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Ed Hardy - page 72

iOS 16.4 and macOS 13.3 likely will launch next week

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iOS 16.4 release candidate
The iOS 16.4 release candidate means the full version should reach iPhones everywhere before the end of March.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple seeded the release candidates for iOS 16.4 and macOS Ventura 13.3 to developers on Tuesday, signaling that beta testing for these upcoming operating systems is almost over. The same is true for the release candidates for iPadOS 16.4, watchOS 9.4 and tvOS 16.4.

These will usher in new emoji, a better way for devs to work with betas, and other changes.

Why iPhone is winning the global smartphone battle

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iPhone shipments grow while Android tanks
If you bought a top-tier smartphone anywhere in the world, it's almost certainly an iPhone.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Premium smartphones are on a roll. Revenue from iPhone and other devices that cost more than $600 grew to the point that they contributed more than half of all revenue from the product category in 2022, according to a market research firm.

That’s to Apple’s advantage, as iPhone sales make up 75% of this category.

OtterBox iPhone case’s pop-up handle plays nice with MagSafe [Review] ★★★★☆

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OtterBox OtterGrip Symmetry Series review★★★★☆
The OtterBox OtterGrip protects your iPhone and adds a handle that doesn't impede wireless charging.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

OtterBox’s new OtterGrip Symmetry Series case protects your iPhone, plus it includes a pop-up handle. What sets it apart from the competition is the handle doesn’t interfere with MagSafe wireless charging.

I wrapped my own iPhone 14 Plus in an OtterGrip. I found a lot to like.

Cool 8BitDo game controllers now support Apple devices

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Cool 8BitDo game controllers now support Apple devices
A range of 8BitDo game controllers now work with Mac, iPad, Apple TV and more.
Image: 8BitDo

The selection of game controllers that can be used with Apple devices just grew, as a software update made multiple 8BitDo products compatible with iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple TV.

The accessory maker offers wired and wireless controllers that mimic Xbox and Playstation ones. And there’s the 8BitDo Lite SE, too.

Let’s hope the latest iPhone 15 leak is wrong

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Leaked CAD images show iPhone 15 Pro mute button could prove problematic
The iPhone 15 Pro will supposedly have a solid-state volume rocker and mute switch.
Image: chenwen1987

The traditional mute switch on the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max supposedly will be replaced with a static, touch-sensitive button. If true, it’s possible this will be too easy to activate so users don’t get the notifications they expect.

Just-leaked CAD images allegedly show how the buttons on the upcoming iPhones will look. And that they look very easy to press accidentally. It also doesn’t look like the new button would offer a visual cue that an iPhone is set to silent mode.

Steve Jobs returns from grave as a chatty AI

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Steve Jobs returns for grave as a chatty AI
A new AI chatbot isn't Steve Jobs. But it does sound like him.
Photo: Hotpot/Cult of Mac

Although Apple co-founder Steve Jobs died more than a decade ago, he’s back as an artificial intelligence. Kind of.

A programmer made a chatbot able to carry on conversations in a voice that sounds like Jobs. The result is authentic enough to be eerie.

Russian officials ordered to get rid of their iPhones

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Russia fines Apple for not storing data in country
Neither iPhone nor Android are secure enough to satisfy the Kremlin.
Photo: Bryan Jones/Flickr CC

Claiming that iPhones can be hacked by Western intelligence agencies, the Kremlin reportedly told government officials involved in the 2024 Russian election to get rid of their iPhones.

A Kremlin spokesperson then told Reuters that government officials shouldn’t use a smartphone at all, Android or iPhone.

You won’t find a better time to buy Apple Pencil 2

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Apple-Pencil-close-up
Get Apple Pencil 2 at well below the usual price. If you hurry.
Photo: Daniel Korpai/Unsplash

Digital artists, or those who would like to be, can pick up an Apple Pencil 2 for a whopping $40 off the usual price. That’s a 31% discount.

