Apple builds on NameDrop in iOS 17.2 to deliver an even better way to share passes. Photo: Apple
iOS 17.2 will introduce a new way for sharing boarding passes, tickets and other passes stored in the Wallet app.
Like NameDrop, the iOS feature that lets owners easily share contact info, the new way to share passes will require bringing your iPhone close to the top of another iPhone with the Wallet app open.
Apple offers end-to-end encryption in Advanced Data Protection for iCloud. Photo: Apple
Data breaches have compromised 2.6 billion personal consumer records in the past two years, with a rapid rise since last year, according to an independent study Apple published Thursday.
Increasing threats to consumer data stored in the cloud underscore a need for end-to-end data encryption like Advanced Data Protection for iCloud, launched in 2022, Apple said.
“Bad actors continue to pour enormous amounts of time and resources into finding more creative and effective ways to steal consumer data, and we won’t rest in our efforts to stop them,” said Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior vice president of Software Engineering. “As threats to consumer data grow, we’ll keep finding ways to fight back on behalf of our users by adding even more powerful protections.”
Satechi just launched a trio of USB C adapters that increase users' display and connectivity options. Photo: Satechi
You can connect the USB-C port on your MacBook directly to a high-resolution monitor without a hub using Satechi’s new HDMI adapter. And there’s also a version with a built-in 2-meter cable for easier connections.
In addition, the accessory-maker also just launched a USB-C Ethernet Adapter that offers up to 2.5 Gigabit data transfers.
Whatever Jo (Noomi Pace) is looking at here, it's ain't good. Photo: Apple TV+
After a disaster in space, an astronaut returns to Earth to find pieces of her life missing in the upcoming Apple TV+ sci-fi series Constellation. Apple released a “first look” at the action-packed psychological thriller Thursday.
The “conspiracy-based space adventure,” which stars Noomi Rapace and Jonathan Banks, sets down on Apple TV+ on February 21.
Any sealed surface will take Xvida's mounting pad to magnetically hold your iPad. Photo: Xvida
iPads are light and easy to handle, but sometimes you need your hands for other tasks — like glancing at a recipe while cooking. That’s where Xvida’s Magnetic Wall Mount for tablets comes in super, well, handy.
And it’s available now in the Cult of Mac Store for just $25.
There's now one less way for Facebook to spy on you. Photo: Meta/Cult of Mac
Facebook tightened security on its popular Messenger platform by adding end-to-end encryption for all users. This means Meta can not eavesdrop on conversations.
Reports that this feature was “coming soon” have been circulating since at least 2016.
Unidentified countries request push notification records from Apple and Google to gain info about smartphone users. Photo illustration: Bagus Hernawan/Unsplash License/Modified by Cult of Mac
Some governments are spying on push notifications sent to iPhone users, Apple confirmed Wednesday. By examining logs of push notifications sent by various apps, authorities can piece together surprisingly detailed information about smartphone users and their activities.
The previously undisclosed data gathering, which also affects Android devices, became public after Sen. Roy Wyden published an open letter to Attorney General Merrick B. Garland on Wednesday requesting disclosure of the surveillance method.
But these improvements will come at a price. Image: Apple
Apple reportedly plans to use upgraded microphones on the iPhone 16 series for a better Siri experience. The new mics might feature a better signal-to-noise ratio and improved water resistance.
The improved hardware likely would boost manufacturing costs for Apple. But a better Siri — fortified with artificial intelligence — could gives Apple’s reputation a boost when it comes to AI.
Don't sleep on a deal like this one. Photo: Samsung
If you’re ready to graduate from a 4K to a 5K external display but the high prices have held you back, here’s your chance. Right now you can take off the regular price of Samsung’s direct competitor to Studio Display — the 27-inch Samsung ViewFinity S9 monitor.
This beauty is going for $1,068.61. That’s 33% off its regular price, which is the same as Studio Display’s steep cost (about $1,600).
Both the MacBook Air in 13-inch and 15-inch versions are expected to get the Apple M3 chip soon. Photo: Apple
The Apple M3 processor will make its way to the MacBook Air line in March 2024, according to a trusted source of insider info. Both the 13-inch and 15-inch versions of the laptop will receive the chip upgrade.
The M3 made its debut in refreshed MacBook Pro and iMac models in October.
The men who flew harrowing bombing missions had a lot to do with defeating Germany in WWII. Photo: Apple TV+
Apple TV+ dropped a devastating payload of aerial warfare in its new trailer Wednesday for the upcoming World War II drama series Masters of the Air.
Piloted by the team behind WWII series Band of Brothers and The Pacific, the new series dramatizes the U.S. Army Air Force’s role in helping defeat Germany through bombing. It premieres on Apple TV+ January 26.
