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Ed Hardy - page 41

EU is skeptical that Apple’s App Store rules comply with DMA

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EU investigating Apple's new sideloading rules for DMA non-compliance
The EC is not convinced that Apple has changed App Store rules enough to comply with the Digital Markets Act.
Photo: Sora Shimazaki/Pexels CC

The European Commission opened a noncompliance investigation Monday into whether Apple is fully following the rules that went into effect with the EU’s Digital Markets Act. If not, Apple faces potentially heavy fines.

The Mac-maker isn’t being singled out. The EC also opened similar investigations into Alphabet/Google and Meta/Facebook.

Vision Pro vs. Macintosh: A historical perspective

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Vision Pro vs. Macintosh: A historical perspective
A look back at the original Macintosh puts the Vision Pro AR headset in perspective
Image: Apple/Cult of Mac

Apple launched Vision Pro on the 40th anniversary of the Macintosh. That’s surely not a coincidence — both are ground-breaking computers that show where the company is headed for the coming decades.

Anyone highly critical of Vision Pro because it appeals only to a niche audience and is very expensive needs to remember that those exact same criticisms were leveled at the original Macintosh in 1984. If the current problems really are proof the AR headset is inescapably doomed — as some have argued — then there never would have been a second-generation Macintosh.

I was around when both computers launched. That gives me perspective on what Apple’s past can tell us about the company’s future.

Manhunt crime-drama finds a big audience on Apple TV+

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"Manhunt" found plenty of men and women to watch it.
Photo: Apple TV+

Manhunt, the Apple TV+ historical true-crime drama about the search for the assassin of Abraham Lincoln, immediately shot to near the top of the popularity charts of two different ratings services.

And other series and films from Apple are also performing well with audiences.

Would you pay $180,000 for Steve Jobs’ business card?

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Would you pay $180,000 for Steve Jobs' business card?
This item sold for a value that may set a new record for a business card with signature.
Photo: RR Auction/Cult of Mac

Steve Jobs’ business card bearing the signature of the Apple cofounder himself sold at auction for an amazing value: over $180,000. This is supposedly the most ever paid for a signed business card.

A collection of other Apple memorabilia brought in big bucks at the same auction, a sign of the popularity of rare items from the iPhone-maker.

Hackers can exploit flaw in Apple M-series processors

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Hackers can exploit flaw in Apple M series processors
A vulnerability in M series processors could lead to unauthorized access of encrypted data.
Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac

Security researchers have found a serious exploit in all Apple M-series processors. The hard-wired flaw could potentially could be used by hackers to get user credit card information or read encrypted messages.

The flaw exposes precious encryption keys, and it’s baked into the hardware — so it can’t easily be patched without a performance penalty. Here’s what you need to know.

Apple patches iPhone bugs with new iOS update

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Apple patches iPhone bugs with new iOS 17.4.1 update
There's a patch waiting for your iPhone's operating system.
Image: Apple/Cult of Mac

iPhone users can now install iOS 17.4.1, a “bug fix” update on the major upgrade released early this month. iPadOS 17.4.1 is also available for tablet users.

And Vision Pro got its own patch, but there are no updates out Thursday for Mac or Apple Watch.

Blockbuster US antitrust lawsuit targets Apple’s ‘iPhone monopoly’

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Text saying
The Justice Department and 16 state attorneys general filed an antitrust suit against Apple.
Public domain photo: Open Grid Scheduler/Grid Engine/Modified by Cult of Mac

The Department of Justice and 16 state attorneys general filed an blockbuster antitrust lawsuit Thursday aimed at forcing Apple to open up many aspects of its ecosystem, from the App Store to Apple Watch.

The 88-page civil suit, which accuses Apple of wielding monopoly-like power, could bring truly sweeping changes to iPhone, Mac and other Apple computers.

Wait for OLED iPad Pro might stretch into April [Updated again]

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Wait for OLED iPad Pro might stretch into April
An OLED screen should make the 2024 iPad Pro the best-looking ever ... when it finally arrives.
Image: Apple/Cult of Mac

Apple is reportedly still working on the version of iPadOS needed for the first iPad Pro with a OLED screen. The software development process might delay the launch until well into April.

