Ed Hardy has been writing full-time about tech for 25 years, and using it for much longer than that. His intro to Apple was a Macintosh Classic II (which he still has), but now he uses a 13-inch iPad Pro as his primary computer. He’s written for NotebookReview, TabletPCReview, and Brighthand, as well as other sites.
You might soon be wearing the equivalent of a medical laboratory. Photo: Apple
A deal between Apple and Rockley Photonics could add new medical sensors to the Apple Watch in 2022. That might include non-invasive monitoring of blood sugar levels, body temperature and blood pressure. It might even add the ability to measure blood-alcohol levels.
The British startup promises to “bring laboratory diagnostics to the wrist.”
If Apple makes a foldable iPhone, it might look like this concept design. Screenshot: ConceptsiPhone
A folding iPhone is two years away, according to a trusted industry analyst. When open, the device will have an 8-inch screen, significantly bigger than the current largest iOS model, which has a 6.7-inch display.
Demand for the 2021 iPad Pro far outstrips supply. Photo: Apple
Order the 12.9-inch version of the 2021 iPad Pro today and it won‘t arrive before late June. And maybe not until July. Apple started taking pre-orders for the first M1-powered tablet on Friday, and anyone who didn’t move quickly could wait almost 10 weeks for the device.
The delay is apparently caused by the new mini-LED screen.
Apple Music Hi-Fi is only a rumor. But there’s at least one good reason to think it’s true. Photo: Cult of Mac
Apple Music Hi-Fi, a version of the streaming music service offering higher-quality audio, could debut “in the coming weeks,” according to an unconfirmed report.
What the new streaming rate will be is unclear. But it will have to take an on improved version of archrival streaming service Spotify.
Apple AirTag. So small, so meh. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Apple’s AirTag sales pitch is that you can attach the item tracker to your keys and you can find it with your iPhone, whether it’s in the couch or Canberra. That’s true, but the wireless range of these gizmos is so limited that finding a nearby AirTag in the next room isn’t easy as it should be. And the hardware is missing an obvious feature.
I’m a long-time user of rival Tile trackers. I was expecting Apple’s offering to be significantly better. In reality, both have their strengths. And Tile comes out ahead in some critical ways.
Maotoam Pro is a robust tablet/laptop stand and a multifunction USB-C hub all in one well-designed package. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Maotoam Pro is two popular desktop accessories in one. It’s both a laptop/tablet stand and a USB-C hub with 13 ports. It can prop up a MacBook or iPad at your preferred angle, and connect it to up to a monitor, three USB devices, Ethernet and more.
I used the stand/hub in my everyday life for days. Here’s why I like it so very much.
The Magic Keyboard for iPad looks incredible. And it’ll be usable with more than one generation of iPad Pro. Photo: Apple
Turns out the 2020 version of Apple Magic Keyboard does fit the slightly thicker iPad Pro set for release in May. Apple said Thursday the accessory is “functionally compatible” with its newest tablet.
The clarification was necessary because previous statements from the company seemed to indicate that only a new, larger version of keyboard case was usable with the 12.9-inch version of the 2021 iPad Pro.
Demand for iPad and all tablets remains robust. Screenshot: Apple
iPad shipments increased a whopping 75% during the first quarter of the year over same period of 2020, according a market analysis firm. It’s the result of people needing computers to work and learn from home as the pandemic drags on.
Other tablet makers saw strong Q1 2021 growth as well, but iPad continues to dominate the market.
Go from a virtual canvas to painting 3D objects with Procreate 5.2. Photo: Savage Interactive
Procreate 5.2 will let iPad users paint in 3D and then view their creations with augmented reality. That’s a significant step beyond traditional 2D creation.
And Savage Interactive says its digital tool will be up to four times faster on the 2021 iPad Pro thanks to the M1 processor.
While there’s some disagreement among experts about the chances for an OLED MacBook, most think it will happen. Photo: Cult of Mac
A trusted Apple analyst recently predicted MacBooks would never use OLED displays, shutting macOS laptops out from the best-looking type of screen. But an expert in display technologies disagrees, as do several other analysts.
iPads with OLED screens have been rumored to be on Apple’s drawing board. And iPhones and Apple Watch already use this type of display. It’s possible the tech will spread to all Apple products. There are advantages and drawbacks to OLED, though.
Sales of new M1 Macs powered Apple to yet another record-smashing quarter. Photo: Wes Hicks/Unsplash CC
Apple did it again. It just announced a quarter where it didn’t just beat everyone’s expectations, it blew them away. The Mac had a phenomenal quarter, and so did iPhone and iPad.
But you don’t have to bury yourself in spreadsheets to get the lowdown on what it all means. Just read on.
The first three months of 2021 brought a flood of revenue for Apple, up 54% from last year. And profits, too. The company had a successful quarter all around, with double-digit growth in iPhone, Mac, iPad, wearables and services revenue.
A shining star in the results was iPhone revenue, which increased by a whopping 65%. But other product categories increased by even higher percentages.
