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.
PopGrip for MagSafe and PopWallet+ for MagSafe attach to an iPhone 12 with magnets, not adhesive. Photo: PopSockets
The new MagSafe system for iPhone is a huge boon for PopGrips. A new collection of these pop-up phone handles can cling to the magnets built into the back of the latest Apple models, but also be easily detached.
PopSockets released PopGrip for MagSafe and PopWallet+ for MagSafe on Thursday, and these don’t have to be glued on. Or built into cases.
Rebecca Ferguson will star in Wool, a drama series based on Hugh Howey’s New York Times bestselling trilogy of dystopian novels. Photo: Apple TV+
The collection of sci-fi series available on Apple TV+ is growing again with a series order for Wool. It’s based on a bestselling trilogy of dystopian novels, and will star Rebecca Ferguson.
When available, it’ll join several other sci-fi series on Apple’s streaming video service.
Apple shows what the world would look like if brick-and-mortar businesses were just as nosy as apps.
Apple has a new video for all the people who took a TL;DR approach to the iPhone’s new App Tracking Transparency. Rather than read an explanation of the feature that debuted in April, there’s a short video showing what the world would look like if brick-and-mortar businesses were able to follow people the way apps can.
It’s not a good day for iMessage Photo: Cult of Mac/Mabel Amber/Pexels CC
Update: Apple fixed the problem it was having with iMessage on Thursday.
Previous article:
If you aren’t getting texts from your friends, don’t blame your iPhone. It’s a larger problem. Apple reports that its iMessage service has been having difficulties for several hours.
Connect an iPhone to legacy speakers over AirPlay 2 with Belkin’s Soundform Connect. Photo: Belkin
The audio limitations of Bluetooth have been much in the news lately, so Belkin picked the perfect time to launch Soundform Connect. The wireless adapter allows iPhone users to communicate to any speaker over AirPlay 2… that’s Wi-Fi and high-quality audio.
Craig Federighi says iPhone does a better job of protecting customers than macOS. Photo: Apple
Craig Federighi, Apple’s SVP of software engineering, told a court on Wednesday that there’s more Mac malware available than Apple’s executive team is comfortable with. And he says iPhones do a much better job of protecting users.
Federighi was testifying at the Epic Games v. Apple trial explaining why he thinks the iPhone-maker’s tight control of the iOS App Store is necessary.
Testing is on for iOS 14.7 beta 1, along with upcoming versions of macOS, iPadOS, watchOS and tvOS. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Apple hasn’t yet given regular users access to the most recent iPhone and Mac updates but is already testing their replacements. The first betas of iOS 14.7 and macOS 11.5 were seeded to developers on Wednesday.
The same goes for iPadOS 14.7, watchOS 7.6 and tvOS 14.7.
Perhaps AirPods will be able to play Apple Music’s new lossless option. Photo: Apple
There’s hope for AirPods users unhappy that the new Apple Music lossless option won’t work on their wireless headphones. Tipster Jon Prosser said on Wednesday that Apple will introduce a software update that will allow the earbuds to play lossless audio. Supposedly, AirPlay and Wi-Fi are just waiting to be enabled in AirPods.
The Zagg Pro Keys with Trackpad (center), a new version of the Rugged Book (left) and the Pro Keys without trackpad (right). Photo: Zagg
The Zagg Pro Keys with Trackpad isn’t just for pro-grade iPad users because anyone might want the option to turn their tablet into a laptop. The new keyboard case is compatible with the 11-inch iPad Pro, the 10.9-inch iPad Air and the 10.2-inch iPad.
Zagg also introduced on Wednesday a version of Pro Keys without a trackpad for the 12.9-inch iPad Pro. And the accessory maker launched a Rugged Book keyboard case for the 11-inch iPad Pro and the 10.9-inch iPad Air.
Reviewers shared their real-world experiences with the M1 processor and the mini-LED screen in the 2021 iPad Pro. Photo: Cult of Mac
The 2021 iPad Pro successfully combines a gorgeous display with a blazing-fast M1 processor, according to the first wave of reviews published Wednesday.
Chris Velazco from Engadget said, “this might be the best portable computer Apple has ever made.”
GameSir G4 Pro game controller can be used with iPhone and Android devices. And iPad and PC too. Plus Nintendo Switch. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
The GameSir G4 Pro is a wireless game controller that works with iPhone and iPad but also PC, Android and Switch. It resembles a wireless Xbox controller but with a flip-out mount for holding an iPhone.
I did quite a bit of gaming with the G4 Pro. Here’s how it stood up.
Prop up an iPad with the Moft Snap Tablet Stand. Then fold it flat. Photo: Moft
The iPad doesn’t include a kickstand, but the Moft Snap Tablet Stand can be attached to any full-size model, propping the screen up at a variety of viewing and working angles. And it’s easily removable, slim and weighs in at under 5 ounces.
Even better, it’s compatible with the Apple Magic Keyboard.
