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Ed Hardy - page 62

iPhone 16 Pro could offer 5G speed boost with even faster modem

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iPhone modem maker gets ready for faster 5G Advanced in 2024
The Qualcomm X75 modem will almost certainly appear in the iPhone 16 Pro and add support for 5G Advanced.
Image: Qualcomm

The Qualcomm X75 modem unveiled in February will be part of the iPhone 16 Pro models when they launch in 2024, according to an industry analyst. It’s the first from the modem-maker to support the speedy 5G Advanced standard.

But the cutting-edge chip supposedly won’t be included in Apple’s more affordable non-Pro handsets.

Turn your iPad into a simple drawing pad for Mac with Astropad Slate

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Turn your iPad into a simple drawing pad for Mac with Astropad Slate
Astropad Slate is a new/old option for drawing on a Mac via an iPad.
Image: Astropad

No-screen pen tablets are traditional for artists, and the just-announced Astropad Slate recreates that experience with an iPad and Apple Pencil.

The software, currently in beta, supports Apple’s stylus, including support for hover.

Be sure to read Apple’s guide to buying a used iPhone

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iPhone 6s drop test
Be sure to carefully inspect the used iPhone before buying it because problems are't always this obvious.
Photo: PhoneBuff

Anyone planning on purchasing a used iPhone should take a look at new support document from Apple with tips on a successful buying process.

This includes a very useful inspection checklist to go through before handing over any money.

PNY dual Lightning/USB drive is ready for iPhone and Mac [Review] ★★★★☆

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PNY Duo Link iOS USB 3.2 Dual Flash Drive★★★★☆
PNY offers the cross-platform flash drive your iPhone needs.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Feeling jealous that iPhone 15 users can plug a thumb drive directly into their phone? Then you need the PNY Duo Link iOS USB 3.2 Dual Flash Drive. It has both a Lightning connector and USB-A connector, which makes it compatible with iPhone, iPad and Mac. Windows, too.

With it, you can copy images or other files between devices. Or backup your iPhone when you’re on the go.

I put PNY’s drive through its paces. Here’s what I found out.

Don’t expect an OLED MacBook before 2026

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OLED MacBook is possible… and probably inevitable
An OLED MacBook will happen, but patience is required.
Photo: Cult of Mac

An authority on display technology said Wednesday that Apple will be unable to introduce a MacBook with an OLED screen for at least three years.

But iPads with OLED are expected much sooner.

Apple rakes in up to $20 billion a year to make Google the iPhone default search engine

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Google
Google pays big to be an important part of using an iPhone.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Being the default search engine in the Safari web browser is apparently worth an enormous amount of money. Google reportedly pays Apple between $18 billion and $20 each year for the privilege.

But the payments might come to an end as a result of the antitrust accusations the Department of Justice brought against the search giant.

Apple releases important security patch for iPhones still on iOS 16

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Updates is here for your iPhone bugs
iOS 16.7.1 kills a nasty security bug.
Photo: Cult of Mac/Egor Kamelev/Pexels

iOS 16.7.1 launched on Tuesday to deal with a serious security problem in the older version of Apple’s iPhone operating system. It’s for iPhone users who haven’t yet made the jump to iOS 17.

There’s also an iPadOS version for tablets.

Apple envisions iPad wirelessly charging accessories through its display

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iPad Pro with Apple Pencil
Is this a better option for charging an Apple Pencil with an iPad?
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple is looking into innovative ways to charge iPad accessories, and that includes sending wireless power through the screen.

If the company adopts the idea and expands on it, charging a pair of AirPods would be as simple as putting the case down on an iPhone.

Lift your iPhone way, way up with this very portable stand [Review] ★★★★★

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Moft Snap Phone Tripod Stand review★★★★★
Moft Snap Phone Tripod Stand does a better job of bringing an iPhone to eye level than any rival I've seen.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Anyone who watches video on their iPhone can see the advantage of a portable stand. The Moft Snap Phone Tripod Stand does more than prop up the screen — it lifts your handset up 4.5 inches so the screen is closer to eye level.

