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.
An Apple executive went in depth on why images in iCloud Photos are not scanned for child sexual abuse material. Image: Apple
Apple gave a more complete explanation of why it cancelled a plan to scan iCloud Photos libraries for child sexual abuse material. It’s the same reason it gave back in 2022, but with more detail.
It all comes down to user privacy, and the potential for the system to be abused by hackers and repressive governments.
If this is your MacBook Pro, we have some kind of bad news for you. Photo: Apple
Two of the MacBook Pros that launched back in 2017 just got a bit harder to get repaired. That’s because they’ve been added to Apple’s official list of vintage devices. This includes the 15-inch model introduced in 2017 and one of the two 13-inch MacBook Pros.
But it’ll be years before they’re listed as obsolete.
The BoostCharge Convertible Qi2 Wireless Pad to Stand works equally well for iPhone and Android. Photo: Belkin
Qi2 is the future of wireless chargers and Belkin is already on board. On Thursday, it took the wraps off a pair of accessories that use the emerging standard.
Qi2 was created to bring the advantages of iPhone’s MagSafe to Android. Wireless chargers from Belkin and other companies that support the standard will work equally well for Apple and Samsung, etc. handsets, as long as they support Qi2.
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This new Zagg Pro keyboard uses Bluetooth and wireless charging. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
The Zagg Pro Keyboard 12 is a slim, lightweight desktop keyboard that uses Bluetooth so no data cable is required. And it also charges wirelessly so it never needs a cable of any kind.
The accessory can be paired with multiple devices, and switch easily between them.
I tested the membrane keyboard in my home office for several weeks. Here’s what it’s like in real-world use.
John le Carré, aka David Cornwell, is the subject of Errol Morris' documentary The Pigeon Tunnel. It premieres October 20 on Apple TV+. Photo: Apple
The upcoming documentary The Pigeon Tunnel is the final interview with John le Carré, who wrote many best-selling novels about spies and was an MI6 agent himself.
A just-released trailer for the biopic shows the British spy-turned-author discussing his very usual life. The film will premiere on Apple TV+ this fall.
The iPhone 15 series might not have much for fans of bright colors. Photo: Sonny Dickson/Cult of Mac
Apple reportedly will produce the iPhone 15 in an array of mostly muted colors. New images of mockup units show the upcoming handset in five generally pastel shades.
The iPhone 15 Pro series supposedly will be available with a different, smaller range of colors.
Workers in China and India are now assembling the iPhone 15 series. Photo: Steve Jurvetson/Flickr CC
Apple and the companies assembling the iPhone 15 reportedly worked through all the significant production problems they faced making the next iOS handsets. They supposedly faced issues with the cameras, LCDs, batteries and titanium frame in upcoming models
After clearing those hurdles, the four models in the iPhone 15 series are now set for the launch that’s almost certainly happening in September.
Apple Original Films unveiled the key art for Killers of the Flower Moon, set to release in theaters globally this fall. Images: Apple TV+
Martin Scorsese’s historical drama Killers of the Flower Moon will debut in theaters in late October. The real-life tale of a serial killer will appear on the Apple TV+ streaming service sometime after that.
The film stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Lily Gladstone and Robert De Niro, and Apple is clearly hoping it will earn an Oscar or two.
Apple could soon offer an AirPods case that charges with USB-C. Finally! Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac
AirPods that use USB-C to charge in place of Lightning are reportedly right around the corner. They supposedly will be unveiled at Apple’s “Wonderlust” event on September 12.
The modified version of Apple’s wireless earbuds are part of a general move away from Lightning.
Stop guessing about how much power is going to your devices. Photo: Plugable
You’ll always know how much current is flowing to your devices with the just-launched Plugable USB Type-C Extension Cable with Power Meter. A small display shows how many watts are being transferred by the affordable cable.
Plugable also introduced on Tuesday a tiny 30W USB-C GaN charger plus a 32W wall charger that includes USB-C, USB-A and AC power ports.
Will Apple's "Wonderlust" event be wonderful? Image: Apple
Apple sent out invites Tuesday to its annual September product launch event, which will happen September 12. The tagline is “Wonderlust,” so Apple is apparently hoping we’ll all be feeling both wonder and lust when it unveils the iPhone 15 series.
We’re also expecting to see the next generation of Apple Watch models.
Don't worry about rumors that the iPhone 15 Pro Max will be delayed. Concept: Antonio De Rosa/ADR Studio
Despite earlier reports that customers might have to wait additional weeks for the iPhone 15 Pro Max, a trusted analyst says the companies in Asia assembling Apple’s top-tier handset will begin mass shipments this week.
It and three other iPhone 15 versions are expected to hit store shelves near the end of September, as usual.
