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.
Magenta Max offers unlimited 5G, and Apple TV+ too. Graphic: Cult of Mac
T-Mobile is including Apple TV+ for free in its Magenta Max unlimited wireless data plan. Subscribers will have access to Apple’s streaming service along with the carrier’s 5G network without data caps.
Magenta Max already includes other streaming services, including Netflix.
It won't be just the iPhone 14 communicating with satellites. Photo: Cult of Mac
It might not be necessary to trade in an iPhone 13 for the iPhone 14 to get the upcoming model’s satellite communication capabilities. Apple’s 2021 handset reportedly already has this feature – it’s just not activated.
It’s possible Apple will announce at a September 7 event that both the iPhone 13 and 14 will be able to send emergency texts via satellite.
You'll soon be able to get Netflix at a lower cost by watching commercials. Photo: Netflix/Cult of Mac
The price of Netflix is going way down … if you’re willing to watch commercials. When the streaming service revealed that it’s prepping an advertising-supported option for subscribers, it didn’t reveal how much it will cost. The price has now leaked out, and it might be 30% to 55% below the current cost.
The new option could debut before the end of 2022.
The first Apple VR/AR headset might be dubbed "Reality One." Photo: Vu Hoang/Flickr CC
Companies working with Apple have reportedly filed for trademarks in multiple countries that might relate to Apple’s upcoming virtual reality and augmented reality headset. They are variations on “Reality,” and it’s possible the filings reveal the name for the device.
The Apple VR/AR headset could be unveiled as easily as the Mac-maker’s September 7 product lunch event.
A new top-of-the-line Apple Watch Pro allegedly coming in 2022 will have a flat screen and a titanium body. Concept: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
A critical detail has leaked about about Apple’s upcoming wearable designed for serious athletes. The new top-tier Apple Watch will have a 47mm screen, according to a new report coming out of Asia.
This will make it the largest version yet of Apple’s wrist computer.
The U.S. Justice Department might hit Apple with an antitrust lawsuit before the end of 2022. Photo: Sora Shimazaki/Pexels CC
The U.S. Department of Justice reportedly moved closer to filing an antitrust lawsuit against Apple. The DOJ has investigated the iPhone-maker over the past several years and begun to actually write a potential suit.
The government agency has looked into many aspects of Apple’s business and there’s no clear word on whether the complaint will be about the App Store or something else.
iPhone 13 will reportedly be able to use satellites to exchange texts. Photo: Globalstar
iPhone 14 users may never be out of contact as long as they’re outdoors. Apple’s upcoming handset will be able to exchange texts via satellites in low-Earth orbit, according to an expert in satellite communications. And the service will be free.
Apple might even have hinted about this feature in the invite to its September 7 event during which the iPhone 14 is expected to be announced.
A future Mac mini should look like this. Photo: Apple
There’s no reason the Mac mini has to take up unnecessary desk space. Apple can and should build the entire computer into the keyboard. The result would minimize clutter, making it an ideal computer for anyone living in tight quarters. And it would be quite portable.
It’s completely possible with tech Apple has now. Here’s how.
Guess what's the best selling smartphone in America? Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
iPhones made up more than half of all smartphones shipped in North America during the second quarter of 2022, according to a market research firm. This marks the third quarter in a row that more than 50% of the handsets shipped in the region came from Apple.
Samsung, the next nearest rival, had less than half as many shipments in Canada, Unites States and Mexico.
People love to examine Apple’s event invites looking for hints of what will be unveiled. The starry invitation to the September 7 Far Out event that went out Wednesday might drop a clue to one or more long-rumored features finally coming to the iPhone 14.
And, of course, we’ve seen some deliberately silly suggestions for what the image and theme are hinting at.
Or the Apple logo made out of stars could be simply a cool-looking image. (There are new wallpapers for those who think so.)
Central Park season 3 premieres on Apple TV+ in only a few weeks. Photo: Apple TV+
Central Park is coming back with more musical adventures. Season three of the highly rated animated comedy will return to Apple TV+ in early September, and a trailer offering a glimpse at the upcoming fun premiered Wednesday.
