News - page 60

Severance fans get ‘8 Hour Work Day Innie Mix’ of theme song

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Adam Scott stars in
Adam Scott stars in "Severance." While you wait (and wait) for season 2, treat yourself to 8 hours of the show's theme music.

Fans who miss the psychological dark dramedy Severance on Apple TV+ can now drone out to a full day of the show’s ghostly piano-based theme song with the “8 Hour Work Day Innie Mix,” which Apple released Tuesday on YouTube.

Get it, innies? You can play the eerie mix for your whole 8-hour workday. It’s like having the show’s credits roll all day in your head as you start to question your choices in life.

Today in Apple history: Raging success of Windows 95 makes Cupertino worry

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Windows 95 banner
With Windows 95, Microsoft clearly had a hit on its hands. And that spurred nervous Apple execs into action.
Photo: Microsoft

September 6: Today in Apple history: Windows 95's success gets Cupertino worried September 6, 1995: The newly launched Windows 95 operating system dominates software sales, sending virtually every other company scurrying for cover — Apple included.

Microsoft’s $85 PC operating system only went on sale at the end of August. But by early September, the company reportedly sells a massive 1.63 million copies of Windows 95, according to excited analysts. It represents a massive triumph for Apple’s biggest rival of the 1990s.

Chinese government workers banned from using iPhones

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A new wave of lockdowns in China could put Apple millions of units behind on iPhone production.
No iPhone for you, China government workers!
Illustration: Cult of Mac

Apple has been caught in the middle of the high tech trade war between the United States and China. Many government employees have been ordered to not use an iPhone for work. Official government disapproval could result in lowered sales in the country, which currently contributes heavily to Apple revenue.

iPhone has not been singled out, though. The workers are not allowed to use any smartphone made outside of China.

Big-time gamer’s rig doubles as dream shopping list [Setups]

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This Mac Studio and Studio Display setup is a gamer's paradise, with six gaming systems.
This Mac Studio and Studio Display setup is a gamer's paradise, with six gaming systems.
Photo: BornforOne@Reddit.com

If you’re an avid gamer or you’re shopping for one, you could do worse than to check out today’s featured Mac Studio and Studio Display setup.

The user gets seriously greedy with a peripherals lineup that others might want to emulate, including six gaming systems, four keyboards, four mice and a stellar sound system.

Nomad upgrades fancy Base One Max to 3-in-1 charger

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The solid glass-and-metal charger lies flat to power up iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods.
The solid glass-and-metal charger lies flat to power up iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods.
Photo: Nomad

Nomad’s premium metal-and-glass Base One Max 2-in-1 charger got an upgrade this week to 3-in-1. It can charge iPhone, AirPods and Apple Watch simultaneously, the company said.

The charger boasts official MagSafe tech, so it will goose your handset with a full 15 watts.

EU Digital Markets Act will open iPhone to sideloading of apps

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European Union
The European Union takes another step toward tough regulations on tech giants like Apple.
Photo: Freestocks.org

Now that iOS and the App Store have been labeled “gatekeepers” by the European Commission, the EU’s Digital Markets Act requires Apple to allow users to install applications directly onto iPhones. And sideloading is just one of the sweeping changes resulting from the DMA. Users apparently will be able to replace Siri with one of its rivals, for example. Other services, like iMessage, might require modification later.

One thing’s clear: The iPhone won’t be the same after the Digital Markets Act goes into effect in spring 2024.

You know you want to watch this trailer for The Super Models

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From left, Linda Evangelista, Cindy Crawford, Naomi Campbell and Christy Turlington became icons of fashion and culture in the 1980s.
From left, Linda Evangelista, Cindy Crawford, Naomi Campbell and Christy Turlington became icons of fashion and culture in the 1980s.
Photo: Apple

The four women who sparked the term “supermodel” in the 1980s — Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford, Linda Evangelista and Christy Turlington — were a close-knit sisterhood and “the original influencers,” according to the new trailer Apple TV+ dropped Wednesday for the upcoming documentary series The Super Models.

The four-part series, which promises never-before-seen commentary from fashion and pop culture luminaries, walks the runway September 20.

Leak details iPhone 15 Pro’s camera specs

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iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max brought big-time camera-system upgrades.
iPhone 15 Pro Max's camera bump could be bigger than ever.
Photo: Leander

With less than a week to go for Apple’s “Wonderlust” event, a new report revealed key details about the iPhone 15’s camera setup. It appears Apple plans big camera upgrades this year — but probably not in the way you expect.

