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News - page 135

Getting by with Apple’s not-quite-mechanical keyboard [Setups]

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That Apple keyboard looks mechanical but it's not.
That Apple keyboard looks mechanical but it's not.
Photo: [email protected]

Mechanical keyboards are all the rage for those who love the old-school typing feel and don’t mind the clackety-clacking noise. Today’s featured MacBook Pro and Studio Display setup features an old Apple A1048, which certainly looks the part of a mechanical keeb (but it’s not).

Read on the learn more about Apple’s past keyboards that are mechanical — and some that only look like it.

Apple wants to eliminate iPhone screen bezels altogether

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Apple wants to eliminate iPhone screen bezels altogether
Future iPhone models could have virtually no dead space between the display and the case.
Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac

The shrinking screen bezel supposedly coming to the iPhone 15 Pro models are apparently only the start. Apple asked makers of OLED panels for iPhone to develop ones that have no bezels at all, according to a report coming out of Asia.

If true, it will enable Apple to put larger displays into future iPhones models without increasing the overall size of the device.

Apple reportedly considers hiking iPhone 15 Pro prices

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iPhone 15 already in trial production
Are you ready to pay more for the iPhone 15 Pro?
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac/Pixabay/Pexels

Apple is mulling raising prices for the iPhone 15 Pro and its Pro Max sibling in the United States. The company has yet to make a final decision on the matter, though.

The Cupertino giant has also asked its suppliers to manufacture about 85 million iPhone 15 units.

Don’t expect M3 Mac mini before late 2024

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Mac mini sitting on desk alongside LG display, LaCie hard drive, Model F keyboard and Magic Trackpad
Seems Mac mini with M2 Pro will be the fastest option for a long time.
Photo: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

A version of the inexpensive Mac mini desktop upgraded with a faster Apple M3 processor will not be on the market for over a year, according to a reliable source.

However, there are other Macs with the M3 chip expected before the end of 2023.

Apple’s ‘Think Different’ campaign gets updated for a new generation by AI

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AI updates Apple’s ‘Think Different’ campaign for a new generation
The wall of apples in this AI-generated Think Different ad with Lady Gaga is brilliant.
Photo: Business.com/Midjourney

Apple ended its famous “Think different” ad campaign more than 20 years ago, so perhaps it’s time for a reboot. Business.com challenged a generative AI to create new ads for the classic campaign featuring more current entertainment icons. The images produced for the AI-powered “Think Different” update look surprisingly good.

See for yourself.

Big changes coming to iPhone battery and camera [The CultCast]

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The CultCast Episode 604: An iPhone battery rumor gets us excited.
Longer battery life must be near the top of every iPhone owner's wish list.
Photo: Tyler Lastovich/Unsplash License/Modified by Cult of Mac

This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: The latest rumors point to impressive iPhone upgrades on the horizon. Stacked batteries might deliver the holy grail of longer battery life as early as this year. And in 2024, the iPhone Pro Max camera might graduate to a mind-blowing 12x zoom. Excuse if we’re a little excited!

Also on The CultCast:

  • A secret project dubbed “Apple GPT” might make Apple’s products better — even Siri!
  • If you’re not taking advantage of Continuity features, you’re doing Apple wrong.
  • Sounds like we’ll be waiting quite a while for a truly pro Mac Pro.
  • How in the world did Goldman Sachs lose so much money on Apple Card?!?

Listen to this week’s episode of The CultCast in the Podcasts app or your favorite podcast app. (Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review if you like it!) Or watch the video live stream, embedded below.

Apple TV+ drama La Maison goes behind the scenes of French haute couture

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Fashion design
Expect some backstabbing in La Maison, a fashion-themed drama coming to Apple TV+.
Photo: Los Muertos Crew/Pexels

La Maison is a one-hour drama set within a contemporary French fashion house. It focuses on the lives of powerful families involved in the world of fashion, aspirational French elegance and luxury.

The upcoming Apple TV+ series stars a who’s who of French actors, including Lambert Wilson and Amira Casar.

Apple chipmaker TSMC can’t find enough workers to build Arizona factory

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TSMC chip production
TSMC won‘t start making processors in the United States as soon as had been hoped.
Photo: TSMC

TSMC reportedly can’t get enough skilled workers to build its processor factory in Arizona. The company’s CEO warns that this means the start of chip manufacture in the United States won’t begin as soon as had been earlier projected.