Previous leaks previously pointed at a March debut, and that’s still possible. But those eager for Apple’s next premium tablet should also be prepared to wait as much as another month.

And apparently the launch date won’t be March 26, despite a recent rumor.

Everything you can do to get the latest AirTag firmware update

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How to get the latest AirTag firmware update
Updating AirTag firmware is easy. But it requires patience.
Photo: Cult of Mac

A firmware update out for AirTag has begun gradually rolling out. You’ll probably want it, but it turns out that updating the software for Apple’s item tracker is both easy and hard. You don’t have to jump through hoops, but neither do you have much control.

Here’s what you need to do.

iPhone gaming gets even better with redesigned Backbone One controller

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iPhone gaming gets even better with redesigned Backbone One controller
Have more fun gaming with the updated Backbone One iPhone game controller.
Photo: Backbone

Backbone updated the Lightning version of its popular game controller for iPhone with new magnetic adapters, a reshaped D-pad, and more. The goal of the second generation Backbone One is “better, faster, and longer gaming,” according to the company.

It now matches the updated USB-C version that Backbone introduced in autumn 2023.

Why you shouldn’t use M3 MacBook Air in clamshell mode

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2024 MacBook Air M3 with dual-monitor support
In clamshell mode, 2024 MacBook Air can connect to a pair of external displays.
Photo: Apple

The recently launched MacBook Air with the Apple M3 processor performance slows down significantly if pushed too hard when in clamshell mode (with the lid closed). Thermal throttling is the culprit.

That said, the problem mostly shows up when using Apple’s consumer-grade notebook for tasks it’s not designed to handle.

Power up iPhone, Apple Watch and more with first Belkin Qi2 wireless charging stand

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Power up iPhone, Apple Watch and more with first Belkin Qi2 wireless charging stand
Belkin just launched one of the first multi-device charging stands with Qi2.
Photo: Belkin

The Belkin BoostCharge Pro 3-in-1 Magnetic Wireless Charging Stand with Qi2 offers 15W charging for iPhone and other Qi2-enabled handsets, fast charging for Apple Watch, and optimal charging for AirPods, too.

This third version of Belkin’s charging stand launched Tuesday.

Lawsuit claiming AirTag is a stalker tool gets judge’s go-ahead

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Car thieves can hide an AirTag somewhere on your car and track it for theft later.
Car thieves can hide an AirTag somewhere on your car and track it for theft later.
Photo: York Regional Police

A U.S. federal judge gave a go-ahead to a class action lawsuit accusing Apple’s AirTag of being “the weapon of choice of stalkers and abusers.”

Apple argues that it designed the product to discourage stalkers.

Look through visionOS App Store when considering Apple AR headset

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Look through visionOS App Store when considering Apple AR headset
You no longer have to own Vision Pro to see what's on the visionOS App Store.
Screenshot:

Apple made the visionOS App Store available for anyone to look through. The change will give anyone thinking about buying the Vision Pro AR headset a preview at what software is available.

Previously, the list of available app was only viewable by those who already owned the cutting-edge computer that launched in the United States in February.

Apple Watch Series 10 could finally offer blood pressure monitoring

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AI and ECG readings from Apple Watch could be crucial to detecting heart problems.
Apple Watch Series 10 might, at long last, get blood pressure monitoring.
Photo: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac

A new report says Apple is on track to build into Apple Watch Series 10 a feature that been a bit of a holy grail for the wearable: blood pressure monitoring.

But the feature reportedly will be limited at first, and require new hardware.

Get ready for ‘the biggest AirPods launch to date’

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Apple needs to take the frustration out of AirPods firmware updates
With ANC, AirPods 4 might be a significant jump up from its predecessor.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple suppliers are reportedly preparing for “the biggest AirPods launch to date.” The company is supposedly planning to produce between 20 million and 25 million units of AirPods 4, a significant jump from previous models, according to recent news airpods.

Apple could launch the AirPods 4 in two flavors later this year: one with ANC and another without. Alongside updated internals, the new earbuds purportedly will sport a sleeker new design.

