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.
The iPad 9 could be the last Apple tablet with a Lightning port, as its successor might use USB-C instead. Photo: Apple
The budget iPad will reportedly be the next Apple device to dump the Lightning port in favor of USB-C. The tenth tablet in this series might also have a larger screen, a faster processor and optional 5G.
The upcoming device is expected to debut this fall.
The 14.1-inch iPad might have more in common with the iPad Air 5 than iPad Pro. Photo: Apple
Surprising details leaked out about the rumored 14.1-inch iPad. Aside from its large size, the display might not include top-tier features offered by other iPad Pro models, like a very fast refresh rate.
These might be an attempt by Apple to control the price of the extra-large tablet.
There's more to App Tracking Transparency than meets the eye. Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac
The German government is looking into whether Apple’s App Tracking Transparency system is designed to give Apple an unfair advantage in advertising.
The Bundeskartellamt doesn’t object to the iPhone-maker blocking tracking. But the agency points out that ATT doesn’t block Apple’s own advertising tracking system.
A 12-inch MacBook would be a blast from the past. If real, of course. Photo: Apple
Although one reliable Apple tipster recently said a 12-inch M2 MacBook is on the drawing board, another is skeptical that any such device is in development.
If released, the small notebook would be a change of strategy for Apple.
Improved Files and Mail apps are just a couple of the great new iPadOS 16 features coming to non-M1 iPads. Image: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
There’s more to iPadOS 16 than floating app windows. The Files app gets some significant improvements in the upcoming upgrade. There’s a Weather app and great new features in the Mail and Messages apps. Plus, you can hand off a FaceTime call between your Apple computers.
These enhancements are available to every iPad that supports iPadOS 16, which is currently in developer beta. So don’t think there’s nothing coming this fall for tablets without an Apple M1 processor. That’s just not true.
An Apple TV+ subscription isn't necessary to watch the first season of For All Mankind. Screenshot: Apple
The first season of the alternate-history sci-fi series For All Mankind is now available to enjoy without an Apple TV+ subscription. Watching also doesn’t require an Apple device.
★★★★☆
The Arylic A50+ is a solid way to connect your passive speakers to your Apple devices. No wires needed. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
The Arylic A50+ Wireless Multiroom Stereo Amplifier lets you wirelessly send music to wired speakers from computers and phones. It uses Apple’s AirPlay, which has multiple advantages over Bluetooth, though it offers that too. And DLNA, Spotify Connect and more.
It pumps out 50W*2 with 4Ω passive speakers at 24V, with Sub Out for powered subwoofers.
I tested the capabilities of this digital stereo amp with the help of a friend who’s a bit of an audiophile. Here’s what we found out.
It's a MacBook that makes an iPhone – even an old one – look hefty. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Surely you already know that the newly redesigned MacBook Air is super thin. But you might not have realized just how very sleek it is. It’s actually slimmer than the original iPhone.
In fact, the macOS laptop is much, much thinner than a lot of other classic and recent Apple devices.
Don't miss your chance to get AirTags at one of the best prices we've seen. Photo: Kehn Hermano/Pexels
Apple’s AirTag item tracker is available at 17% off the usual price. This is a rare opportunity to get a discount on a single one rather than a bundle of them. But if you prefer a 4-pack, that’s available at 10% off.
It’s good timing: Father’s Day is coming up fast and AirTag makes a nice present.
Macs with Big Sur should upgrade to macOS 11.6.7. Photo: Cult of Mac
If your Mac is still running macOS 11, there’s a software update you need. Apple released macOS Big Sur 11.6.7 to fix an email bug that prevents email applications from opening attachments.
The new Lock Screen is just one of the best new features in iOS 16. Image: Apple
There’s a lot to like in iOS 16, so I couldn’t resist installing the first beta to test the best new features. Here’s my hands-on experience with the new Lock Screen, improvements in the Messages and Mail apps, and more. These are just my favorites from the couple of days I’ve had to test the initial beta.
Plus, the next version of iOS adds other features that might be great — when Apple gets them working right.
There’ll only be three seasons of the massive Apple TV+ hit Ted Lasso. One of the series writers and stars says the plan is to end the show with the upcoming season three.
That’s bad news for fans. And for Apple too, which needs every successful show it can get for its streaming service.
