News - page 30

Top 10 Best Buy holiday deals on Mac and iPad

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M3 MacBook Pro in space black
Yes, an M3 MacBook Pro in space black is on the list.
Photo: Apple

With gift-giving season at full-tilt, Best Buy offers its Apple Sales Event on a full range of fabulous products you can check out here. We’d thought we’d focus below on 10 great Mac and iPad deals you won’t want to miss. Click on the prices below to go straight to the products.

This post contains affiliate links. Cult of Mac may earn a commission when you use our links to buy items.

Today in Apple history: iMac Pro packs potent all-in-one punch

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iMac Pro launched in 2017
The iMac Pro made quite splash in 2017, and there are occasional calls to bring it back.
Photo: Apple

December 14: Today in Apple history: Apple buys 'iPhone' web domain iphone.org December 14, 2017: The much-anticipated iMac Pro finally reaches customers many months after it was announced. With a built-in 27-inch, 5K display and an Intel Xeon processor, the high-end desktop combines the features of an iMac and a Mac Pro.

It is beautiful and far more powerful than earlier iMacs, but is destined to stay in Apple’s product lineup only a relatively short time.

Conspiracy thriller Manhunt stalks Lincoln’s assassin

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Brandon Flynn and Tobias Menzies in Manhunt on Apple TV+
Bryan Flynn, left, and Tobias Menzies star in Manhunt.
Photo: Apple TV+

Did you know it took authorities 12 days to hunt down John Wilkes Booth after he shot President Abraham Lincoln in the head at Washington D.C.’s Ford’s Theatre in 1865? Apple TV+ gave a first look Thursday at Manhunt, the new conspiracy-thriller series depicting the frantic chase.

The seven-part series premieres March 15 with its first two episodes. A new episode follows on Fridays through April 19.

Apple market cap once again passes $3 trillion

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Apple money cash
$3 trillion yet again.
Photo: Cult of Mac

It’s a great time to be an AAPL investor, with the share price hitting an all-time high value on Wednesday. This drove Apple’s market capitalization back over $3 trillion.

For reference, Apple’s market cap was below $2 trillion at the beginning of 2023.

Apple makes ‘push notification spying’ more difficult

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Apple makes ‘push notification spying’ more difficult for government agencies
A court order is now required for push notification spying on iPhone users.
Photo: rawpixel.com/Pexels CC

Governments will find push notification spying harder to do now that they no longer enjoy easy access to records of push notifications sent to iPhone users. Apple changed its policy so that law enforcement and other government agencies need a court order to obtain this data.

Previously, the data — which could be used to gain info about users’ activities — was available from Apple with just a subpoena.

Noble’s swanky new earbuds use xMEMS’ advanced solid-state driver

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Noble Falcon Max earbuds
Noble's new Falcon Max true wireless stereo earbuds feature xMEMS' solid-state driver.
Photo: Noble

Noble Audio’s new Falcon Max true wireless stereo earbuds are the company’s first to integrate advanced all-silicon solid-state MEMS-based drivers from xMEMS Labs, the company said Tuesday.

Release of the new earbuds with a hybrid-driver setup follows recent news that xMEMS plans to offer its first full-spectrum Cypress MEMS “ultrasonic” speaker in 2024. That should enable solid-state earbuds with remarkable full-spectrum audio quality.

Ugreen’s potent new power bank charges 3 gadgets on the go

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Ugreen 100W 20000mAh Power Bank
Ugreen's new power bank works with most devices and recharges itself in just a couple of hours.
Photo: Ugreen

The new Nexode 100W 20,000mAh Power Bank lets users fast-charge three devices at once on the go, the company said Tuesday.

And the portable charger’s 65W “rapid recharge” feature lets it fully power itself back up from an empty battery in just 2 hours.

Stunning view comes with top display and killer KEF sound [Setups]

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David David Heinemeier Hansson's Mac mini setup with Pro Display XDR and KEF speakers.
Hansson's setup in Malibu, CA, features a Mac mini mounted behind a Pro Display XDR and a phenomenal set of KEF speakers.
Photo: DHH@X.com

Developer David Heinemeier Hansson, known for creating the Ruby on Rails web development framework, showcased his rather stunning Mac mini computer setup this week on X (formerly Twitter).

