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Learn all these gestures and you’ll master your iPad

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The Guide to iPad Gestures
No more mad swiping at the screen — learn the details of how your iPad works.
Image: Leander Kahney/D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

Gestures are a great way to become an iPad power user. They help you easily navigate through apps, switch between pages, access controls, and reduce multiple taps to a single swipe. iPad gestures prove especially useful for Stage Manager, the iPad’s alternative multitasking environment.

Apple designed these iPad gestures to mimic natural, real-world movements, making them intuitive to use and learn. Swiping, pinching, tapping and other moves feel familiar. You should find them easy to master.

If you use your iPad a lot, these gestures are well worth learning. Your fingers will thank you!

Today in Apple history: Apple shows off its amazing Fifth Avenue store in NYC

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apple-store-fifth-avenue-nyc-new-york
Apple's stunning Fifth Avenue store quickly becomes a New York landmark.
Photo: Simone Lovati/Flickr CC

May 18: Today in Apple history: Cupertino shows off its amazing Fifth Avenue Apple store May 18, 2006: The world — and, more specifically, the Apple-watching press — gets its first glimpse of the swanky new Fifth Avenue Apple store in New York City.

Hidden behind a black plastic wrapper during development, that all changes a day before the store’s grand opening. Workers remove the covering to reveal a 32-foot glass cube adorned with a floating, white Apple logo. At 10 a.m., members of the press get an exclusive tour of the new venue.

How to download Apple Maps for offline use

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How to download maps in Apple Maps for offline use
You don't need an internet connection to use Apple Maps with iOS 17.
Image: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

iOS 17 allows Apple Maps users to download maps for offline use and generate turn-by-turn directions with them. This can be a lifesaver when traveling in remote areas without a cellular connection.

It’s not complicated, but there are several steps to go through if you want to download Apple Maps of certain cities or regions. Here’s how to do it.

Fake Apple ID badge fetches $1,000 on eBay

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fake Apple ID badge
This employee badge for Apple employee number 10, hired in March 1977, is a fake, according to employee number 8. But someone paid real money for it.
Photo: c.stars@ebay.com

This week someone paid about $1,000 on eBay for an allegedly fake Apple employee badge masquerading as the 1977 ID of employee number 10.

The employee badge is a convincing phony, according the an intrepid blogger and the longtime Apple employee (number 8) he contacted to confirm the forgery. And the proof of provenance the blogger sought from the seller appeard to be fake, too, according to several sources.

This Apple Pencil Pro feature surprises and delights users

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Apple Pencil Pro shadow
See that? Apple Pencil Pro casts the shadow of the tool selected -- a fountain pen.
Photo: @SnazzyLabs, X.com

M4 iPad Pro and M2 iPad Air users are justifiably excited by Apple Pencil Pro’s fantastic and highly functional new features. But now they’re discovering a delightful feature Apple didn’t highlight at its recent “Let Loose” event. The stylus casts a shadow of the selected tool in use on the screen.

That feature may not equal the functional importance of the new squeeze gesture or haptic feedback, but judging by user reactions in the videos below, it’s pretty much the coolest thing ever.

Don’t let water douse your beats: Save $59 on a waterproof Bluetooth speaker

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Rain or shine, this waterproof Bluetooth speaker kicks out the jams. The Treblab HD-360 speaker is shown next to a generic canned beverage.
Jam by the pool or in the rain with this waterproof wireless speaker.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

The Treblab HD-360 portable speaker measures just 6.5 inches long, but that doesn’t mean it’s quiet. This waterproof Bluetooth speaker puts 90W into delivering some real volume. And its stylish design will definitely turn heads.

Instead of paying $159, you can get one of these Treblab HD-360 for just $99.99, a price point that even Amazon can’t beat.

Best clip-on game controller is ready for the latest iPhone [Review] ★★★★★

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Backbone One USB-C game controller review★★★★★
Backbone One USB-C game controller makes high-end gaming a pleasure on iPhone.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Backbone One USB-C game controller adds real buttons, sticks and triggers to the newest iPhone models, and Androids too.

This is  second-generation version of the wrap-around gaming accessory that’s beenupdated, to better fit handsets in protective cases.

I really enjoyed testing the controller out with the iPhone 15 Plus. It lived up to my high expectations.

M4 iPad Pro and M2 iPad Air go on sale

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M4 iPad Pro and M2 iPad Air design
The M4 iPad Pro and M2 iPad Air are now on sale.
Photo: Apple

Apple’s new M4 iPad Pro and M2 iPad Air are now on sale. Customers who preordered the tablets are also getting their units today in launch countries.

If you did not preorder the new iPads, you can pick one up from your nearest Apple store or authorized retail store.