The largest iPad Air yet is on the way. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
The long wait for fresh iPads will reportedly come to an end in March 2024. The first 12.9-inch iPad Air will launch then, according a reliable Apple tipster, as will the much-anticipated iPad Pro with an OLED screen.
In addition, new versions of Apple Pencil and the Apple Magic Keyboard for iPad will also be unveiled at the same time.
Curved ultra-wide gaming displays have been making their way into Mac setups for quite some time now. But some people want to experiment, maybe push the envelope a bit, so they mount them on top of other displays or sometimes in portrait mode (vertical). But today’s Mac Pro setup takes the cake in that regard.
The user nixed a Studio Display with a high-quality external webam in favor of a truly massive, 55-inch curved ultra-wide Samsung gaming display — mounted vertically. It towers over everything with a pronounced stoop.
Add more award nominations to the huge pile already earned by "The Morning Show." Photo: Apple
No show got more nominations in the 29th annual Critics Choice Awards than The Morning Show, one of the premier offerings on Apple TV+. There are six noms, with stars Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon both up for best actress in a drama series.
And Lessons in Chemistry and Shrinking also added significantly to the 16 total Apple TV+ nominations in six categories.
The MagSafe Gravity case is protective yet minimal. Photo: SwitchEasy
If your iPhone 14 case is a little bulkier than you’d like — maybe a bit tight in the pocket — perhaps it’s time to try SwitchEasy’s MagSafe Gravity iPhone Case.
The incredibly slim case adds zero bulk, works with MagSafe and is available in the Cult of Mac Store for just $25, but is currently on sale for $19.99.
Apple is encouraging its suppliers to make iPhone 16 batteries in India. Photo: TechInsights
Apple has reportedly asked its suppliers to make iPhone 16 batteries in India. This is another step by the company to diversify its supply chain and reduce its reliance on China.
The Cupertino giant currently sources iPhone batteries from multiple suppliers located in China.
Apple will bring Qi2 support to older iPhones with iOS 17.2. Photo: Leander
The upcoming iOS 17.2 update will add Qi2 support to older iPhone 13 and iPhone 14 models. Based on MagSafe, Qi2 is the next-generation wireless charging standard.
Journal will arrive in iOS 17.2. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Apple seeded the release candidate for iOS 17.2 to developers Tuesday, signaling that beta testing for the upcoming operating system is almost over. The highlight of the update will be the new Journal app that Apple announced last summer.
The release candidates for macOS Sonoma 14.2, iPadOS 17.2, watchOS 10.2 and tvOS 17.2 were also seeded to devs Tuesday. The final versions are all expected to be publicly available to install on December 12.
Beeper Mini may be the first app to reliably make Android users' text appear in blue bubbles on iPhone. Photo: Beeper
Believe it or not, a 16-year-old high school student may have been the first to fully reverse-engineer iMessage and turn green Android text bubbles blue on iPhones with the new Beeper Mini app, released Tuesday.
The text messaging world is buzzing over it, wondering how it may avoid security pitfalls like other recent attempts to merge the two texting worlds — and puzzling over whether Apple may put a stop to this incursion into its “walled garden.”
Twelve South's Butterfly 2-in-1 MagSafe charger couldn't be much more portable. Photo: Twelve South
Twelve South’s new 2-in-1 Butterfly MagSafe Charger folds into a tiny footprint, fast-charges MagSafe iPhones and Apple Watches, and can serve as a kickstand for your handset, as well.
The cool gadget, which you can get directly from Twelve South or Apple, looks like a winner and is priced as such, at a steep $129.95.
"Foundation" will return for season 3 on Apple TV+. Photo: Apple TV+
Epic sci-fi series Foundation, a wildly successful adaptation of Isaac Asimov’s award-winning stories of a galactic empire in decline, will return for a third season, Apple TV+ said Tuesday.
And that’s causing much rejoicing on our own humble planet.
Need a new MacBook ahead of Christmas? M1 MacBook Air is again down to its all-time low price. Photo: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac
Looking to gift a new MacBook to your loved one this Christmas? The M1 MacBook Air is the perfect gift, and you can grab one right now at its lowest-ever price of $749.99 after a $250 off.
This includes an additional $50 discount after applying a coupon on Amazon’s listing. You could not get the laptop at this tempting price even during Black Friday.
Attention iPhone 14 owners: Don’t miss the SwitchEasy sale on all iPhone 14 cases and accessories in the Cult of Mac Store. You can save 20% on any of 10 different cases to protect and dress up your fabulous Apple handset.
The cases cover the bases from tough and functional to highly decorative. There are regular cases as well as MagSafe options. Check out some highlights below. And 20% off saves you about $6 on many of the cases.