News

Read Cult of Mac’s latest posts on News:

Elgato’s new Neo lineup makes video calls and content creation easy

By

Elago Neo devices
The family of Elago Neo devices could help newbies create great content, and look and sound good on calls.
Photo: Elgato

The new Elgato Neo range of devices — condenser microphone, webcam, LED key light, capture card and stream deck — simplifies video calls, content creation and video streaming for newbies, the company said Thursday. The gear also looks good doing it, with a unified white design across all five devices.

All the Neo products are compatible with iPad, making them an excellent choice for creators who use their tablets for content creation.

Yippee! 12.9-inch iPad Air might boast beautiful mini-LED display

By

12.9-inch iPad Air with mini-LED display
The upcoming 12.9-inch iPad Air will reportedly not use standard backlights but will have mini-LED instead.
Image: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The super-size iPad Air supposedly coming in a few weeks could come with a surprise: mini-LED backlights for the screen. This is the same type already in the largest iPad Pro.

It’s another reason for people to look forward to this tablet, which is expected in early May.

Today in Apple history: Apple pays $15 million to promote Mission: Impossible

By

Sadly, Apple's Mission: Impossible deal doesn't quite work out as planned.
Sadly it doesn't quite work out as planned.
Photo: Paramount

April 18: Today in Apple history: Apple pays $15 million for Mission: Impossible movie tie-in April 18, 1996: Apple unveils a massive $15 million promotional tie-in for the Mission: Impossible movie starring Tom Cruise.

Designed to promote the PowerBook, which Cruise uses in the spy flick, the marketing campaign comes at a particularly bad time. Attempting to climb back into the black after reporting its largest quarterly loss ever, Apple is in the middle of trying to perform its very own impossible mission. And that’s just the start of the problems.

Streaming video via Apple AirPlay to hotel TVs is finally here

By

Apple AirPlay to hotel TV
Over 60 IHG Hotels & Resorts now support streaming video over AirPlay to hotel room TVs.
Photo: Apple/IHG

The long wait for easy access to AirPlay in hotel rooms is over. Sort of. Apple announced Thursday that a hotel chain is supporting the feature that allows iPhone and iPad users to wirelessly stream content to hotel TVs.

It’s a limited rollout, so travelers are left hoping there’ll be wider adoption.

First third-party app store goes live in EU

By

AltStore PAL app marketplace
Users pay a small annual fee. Developers can distribute apps for free.
Photo: AltStore PAL

The first third-party app marketplace, AltStore PAL, launched in the European Union on Wednesday. The App Store alternative comes from Riley Testut, the developer who got his Delta retro-game emulator into the iPhone App Store on the same day.

Apple triples clean energy use since 2020 [Updated]

By

Apple clean energy use and fresh water savings
Apple said it's working with River Partners in northern California to restore the natural function of the flood plain on 750 acres where the Sacramento River, Feather River and Butte Creek meet.
Photo: Apple

Apple said Wednesday it has tripled its use of clean energy since 2020, among other benchmarks of progress toward its goal to reach carbon neutrality across its supply chain by 2030. And on Thursday, the iPhone giant released its full 2024 Environmental Progress Report.

“Clean energy and water are foundational to healthy communities and essential building blocks for a responsible business,” said Lisa Jackson, Apple’s vice president of Environment, Policy and Social Initiatives.

“We’re racing toward our ambitious Apple 2030 climate goal while taking on the long-term work to transform electrical grids and restore watersheds to build a cleaner future for all.”

UPDATE: Ahead of Earth Day on April 22, on Thursday Apple released its much more detailed 2024 Environmental Progress Report, laying out its progress on environmental initiatives related to Apple 2030. For example, the iPhone giant said its greenhouse gas emissions are down 55% since 2015.

iPhone 17 Plus might sport a smaller display than iPhone 15 Plus

By

All 2025 iPhone 17 models might have ProMotion, always-on screens
The iPhone 17 Plus could be smaller than the iPhone 16 Plus.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The 2025 iPhone 17 Plus could sport a smaller screen than previous Plus models. This could make the phone more compact and fit better in Apple’s lineup.

Apple currently uses a 6.7-inch OLED panel on the iPhone 15 Plus. This is the same display size as the iPhone 15 Pro Max, albeit the latter uses a superior 120Hz panel.

