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Ed Hardy - page 19

UK wants a secret backdoor into encrypted iPhone accounts worldwide

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UK backdoor into iCloud accounts
The UK wants to be able to spy on your iCloud files.
Image: Cult of Mac

The government of the United Kingdom reportedly wants a backdoor into Apple accounts so it can spy on any iPhone or Mac user anywhere. It allegedly ordered Apple to allow it to access everything from any iCloud account globally, breaking the encryption protection on the files.

Apple is fighting the order.

Convert your iPhone into a classic camera with Leica Lux Grip

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Leica Lux Grip
Leica Lux Grip makes iPhone photography easier to handle.
Photo: Leica

Attach the Leica Lux Grip to your iPhone to add a shutter release. Plus, the magnetic accessory adds other buttons and a dial that can be customized. And a grip, naturally.

All this is a design intended to recreate the feel of using a classic Leica camera.

iPad case lets you take your secrets to the grave

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In Case of Death Case for iPad by Zugu
This iPad knows things. Terrible things.
Photo: Zugo

Do you harbor terrible secrets that must never get out? Zugu’s new In Case of Death Case for iPad Pro is for you. It’s always ready to automatically brick the tablet if you stop a bullet or get crushed in an “accident.”

Whether you’re a covert agent for British intelligence or just know things about the homeowners association that must never be revealed, Zugu Case has your back.

Surprise! M4 Mac mini multiport hub/stand launches early.

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Satechi Mac mini M4 Stand & Hub with SSD Enclosure
Max out your Mac mini with this hub.
Photo: Satechi

The wait for the Satechi Mac mini M4 Stand & Hub with SSD Enclosure isn’t as long as expected. The accessory — which adds front-facing ports and more storage — can be ordered now, though quantities are limited.

It seems a nice addition for Apple’s tiny new desktop. It even makes pressing the computer’s hidden power button easier.

Next-gen Apple M5 chip already in mass production

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Apple M5
Apple M5 is ready to replace the M4.
Photo: Cult of Mac

The Apple M5 processor is reportedly now in mass production in Korea, ready to improve the performance of Macs and iPads later this year.

With production already taking place, it’s possible the M5 will launch as an Apple product in the middle of the year, and not wait until autumn. As Apple continues to integrate AI capabilities into its chips, many users are looking for insights on how to use Apple AI to enhance their workflows.

This one cable charges Apple Watch plus your other gear

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Nomad Universal Cable for Apple Watch
Nomad Universal Cable for Apple Watch charges your wearable and your Mac at once.
Photo: Nomad

When you need to juice up your iPhone and Apple Watch, a single cable isn’t going to do you much good… unless it’s the latest innovation from Nomad. The new Universal Cable for Apple Watch charges the wearable while also sending current to another USB-C device, like a MacBook or iPad.

It’s not quite like anything else on the market.

Get terabytes of storage on the cheap with speedy new SSD from PNY

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PNY PRO Elite V3
The PNY PRO Elite V3 might be the affordable external storage you’re looking for.
Photo: PNY

A new mobile SSD called the PNY Pro Elite V3 holds terabytes of data and can transfer that data at up to 1,000MB/s. But perhaps its standout feature is price: the 2TB variant comes in at just $145.

PNY also just introduced two other speedy USB-C drives that top out at 256GB — but cost less than $25.

Plan a party with the new Apple Invites app

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Apple Invites app
“A new app that brings people together for life’s special moments,” according to Apple.
Image: Apple/D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

Apple is taking on Evites. On Tuesday, the company unveiled Apple Invites, an app that lets users share invitations and RSVP to events via iCloud+. Invited guests can add to a shared photo album and even contribute to the music playlist.

“With Apple Invites, an event comes to life from the moment the invitation is created, and users can share lasting memories even after they get together,” said Brent Chiu-Watson, Apple’s senior director of worldwide product marketing for Apps and iCloud, in a press release. “Apple Invites brings together capabilities our users already know and love across iPhone, iCloud, and Apple Music, making it easy to plan special events.”

MacBook Pro is just fine without OLED

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OLED MacBook? Why?
An OLED MacBook probably isn’t worth waiting for.
Photo: Cult of Mac

Apple is undoubtedly working to upgrade the LCD in its MacBook Pro line with a beautiful OLED display. Rumors differ on exactly what that’ll happen though, and the wait stretches out years.

