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News - page 32

Plug Nanoleaf’s new Screen Mirror Lightstrip straight into your Mac

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Nanoleaf PC Screen Mirror Lightstrip
It couldn't be much easier to install these $50 lights.
Photo: Nanoleaf

Nanoleaf unveiled its latest innovation Tuesday that should catch the attention of Mac users looking to enhance their desktop aesthetics. The new Nanoleaf PC Screen Mirror Lightstrip, available for pre-order at $49.99, offers a simplified approach to ambient lighting. You plug it right into your computer and stick it to the back of your display.

iPhone 16e’s C1 modem holds its own against iPhone 16’s Qualcomm chip

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iPhone 16e laying down flat on a pine table surface.
The iPhone 16e's C1 modem won't disappoint you with its mobile data speeds.
Photo: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

The iPhone 16e marks the debut of Apple’s in-house 5G modem. Despite missing mmWave 5G support, the modem still impresses. Apple touts it as the most efficient modem ever in an iPhone.

Ookla, the company behind Speedtest, has released a detailed analysis of the iPhone 16e’s network performance based on their preliminary data.

AirPods 4 help Pedro Pascal beat deep freeze in Spike Jonze’s Someday [Video]

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A short from the Spike Jonze short film
Pedro Pascal and his fellow urbanites dance through colorful seasonal shifts in Spike Jonze's short for AirPods 4, Someday.
Photo: Apple

Thanks to AirPods 4 with noise cancellation, actor Pedro Pascal beats heartbreak and the big city’s wintry deep freeze in the colorful new Spike Jonze short film Someday.

Jonze’s second ad for Apple, the new short released Tuesday evokes what an immersive listening experience can do, waking memories of better times — and stirring hope for better ones to come.

Host Steve Buscemi calls new Big Time crime podcast ‘carnival of chaos’ [Trailer]

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Big Time crime podcast
Actor Steve Buscemi produces and hosts the audacious new Apple Original podcast, "Big Time."
Photo: Apple

The new Big Time podcast, a fresh take on true crime with captivating stories of audacious dreamers and rule-benders hosted by actor Steve Buscemi, premieres March 24, Apple TV+ said Tuesday.

“I think a lot of people, myself included, are fascinated by folks who look at the rules and think, ‘No, I’ve got a better idea,'” Buscemi said. “Big Time isn’t just true crime — it’s a carnival of chaos, and I’m excited for listeners to tune in.”

iPhone’s Tap to Pay spreads its reach across Europe

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Tap to Pay on iPhone empowers businesses to securely accept Apple Pay, contactless credit and debit cards, and other digital wallets by using an iPhone and a partner-enabled iOS app.
Apple's Tap to Pay to iPhone expands to more European countries.
Photo: Apple

In a major expansion, Apple’s Tap to Pay to iPhone has launched in several European countries. This includes Bulgaria, Finland, Hungary, Poland and others.

With Tap to Pay, retailers and small businesses can accept contactless payments directly using their iPhones.

iPhone 17 could give your selfies a 24MP boost

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iPhone 15 Ultra leaks points to dual front cameras, more storage
Apple's 2025 iPhones should capture sharper selfies.
Concept: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple seemingly plans to use 24MP selfie cameras across its entire iPhone 17 lineup. The higher resolution sensor should lead to a noticeable improvement in image quality.

All current iPhone models sport a 12MP TrueDepth camera.

iPhone 18 Pro could ditch Qualcomm for Apple’s C2 modem

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Apple C1 chip in an iPhone 16e
Apple's C2 modem may debut on the iPhone 18 Pro.
Image: Apple

Apple’s 2026 flagship iPhones could use its in-house second-gen modem. The C2 baseband should be a big upgrade over the iPhone 16e’s C1 modem in terms of performance.

More importantly, it will supposedly support mmWave 5G connectivity, fixing a major shortcoming of the current C1 modem.

Double-decker charger can top up 4 iPhones at once

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Zens wireless chargers
The two new chargers give Apple users elegant charging options.
Photo: Zens

Apple started selling two sleek new chargers from wireless charging specialist Zens, the Dutch company said last week. Zens Quattro Charger Pro 4 and Zens 4-1 Wireless Charger are on sale at apple.com and in Apple Stores worldwide. They pretty much look like Apple products. The Quattro seems to remind folks of Apple’s unreleased AirPower charging mat.

