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.
Security researchers found a trojan horse hidden in an Xcode project on GitHub. Graphic: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Turns out you can’t trust everything you find on GitHub. Security researchers found an Xcode project that had been modified to install a back door into the user’s Mac.
A blazing fast processor and Thunderbolt could be hallmarks of the 2021 iPad Pro. Photo: Cult of Mac
The 2021 iPad Pro will get a considerable performance boost, according to a trusted source. To the point where the tablet is as fast as the M1 Macs released last autumn.
In addition, the USB-C port in the next iPadOS device might support Thunderbolt.
Natalie Portman stars in past and future Thor movies, but now she’s also creating TV series that might appear on Apple TV+. Photo: Marvel
Apple TV+ reportedly signed a first-look deal with Natalie Portman and her business partner Sophie Mas. The women recently formed a production company named MountainA that will develop TV series that Apple will have the first chance at.
The two are already working with Apple on Lady in the Lake, a series that was announced last week and will star Portman.
Are you protecting your Mac yet? Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac
Cybercriminals reportedly created more macOS malware in 2020 than from 2012 to 2019 combined. The days when Mac users could happily assume they weren’t in danger from hackers are long over.
But the situation remains far worse for Windows users. Researchers found 135 times as many Windows malware samples last year as ones targeting macOS.
Securely share a collection of files between your iPhone, Mac and iPad with a new 2-in-1 flash drive from SanDisk.
The SanDisk iXpand Flash Drive Luxe lets you access its files on all your Apple computers, no adapters needed. It supports Lightning and USB Type-C, so it can plug into an iPhone, Mac or iPad. The same goes for many Windows and Android devices.
Take your own trip into Apple TV+’s Servant with the free Escape the Attic game. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Survive the Attic is a new web-based game that takes players into the bizarre home that’s the setting of Servant on Apple TV+. There are 10 puzzles for fans of the show to solve, and easter eggs to discover.
The mastermind of last summer’s Twitter hack will be incarcerated for years. Photo: Suzy Hazelwood/Pexels CC
A Tampa teenager who hacked the Twitter accounts of Apple and many other companies and celebrities agreed to a plea agreement that puts him in a juvenile facility for three years.
A quick search in Apple Maps displays nearby COVID-19 vaccine sites on a map. Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac
An update to Apple Maps adds COVID-19 vaccination locations. Users can find nearby businesses and organizations providing the life-saving injections from the Search bar in Apple Maps by selecting COVID-19 Vaccines in the Find Nearby menu.
Apple integrates information from Wikipedia into macOS, iOS, Siri… you name it. Graphic: Cult of Mac
Wikipedia reportedly asked the tech companies that use its free encyclopedia to start chipping in on the cost. That includes Apple, who built Wikipedia into macOS and iOS.
iPhone loyalty is strong. The same can‘t be said for users of Samsung handsets. Graphic: Cult of Mac
Apple users are more likely than ever to buy a new iPhone, according to survey results released Tuesday. Nearly 92% of current iOS users intend to stick with the platform.
But the situation isn’t so rosy for archrival Samsung, as 26% of Galaxy smartphone users plan to switch to another platform. And most of these switchers have their eye on an iPhone.
With the Kensington StudioDock, an iPad tablet becomes an outstanding desktop with multiple ports and wireless chargers. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Imagine an iMac with an iPad for its screen and you’ve got the Kensington StudioDock. Slip your tablet into the docking station and it’s elevated to eye level, plus you have access to an extensive collection of built-in ports. The stand can even wirelessly charge your other Apple devices.
Read on to explore all the reasons why this is the best iPad desktop stand ever made.
It seems Apple plans to release stand-alone iOS/iPadOS security updates. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Apple is apparently preparing to release iPhone security updates separately from iOS updates with feature changes. The just-released fourth beta of iOS 14.5 gives users a new, separate toggle to choose whether to automatically install security updates.
However, at this point this feature doesn’t work quite as many might expect.