7 reasons to become James Bond and battle Spectre in Cypher 007 stealth adventure game

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'Cypher 007' hits Apple Arcade later in September
Cypher 007 is more about sneaking past your enemies than shooting them.
Image: Tilting Point LLC/Apple Arcade

Blofeld, the criminal mastermind and head of Spectre, is once again scheming to defeat James Bond in Cypher 007 from Tilting Point LLC.

I’m a fan of RPGs so I loaded the action game on my iPhone. It’s also playable on a range of other Apple devices.

Misleading talk about iPhone demand in China costs Apple $490 million

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Misleading talk about iPhone demand in China costs Apple $490 million
Tim Cook didn't give investors the truth about iPhone demand in China in 2018 and it's costing the company.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple reportedly settled a class-action lawsuit that accused the company of hiding news of declining iPhone demand in China. It concerns comments made by CEO Tim Cook during an investor call back in 2018.

The iPhone-maker allegedly will pay out a $490 million settlement, according to a preliminary settlement filed Friday with the U.S. District Court in Oakland, California.

Folding iPhone could be 2 years away

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Folding iPhone is here! Too bad there's only one.
This one-off folding iPhone mod could be a glimpse of the future.
Photo: KJMX

Apple may have decided that 2026 is the right year to launch a folding iPhone.

Cupertino has been tinkering with prototype handsets with foldable displays for a long time. An analyst predicted Thursday that the company will finally have something to offer in a couple of years.

OLED iPad Air might be on hold until 2028

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OLED iPad Air preview
An iPad Air with an OLED display might be four years away.
Image: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

While the first iPad Pro with an OLED display is expected any day now, iPad Air fans will have a much longer wait. Possibly until 2028. That’s what an analyst predicted, anyway.

However, this contradicts a previous report that said an OLED iPad Air would be out in 2026.

Apple acquires fundamental AI smarts by buying DarwinAI

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Another AI acquisition for Apple: Illustration accompanying a story about the company buying Canadian AI startup DarwinAI.
Can Apple buy its way to AI dominance?
Image: Steve Johnson/Unsplash License/Cult of Mac

Apple reportedly purchased DarwinAI, a small startup previously based in Waterloo, Ontario. The company developed software that might make artificial intelligence systems running on an iPhone or other computer more efficient.

Apple promised that it’ll have big AI-related announcements later this year, and the acquisition will help the company build the necessary software.

Apple Sports iPhone app updated for March Madness

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New Apple Sports app
The new Apple Sports app for iPhone got an update for basketball and baseball fans.
Image: Apple/Cult of Mac

The new Apple Sports iPhone app just received its first big update. It’s now ready for basketball’s March Madness and baseball’s Opening Day.

The free sports app that debuted in February gives fans access to real-time scores, stats and more for their favorite teams across a wide range of sports leagues.

Owen Wilson heads to Apple TV+ in Ted Lasso-ish sports comedy

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Owen Wilson heads to Apple TV+ in 'Ted Lasso'-ish sports comedy
Owen Wilson tees up in an upcoming Apple TV+ comedy series about golfers.
Photo: Markus Spiske/Pixels

The list of comedies on Apple TV+ will expand with the addition of one starring Owen Wilson as a washed-up golf pro stepping up to coach a teen in the sport.

The series — which does not yet bear a name — seems to have a lot in common with Ted Lasso, another sports-themed comedy that was an enormous success for Apple TV+.

Brilliant mod makes iPhone 15 Pro Max match Vision Pro

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Caviar's iPhone 15 Pro mod that borrows design elements from the Apple Vision Pro headset
This unusual but gorgeous iPhone 15 Pro mod borrows design elements from the Apple Vision Pro headset.
Photo: Caviar

iPhone 15 Pro Max Vision is a version of Apple’s premier handset modified so it matches the look of the Vision Pro AR headset. It’s from Dubai-based Caviar, and is actually a beautiful option for someone who uses both devices.

But buyers will need deep pockets. The modification adds tremendously to the cost of the iPhone.

And you have to see Caviar’s crazy mod that turns a Samsung S24 Ultra into a Tesla Cybertruck. Both creations are part of Caviar’s Future collection, designed to reflect “the most prominent futuristic hits,” according to the company.