Delta all-in-one retro game emulator now out for iPhone

By

Delta all-in-one retro game emulator now out for iPhone
Delta turns an iPhone into a range of classic handheld consoles.
Screenshot: Testut Tech

Delta retro game emulator is now on the iPhone App Store. Not only can it handle ROMs originally for the classic Game Boy handheld console, but it also emulates NES, SNES, Nintendo 64 and Nintendo DS.

It’s a launch that fans of classic games have long awaited.

Apple TV+ renews For All Mankind, spins off Star City

By

For All Mankind spinoff Star City
Not only do fans of the hit sci-fi show get a new season, they get "For All Mankind" spinoff "Star City."
Photo: Apple TV+

Apple TV+ renewed its hit alternative-history sci-fi show For All Mankind Wednesday for a fifth season. And, while it was at it, it threw in a whole new spinoff series! For All Mankind spinoff Star City will delve further into secrets of the Soviet space program.

Why you should expect a new M-series Mac chip every year

By

Expect a new M-series Mac chip every year
New M-series processors should start arriving like clockwork.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

A recent report that the Apple M4 Mac processor will launch this fall — only a year after the debut of the M3 — met with some surprise and skepticism. But it shouldn’t have — Apple’s goal to refresh the chip line every year is ambitious but achievable.

Just because Intel can’t bring out new generations of its processors annually doesn’t mean Apple and TSMC can’t.

WhatsApp rolls out Chat Filters to help you tame your inbox

By

Chat Filters in WhatsApp
Chat Filters will make managing your WhatsApp inbox a lot easier.
Photo: WhatsApp

WhatsApp is rolling out Chat Filters to make it easier to follow up on unread conversations. These filters allow you to swiftly go through your inbox based on unread messages or group conversations.

As WhatsApp has grown in popularity, so has the number of people and brands reaching out to you on the service. This means you’re more likely to miss out on an important message, which Chat Filters can help avoid.

Modern MacBook Pro drives vintage displays [Setups]

By

Modern MacBook and vintage displays setup
In the old version of the setup, the vintage displays were far apart.
Photo: thatvirtualboy@Reddit.com

Multi-display computer setups with asymmetrical placements — aka, screens oriented in landscape and portrait orientations — are so popular that even vintage Apple displays are getting in the action. Today’s featured rig uses a modern MacBook and vintage displays. A M1 Pro MacBook Pro from 2021 drives a Cinema Display and Thunderbolt Display from many years earlier.

Today in Apple history: Apple II brings color computing to the masses

By

Apple II
The Apple II was groundbreaking for its day.
Photo: Computer History Museum

April 17: Today in Apple history: Apple II debuts at West Coast Computer Faire with color graphics April 17, 1977: The Apple II launch at the West Coast Computer Faire positions Apple at the forefront of the looming personal computer revolution.

The company’s first mass-market computer, the Apple II boasts an attractively machined case designed by Jerry Manock (who will later design the first Macintosh). It also packs a keyboard, BASIC compatibility and, most importantly, color graphics.

Fueled by some marketing savvy from Steve Jobs, the Apple II launch makes quite a splash at the San Francisco Bay Area’s first personal computer convention.

Apple eyes Indonesia as new manufacturing base

By

Apple manufacturing in Indonesia could happen, CEO Tim Cook implied
Apple manufacturing in Indonesia could happen, CEO Tim Cook implied.
Photo: Fortune Global Forum/Flickr CC

Apple CEO Tim Cook told the president of Indonesia Wednesday the company will “look at” manufacturing in the country, according to reports.

Such a move would make for another expansion of Apple’s push to diversify manufacturing sites outside of China, as it has done in Vietnam and India.

First NES emulator for iPhone approved by Apple but pulled by developer

By

'Bimmy - NES Emulator' was approved by Apple but pulled by developer
Bimmy - NES Emulator for iPhone came and went very quickly.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Bimmy, a NES emulator for the iPhone, joined App Store on Tuesday. It was the first retro game emulator approved by Apple and proof that the company really has removed restrictions on this type of software.

However, the developer himself quickly removed the app “out of fear.” That said, more are likely to follow, including Game Boy emulators.

Slow Horses author brings new thriller to Apple TV+

By

Down Cemetary Road on Apple TV+
Emma Thompson, left, and Ruth Wilson will star in Down Cemetery Road.
Photo: Apple TV+

Fans of darkly comedic spy thriller series Slow Horses rejoice! Another of Mick Herron’s acerbic novels, Down Cemetery Road, is coming to Apple TV+. The show will star Emma Thompson and Ruth Wilson, the streaming service said Tuesday.