I use this stylus with my iPad all the time, and there’s no better tool for painting on your tablet. It’s also great for taking notes and sketching out ideas.

Future-proof your iPhone gaming with this Lightning and USB-C controller [Review] ★★★★

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RiotPWR RP1950 Cloud Gaming Controller review★★★★
The RiotPWR RP1950 game controller is ready to play top-tier games on an iPhone or iPad.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The RiotPWR RP1950 Cloud Gaming Controller solves a problem for iPhone gamers: the controller plugs into the Lightning port in today’s models, but also into the USB-C port that will be in the iPhone 15. In the mean time, the controller can also be used with the many iPad models that use USB-C.

I field-tested RiotPWR’s latest controller and its removable iPhone mount. I understand why Apple likes it enough to put in the online Apple Store.

Former Apple engineer explains why Siri still sucks

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Siri desperately needs some ChatGPT-like smarts
There's a lot Siri doesn't understand. And that's a problem.
Image: Apple/Cult of Mac

Siri simply can’t compete with ChatGPT and other chatbots because it was built with the wrong system, according to someone who was once charged with improving Apple’s voice assistant.

But there’s hope for future improvement, as Apple is reportedly working on a replacement that is being built to be more like ChatGPT.

Apple Lisa 1, factory-sealed iPhone 2007 rake in cash at auction

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Apple Lisa 1
This Apple Lisa 1 sold at top dollar this week.
Photo: RR Auction

An auction that included vintage Apple items that were almost thrown away wrapped up this week with many items bringing in more than their estimates. A Lisa 1 and an original iPhone still in the plastic sold at hefty prices. Some technical notes handwritten by Steve Jobs also brought in more than expected. There were many more.

However, some of the Apple items did not sell, including a fully functional Apple-1, likely because bids didn’t reach their reserve price.

iPhone 15 Pro Max could boast crazy-thin screen bezels

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iPhone 15 Pro Max Concept
One way to fit a larger display into a iPhone without increasing the overall size is reduce the screen bezels.
Concept: Antonio De Rosa/ADR Studio

The largest version of the iPhone 15 reportedly will come with the smallest screen bezels. Like, record-breaking thin.

An Apple tipster says the black area around the iPhone 15 Pro Max’s display will measure a mere 1.55 millimeters.

Apple TV app for Mac finally getting left sidebar

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Apple TV app for Mac finally getting left sidebar
This is likely close to what the redesigned Apple TV for macOS app will look like.
Concept: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The Apple TV app for macOS is reportedly about to get a redesign that includes a left sidebar. That will apparently make it nearly identical to the iPad version.

The update might debut in macOS Ventura 13.3, which is currently in beta.

Here are the most popular Apple TV+ shows that aren’t Ted Lasso

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Apple TV+
These 10 Apple TV+ shows reached the peak of popularity on the streaming video service.
Photo: Apple TV+

Although Ted Lasso is amazing and wildly popular, it’s not the only hit show on Apple TV+. A search engine focused on movies and TV released a top 10 list of everything on Apple’s streaming service, revealing which other series also draw plenty of viewers.

Subscribers to the streaming service might use it to find additional shows worth watching.

New mount charges iPhone while it’s clipped to Xbox game controller

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New mount charges iPhone while its clipped to Xbox game controller
You know you can easily play games on iPhone with an external controller, right? And a new clip-on mount from PowerA charges your iPhone while you play.
Photo: PowerA

The PowerA Moga Play & Charge Gaming Clip for Xbox Wireless Controllers is more than a way to attach an iPhone to a Microsoft game controller. It also includes a battery to keep the handset charged up during lengthy gaming sessions.

Not leaving PlayStation fans out, PowerA will also soon release the Moga Mobile Gaming Clip for DualSense and DualShock 4 Wireless Controllers.

New MagSafe iPhone wallet acts like it has an AirTag inside

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New MagSafe iPhone wallet acts like it has an AirTag inside
Misplace ESR's latest wallet and other iPhones can automatically help you find it.
Photo: ESR

It’s nearly impossible to lose the ESR HaloLock Geo Wallet Stand. It clings to an iPhone with unusually powerful magnets, and when removed can be located almost anywhere with Apple’s Find My network.

