External access menu item changed in Ventura 13.3

[Cham2000]

I noticed that the menu icon that shows external access is now a simple blue dot next to the Stage Manager icon, while it was an arrow in the menubar under Ventura 13.2.1. Can others confirm this? A pale blue dot in the menubar is very hard to see on my ASD display. I wonder why Apple have done this.

 

[chabig]

That blue dot tells you that an app is using your location. You can click on it to see which app it is.

 

[Cham2000]

That blue dot tells you that an app is using your location. You can click on it to see which app it is.

Yes, but it was shown as an arrow in the menubar. Now (Ventura 13.3), it's a blue dot. Do you confirm this change? I find it odd.

 

[chabig]

This location indicator is new in macOS 13.3. It was always a blue dot on iPhone and iPad and now Apple has brought it to the Mac. The arrow you saw must have been something else (I am not familiar with "external access"). Also, what you refer to as the Stage Manager icon is really the Control Center icon.

macOS 13.3: a new blue geolocation indicator in the menu bar – Archyde

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www.archyde.com

 

[Cham2000]

This location indicator is new in macOS 13.3. It was always a blue dot on iPhone and iPad and now Apple has brought it to the Mac. The arrow you saw must have been something else (I am not familiar with "external access"). Also, what you refer to as the Stage Manager icon is really the Control Center icon.

The arrow is still shown in the Localisation settings pane. It feels a bit inconsistent.

 

[chabig]

This icon? I've never seen that in the menu bar.

 

[Cham2000]

This icon? I've never seen that in the menu bar.

View attachment 2180399

Yes, that's the icon I was seeing in the menubar, before 13.3 (in 13.2.1).

 

[chabig]

See if this article helps. I think the icon specifically was for system services using your location. It's off by default.

How to Show or Hide the Location Services Icon in the Menu Bar on your Mac • macReports

Many apps, websites, and system services may use your location on your Mac. You can know when Location Services are being used. You can show or hide the

macreports.com

Also, I found Apple's documentation that the dot is new in 13.3. It indicates that the current location of your Mac is being used.

Control access to the location of your Mac

You can control which apps and websites know the location of your Mac by turning Location Services on or off.

support.apple.com

 

[Cham2000]

See if this article helps. I think the icon specifically was for system services using your location. It's off by default.
...
Also, I found Apple's documentation that the dot is new in 13.3. It indicates that the current location of your Mac is being used.

This confirms that the arrow is being replaced by the blue dot. In 13.2.1, I was seeing the arrow in the menubar each time my location was used (I turned ON this option in the settings panel). Now, under 13.3, the arrow is replaced by the blue dot. It's odd that the arrow is still shown in the settings panel, instead of a blue dot. This is inconsistent. Why there's an arrow in the Location settings? I think the arrow was better, more easily noticed on a large screen. The arrow was self-speaking. A blue dot is just ... a blue dot which doesn't say anything by itself (contrary to an arrow). We have to drop down the Control Center menu to see what it's telling.

 

[chabig]

The dot is consistent with the microphone and camera indicators. They are just there to get your attention.

 

[PineappleCake]

The arrow was self-speaking. A blue dot is just ... a blue dot which doesn't say anything by itself (contrary to an arrow). We have to drop down the Control Center menu to see what it's telling.

Its now consistent with the other dots. Orange for mic/camera and blue dot is always for Location.

You see a blue dot, you think now that an App is using your location services.

 

[Cham2000]

Its now consistent with the other dots. Orange for mic/camera and blue dot is always for Location.

You see a blue dot, you think now that an App is using your location services.

But then why is the arrow still shown in the Location settings pane? It should be removed for consistency.

I don't see why a blue dot is consistent with the camera or the microphone dot. The location isn't a device like a microphone or a camera!

 

[PineappleCake]

But then why is the arrow still shown in the Location settings pane? It should be removed for consistency.

I don't see why a blue dot is consistent with the camera or the microphone dot. The location isn't a device like a microphone or a camera!

It's a visual cue now in the menu bar denoted by colour, whereas in settings its an icon. Notice, how the camera and mic icons are still visable in the privacy settings.

 

[chabig]

Do you want Apple to remove the microphone and camera icons from the Location settings pane too?

 

[Cham2000]

Do you want Apple to remove the microphone and camera icons from the Location settings pane too?

Well, again, I don't see the localisation as a similar thing as a microphone or a camera. Localisation isn't a "device". So fine with a dot for the camera and the microphone (or any other icon), but I think the arrow was a good indicator of a localisation process.

 

[chabig]

I don't think Apple views the dots as devices. They are privacy indicators. If you reframe them like that, they make sense.

 

[Carrotcruncher]

I don't think Apple views the dots as devices. They are privacy indicators. If you reframe them like that, they make sense.

If you left it how it was it made sense for everyone, if you are happy to constantly waste valuable life you wont get back working out constant changes thats good for you, it seems quite clear Apple are in complete disarray, this is a company that is going to end up like Nokia and wont see it coming. There is less reason to own a mac with every update. For some people Apple could literally put a rotten banana in the box says its a mac and they would be happy.

 

[Carrotcruncher]

Well, again, I don't see the localisation as a similar thing as a microphone or a camera. Localisation isn't a "device". So fine with a dot for the camera and the microphone (or any other icon), but I think the arrow was a good indicator of a localisation process.

I think the fact that this page cant make up its mind what the hell it is or its purpose is case closed, Ventura is a mess, why even buy a mac? Just buy a cheap ipad, same OS same design.

 

[Newtons]

This confirms that the arrow is being replaced by the blue dot. In 13.2.1, I was seeing the arrow in the menubar each time my location was used (I turned ON this option in the settings panel). Now, under 13.3, the arrow is replaced by the blue dot. It's odd that the arrow is still shown in the settings panel, instead of a blue dot. This is inconsistent. Why there's an arrow in the Location settings? I think the arrow was better, more easily noticed on a large screen. The arrow was self-speaking. A blue dot is just ... a blue dot which doesn't say anything by itself (contrary to an arrow). We have to drop down the Control Center menu to see what it's telling.

Im getting this blue dot randomly on my iphone but I also get the arrows. It appears in my upper left hand corner of my phone