Halide for iPad is ready to break the bias against tablet photography. Photo: Lux
Halide isn’t just for iPhone any more — the alternative camera application gained iPad support on Tuesday. Lux promises its latest release is, “packed with all the powerful features of Halide for iPhone and a few special ones for better photography on big screens.”
No one knows the App Store better than Phil Schiller. Photo: Apple
Apple fellow Phil Schiller took the stand Monday in the Epic Games v. Apple lawsuit and during testimony revealed the cost of the annual Worldwide Developers Conference: $50 million. He’s in charge of both WWDC and App Store so he brings unique insight to the ongoing court battle.
This is one of many details the long-standing Apple executive talked about on the stand.
Apple could soon offer AirPods and Beats Studio Buds to rival each other. Photo: 9to5Mac
In a brewing Apple vs. Apple battle, the iPhone-maker is reportedly working on Beats Studio Buds — a pair of in-ear wireless headphones with a lot in common with AirPods.
The odd circumstance comes because the company releases headphones under its own brand and also under the Beats brand.
AirPods Max have a lot to offer, but not the upcoming Apple Music lossless option. Photo: Ian Fuchs/Cult of Mac
Apple Music fans who are super-excited about the just-announced lossless audio option should be aware that it won’t work with AirPods or HomePod. Not even the $549AirPods Max.
But Apple’s headphones and smart speaker do support Spatial Audio for songs mixed in Dolby Atmos, another new feature of Apple Music.
The first release candidates for iOS 14.6 and iPadOS 14.6 are out. The same goes for watchOS 7.5 RC and tvOS 14.6 RC. Photo: Cult of Mac
Apple seeded to developers the first release candidates for iOS 14.6 and iPadOS 14.6 on Monday. These are only small updates for these operating systems, and their timing may be controlled by the 2021 iPad Pro, which will reach customers on Friday.
Not to be left out, devs also got access to the initial release candidates for watchOS 7.5 and tvOS 14.6 on Monday.
Update:Shortly thereafter, Apple also seeded macOS Big Sur 11.4 RC to developers.
The first mini-LED MacBook models might not launch before 2022. Concept: Ian Zelbo
Apple may push back its first notebooks with beautiful mini-LED displays. Unconfirmed reports previously predicted 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook models with the new type of screen would arrive before the end of 2021, but a leak Monday indicates they won’t come until the following year.
At this point, it’s not clear if this means Apple won’t introduce new Mac notebooks until 2022, or if just the switch to mini-LED screens is on hold. Many are very much anticipating redesigned MacBooks powered with an Apple M2 chip.
PewPew Live is like Asteroids raised to 11. And it’s free! Photo: Apple/Jean-Francois Geyelin
Remember Asteroids? Well, PewPew Live is like that arcade classic on steroids. (So… as-steroids?) Zoom through space and blow up everything in fast-paced action.
There hasn’t been a new game added to Apple Arcade in over a month, so if you’re looking for something fresh, take PewPew Live for a spin. And it’s free!
Apple co-founder Steve Jobs will NOT be commemorated in the National Garden of American Heroes. Photo: Sebastian Errazuriz
Former president Trump’s plan to create a National Garden of American Heroes has been cancelled by the Biden Administration. It would have created an open-air space with statues of a wide variety of Americans, including Apple co-founder Steve Jobs.
Trump created the garden by executive order, and President Biden completely cancelled it Friday with another executive order. No reason was given.
Original article from January 18, 2021
Apple co-founder Steve Jobs is one of hundreds of people who’ll have a statue in the National Garden of American Heroes that President Trump ordered be created.
The list includes a wide variety of men and women from history, including politicians, generals, explorers, inventors, writers, actors and more.
A new head of design means Apple will offer plenty more headphones to follow these Beats PowerBeats. Photo: Apple
The reports of Beats’ death are (reportedly) greatly exaggerated. Rather than phasing out the brand, as had been rumored, Apple put Scott Croyle, the former head of product design at phone-maker HTC, in charge of crafting new Beats headphones, according to an unconfirmed report.
According to the FDA, there’s little risk to implanted medical devices from magnets in phones and watches. Photo: Apple
After Apple warned users of implanted medical devices to avoid iPhone 12 and MagSafe accessories, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration weighed in to say that the danger to pacemakers and defibrillators from magnets built into electronic devices is low.
Daisychain RapidX Modula units to build a custom wireless charging station. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Many homes and offices have a collection of iPhones, Apple Watches and AirPods that need charging every night. Rather than a collection of these cluttered together, the RapidX Modula5 system offers wireless chargers that magnetically snap together and run off a single cable.
I used Modula5 in my multi-device home. Here’s why I like it.
Doing so would be a mistake so severe it would damage sales of both iPad and Mac. It would take years to clean up the mess.
No matter that Macs and iPads run on the same chip. macOS isn’t designed for a touchscreen. Apple would need to redesign the operating system to run on a tablet, and devs would need to alter third-party applications, too. And that would anger people using non-touchscreen laptops and desktops.
Plus, people happy with the iPad now wouldn’t like the change either.