worth bookmarking if you are an Apple enthusiast, and the database will be updated with additional information over time, such as software releases for PowerPC-based Macs. The public can contribute to the database by making a pull request on GitHub, with all information subject to review. The website has a Discord server and a Twitter account where users can chat with the community and read the latest updates.

Article Link: AppleDB Offers Useful Database of Apple Devices, Software Updates, Firmware Releases, and More
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everymac.com goes back even farther
 
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This is nicely designed but I have to give a shout out to everymac.com. Truly exhaustive reference of, well, every Mac. WAY WAY more information than this AppleDB site.
 
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Missing far too much infomation to be useful like everymac or ipswme.
The design is also way to simplified in my opinion, why on a desktop do I have to hover over an ambiguous glyph then click a file name instead of just a "Download" button, and this functions diffrent if on the firmware instead of devices?
Hopefully it improves in time.
 
ignatius345 said:
This is nicely designed but I have to give a shout out to everymac.com. Truly exhaustive reference of, well, every Mac. WAY WAY more information than this AppleDB site.
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That's true but I do like that the AppleDB site includes some information on Apple accessories like the Magic Keyboard/Trackpad, Apple TV remote, and - of course - the iPad nano SIM card. Everymac is a bit lacking in that respect.
 
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Ok, the past is covered with a few websites, that sometimes is very useful.

But where is the website(s), except MacRumors and other random news sites for all speculations about the future Apple devices?
A site that is just as organized as the products of the past? There must be some clear sighted Apple fans out there, that are more then guessers. Someone who can organize Gurman's and other guessers ideas, a bit more structured and organized perhaps?

Would love that!
 
Lioness~ said:
Ok, the past is covered with a few websites, that sometimes is very useful.

But where is the website(s), except MacRumors and other random news sites for all speculations about the future Apple devices?
A site that is just as organized as the products of the past? There must be some clear sighted Apple fans out there, that are more then guessers. Someone who can organize Gurman's and other guessers ideas, a bit more structured and organized perhaps?

Would love that!
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Structured and organized collections of Apple rumors and speculations? That would be https://www.macrumors.com/roundup/
 
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hansmoleman said:
Sorry, I'll be #TeamMacTracker till hell freezes over.
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Given the info is open, hopefully it can be integrated into mactracker and best of both worlds :)

EDIT: also, as folks mentioned, there's everymac for a lot of this info already!
 
redheeler said:
It does a couple things better than Mactracker, like listing all officially compatible software versions instead of just an original / later / max version. It doesn't go back as far as Mactracker which makes it not as useful to vintage device collectors.
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Why would you need to see more than the original and the latest…? It’s not like they have weird version numbers that go out of order. It’s pretty easy to know which ones are compatible when it says original iOS 11 and maximum current release. Outside of having direct links to each version, I don’t know why anyone would care about a full list.
 
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techfreak23 said:
Why would you need to see more than the original and the latest…? It’s not like they have weird version numbers that go out of order. It’s pretty easy to know which ones are compatible when it says original iOS 11 and maximum current release. Outside of having direct links to each version, I don’t know why anyone would care about a full list.
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It's useful for downgrades or people who for whatever reason want to run a specific version of MacOS. It's also useful to document Apple's software support lifespans, not just for major releases but security updates as well (there was a well-timed thread here which made me realize the lack of official information and/or aggregated information on Apple's website).
 
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Lioness~ said:
Not at all what what I meant. I read MacRumors so that I've seen before.
But I found a few futuristic websites that pointing in the direction I meant. Not just Apple, but generally about tech.
They will do, for now.
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Nobody outside Apple's heavily NDA'd sphere has access to their plans, so what you're describing is just rumors and speculation... as we have on this and other websites.
 
redheeler said:
It's also useful to document Apple's software support lifespans, not just for major releases but security updates as well
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Exactly. Ars Technica just did a very good deep dive into what kind of software support time frames we might be able to expect from recent Macs, all inferred from Apple's history with previous products:

arstechnica.com

How long will the last Intel Macs be supported? macOS Sonoma gives us some hints

Nearly 20 years of data show how Intel Macs are faring as Apple switches chips.
arstechnica.com arstechnica.com
 
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