Today in Apple history: Computer retail giant’s closure hits NeXT hard

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NeXT Cube
The NeXT Computer was great, but it didn't sell.
Photo: Rama & Musée Bolo/Wikipedia CC

May 14: Today in Apple history: Businessland closes, hitting NeXt hard May 14, 1992: Steve Jobs’ company NeXT runs into trouble as it loses a crucial deal with Businessland after the giant computer retailer closes its stores.

It comes at a time when NeXT’s luck is going from bad to worse. The Businessland closure marks one of the lowest points in Jobs’ career — before everything starts to turn around again.

Today in Apple history: System 7 debut shakes up the Mac

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Mac OS System 7 screenshot
Bold new features in System 7 made the Mac even more impressive.
Photo: Apple

May 13: Today in Apple history: System 7 launch shakes up the Mac May 13, 1991: Apple releases System 7, the biggest upgrade to the Mac operating system since the original Mac shipped in 1984. The new Mac OS is whip-fast, beautiful to look at, and boasts a bevy of innovative features.

The longest-lasting of Apple’s classic Mac operating systems, it will remain current until System 8 replaces it in 1997.

Should you upgrade to the 2024 MacBook Air M3?

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Should You Upgrade to the M3 MacBook Air?
Is your MacBook old enough to justify buying the new MacBook Air?
Image: Apple/D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

If you still own an Intel MacBook Air, it might be time to upgrade to the new MacBook Air with M3. But what about if you own a MacBook Air running on an M1 or M2 chip? In those cases, it’s not as obvious if you should upgrade to the latest model.

Now that the newer models feature efficient and powerful Apple silicon chips, the MacBook Air is the laptop that strikes the right balance of speed and portability for most people. The thin design is easy to slip into a backpack and the battery will last all day — even when juggling dozens of apps.

How badly you need to upgrade to an M3 MacBook Air depends on which model you’re coming from. Our easy guide will help you decide. Check the infographic below or watch the video.

How to use the iPhone’s one-handed keyboard mode (and Reachability)

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Type With One Hand
Use your phone in one hand without fumbling around.
Image: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

The iPhone has a one-handed mode for the keyboard and a feature called Reachability for tapping buttons on the top of the screen. Learning how to use both these features can help you shoot out a text or use apps on your phone in one hand while you’re doing something else or walking around with a cup of coffee.

As iPhones continue to get bigger and bigger, these features become ever more important. Here’s how to activate the iPhone’s one-handed keyboard and use Reachability. Keep reading or watch the video.

Could John Ternus equal Tim Cook and Steve Jobs as Apple CEO?

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John Ternus, Apple senior vice president of Hardware Engineering
This might be Apple's next CEO. Does he have what it takes?
Screenshot: Apple

John Ternus, Apple’s senior vice president of hardware engineering, reportedly sits at the top of the list to step into Tim Cook’s shoes when the current Apple CEO steps down.

But the real question is, does Ternus have what it takes to fill a role that Steve Jobs once did so brilliantly?

Apple Pencil Pro adds ‘squeeze’ gesture, haptic feedback, Find My and more

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John Ternus shows off Apple Pencil Pro.
Apple gives the world its first look at the Apple Pencil Pro.
Photo: Apple

Apple Let Loose Event:Apple introduced a new third-generation “pro” Apple Pencil at its “Let Loose” iPad event Tuesday alongside new iPad Pro and iPad Air models. The first Apple Pencil Pro brings a new “squeeze” gesture, an internal gyroscope, haptic feedback and Find My support, making it the most capable iPad stylus yet.

Available to order today for $129 — the same price as the second-generation Apple Pencil — the Apple Pencil Pro gains features normally found on styluses for dedicated drawing tablets, like a new “squeeze” gesture and a “Barrel Roll” gyroscope for precise tool controls.

“The new features in Apple Pencil Pro are simply revolutionary,” said John Ternus, Apple’s senior vice president of hardware engineering, in the introductory “Let Loose” video. “And we’re also excited that Apple Pencil Pro works with the new iPad Air as well, giving air users yet another pro feature to push their creativity.”

New iPad Pro with beautiful OLED display and M4 chip is ‘thinnest Apple product ever’

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2024 OLED iPad Pro
2024 iPad Pro breaks ground with OLED screen and Apple M4 processor.
Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac

Apple Let Loose Event:Apple just took the wraps off the 2024 iPad Pro, the first with an OLED screen rather than a traditional LCD. If that wasn’t enough, a brand-new Apple M4 processor powers the tablet, which Cupertino says is the “thinnest Apple product ever.”