The new ESR wallet offers several advantages over the Apple Leather Wallet with MagSafe.

Waze makes it easy to find EV charging stations

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Waze makes it easy to find EV charging stations
Stop hunting for EV charging stations and start finding them.
Photo: Google/Cult of Mac

A new feature in Waze hopes to remove one of the hassles of driving an electric vehicle: finding charging stations. Tell the navigation app some spaces about your car and it’ll show you compatible spots to juice up along your route.

The feature is rolling out now to all versions of the app, including iPhone.

Yellow iPhone 14 and 14 Plus hit store shelves

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Yellow iPhone 14 and 14 Plus hit store shelves
The wait is over: iPhone 14 and 14 Plus in yellow are now in stores.
Photo: Apple

The recently announced iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus in yellow casings are now in Apple’s brick-and-mortar retail stores.

The new color option was announced in early March and then went up for preorder a few days ago, but Tuesday is the real launch day.

The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse wins Oscar for Apple TV+

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The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse review on Apple TV+: This animated short film hits all the right notes.
This animated short film hits all the right notes.
Image: Apple TV+

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences gave Apple TV+ its latest Oscar win, this time for The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse. It is hand-drawn animation, and it therefore took home the Oscar for Best Animated Short Film.

The Oscar was awarded Sunday night at the 95th Annual Academy Awards ceremony in Los Angeles.

Samsung Galaxy cameras fake their moon shots

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Samsung Galaxy cameras fake their moon shots
Moon pictures taken with a Samsung Galaxy Ultra are supposedly too good to be true.
Image: ibreakphotos/Reddit/CultofMac

The beautiful images of the moon taken with a recent high-end Samsung Galaxy are apparently faked. A Reddit user took a picture of a low-resolution moon picture and got a high-res picture.

In other words, Galaxy Ultra cameras aren’t as powerful as people claim.

7 reasons you should be slashing through Oceanhorn: Chronos Dungeon

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'Oceanhorn: Chronos Dungeon' is a 16-bit Rogue-like dungeon crawler.
You and three friends can plumb the depths of the Chronos Dungeon on your way to save the world.
Image: Cornfox & Brothers

Oceanhorn: Chronos Dungeon is one of the best RPGs in Apple Arcade. It’s a relatively simple dungeon crawler in the spirit of great 16-bit games of the past like Gauntlet. And it can be enjoyed by up to four players at once.

I’ve spent more hours than I could possibly count playing this title from Cornfox & Brothers. Here are seven reasons I think you’ll like it too.

Apple shareholders approve 40% pay cut for CEO Tim Cook at annual meeting

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Tim Cook in Ukrainian colors during the Peek Performance event
Even Tim Cook agrees Tim Cook was being paid too much.
Screenshot: Apple

Apple CEO Tim Cook will earn considerably less in 2023 than he did in the last two years. The pay cut comes at the recommendation of the company as well as Cook himself. And it was approved Friday at Apple’s annual shareholder’s meeting.

In addition, five proposals made by shareholders for changes at the company were also voted down at the meeting.

Yellow iPhone 14 and 14 Plus go up for preorders

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iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus now come in yellow as well as a rainbow of other colors.
iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus now come in yellow as well as a rainbow of other colors.
Photo: Apple

The online Apple store began taking preorders on Friday for the recently announced iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus in yellow casings.

The canary-colored handsets won’t be in stores until March 14,though.

Why Apple should drop the iPhone 14 Plus

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Why Apple should drop the iPhone 14 Plus
iPhone 14 Plus should go.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The iPhone 14 Plus isn’t selling well, and the same was true for the model it replaced, the iPhone 13 mini. With that in mind, it seems reasonable for Apple reduce the number of product lines it offers.

There are currently five iPhone models in production. Dropping to four would benefit the company and its customers.