Mobile menu toggle

News - page 141

Developer gives ‘audible gasp’ using Vision Pro the first time

By

Developer gives ‘audible gasp’ using Vision Pro the first time
Apple's Vision Pro labs let developers test their apps on the upcoming headset. Some devs reportedly came away impressed.
Photo: Apple

Developers who visited Apple’s special labs to test their Vision Pro apps on the upcoming headset came away impressed, according to a cheery new Apple press release. The labs, which let devs test third-party apps on the AR headset Apple plans to release next year, are reportedly not well-attended. So, Apple seems intent on drumming up interest.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, developers who went to Apple’s labs offered some very positive comments about the hardware and software.

Irish mom and hellcat kid harmonize in Flora and Son trailer

By

There's the happy mum and her darling boy! Looks like somebody needs a crappy guitar.
There's the happy mum and her darling boy! Looks like somebody needs a crappy guitar.
Photo: Apple

Apple TV+ dropped a trailer Wednesday for it upcoming Irish dramedy Flora and Son, saying “never underestimate a Dublin woman with a guitar.”

Bad Sisters mainstay Eve Hewson stars as that Dublin woman, a beleaguered mom trying to give her rebellious teen son a focus in life through a beat-up old acoustic guitar.

The film debuts in theaters September 22 and streams on Apple TV+ September 29.

$100 discount drops Apple Watch Ultra to all-time low price

By

First Apple Watch with microLED screen could be on the way
The Apple Watch Ultra drops to a lot more affordable price.
Photo: Apple

The Apple Watch Ultra is the company’s best smartwatch yet, featuring a rugged build and excellent battery life. But it also comes with an equally ultra $800 price tag.

Amazon’s latest deal knocks $100 off the wearable, making its steep price tag a bit more affordable. Take advantage of the discount to get the Apple Watch Ultra for $700.

Why does this MacBook Pro rig need a dock with 14 ports? [Setups]

By

Some setups just look nicely
Some setups just look nicely "lived in."
Photo: [email protected]

In a world where advancing computer technology often seems like an arms race, with ever-more-powerful processors and compact chargers that pump out hundreds of watts, it’s no surprise docking stations keep boosting their port arrays.

Today’s featured MacBook Pro setup almost seems like it doesn’t have enough gear to merit its Plugable dock’s whopping 14 ports. But it supports multiple external displays for M1 Macs, and that’s why the user loves it.

Beats Studio Buds+ come in 2 new cosmic colors

By

The cosmic pink ones have a two-tone thing going on.
The cosmic pink ones have a two-tone thing going on.
Photo: Beats

Apple subsidiary Beats added two new color options to its recently released Beats Studio Buds+ noise-cancelling earbuds — cosmic pink and cosmic silver.

The new metallic finishes are part of a collaboration with press-on nails retailer Olive & June. They’ll become available September 7, the companies said.

Adorable puppy prosthetics star in new ‘Shot on iPhone’ video

By

Adorable puppy prosthetics star in new ‘Shot on iPhone’ video
3DPets uses the Lidar scanner in an iPhone 14 Pro to make a custom prosthetic for Trip the dog.
Screenshot: Apple

The latest “Shot on iPhone” film is the heart-warming story of Trip the dog receiving a prosthetic leg. It came from a company that uses lidar built into Apple handsets to scan his body to make sure it fits.

Watch The Invincibles to see how the process works.

iOS 17 beta 7: All the new features and changes

By

iOS 17 preview
The fourth iOS 17 developer beta is here with some minor changes.
Photo: Apple

Apple continues beta testing iOS 17, with the seventh beta dropping on August 22nd. As the beta program has progressed, the company has made fewer and fewer user-facing changes to new builds.

It’s the same story with iOS 17 beta 7, which hardly packs any meaningful changes or improvements. Below is everything new in the latest iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 beta.

Long iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 beta-testing process nears end

By

iPhone with iOS 17 logo
The months-long wait for iOS 17 is almost over.
Image: Rajesh Pandey/Cult of Mac

The launch of iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 is drawing close, as the many steps of beta testing for these operating systems are almost finished. The same holds true for tvOS 17, and watchOS 10 is nearly as close. Apple likely will release them all in September.

macOS Sonoma, however, isn’t expected to debut until later.

Crank workout tunes with new air-conduction earbuds

By

These earbuds don't go in your ear at all, so you can hear external noises.
These earbuds don't go in your ear at all, so you can hear external noises.
Photo: OneOdio

OneOdio unveiled its new OpenRock S Open Air Conduction Earbuds Tuesday, meant for active users who want to listen to music while doing sports activities.