You can't have iPadOS 16's Stage Manager multitasking system without one of the capabilities of the M1 processor. Graphic: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
iPadOS 16 gives Apple tablets some powerful new capabilities, but there have been protests that these are limited to iPad models with the M1 processor. Apple promises this isn’t a trick to force people to upgrade their computers.
The iPad-maker says that only the M-series processors can deliver enough RAM to display eight applications at once.
Auracast will let many Bluetooth headphones share the same audio broadcast. Photo: Bluetooth SIG
Bluetooth headphones are nearly ubiquitous, and an upcoming feature called Auracast will allow computers or phones to stream music to not just one Bluetooth receiver but all of them in the area.
While one goal of Bluetooth’s Auracast broadcast audio is to let people share their music with groups, it also has more practical uses.
iPad gets a lot more Mac-like in iPaOS 16. Here's what it's like to use the new multitasking features. Image: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
One of the most-requested iPad features is here. Stage Manager in iPadOS 16 puts applications in resizable, floating windows. I’ve tested the first beta of the new system for several days now, and there’s a lot to like. And there’s plenty of frustration too. But some of that comes from this being an early beta.
Here’s my hands-on experience with the iPad’s new multitasking system, and why I think it’s going to change the way many of us use our tablets.
SoundForm Immerse earbuds are Belkin’s top-of-the-line audio solution. Photo: Belkin
The just-launched Belkin SoundForm Immerse Bluetooth earbuds offer more than just great sound. They have active noise cancellation, and also work with Apple’s Find My network so they can be located with an iPhone.
They offer many of the same features as Apple’s AirPods Pro but at a lower cost.
Craig Federighi, Apple software chief, made a pitch for more Mac and iPad gaming at WWDC22. Screenshot: Apple
Mac is not the preferred platform for most gamers, but Metal 3 in macOS Ventura shows Apple hasn’t given up. And iPadOS 16 is getting support for a wider range of game controllers.
These are just a couple of gaming features Apple is bringing to Mac and iPad.
The EU will require future iPhones to have a USB-C port. Photo: Tom Pillonel
The Lightning port’s days are numbered. The EU government has settled on a plan that will require all new phones and tablets to have a USB-C port, including iPhone.
But is seems Apple saw the writing on the wall and is already getting ready to switch iPhone from Lightning to USB-C.
The new MacBook Air and MacBook Pro can handle just one external display. Photo: Apple
Anyone with an eye on the newly announced MacBook Air or 13-inch MacBook Pro should be aware that they have a limitation: each supports only a single external monitor. It seems that’s all the Apple M2 processor can handle.
But the same is true for MacBooks with the original M1 chip, and workarounds were developed for these devices that will likely work with the M2 models.
Apple's team of software wizards unleashed a torrent of welcome surprises in the WWDC22 keynote. Photo: Apple
Credit to Apple: The company managed to sneak some real surprises past the leakers and tipsters. Several reveals during Monday’s Worldwide Developers Conference keynote came as a shock to everyone. There’s a new MacBook no one was expecting, a way to use an iPhone as a Mac webcam, a huge revamp to CarPlay and more.
Also surprising were some things that didn’t show show up during the live-streamed event.
Here’s everything unexpected that managed to sneak into the WWDC22 keynote.
iPadOS 16 brings some of the most-requested iPad features, including floating app windows and full external display support. Screenshot: Apple
The wraps came off iPadOS 16 during the keynote for WWDC22 on Monday, and Apple fulfilled the requests of many iPad power users by adding support for resizable, floating app windows. And there’s also full support for external displays. There are many other changes as well.
“Our vision for iPadOS is to create a distinct experience that’s built on the best of iOS with powerful capabilities from macOS, combined with features that are uniquely iPad,” said Craig Federighi, SVP of software engineering. “All of this comes together to deliver our most versatile release this year in iPadOS 16.”
Dinosaurs in augmented reality would look awesome. Concept: Cult of Mac/Ian Zelbo
Imagine standing in your backyard and looking up at a full-size Tyrannosaurus rex. That’s the possibility raised by a report that Apple asked producer Jon Favreau to turn his Prehistoric Planet docuseries into augmented reality or virtual reality. The project is supposedly for the AR/VR headset Apple will launch soon.
Apple also reportedly recruited other film and TV directors to create content, too.