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Ed Hardy - page 64

Apple’s efforts to prevent employees from unionizing broke the law

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Apple moves to head off employee union efforts
Apple’s anti-union efforts have again been ruled illegal.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

A National Labor Relations Board judge ruled Tuesday that Apple used illegal means to convince employees at one of its retail stores in New York not to form a union.

The judge issued several instructions to Apple that might assist in future unionizing efforts at the company’s 270-plus U.S. retail locations.

Apple TV+ Metropolis adaptation gets the ax

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Apple TV+ ‘Metropolis’ adaptation gets the axe
A modern adaptation of the silent classic Metropolis will not happen.
Image: Cult of Mac

Turns out Apple TV+ is not going to turn Fritz Lang’s sci-fi classic Metropolis into a series. The ongoing writers’ strike reportedly caused the project to be shut down.

And it’s not the only Apple TV+ project to run afoul of the ongoing Writers Guild of America strike.

Apple websites start implementing passkeys in place of passwords

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Apple websites use passkeys in place of passwords.
That’s open less password you’ll have to remember.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Our password-free future just took a step closer. Apple has begin rolling out signing onto its online store can with a passkey instead of a password. The change allows shoppers to access the site with Face ID or Touch ID. The same is true for iCloud.com and Apple’s dev site.

However, the feature is still in testing so it’s not available for everyone. It requires a beta of iOS 17, iPadOS 17 or macOS Sonoma.

Fixing your iPhone 14 and 2022 MacBook models just got easier

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Apple Self Service Program for customer repairs
Several recent Apple handsets and notebooks are about to be added to the Self Service Repair program.
Photo: Apple

The Apple Self Service Repair program will soon expand to include the iPhone 14 series as well as MacBook Pro and MacBook Air models released in 2022.

The program provides customers access to parts and tools they need to fix their own devices.

Why Apple Watch doesn’t allow third-party watch faces

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watchOS 7 new faces
There are a lot of cool Apple Watch faces, all created by Apple.
Photo: Apple

A high-level Apple exec recently answered a question that bugs many Apple Watch users: Why aren’t third-party watch faces allowed?

It comes down to the company not allowing the wearable’s all-important home screen to be replaced by a non-Apple alternative that might not prove as reliable.

EU forces removable batteries on iPhone and iPad

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iPhone 14 is easier to repair than any of its predecessors in years.
iPhone 14 is easier to disassemble than its predecessors, but Apple might have to go further.
Photo: iFixit

The European Parliament passed sweeping legislation last week intended to make recycling batteries easier. The new rules will require Apple to redesign iPhone and iPad so their batteries can be replaced by users. (Android devices will face the same mandate.)

This will be the second major hardware change to Apple products to result from EU legislation. iPhones soon will come with a USB-C port in place of Lightning because of a European requirement.

Securely store files in this Kingston flash drive encrypted with a keypad [Review] ★★★★☆

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Kingston Ironkey Keypad 200★★★★☆
No one but you will access your files if they’re on a Kingston Ironkey Keypad 200.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The best way to be sure no one is accessing your files is to lock them on an encrypted drive. The Kingston Ironkey Keypad 200 includes built-in keypad so you can easily unlock the USB drive when it’s time to access your stored information.

I put the mini-SSD to the test in my home office. Read on to see how well it stood up use with a variety of computers and other devices.

iFixit’s new USB-C charger looks cool while powering your devices

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iFixit’s new USB-C charger looks cool while powering your devices
You don’t have to do a teardown to see inside the new iFixit USB-C wall charger.
Photo: iFixit

While most people know iFixit for its brilliant teardown videos of Apple gear, its primary business is selling repair tools and other accessories. And that now includes a new 65W wall charger with a 6-foot cable.

As one might expect from a company known for looking inside devices, part of the housing for the new iFixit Fast Charger USB-C AC Adapter is transparent, showing off the internal components.

Soar and race through the sky in Jet Dragon on Apple Arcade

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Soar and race through the sky in ‘Jet Dragon’ on Apple Arcade
Train your dragon to win in Jet Dragon.
Screenshot: Greezo/Apple Arcade

If a dragon had jet engines you’d have Jet Dragon, a flying, racing game that requires plenty of strategy to make a winning team.