“We’re extremely proud to be the only Dutch brand collaborating with Apple,” says Johan Plasmans, CEO of Zens. “Apple has challenged us from the outset to deliver stylish, innovative charging solutions that make daily life easier. This partnership strengthens our shared mission to combine design, usability, and technology in an elegant way.”

JBL jacks up Flip 7 and Charge 6 portable speakers with AI

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JBL Flip 7 and Charge 6, shown, portable speakers
JBL Charge 6 and Flip 7 both get JBL Pro Sound AI Sound Boost and other upgrades.
Photo: JBL

New JBL Bluetooth audio options — updates on the popular JBL Flip 7 and Charge 6 portable speakers — bring artificial intelligence-enhanced sound quality and battery life for on-the-go users, the audio giant said last week.

“We’re immersing ourselves in the heart of cultural moments,” said Carsten Olesen, president of Consumer Audio at Harman, which owns JBL. “The introduction of AI Sound Boost highlights our dedication to delivering dynamic solutions that shape the soundtrack of consumers’ lives.”

Apple to soon manufacture AirPods in India

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Apple AirPods 4 design
India will soon make another major Apple product.
Photo: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac

Apple will soon manufacture AirPods in India for export purposes. The move comes amidst the company’s push to grow its manufacturing presence in the country.

Apple already makes iPhones in India to meet local demand and export to other markets.

Nobody’s getting fired over Apple’s Siri debacle … yet

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AI-generated image of a circuit board with an Apple logo, and he words,
An Apple executive admits that delaying the AI-enhanced Siri is an embarrassment.
AI image: Midjourney/Cult of Mac

The head of the team developing the promised AI-enhanced Siri had to admit the recent decision to significantly delay the release gave Apple’s reputation a major black eye, according to a report published Friday.

Robby Walker, Apple’s senior director of Siri and information intelligence, reportedly called the delay “ugly” during a recent all-hands meeting with his team. He gave an update on how close Apple is to having the technology ready, but couldn’t promise when it will ship. At present, the “smarter” Siri reportedly still fails to work correctly a significant percentage of the time.

Studio Display beats down Samsung ultra-wide monitor [Setups]

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displays for Mac mini
Here's the ultra-wide Samsung 1440p monitor used with Mac Mini.
Photo: [email protected]

Apple’s 27-inch 5K Studio Display continues to impress users — aside from its steep price tag. Lots of folks look for affordable alternatives. Today’s Mac mini user owns a Studio Display, but he wanted to try an ultra-wide Samsung Odyssey G8 OLED display. Well, guess what. He keeps going back to the Studio Display. See below for all the reasons why.

Action-packed Dope Thief messes with wrong people [Now streaming!]

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Dope Thief trailer on Apple TV+
Ridley Scott's crime drama series Dope Thief debuts March 14 on Apple TV+.
Photo: Apple

Two lifelong friends have a good thing going, posing as DEA agents and ripping off small-time drug dealers in Philadelphia — until they shake down the wrong house, according to the Dope Thief trailer Apple TV+ dropped recently. Then they and everyone they care about are marked for death.

Clocking in at nearly three minutes, the trailer looks gritty and great, though maybe a little too relentless with the violence. If you’re a fan of intense crime dramas with high stakes, Dope Thief brings the heat. And if you’re looking for something equally thrilling, check out this dope snow crime series review on Cult of Mac. The new eight-episode crime series from Academy Award nominee Ridley Scott debuts Friday, March 14, on Apple TV+.

Update: The first two episode of Dope Thief started streaming Friday. Ridley Scott directs the first one. Reviews so far seems good-to-stellar. Esquire called it TV’s “next great crime thriller.” And surprisingly, a review in The Guardian said it’s like Brooklyn Nine-Nine meets Breaking Bad. In other words, not just grit, but humor.

Get the latest MacBook with this affordable monthly subscription

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MacBook pay monthly plan from Upgraded is easy way to finance a MacBook.
Subscribing to the latest, greatest MacBook has never been so easy.
Image: Upgraded

Let’s face it — a new MacBook is expensive. MacBook upgrade program Upgraded offers a smarter way to stay up to date. Instead of paying the full price upfront, you spread the cost over 36 months, with the option to upgrade after 24 payments. Plus, you don’t need to worry about selling your old device on a site like Facebook Marketplace.

SPONSORED
This post is brought to you by Upgraded.