Students have better options for textbooks than this. Photo: cottonbro studio/Pexels
Adobe wants to help students accustomed to old-fashioned paper textbooks get over the transition to PDF textbooks. The company points out that its free reader for the digital format does a lot more than display text and images, and many of these features are ideal for students.
The software developer highlighted five of the benefits of the free Mac application for those going to class with a PDF textbook.
A draft for an Apple-1 advertisement that Steve Jobs handwrote in 1976 just sold at auction for a whopping $175,759.
Other rare Jobs-related items also sold for princely sums, including Apple Computer check “No. 2” signed by company co-founders Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak.
The USB-C port in the iPhone 15 series could be blazing fast. Photo: Cult of Mac
Good news for those hoping iPhone 15 Pro will support very high-speed data transfers: Images supposedly showing a Thunderbolt cable specifically for the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max just leaked out. This offers yet another indication that Apple’s next handsets will be able to move data at up to 40Gbps.
Whether the iPhone Thunderbolt cable will be released is open to question — it’s almost completely redundant.
Rock Paper Pencil might make you a better digital artist. Photo: Astropad
Astropad’s Rock Paper Pencil is designed for digital artists who want drawing on an iPad to feel more like using a pen on paper. It achieves this effect with an unusual combination: a screen protector and an Apple Pencil tip.
Notetakers can also appreciate not having to use the slippery glass screen of an iPad.
The third season of The Morning Show starring Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon premieres globally on September 13 on Apple TV+. Photo: Apple
A new trailer for The Morning Show‘s upcoming third season depicts a major crisis hitting the show-within-a-show — but the solution might be worse than the problem.
That solution? A gigantic cash infusion from tech executive Paul Marks, a new character played by Mad Men star Jon Hamm. He dangles the money after the UBA TV network suffers a massive hack attack. The trailer, which Apple TV+ released Thursday, gives us a better look at Hamm as he joins Morning Show stars Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon and Billy Crudup.
The USB-C cable that comes with iPhone 15 might not be very fast. Photo: Apple
USB-C cables that will ship with the iPhone 15 series allegedly will support only USB 2.0. If true, that will limit data transfers to a relatively poky 480Mbps, far below the maximum speed of the more recent USB 3.2 Gen 2.
However, other reports say the actual USB-C port in the iPhone 15 is much faster.
Apple's Vision Pro labs let developers test their apps on the upcoming headset. Some devs reportedly came away impressed. Photo: Apple
Developers who visited Apple’s special labs to test their Vision Pro apps on the upcoming headset came away impressed, according to a cheery new Apple press release. The labs, which let devs test third-party apps on the AR headset Apple plans to release next year, are reportedly not well-attended. So, Apple seems intent on drumming up interest.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, developers who went to Apple’s labs offered some very positive comments about the hardware and software.
3DPets uses the Lidar scanner in an iPhone 14 Pro to make a custom prosthetic for Trip the dog. Screenshot: Apple
The latest “Shot on iPhone” film is the heart-warming story of Trip the dog receiving a prosthetic leg. It came from a company that uses lidar built into Apple handsets to scan his body to make sure it fits.
Watch The Invincibles to see how the process works.
The months-long wait for iOS 17 is almost over. Image: Rajesh Pandey/Cult of Mac
The launch of iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 is drawing close, as the many steps of beta testing for these operating systems are almost finished. The same holds true for tvOS 17, and watchOS 10 is nearly as close. Apple likely will release them all in September.
macOS Sonoma, however, isn’t expected to debut until later.
Strange things happen to people who haven't slept in weeks. Screenshot: Apple TV+
Still Up is about the hijinks of a pair of chronic insomniacs who aren’t aware they’re falling in love. Apple TV+ released the trailer Tuesday showing Danny and Lisa’s struggles to sleep and find someone who understands them.
The romantic comedy series will debut on Apple TV+ in a few weeks.
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The Plugable USBC-4IN1 can connect a 4K HDMI TV to a Mac or iPad, and add more high-speed USB accessories, too. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
The movies and shows on a MacBook or iPad can be easily played on a full-size TV, but many computers need an adapter to add the HDMI port. The Plugable USBC-4IN1 has just what’s needed, offering 4K video at 60Hz. Or Plugable’s USB-C dock is well suited for using an HDMI monitor to get work done.
Plus, it stands out from the pack with a USB-C port that supports simultaneous 100W power pass-through charging and 10Gbps data transfers. There’s a couple of high-speed USB ports, too.
I put the surprisingly affordable accessory through a series of test to see if it lived up to its promises. Here’s what I found.
The iPhone 15 Pro models might cost noticeably more than the two basic ones. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
The price of the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max will jump by at least $100, if an unconfirmed report coming out of Asia is correct. The increase could go as high as $200.
This is the latest in a series of predictions that the cost of the two top-tier iPhones coming this autumn will increase.