The app debuted Friday on Apple’s gaming service, and is playable on iPhone, Mac and more.

Apple Battersea opens to cheering London crowds

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London's iconic Battersea Power Station has been transformed from a coal-fired energy generator into a high-end shopping mall -- now with an Apple store!
London's iconic Battersea Power Station has been transformed from a coal-fired energy generator into a high-end shopping mall — now with an Apple store!
Photo: Rodney Minter-Brown/Unsplash License

The latest Apple retail store opened its doors Thursday in London’s iconic Battersea Power Station. Shoppers lined up to see the new location, and the Macs and iPhones may have been overwhelmed by the architecture.

Camera shutters were clicking. Check out some of the many images shared of the gorgeous new store, Apple’s 40th in the United Kingdom.

Apple might make a HomePod you activate just by looking at it

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Could the clue refer to a new version of the discontinued HomePod?
Apple is considering a glance-activated HomePod.
Photo: Apple

What if, instead of saying “Hey Siri” to activate your HomePod, you only had to glance at it? Apple is considering this possibility, and recently filed for a patent on it.

Whether this will become part of a future Apple smart speaker depends on whether it’s actually better than the current activation system.

Apple TV+ hit Silo will return for season 2

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Explore the deep mystery of the 'Silo'
In Silo, if the lies don't kill you, the truth will.
Photo: Apple TV+

Apple TV+ announced a season two renewal for Silo, the dystopian sci-fi mystery currently streaming on the service.

The decision doesn’t come as much of a surprise: the series is a huge hit.

Mac Studio vs. Mac Pro: Which is right for you?

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Mac Studio vs. Mac Pro: Which is right for you?
There are fewer differences between Mac Pro and Mac Studio than you might think.
Photo: Cult of Mac

The 2023 Mac Pro starts at $7,000, while a similarly configured 2023 Mac Studio is $4,000. The potential savings has people questioning whether they really need the Pro to get the job done.

Let’s compare these professional-grade desktops to see how they stack up. You might be surprised at how similar they are, given how very different the two designs are. If you’re considering the latest Mac Pro, check out this detailed comparison of Mac Studio vs. Mac Pro.

Apple adds $25 million more to its Racial Equity and Justice Initiative

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Apple adds $25 million more to its Racial Equity and Justice Initiative
Apple’s REJI is contributing to racial justice and economic empowerment in five countries.
Photo: Apple

Apple’s total investment in its Racial Equity and Justice Initiative passed $200 million with an addition of $25 million in venture capital. The fund has the goal of expanding opportunities for Black, Hispanic/Latinx and Indigenous communities.

The Mac-maker has now more than doubled its original 2020 financial commitment to the REJI.

Why the base model 15-inch MacBook Air might be slower than other versions

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Apple WWDC23 MacBook Air 15-inch running Stray
Playing Stray won’t be affected by a limitation in the 256GB version of the MacBook Air.
Photo: Apple

The base model 15-inch MacBook Air reportedly will have slower SSD performance than versions of the new laptop with more storage capacity.

This is an issue that also affects the 13-inch model that launched in 2022.

Why the Mac Pro lacks upgradable RAM and support for eGPUs

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2023 Mac Pro with Apple M2 Ultra
The 2023 Mac Pro has an inescapable limitation.
Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac

The just-launched 2023 Mac Pro lacks features considered critical for workstations: upgradable RAM and support for eGPUs. But this isn’t Apple blindly making an error — it’s an inescapable fact of the M-series’ unified memory architecture.

The limitation isn’t new: it’s been known since the M1 processor was announced. But Tuesday’s release of a top-tier macOS workstation shines a spotlight on the problem.

For those who weren’t paying attention back in 2020, here’s an explanation of why RAM upgrades and plug-in GPU aren’t an option for the 2023 Mac Pro.

2023 Mac Studio review roundup: Eye-watering power

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2023 Mac Studio
What makes the 2023 Mac Studio a standout professional desktop doesn’t show from the outside.
Photo: Apple

Apple’s professional-grade Mac Studio desktop has been updated with either an Apple M2 Max or M2 Ultra processor. The new chips give a welcome increase in performance, and the top-tier model now supports 8K monitors.

