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Killian Bell - page 15

AT&T and Verizon agree to put 5G expansion plans on hold

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AT&T and Verizon postpone 5G expansion
The FAA is worried 5G will interfere with pilot systems.
Photo: Philip Myrtorp/Unsplash

AT&T and Verizon have agreed to postpone major 5G expansion plans at the request of the Federal Aviation Administration.

Both carriers initially rejected a delay. They argued that it would be “an irresponsible abdication of the operating control required to deploy world-class and globally competitive communications networks.” But statements released Monday evening confirm they changed their minds.

Oral-B’s new brushes work with iPhone to give you cleaner, healthier teeth

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Oral-B iO brushes 2022
The new iO lineup is even better than the last.
Photo: Oral-B

Oral-B is adding three new brushes, previewed this week at CES 2022, to its smart iO lineup that all work alongside your iPhone to give you cleaner, healthier teeth.

With features like real-time feedback, pressure control, multiple brushing modes, and the ability to monitor your brushing habits, the iO4, iO5 and iO10 brushes promise greater plaque removal and improved gum health.

Apple close to signing Brad Pitt for new Formula One film

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Apple TV picks up Brad Pitt racing film
Apple beat Amazon, Netflix and others to the movie.
Photo: Glen Wheeler/Unsplash

Apple is said to be close to securing its first original movie of 2022. The company is in negotiations to acquire a Formula One film that stars Brad Pitt as a racing driver who comes out of retirement to mentor a young teammate.

The movie, which will be directed by Joseph Kosinski and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer — who are working together on Top Gun: Maverick — is worth around $140 million, according to a Monday report.

HomeKit bug can send iPhone into reboot loop of death. Here’s how to avoid it.

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Apple Home app
Beware random Home invitations.
Photo: Apple

A newly discovered HomeKit bug can render unsuspecting iPhone and iPad users with a completely unresponsive device. All it takes is for a smart home gadget to be given a super-long name.

Once the bug affects an iOS or iPadOS device, the gadget will continually freeze and restart itself. The only way to fix it is to factory reset the iPhone or iPad — and avoid logging into your iCloud account.

Samsung beats Apple to truly wireless charging over Wi-Fi waves

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Samsung Eco Remote with Wi-Fi wireless charging
Its new TV remote uses your router to stay charged.
Photo: Samsung

Despite Apple’s lengthy and ongoing efforts to deliver much-improved charging technologies, archrival Samsung has beaten Cupertino in the race for truly wireless charging. Except you won’t find it in a smartphone … yet.

The South Korean company’s next-generation TV remote — announced this week ahead of CES 2022 — cleverly uses radio waves emitted from your Wi-Fi router to stay topped up so you don’t have to worry about charging it.

Apple sends out celebratory T-shirts to mark 1 year of M1 chip

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Apple M1 t-shirts
A stellar first year for Apple silicon.
Photo: Andy Boretto

Apple engineers and other staffers who helped develop the M1 chip are receiving T-shirts to celebrate its one-year anniversary. The shirts feature a picture of an M1 chip, according to a photo posted to Twitter by a senior Apple worker.

“Every so often, something comes along that changes everything,” reads an accompanying note. “Congratulations and thank you for helping make Apple ‌M1‌ possible!”

Apple’s Services business alone is worth more than most countries

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Tim Cook is keeping quiet about Apple TV+ subscriber numbers for now.
Services are still killing it.
Photo: Apple

Tim Cook’s mission to make Apple’s Services business a behemoth all by itself is paying off in a big way. The latest Wall Street estimate pegs its total value at a whopping $1.5 trillion — more than a third of Apple’s total market cap.

To put that figure into perspective, it’s more than the national net worth of most countries — including Ukraine, Hungary, Peru and Qatar combined.

T-Mobile and Verizon scrap frustrating, unreliable iPad rebate program

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iPad mini in hand, held up to the sky
You could get up to $200 back.
Photo: Ian Fuchs/Cult of Mac

T-Mobile and Verizon have discontinued the iPad rebate program which offered customers up to $200 back when they activated a cellular device. The move comes after growing complaints about the program’s reliability.

Many users who tried taking advantage of the promotion were met with frustrating responses and poor customer service from both carriers, which reportedly denied the rebate program ever existed on a number of occasions.

