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New macOS Monterey beta hints at ‘High Power Mode’ for MacBook

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Video editing on a MacBook Pro
Get the best performance when you need it most.
Photo: Apple

Apple is working on a new “High Power Mode” that could boost MacBook performance when the device isn’t connected to a power source, according to the latest macOS Monterey beta.

The feature is thought to be similar to the “Pro Mode” that was first spotted in a macOS Catalina beta early last year. Pro Mode never made its public debut, but it seems Cupertino hasn’t given up on the idea.

Microsoft says Windows 11 on Apple Silicon is ‘not a supported scenario’

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Windows 11 not supported on Apple Silicon. It's not surprising, but it is a shame.
It's not surprising, but it is a shame.
Photo: Dwayne/Flickr CC

Microsoft has dashed hopes that Windows 11 might one day be available on Apple Silicon machines. The company says running its newest operating system on an M1 Mac is “not a supported scenario.”

The statement comes after Parallels Desktop 17 users ran into hardware compatibility errors when running Windows 11 on newer Apple devices.

Logi Dock packs plenty of ports, pretty lights and a built-in speakerphone

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Logi Dock hub with speakerphone
An all-in-one hub that hopes to make working from home easier.
Photo: Logitech

The new Logi Dock from Logitech is an all-in-one hub that’s designed to make working from home — and all the dreaded online meetings that come with it — a little more bearable. It packs almost all the ports you’ll ever need, one-touch meeting controls, and a built-in speakerphone.

It also features pretty lights that will let you know when a meeting is about to start. What more could you want?

Apple devices could get more expensive with chip prices set to skyrocket

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Apple chip prices to rise in 2022
TSMC is planning its biggest price hike in over a decade.
Photo: TSMC

Apple’s most popular devices could get even more expensive next year, with chip-maker TSMC said to be planning its biggest price increase in more than a decade. The move could also affect companies like Nvidia and Qualcomm.

Sources are blaming the price hike on a number of factors, including higher material costs and the ongoing chip shortage, which has encouraged some device vendors to buy up more components than they actually need.

Submissions fall to all-time low as devs lose interest in Mac App Store

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Office Mac App Store
Fewer than 300 new apps hit the Mac App Store last month.
Photo: Apple

Developers are seemingly losing interest in bringing their titles to the Mac App Store, with new submissions steadily declining since the beginning of 2021. There were fewer than 300 new releases for the first time ever in July.

And research indicates August could prove even worse for new Mac App Store submissions.

South Korea is first to say App Store must allow third-party payments

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App-Store-Today
It's a major win for developers and users, and other countries are expected to follow suit.
Image: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

South Korea has become the first country to tell Apple that it must open up the App Store to third-party payment platforms. The same law also applies to Google, and other countries likely will implement similar rules.

The amendment to South Korea’s Telecommunications Business Act prevents large app market operators from forcing their own payment systems on users and developers. It also bans unreasonable delays in app approvals.

Apple beta testing platform TestFlight lands on macOS

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TestFlight lands on Mac
It's in beta for now.
Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac

TestFlight, the Apple platform developers can use to distribute beta versions of their apps, just hit the Mac for the first time. It’s available only to developers for now, and it requires macOS Monterey.

Apple is also allowing developers to submit beta releases of their macOS apps to App Store Connect, which wasn’t possible before.

WhatsApp for Mac gets new public beta ahead of multi-device upgrade

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WhatsApp has debuted its official OS X native app.
Try out new WhatsApp features early on Mac and Windows.
Photo: WhatsApp

WhatsApp now allows anyone to beta test its desktop app for Mac and Windows. You can enroll in its new public beta program today to get your hands on the newest updates early — and you won’t want to miss it.

By gaining access to the beta, you’ll be one of the first to try out WhatsApp’s incoming multi-device overhaul when it finally starts rolling out.

Google wants to bring Android games to your Mac

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Android games on the way to Mac
It wants to "provide the most reach of any platform."
Photo: Oppo

Google plans to bring Android apps and games to Mac and Windows in the coming years, according to internal documents recently made public as a result of the ongoing lawsuit between Apple and Epic Games.

As part of a project it calls “Games Future,” the company wants to make quality games available “on all screens.” The service is expected to run alongside Stadia, Google’s platform for streaming PC games to any device.

Parallels 17 brings Windows 11 support and improved gaming to Mac

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Parallels 17 adds Windows 11 support
Run Windows 11 on your Mac today.
Photo: Parallels

Parallels, the excellent virtualization software that makes it easy to run Windows and other operating systems on your Mac, just got a major update that adds a whole bunch of brilliant new features.

