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.
The Belkin Boost↑Charge Pro MagSafe 3-in-1 Wireless Charger might be the coolest accessory with the new version of MagSafe. Photo: Belkin
A selection of accessories that use the new MagSafe wireless charger are ready for Friday’s launch of the iPhone 12 series.
MagSafe used to be for MacBooks, but Apple rebranded it and built it into its newest handsets. Accessory makers are integrating it into wireless chargers and cases. Some of these are pretty cool.
Running an iOS beta can cause problems when you get a new device. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Everyone in Apple’s beta program is running a pre-release version of the next iOS version. Which is great, until you get a new iPhone or iPad. Then you can’t restore the new device from the backup made on your previous one because the old device is running a newer OS.
If you find yourself in this situation, don’t panic — there are a couple of possible solutions. We’ll walk you through both.
Scarlett Johansson is probably best known as Black Widow, but she’ll also star in Bride on Apple TV. Screenshot: Marvel
Scarlett Johansson reportedly will take the lead in an Apple TV+ film. Bride will be about a creation designed to be the perfect wife. And what happens when she rejects the role.
Oscar-winner Sebastián Lelio will direct the film.
The Uptown Apple Store in Minneapolis didn’t survive multiple blows from 2020. Photo: Apple
The Uptown Apple Store in Minneapolis closed its doors for good. Though it might be more accurate to say the store won‘t reopen, as it’s been shuttered to the public since March due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
That didn’t stop the store from being damaged by rioters in May after the death of George Floyd by Minneapolis police. 2020 has been just extra hard on it.
Zagg Pro Keys has a design that puts it head-to-head with the Apple Smart keyboard. Photo: Zagg
Zagg Pro Keys is a keyboard case for those who want to use their iPad as both a slender tablet and a laptop. There are versions for the new iPad Air 4 and iPad 8.
In addition, the Zagg Pro Stylus debuted on Thursday. It sports two tips, making it a competitor for the Apple Pencil as well as basic capacitive styli.
Halide Mark II sports a new UI intended to make the camera software easier to use and more powerful. Photo: Lux Optics
Halide Mark II brings a significant revamp to a popular alternative camera application for the iPhone. The developer redesigned the software to make it even easier to use for beginners. But it also comes with professional-grade features built in, like new tools for working with RAW images.
There’s a new AirPods audio test tool for Apple techs. Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac
Apple techs will reportedly use a new bit of kit to evaluate AirPods. The audio test tool will determine if a pair of earbuds have an actual problem, or if the problem is in the ears of their wearer.
Jony Ive, the man who once designed the iPhone, Mac and iPad, is now doing design work for Airbnb. Photo: Apple
Sir Jony Ive, who once headed up the design of all Apple hardware and software, is now working on future Airbnb products. His design company, LoveFrom, will collaborate over the next several years with the vacation rental service.
In general, Apple is good company. But some policies make it look a bit malevolent. These need to go. Composite: Cult of Mac/Mitja Juraja/Pexels CC
Apple must avoid following a path blazed by Google. Years ago, the search giant touted its “don’t be evil” policy. But somewhere along the line, Google lost track of that — and ended up getting sued Tuesday by the Justice Department.
Apple, which faces similar scrutiny by a variety of governmental bodies, has a chance now to drop some of its questionable policies. If it doesn’t, Cupertino could end up facing its own lawsuit(s).
The encouraging news is, Apple is mostly a good company, so a few tweaks now could easily head off much larger adjustments down the line. Court-ordered changes — like a forced sale of the App Store — could prove painful.
Here’s why Apple needs its own “don’t be evil” policy, along with some concrete steps Cupertino can take to prove that it’s actually a force for good in the world.
Discover how an unsuccessful rock band went on to become hugely influential in the Velvet Underground documentary on Apple TV+. Photo: Apple
Apple TV+ is carving out a niche of musical documentaries. It’s latest project is The Velvet Underground. This will be, of course, about the 1960s band that found little success in its day, but went on to be hugely influential.
In France, the Apple Store keeps giving free headphones with every new iPhone sold this autumn. Screenshot: Apple
The Apple Store stopped bundling free headphones with all new iPhones sold this autumn. But that’s not true in France. In that one country, buyers still get a pair of EarPods with their purchase… in a relatively enormous box.
But French consumers don’t get a wall charger in the box. That’s true for every iPhone buyer.
Make Gmail your iOS 14 default email app and it still won‘t stick. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Another significant bug has been found in iOS 14’s ability to change the default web browser and email applications. If third-party apps are chosen, they’ll stop being the defaults when an new version is installed.
