Ed Hardy, author at Cult of Mac

Apple begins beta testing iOS 16.5 and macOS 13.4 [Updated]

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iOS 16.5 and macOS 13.4 betas
Apple is already looking ahead to iOS 16.5 and macOS Ventura 13.4.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple seeded the initial betas of iOS 16.5 and macOS Ventura 13.4 to the general public on Thursday. Developers were given access on Tuesday.  Beta testing began almost immediately after the public release of the previous versions.

iPadOS 16.5 beta 1, watchOS 9.5 beta 1 and tvOS 16.5 beta 1 are also available to the public and to devs.

Big Beasts prowls onto Apple TV+ for Earth Day

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'Big Beasts' prowls onto Apple TV+ for Earth Day
Whales and hippos and ostriches, oh my!
Image: Apple TV+

After the success of Tiny World, Apple TV+ is going to the opposite extreme with Big Beasts. The documentary series puts whales, bears, gorillas and many more in center stage.

Tom Hiddleston is narrator, and the multi-part docuseries premiers on Earth Day. A new trailer gives a sneak peek.

How to enable Voice Isolation for iPhone calls in iOS 16.4

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How to enable Voice Isolation for iPhone calls in iOS 16.4
iOS 16.4 makes it easy to block embarrassing background noise from your phone calls.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The Voice Isolation feature that’s been making FaceTime and Zoom video chats better for over a year is finally available for regular iPhone voice calls. With it, the people you’re on a phone call with can’t hear noises going on around you.

Here’s how to activate one of the best new features of iOS 16.4.

New mophie powerstation battery can charge almost anything [Review] ★★★★★

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mophie powerstation pro AC review★★★★★
The mophie powerstation pro AC can keep your devices going long after smaller batteries have given out.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The mophie powerstation pro AC includes a three-prong power socket, making this external battery right for anyone who has a range of devices they need to charge on the go, not just phones and tablets. The 27,000mAh power bank also includes a mix of three of USB ports.

I put this hefty battery to the test. Here are its strengths and drawbacks.

WWDC23 invite might hint at Apple VR headset

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WWDC23 invite might hint at Apple VR/AR headset
Maybe? Possibly.
Photo: Cult of Mac/Ian Zelbo

The colorful image Apple used Wednesday to invite developers to WWDC23 set off speculation that it’s a hint that the company’s long-awaited VR/AR headset will be unveiled at the June event.

It’s not impossible — Apple dropped a major hint into the invitation to the iPhone 14 launch event.

WWDC23 kicks off June 5 with online event

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Apple WWDC23 announcement
WWDC23 will happen June 5 through June 9, with loads of big announcements expected.
Image: Apple

The official invitation to Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference 2023 went out Wednesday, confirming we’ll get our first look at what’s on the company’s near-term agenda on June 5. Apple promises WWDC23 will bring an opportunity “to learn the latest about Apple platforms, technologies, and tools.”

In other words, expect new versions of iOS, macOS and more — including a possible first look at the company’s long-rumored AR/VR headset (along with the software that will power the device).

WWDC23 will kick off with a keynote on June 5 and run the rest of that week. Even in this post-pandemic world, the event will be mostly online. However, a fortunate few developers and students will be able to watch the video keynote from Apple Park.

How to get the latest HomePod software update

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How to reset HomePod and HomePod mini
Here’s how to be sure you have the latest HomePod software update. Or stop your smart speaker from updating.
Image: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

Your HomePod is a lot more than a simple speaker — it’s a whole computer. And like any computer it has an operating system that needs occasional updates. Here’s how to make sure your Apple smart speaker has the software version released on Monday.

Version 16.4 is minor “bug fix” update the promises performance improvements. But it’s significant because it’s the return to an upgrade to the underlying architecture of Apple’s HomeKit home-automation system.

If you depend on automatic updates, it’s possible your smart speaker hasn’t yet installed either update. Here’s how to do so manually.

Apple Pay Later gives you 6 weeks to pay off interest-free loans

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Apple Pay Later lets shoppers buy now then pay in installments
Apple launched a new way to pay off expensive items on Tuesday.
Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac

A new Apple Pay Later service allows consumers to pay off purchases of under $1,000 in installments. No interest or fees are charged. And it’s not only for Apple products — the service can be used for any expensive item.

It begins rolling out on Tuesday with broad availability “in the coming months,” according to Apple.

Apple Music Classical app steps onto the conductor’s podium

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Apple Music Classical
You can start listening to the Apple Music Classical app today.
Photo: Apple/Samuel Sianipar/Unsplash/Cult of Mac

The long-awaited Apple Music Classical application is now live in the App Store. It gives subscribers access to the world’s largest classical music catalog, and is designed to help users find specific recordings of great works almost instantly.

“Apple Music Classical is a dedicated app that is great for classical experts as well as anyone who is new to classical, with the largest classical music selection in the world, the very best search and browse capabilities, the most premium sound experience with Spatial Audio, and thousands of exclusive recordings,” said Oliver Schusser, Apple VP of Apple Music and Beats. “We believe this is the very best classical music streaming experience available anywhere, and for us, this is just the beginning.”