Delta is giving each of its its flight attendants an iPhone 12 for its 5G and AR capabilities. Photo: Delta
Delta Airlines is equipping its flight attendants with an iPhone 12. The handset’s augmented reality capabilities will be used for training as well as locating catering items stored on planes.
Multiple products are expected to contribute to Apple announcing stellar financial results for last quarter. Graphic: Cult of Mac
Wall Street thinks Apple recently finished an amazing quarter. If the analysts are right, the company will reveal on Wednesday the results of a January-through-March period with significant revenue growth in all its products, both hardware and services.
The SanDisk iXpand Flash Drive Luxe has both USB-C and Lightning connectors for maximum compatibility. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
The SanDisk iXpand Flash Drive Luxe includes both Lightning and USB Type-C connectors so it plugs into almost any computer. You can easily access the same collection of files from an iPhone, Mac or iPad without resorting to iCloud, etc. Even better, the drive is small and comes in an all-metal casing.
I tested the iXpand Luxe with multiple devices. Here’s its strengths and weaknesses.
The Twelve South Forté is a new iPhone 12 magnetic stand that also charges at 15 watts. Photo: Twelve South
iPhone 12 users can take advantage of the built-in MagSafe charger with the Twelve South Forté. This stand quickly powers up the handset while also raising it up so it’s ready to be used hands free.
Apple likes the design enough to put it on Apple Store.
Apple AR glasses are reportedly holding in the prototype stage. Illustration: Apple
Apple’s much-rumored AR glasses reportedly suffered a setback and might not be out as soon thought. The wearable augmented-reality accessory could have gone into production in the first quarter of 2022, but that’s now supposedly unlikely.
Rose Bryne stars in Physical, a new dark comedy that debuted this month on Apple TV+. Screenshot: Apple
Rose Byrne’s dark comedy Physical just got a release date: June 18. And Apple TV+ also dropped a teaser trailer for the show set during the exercise craze of the 1980s.
Being able to to unlock your iPhone while wearing a face mask is the best reason yet to get an Apple Watch. Photo: Ivan Samkov/Pexels CC
iOS 14.5 is the best update of the pandemic era because it works with your Apple Watch to remove the hassle of unlocking your iPhone while wearing a face mask. You don’t have to type in your passcode every single damn time. The phone just unlocks. Like it’s supposed to.
But the trick does require an Apple Watch. If you’ve been on the bubble about getting one, this feature should go a long way toward convincing you. It serves as yet another elegant example of how Apple’s ecosystem offers users simple solutions to modern life’s annoyances.
PopGrip Slide Stretch is far more flexible than any previous PopGrip. Photo: PopSockets
The just-released PopGrip Slide Stretch lets users keep a handle on their iPhone 12 without interfering with the MagSafe charging system. That’s because the new gadget from PopSockets lets the PopGrip slide back and forth on the back of the handset.
Don’t just record your friends’ dance routine. Add augmented reality effects to make it amazing. Photo: Apple
Apple Clips 3.1, a new version of the free video-creation app, adds fun augmented reality effects that map themselves to a room and the people in it. The goal is unique videos that people can then share on social media.
And Apple promised to start making monthly content releases with new filters, stickers and more.
The release of iOS 14.5 gives iPhone and iPad users access to some fun new emoji. Photo: Emojipedia/Cult of Mac
The fresh emoji appearing in iOS 14.5 will set your heart afire. Or at least let you show that in texts. The new collection of pictographs also includes some new faces, and plenty of additional variations to show how we couple up in the 21st century.
iPad users get the same emoji thanks to iPadOS 14.5 and macOS 11.3, which also launched on Monday.
Thanks to App Tracking Transparency in iOS 14.5, it’s up to your to decide whether third-party applications track you. Graphic: Cult of Mac
iPhone and iPad just got a significant new privacy protection, preventing third-party apps from tracking you without permission. App Tracking Transparency debuted in iOS 14.5 and iPadOS 14.5.
Here’s how to use it. And what to do about all the popups asking, “Allow [THIS APP] to track your activity?”
macOS Big Sur 11.3 is ready to be downloaded. It improves Safari and Reminders, and includes many new options for game controllers. Photo: Cult of Mac
macOS Big Sur 11 was apparently such a significant update that Apple doesn’t have much to add in follow ups. Version 11.3 launched Tuesday bringing a collection of tweaks but not big changes.
Starting with iOS 14.5, iPhone owners can use their Apple Watch to securely unlock their handset when attempting to use Face ID while wearing a face mask. Photo: Apple
Apple on Monday gave all iPhone users access to iOS 14.5. And iPad users can install iPadOS 14.5 Today’s updates bring a ton of new features, including unlocking an iPhone with an Apple Watch while wearing a mask.
The OS updates also bring App Tracking Transparency, a controversial change that makes it harder for apps to track users for targeted advertising. Other upgrades include new emoji, fresh Siri voices, additional features for Apple’s news and map apps, support for the just-announced AirTag trackers and a wholesale redesign of the Podcasts app.
watchOS 7.4, which is necessary for the new mask-friendly Face ID feature, and tvOS 14.5 also became available today, along with macOS Big Sur 11.3.