The same problem apparently affects tablets running iPadOS 14.
The Mophie 4-in-1 Wireless Charging Mat tries to free families from too many cables. Photo: Zagg/Mophie
There’s a new wireless charging option for multi-device households. The Mophie 4-in-1 Wireless Charging Mat can handle multiple iPhones and AirPods cases in a single unit.
And an USB-A port with Apple Watch adapter raises the total to five.
4G LTE on the Moon isn’t sci-fi. An iPhone could soon be able to make calls from the Lunar surface. Photo: Alex Powell/Pexels cc
Nokia will build a 4G cellular network on the moon. It’ll allow future astronauts to make voice and video calls, but also transmit data and remotely control equipment.
The goal is to have the wireless network in place on Earth’s largest satellite by 2022. It’s part of NASA’s Artemis program, which has the goal of establishing a sustainable presence on the moon by the end of the decade.
Adobe Illustrator for iPad will let artists draw with an Apple Pencil. Photo: Adobe
The wait is over for the iPad version of the Adobe Illustrator. After many years as a Mac application, this professional drawing tool launched Tuesday in the iPadOS App Store.
In addition, Adobe introduced an iPhone version of Fresco, the company’s drawing and painting application previously out for iPad.
It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown is already streaming on Apple TV+. Photo: Apple
Apple TV+ is the new home for all things Peanuts. That includes rights to stream the classic Christmas, Halloween and Thanksgiving specials starring Charlie Brown, Snoopy and the whole gang. In addition, new specials are in development just for this streaming service.
Many of the beloved classics will be available to all, not locked behind a paywall.
Beats Flex wireless earphones offer sophisticated Apple tech for just $49. Photo: Apple
Some of the advanced features of Apple AirPods are in Beats Flex, wireless earphones that come in at a much lower price. Apple’s Beats division built in 12-hour battery life, a new acoustic driver and USB-C charging. All for $49.
Beats Flex are scheduled to reach customers’ hands on Wednesday.
Take a sneak peek at Apple AirTags thanks to a concept video. Screenshot: Concept Creator
A concept artist dreamed up an introduction video for Apple AirTags. These item trackers could debut as early as November, and pictures have leaked out already. But this is the first video they’ve starred in.
Fireball: Visitors From Darker Worlds is an explosive documentary launching soon on Apple TV+.
Incoming! Fireball: Visitors From Darker Worlds is a documentary movie scheduled to debut on Apple TV+ in November. It’s from acclaimed directors Werner Herzog and Clive Oppenheimer.
The Collage Atlas takes players on a hand-drawn, first-person journey through a picture book. Photo: John William Evelyn
The Collage Atlas could be a temporary escape from 2020. It’s “a journey through an entirely hand-drawn picture-book dream-world,” according to the creator of the game, John William Evelyn.
This title launched Friday on Apple Arcade, and is available for a range of devices.
A significantly better Apple TV is in development. But it won‘t be out in November. Photo: Apple
A rumored Apple TV with more of a focus on gaming allegedly won’t be out before the end of 2020. It’ll be a significant upgrade, with new features beyond a performance bump.
Apple’s iPhone 12 cases aren‘t ready yet, but there are plenty of third-party options available now. Photo: Apple
There are already plenty of iPhone 12 cases to choose from, even though Apple’s newest handset hasn’t yet reached customers hands. When this product arrives on October 23, they can have a case waiting.
Here’re are descriptions of a wide range of options already up for sale, along with lots more coming soon.
iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini now cost the same, whether they are bought for AT&T, T-Mobile/Sprint or Verizon. Photo: Apple
Apple lowered the price of iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini for T-Mobile/Sprint customers on Friday. These handsets are no longer cheaper for customers of rival telecoms.
Nuheara IQbuds 2 Max are a bit larger than many rival earbuds, but they do much more. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Nuheara IQbuds 2 Max aren’t typical wireless earbuds. Sure, they let you listen to music and podcasts, but that’s just the start. They have active noise cancellation when you want quiet. Or they help you hear in-person conversations better by filtering out background sounds.
I did real-world testing of these in-ear headphones designed for people whose hearing isn’t quite good as it used to be.
Open an Apple Card account in the next month and you can get $75 back from Nike. Screenshot: Apple
Nike offers a bonus for new users of Apple’s credit card. Sign up for an Apple Card, buy $75 or more from Nike in the first 30 days, and get $75 in Daily Cash.
Plus, Nike offers unlimited 3% back at Nike when Apple Card with Apple Pay is used.