That’s not good news for Apple, which has committed to sourcing processors from the plant.

How to watch soccer legend Lionel Messi on Apple TV+

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Want to watch Lionel Messi? Check out the Leagues Cup on MLS Season Pass.
Want to watch Lionel Messi? Check out the Leagues Cup on MLS Season Pass.
Image: Apple

Soccer legend Lionel Messi recently joined Major League Soccer club Inter Miami CF, and Apple TV+ hopes to score off the Argentine star’s high-profile arrival. The streaming service is offering a range of MLS Season Pass content complementing the games it will air, starting July 21 with Leagues Cup coverage.

“Lionel Messi joining Inter Miami marks a historic moment for the sport in the U.S. and reflects the incredible momentum behind Major League Soccer,” said Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior vice president of services, in a press release Friday. “We couldn’t be more excited to give fans around the world the opportunity to watch the greatest footballer of all time on MLS Season Pass.”

Beloved farming RPG Stardew Valley+ debuts on Apple Arcade

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‘Stardew Valley+’ is only one of the games coming soon to Apple Arcade.
You can farm in “Stardew Valley+” or fight monsters. Or get married.
Image: ConcernedApe

Popular farming simulator Stardew Valley+ is now playable via Apple Arcade. The game promises many hours of entertainment, with farming, ranching, fighting monsters and even getting married.

It’s one of a number of classic titles to hit Apple’s gaming subscription service in recent weeks.

Stuck without a charging cable? Not anymore.

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Stick it on your keychain and you'll always have it with you.
Stick it on your keychain and you'll always have it with you.
Photo: Nomad

Nomad introduced ChargeKey in 2013, and at long last the popular little keychain charging cable got an update. Now it sports a fresh design and USB-C and Lightning versions to help you power up today’s devices on the go.

See, not everyone hates Magic Mouse [Setups]

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A lot of people hate Magic Mouse. But commenters on this setup sang its praises.
A lot of people hate Magic Mouse. But commenters on this setup sang its praises.
Photo: [email protected]

Our travels online among computer setups show that a great many Apple users don’t choose Magic Mouse — and many even detest it. So they select popular products from Logitech and other makers. But some people, like graphic designers, passionately defend Apple’s sleek and slippery mouse, and today’s featured MacBook Pro-and-custom-PC setup is a testament to that. Long live Magic Mouse!

Snag Apple Watch Series 8 for as low as $329

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Apple Watch Series 8
Why would you want to miss this Apple Watch Series 8 deal?
Screenshot: Apple

Apple Watch is one of the best accessories you can get for your iPhone. The smartwatch will complement your iPhone by mirroring key notifications and tracking your key health metrics.

If you are using an old Apple Watch or have yet to try one, now is the time. Amazon’s latest deal has slashed $70 off the Apple Watch Series 8, dropping its price to as low as $329.

Hestia merges telescope with iPhone for easy celestial photography

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Hestia merges telescope with iPhone for easy celestial photography
You can take Instagram-worthy pictures of the night sky with the Vaonis Hestia.
Photo: Vaonis

The Vaonis Hestia gives users a closer look at the moon, sun and stars, but it’s far from a traditional telescope. It’s designed to let beginners use their iPhone to view the heavens, easily find the celestial objects they want to see, and then photograph them.

It’s also quite portable. It’s ready to go with you to escape light pollution.

Zagg’s new keyboard lineup covers range of sizes with something for everyone

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Zagg Pro Keyboard 15
The new Zagg Pro keyboards use Bluetooth and wireless charging.
Photo: Zagg

Zagg just launched a line of Bluetooth desktop keyboards that range in size from 12 inches all the way up to 17 inches, with larger models adding a numberpad and function keys. And they really don’t need wires, as they also charge wirelessly

In addition, the new keyboard lineup includes one designed specifically to plug into the Lightning port of an iPad. And there’s a USB-C variant, too.