As someone who already uses another Apple computer with a large OLED, I have to say there’s no reason for Apple to hurry. MacBook Pro users really should not feel impatient.

Average iPhone selling price tops a whopping $900

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iPhone Series 16 day in photos
Shoppers bought heaps of iPhone Pro models in 2024.
Photo: Apple

 If you paid $900 for your iPhone, then you paid less than the global average, according to a new analysts’ report. That’s because the average selling price for iOS devices grew 25% over the last four years, even as the number of handsets Apple sold also increased.

There’s been a trend for several years of greater demand for Apple’s more expensive iPhone Pro models, and that’s driving up ASP. Apple continues to push innovation, including features like Adaptive Audio AirPods, which were recently highlighted in this Spike Jonze short film.

Don’t miss your chance to get AirPods Pro 2 at a huge discount

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AirPods Pro 2 in hand with case opened
Save big on the AirPods Pro 2.
Source: Unsplash

AirPods Pro 2 are — hands down — the best earbuds for iPhone users. They offer high-quality audio while also seamlessly switching between Apple devices as needed. And AirPods sales from multiple retailers mean you can pick up a pair at a sweet 32% off.

And there are more sweet discounts, including AirPods 4 at up to 22% off, and AirPods Max at up to 13% off.

Powerbeats Pro 2 earbuds with heart-rate monitoring reportedly launch Feb. 11

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Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 coming in 2025
MLB star Shohei Ohtani wears the upcoming Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 earbuds during batting practice. You can wear them soon.
Photo: Beats

After months of teasing glimpses of Powerbeats Pro 2, the fitness-oriented wireless earbuds will launch next week, if a report from a generally reliable source proves accurate. The updated earbuds reportedly will mark a significant milestone for Apple — its first earbuds with built-in heart-rate monitoring. If you’re planning to use these earbuds with an Android device, you might find this guide on how to pair Powerbeats Pro to Android helpful.

This comes as Apple continues to expand its ecosystem, including new developments like Beats Fit Pro 2 that enhance user experience across devices.

New CalDigit hub sports more Thunderbolt 5 ports than any rival

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CalDigit Element 5 Hub with Thunderbolt 5
The CalDigit Element 5 Hub won’t crowd your desk but offers multiple Thunderbolt 5 ports.
Photo: CalDigit

The CalDigit Element 5 Hub includes four Thunderbolt 5 ports. That puts it ahead of all directly competing hubs, as these include only three ports with the latest super-fast networking standard.

And that’s not all. CalDigit’s latest includes nine ports in total, and offers up to 90W of power.

Mind-melting stats from Apple’s profitable earnings call

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AI-generated image of Apple logo apparently made of silver-colored liquid metal, with the words
Some of Apple's impressive numbers are so large, it's hard to wrap your head around them.
AI image: Midjourney/Cult of Mac

We went through Apple CEO Tim Cook’s earnings call with investors on Thursday, and found some genuine surprises during the discussion of the financial results of the holiday 2024 quarter. We also turned up impressive figures showing just how well the company is doing.

Financial details don’t have to be boring. Here are the high points from the call as quickly and as interesting as we can make them.

Apple smashes its all-time revenue record

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An AI-generated image with a gold Apple logo sitting atop a pile of American money, with the words
Apple squeaks past Wall Street estimates by delivering "all-time records for total company revenue and EPS."
AI image: Midjourney/Cult of Mac

Wall Street analysts set an ambitious goal for Apple to beat by predicting the iPhone maker’s revenue had increased 4% during the critical holiday shopping season. No problem — Apple met or exceeded those expectations.

“Today Apple is reporting our best quarter ever, with revenue of $124.3 billion, up 4 percent from a year ago,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO. “We were thrilled to bring customers our best-ever lineup of products and services during the holiday season.” Meanwhile, Apple Watch news has been making headlines, highlighting significant shifts in market trends. 

Wall Street expects solid financial growth from Apple

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Apple Financial Results predictions
Analysts expect big things when Apple announces its earnings Thursday.
Image: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Financial analysts predict Apple revenue increased 4% during the all-important 2024 holiday quarter versus the same period of the previous year. Wall Street also expects a jump in Apple’s earnings per share. We’ll find out whether the iPhone maker met these expectations when Apple reveals its Q1 2025 financial results after the U.S. markets close Thursday afternoon.

