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Ed Hardy - page 149

Apple warns devs that App Tracking Transparency is almost here

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App Tracking Transparency will be part of iOS 14.5, iPadOS 14.5 and tvOS 14.5. It’s already showing up in betas.
Developers need to get their software ready for App Tracking Transparency. iPhone and iPad will soon prevent apps from tracking users without permission.
Graphic: Cult of Mac

Apple reminded developers on Monday that new iOS, iPadOS and tvOS versions coming soon will block applications from tracking users without specific permission. It’ll no longer be possible for networks of apps to surreptitiously track what people use their devices for.

The same note includes a warning that its also is also forbidden to try to find a workaround for this block by “fingerprinting” devices.

Microsoft takes potshots at iPad Pro in Surface Pro 7 ad

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Surface Pro 7 vs. iPad Pro: the Microsoft perspective
No matter what it looks like, don’t mistake a new video for a fair comparison of the Surface Pro 7 and iPad Pro.
Screenshot: Microsoft

Microsoft pretends to compare its Surface Pro 7 with the iPad Pro in a video released Monday. Not surprisingly, the Windows product comes out way ahead. But to make that happen, Microsoft had to leave out some facts and distort reality a bit.

To see all the ways Microsoft stretched the truth, watch its video now:

Step into the hand-drawn world of Wolfwalkers

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‘Wolfwalkers’ is available now to watch on Apple TV+.
Despite being an Apple TV+ production, a surprising amount of Wolfwalkers was hand drawn or painted.
Image: Apple

A new behind-the-scenes video on the making of Wolfwalkers shows that much of the animated movie was sketched and painted the traditional way. Kind of surprising — one might think an Apple TV+ film would be an intensely computer-driven production.

Watch the amazing video now:

Apple Arcade makes a serious play for your gaming dollar

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Apple Arcade is closing in on 200 games.
Apple Arcade includes 180 titles at a cost lower than what the average American spends on iPhone games.
Graphic: Cult of Mac

Hey, iPhone gamer, save yourself some money: Subscribe to Apple Arcade. A recent study showed that the average American spends way more on games every year than the annual cost of Apple’s $4.99-a-month gaming service.

Plus, the deal just got a lot better. Almost a dozen original games debuted on Apple Arcade last Friday, and the service added a bunch of classic ones as well. After launching with just a few dozen games in 2019, Apple Arcade is now closing in on 200 really great titles.

Apple rejects 40,000 App Store submissions every week

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App Store
Running an App Store isn’t easy. But CEO Tim Cook says it’s one Apple needs to do.
Photo: Graham Bower

Apple rejects a large percentage of App Store submissions, CEO Tim Cook said Monday, arguing that the company’s strict oversight is necessary to keep iPhones secure.

He was responding to questions about moves by government regulators around the world that might result on Apple being forced to allow rival iPhone software stores.

Tim Cook says Apple is committed to AR, TV+ and privacy but not to Apple Car

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Apple continues to soar under Tim Cook's assured leadership.
In a wide-ranging interview with the NYT, Apple CEO Tim Cook talked about privacy, AR, the Apple Car and Apple TV+.
Photo: Apple

It’s never easy to get Apple’s CEO to talk about the future. But Kara Swisher from The New York Times managed to get Tim Cook to drop a few hints about some of the company’s future plans.

Cook says Apple is committed to Apple TV+. And to user privacy. But he’s not promising that the Apple Car will ever be real.

iPhone 13 mockup helps confirm smaller notch

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This is an iPhone 13 mockup obtained by Macotakara.
The iPhone 13 might look much like this 3D-printed mockup.
Screenshot: Macotakara

Among the improvements expected in the iPhone 13 is a smaller notch. The latest evidence is a 3D-printed mockup of the device that supposedly shows how Apple rearranged the components behind the screen cutout for the upcoming model.

HyperJuice magnetic iPhone 12 battery is handy but hefty [Review]

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The HyperJuice Magnetic Wireless Battery Pack matches the look of an iPhone 12.
HyperJuice Magnetic Wireless Battery Pack for iPhone 12 really simplifies on-the-go charging. It’s almost MagSafe, but not quite.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The Sanho HyperJuice Magnetic Wireless Battery Pack magnetically clings to the back of an iPhone 12 series model, recharging it without wires, clips… anything else. It packs 5000mAh of power and a USB-C port too.

