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iPhone - page 44

Why we want iPhone wireless charging in reverse [Cult of Mac Magazine 410]

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iPhone reverse wireless charging. We want more.
We want more!
Cover: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac

The iPhone 12’s secret reverse wireless charging capability will work with Apple’s new MagSafe Battery Pack. That’s great and all, but Apple should let the iPhone charge other gear, too.

Think how cool it would be to top off your AirPods Pro simply by setting them atop your iPhone.

It’s a logical next step (and it might even be coming soon). Find out why we think Apple should go all in on iPhone reverse wireless charging in the cover story of this week’s free Cult of Mac Magazine. Read it in the app on your favorite iOS device, or get the links to the stories below.

‘iPhone 13’ could feature Wi-Fi 6E for even better connectivity

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iPhone 12 Pro Max review: The industrial design will leave you breathless.
But you'll need a compatible Wi-Fi router to enjoy it.
Photo: Lyle Kahney/Cult of Mac

Apple’s next-generation “iPhone 13” devices could feature Wi-Fi 6E technology for even better connectivity, according to a new report.

The extended version of Wi-Fi 6 — which is already available in iPhone 11 and later — promises even faster speeds and better range using the 6GHz band. But you probably won’t be able to enjoy it out of the box.

How to use a long, alphanumeric iPhone passcode so cops can’t hack it [Update]

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iPhone passcode
A strong passcode is the next-best thing to keeping your iPhone in a safe.
Photo: Rob Pongsajapan/FlickrCC

It’s time to stop using that useless six-digit passcode on your iPhone. Now that cops around the United States are going crazy for the GrayKey, a little box that can crack your iPhone’s passcode in hours, it has become clear that the iPhone’s regular six-digit numerical code is no longer secure.

Plus, now that GrayKey is available, it won’t be long before they’re in the hands of the bad guys, too, if they’re not already. In fact, instructions on how GrayKey works surfaced online last month.

The good news is, it’s super-easy to change your iPhone passcode to something a lot better. The bad news? There actually isn’t any, unless you already have the cops trying to break into your iPhone — in which case you’ve got plenty of bad news already.

Cupertino plans ‘buy now, pay later’ offering called ‘Apple Pay Later’

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A planned new service will give you more options to pay over time.
A planned new service will give you more options to pay over time.
Photo: Apple

Apple and its Apple Card partner, Goldman Sachs, plan to launch a new pay-in-installments service for all Apple Pay purchases reportedly known internally as “Apple Pay Later.” It resembles other “buy now, pay later” offerings from companies like Affirm Holdings and PayPal.

Apple plans to build 90 million next-generation iPhone units this year

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Next-generation iPhone 13 Pro concept is exactly what we’ve been hoping for
Apple seems to be expecting big things from "iPhone 13."
Photo: Ran Avni/ConceptsiPhone

Apple has tasked its manufacturing partners to deliver 90 million next-generation iPhone units by the end of 2021, according to a new report.

Scheduled to launch in September or October, the new lineup — which many refer to as “iPhone 13,” although the name remains unclear — is expected to be even more of a success than last year’s popular iPhone 12 models.

Apple’s iPhone Weather app is hilariously prudish

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Apple’s iPhone Weather app is hilariously prudish
Apple’s Weather app never gets to have any fun.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

You can be certain it’s never 69 degrees in Cupertino. Never. In what might be a somewhat amazing level of prudishness, Apple’s default iPhone Weather app reportedly will not indicate that the temperature is one degree warmer than 68.

Soulja Boy says Steve Jobs dropped in on music video shoot to give him an iPhone

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Soulja Boy
"Then Superman that phone..."
Photo: Bandai Namco Entertainment America/Wikipedia CC

Rapper Soulja Boy, best known for his 2007 viral hit “Crank That (Soulja Boy),” has another claim to fame as well: According to the 30-year-old rapper, Steve Jobs visited him on the set of his first music video and brought him the first iPhone.

