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News - page 141

iPhone 16 Pro could offer 5G speed boost with even faster modem

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iPhone modem maker gets ready for faster 5G Advanced in 2024
The Qualcomm X75 modem will almost certainly appear in the iPhone 16 Pro and add support for 5G Advanced.
Image: Qualcomm

The Qualcomm X75 modem unveiled in February will be part of the iPhone 16 Pro models when they launch in 2024, according to an industry analyst. It’s the first from the modem-maker to support the speedy 5G Advanced standard.

But the cutting-edge chip supposedly won’t be included in Apple’s more affordable non-Pro handsets.

This laptop sleeve also serves as wireless charger, desk mat and mouse pad

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Journey's new Nexa is a sleeve for MacBook, ,sure, but it also charges gadgets and works as a desk mat and mouse pad.
Journey's new Nexa is a sleeve for MacBook, ,sure, but it also charges gadgets and works as a desk mat and mouse pad.
Photo: Journey

Citing a workforce that has become more mobile than ever before, Journey unveiled its new journey laptop sleeve that also works as a wireless charger, mouse pad, and desk mat for a mobile setup, the company said Thursday.

“The Nexa is a laptop accessory that actually does the job of four accessories – a sleeve, charger, mousepad, and desk mat,” Journey said. ““Laptop users with a NEXA in hand can enjoy better mobility when they come and go between different workspaces each day.”

Nanoleaf’s nifty portable smart lamp and new bulbs support Matter and HomeKit

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The Cono portable smart lamp can stand up, lie down or be hung up. That's handy.
The Cono portable smart lamp can stand up, lie down or be hung up. That's handy.
Photo: Nanoleaf

Nanoleaf added a handy new portable smart lamp with brand partner Umbra and two new smart bulbs to its Essentials line, the company said Thursday.

All of the products will work through the Matter smart-home standard with HomeKit and other smart-home platforms.

Be sure to read Apple’s guide to buying a used iPhone

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iPhone 6s drop test
Be sure to carefully inspect the used iPhone before buying it because problems are't always this obvious.
Photo: PhoneBuff

Anyone planning on purchasing a used iPhone should take a look at new support document from Apple with tips on a successful buying process.

This includes a very useful inspection checklist to go through before handing over any money.

Grab new Beats Studio Pro headphones for half off

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Sandstone is one of four colors you can choose from at the 49% off price point of $180.
Sandstone is one of four colors you can choose from at the 49% off price point of $180.
Photo: Beats

Although the well-reviewed Beats Studio Pro wireless active noise canceling (ANC) headphones just launched in July, you can now get them for half off on Amazon (49% off, to be exact). And that’s not a Prime member special, either.

So for an unknown amount of time, you can nab them for $179.95 instead of $350.

Logitech’s new Wave Keys keyboards bring all-day typing comfort

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Logitech's Wave Keys keyboards are all about comfort and come in three color choices.
Logitech's Wave Keys keyboards are all about comfort and come in three color choices.
Photo: Business Wire

Logitech unveiled its new Wave Keys ergonomic keyboards for personal and business uses Wednesday. They offer “instantly familiar typing, providing comfort at the desk in the home and office,” the company said.

“We believe that everybody deserves to feel good at the end of a day of work, so we set about designing workspace essentials that are as attractive and approachable as they are ergonomic,” said Art O’Gnimh, general manager, Logitech Core Personal Workspace. “Wave Keys has workspace wellbeing at its heart, thanks to its science-driven design with a stamp of approval from leading ergonomists.”

Don’t expect an OLED MacBook before 2026

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OLED MacBook is possible… and probably inevitable
An OLED MacBook will happen, but patience is required.
Photo: Cult of Mac

An authority on display technology said Wednesday that Apple will be unable to introduce a MacBook with an OLED screen for at least three years.

But iPads with OLED are expected much sooner.

Storm Reid drops MacBook Air study tips in new video

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When you have a study partner, you get to know their favorite snack. Reid's is sardines and hot sauce on pieces of a tortilla shell.
When you have a study partner, you get to know their favorite snack. Reid's is sardines and hot sauce on pieces of a tortilla shell.
Photo: Apple

Apple posted a 90-minute “Study With Me” YouTube video Wednesday showing actress Storm Reid, a college student, leading a study session with her 15-inch MacBook Air.

And while the video promotes the laptop, it really is a study session using the Pomodoro method, with study periods, breaks and music. So crack that laptop and get to work with her.

Last chance: Grab great deals on cool Function101 Apple accessories

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These cable blocks are incredibly handy for taming cable clutter.
These cable blocks are incredibly handy for taming cable clutter.
Photo: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac

As part of Amazon Prime Big Deal Days, Function101 offers a couple of ways to save on Apple accessories, like the accessory-maker’s nifty Cable Blocks, Apple TV remote control and Desk Mat Pro.

But act fast, because the offers end Wednesday at 11:59 p.m. Pacific.

Meet the amazing disappearing workstation [Setups]

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Where did it go? Hint: The display is hiding in plain sight.
Where did it go? Hint: The display is hiding in plain sight.
Photo: Nick Howard

Cult of Mac reader Nick Howard sent us his clever M1 Mac mini computer setup. It’s clever because it pulls a disappearing act, with very little effort on Howard’s part, whenever it’s not in use. Almost like magic.

“I love this setup as it’s completely unobstrusive when not being used and, in use, it offers the perfect combination of screen size and display of information for me, [while] remaining minimalist,” he said.

