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Ed Hardy - page 113

Juice up Apple Watch on the go with this compact travel charger [Review]

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Ampere Apple Watch Charging Cable review
The Ampere Apple Watch Charging Cable fits easily into your luggage, and is ready to power up your wearable.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Ampere’s Apple Watch Charging Cable is a lot more portable than Apple’s. With its short cable, it fits easily in a purse or gear bag. As a bonus, it’s partially made from recycled ocean plastic.

I put the MFi-certified Apple Watch travel charger through its paces. Here’s how it did in real-world testing.

Create your best witchy life with Wylde Flowers on Apple Arcade

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Create your best witchy life with ‘Wylde Flowers on Apple Arcade
Help a witch grow plants, tend animals, make friends and maybe even fall in love in Wylde Flowers.
Screenshot: Studio Drydock

Help a young witch grow the family farm in Wylde Flowers, a magical sim game that debuted Friday on Apple Arcade. You’ll also need to increase your spell skills if you want to help your local coven solve a mystery.

The enchanting game is available now for a range of Apple computers.

Carry an AirTag in style with clever Orbitkey holders [Review]

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Orbitkey AirTag holders reviews
Attach an AIrTag to your keys or other item with the Orbitkey Leather Holder or Slim Case.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Orbitkey offers a pair of AirTag holders that make it easy to attach Apple’s tracking tag to your keys or purse. The Slim Case has a minimalistic design, while the Leather Holder wraps the AirTag in a stylish sleeve.

I used both holders to see how they stood up to real-world use.

Union! Apple retail employees move to unionize

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Union! Apple retail employees move to unionize
While these Apple Store employees are clearly happy, some don’t feel they are being paid as much as they could. So they’re unionizing.
Photo: Apple

Workers at some Apple Stores are reportedly planning to unionize. Employees are two stores are close to filing paperwork with the National Labor Relations Board and more are moving in that direction.

They say their goal is a larger share of Apple’s huge profits.

Use your MagSafe iPhone anywhere with this portable folding stand [Review]

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Mophie Portable Magnetic Stand review
You can be ready for a video conference with Adam Scott at any time with Mophie’s Portable Magnetic Stand.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The Mophie Portable Magnetic Stand folds flat but opens to hold up a MagSafe iPhone at a wide range of viewing angles. It’s a convenient way to make FaceTime calls or watch video wherever you go while freeing up your hands.

I tested the foldable stand with my iPhone 13. Here’s why I like it.

AirTag needs big changes to become less criminal-friendly

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Maybe Apple should just dump AirTag
Creeps love AirTag. But there are changes Apple could make so it would be much less useful for criminals.
Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac

New York’s attorney general issued a warning Wednesday about AirTags being used to secretly track people. And this is only the latest in a growing controversy over misuse of Apple’s tracking tags.

Perhaps Apple should drop the item tracker completely. At the very least, the functionality needs to be scaled way back.

Maintain your bookworm cred with BookBook Cover for iPad [Review]

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Twelve South BookBook Cover review
Add old-world charm to your iPad and click-on keyboard with BookBook Cover.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

There’s no better case for giving your iPad a unique look than the Twelve South BookBook Cover — no one else is going to have a tablet that looks like something Isaac Newton might have carried. Plus, this new addition to the BookBook line has room inside for a click-on keyboard.

I tried out this tablet case to see how well it stands up in ordinary use. And to be sure there’s really room inside for an iPad keyboard.

iPhone 6 Plus and iPad 4 hit Apple’s dreaded vintage and obsolete list

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iPhone 6 Plus
Bad news for anyone still carrying an iPhone 6 Plus.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

The iPhone 6 Plus was a game changer for Apple back in 2014. But it’s riding off into the sunset now that it’s been added to Apple’s list of vintage products, limiting its repair options.

And the iPad 4 from 2012 is now officially obsolete.

Chrome OS Flex turns 2009 MacBook into a useful computer again

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Chrome OS Flex turns 2009 MacBook into a useful computer again
Transform your old Mac into a Chromebook with Chrome OS Flex
Photo: Google

If you have an elderly Mac that’s not up to the demands of the latest macOS version, you can turn it into a Chromebook. All you need is Chrome OS Flex, an operating system Google created for older Macs and PCs.