Apple’s next desktop monitor could cost half the price of Pro Display XDR

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Apple's next desktop monitor
It could look a lot like Pro Display XDR, but not quite so fancy.
Concept: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

Apple’s next desktop monitor won’t be cheap, but it could be significantly less expensive than the high-end Pro Display XDR, according to a new report.

The new standalone screen is expected to land with a price tag of around $2,500. In comparison, the Pro Display XDR still starts at $4,999 — and that’s without the optional (but arguably necessary) stand that costs $999.

How to turn on COVID-19 exposure notifications on iPhone [Updated]

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Manage COVID-19 exposure notifications on iPhone
There's no good reason not to have exposure notifications enabled.
Image: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

With the omicron variant fueling lightning-fast spread of COVID-19, it’s a good time for iPhone owners to take advantage of the exposure notifications feature built into iOS. By simply enabling this feature, you will get an alert after being exposed to someone who tests positive for the virus — as long as they also have contact notifications turned on, and they report their test results.

For obvious reasons, this automatic version of contact tracing works more effectively if more people utilize it. If you discover that you’ve been in close contact with an infected person, you can take appropriate steps (getting tested, staying away from vulnerable people, etc.)

We’ll show you how to take control of COVID-19 exposure notifications on your device.

Here’s what today’s top Mac apps might have looked like on Mac OS 9

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Zoom on Mac OS 9
A taste of the past.
Image: Michael Feeney

Ever wondered what today’s most popular Mac apps might have looked like on earlier Macintosh machines? These incredible design concepts imagine the likes of Google Chrome, Spotify and Zoom running on the 22-year-old Mac OS 9.

Graphic designer Michael Feeney created the collection as part of his terrific (mac)OStalgia project. Check it out in the four-minute video below.

AirPods Pro are ready for battle with this ultra-rugged Military Bumper

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Elkson Military Bumper for AirPods Pro
Get yours for just $13.99.
Photo: Elkson

It’s unlikely the average AirPods Pro owner would be wearing their buds into a real battle to listen to some banging tunes. But if they were, they would protect them with Elkson’s ultra-rugged Military Bumper case.

With its tough exoskeleton design, made from a mixture of flexible polyurethane and sturdy polycarbonate, the Military Bumper is all you need to keep your favorite wireless headphones in top condition. It’s also surprisingly affordable.

Apple Watch owners face charging issues after updating to watchOS 8.3

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watchOS 7.3.1 squashes a bug inApple Watch’s Power Reserve feature.
Not again!
Photo: Graham Bower/Cult of Mac

Some Apple Watch owners are experiencing charging problems after installing Apple’s newest watchOS 8.3 update.

The bug mostly appears to affect Apple Watch Series 7 and third-party charging accessories from a range of brands. However, some users have reported similar problems with older Apple Watch models. There is a temporary fix if you need it.

Shazam offers up to 5 months of free Apple Music

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Apple acquisition meant that Shazam turned a profit in 2018
Sign up before January 31, 2022.
Photo: Apple

If you’re yet to try out Apple Music, now’s your chance. Shazam is offering five months of free and unlimited access to new subscribers who sign up before January 31, 2022. Some existing subscribers can get two months free.

You’ll need to use your iPhone (or an Android smartphone if that’s what you’re into) to redeem the offer.

SEC blocks Apple’s bid to hide NDAs from shareholders

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Apple-Store-logo
Apple will have to give shareholders a vote on concealment clauses.
Photo: Laurenz Heymann/Unsplash

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has blocked Apple’s attempt to hide non-disclosure agreements and other concealment clauses from its shareholders.

The decision comes after Apple investor Nia Impact Capital filed a proposal in September calling for Apple to publish a report detailing “the potential risks to the company associated with its use of concealment clauses in the context of harassment, discrimination and other unlawful acts.”

Apple Store offers free 2-hour delivery on holiday orders

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Apple Store offers free 2-hour delivery
Get your gifts on time.
Image: Apple

Scrambling to get last-minute gifts ahead of the holidays? Apple’s got your back with free two-hour delivery now available on many products — including iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple Watch — in select cities across the U.S.

The promotion, which starts today, is available until December 24. But, as you’ve probably guessed, it’s only available on items that are in stock.

New 27-inch iMac could get new colors but miss out on mini-LED upgrade

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The new M1 iMacs come in a range of vivid colors.
It could be as colorful as the 24-inch model.
Photo: Apple

Apple’s upcoming 27-inch iMac refresh could miss out on the mini-LED upgrade that this year graced iPad Pro and MacBook Pro. A new report, citing industry sources, claims the all-in-one computer will stick with more-familiar LCD panels instead.