I put the MagSafe-like battery pack through real-world testing. Here’s what’s I found.

New Star Trek and NBA games lead major Apple Arcade expansion

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Apple Arcade
The 11 original games that just debuted on Apple Arcade cover a wide range of genres.
Graphic : Cult of Mac

Apple made a huge push for its gaming service on Friday, launching 11 original games. These cover a range of genres, from NBA 2K21 Arcade Edition to Star Trek: Legends. And Fantasian from the creator of the Final Fantasy series also launched in Apple Arcade. Plus many, many more.

Apple Arcade adds 21 classic games and App Store greats

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Apple Arcade just added
The total number of games in Apple Arcade passed 180 on Friday.
Photo: Apple

Apple’s subscription gaming service grew significantly Friday. Apple Arcade added 30 titles and two new categories: Timeless Classics and App Store Greats. This adds favorites like Monument Valley and Fruit Ninja Classic. And there are now versions of Suduku, chess and other perennial favorites.

“Today we’re launching our biggest expansion since the service debuted, now offering more than 180 great games that include new Arcade Originals, Timeless Classics, and App Store Greats,” said Matt Fischer, Apple’s vice president of the App Store.

Fantasian from the creator of Final Fantasy launches on Apple Arcade

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‘Fantasian’ is coming soon to Apple Arcade
Fantasian looks amazing, but is only on Apple Arcade.
Screencap: Mistwalker/Apple

Apple Arcade subscribers are in for a treat. Hironobu Sakaguchi, who also made the classic Final Fantasy series, also created Fantasian for Apple’s gaming service. It mixes computer-generated characters with handmade sets for a truly unique look.

iPhone SE Plus with edge-to-edge screen might not launch for years

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Replacing iPhone notch with holepunch camera makes no damn sense
The iPhone SE Plus might have a hole punch camera, not a notch.
Artists concept: Cult of Mac

Don’t get your hopes up for an iPhone SE Plus this year. Or next. This is rumored to be the first in the SE series with an edge-to-edge screen, but an analyst focused on the display business said Thursday that the wait will stretch into 2023.

However, a new model using the current design might arrive before then.

US iPhone users spend a whopping $138 a year on apps

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iPhone 12 Pro parts cost shockingly little
American iPhone users put down a surprising amount of money for apps in 2020.
Photo: Cult of Mac

The average U.S. iPhone user shelled out $138 for apps in 2020, according to a market research firm. That’s a 38% year-over-year increase.

As has held true for many years, mostly what people are buying is games.

Apple could announce another record-breaking quarter on April 28

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Apple leases new offices near to Apple Park
Apple just finished its first financial quarter of 2021, and we’ll soon find out how it did.
Photo: Duncan Sinfield

Apple will announce the financial results of its winter quarter on April 28. So far, people forced to work and learn from home have been very good for the Mac-maker’s bottom line. We’ll soon see if that carried through to the beginning of 2021.

Apple’s proposed iPhone control scheme will take your breath away

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Apple Watch or iPhone breath control — Is this a joke?
What if you could interact with your Apple Watch by blowing on it?
Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac

Your hands are full and you need to look something up on your Apple Watch. Engineers at Apple dreamed up a system that would allow you to control the wearable by blowing on it. A newly filed patent application also imagines a breath-controlled iPhone.

So far, there’s no sign this is an April Fools’ Day joke. But it’s possible.

Satechi Cybermouse boasts bulletproof aluminum, solar charging

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Satechi Cybermouse Is in the house
Satechi Cybermouse boasts features no ordinary mouse can dream of.
Photo: Satechi

Life can be hard on desktop accessories, and so Satechi created the Cybermouse. It’s made of indestructible “Super-Tough” aluminum in a design sure to widen the eyes of Elon Musk.

And the designers didn’t leave out other advanced features, like wireless and solar charging.

Next Apple TV remote might offer far more buttons

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Expect a significant Apple TV hardware update in 2021.
There’s good news for those who don’t like the current Apple TV remote, shown here.
Photo: Apple

There could soon be an alternative to the current, simple Apple TV remote. A schematic showing a rumored new version has leaked out, and it includes a wide array of buttons. It’s therefore likely to please those unhappy with the present version.

