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News - page 119

Telepathic teen braves Earth’s alien surface in WondLa [Out now on Apple TV+]

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WondLa: Eva and Rovender on Apple TV+
Eva and Rovender are main characters in WondLa on Apple TV+
Photo: Apple TV+

Given all the doomsday bunker TV shows in recent years — Silo, Fallout, The Unbreakable Kimmie Schmidt, Doomsday Bunkers — you knew an animated version for kids and families would come along eventually. And it has. In the WondLa, a teen born and living underground is forced to a surface of Earth populated by aliens and covered in otherworldy plants and animals.

So what happened to all the humans?

Update: The ambitious animated adventure series is now on Apple TV+. All seven episodes of the first season are available to stream immediately.

Want to save big bucks on great desktop speakers? Try these. [Setups]

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Edifier R1280T powered speakers setup
Edifier makes high-quality audio products for mid-range budgets.
Photo: [email protected]

Looks like today’s computer setup user spent bigger bucks on an M2 MacBook Pro and an epic ultra-wide curved display, and smaller bucks on a good sound system. That’s smart, because you can get high-quality near-field-monitor speakers for your desktop without spending a mint — if you go with something like this user’s Edifier R1280T speakers.

EU slams decision not to deploy Apple Intelligence in Europe

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European Union's commissioner for competition Margrethe Vestager and Apple CEO Tim Cook.
European Union's commissioner for competition Margrethe Vestager met with Apple CEO Tim Cook in early 2024.
Photo: Margrethe Vestager

Margrethe Vestager, the European Union’s commissioner for competition, said Thursday that Apple’s decision to not offer its artificial intelligence upgrades for iPhone and Mac in the European Union is an admission that the company knows the features are anticompetitive.

In contrast, Apple says interoperability requirements in EU law would make the AI features a risk to user privacy.

Vision Pro arrives in Asia; preorders start in Europe, elsewhere

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Vision Pro arrives in Asia
People in select countries in Asia can get Vision Pro today.
Photo: Apple

Vision Pro launched in Apple Stores in China, Hong Kong, Japan and Singapore on Friday. It’s the first time the AR headset has been officially available outside the United States since it debuted in February.

In addition, the product went up for preorder in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, and the U.K. on Friday. Delivery will come in July.

Apple’s new tech could make iPhone battery replacement easier

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iOS update does not deliver promised iPhone battery improvement
A new tech from Apple could make iPhone battery replacement easier.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple could use electrically induced adhesive debonding to make battery removal easier on future iPhones. The company reportedly might use this technology in at least one iPhone 16 model this year.

The move could help Apple make iPhones more repair-friendly — and help Apple comply with upcoming EU laws.

Slow Horses season 4 brings Spook Street to life

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Slow Horses season 4
Here's your first look at "Slow Horses" season 4. Once again, somebody deserves an award for giving Gary Oldman the Jackson Lamb look (you know, makeup that suggests decades of booze, smokes, greasy food and stress).
Photo: Apple TV+

Here’s your eagerly awaited dead drop, Slow Horses fans: The fourth season of the BAFTA Award-winning espionage series returns to Apple TV+ on September 4, according to the “first look” the streamer gave Thursday. That’s the image above. And once again, some makeup artist deserves major awards for making Gary Oldman look like sagging spymaster Jackson Lamb, poster boy for decades of booze, smokes, greasy food, stress and betrayal.

Apple helps 50 students pursue creative careers in music

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Apple creative arts program
Students in the Propel Center Arts & Entertainment Industry Accelerator program tour Apple Music's Nashville studios.
Photo: Apple

Dozens of students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) participated in a two-week creative arts program funded by Apple’s Racial Equality and Justice Initiative, the iPhone giant said Thursday.

Apple’s Propel Center and Apple Music’s Nashville office worked with two universities on the program. It aims to help students pursue creative and executive careers in the arts, particularly music.

Get a speedy new MacBook every 2 years with Upgraded subscription

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The MacBook Upgrade Program from Upgraded.
It's easy to sign up and get started.
Photo: Upgraded

A fresh approach to owning a MacBook is here. With Upgraded’s subscription service, you can enjoy the latest MacBook every two years without the hefty upfront cost.