Display problems could leave iPhone 15 Pro Max in short supply

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Mockup of iPhone 15
You might want to order your iPhone 15 Pro Max on day one if you don’t want a long wait.
Photo: Mockup Cloud

A standout feature of the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max is reportedly causing assembly problems. The high-end models Apple will launch in autumn 2023 are expected to have the thinnest screen bezels of any handset, but that’s apparently making the panels harder than usual to produce.

If true, this could lower the supply of the iOS devices when they launch.

Apple puts iPhone SE 4 plans back on hold

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iPhone XR with iPhone SE 4 text
Don’t hold your breath for the iPhone SE 4.
Image: Rajesh

The on again/off again iPhone SE 4 is reportedly off again. For at least a couple of years, anyway. Apple reportedly no longer intends to make a new budget iOS handset in 2024.

That’s probably not surprising considering the popularity of the company’s more expensive models.

M1 MacBook Air drops back to its amazing Prime Day price

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Apple_new-macbook-air-new-magic-keyboard_03182020
You won't find a better deal on the M1 MacBook Air than this.
Photo: Apple

Apple’s M1 MacBook Air was available for just $749.99 on Prime Day earlier this month. In case you missed that deal, Amazon is again discounting the machine to $749, knocking a staggering $250 off its retail price.

If you need a new laptop, this is the deal you should not miss. At $749.99, the M1 MacBook Air provides one of the cheapest ways to get into Apple’s ecosystem.

Why Apple threatened to pull iMessage and FaceTime out of UK

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iMessage and FaceTime
iPhone users in the UK might want to talk to the government if they’d like to keep using iMessage and FaceTime.
Image: Apple/Cult of Mac

The U.K. government has proposed an update to the Investigatory Powers Act that Apple and other tech companies strongly oppose because it they argue it would substantially weaken the security of their messaging applications.

The updated act would allow the government to require security features in the apps be disabled immediately and without informing users.

Apple reportedly warned that it’ll disable iMessage and FaceTime in the UK before it’ll comply with the law.

Apple gets ready to take on ChatGPT with ‘Apple GPT’

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Is
Apple reportedly is scrambling to catch up in the generative artificial intelligence department.
Image: Hal Gatewood/Unsplash License/Modified by Cult of Mac

Apple reportedly developed its own generative AI chatbot that’s very similar to OpenAI’s ChatGPT. While this might never be released, the underlying tech is already going into the company’s applications and services.

If true, the chatbot’s technology could be a significant upgrade to the Siri digital assistant that’s built into so many Apple products — and that currently draws so much criticism.

Beats Studio Pro review roundup: ‘Almost AirPods Max Light’ for less

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Beats Studio Pro improve greatly upon Beats Studio3, released in 2017.
Beats Studio Pro improve greatly upon Beats Studio3, released in 2017.
Photo: Apple

Apple subsidiary Beats dropped its long-awaited flagship Beats Studio Pro headphones Wednesday to mostly positive reviews, including favorable comparisons to the pricier AirPods Max ($550).

Beats Studio Pro still look a lot like the 2017 Beats Studio3 cans they replace, but they’re chock full of improvements that should justify their $350 price for many despite some shortcomings.

Super-clean MacBook Air setup makes good use of Sidecar [Setups]

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The MacBook Air could serve as a third screen, but it sounds like the user will stick it in a vertical stand instead.
The MacBook Air could serve as a third screen, but it sounds like the user will stick it in a vertical stand instead.
Photo: [email protected]

Who doesn’t love a clean, uncluttered computer setup? It doesn’t have to be “minimalist,” like it’s trying to impersonate a Zen rock garden, it just has to be simple and productive.

Today’s featured 15-inch M2 Pro MacBook Air and 11-inch M2 iPad Pro setup gets by quite nicely with one external monitor and the use of Sidecar.

The Mac Pro we all want is 6 years away — at least

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Mac Pro with Pro Display XDR
The Mac Pro with Pro Display XDR
Photo: Apple

An anonymous tipster has bad news for the Mac Pro: Apple apparently has no plans to keep working on the scrapped chip that would have doubled the machine’s power. Development on Apple silicon is reportedly set all the way through the M5 generation.

There’s a beacon of hope, though. Multi-die packaging — technology being developed that could see the light of day around the M8 chip — eventually might give the Mac Pro the power it deserves. However, at Apple’s current pace, that’s at least six years away.