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Killian Bell - page 37

iOS and iPadOS 15 let devs hide sensitive info in lock screen widgets

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iOS 15 lets devs hide lock screen widgets
Keeping your data safe.
Image: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

iOS and iPadOS 15 give app developers the ability to hide sensitive information in lock screen widgets until a device has been unlocked.

The change is part of an upgrade to the WidgetKit framework, first introduced in iOS and iPadOS 14 last year, and will be particularly useful for things like banking and budgeting apps.

How to enable spatial audio for Apple Music on iPhone, iPad and Mac

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How to enable spatial audio
Any old headphones will do.
Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac

You’ll need some special equipment to enjoy high-resolution lossless audio tracks inside Apple Music. But spatial audio with Dolby Atmos is available to everyone who has a set of decent headphones.

Here’s how to enable it on your iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple TV.

$13 turns your MagSafe Charger into a stand and grip for iPhone

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MagSafe Grip Stand for iPhone
Make MagSafe charging even better.
Photo: Elago

Make your MagSafe Charger even more useful by turning it into a stand and grip for your iPhone 12. Elago’s aptly named Grip Stand accessory, priced at just $12.99, makes your iPhone easier to hold onto and easier to see while it’s charging. Bag yours today from the Cult of Mac Store.

Also check out Elago’s new Charging Pad, which keeps your MagSafe Charger tidy and prevents it from moving around on your nightstand.

Get an early taste of iOS 15 and macOS Monterey with new wallpapers

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macOS Monterey new wallpaper
There's only one for macOS, but it's a stunner.
Photo: Apple

We’re all itching to get our hands on Apple’s newest software updates. But due to many, many bugs, it’s a bad idea to install the developer betas right now. There is another way to freshen up your devices today.

The new wallpapers from iOS and iPadOS 15 and macOS Monterey are available to download today, so you can already start using them on your iPhone, iPad and Mac in glorious high-resolution.

Wallet app automatically archives expired tickets and passes in iOS 15

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Wallet app in iOS 15
Keeping your Wallet clean and tidy.
Photo: Apple

iPhone’s Wallet app keeps itself tidy by automatically archiving expired event tickets and boarding passes in iOS 15.

They won’t be removed from the app altogether, so you’ll still be able to access them. But expired items will be bundled into a separate list so that you don’t have to trawl through them to find a pass you need.

Apple Digital Legacy will let a loved one access your data when you die

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Apple Digital Legacy
Keeping your data alive long after you.
Screenshot: Cult of Mac

Apple is finally introducing a Digital Legacy feature that will allow a friend or family member to access your data after you die.

Users will be able to assign an administrator who gets access to things like photos, contacts and other things uploaded to iCloud. However, some data, such as saved credit cards and passwords, will be off limits.

macOS Monterey lets you use a second Mac as an external display

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macOS Monterey turns a second Mac into an external display
And you can USB for reduced latency.
Photo: Apple

macOS Monterey gives newer Apple computers the ability to send content to a second Mac over AirPlay. You can also use the feature for screen mirroring, turning a spare machine into an external display.

What’s more, unlike on your TV, AirPlay in Monterey lets you connect two macOS devices with a USB cable, greatly reducing latency and removing the requirement for a wireless network.

Keep Apple Pencil looking sharp and ready to go with this soft sleeve

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Laut Pencil Case for Apple Pencil
Available now for just $14.99.
Photo: Laut

Keep your Apple Pencil free from scuffs and scrapes and ensure it’s always easy to find with the stylish and affordable Pencil Case from Laut.

It’s soft, protective, and can be easily attached to your iPad’s case (or something else) so that you never lose it. Bag yours today from the Cult of Mac Store for under $15.

macOS Monterey gets new ‘erase all contents’ option like iPhone and iPad

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macOS Monterey adds new 'erase all contents' option
A quicker, easier way to wipe your Mac.
Photo: Apple

Apple’s upcoming macOS Monterey update will make it easier for users to wipe all data from a Mac. A new “erase all contents and settings” option allows a system to be wiped without removing macOS.