Mophie’s new 3-in-1 MagSafe charger extends for FaceTime calls

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You can raise, lower and tilt the iPhone MagSafe charging pad.
You can raise, lower and tilt the iPhone MagSafe charging pad.
Photo: Mophie

The new Mophie 3-in-1 Extendable Stand with MagSafe features a tilting charging pad that telescopes upward from its base to help you position your iPhone for the best FaceTime calls.

And with charging spots for Apple Watch and AirPods, you can power up three devices at the same time.

Apple rakes in up to $20 billion a year to make Google the iPhone default search engine

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Google
Google pays big to be an important part of using an iPhone.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Being the default search engine in the Safari web browser is apparently worth an enormous amount of money. Google reportedly pays Apple between $18 billion and $20 each year for the privilege.

But the payments might come to an end as a result of the antitrust accusations the Department of Justice brought against the search giant.

iOS 17.1 will add pocket-detection mode for iPhone 15 Pro’s Action button

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Closeup of iPhone 15’s new Action button.
iOS 17.1 will make a slight change to iPhone 15 Pro's Action Button behavior.
Photo: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac

Apple will tweak the Action button’s behavior on the iPhone 15 Pro with the upcoming iOS 17.1. The change should prevent accidental keypresses from triggering the camera or flashlight.

The customizable Action button is easily one of the key highlights of the iPhone 15 Pro series.

Best Prime Big Deal Days sales on Apple gear and accessories [Updated]

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Best deal on Apple gear and accessories for Amazon Prime Big Deal Days.
These are the Prime Big Deal Days you don't want to miss.
Image: Rajesh Pandey/Cult of Mac

Did you miss buying your favorite Apple gear or accessory during Prime Day earlier in the year? Worry not, as Amazon is back with its Prime Big Deal Days, offering hefty discounts on a hoard of Apple products and accessories.

There are great deals on MacBooks, AirPods, Apple Watches, iPads and other Apple accessories that make your favorite products much more affordable.

Samsung ad urges Apple to end blue and green bubbles in iMessage

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Samsung ad urges Apple to end blue and green bubbles in iMessage
The real message: Samsung wants more iPhone users to switch to Android.
Screenshot: Samsung

Samsung used a short video to join Google in urging Apple to add support for Rich Communication Services to iMessage, which would end the blue bubble vs. green bubble divide.

The reason for their campaign is obvious: if Apple made the change, people would be more likely to switch from iPhone to Samsung’s Androids.

Cutting-edge Espresso 4K touchscreen expands to 17 inches

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espresso 17 Pro external touchscreen for Mac or Windows
This 17.6-inch touchscreen and stand are ready to travel with your MacBook.
Photo: espresso Displays

The Espresso 17 Pro answers the demand for a high-end portable monitor for MacBooks. It sports a 17.3-inch display at a 4K resolution, but it comes in a sleek package ready for on-the-go use. (Update: For a detailed Espresso 17 Pro review, check out our in-depth analysis of its features and performance.)

Beyond increasing the user’s workspace, the display includes a touchscreen for digital artists looking to add this capability to their Mac.

Mac sales decline year-over-year for an odd reason

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iMac Pro and Mac mini
Macs shipments haven't dropped, despite the end of the pandemic.
Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac

Apple shipped 7.2 million Macs in the third quarter of 2023, according to a market analysis firm. That’s a whopping 23% decrease from the previous year, but Q3 2022 was one of the best quarters Apple has ever had for a bad reason.

Ignoring last year’s unusual quarter, Mac shipments are holding steady despite the end of the pandemic. Windows PC makers certainly can’t say that.

15-inch MacBook Air drops to its lowest price after big $250 discount

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15-inch MacBook Air
This 15-inch MacBook Air deal is the one you should not miss.
Photo: Apple

Amazon is starting its Prime Big Deal Days early by discounting the 15-inch MacBook Air to its lowest price. Apple wants $1,299 for the entry-level 15-inch Air, but Amazon currently drops the price to just $1,049.

That’s a whopping $250 off the machine’s MSRP, making the world’s slimmest 15-inch laptop an even better offering.

Dual flying MacBooks flank external display and iPad [Setups]

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The user can't decide whether to leave the MacBooks like they are, or close them in clamshell mode.
The user can't decide whether to leave the MacBooks like they are, or close them in clamshell mode.
Photo: [email protected]

Today’s MacBook Pro setup presents a strange picture not just because of the image repeated on the four screens. It’s just weird seeing dual “flying” MacBooks and an iPad as part of a quad-display setup.

After writing about hundreds of computer setups spotted in the wild, we can’t remember one that featured a pair of MacBooks open on stands like that. And the user questions the choice, too, seeking to possibly save a ton of desk space.

Nab bargain-basement prices on MacBook Pro and Air while you can

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A variety of MacBook Pro and Air models from previous years is on sale now.
A variety of MacBook Pro and Air models from previous years is on sale now.
Photo: Apple

Amazon bargain site Woot! offers great deals in its MacBooks sale on both new and refurbished MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models.

As usual, Woot! has a little fun in the description at the top: “Somewhere there’s still an Apple IIe running ‘Leisure Suit Larry,'” it wrote.

The sale ends October 15 at 10 p.m. PT.

Choose from long and super-long cuts of Ridley Scott’s Napoleon

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The long version tells more of Josephine's story.
The long version tells more of Josephine's story.
Photo: Apple TV+

Ridley Scott’s epic film Napoleon may come in a shorter theatrical release at 2 hours and 38 minutes as well as a director’s cut of 4 hours and 10 minutes (as of its last editing), the legendary director said. He suggested the long one will air on Apple TV+ after the short one’s theatrical release.