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macOS Big Sur bricks some older 13-inch MacBook Pro models

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Apple
Beware Big Sur if you have an older MacBook Pro.
Photo: Apple

You might want to avoid Apple’s fancy new macOS Big Sur upgrade if you’re running an older MacBook Pro. Some owners report that the update rendered their machines completely unusable.

The problem seems to be affecting late-2013 and mid-2014 MacBook Pro models. It is believed Apple is aware, but there is no fix just yet.

macOS Big Sur unlocks the power of Apple Silicon chips

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With macOS Big Sur, Apple takes things to the next level.
With macOS Big Sur, Apple takes things to the next level.
Photo: Apple

Apple’s new macOS operating system Big Sur is the first Mac operating system to be built with the new Apple Silicon M1 chip in mind. Big Sur brings with it a dramatic redesign and a host of big improvements to key apps like Messages, Maps and Safari.

The M1 chip optimization will also mean some massive speed improvements for top apps — including the ability for your Mac to immediately turn on when you wake it up, similar to the way an iPhone does when you pick it up.

And you don’t have long to wait.

New Apple M1 chip will make Macs faster, less power-hungry

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Apple M1 chip
Apple's new M1 chip will blow your socks off.
Photo: Apple

Apple on Tuesday delivered on its promise to unveil the first Apple Silicon chip before the end of 2020. Its brand-new M1 system-on-chip (SoC) promises industry-leading performance and power efficiency for the fastest, most impressive Macs to date.

The M1 chip is the first 5-nanometer computer chip, packing a whopping 16 billion transistors and the world’s fastest CPU cores. It also features an 8-core GPU that’s “in a class of its own,” Apple says.

How to leave the macOS Big Sur beta program before public release

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How to leave the macOS Big Sur beta
Don't be stuck with buggy beta releases.
Image: Cult of Mac

With the public release of macOS Big Sur right around the corner, it’s a good time to think about leaving the beta program — especially if you’ve been running the new release on your primary machine.

Dropping out ensures you get stable releases and quick fixes as soon as they’re available, and prevents potentially buggy future betas from being installed on your device. We’ll walk you through the process.

Mac malware slips through Apple notarization process

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Mac malware is real. Watch out.
Even Macs can get hit with malware. Especially when Apple notarizes it!
Graphic: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple reportedly slipped up and notarized some malware. This allows the ill-behaved software to be installed on Macs.

Preventing the spread of malware is exactly why Apple insists Mac apps to be notarized, so it’s not clear how this malicious software got Apple’s approval.

Apple squashes bugs with iOS 13.6.1, iPadOS 13.6.1 and macOS 10.15.6 Supplemental Update

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iOS 13.6.1 and iPadOS 13.6.1 and macOS 10.15.6 Supplemental Update too
All these Apple computers received updates on Wednesday.
Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac

Apple slipped out collection of small system software updates for iPhone, iPad and Mac. These are all “bug fix” updates, without significant changes.

Still, they are recommended for all users of these devices.

Setapp, the app subscription service, lands on iOS with 8 awesome titles

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Setapp comes to iOS
A catalog of amazing apps, one small monthly fee.
Photo: Setapp

Setapp, the brilliant app subscription service from MacPaw, has finally landed on iOS. The service offers eight titles at launch, including task-management app 2Do and wonderful writing tool Ulysses.

A small monthly fee gets you complete, unlimited access to every app in the catalog, with more being added on a regular basis. And if you’re already a Setapp subscriber, you may get the iOS apps for free.

Why the new iMac is still a great buy, even without Apple Silicon

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2020 iMac: The new iMac looks just like the old one (only faster).
The 2020 iMac is certainly worth your cash.
Photo: Apple

Apple’s newest iMac is by far the fastest yet, with huge increases in both CPU and GPU performance. It also ships with improved speakers and microphones. And yet, it seems a lot of Apple fans don’t care.

The reason? The new iMac is powered by Intel processors, like all its predecessors since 2006, instead of Apple Silicon. Since Apple revealed its plan to switch to its own custom chips at the Worldwide Developers Conference in June, Intel processors just don’t hold the same appeal.

But there are some great reasons to continue buying Intel-powered Macs in 2020. Here are a few.

How to secure sensitive Notes with a password on iPhone and iPad

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How to protect Notes with a password
Keep notes a secret on shared devices.
Image: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

You might be willing to share your iPhone’s passcode with other people, but what if you have sensitive notes you don’t want anyone else to see? Protect them with their own password.

Here’s how to secure individual notes on iPhone, iPad, and Mac.

Make older Macs feel new again by switching web browsers [Pro tip]

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Switch browsers to speed up an old Mac
Some browsers are better than others on older machines.
Image: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

Pro-tip-4

Got an old Mac that’s crawling to a halt every time you browse the web? It might not be your hardware that’s in need of a change. Before splashing out on new components, try switching browsers instead—or consider what to do with old MacBook to give it a new lease on life.