Read on to discover what the first reviewers have to say about the powerfully upgraded Mac.

Apple TV+ cooks up drama about world’s first celebrity chef

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Antonin Carême: ‘the king of chefs and the chef of kings’
The extraordinary life of Antonin Carême is being made into a drama on Apple TV+.
Photo: Public Domain

Antonin Carême rose from humble beginnings in Paris to the height of culinary stardom in Napoleon’s Europe. His story is coming to Apple TV+ as an eight-episode French drama.

Carême’s life had more excitement than one might expect from a chef and author, as he also served as an unwilling spy for France.

New Satechi 12-port dock supports trio of 4K monitors on all Macs

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Satechi Triple 4K Display Docking Station
Even if your Mac isn’t supposed to be up to handling three external monitors, it can with this new dock from Satechi.
Photo: Satechi

The Satechi Triple 4K Display Docking Station offers a dozen ports of a variety of types. Among the range of accessories that can be connected are up to three 4K/60Hz displays. And that includes Macs that ordinarily support only one external monitor.

Also included are multiple USB ports and Ethernet.

15-inch MacBook Air review roundup: Killer for consumers

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15-inch MacBook Air
There's never been a MacBook Air with a larger screen. Not even close.
Photo: Apple

Reviewers have plenty of praise for the first 15-inch MacBook Air, with comments like it “does its job very, very well” (The Verge) and it’s “more than good enough” (CNET).

Shockingly, this killer consumer laptop starts at just $1,299 (and is already available at a $50 discount from some retailers). Read on for a summary of comments about Apple’s largest consumer-oriented notebook yet.

It’s not too late to order 15-inch MacBook Air for launch day pickup [Updated]

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MacBook Air 15 inch from Apple WWDC23
The 15-inch MacBook Air is the largest consumer-oriented notebook Apple has ever offered.
Photo: Apple

The first 15-inch MacBook Air was a highlight of WWDC23, but it was a bit overshadowed by other announcements. Perhaps that’s why Apple still has units ready to be preordered for pickup on launch day, June 13.

The same is true for the upgraded Mac Studio with M2 Pro or M2 Ultra processors. And the first Mac Pro with Apple silicon is also sold out on launch day.

Apple TV+ produces best-reviewed content of any streaming service

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Apple TV+, Netflix, Hulu, Disney+
There are bigger streaming video services, but none with a higher average content ranking from critics.
Photo: Cult of Mac

Apple TV+ series and films earn a higher average ranking from critics than all other streaming services. So, despite its relatively limited catalog, Apple’s service offers an outsized collection of top-quality content.

Its average quality content ranking is well above Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.

Silo on Apple TV+ remains most popular series on any streaming service

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Viewers and critics are digging
Viewers and critics are digging "Silo" on Apple TV+.
Photo: Apple TV+

The dystopian sci-fi mystery Silo launched on Apple TV+ in early May, and it’s been at or near the top of the ratings charts ever since. Last week, it was once again more popular than any other streaming series.

Plus, the finale of the sports dramedy Ted Lasso put it in the top 10 as well.

Hands on with Safari Profiles, Apple’s latest attempt to curb tab clutter

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Hands on with Safari Profiles
Safari Profiles make it easier to keep work and personal browsing separate. But the upcoming feature can also simplify sharing an iPad.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

With Safari Profiles, Apple takes another swing at helping us organize all the browser tabs we have open. The new feature lets users put tabs and tab groups into separate areas, helping keep work and our personal lives from interfering.

Beyond that, Safari Profiles also could enable two or more people to more easily share the web browser, which can be a huge benefit for iPad users.

I’ve been testing the new feature in the first betas of iOS 17, macOS Sonoma and iPadOS 17, all of which Apple unveiled at WWDC23 this week.

The Afterparty season 2 trailer promises more murderous fun

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The Afterparty season 2
The star-studded second season of The Afterparty will make its global debut on Apple TV+ in July.
Photo: Apple TV+

The second season of an Apple TV+ series that turns a murder mystery into a genre-mixing comedy will soon return. Fresh episodes of The Afterparty premier in July.

As the trailer released Thursday shows, there’s a new mystery to solve with a fresh cast of eccentric suspects, though Tiffany Haddish and some of the other stars of season one will be back.