The OS is still in beta, and targeted at businesses and schools. Nevertheless, it might become a way to bring some new life to your obsolete Mac.

Watch Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown with your Sweet Babboo on Apple TV+

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‘Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown’ is on Apple TV+
Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown is a classic Peanuts holiday special you can watch today.
Photo: WildBrain/Apple TV+

Hopefully you didn’t forget Monday is Valentine’s Day, and you can celebrate with the Peanuts gang. The 1975 special Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown is available to stream on Apple TV+.

Unlike the new Peanuts shows and specials on Apple’s streaming service, this one was written by Charles Schultz himself.

iMac Pro with mini-LED display might launch in early summer

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M1 iMac
The 27-inch iMac Pro is expected to look much like the 24-inch iMac, but larger. (Of course.)
Photo: Apple

The iMac Pro might start reaching customers in early summer, according to a very reliable tipster. While some are hoping for a debut as soon as March, that’s apparently overly optimistic.

And the leaker says reiterates that the all-in-one desktop will have a mini-LED display.

Add 3 super-fast ports to your Mac with Plugable’s Thunderbolt hub [Review]

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Plugable USB4-HUB3A Thunderbolt hub review
The Plugable USB4-HUB3A doesn’t take up much room on your desk, and adds three Thunderbolt 4 ports to your Mac.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

If you want more Thunderbolt ports for your Mac, the Plugable USB4-HUB3A hub offers a trio of them. And they are fully functional, offering up to 40 Gbps transfer speeds and support for 4K monitors. Plus, there’s a USB-A port for good measure.

I put Plugable’s new Thunderbolt hub through a round of testing to be sure it lives up to specs.

iPhone 13 whips Samsung Galaxy S22 in performance tests

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iPhone 13 whips Samsung Galaxy S22 in performance tests
No doubt about it, the iPhone 13 is way faster than the Galaxy S22.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The Samsung Galaxy S22 has the best chip available for an Android smartphone, but it can’t keep up with Apple’s A-series processor in the iPhone 13 series. Apple’s flagship solidly beats Samsung’s new top-tier models in benchmark tests. It isn’t even close.

And this is despite the iPhone 13 coming out months ago.

iOS 15.3.1 closes risky security hole and fixes Braille display bug

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iOS 15.3.1 closes risky security hole and fixes Braille display bug
Apple seems to think the security hole closed by iOS 15.3.1 is a serious one.
Photo: Lewis Wallace/Cult of Mac

Apple recommends iPhone and iPad users install a system software update released on Thursday. It removes a security hole on all web browsers, and also includes an accessibility fix.

There are also fresh updates for watchOS as well as macOS available.

macOS 12.2.1 update ends nasty Bluetooth bug

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macOS 11.2, the latest version of Big Sur, includes a range of bug fixes.
macOS 12.2.1 will help a lot of Mac users who’ve been hassled by a Bluetooth bug.
Photo: Cult of Mac

Intel-based Mac users can stop worrying about a frustrating Bluetooth bug that causes excessive battery drain. macOS Monterey 12.2.1, released Thursday, fixes the problem.

Apple also introduced iOS 15.3.1 and iPadOS 15.3.1 to fix a bug with Braille screens. And watchOS 8.4.2 is out, too.

Stronger back glass is the only feature iPhone 14 should steal from Samsung S22

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Stronger back glass is the only feature iPhone 14 should steal from Samsung S22
Apple should make it harder for this disaster to happen to the iPhone 14.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Samsung unveiled the Galaxy S22 series on Wednesday, and there’s not much for Apple users to be jealous of. The iPhone 13 series from 2021 is as good or better in almost every way.

But there is an exception. The latest Androids from Samsung are almost certainly less likely to break when dropped than iPhone. But the iPhone 14 can — and should — steal a feature from the S22 that will fix that.