The same sources also say the new 27-inch iMac will be available in a range of color options, just like the 24-inch model introduced in May.

DuckDuckGo is building its own privacy-protecting web browser for Mac

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DuckDuckGo coming to Mac
All its privacy features will be enabled by default.
Image: DuckDuckGo

DuckDuckGo, the search engine that prides itself on protecting your privacy, is building its very own web browser for Mac. It promises to be simple and fast, with robust privacy features enabled by default.

The browser will feature DuckDuckGo’s popular “Fire Button,” which quickly wipes all your private data in just one click. It also will be built to use native browser technologies, rather than relying on third-party engines.

iPhone leads the pack in 5G smartphone share and profits

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5G iPhone
Apple continues to beat Samsung in 5G handset sales.
Image: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

iPhone is the biggest, most profitable 5G smartphone in the world, according to the latest data from one research firm. As 5G adoption skyrockets, Apple continues to hold a lead over Samsung, Oppo, Vivo, and other vendors.

That’s despite an increase in demand for foldable devices and more affordable 5G handsets from brands like Honor.

TSA will accept Apple Wallet’s digital IDs from February 2022

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The Wallet app will soon let you board a plane with your iPhone rather than a physical drivers license.
For faster, more secure check-ins.
Image: Apple

The Transportation Security Administration confirmed that it will start accepting Apple Wallet’s new digital IDs starting in February 2022. It looks set to be the first agency to support the new feature, which Apple announced in June.

Two airports will be part of the pilot program initially, but the TSA plans to add another two in March 2022 before a wider rollout next year.

Philadelphia gets gorgeous 3D buildings and landmarks in Apple Maps

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Apple Maps Philadelphia in 3D
The Detailed City Experience lands in Philly.
Image: Cult of Mac

Apple Maps’ “detailed city experience” has landed in Philadelphia, where you can now see beautiful 3D buildings, landmarks and more.

First spotted by users on Twitter, the upgrade has since been confirmed by Apple’s website. Philadelphia joins London, Los Angeles, New York, San Diego, San Francisco and Washington, D.C., in the 3D experience.

After upgrading to iOS 15.2, there’s no way back

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iOS 15.1.1 fixes dropped calls on recent iPhones
Apple is no longer signing iOS 15.1 or iOS 15.1.1.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple has stopped signing iOS 15.1 and iOS 15.1.1, preventing users from downgrading their iPhone after installing the latest iOS 15.2 update.

If you have encountered bugs and other issues with this release, you’ll now have to stick with it until Apple rolls out iOS 15.3, which this week entered beta testing ahead of an official public rollout.

iPhone could get periscope lens after 48-megapixel camera upgrade

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iPhone camera
Periscope lenses could allow 10x optical zoom in iPhone 15.
Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac

iPhone will get a periscope camera lens for the first time in 2023 after a 48-megapixel sensor upgrade next year, according to one analyst. The periscope lens should allow for significantly greater optical zoom.

A number of iPhone rivals are now using this technology to allow photographers to take more detailed snaps of their subjects. Samsung’s flagship Galaxy S21 Ultra is capable of 10x optical zoom, while iPhone 13 Pro maxes out at 3x.

Apple’s next-gen ‘M2’ chipset could land in 2022 before even faster ‘M2 Pro’

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Apple M2 chipset
Does this mean Apple won't hit its two-year target for ditching Intel?
Image: Apple/Cult of Mac

Apple will introduce its next-generation “M2” chipset for Mac next year, followed by an even more powerful “M2 Pro” in 2023, according to a new report. Both are expected to use TSMC’s new 4-nanometer manufacturing process.

The report somewhat contradicts Apple’s plan to do away with Intel and transition all Mac models to custom chipsets within two years. That’s if Apple waits for the “M2 Pro” before updating high-end machines like the Mac Pro.

Apple tests improved Music app for Mac — here’s how to try it out now

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Apple Music
It's a lot faster than before.
Image: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

Apple is testing an improved version of its Music app that’s built to run entirely natively on Mac. Parts of the app, such as the music library, were native on macOS before, and now the rest of it is catching up for improved performance.

You can try out the new Music app now by installing the macOS 12.2 Monterey beta, which is available to all through Apple’s public Beta Software Program.