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.
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.
Even beyond the better screen and processor, there’s a lot to like about the 2021 iPad Pro. But not every change is good. Photo: Apple
There are some changes in the 2021 iPad Pro that shouldn’t be overlooked, even as most of the attention has gone to the speedy M1 processor and gorgeous mini-LED display. Some of the differences are good, but not all.
Here are five things you shouldn’t miss about Apple’s new top-tier tablet.
Seems there’s might not be quite enough room in the original Apple Magic Keyboard for an iPad Pro that’s 0.5 mm thicker. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
The 12.9-inch 2021 iPad Pro unveiled April 20 is slightly thicker than its predecessor. And that’s enough to prevent the latest tablet from being a good fit with the Apple Magic Keyboard released last year. But apparently the fit is just close enough.
“The first generation of the Magic Keyboard (A1998) is functionally compatible with the new iPad Pro 12.9-inch (5th generation) with Liquid Retina XDR display. Due to the slightly thicker dimensions of this new iPad Pro, it’s possible that the Magic Keyboard may not precisely fit when closed, especially when screen protectors are applied.”
Jump back 50 years to take a deep dive into “1971: The Year That Music Changed Everything.” Photo: Apple
Music fans rejoice! 1971: The Year That Music Changed Everything is an upcoming Apple TV+ documentary series exploring the musicians and soundtracks that shaped the culture and politics of 50 years ago.
It’ll premiere on Apple’s streaming video service on Friday, May 21.
Two Apple executives threw cold water on the idea of an iPad running macOS. Photo: Cult of Mac
The M1 Mac processor in the recently-revealed 2021 iPad Pro forced Apple to reiterate that it’s not planning to combine macOS and iPadOS. According to two top-level executives, the company is producing the best Mac and the best iPad it can make. Not a mashup of them.
Not one to let moss grow under its feet, Apple quickly began testing follow-up operating systems for iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch and Apple TV. Photo: Cult of Mac
Apple already began testing the first betas of iOS 14.6, iPadOS 14.6, watchOS 7.5 and tvOS 14.5. Developers were seeded these on Thursday, even though the versions that were previously in beta testing have yet to be introduced to the public.
Is buying something in iTunes or Apple TV really buying it? Photo: Cult of Mac
A federal judge gave the go ahead to a lawsuit that claims Apple is tricking customers with the iTunes “Buy” button. There are questions about whether what’s happening qualifies as a purchase of the movie or TV show.
Apple was hoping to have the suite completely dismissed. As it is, the company may have to make a change to the way it offers this type of content.
Attaching an AirTag to a beloved pet makes at least as mucgh sense as putting an item tracker on your keys. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Bad news AirTag shoppers: there’s no hole in Apple’s item-tracker. You have to buy an add-on to attach it to anything. Accessory makers have rushed to put out key rings and luggage tags. But no one makes the item I want: an AirTag pet collar.
Xcode is just one of the Mac applications that should be available for iPad now that it has an M1 processor. Photo: Cult of Mac
The Apple M1 processor in the 2021 iPad Pro could make it the most productive tablet ever. But only if Apple takes the logical next step and lets iPads run Mac apps.
M1-powered Macs can run iPadOS applications. The reverse should be true.
The Belkin Wemo Stage Scene Controller replaces light switches with a much more powerful option. Photo: Belkin
A wall switch can turn on a light or two, but the Wemo Stage Scene Controller from Belkin can activate an entire scene, controlling lights, thermostats, music and other devices all around the house.
It ties into Apple’s HomeKit home automation system allowing someone to press a single button to launch their movie night scene, or wake their house up in the morning, for example.
“CODA” did very, very well at Sundance Film Festival, and Apple TV+ subscribers will be able to see it summer 2021. Photo: Apple
CODA cleaned up at the 2021 Sundance film festival, and the film is now headed for Apple TV+. It’ll debut on the streaming service on August 13, and in theaters on the same day
Hackers leaked details that help confirm that a 2021 MacBook Pro model will look much like this. Concept: Ian Zelbo/Renders by Ian
Hackers reportedly stole plans for two upcoming 2021 MacBook Pro models from Quanta and leaked details. These help confirm earlier reports that Apple’s next notebook will see a return of MagSafe, the HDMI port and an SD card reader. But no Touch Bar.
The Brydge 12.9 Max+ turns your iPad Pro into a clamshell laptop. Photo: Brydge
The Brydge 12.9 Max+ is a magnetic clip-on keyboard for the largest iPad Pro models. It includes a sizable trackpad, and a design that mimics a clamshell laptop.
It uses some of the features of the popular Apple Magic Keyboard, but goes in a different direction.
Buyers of the 2021 iPad Pro will have keyboards and cases to choose from when the tablet launches, including the Logitech Combo Touch. Photo: Logitech
For all its many improvements, the basic design of the 2021 iPad Pro changed hardly at all. That’s good news for anyone in the market for a case or keyboard for Apple’s new tablet, as it means there’s a wide variety available.
But a change in the thickness of the 12.9-inch version mans that many existing products aren‘t compatible. That said, there are already options from Logitech, Brydge, Otterbox and Apple itself that are confirmed to work with the new computer. And likely more that’ll still fit.
Up to five family members can soon share an Apple Card. Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac
Apple Card holding parents can soon give their teenagers access to the credit card. Adults can share a card and teens can be allowed limited usage thanks to the upcoming Apple Card Family feature.
The wait for iOS 14.5 is almost over — it’ll be out before the end of April. The same goes for iPadOS 14.5. Photo: Cult of Mac
Apple revealed on Tuesday that iOS 14.5 and the iPad equivalent will reach customers iPhones and tablets some time “next week.” These include a rush of new features, like unlocking an iPhone with an Apple Watch. And a controversial change that make it harder for apps to track users for ads.
To help make the launches possible, developers were given access to the release candidates for these upcoming operating system versions on Tuesday. They can both look for bugs and test their own applications with the new OS versions.
Man, that was one powerful presentation. Image: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac
It’s 4/20 and Apple’s big iMac and iPad Pro launch event was a total trip. The new Mac desktop comes in a rainbow of colors, and the M1 processor in the latest tablet will blow you away. And there’s AirTag too, at long last.
Grab some snacks and get ready to find out what the new products mean for Apple users and for the company’s future.
The 2021 iPad Pro offers can be configured with a whopping 16GB of RAM. Yes, 16GB. Photo: Apple
The just-announced 2021 iPad Pro packs at least 8GB of RAM and can be configured with 16GB. The days when Apple’s tablets got an anemic amount of RAM are over.
There’s so much, Apple stopped hiding the amount. It now proudly announces how much RAM is in its latest professional-grade tablets.
2021 iPad Pro makes huge strides forward in its processor, screen, port, storage and RAM. Photo: Apple
The 2021 iPad Pro is built around an Apple M1 processor that brings a tremendous speed boost. And the USB-C has been upgraded with Thunderbolt, leading to faster connections to external drives. Plus, there’s a version with 5G.
But the latest top-tier iPadOS tablet more than fast — it looks great too. The 12.9-inch version includes a mini-LED display that both improves the look and uses less power.
Apple might unveil on Tuesday a 2021 iMac that looks just like this concept design. Screenshot: Amdix/ConceptsiPhone
A 2021 iMac is supposedly among the highlights of Apple “Spring Loaded” event on Tuesday. Concept artists have dreamed up proposals for what the upcoming all-in-one desktop might look like.
These vary as to details but are likely to please anyone tired of the very large screen bezels that have marked previous iMac models… and is looking forward to a speedy M-series processor.
Take a look at some of the eye-opening concepts before the big reveal on Tuesday.