Pricing starts at $33.28 per month for MacBook Air or $52.17 per month for MacBook Pro, with AppleCare+ included and interest rates as low as 0%. Check out all available models at getupgraded.com.

Apple finally confirms Ted Lasso season 4 as Sudeikis rejoins cast

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Sudeikis returns for Ted Lasso season 4
The coach himself signed on to return, but what will be the focus? Recent rumors say it will be on AFC Richmond's women's squad.
Photo: Apple TV+

In a move that will delight fans worldwide, Apple TV+ officially ordered a fourth season of its Emmy-winning soccer-comedy sensation Ted Lasso, according to a new report Friday. The announcement comes after more than a year of speculation following the third season’s conclusion in May 2023. It appears to hinge on a pivotal confirmation: Jason Sudeikis returns for Ted Lasso season 4. He signed on to reprise his role as the beloved, optimistic, heavily mustachioed and highly unlikely Premier League soccer coach.

Ted Lasso has been nothing short of a juggernaut, inspiring a passionate fanbase all over the world, and delivering endless joy and laughter, all while spreading kindness, compassion and unwavering belief,” said Matt Cherniss, head of programming for Apple TV+. “Everyone at Apple is thrilled to be continuing our collaboration with Jason and the brilliant creative minds behind this show.”

iPhone RCS texting to gain end-to-end encryption support this year

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RCS messaging on iPhone will get safer later this year.
RCS messaging on iPhone will get safer later this year.
Photo: Rajesh Pandey/CultofMac

Apple will improve the RCS messaging experience by adding cross-platform encryption support. The company’s announcement comes as the GSM Association unveiled the latest RCS standard.

The new standard brings end-to-end encryption (E2EE) based on the Messaging Layer Security (MLS) protocol.

iOS 19 could transform your AirPods into real-time translator

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AirPods Pro and Transparency Mode make for fine hearing aids.
Your AirPods could gain another handy new feature with iOS 19.
Photo: Lyle Kahney/Cult of Mac

Apple reportedly will add a live translation feature to AirPods in iOS 19 that will enable real-time conversations between people who speak different languages.

The feature will come alongside Apple “bolstering the translation technology in iOS 19.” With this advancement, Apple is set to compete with other ai translation earbuds, bringing seamless multilingual communication to AirPods. Learn more about the update here.

Apple Music Classical launches on web with world’s largest catalog

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Apple Music Classical on the web
Apple Music Classical is now on the web.
Photo: Apple Music Classical

Apple expanded its acclaimed Apple Music Classical service to web browsers, allowing desktop users another way to access the world’s most comprehensive classical music library, the iPhone giant said Thursday.

“Apple Music Classical continues to innovate and expand on its mission to bring great musicians and their recordings to music lovers around the world all in one app,” said Anjali Malhotra, global director of Apple Music Classical. “Now that the app is available on the web, Apple Music Classical’s catalog of over 5 million tracks and 50 million data points are now available for those who primarily use their desktops to listen to music.” Meanwhile, recent developments have raised questions about Apple TV plans, especially after Sonos decided to scrap its own streaming device ambitions. Learn more about it here.

Got a new iPad? Try ESR’s new cases and stylus with Find My.

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new ESR iPad accessories
If you bought a new iPad, now you can enhance it.
Photo: ESR

ESR rolled out a full range of accessories Wednesday designed for Apple’s newly released iPad models. The products offer enhanced functionality and protection for tablet users. The lineup, tailored for students, professionals and creatives, includes a new Apple Pencil alternative with Find My integration, magnetic cases, keyboard cases and screen protectors.

“With our latest lineup of iPad accessories, we’re reimagining versatility — delivering accessories that seamlessly integrate into any scenario, whether for study, work, or entertainment,” said  Tim Wu, ESR’s CEO. “Designed for a new generation of users, this new lineup enhances the iPad experience, ensuring creativity, productivity, and enjoyment without limits.”

Easily add 5Gbps Ethernet to your MacBook with this affordable adapter

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Plugable USBC-E5000 5Gbps USB-C Ethernet Adapter
Wi-Fi isn’t your only option with a USB-C Ethernet adapter.
Photo: Plugable/Cult of Mac

The new Plugable USBC-E5000 5Gbps USB-C Ethernet Adapter lets you add a wired internet connection to your MacBook. Simply plug it into a USB-C port on your computer for data transfers at up to 5Gbps, or 5000Mbps.

The affordable adapter, which launched Tuesday, also works with iPad and even recent iPhone models.