“‘Down Cemetery Road’ has all the hallmarks of Mick Herron’s funny and acerbic writing, and I’m delighted we will be bringing it to life for Apple TV+ with such a stellar cast,” said Jay Hunt, creative director, Europe, Apple TV+. “Emma Thompson and Ruth Wilson will make it an unmissable companion piece for ‘Slow Horses’ on our service.”

Today in Apple history: Cupertino fires back after Microsoft’s ‘Apple tax’ ads

By

Microsoft Windows
Microsoft ads take issue with Apple's premium prices.
Photo: Microsoft

April 16 Today in Apple history April 16, 2009: Apple hits back at Microsoft following an advertisement that criticizes Cupertino for failing to sell decent laptops for less than $1,000.

“A PC is no bargain when it doesn’t do what you want,” Mac PR director Bill Evans tells Bloomberg. “The one thing that both Apple and Microsoft can agree on is that everyone thinks the Mac is cool. With its great designs and advanced software, nothing matches it at any price.”

Leaks suggest Bose SoundLink Max speaker about to launch

By

Bose SoundLink Max
A little bigger than Bose SoundLink Flex, the new speaker may have a handle on top.
Photo: Tanguay/Bose

Bose could be about to launch SoundLink Max, a bigger and brawnier version of the popular and portable SoundLink Flex Bluetooth speaker, according to a leak and an FCC filing.

That will put another HomePod competitor on the market, and it may be a worthy one with quality sound plus portability.

Goodbye Leather Apple ad raises questions about FineWoven iPhone cases

By

'Goodbye Leather' Apple ad raises questions about FineWoven iPhone cases
There are no more leather iPhone cases from Apple. No leather Watch bands, either.
Screenshot: Apple

Apple highlights its decision to discontinue leather iPhone cases and Watch bands in a new video released Tuesday. The company instead went with a new material it calls “FineWoven.” Trouble is, months after Apple made the change, FineWoven continues to elicit strong complaints.

Silo star drops major hints about sci-fi hit’s future on Apple TV+

By

Rebecca Ferguson in
Rebecca Ferguson sells the sci-fi in Silo.
Photo: Apple TV+

Rebecca Ferguson, star of hit sci-fi series Silo on Apple TV+, just laid out the show’s possible future in an interview. So Silo continues on Apple TV+, and perhaps not just the second season we already knew about. That’s good news for the show’s many fans wondering what’s next, after that acclaimed first season.

Not only is season 2 filming finally complete after delays. There are reasons to hope third and fourth seasons are coming, too.

Apple TV+ brings huge Hollywood scam to the screen

By

A still from Apple TV+ miniseries
Journalist Scott Johnson investigates the "Con Queen" for The Hollywood Reporter.
Photo: Apple TV+

An upcoming three-part Apple TV+ documentary series entitled Hollywood Con Queen explores the story of an international con artist impersonating some of Hollywood’s most powerful women. The streaming service provided a “first look” image, above, plus details about the miniseries Monday.

Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Chris Smith created the three-part series. It’s based on investigative journalism by Scott Johnson in The Hollywood Reporter. You can watch Hollywood Con Queen on Apple TV+ starting May 8.

First iPhone Game Boy emulator quickly disappears from App Store

By

Game Boy
iPhone users have to keep waiting for the Game Boy emulator of their dreams.
Photo: Caleb Oquendo/Pexels

A Game Boy emulator appeared in the iPhone App Store over the weekend. This might be proof that Apple really has removed restrictions blocking retro game emulators.

Trouble is, the iGBA app has already been kicked out of the software store. But it was a very dodgy app that allegedly ripped off the work of another developer. So its removal may have nothing to do with recent changes in Apple policy.

Big curved Dell 4K display serves MacBook duo [Setups]

By

Dell 4K curved monitor
This 40-inch Dell 4K curved monitor makes a great external display.
Photo: chrisonhismac@Reddit.com

A Dell curved 4K monitor — especially a big 40-incher — can make an excellent external display, if today’s featured MacBook Air and MacBook Pro setup is any indication. The user put the dramatic display together with a 27-inch 4K monitor after trying two other configurations.