“We’ve always envisioned iPad as a magical sheet of glass,” said John Ternus, Apple’s senior vice president of hardware engineering, during Tuesday’s prerecorded “Let Loose” event. “And with this new design, that vision is brought to life more than ever.”

Why every Apple fan should get excited about ‘Let Loose’ event [Updated]

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Why every Apple fan should get excited about ‘Let Loose’ event
Apple's product launch event might be about more than iPad.
Image: Apple/Cult of Mac

Gorgeous new iPad Pro and iPad Air models are expected to be the highlights of Apple’s “Let Loose” product event on May 7. Tablet accessories are on the agenda, too.

But there also could be big news for those who don’t use an iPad. Apple might surprise us with the M4 processor, a first glimpse at upcoming AI features, and maybe even a Mac Studio upgrade. Plus more.

From slump to pump: How Apple will get back to winning

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An Apple Store with the phrase
The future looks bright if you're wearing Tim Cook's shades.
Photo: Keming Tan/Unsplash License/Modified by Cult of Mac

Apple saw its revenue drop 4% year over year in the first quarter, the company reported Thursday. But revenue and earnings dropped less than analysts had expected, setting off a surge in the share price.

In a conference call with investors and analysts after the financial results had been announced, CEO Tim Cook and CFO Luca Maestri talked about this being the quarter of the “challenging compare,” were upbeat about iPhone sales in China, bragged about the M3 MacBook Air, and fended off questions about the company’s AI plans.

Use your iPhone to find and change passwords that hackers stole

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Use your iPhone to find and fix website passwords that hackers have stolen
If hackers steal the passwords you use to log into websites, your Apple device can warn you and help you change them.
Graphic: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

It’s World Password Day, and that’s a good opportunity to do something you’ve probably been procrastinating about: Replace your website passwords that hackers stole because of some company’s lax security. Fortunately, your Apple devices make it easy to find out which of your passwords leaked so you can change them.

Fix a potentially serious problem now, before something bad happens..

Stop using these stupid, stupid passwords immediately

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Stop using these stupid, stupid passwords immediately
"Another fool who used '123456.' Time to harvest some credit card numbers."
Photo: Nikita Belokhonov/Pexels

Some people simply can’t stop using stupid, weak passwords. An analysis of the phrases used to secure various accounts in 2023 finds that “123456” was used 4.5 million times, making it the most popular. And the rest of the top 10 are all easily guessed, too.

It’s World Password Day, a good opportunity to change the horribly weak ones you’re using now. Especially as Apple makes it easy

iPhone alarm on Challengers soundtrack drives people nuts

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iPhone in Challengers soundtrack
From left, Mike Faist, Zendaya and Chris O'Connor star in the film, along with a very annoying iPhone alarm.
Photo: Amazon MGM Studios

Tennis love-triangle movie Challengers looks like a contender so far in theaters, but one co-star is getting panned — the iPhone alarm on the sports drama’s soundtrack. Social media shows viewers and listeners saying they find it “triggering,” among other rants.

Maybe that’s not the sort of product placement Apple would prefer, but hey … all press is good press, right?

Hate earbuds? Edifier’s new sport headphones are for you. [Review] ★★★

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Edifier Comfo Run sports headphones★★★
Edifier's sleek Comfo Run sports headphones don't enter your ear canal.
Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac

I’ve made no secret of my admiration for Edifier audio products in the past few years, but the streak couldn’t go on forever. But it’s not you, Edifier. It’s me, maybe. I blame my oversized head and clunky glasses for standing in the way of my affection for your sleek new Edifier Comfo Run sports headphones. I just couldn’t get the fit quite right for the best sound.

But I could see all sorts of athletes, and really anyone who prefers to keep earbuds and other objects out of their ear canals, loving these things. They work by air conduction.

How to check iPad battery health

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iPad Battery Health How To
Knowing your iPad battery health helps you decide when it's time for a new tablet.
Image: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Checking the health and maximum capacity of the battery in your beloved iPad isn’t as easy as it should be, but we can walk you through the process.

Finding out how worn out the tablet’s battery is can help you decide if it’s time for a new model.

Beats Fit Pro vs. AirPods Pro 2: Which earbuds are better?

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AirPods Pro 2 vs. Beats Fit Pro comparison
Which earbuds work better with your iPhone?
Photo/Graphics: Apple/Rajesh

If you want new wireless earbuds for your iPhone, the second-generation AirPods Pro are likely your top choice. But Apple offers another pair of earbuds you might consider: Beats Fit Pro. In this Beats Fit Pro vs. AirPods Pro 2 buying guide, we’ll compare the features of these two premium noise-canceling earbuds from Apple.

Do these earbuds provide the same features and sound quality as Apple’s flagship earbuds? Find out in this comparison.