Corroborating previous rumors, the report confirms the periscope camera will be exclusive to the iPhone 15 Pro Max.

Today in Apple history: iPod shows it has life after iPhone

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The first iPod touch, released in 2007.
Apple released three new iPods, including the first iPod touch, in 2007.
Photo: Apple

5SeptSeptember 5, 2007: Apple introduces its first new iPods after the release of the iPhone. The lineup includes the third-gen iPod nano, the newly renamed iPod Classic and — most significantly — the debut of the iPod touch.

In doing so, Apple sets out to demonstrate that there is still plenty of life left in the iconic portable music player.

iPhone and iPad apps will go automatically into Apple Vision Pro App Store

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Apple Vision Pro applications
Vision Pro won't suffer from a lack of software if Apple has anything to do with it ... and it does.
Photo: Apple

There certainly will not be a dearth of apps for the Vision Pro when it launches — Apple said Tuesday that every compatible iOS and iPadOS application will be automatically listed in an upcoming App Store for the AR headset.

That means there’ll be “hundreds of thousands” of apps for Vision Pro at its debut early next year, according to Apple.

Low-cost MacBook aimed at students supposedly in development

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Apple_new-macbook-air-new-magic-keyboard_03182020
A budget-price MacBook perhaps based on an older MacBook Air might be in the offing.
Photo: Apple

Apple is reportedly working on a MacBook with a price low enough to compete with Chromebooks in the education market.

If true, then the company may well be intending to follow the same strategy for macOS notebooks that it does for the iPhone SE and Apple Watch SE.

Best Labor Day deals on Apple gear and accessories [Last chance]

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No matter which iPad you have, Elago's magnetic stand can handle it.
No matter which iPad you have, Elago's magnetic stand can handle it.
Photo: Elago

Labor Day weekend is always a great time to find deals on tech gear, including Apple computers, gear and accessories. And shockingly, some of those great Labor Day deals are still available from the Cult of Mac Store, Amazon.com and Woot!

Still, we don’t know how long all of these will last, so have at it!

Kingston’s tiny new SSD puts 2TB in the palm of your hand

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Kingston's tiny new SSD puts 2TB in the palm of your hand
Add up to 2TB of storage to your Mac or iPad with this pocket-size SSD.
Photo: Kingston

Kingston just took the wraps off the XS1000 External SSD. It’s about the size of pack of gum but holds up to 2 terabytes of data. And it can transfer files at high speed, too.

Or there’s the already announced XS2000, which is twice as fast. Just not for everyone.

Get juice off-the-grid with Anker’s potent new power stations

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The new C1000 comes in handy for outdoor and indoor (power outage) adventures.
The new C1000 comes in handy for outdoor and indoor (power outage) adventures.
Photo: Anker

Two new Anker Solix portable power stations give you power for camping, home-backup and other off-the-grid power needs, the company said last week at IFA 2023 in Berlin, Germany.

Anker unveiled Anker Solix C1000 Portable Power Station and Anker Solix F3800 Portable Power Station at the show.

Jabra’s new top-shelf Elite 10 noise-canceling earbuds add Dolby Atmos

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Jabra's newest flagship noise-cancelling earbuds features Dolby Atmos with head tracking.
Jabra's newest flagship noise-cancelling earbuds features Dolby Atmos with head tracking.
Photo: Jabra

Jabra just rolled out its new flagship wireless active noise-canceling earbuds, Jabra Elite 10, alongside its rugged Jabra Elite 8 Active buds.

Elite 10 features 10mm drivers, comfortable open-ear construction and, in a first for Jabra, Dolby Atmos spatial audio with head tracking.

Today in Apple history: $200 iPhone discount fuels fan backlash

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First gen iPhone
The iPhone won plaudits. Its price reduction? Not so much.
Photo: Traci Dauphin/Cult of Mac

September 5: Today in Apple history: $200 iPhone price cut incurs fan backlash September 5, 2007: Just months after the first iPhone went on sale, Apple ditches its bottom-tier 4GB model and cuts the price of the 8GB version by $200.

A rare misstep (considering Apple’s usual mastery of the press), this tone-deaf PR move backfires immediately. Early adopters rage about shelling out premium prices for their first-generation iPhones. Fortunately, Apple makes good.

Become James Bond and battle Spectre in Cypher 007 stealth adventure game

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Become James Bond and battle Spectre in 'Cypher 007' stealth adventure game
Cypher 007 is one of four games joining Apple Arcade in September.
Image: Tilting Point LLC/Apple Arcade

Blofeld, the criminal mastermind and head of Spectre, is once again scheming to defeat James Bond in Cypher 007. The action game launches for a range of Apple devices in late September on Apple Arcade.