Using air-conduction technology, the buds don’t go in your ear canal. So you can stay better-aware of what’s around you while you run, cycle or work out.

Make any home smart with Brilliant’s new control panel

By

Even renters and people uncomfortable working with wiring can use this.
Even renters and people uncomfortable working with wiring can use this.
Photo: Brilliant

Smart-home systems maker Brilliant unveiled a new “install it anywhere” plug-in version of its Smart Home Control Panel Tuesday.

Any homeowner or renter can use its touchscreen-based control and automation system to manage smart home products integrated with HomeKit and Siri.

Apple TV+ comedy series Still Up follows young couple not sleeping together

By

Apple comedy series 'Still Up' follows a young couple not sleeping together
Strange things happen to people who haven't slept in weeks.
Screenshot: Apple TV+

Still Up is about the hijinks of a pair of chronic insomniacs who aren’t aware they’re falling in love. Apple TV+ released the trailer Tuesday showing Danny and Lisa’s struggles to sleep and find someone who understands them.

The romantic comedy series will debut on Apple TV+ in a few weeks.

Soundcore jacks up noise cancellation with new over-ear headphones

By

Soundcore already rocked outstanding noise cancellation with previous products, so an improved system in the Space One headphones bodes well.
Soundcore already rocked outstanding noise cancellation with previous products, so an improved system in the Space One headphones bodes well.
Photo: Soundcore

Anker audio brand Soundcore launched its new Space One over-ear headphones Tuesday with an upgraded noise cancelling system. It’s designed to reduce the voices not already in your head.

The new cans also claim long playtime, high-quality audio through the LDAC codec and a “floating” design built for comfort, Soundcore said.

2022 M1 iPad Air gets a big $149 discount

By

iPad Air
Get the M1 iPad Air with cellular connectivity at a fantastic price.
Photo: Apple

Apple’s iPad Pro lineup is too expensive for regular users. Opting for the Pro model makes little sense if you want a tablet for everyday use.

This is where the iPad Air comes in, which offers almost the same internals as its Pro siblings at a lower price point. And if you take advantage of Amazon’s latest deal, you can save up to $149 on a new M1 iPad Air.

New ArcField MagSafe charger powers up iPhone fast

By

It's a potent little charger with a built-in kickstand.
It's a potent little charger with a built-in kickstand.
Photo: Spigen

Using older magnetic chargers, lots of folks still charge their iPhones at a pokey rate of 7.5 watts. So it’s good news Spigen just rolled out its first 15W MagSafe device, the ArcField Wireless Charger.

You can use it to quick-charge any MagSafe iPhone 12, 13 or 14 handset, and it’ll juice up an AirPods Pro charging case at 5W.

Apple purchases help support US national parks

By

Help keep national parks going with your next Apple purchase. And there's an Activity Challenge, too.
Help keep national parks going with your next Apple purchase. And there's an Activity Challenge, too.
Photo: National Park Foundation/Jeremy Wade Shockley

The U.S. National Park Service turns 107 on Friday. And, as usual, Apple is running its donation campaign to the National Parks Foundation to celebrate.

Each purchase made with Apple Pay in the Apple Store and on Apple sites through Sunday, August 27, donates $10 to the National Parks Foundation.

Take studio sound on the go with Røde Wireless Pro

By

Røde Wireless Pro microphones, recorder, cases and cables.
It’s not just a microphone — it’s a whole set of recording gear.
Photo: RØDE

Røde, maker of high-quality audio products from Australia, has unveiled what it calls “the most powerful wireless mic ever”. The Røde Wireless Pro is a system of elegant and compact microphones with an audio recorder that “delivers crystal-clear, incredibly stable audio with a range of up to 260m.”

The kit comes with all the accessories needed to connect to any modern smartphone, computer and camera rig. Røde’s GainAssist makes sure you have balanced sound in any circumstance and the Røde Central software for Mac and PC easily syncs it with your video.

The Røde Wireless Pro kit retails for $399 and will be available later this month.

$100-plus price increase predicted for iPhone 15 Pro models

By

iPhone 15 Pro Max price might increase
The iPhone 15 Pro models might cost noticeably more than the two basic ones.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The price of the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max will jump by at least $100, if an unconfirmed report coming out of Asia is correct. The increase could go as high as $200.

This is the latest in a series of predictions that the cost of the two top-tier iPhones coming this autumn will increase.