At least, that’s the story Soulja Boy shared in a clip from an upcoming podcast interview for Million Dollaz Worth of Game. “I was the first rapper with the iPhone,” Soulja Boy says. “It was ‘Crank That’ video shoot 2007. Steve Jobs and the Apple team came. I was in the swimming pool, doing the instructional dance. Showing the people how to do the dance … They came, they brought me the iPhone.”

Last chance: Save on stellar iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch accessories in our Fourth of July sale

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Juuk polished Revo
Save on the stunning polished Revo from Juuk, and lots, lots more.
Photo: Juuk

The Cult of Mac Store just kicked off its big Fourth of July sale, offering 15% off all items when you spend $50 or more.

Take your pick from some of the best iPhone, iPad and AirPods cases, stands, Apple Watch bands and more — all hand-picked and approved by members of the Cult of Mac team.

The offer ends today, so enjoy it while you can!

2022 iPad Pro could pack next-gen 3nm chip for even greater performance

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iPad-Pro-Magic-Trackpad-3
Coming in late 2022?
Photo: Apple

The 2022 iPad Pro could ship with a next-generation chipset manufactured using a cutting-edge 3-nanometer process, according to a new report out of Asia, citing several sources familiar with the matter.

The upgrade would lead to even greater performance for what is already one of Apple’s fastest mobile devices. But we may have to wait longer for the same technology to make its way to iPhone.

Apple will buy LG smartphones to attract more iPhone switchers

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Apple now accepts LG phones for trade-in
Get up to $180 for your old LG device.
Photo: LG

Apple will now give you credit toward an iPhone when you trade in an eligible smartphone from LG. A total of four different devices are accepted right now, with up to $180 on offer.

The move comes just months after LG announced it is exiting the smartphone business. The South Korean firm will not release any new handsets following years of sales declines and losses.

How to enhance remote work with Apple devices and endpoint management

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Hexnode: Remote work is the new normal. Is your organization making it as safe and productive as possible?
Remote work is the new normal. Is your organization making it as safe and productive as possible?
Image: Hexnode

This post on Apple device endpoint management is brought to you by Hexnode.

The COVID-19 pandemic remolded everything from our socializing habits to our working styles, imposing a new normal worldwide. Remote work emerged as a workable solution to prevent the complete interruption of entire industries while also safeguarding employees’ health during a dangerous time.

T-Mobile’s Test Drive program gets eSIM support for easy setup on iPhone

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T-Mobile Test Drive
No additional hardware required.
Photo: T-Mobile

The Test Drive program that allows smartphone users to try out T-Mobile’s network free for 30 days now supports iPhone’s built-in eSIM.

You previously needed to use a mobile hotspot and a physical T-Mobile SIM card to take advantage of the trial. Now, you simply need to download an app on iPhone XS or later.

Apple prepares to bring mmWave 5G to more countries with iPhone 13

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Killian filed that 5G thing. I’m reading it now. Do you want me to hold it for tomorrow’s newsletter just in case?
Even faster connectivity for some iPhone owners could be on the way.
Photo: Apple

Apple is adding new 5G component suppliers to bring faster mmWave connectivity to more countries with iPhone 13, according to a new report. The technology is currently available only in the United States.

Sources say Cupertino is now working with five antenna-in-package (AiP) manufacturers after adding AT&S to its roster.

How to download Apple Watch’s new international Stripes faces

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How to get international faces for Apple Watch
You don't have to spend $49 on a band to get the face.
Image: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

Apple introduced new International Collection bands for Apple Watch on Tuesday, priced at $49 each. There are 22 available and each comes with an accompanying Stripes face you can download from Apple’s website.

But you don’t need to buy a band to get your hands on the new faces. We’ll show you how to download them right now to show support for your country at this year’s Summer Olympics.

New Eos Bridge makes positioning instruments iOS-compatible

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Eos Bridge gives almost any positioning instrument iOS Bluetooth compatibility.
Eos Bridge gives almost any positioning instrument iOS Bluetooth compatibility.
Photo: Eos Positioning Systems

Montreal-based Eos Positioning Systems, known for its Arrow Series GNSS receivers, has released Eos Bridge. The device clips on your belt and gives almost any positioning instrument iOS Bluetooth compatibility.