And there are three more games headed for Apple’s gaming subscription service in September.

Today in Apple history: Steve Jobs flip-flops on the Newton

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The Newton MessagePad 2000 brought many upgrades to Apple's doomed PDA line.
The Newton MessagePad went from hero to zero overnight.
Photo: iFixit

September 4: Today in Apple history: Steve Jobs flip-flops on the Apple Newton PDA September 4, 1997: The writing is on the wall for Apple’s Newton product line as Steve Jobs tells executives at the recently spun-off company not to bother moving into their new offices.

It’s quite the turnaround for the Newton division. Only months earlier, it was being portrayed as large enough to become its own company.

mophie joins the parade of new Qi2 wireless charging accessories

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mophie joins the parade of new Qi2 accessories
mophie took the wraps off its first four Qi2 accessories designed for both iPhone and Android.
Photo: mophie

Add mophie (and its parent company Zagg) to the list of accessory-makers jumping on the Qi2 bandwagon. It unveiled a collection of wireless chargers that use the new standard that’s heavily based on Apple’s MagSafe, including magnetic attachment.

Both Belkin and Anker also announced Qi2-compatible products designed to work equally well for iPhone and Android.

Next-gen Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro could get aluminum upgrade

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Turn your iPad Pro into a laptop (for $50 less than the usual price).
Magic Keyboard for 2024 iPad Pro could look a lot more premium.
Photo: Ian Fuchs/Cult of Mac

Apple’s Magic Keyboard for the revamped 2024 iPad Pros could feature an aluminum top case. This could make the accessory more like a laptop.

Like Macs, the aluminum area around the keyboard will give the Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro a premium look and feel. It also should make the case a lot sturdier when holding the tablet.

Today in Apple history: Woz stages an epic concert

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Unite US in Song
The Us Festival was Steve Wozniak's first venture outside Apple.
Photo: Glenn Aveni/Kickstarter

September 3: Today in Apple history: Steve Wozniak stages athe first US Festival, an epic music and tech event September 3, 1982: The Us Festival, an extravagant music and technology event staged by Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak, kicks off in California. The festival costs $8 million to stage, and boasts appearances from some of the biggest musical acts of the day.

It’s a wild venture for Woz, who is on hiatus from Apple after surviving a serious plane crash in 1981.

Will Apple’s ‘Wonderlust’ event bring lust-worthy iPhones? [The CultCast]

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WTF? The CultCast episode 610, where we're discussing the Apple
Will the iPhone 15 and 15 Pro colors really look as drab as rumors indicate?
Image: Cult of Mac
Wonderlust 2023

This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: Apple’s invite for the September 12 “Wonderlust” event offers potential clues about what to expect. Mostly it makes us wonder: Will Apple ever release an iPhone in a truly bold, lust-worthy color?

The main thing we can agree on is that it looks like the iPhone 15 colors might be more boring than usual.

Also on The CultCast:

  • We’ll miss Apple’s leather cases if the company really does pull the plug.
  • 3D printing with metal could be a game-changer for the manufacturing process. If anyone can do it, Apple can.
  • AirPods might receive the USB-C upgrade they deserve next month.

Listen to this week’s episode of The CultCast in the Podcasts app or your favorite podcast app. (Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review if you like it!) Or watch the video live stream, embedded below.

MLS Season Pass gets significantly cheaper in time for the playoffs

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Watch Major League Soccer on a wide variety of devices, including TVs, tablets and phones.
Watch Major League Soccer on a wide variety of devices, including TVs, tablets and phones, not only ones made by Apple.
Photo: Apple

The Major League Soccer playoffs kick off in October, and fans can watch all the action with an MLS Season Pass that’s now available at less than a third of the cost it was earlier.

Cheer on your favorite team, or see if Lionel Messi can take Inter Miami CF all the way, without breaking the bank.

Today in Apple history: Steve Jobs prepares to take on Apple

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Apple-at-40-What-Steve-Jobs-Said-About-Computers-in-1981
1985 was a major turning point in Jobs' life.
Photo: ABC

2 September Today in Apple history September 2, 1985: Reports claim Steve Jobs is on the verge of setting up his own company to compete with Apple. The rumors fly after Jobs sells Apple stock holdings worth $21.43 million.

For anyone who thinks speculation about Apple’s future is an invention of the blog era, today’s “Today in Apple history” is a reminder that the tech rumor mill was alive and well in 1985.