Get kinky with these exotic, erotic iPhones

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Get kinky with these exotic, erotic iPhones from Caviar
An iPhone you can’t take home to grandma.
Photo: Caviar

Caviar has the perfect gift for the dominatrix in your life. There are five different specially modified iPhone 13 models in their new Kinky collection. These “reflect the most secret and hidden aspects of love, wild fantasies, and secret passions,” according to their maker.

They are coming out just in time for St. Valentine’s Day, so if your lover has enough latex body suits, this might be just what you’re looking for.

Samsung copies one of iPhone’s biggest advantages

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Apple vs Samsung
Samsung promises more years of Android updates. Not as many as Apple offers iOS updates, though.
Graphic: Cult of Mac

Debates over the relative merits of iOS versus Android can go on forever, but there’s always been one area where Apple was way ahead: offering years of operating system upgrades.

Not anymore. Samsung committed itself Wednesday to releasing four generations of Android OS updates for its high-end smartphones. And for its tablets, too.

Why working Apple retail just got better

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Apple store
There’s good news for Apple Store employees.
Photo: Apple

Apple retail store employees are getting more time off. Both sick days and vacation days. This is part of improving the benefits for those who works in the Mac-maker’s brick-and-mortar locations.

The changes come as lots of employers find themselves competing for quality applicants in a tight job market.

Denzel Washington and CODA pick up big Oscar noms for Apple TV+

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Denzel Washington and ‘CODA’ pick up big Oscar noms for Apple TV+
Denzel Washington is up for the Best Actor Oscar for his role in The Tragedy of Macbeth, now streaming on Apple TV+.
Photo: Apple TV+

The nominations are out for the 94th Academy Awards, and Apple TV+ films are up for six Oscars. Two movies from Apple’s streaming service attracted the attention of the Academy: CODA and The Tragedy of Macbeth.

Both films have already garnered a bevy of awards and nomimations.

What the puck? Belkin’s new iPhone charger comes with a kickstand [Review]

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Belkin Boost↑Charge Pro Portable Wireless Charger Pad with MagSafe 15W review
Belkin’s Portable Wireless Charger Pad is a MagSafe charger and desktop stand in one.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Belkin found a way to improve on Apple’s MagSafe charging puck for iPhone. Both charge equally fast, but Apple’s lies flat, while Belkin’s includes a built-in kickstand. Plus, the third-party accessory maker put in a much longer cable. And these are just some of the benefits of the (deep breath) Belkin Boost↑Charge Pro Portable Wireless Charger Pad with MagSafe 15W.

I put the wireless charger through a round of tests. It came through with flying colors.

Mophie foldable iPhone stand is small enough to take anywhere

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Mophie foldable iPhone stand is small enough to take anywhere
The Mophie Portable Magnetic Stand is ready to be used wherever you are.
Photo: Zagg/Mophie

The Mophie Portable Magnetic Stand folds flat but opens to hold up a MagSafe iPhone at a range of viewing angles.

Apple is impressed enough to make the stand an Apple Store exclusive.

Apple and its latest acquisition will make AI music together

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StaffPad being used on iPad
Soon your iPhone can write music just for you.
Photo: David William Hearn

Apple reportedly bought AI Music, a startup that uses artificial intelligence to create songs in real time.

The technology will most likely be integrated into the Apple Photos application for creating background music for slideshows and video montages.

Apple accused of using NDAs to silence workers’ complaints

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Apple accused of using NDAs to silence workers’ complaints
The SEC has been asked to look into whether Apple lied about not using NDAs as concealment clauses.
Photo: SEC

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is being urged to look into Apple’s claim that it doesn’t use nondisclosure agreements to prevent its employees from talking about alleged incidents of harassment and discrimination.

The request comes from a collection of state treasurers who point out that activists accuse Apple of using NDAs for exactly this purpose.

iPad leads cops to kidnap victim

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iPad leads cops to kidnap victim
Sometime your gear can be found when you cannot.
Photo: Cult of Mac/Pixabay/Pexels

A Colorado woman was rescued from a kidnapper after police tracked down her iPad at a motel in another state.

Apple devices can be connected to the Find My network, allowing their owners to locate them if they’re misplaced. But the feature has other uses… obviously.