Starting at just $36.06 per month for a MacBook Air and $52.17 for a MacBook Pro with AppleCare+ included, this service keeps you updated with the newest models seamlessly. Interest rates start at 0% and vary based on your credit score. You can check out all available models at getupgraded.com.

Dark Matter season 2 is possible

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'Dark Matter' is a multiverse mystery on Apple TV+
The writer and one of the stars of "Dark Matter" seem interested in making season 2.
Photo: Apple TV+

Blake Crouch, who wrote the bestselling novel Dark Matter that was adapted into a hit Apple TV+ series, said this week he’s open to the idea of making season 2.

The sci-fi thriller’s season one finale premiered Wednesday.

Free ChatGPT Mac app brings AI to your desktop now [Awesome Apps]

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OpenAI logo on a screen
OpenAI introduces a native ChatGPT app for Mac, and it's free for all users.
Photo: Unsplash
Awesome Apps

OpenAI made the native ChatGPT Mac app available for all users Wednesday. It gives Mac users easy access to the artificial intelligence capabilities of the cutting-edge chatbot, as well as features not available with the web interface.

The free macOS app is “designed to integrate seamlessly into anything you’re doing on your computer,” according to OpenAI.

iPad dominates tablet market as Mac gains on PC

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iPad and Mac sales report - M4 iPad Pro
iPad sales declined overall, but Apple's tablet pretty much owns the market.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Consumer and business computer spending data for 2024’s first quarter shows iPad maintaining dominance in tablet sales, while Mac shipments show significant growth in the PC sector, according to a new report.

And in even better news, the analysts expect to see computer market growth through 2025.

3 good docks for M1 MacBook Air with external displays [Setups]

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dock for MacBook Air
This user sought advice on good docks to connect his MacBook Air to a display.
Photo: [email protected]

There’s a lot to love about M1 MacBooks, but easy connectivity with multiple external displays isn’t on the list. So people often wonder which dock or adapter might suit their need to use one or more external displays with the laptop. Today’s M1 MacBook Air user asked for advice and got it. You can check out the three main recommendations for a good dock for MacBook Air below.

Apple diagnostic tool makes DIY iPhone and Mac repairs easier in Europe

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Apple offers parts and tools needed to fix your own MacBook
Fixing your MacBook is easier if you know what's broken.
Photo: Apple

The Apple Diagnostics for Self Service Repair software tool launched on Europe on Wednesday. It lets those who want to fix their own iPhone or Mac identify which parts may need repair.

In addition, Apple announced that MacBook Air models with the M3 processor that launched in March 2024 are now part of the Self Service Repair program.

Trailer shows Land of Women not safe from gun-toting thugs [Out now on Apple TV+]

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Land of women trailer
In one scene, the mom asks for wine because she doesn't want to "die sober."
Photo: Apple TV+

Vineyards in rural Spain might not be far enough away from murderous New York City loan sharks for safety, judging by the Land of Women trailer. The six-episode dramatic-comedy series starring Eva Longoria debuts Wednesday on Apple TV+. And it looks pretty fun.

Update: Apple TV+ released the first two episodes, or “chapters,” of Land of Woman today. Early reviews call it “winning,” a “feel-good drama” and a “palatable comfort-food family portrait.”

Leaked Apple Watch Series 10 renders reveal bigger display

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Apple Watch Series 10 leaked CAD render
Are you ready for a bigger Apple Watch?
Render/Graphics: 91Mobiles/Rajesh Pandey

Supposed CAD renders of the Apple Watch Series 10 leaked online Wednesday, revealing a device with a bigger display than its predecessors. The renders show Apple’s upcoming smartwatch with a 2-inch display.

Despite the bigger screen, the Apple Watch Series 10 will seemingly be smaller than the Apple Watch Ultra 2.

Cate Blanchett and Kevin Kline star in psycho-thriller on Apple TV+

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psycho-thriller Disclaimer on Apple TV+
Looks like things are about to go south for the big-time author played by Cate Blanchett.
Photo: Apple TV+

Looks like Cate Blanchett might get a vile taste of her own medicine at the hands of Kevin Kline in upcoming psychological thriller Disclaimer, according to a “first look” at the limited series Apple TV+ put out Tuesday. That could be dawning horror on the Oscar winner’s face in the new image, above.