Classic Retina MacBook Pro moves onto Apple’s obsolete list

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An obsolete MacBook Pro isn’t necessarily junk. But it’s hard to get repaired.
Remember the MacBook Pro (Retina, 13-inch, Late 2013)? It’s old enough now that Apple reclassified it as obsolete.
Photo: Apple

The 13-inch MacBook Pro with a Retina screen released in late 2012 was a groundbreaking model in its day. But now, many years later, it’s been classified by Apple as obsolete.

This means that getting repairs or even spare parts for this device just got much more difficult. But it has been out of production for more than 7 years.

Siri gets new voices, and won’t default to female, in iOS 14.5

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Apple’s AI-driven voice-controlled digital assistant Siri
Siri just became more gender fluid.
Image: Apple

After almost a decade of using a female voice by default, Siri users will be given a choice of voices for the virtual assistant when they set up Apple devices. The virtual assistant will also come with two new English-language voices.

These changes debuted in iOS 14.5 beta 6 and the iPads equivalent, which Apple seeded to developers Wednesday.

Surprise! Apple might unveil mixed-reality headset in 2021

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This Apple VR headset concept
The Apple VR headset might jump from concept to reality sooner than expected.
Concept: Antonio De Rosa

Apple supposedly will announce its first virtual reality/augmented reality headset “in the next several months,” according to a very reliable source. It could be as quickly as WWDC 2021.  That’s well before other predictions.

While the iPhone-maker hasn’t committed to any such device, its VR headset has been the subject of many leaks. But no one can agree on when it’ll reach customers. Most recent reports have pointed to some point in 2022, though.

Apple finally stops assuming ‘Asian’ is synonymous with porn

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Apple finally stops assuming 'Asian' is synonymous with porn
Poorly written iPhone software treated ‘Asian’ as though it was always porn. It’s being fixed.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

For much too long, the iPhone’s built-in pornographic content blocker prevented searches just because included the word “Asian.” Apple reportedly fixed the issue in the latest beta of iOS 14.5. But the problem is still in place for everyone not running the pre-release software.

Use Apple’s keyboard and trackpad in your lap with MagicBridge Extended

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Twelve South MagicBridge Extended is large enough to get jammed sideways in the Suez Canal
Attach Apple’s full-size keyboard to the trackpad for easier use with MagicBridge Extended.
Photo: Twelve South

Twelve South’s MagicBridge Extended takes two Apple input devices and makes them into one. It attaches the Magic Trackpad 2 to the Magic Keyboard with Numeric Keypad so they can both be used in your lap.

Belkin’s iPhone mount follows your face for better video recordings

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Belkin unveiled multiple MagSafe accessories on Tuesday.
Clip an iPhone into the Belkin Face Tracking Magnetic Phone Mount with MagSafe and you’re ready to record your next YouTube video.
Photo: Belkin

 The Belkin iPhone mount with Face Tracking Magnetic Phone Mount and MagSafe uses facial recognition to keep an iPhone’s camera constantly pointed at the user, taking the place of a cameraman.

It uses MagSafe to hold the handset in place, and Belkin also unveiled a range of other MagSafe accessories on Tuesday, including clip-on batteries in two sizes.

Why Apple should make iPad landscape-first

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iPad needs to be redesigned to be landscape-first
This is how most people hold their iPad.
Photo: Roberto Nickson/Pexels CC

Apple is holding its iPad wrong. The company designs its tablets as if the best way to hold one is in a portrait orientation. But landscape is actually more common, and Apple should make changes to the iPad’s design to reflect that.

Apple Maps begins offering COVID-19 airport travel guidance

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Apple Maps begins offering COVID-19 airport travel guidance
Finding out the rules your local airport has in place to fight COVID-19 is as easy a checking Apple Maps.
Photo: Cult of Mac

Apple Maps now displays airport COVID-19 health measures data, making it easier for travelers to find airport health guidance.

With vaccinations becoming more widespread, air travel is picking up. But airports still have requirements for passengers. Finding out what they are for each airport is now as simple as opening Apple Maps.