The extraordinary 6K graphics of his Studio Display XDR and the articulate sound of his highly recommended KEF speakers complement the ocean views through the glass walls of his California office.

Today in Apple history: AirPods arrive to conquer the audio world

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Today in Apple history: They looked weird at first, but now it's impossible to remember a world without AirPods.
They looked weird at first, but now it's impossible to remember a world without AirPods.
Photo: Dagny Reese/Unsplash License

December 13: Today in Apple history: Original AirPods launch December 13, 2016: After months of anticipation and delay, Apple finally releases AirPods. The tiny wireless earbuds arrive in Apple’s online store just in time for holiday shoppers looking for stocking stuffers.

Like so many Apple products, they aren’t the first such earbuds to arrive on the scene. However, AirPods’ rapid success will fuel a wireless listening revolution.

New Keychron mechanical gaming keyboard supercharges customization

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Keychron Q1 HE mechanical keyboard
Special switches make the new keyboard super responsive and customizable.
Photo: Keychron

Keychron launched a crowdfunding campaign December 5 for its new Q1 HE, calling it the first 75% layout wireless QMK custom keyboard with Hall Effect Gateron 2.0 magnetic switches, the company said.

The company noted the switch provides advantages to gamers with its extreme responsiveness and expanded customizability.

iOS 17.3 beta 1: All the features and changes

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Stolen Device Protection in iOS 17.3 beta
Your iPhone can better protect itself from data thieves with a new iOS 17.3 feature.
Image: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The first beta of iOS 17.3 is now available. It comes a couple of days after Apple released the stable iOS 17.2 update with plenty of new features to the public.

iOS 17.3 beta 1 does not pack many changes but brings an important new security feature to iPhones. Below are all the changes we have spotted in iOS 17.3 beta 1.

Apple Self Service Repair program expands to iPhone 15 and M2 Macs

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Self repair components and tools for iPhone with the necessary tools from Apple.
Fixing your iPhone 15 or M2 Mac just got easier.
Photo: Apple

Apple Self Service Repair program is expanding to include the iPhone 15 and additional M2 Macs. The company is also making its repair program available in 24 new European countries.

With the latest additions, Apple’s Service Service Repair now supports 35 products and is available in 33 countries.

Apple reportedly offers to open iPhone NFC to other payment systems

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Apple Pay Tap-to-Pay
We may soon be making "tap and go" payments with something besides Apple Pay.
Photo: Apple

The days of the iPhone’s NFC capabilities being limited to just Apple Pay could be coming to an end. Apple is reportedly open to allowing other systems to use the wireless payment system.

It’s the company’s solution to European Union objections to the iPhone’s NFC limitation.

How Apple plans to ramp up iOS security for stolen iPhones

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Stolen Device Protection in iOS 17.3 beta
Your iPhone can better protect itself from data thieves with a new iOS 17.3 feature.
Image: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The just-released iOS 17.3 beta 1 includes a surprise feature: Stolen Device Protection. The option makes it harder to reset the passcode on a stolen device if the thief already knows the current passcode. There are also new password protections.

Apple also seeded the initial betas of macOS 14.3, iPadOS 17.3, watchOS 10.3 and tvOS 17.3.

Expect cutting-edge 2nm chips in Mac and iPhone in 2025

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TSMC looks ahead to super-speedy 2nm processors
2nm processors made by TSMC will be faster while using less power than today's 5nm iPhone and Mac chips.
Image: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

TSMC is preparing to supply Apple with 2nm processors in less than two years. These next-gen chips will give Mac, iPhone and iPad even better performance, without requiring more power to operate.

The 3nm chips in the latest Apple computers are cutting-edge, but what’s at the forefront of technology is constantly moving ahead.

Try App Store’s top apps and games of 2023

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App Store
Find out which apps and games users downloaded most in 2023.
Photo: Graham Bower/Cult of Mac

Apple listed App Store’s most-popular free and paid apps and games of 2023, citing year-end charts in more than 35 countries and regions.