The version 17 release adds support for Windows 11 and macOS Monterey virtual machines. It also greatly enhances gaming performance inside Windows, with big improvements to OpenGL and DirectX 11.

Intel chief accidentally spills big upgrade for Thunderbolt 5

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MacBook Thunderbolt 3 ports
Speeds of up to 80 Gbps?
Photo: Apple

Thunderbolt 5 could double the speed of data transfers in future Mac and iPad Pro models, according to an accidental leak from one Intel executive.

The technology will use the same USB-C connector we’re now accustomed to, but with double the effective bandwidth — from 40 Gbps in Thunderbolt 4 to a staggering 80 Gbps.

How to use and customize the new Quick Note feature in macOS Monterey

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How to use Quick Note in macOS Monterey
Start a new note in an instant.
Image: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

macOS Monterey includes the same Quick Note feature that’s baked into iPadOS 15. Using it is incredibly simple, and it’s a great way to quickly jot down important information — such as phone numbers, email addresses, and appointments — that you don’t want to forgot.

We’ll show you how to use it, and how to customize the Quick Note feature on Mac to suit you.

Smile! Face ID may come to Mac in the next couple of years

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Face ID on MacBook
Coming soon to a Mac near you?
Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac

Apple aims to bring Face ID to Mac within the next couple of years, reports Mark Gurman in his weekend “Power On” newsletter for Bloomberg.

Gurman describes deploying the facial-recognition technology across all of Apple’s major devices — iPhone, iPad, Mac — as the company’s “ultimate goal.” He also suggests that Apple could be looking to embed the TrueDepth camera system, which helps power Face ID, in the Mac screen itself. This would help to eliminate the notch at the top of the display.

How to use Slack’s new Huddles feature on iPhone, iPad and Mac

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How to use Slack Huddles
Host casual conversations, share your screen and more.
Image: Slack/Cult of Mac

Slack is rolling out its new Huddles feature in an effort to bring the office environment to wherever you might be working. The feature lets you hold “quick, informal discussions” with other members of your team.

You can also use it to share your desktop screen, which makes it great for demonstrations. We’ll show you how to use Huddles on iPhone, iPad and Mac.

Keep hydrogen peroxide away from your Apple devices

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Do not clean or disinfect your iPhone with hydrogen peroxide
Don’t combine your iPhone and hydrogen peroxide.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple recently added hydrogen peroxide to the list of cleansers not to use on its products. The chemical is often employed to disinfect surfaces, but it’s not recommended for wiping down your iPhone, Mac or iPad. Or your Apple peripherals, either.

The warning comes as the COVID-19 pandemic stretches on.

How to easily erase all content and settings in macOS Monterey

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How to erase contents and settings in macOS Monterey
It's easier than ever to wipe your Mac clean.
Image: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

macOS Monterey makes it easier than ever to remove all your precious data from your Mac when it’s time to sell it or make a fresh start. Its new Erase All Content & Settings feature wipes your machine without forcing to you to reinstall its operating system, just like on iPhone and iPad.

Here’s how to use it.

Think vertical? Keep your Mac mini safely out of the way. [Setups]

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You can stand your Mac mini vertically or mount it behind the monitor or under the desk.
You can stand your Mac mini vertically or mount it behind the monitor or under the desk.
Photo: [email protected]

Redditor mnsl0826 decided to save some space by standing up his M1 Mac mini vertically at the base of his monitor, rather than laying it flat. It worked for him, but posting about it on Reddit generated heaps of concern about whether you’re supposed to do that.

Microsoft’s new Cloud PC feature streams Windows to Mac and iPad

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Microsoft Windows 365 Cloud PC
Windows anywhere, on any device.
Photo: Microsoft

Who needs Boot Camp when you can stream Windows to your Mac? Microsoft’s newly announced Windows 365 feature allows you to use Windows 10 and 11 on almost any device — including Mac and iPad.

With a Cloud PC, you get an instant-on experience and access to all your data, software, and settings anywhere. And you’ll be able to configure your setup to suit your needs. The service launches on August 2, 2021.

Justin Bieber and other Canadian artists feature in new ‘Behind the Mac’ ad

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Made in Canada Behind the Mac ad
Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Jessie Reyez also stars in the 'Made in Canada' video.
Photo: Apple

Apple’s newest “Behind the Mac” ad shines a spotlight on Justin Bieber, Shawn Mendes, and other Canadian artists who use a Mac to bring their creations to life. But it seems to forget that Apple makes desktops, too.

Check out the new 30-second video, titled “Made in Canada,” below.