Wax nostalgic for the 1984 Macintosh with a set of iOS icons and wallpapers inspired by Steve Jobs’ pet project. Photo: Ben Vessey
Take your iPhone back to Apple’s roots with a set of replacement iOS icons inspired by early Macintosh computers. Keep the links to your 2021 applications on your iPhone, but sub in icons that have the look of the first Mac’s 72 dpi screen thanks to the iOS (Old School) collection from designer Ben Vessey.
The upcoming HBO Max free-with-ads version can be watched on every type of Apple computer. Photo: WarnerMedia
You might want to put the HBO Max app on your iPhone after all. WarnerMedia said Friday there’ll be a more affordable version of the streaming service starting in June. But it’ll require watching ads.
And don’t expect to watch movies the same day as they appear in the theaters on the ad-supported version.
‘The Jet’ on Apple TV+ will be about an ad, a Harrier fighter plane and 7 million Pepsi Points. Screenshot: Pepsi
The team that created McMillion$ is making a new documentary series for Apple TV+ about an outrageous Pepsi ad from the 1990s that seemingly promised a Harrier combat jet as the ultimate grand prize in a contest. The Jet will cover someone’s attempt to collect enough points in the “Drink Pepsi, Get Stuff” contest to win the aircraft.
The iPhone 13 could be Apple’s first with an in-display Touch ID scanner. Concept image: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
A growing number of voices predict that the next-generation iPhone will come with a fingerprint scanner built into its screen. If true, it will mark the welcome return of Touch ID to Apple’s premium models after several long years.
Grab the latest release today. Photo: Apple/Google
Google promises improvements to the Chrome browser to keep “your Mac cooler and those fans quiet.” The latest version of the browser uses less memory and achieves lower Apple Energy Impact scores.
The Twelve South HoverBar Duo securely holds an iPad on a desk, or it can be clamped to a shelf. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
With Twelve South’s HoverBar Duo, it’s not necessary to choose between an iPad stand that sits on a desk and one that clamps to a shelf — this accessory does both. And it has a two-piece articulated arm to give a wide range of positioning options. Plus it clamps tightly onto a tablets of many sizes.
I put this stand through its paces, and here’s how it stood up to real-world use.
VR glasses is one of the secret projects that a former Apple employee might have leaked to the press. Concept: the Hacker 34
Apple filed a lawsuit against Simon Lancaster on Thursday, accusing the former employee of leaking company secrets to the media.
He worked at Apple as a materials engineer for over 11 years, helping to design upcoming products. That gave him access to information not publicly available. Apple alleges he traded that info for personal gain.
Ron Howard and Brian Grazer might make films for Apple TV+. Photo: Ron Howard and Brian Grazer
Apple TV+ now has a first-look deal with Imagine Entertainment, who produced films like A Beautiful Mind and Apollo 13. The agreement could bring movies from this long-running production company helmed by Ron Howard and Brian Grazer to Apple’s streaming video service.
An Apple 5G modem is allegedly in development, and could be in iPhones in a few years. Artists concept: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Apple’s move away from Qualcomm modems could begin in 2023. Analysts predict that all the iPhone models released in that year will use 5G modems Apple designed itself.
This is another example of Apple developing critical components for its products in-house rather than depending on an outside company.
An Australian government agency is probing Apple and Google for anticompetitive practices. Photo: Sora Shimazaki/Pexels CC
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission is gathering data for a report on whether Google and Apple abuse their ability to pick default web browsers and search engines in their operating systems to squeeze out smaller competitors.
And Australia is just one of many countries probing the business practices of big tech companies. These investigations might eventually be followed by lawsuits or legislation that forces Google, Apple, Facebook, etc. to change the way they do business.
Central Park is unlike any cartoon you've seen. Photo: Apple
Animated show Central Park returns to Apple TV+ on June 25 for a second season. And Apple also revealed Wednesday that this Emmy-nominated musical comedy is definitely getting a third season.
There’s even a video from an upcoming episode to get fans ready. Watch it now.
The Apple MagSafe power bank might look something like this. If it ever gets launched. Screenshot: Jon Prosser/Front Page Tech
Two different leakers claim to give the world very early looks at Apple’s MagSafe power bank for on-the-go charging. This will allegedly attach to an iPhone with magnets so it can wireless juice up the handset.
But there are questions whether Apple can fix problems with development and actually release the product.