The date's no surprise, but we weren't so sure about the "in person" part. Image: Apple
Apple sent out invitations Wednesday to a “far out” event scheduled for September 7. There’s nothing in the invite to indicate what’s on the agenda, but this will almost certainly be the debut of the iPhone 14 lineup and Apple Watch Series 8.
Unlike such events for the past couple of years, members of the tech press are being invited to attend in person.
Your iMac can have six more ports without adding a bunch of wires to your desk. Photo: Belkin
Place the new Belkin Connect USB-C 6-in-1 Multiport Hub in the back of an iMac or monitor to discreetly add multiple ports to a computer. It offers a couple of USB-A ports, memory card readers and more.
iPadOS 16 is turning out to be more difficult than Apple expected. Image: Apple
Apple seeded iPadOS 16 beta 7 to developers on Monday, and its build number confirms that the release of this new version has been pushed back several weeks. This is in-line with an earlier leak that iPads wouldn’t see an update until October.
In addition, there has now been no new macOS Ventura beta for over two weeks, showing it’s also not close to release. That’s not surprising, however.
iOS 16, watchOS 9 and tvOS 16 are in the final stages of beta testing, and are expected to become debut in September, as expected.
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The Adonit Neo Pro is the strongest competitor for Apple Pencil yet. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
The Adonit Neo Pro iPad stylus gets power just by being placed on the edge of the tablet. This is a trick that used to be reserved for Apple Pencil, but no more. Even better, the stylus is well designed for note taking and sketching, and offers palm rejection and tilt sensitivity.
I’ve used the affordable iPad stylus as part of my job for over a week now. Here’s why I love it.
Increase your available storage with an SSD and the Satechi USB-C Aluminum Tool-Free Enclosure. Photo: Satechi
The Satechi USB-C Aluminum Tool-Free Enclosure allows M.2 PCIe NVMe and SATA solid state drives to be easily added to a Mac. Place the SSD in the rugged enclosure and it’s ready to plug into a laptop or desktop’s USB-C port.
The accessory launched Tuesday and is available to purchase now.
Apple is about to take the 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pro from 2021 and put in even faster processors. Photo: Apple
Updated versions of the 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pro will go onto production during the last months of 2022, according to a prominent Apple analyst. These will have faster processors.
Another reliable source said essentially the same, making it likely that Apple is about refresh its top-tier notebooks.
It's possible iPad 10 will have its front camera moved to the right edge. Concept: Apple/Cult of Mac
Apple may be making one of the most-requested iPad changes. In Apple’s upcoming budget tablet, the front-facing camera is reportedly moving from a short edge of the display to a long edge, which would put it near the top of the tablet in landscape mode.
Just about anyone who makes FaceTime calls on an iPad can see the advantage.
Those who want to repair their own MacBook can get the parts and tools through Apple's Self Service Repair program. Photo: Apple
Apple’s Self Service Repair program is about to expand to recent MacBook Pro and MacBook Air models. This will give those who want to fix their macOS notebook access to repair manuals and genuine Apple parts and tools.
If you're in the market for a smart speaker, here's what you need to know about the HomePod 2. Photo: Apple
A replacement for the original, full-size HomePod is reportedly in development. The smart speaker is expected to provide better audio performance than the current HomePod mini.
Apple will reportedly be one of the first companies in the world able to offer processors made with a 3nm process. Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac
Multiple sources say the Apple’s upcoming M2 Pro chip will be made with an enhanced manufacturing process that wasn’t yet available for the recently released M2. That will make Apple’s next processor more efficient than the one in the new MacBook Air.
Even better, the M2 Pro could launch in updated MacBook Pro models before the end of 2022.
The great John Madden himself is the face of Madden NFL 23 Mobile. Photo: Electronic Arts
Grab your iPhone or iPad to play Madden NFL 23 Mobile, which has just been updated for the new football season.
This is the ninth season of the mobile game from Electronic Arts. It not only put players on the field in the biggest games of the season, it also has a General Manager mode to let players build a team.