This titanium band is the perfect match for your Apple Watch Ultra [Cult of Mac giveaway]

By

Lululook Titanium Link Band for Apple Watch Ultra is as robust as they come
Lululook's Titanium Link Band for Apple Watch Ultra is about as robust as they come.
Photo: Lululook

Refresh your Apple Watch Ultra with this week’s brilliant giveaway from Lululook. We’re giving away one Titanium Link Band for Apple Watch Ultra. Retailing at $79.99, this band looks great with Apple’s biggest, boldest smartwatch.

Find out more about this devastatingly handsome band, and enter our giveaway, below.

Creators can learn more about their listeners with new Apple Podcasts Connect features

By

Creators can learn more about their listeners with new Apple Podcasts Connect features
The new subscription analytics tab in Apple Podcasts Connect shows how listeners use subscriptions.
Screenshot: Apple

Apple Podcasts Connect has been upgraded with subscription analytics, a new feature intended to allow podcast creators to see how listeners engage with premium subscriptions.

In addition, Apple Podcasts has additional Delegated Delivery partners. And Linkfire for Podcasts is coming in the autumn.

Make any room a cinema with new portable projector and AirPlay

By

With this projector, you can use AirPlay or ChromeCast to project a big screen almost anywhere.
With this projector, you can use AirPlay or ChromeCast to project a big screen almost anywhere.
Photo: BenQ

Want to create an immersive cinematic experience almost anywhere? Now you can with the GV31 Portable Projector BenQ released earlier this month.

With built-in Netflix and Android TV among other streaming options, the 1080p projector can stream on walls or ceilings via AirPlay from your Mac, iPad or iPhone, or from Android devices via ChromeCast.

Act fast while MagSafe Battery Pack for iPhone is less of a ripoff

By

Apple MagSafe Battery Pack
Apple's MagSafe Battery Pack is hard to beat for the convenience it offers.
Photo: Apple

Not happy with your iPhone’s battery life and don’t want to carry a power bank with you? Apple’s excellent MagSafe Battery Pack for iPhone is the accessory you need.

Apple’s accessory is expensive at $99, though. But thanks to Amazon and Best Buy’s latest deal, you can get it for $84 — saving a sweet $15 on your purchase.

iPad mini takes center stage in MacBook Air rig [Setups]

By

That's a Hexgears mechanical keyboard in tfront of the iPad mini.
That's a Hexgears mechanical keyboard in tfront of the iPad mini.
Photo: [email protected]

It’s not every day you see a teeny, tiny little display under an ultra-wide one. But today’s M2 MacBook Air setup sports its dual screens that way by putting an iPad mini at the center under the big external monitor, flanked by paired HomePod minis.

The setup’s interesting highlights include a gaming handheld and a full-sized mechanical keyboard we rarely see.

Boring white iPhone cables could become a thing of the past

By

A mockup of a blue braided cable.
The iPhone 15 USB-C cables might look something like this.
Photo: Cult of Mac

iPhones traditionally come with white USB cables, but an unconfirmed report says they are about to become a lot more colorful. They’ll supposedly be matched to the hue of the handset.

And the quality of the cables will allegedly be improved, too.

Meet an Unsung Apple Hero in this free e-book

By

Bas Ording Apple interface designer
Former Apple designer Bas Ording created the "rubber band" effect, which convinced Steve Jobs to build the iPhone.
Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac

Interface designer Bas Ording is one of those little-known Apple employees who has had a huge influence on our digital lives. Ording is the brains behind the “rubber band” effect — the iconic touchscreen animation that convinced Steve Jobs to build the iPhone. During a 15-year career at Apple, Ording was responsible for a big chunk of Apple’s computing interfaces — from macOS to iOS.

You can read about his career in Unsung Apple Hero, a Cult of Mac e-book detailing his career at Apple. Just sign up for Cult of Mac Today, our free daily newsletter, or Weekender, our weekly email, and we’ll email you a copy.

Today in Apple history: Apple steals a financial record from Microsoft

By

Tim Cook earnings apple
Yet another financial milestone.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Aug 20: Today in Apple history: Apple passes Microsoft as most valuable publicly traded stock ever August 20, 2012: Apple passes a financial milestone as it becomes the most valuable publicly traded stock ever.

The company it bests to attain this record? Longtime rival Microsoft, which peaked on December 30, 1999. Apple’s surge to the top spot serves as a reminder of just how radically the fortunes of both companies changed over the years.