Apple says the process — similar to that available on iPhone and iPad — is instant and secure, destroying all encryption keys.

iOS 15 makes it even easier for Android users to switch to iPhone

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iOS 15 makes it easier for Android users to switch
You can now transfer even more data.
Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

Android users will enjoy a more seamless experience when switching to iPhone this fall with the improved “Move to iOS” feature in iOS 15.

After several years of no significant changes, the switching tool is finally getting the ability to copy over photo albums, files, folders, and even more from Android devices.

tvOS 15 lets you sign into apps using Face ID or Touch ID on iPhone

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tvOS 15 lets you sign in with iPhone and iPad
No need to struggle with the Siri Remote.
Image: Apple

Signing into Apple TV apps will soon be easier than ever, thanks to the ability to use Face ID or Touch ID on your iPhone or iPad with tvOS 15.

The new “Sign in with Apple Device” feature will negate the need to enter usernames and passwords with Apple TV’s Siri Remote, significantly speeding up the sign in process. But there is a small catch.

New ‘World Timer’ face for Apple Watch spilled in WWDC session

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World Timer face for Apple Watch
Will World Timer come with watchOS 8 this fall?
Image: Apple

A new “World Timer” face for Apple Watch has been spilled ahead of its release in a WWDC 2021 developer session.

The face didn’t get a mention during Apple’s watchOS 8 announcement on Monday, and isn’t yet available inside the first developer beta. Fans will be hoping it does appear before watchOS 8 makes its public debut.

iOS and iPadOS 15 prioritize 5G over Wi-Fi for better connectivity

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save battery life when using 5G on iPhone 12
Giving you the best possible download and upload speeds.
Photo: Apple

If you’re lucky enough to get strong and speedy 5G coverage where you live, you’ll be pleased that it gets prioritized over Wi-Fi in iOS and iPadOS 15 when your usual network is slow.

The new feature expands your 5G capabilities on iPhone 12 and M1 iPad Pro and could make certain tasks — like downloading high-resolution movies and music or uploading data to iCloud — significantly faster.

iOS 15 gives you temporary iCloud storage boost for device upgrades

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iCloud
All the storage you need, free of charge.
Photo: Apple

Apple is making iPhone and iPad upgrades easier by giving users a temporary boost in iCloud storage free of charge.

The change, which comes with iOS and iPadOS 15 this fall, will allow you to backup the entire contents of your device and transfer it all to a new one — even if you’re using the free 5GB storage plan.

How to download the iOS and iPadOS 15 developer betas

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iPadOS 15 beta
... if you have a spare iPhone or iPad.
Photo: Apple

Itching to get your hands on iOS and iPadOS 15 as soon as possible? The first developer betas are out now, and although we definitely don’t recommend installing them just yet, we’ll still tell you how to do it.

All you need is an Apple Developer account and an iPhone or iPad.

iOS 15 brings redesigned Apple TV Remote to Control Center

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New Apple TV Remote in iOS 15
The new Apple TV Remote for iOS and iPadOS 15.
Image: Cult of Mac

The Apple TV Remote baked into Control Center on iPhone and iPad has been redesigned for iOS and iPadOS 15.

Its new interface better resembles the new Siri Remote that ships with the latest Apple TV 4K, introduced back in April, and offers greater functionality over the old design.

Apple Music’s spatial audio will get dynamic head tracking this fall

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Spatial audio for Apple Music
You'll need AirPods Pro or AirPods Max to enjoy it.
Photo: Apple

Spatial audio inside Apple Music will get dynamic head tracking later this year, Apple has confirmed. The feature promises an even more immersive experience by adjusting sound based on your movements.

The confirmation comes just as Apple rolls out spatial audio with Dolby Atmos and lossless music for Apple Music subscribers.