It’s not bulky at all, and it magnetically attaches to the iPhone so it can be carried anywhere.

I tested the stand out for myself. Here’s why I love it.

Samsung ad urges Apple to end blue and green bubbles in iMessage

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Samsung ad urges Apple to end blue and green bubbles in iMessage
The real message: Samsung wants more iPhone users to switch to Android.
Screenshot: Samsung

Samsung used a short video to join Google in urging Apple to add support for Rich Communication Services to iMessage, which would end the blue bubble vs. green bubble divide.

The reason for their campaign is obvious: if Apple made the change, people would be more likely to switch from iPhone to Samsung’s Androids.

Cutting-edge Espresso 4K touchscreen expands to 17 inches

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espresso 17 Pro external touchscreen for Mac or Windows
This 17.6-inch touchscreen and stand are ready to travel with your MacBook.
Photo: espresso Displays

The Espresso 17 Pro answers the demand for a high-end portable monitor for MacBooks. It sports a 17.3-inch display at a 4K resolution, but it comes in a sleek package ready for on-the-go use. (Update: For a detailed Espresso 17 Pro review, check out our in-depth analysis of its features and performance.)

Beyond increasing the user’s workspace, the display includes a touchscreen for digital artists looking to add this capability to their Mac.

Make iPad into HDMI monitor with Lux Orion [Awesome Apps]

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Make iPad into HDMI monitor with Lux Orion [Awesome Apps]
Make your iPad into a screen for any device that supports HDMI output with Lux Orion and an adapter.
Photo: Lux
Awesome Apps

You can make your iPad into an external screen for your Mac, a Nintendo Switch, a camera or another device. All you need is the free Lux Orion application and a relatively cheap adapter.

Lux, the maker of the brilliant Halide camera application, made Orion just for fun. But it’s very useful, too.

Mac sales decline year-over-year for an odd reason

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iMac Pro and Mac mini
Macs shipments haven't dropped, despite the end of the pandemic.
Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac

Apple shipped 7.2 million Macs in the third quarter of 2023, according to a market analysis firm. That’s a whopping 23% decrease from the previous year, but Q3 2022 was one of the best quarters Apple has ever had for a bad reason.

Ignoring last year’s unusual quarter, Mac shipments are holding steady despite the end of the pandemic. Windows PC makers certainly can’t say that.

New iPad, iPad mini, iPad Air and iPad Pro models are on the way

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iPad Pro, iPad Air, iPad
All of Apple's iPad lines are up for a revamp.
Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac

Apple intends to update the entire iPad lineup in the coming months, according to information leaking out of the company. Details have come to light about models from the smallest iPad mini to the largest iPad Pro.

Included on the list are tablets that haven’t been updated in a couple of years.

Here’s what to expect.

Latest iOS 17 patch marginally improves older iPhone battery life

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iPhone 13 Pro
iPhone 13 has a better battery life under iOS 17.0.3 than it did with iOS 17.
Photo: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac

iOS 17.0.3 increases the battery life of nearly all older iPhones. However, tests done on a variety of models found that the patch released this week generally doesn’t make dramatic improvements.

That said, there’s very good news for anyone still using an iPhone XR.

iOS 17 adoption moves at a trickle

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iPhone with an iOS 17 logo
Odds are your iPhone doesn't run iOS 17. Adoption of Apple's latest mobile operating system is downright anemic.
Photo: Cult of Mac

In the weeks since iOS 17 launched, just a small percentage of iPhone owners have adopted it, according to an analytics firm. This is despite the fact that the new version is freely available for every iPhone going back five years.

Users may have been made cautious by Apple’s need to rush out three patches to fix bugs since the big update.

iOS 17 forces woman named ‘Siri’ to change her name

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Siri
The switch from "Hey Siri" to just "Siri" has been a trial for a woman named Siri.
Photo: Apple

Siri Price can no longer use that name. The Edinburgh-based fitness instructor had to pick a new name because of a change in iOS 17, which was released for iPhones in September.