Just by way of background, GNSS stands for Global Navigation Satellite Systems. As such, it underlies the better-known Global Positioning System (GPS) used in the U.S. and elsewhere. GPS is one of five GNSS constellations in play around the world, and the oldest one. You can learn more here.

Supposed iPhone 13 dummy leak hints at new dual-camera layout

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iPhone 13 dummy leak
Another way to make iPhone more iconic?
Photo: Geek Village Chief

An apparent iPhone 13 dummy leak suggests Apple plans to rearrange the rear-facing camera layout on some devices this year.

It appears handsets with just two camera sensors — like the regular iPhone 13 and a possible iPhone 13 mini — could have their modules placed in a diagonal orientation as opposed to one above the other.

Today in Apple history: iPhone goes on sale for the first time

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A photo of people looking at the first-gen iPhone inside a glass case on the original iPhone launch date.
The smartphone that changed smartphones!
Photo: Traci Dauphin/Cult of Mac

Wednesday 29June 29, 2007: The first-generation iPhone goes on sale, generating massive queues of Apple fans lining up outside Apple Stores around the United States.

With its intuitive touchscreen display, it’s a massive leap forward for smartphones. The device goes on to change the course of not only Apple’s business, but that of the entire mobile industry!

Apple explains how ID cards will work on Apple Watch in watchOS 8

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Virtual ID cards are coming to Apple Watch
You can leave your iPhone in your pocket.
Photo: Apple

Virtual ID cards are coming to Apple Wallet this fall, and you’ll be able to access them on your Apple Watch. In a new interview, two Cupertino executives explain how the feature will work in watchOS 8.

Deidre Caldbeck, director of Apple Watch marketing, said the update is another step toward replacing your physical wallet entirely. Kevin Lynch, Apple’s VP of technology, highlighted its convenience.

Snapchat promises fix for frequent app crashes on iPhone [Update]

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Snapchat icon
Avoid version 11.34.0.35 if you can.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

UPDATE: A fix for this problem is now available. Download the latest Snapchat update from the App Store.

Snapchat has promised to roll out a fix for frequent app crashes on iPhone after its latest update. Version 11.34.0.35 of the app sends some users back to their Home screen immediately after being opened.

Speed test shows original iPhone was a complete slug

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Original iPhone was a complete slug compared to iPhone 12
The original iPhone was tiny, but also slow at basic tasks like taking a picture or just opening its built-in apps.
Photo: PhoneBuff

If you remember the first-gen iPhone being a speed demon compared to today’s models then you’re in for a real surprise. A head-to-head comparison between the 2007 iPhone and the 2020 version shows just how pokey the original one was at even basic tasks.

The test doesn’t unfairly ask the 2007 iPhone to run software it was never designed for. No, the handset is slow running even basic applications.

iPhone survives 3-day dip in Idaho’s Snake River

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iPhone 12 Pro Shiny sides
The iPhone is impressively durable.
Photo: Ian Fuchs/Cult of Mac

When his kayak overturned in fast moving water while on Snake River in Idaho, Tom Adams lost his keys, fishing pole, wallet and iPhone.

However, three days later, a dive team found the items — including the iPhone, still in working order. “To all our amazement, [the phone] was still on!” Adams told the East Idaho News. “It was still alarming from my Sunday morning wake-up call reminder.”

$135,000 of smuggled iPhones seized by Customs in India

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iPhone India cusoms
The iPhones seized at Customs.
Photo: Hyderabad Customs

Customs officials have seized around 80 iPhones being smuggled through Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad, India. The devices included various iPhone 12 models, including the iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max. They also arrested two passengers who owned the checked-in luggage, and another person reportedly involved in the smuggling.

The smuggling was almost certainly to avoid paying import duty on the devices. Import duties on the iPhone in India were increased from 10 to 15% in late 2017.