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Ed Hardy - page 173

Apple wants to let you edit sent text messages

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Autocorrect errors vs. editing sent texts
Autocorrect fails would be a thing of the past if we could correct text messages.
Photo: Cult of Mac

Apple designed a workable system to let people edit text messages after they send them. But now we have to hope it’ll be implemented.

This is potentially great news for everyone who ever wished they could fix an embarrassing text.

CleanMyMac X drive-decluttering software finally hits Mac App Store

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CleanMyMac X
It took 12 years, but CleanMyMac is on the App Store.
Photo: MacPaw

The popular utility CleanMyMac debuted way back in 2008, but MacPaw is finally bringing it to the Mac App Store all these years later. This will make it easier to find, buy and install.

The developer admits it did only direct sales of this product for business reasons. But the App Store version will also lack some features of the version sold on the MacPaw website for technical reasons.

Group FaceTime gets a lot less chaotic in latest iOS beta

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group-facetime-grid.1
Sick of those taking on Group FaceTime growing in size? iOS 13.5 beta let's you disable it.
Photo: Apple

A Group FaceTime feature some people find irritating can be disabled in the upcoming iOS version. Currently, the tile showing the face of the person speaking gets larger, pushing everyone else aside. The iOS 13.5 beta introduced Wednesday gives users the option to turn this off.

iOS 13.5 beta speeds up iPhone sign-ins while wearing a mask

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iOS 13.5 makes signing into your iPhone wearing a mask.faster.
All kinds of people are wearing masks these days, and it’ll soon be easier to access your iPhone while wearing one.
Photo: cottonbro/Pexels

Unlocking your iPhone while wearing a protective mask might get a little quicker in iOS 13.5. Apple released a new beta of this upcoming version Wednesday, and it includes a neat trick that skips Face ID to immediately ask for a passcode if it detects the user is wearing a mask.

New iOS beta brings first look at Apple’s COVID-19 contact-tracing API

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iPhone showing coronavirus that causes COVID-19
iPhones will help slow the spread of the novel coronavirus that’s the cause of Covid-19.
Photo: Cult of Mac/Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

The third beta of iOS 13.5 released on Wednesday gives developers their first look at the coronavirus contact-tracing tool that Apple is creating in cooperation with Google.

iPadOS 13.5 Developer Beta 3 was also debuted today, along with the initial beta of Xcode 11.5.

Microsoft disses Thunderbolt as too insecure for Surface devices

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A Thunderbolt 3 cable is also a USB4 cable.
Microsoft says Thunderbolt is secure. Virtually every other computer maker apparently disagrees.
Photo: Caldigit

Microsoft claims it won’t adopt the Thunderbolt standard for its Surface laptops and tablets because it’s inherently insecure, according to an internal company video leaked onto Twitter recently.

Thunderbolt was developed by Intel and Apple, and it’s widely used on Macs. It’s also been adopted by virtually every PC maker. But not Microsoft.

OtterBox Defender protects your iPad Pro like a tank [Review]

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OtterBox Defender for 2020 iPad Pro review
If you use your tablet outside more than in an office, you really need to consider the OtterBox Defender for 2020 iPad Pro.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

iPad Pros used in the field require hard-core protection, and there’s no better option than the OtterBox Defender. The case wraps the tablet in layer upon layer of plastic to cushion it from serious accidents. There’s even a built-in screen protector.

I encased my 2020 iPad Pro in the latest version of the OtterBox Defender to do some real-world testing. Here’s what I found out.

Apple Support app gets step-by-step troubleshooting guides

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Apple Support 4.0 runs on iPhone but covers all Apple products and services.
Apple Support 4.0 has a new, customized user interface to highlight info about products you own.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The official Apple Support iOS app got a facelift, including adding step-by-step guides to fixing common problems. And Dark Mode, too.

The app runs on iPhone or iPad, but offers information on Mac, AirPods and many other Apple products and services.

Apple explores flexible batteries for folding iPhones and iPads

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This is an early concept drawing from Apple for a folding iPhone.
This is an early concept drawing from Apple for a folding iPhone.
Photo: Apple

It would be easier to make a foldable iPhone or iPad if it could include a flexible battery. Apple is investigating these as a power source, and was granted a patent on the technology on Tuesday.

In recent years, the company received many patents related to computers built around folding displays. They’re proof that Apple is actively exploring using these in future products.

iPhone SE uses software trick to give photos beautiful bokeh

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The iPhone SE bokeh effect is do we entirely with software.
The iPhone SE can take a 2D image and make it into a Portrait Mode picture with the bokeh effect.
Photo: Apple

The 2020 iPhone SE is the first Apple smartphone to offer Portrait Mode photos created entirely with software techniques rather than hardware. That’s not true of any previous iOS device, not even the one you think it is.

Lux Optics, maker of Halide, examined how Apple’s new budget phone adds the bokeh effect to 2D pictures.

Verizon, Comcast and T-Mobile won’t cut off nonpaying customers before June 30

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Comcast, Verizon and T-Mobile will cut you some slack during the COVID-19 crisis.
Your Mac and iPhone will continue to get service from Comcast, Verizon or T-Mobile if you’re laid off during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Photo: Pexels CC

Verizon or T-Mobile won’t disconnect your iPhone if you can’t pay your bill because COVID-19 cost you your job. And Comcast won’t cut your Mac off from the internet either.

The companies committed on Monday to not terminate service or charge late fees through June 30.