Apple News goes local in macOS Catalina 10.15.6 update

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macOS Catalina 10.15.6 isn’t the only operating system with Apple News local content.
Apple News curated local content debuted for Mac, iPad, and iPhone today.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Mac users can grab macOS Catalina 10.15.6 starting Wednesday. This update adds local coverage to Apple News in select areas. And this new version kills a few bugs, too.

How to run Mac OS X on your iPhone or iPad without jailbreaking

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How to run Mac OS X on iPhone or iPad
A dream come true?
Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

It’s highly unlikely Apple will ever give us an iPad that runs macOS — and that’s OK. Because with a few tricks (that do not require a jailbreak), you can easily install Mac OS X on your iPad all by yourself.

The process won’t void your warranty or interfere with iPadOS in anyway. All you need is a copy of Mac OS X, an app that lets you run virtual machines, and plenty of storage space.

Check out our step-by-step guide to learn more.

See just how amazing macOS would look on iPad

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Check this simulation of macOS on iPad created with SwiftUI.
macOS on iPad is a dream of many people. A developer created a glimpse of that possibility.
Photo: Jordan Singer

There’s pent up demand for Apple to bring macOS to iPad, so a clever developer created a simulation in SwiftUI to show what it would look like.

While it appears much like an Apple tablet running the Mac operating system, and even seems to work, this is not macOS Big Sur on an iPad. It’s just something that mimics part of the user interface. Still, it shows those eager for a “MacPad” what one could look like.

Watch a video of the macOS simulation in action:

Fantastic to fugly: All the new app icons in macOS Big Sur

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macOS Big Sur on a MacBook Pro
What do you think of macOS Big Sur's new app icons?
Photo: Apple

WWDC 2020There’s a lot to love about macOS Big Sur, but one thing that’s dividing Mac fans is its redesigned app icons. Some look good enough to eat. Others are so ugly they’ll make you want to use Windows (not really). And some have simply lost some of their charm as a result of simplification.

What do you think of Apple’s new desktop icon designs so far? Check out all of them right here.

Catch our reactions to the WWDC 20 keynote on The CultCast

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The CultCast podcast: Get our reactions to all the new software showcased during the WWDC 2020 keynote.
So ... much ... new ... software!
Photo: Apple

WWDC 2020 On today’s special edition of The CultCast: Catch our reactions to all the great stuff announced at the WWDC 2020 keynote. We highlight our favorite features from iOS 14, MacOS Big Sur, tvOS, iPadOS and watchOS, and so much more.

Today’s episode is supported by CleanMyMac X, an all-in-one utility from MacPaw that takes care of your Mac’s health. It’s a macOS cleaner, a performance monitor, a malware remover and occasionally, a lifesaver. And until July 5, you can go to macpaw.com/cultofmac to get CleanMyMac X with a 30% discount.

macOS 11 Big Sur ushers in sweeping changes to Mac

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WWDC 2020: It's official: The next version of macOS will be called
It's official: The next version of macOS will be called "Big Sur."
Photo: Apple

WWDC 2020 The next Mac operating system, called macOS Big Sur, will bring the biggest design overhaul in nearly two decades, Apple said Monday. In addition to the massive visual upgrades, MacOS Big Sur will usher in huge changes to the Messages, Maps and the Safari web browser.

Apple unveiled the massive changes coming to macOS on Monday during the company’s keynote kicking off this year’s online-only Worldwide Developers Conference.

“This year, we’re taking the macOS experience you love even further,” said Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior VP of software engineering, as he launched into a deep dive into changes coming soon to Mac.

New Macs? One more thing? Get our WWDC 2020 predictions on The CultCast

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CultCast 442: AirPods with health sensors
Next week's virtual WWDC looks like a doozy.
Image: The CultCast

WWDC 2020 This week on The CultCast: We discuss our WWDC 2020 hardware and software predictions, and there’s a lot to say. Plus: A new leak details a next-generation iPhone with dual displays; the new 5600M MacBook Pro GPU is an absolute monster; and Apple’s back-to-school promo is back for the summer, but with an interesting twist.

Our thanks to Squarespace for supporting this episode. Easily create a beautiful website all by yourself, at Squarespace.com/cultcast. Use offer code CultCast at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain.

How to turn your Mac into a Wi-Fi hotspot for other devices

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How to turn a Mac into a Wi-Fi hotspot
A handy feature you may not have known about.
Image: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

When only wired internet access is available, turn your Mac into a Wi-Fi hotspot that allows wireless devices — like iPhone, iPad, and more — to share its network connection. It’s quick to set up and works brilliantly.

Here’s how to get started.

How to fix Twitter and other websites that won’t load in Safari

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How to fix Safari
An easy fix that brings your favorites sites back to life.
Image: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

Do you ever find that websites sometimes refuse to load in Safari on your Mac, no matter how long you wait? The problem has been plaguing Twitter users in recent months, and can occur with other sites, too.

Fortunately, there’s an easy fix.