Ed Hardy

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.

TSMC cutting-edge 2nm chip production might come too late for 2025 iPhone

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TSMC looks ahead to super-speedy 2nm processors
2nm processors made by TSMC will be faster while using less power than today's 3nm iPhone and Mac chips. But there's bad news.
Image: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Although Apple’s chip-maker TSMC will start making processors with a 2nm process in 2025, production could begin too late for next year’s iPhone.

Still, TSMC says 1.6nm chips will go into production in 2026.

What new features to expect in Apple Pencil 3

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What new features to expect in Apple Pencil 3
It's not challenging to guess that Apple Pencil 3 is on the agenda for the May 7 Apple event.
Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac

Apple Pencil 3 is apparently right around the corner, and leaks indicate the next iPad stylus will offer a number of features not in the previous one. That includes a new “squeeze” gesture and Find My support.

Plus, it might also be a Vision Pro stylus.

Apple Watch Series 9 hits official Apple refurbs store at satisfying discounts

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Apple Watch Series 9 refurbished
A refurbished Apple Watch Series 9 is as good as new but costs much less.
Image: Cult of Mac

Savvy shoppers can now buy Apple Watch Series 9 from Apple’s Certified Refurbished store. It’s a no-risk way to pick up the wearable at up to $110 below the usual price.

These are primarily devices that consumers bought then returned so supplies and selection are somewhat limited.

Say goodbye to hopes for mini-LED iPad Air [Updated]

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12.9-inch iPad Air with mini-LED display won't happen
The upcoming 12.9-inch iPad Air will use a standard screen, not a mini-LED one.
Nope: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The analyst who predicted last week that the first 12.9-inch iPad Air would include a mini-LED display has now walked it back.

The upcoming super-size version of the tablet will instead apparently use a standard type of screen.

Calculator app for iPad might finally launch in iPadOS 18

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iPad calculator app
Finally. Finally.
Image: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

In a long overdue move, Apple will reportedly integrate a Calculator application into the iPad operating system. The change — which is somehow both minor and monumental — will supposedly come when iPadOS 18 launched this autumn.

In the mean time, there are already several calculators hidden in the iPad.

New mophie case adds hours to iPhone battery life [Review] ★★★★

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mophie juice pack for iPhone 15 review★★★★
mophie juice pack is two useful iPhone 15 accessories in one.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The new mophie juice pack for iPhone 15 combines a protective case with a power bank. Simply put your handset in the case to greatly extend your battery life and add 6 feet of drop protection.

I did real-world testing on the version specifically for the iPhone 15. (mophie also sells juice packs for the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max, but not iPhone 15 Plus.)

Surprise! Apple sets May 7 event to launch new iPad Pro and iPad Air

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Surprise! Apple sets May 7 event to launch new iPad Pro and iPad Air
Apple's next product launch event will be May 7. iPads are finally coming!
Image: Apple/Cult of Mac

Apple just invited the world to a May 7 product-launch event with the theme “Let Loose.” As an Apple Pencil is prominently included in the invitation’s image, there’s no doubt that two much-rumored new iPad models are on the agenda.

What is surprising is that there’ll be an event to announce the products, not simply a press release.

Why iPhone 16 might dump physical buttons for capacitive ones

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Closeup of iPhone 15’s new Action button.
No more traditional buttons like these. iPhone 16 could use capacitive ones instead.
Photo: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac

The upcoming iPhone 16 series will have no traditional buttons at all, according to information leaking out of the company that will supply the capacitive buttons that will supposedly replace them.

If true, the change would make the iOS devices more durable and waterproof.

Mac mini might skip Apple M3 processor

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Mac mini might skip Apple M3 processor in favor of M4
With no M3 version on the way, iMac mini M2 will stay around until the M4 chip arrives.
Photo: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

There will never be a version of the Mac mini with the Apple M3 processor, according to a reliable tipster. Instead, the inexpensive desktop will wait for the next-generation chip.

That’s the bad news. The good news is that the wait supposedly won’t be terribly long.

Argylle reaches No. 1 most popular movie on streaming

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Henry Cavill, Dua Lipa and John Cena in Argylle, now streaming on Apple TV+.
Henry Cavill, Dua Lipa and John Cena are among the many stars of Argylle, now streaming on Apple TV+.
Photo: Apple TV+

The action-comedy romance film Argylle shot to the top of a streaming popularity chart as soon as it reached Apple TV+. It’s spy-vs-spy excitement chock full of celebrities.

Plus, the series Sugar and Franklin drew big audiences on Apple’s streaming service last week, too. These also feature big-name stars in the lead roles.

Save big on Apple Watch Ultra 2 refurbished by Apple

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Apple Watch Ultra 2 is designed for sports enthusiasts.
An Apple refurb is a great way to save.
Photo: Apple

Apple Watch Ultra 2 joined the official Apple Certified Refurbished store. This lets buyers save $120 on the top-of-the-line smartwatch that hit the market just a few months ago.

Buying refurbs from Apple is a popular way to save on used electronics that can be relied on.

Stylish desk mat comes with integrated wireless charging [Review] ★★★★☆

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Zagg Desk Mat with Wireless Charging review★★★★☆
Zagg's new desk mat is also a wireless charger and a mousepad.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The Zagg Desk Mat with Wireless Charging keeps your iPhone and other gear juiced up while also acting as a nonslip workspace, mousepad and stylus holder.

I put one in my home office and tested it with my iPhone and other accessories. Here’s how it went.

How and why to use iPhone Stolen Device Protection

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How and why to use iPhone Stolen Device Protection
Activate Stolen Device Protection to make your iPhone less valuable to criminals.
Graphic: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

iPhone Stolen Device Protection offers increased safety for your accounts and financial information if someone steals your handset and its passcode.

Here’s how to activate the security feature that debuted in iOS 17.3, and — more importantly — why you should do it now.

Streaming video via Apple AirPlay to hotel TVs is finally here

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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.

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

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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

The new 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.

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

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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.

World of Warcraft is always ready for Mac gamers

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Warcraft coming to mobile
The Mac is a great platform for playing World of Warcraft.
Photo: Blizzard

World of Warcraft looks and performs very well on Mac. It’s a standout option for gamers frustrated that few other big-name games come to macOS.

Blizzard’s perennially popular massively multiplayer online role-playing game offers constantly evolving content so you won’t get bored. And you don’t need a PC to play.

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

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'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.

Goodbye Leather Apple ad raises questions about FineWoven iPhone cases

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'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.

First iPhone Game Boy emulator quickly disappears from App Store

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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.