App Store’s Today hub lists all those popular choices (also below) as well as the 2023 App Store Award Winners.

iPhone iTunes Store app no longer includes films or TV shows

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iTunes Store redirect to Apple TV app
If you want to watch video, don't bother going to the iTunes Store app any more.
Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac

The iTunes Store application in the just-released iOS 17.2 simply redirects users to the Apple TV app for accessing previously purchased films and TV series.

The iTunes app for iPhone and iPad is now exclusively for music. For video, go directly to the Apple TV app.

Try 19 can’t-miss Carterjett Apple Watch bands in every style

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Carterjett tire tread Apple Watch band in navy
Carterjett makes a rugged tire-tread Apple Watch band in various colors.
Photo: Carterjett

Got an Apple Watch? Currently, Carterjett offers 19 Apple Watch bands for sale in the Cult of Mac Store. You can find straps made of leather, silicone, nylon and carbon fiber in a variety of colors, designs and sizes. So whatever your preferences may be, you really can’t miss.

Today in Apple history: Apple IPO mints instant millionaires

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Apple is worth more than the entire US energy sector combined
December 12, 1980, was an incredibly important day for Apple.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac/401Calculator

December 12: Today in Apple history: Apple goes public at $22 per share, minting instant millionaires December 12, 1980: Apple goes public, floating 4.6 million shares on the stock market at $22 per share. The Apple IPO is the biggest tech public offering of its day, and more than 40 out of 1,000 Apple employees become instant millionaires.

As Apple’s biggest shareholder, 25-year-old Steve Jobs ends the day with a net worth of $217 million. However, the big payday triggers internal tensions as it highlights Cupertino’s class divide.

Why Google Play courtroom loss could hurt Apple, too

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iPhone owners are pickier about apps than Android users
A bad day in court for Google Play could end up being a loss for the App Store.
Image: Cult of Mac

Epic Games convinced a federal jury that the Google Play store for Android applications is an illegal monopoly. The decision might have wide repercussions.

Apple won its court battle with the game-developer over the same issue, but Google’s loss could nevertheless eventually affect the iOS App Store.

M3 Pro 14-inch MacBook Pro gets a big $200 off in pre-Christmas deal

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Late-2023 MacBook Pro with M3
Whether you can get your hands on the latest MacBook Pro with M3 chip on launch day depends on which configuration you want.
Photo: Apple

Apple’s late 2023 MacBook Pro lineup has been frequently on discount since its debut. And while Black Friday is over, the deals continue.

Amazon is knocking $200 off the 14-inch MacBook Pro with M3 Pro chip, dropping its price to an attractive $1,800.

This post contains affiliate links. Cult of Mac may earn a commission when you use our links to buy items.

iPhone’s collaborative playlists and AirPlay in hotel rooms on hold until 2024

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iPhone’s collaborative music playlists
Collaborative music playlists will be brilliant ... when they finally arrive.
Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac

The wait goes on for two features that Apple promised to add to iOS 17. The iPhone-maker committed itself to collaborative music playlists and AirPlay in hotel rooms but now says these won’t be available before 2024.

These are the last significant additions expected for iOS 17.

Mac, iPad, iPhone and Apple Watch get new features in OS upgrades

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MacBook, iPad, iPhone, Apple TV, Apple Watch, HomePod
All these have new operating system updates ... and most of them include new features.
Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac

If you own an Apple computer of any shape or size, odds are it just got an operating system upgrade. Monday brought the public launch of macOS Sonoma 14.2, iPadOS 17.2, iOS 17.2, watchOS 10.2 and tvOS 17.2.

And these aren’t simple bug fixes. There’s new features.

iOS 17.2 brings these amazing new features to your iPhone

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Apple Journal on iPhone 15
Apple's Journal application arrives in iOS 17.2.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Nearly two months after iOS 17‘s release, Apple released the iPhone operating system’s second major point build Monday. iOS 17.2 introduces several new features and changes, with many that Apple first demoed at WWDC23 in June.

iOS 17.2’s marquee feature is Apple’s new Journal app, though it enhances several other aspects of the OS. Find out everything new in iOS 17.2 and iPadOS 17.2 below.