She’s not happy about it.

New MacBook Pro models with mini-LED could launch this year

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2023 MacBook Pro in 16-inch and 14-inch versions
The MacBook Pro models from January 2023 could be replaced by newer ones coming soon.
Image: Apple

Apple will return to its habit of introducing new MacBook Pro models in Q4, according to an unconfirmed report. Supposedly, 14-inch and 16-inch models will hit the market before the end of 2023, both with mini-LED screens.

If true, these will be the second round of new MacBook Pros this year.

How to stop your iPhone from blaring out emergency alerts

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Feds test nationwide phone emergency alert system
The U.S. government recently tested its emergency notification system. You can opt out of these messages.
Photo: FCC/FEMA

There’s a way to prevent your iPhone from blaring out a loud alarm whenever the feds or local governments use the Wireless Emergency Alerts system. Setting your device so it ignores these alerts is actually quite easy, though it is more complicated than putting your iPhone in Silent mode.

Here’s how.

Apple rushes out fix for ‘warmer than expected’ iPhones

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iOS 17.0.3 Is the fix for ‘warmer than expected’ iPhones
Install iOS 17.0.3 to keep iPhone 15 from getting so hot.
Image: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

iOS 17.0.3 just launched, and Apple promises it “addresses an issue that may cause iPhone to run warmer than expected.” This is a well-publicized problem with iPhone 15 models.

It also might increase the battery life of previous iOS handsets.

Tim Cook nets a quick $41 million from selling Apple shares

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Tim Cook earnings apple
Tim Cook likes his currency the old-fashioned way.
Illustration: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Apple CEO Tim Cook turned some of his millions of Apple shares into cash. He reportedly netted about $41 million from the sale.

Unlike some CEOs, Cook owns only a minute share of the company he runs.

Speedy new Samsung T9 portable SSD puts 4TB in your pocket

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Samsung T9 portable SSD
The Samsung T9 SSD is small but holds terabytes of data.
Photo: Samsung

The just-launched Samsung T9 solid-state drive is small enough and tough enough to go almost anywhere. And it’s available in capacities up to 4 terabytes.

The USB-C drive offers high-speed data transfers, and support for USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 allows files to move even faster … but not for Mac users. If you’re considering alternatives, the Samsung T7 is another excellent option known for its reliability and speed.

Feds will test nationwide phone emergency alert system on Wednesday

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Feds test nationwide phone emergency alert system
Your iPhone will get an emergency alert Wednesday that looks a lot like this.
Photo: FCC/FEMA

iPhones and Androids in the United States will receive an emergency alert Wednesday, but it’s not anything to worry about. It will come from a couple of U.S. government agencies testing the Wireless Emergency Alerts system.

This isn’t the first time the system has been tested — the feds are required to check that the system works every few years.

In short, just ignore it. Also ignore the crazy conspiracy theories surrounding the test.

NBA 2K24 Arcade Edition leads games hitting Apple Arcade in October

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'NBA 2K24 Arcade Edition' leads games hitting Apple Arcade in October
Apple Arcade subscribers can soon play NBA 2K24 Arcade Edition on an Apple TV or other device.
Image: Apple Arcade

NBA 2K24 Arcade Edition, the latest addition to the long-running sports franchise, premieres on Apple Arcade on October 28.

It’s one of four titles coming to Apple’s gaming service this month, including Jeopardy!.

Pick up HomePod 2 refurbished by Apple on the cheap

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Apple HomePod 2 in white and midnight
You don't have to pay full price to get the audio quality of HomePod 2.
Photo: Apple

Apple is now offering refurbished units of its second-generation full-size HomePod at 17% off the regular price. This new version offers high-quality audio and additional smart-home features

Buying refurbs from Apple is a popular way to save on used electronics that can be relied on.