Sunday Night Soccer brings MLS matches to Apple TV+

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Sunday Night Soccer
Catch the action with “Sunday Night Soccer” on Apple TV+.
Image: Apple

A featured MLS game each week will appear on Apple TV+ in a new series billed as Sunday Night Soccer.

This is a similar arrangement to Friday Night Baseball that the streaming service began offering several years ago.

Soccer-loving T-Mobile customers get Apple’s MLS Season Pass as a free bonus

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MLS Season Pass on Apple TV
The MLS season starts soon, and that means Messi is back!
Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac

 T-Mobile customers don’t have to pay to enjoy the 2025 soccer season. They get an MLS Apple TV subscription with their wireless service at no extra cost.

The soccer season kicks off on February 22, so don’t waste time if you plan to switch carriers to take advantage of the deal. Check out what’s new in the first look at iPhone 17 Air’s alleged design.

Why FaceTime is about to work better for Xfinity customers

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FaceTime in Big Sur
Xfinity customers get better FaceTime calls.
Image: Apple

Comcast just launched ultra-low-lag connectivity for Xfinity customers, improving video calls using FaceTime on a variety of Apple devices. The faster service is also available in other interactive applications.

“Xfinity Internet latency will be dramatically reduced to faster than the blink of an eye,” the company promised Wednesday.

Macs get fun custom Genmoji with macOS Sequoia 15.3

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Mac Genmoji in macOS Sequoia 15.3
Mac is no longer left out of the Genmoji fun thanks to macOS Sequoia 15.3.
Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac

macOS Sequoia 15.3 left beta testing on Monday, and is now ready for any compatible Mac to install. The major new feature is the ability to create Genmoji: custom emoji that can be used in Messages and other apps.

Apple also introduced iOS 18.3, iPadOS 18.3, watchOS 11.3 and more.

Video gives sneak peek at seriously redesigned iPhone SE 4

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iPhone SE 4 from leaked video
This might be our best look yet at the iPhone SE 4.
Screenshot: Majin Bu

The iPhone SE 4 is right around the corner, and a new video supposedly showing off the low-cost handset reveals what it’ll look like from every angle.

If  this leaked video turns out to be accurate, then the recent rumor that the display in Apple’s next budget handset will sport a Dynamic Island isn’t correct. And that’s just one of many details shown.

Apple TV+ might salvage Dick Turpin despite star Noel Fielding’s illness

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Still of Noel Fielding from Apple TV+ comedy
Maybe an Apple TV+ historical comedy starring Noel Fielding isn’t completely over.
Photo: Apple TV+

We might not have seen the last of The Completely Made-Up Adventures of Dick Turpin. Despite the abrupt — and somewhat baffling — departure of star Noel Fielding, the producers of the Apple TV+ comedy series are reportedly trying to convert what was already filmed for season two into a movie of some sort.

But that still leaves plenty of people wondering what the heck is going on with Fielding.

Oscar nominations completely snub Apple TV+

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Fancy Dance trailer
Sorry “Fancy Dance,” no Oscar nominations for you.
Photo: Apple TV+

Nothing produced by Apple Original Films for Apple TV+ can win an Oscar this year. The nominations went out Thursday, and Apple TV+ didn’t score a single one.

Films that seem like Oscar bait — including Fancy Dance and Blitz — got totally snubbed.

Samsung blows another chance to adopt the MagSafe-like Qi2 standard

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Samsung Qi2: Nope
Despite a promise from Samsung, the Galaxy S25 series doesn’t have Qi2. Not really.
Photo: Cult of Mac

Qi2 wireless charging could have helped the newly announced Samsung Galaxy S25 series better compete with the iPhone. But no — the Korean phone-maker let another opportunity to integrate this useful feature into its products sail by.

Samsung did build a half-assed version of Qi2 in the S25 series, so it might claim it met its promise to adopt the charging standard. But it’s a clunky solution.

iPhone users should care about Samsung’s poor decision because it means accessory-makers are less likely to produce Qi2-compatible products that are also compatible with Apple’s handsets.