Aqara HomeKit-enabled smart wall switches more likely to work in your home

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Aqara HomeKit-enabled smart switches work in older homes.
The new Aqara smart switches with HomeKit don’t require a neutral wire. That’s critical for many homes.
Photo: Aqara

There are quite a few wall switches that support Apple’s HomeKit home-automation system, but Aqara on Tuesday unveiled two that should catch the eye of anyone with an older home. Unlike virtually all competitors, these don’t require a neutral wire, something that exists primarily in newer buildings.

These switches make any ceiling fixture smart. They can be controlled via an iPhone or Siri commands from anywhere.

UK rejects Apple/Google COVID-19 contact-tracing system

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nhs.x.contact.tracing.app.logo
The UK's National Health Service won’t use Apple/Google tech to warn users if they've recently been in contact with someone infected with coronavirus.
Photo: NHS

The U.K. reportedly decided to go with a coronavirus contact-tracing application different from the system Apple and Google are creating jointly. The National Health Service built an app that creates a central database of people who have tested positive for COVID-19. The Apple and Google solution uses a decentralized system for privacy reasons.

RavPower’s massive power bank pushes the limit with AC outlet [Review]

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RAVPower RP-PB055 AC Power Bank review
It’s a bit bulky, but the RAVPower RP-PB055 can recharge an iPhone 11 more than 5 times.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Power banks designed for phones don’t do much for laptops and tablets. But the RavPower RP-PB055 AC Power Bank packs a whopping 30,000mAh, and more than doubles a MacBook’s time between recharges. Even better, it includes a standard wall socket so it can run DVD players, lamps, fans … whatever you need.

I tested it not only with Apple products but with other electronics, too. Read on to see how this uber-size power bank held up.

First Apple Watch concept drawing reveals brilliance of original designs

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Apple Watch concept
Imran Chaudhri drew this Apple Watch concept sketch long before the release of this wearable.
Photo: Imran Chaudhri

Imran Chaudhri, who played a pivotal role in the Apple Watch’s creation, offered an inside look into the device’s design process Friday, showing off an early concept drawing of the smartwatch’s home screen.

His sketch, shared on the 5-year anniversary of the Apple Watch launch, looks amazingly close to what is in use now. He also showed off a video of the very first Apple Watch band and talked about the history of some Watch faces.

Sorry! Order an iPhone SE today and you’ll wait till mid-May

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The iPhone SE backordered around the world.
You can’t buy an iPhone SE from the German Apple Store without a lengthy wait. Or in the U.S., the U.K, and many more countries.
Screenshot: Apple

Those who pre-ordered an iPhone SE last week started receiving their handsets today, but Apple sold out of its supply. Orders placed Friday for this $399 handset won’t arrive for over two weeks.

The latest iOS handset is backordered in the U.S. and in countries around the world.

Tim Cook drops in on UK’s The Big Night In fundraiser

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“The Big Night In” was raising funds for charity, and Tim Cook dropped by the help.
Tim Cook appeared on The Big Night In to announce a sizable donation from Apple to the cause.
Photo: BBC TV

Apple CEO Tim Cook appeared on Thursday’s The Big Night In event on BBC One in Great Britain. He announced his company is making a “significant donation” to this fundraiser, which is raising money for Comic Relief and BBC Children in Need.

The Shrink Next Door starring Will Ferrell and Paul Rudd heads for Apple TV+

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“The Shrink Next Door” will star Paul Rudd and Will Ferrell
Paul Rudd and Will Ferrell appeared in the Anchorman movies, and now these brilliant comedians are headed for Apple TV+.
Photo: DreamWorks Pictures

Apple TV+ picked up a comedy starring a couple of household names on Thursday. Apple gave a straight-to-series order to The Shrink Next Door, a new, eight-episode limited series starring Will Ferrell and Paul Rudd.

OWC ThunderBlade external SSD offers 16TB of super-fast storage

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OWC ThunderBlade uses Thunderbolt 3 and can be part of a RAID.
With up to 16TB of capacity, the OWC ThunderBlade hold almost an entire day of 4K RAW footage.
Photo: OWC

Creative professionals working with 4K or 8K video, or anyone who just wants an enormous amount of portable storage, can turn to the OWC ThunderBlade.  Starting Thursday, this SSD now offers up to a whopping 16TB in capacity, and can transfer data at 2800MB/s.

OWC also updated its Envoy Pro EX line with 4TB version. And the Accelsior 4M2 internal SSD now also offers up to 16TB of capacity.

FCC boosts Wi-Fi speeds by opening 6 GHz spectrum

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6 GHz Wi-Fi is coming to many devices. Eventually.
Lots of computers in a small space is a scenario where 6 GHz Wi-Fi is expected to shine.
Photo: Pixels CC

The FCC on Thursday approved an expansion of Wi-Fi to the 6GHz band. This adds almost five times the bandwidth to the short-range wireless networking standard. It should bring Wi-Fi connections that are up to 2.5 times faster, with less interference from nearby computers.

Thursday’s FCC vote on this expansion was unanimous, and the change has strong industry support.

Verizon again gives customers 15GB of free wireless data to stay connected during lockdown

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Verizon
Verizon offers free wireless data to help its customers be productive from home or keep entertained.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

In May, Verizon Wireless customers get an additional 15GB of mobile data for free for a second month of the COVID-19 crisis.

Many people under stay-at-home orders during the pandemic depend on their iPhone, Android or mobile hotspot to connect to the internet, and hence the world.