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Ed Hardy - page 145

How to stop apps from tracking you in iOS 14.5

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How to allow/prevent apps tracking you
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 reaches out to gamers, offers new screen saver, other tweaks

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macOS 11.1 beta 1 was seeded to developers on November 17.
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.

iOS 14.5 brings App Tracking Transparency, mask-friendly Face ID

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iOS 14.5 brings App Tracking Transparency, mask-friendly Face ID
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.

5 things you might not have noticed about the 2021 iPad Pro

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5 things you might not have noticed about the 2021 iPad Pro
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.

Original $350 Apple Magic Keyboard is ‘functionally compatible with’ 2021 iPad Pro [Updated]

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Original Apple Magic Keyboard might not work with 2021 iPad Pro
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.

Update April 29, 2021: Apple added a paragraph to its support document for this keyboard that says:

“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.”

1971: The Year That Music Changed Everything hits Apple TV+ on May 21

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“1971: The Year That Music Changed Everything” debuted on Apple TV+ in May.
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.

Apple says — again — it’s not merging Mac and iPad

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Apple says — again — it won’t merge Mac and iPad
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 waiting around, Apple seeds iOS 14.6, iPadOS 14.6 beta 1 to devs

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Not waiting around, Apple seeds iOS 14.6, iPadOS 14.6 beta 1 to devs
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.

Apple must defend iTunes ‘Buy’ button in court

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Apple must defend iTunes “Buy” button in court
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.

Enough key rings, we need an AirTag pet collar

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An AirTag pet collar is a product that’ll sell
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.

Macs run iPad apps. It’s time for iPads to run Mac apps.

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iPad should run Mac apps, like Xcode.
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.

Belkin’s new remote puts HomeKit at your fingertips

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Belkin Wemo Stage Scene Controller remote puts HomeKit at your fingertips
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.

Sundance winner CODA premieres on Apple TV+ on August 13

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CODA is headed for Apple TV
“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’ leak confirms big changes coming to MacBook ports

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This 14-inch MacBook Pro concept is by Renders by Ian
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.

Brydge 12.9 Max+ iPad Pro keyboard borrows some of the best Apple Magic Keyboard features

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Brydge 12.9 Max+ is scheduled to debut inJune 2021.
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.

Cases and keyboards for 2021 iPad Pro are ready for launch

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Logitech Combo Touch supports the 2021 iPad Pro
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.

Apple Card Family extends credit card access to teens

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Apple Card Family extends credit card access to teens
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.

iOS 14.5 and iPadOS 14.5 bring an array of new features ‘next week’

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iOS 14.5 will debut before the end of April.
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.

Are we high?!? 10 ways Apple blew our minds on 4/20

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Apple Spring Loaded event: 10 ways Apple blew our minds on 4/20.
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.

Apple’s finally getting smart about iPad Pro RAM

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There’s more 2021 iPad Pro RAM than in any previous Apple tablet.
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 boasts M1 processor, beautiful mini-LED display

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2021 iPad Pro still comes in a 12.9- and 11-inch versions.
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 AirTag tracking tags will help you find all the things

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Apple AirTag finally jumped from rumor to reality.
Apple jumped into the item-tracker business with AirTag. Attach one to something you don’t want to lose.
Photo: Apple

Apple just took the wraps off AirTag, a small tracker that users can attach to items for easy location at a later date.

Tile and other companies already offer rivals products. But Apple’s trackers offer technology that makes finding lost items easier and more accurate.

Tantalizing 2021 iMac concepts get us ready for the real thing

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Tantalizing 2021 iMac concepts get us ready for the real thing
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.

Rugged and colorful GoDonut securely props up handsets and tablets [Review]

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GoDonut review
The GoDonut handset and tablet stand has a clever design. It’s also about as rugged as one could hope for.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

GoDonut is a tough, portable stand that’s compatible with a wide range of handsets and small tablets. It can be used in landscape or portrait, and offers multiple viewing angle. Plus, it’s colorful and fun.

I tested GoDonut with iPhone and iPad. And other devices, too. Here’s why I like it. And why I don’t.

Game on! Microsoft starts Xbox Cloud for iPhone and iPad public testing

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Xbox Cloud Gaming for iPad and iPhone
iPad and iPhone users will soon begin testing Xbox Cloud Gaming, allowing them to play 100+ console-quality games.
Photo: Microsoft

Lucky beta testers will get first access to Xbox Cloud Gaming this week. This allows subscribers to play 100+ console-quality games on an iPad or iPhone.

Apple put restrictive rules on cloud-gaming services wanting to appear in the App Store. Microsoft’s solution was to create a web app for its service.