Notably, Academy Award winner Alfonso Cuarón (Children of Men, Gravity, Roma) created and directed the show. Based on a bestselling novel, Disclaimer premieres on Apple TV+ October 11.

Apple, why can’t older iPhones handle ‘Apple Intelligence’ AI features?

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Apple Intelligence was announced by Craig Federighi, SVP of software engineering
When Apple Intelligence was unveiled at WWDC24, Craig Federighi didn't answer a burning question.
Photo: Apple

The iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max will be able to run Apple Intelligence features, but no other current phone can handle the upcoming AI-powered features. Apple’s reasons for the limitation seem somewhat vague, at least so far. They don’t fully explain why a 2-year-old iPhone chip isn’t up to the job but a 4-year-old Mac chip is.

As it stands, some people harbor suspicions that it’s an attempt to force iPhone users to upgrade to the latest models this fall. And some iPhone 15 owners are angry that their relatively new devices won’t be able to take advantage of Apple Intelligence.

Cult of Mac asked Apple to explain the decision but we didn’t hear back. So, I’ll do what Apple hasn’t: Go through a range of hardware features and explore what role they might play in keeping Apple AI off so many iPhones.

Apple and Meta reportedly discussed AI partnership for Apple Intelligence [Updated]

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Meta AI logo with iOS 18 logo
After talks broke down, it looks like Meta's AI won't come to iOS 18.
Photo/Graphics: Meta, Apple, Rajesh Pandey/CultofMac

In a move bound to raise eyebrows, Apple and Meta Platforms reportedly discussed integrating Meta’s generative AI model into Apple Intelligence. Besides Meta, AI startups Perplexity and Anthropic also reportedly talked with Apple about integrating their offerings into Apple Intelligence.

Update: The initial report of a possible partnership to bring Meta’s Llama large language model to Apple Intelligence made it sound like talks were ongoing. However, a new story published Monday said Apple rejected Meta’s LLM “months ago.”

Apple wants to cut number of iPhone assembly workers by half

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Apple wants to cut number of iPhone assembly workers by half
The number of people assembling iPhone could drop 50%.
Photo: Foxconn/Cult of Mac

Apple reportedly told the companies that assemble the iPhone to replace up to 50% of their employees with automation.

It’s an ongoing effort, and one that supposedly began after riots at a Foxconn plant several years ago over stringent Covid restrictions.

NZXT Relay gaming gear amps up Mac mini rig’s sound [Setups]

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NZXT peripherals and accessories
Most of the gear here is from NZXT. So let's look into that.
Photo: [email protected]

Not being huge PC gamers, we aren’t particularly familiar with NZXT, a company based in Los Angeles that makes high-performance gaming PCs and the gear that goes with them. So when we saw today’s M1 Mac mini setup looking like a giant ad for NZXT, we thought we’d give it a look. The user loves his NZXT Relay lineup of gear, including powerful speakers and a wired headset with a surprisingly functional stand.

Apple could face huge fines for breaking ‘steering’ rules under Europe’s DMA

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The European Commission's draft law could force companies to detect, remove and report CSAM.
The European Union's DMA is proving to be an enormous challenge for Apple.
Photo: European Commission

The European Commission said Monday that it made a preliminary decision that Apple breached the EU’s Digital Markets Act. Apple’s rules “prevent [iPhone] app developers from freely steering consumers to alternative channels for offers and content,” according to the EC.

The commission also said it started an investigation into whether Apple’s new Core Technology Fee complies with the DMA. If Apple doesn’t change its policies, the EC could levy extremely heavy fines.

These iOS 18 features won’t arrive until later this year

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Some iOS 18 features won't be ready for launch.
Some iOS 18 features won't be ready at launch.
Photo: Rajesh Pandey/Cult of Mac

iOS 18 will bring lots of useful features, big and small. But when the new iPhone operating system launches later this fall, you won’t get to enjoy all its new additions on day one. Many headlining features won’t arrive until later in the year or early 2025. But which iOS 18 features will be delayed?

Here’s a roundup of iOS 18 features that won’t arrive on launch day. Note: Many of these delayed features also will come to iPads and Macs in iPadOS 18 and macOS Sequoia. For the purposes of this article, we will talk in terms of iOS 18 only.