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News - page 143

Zagg’s colorful new stylus works with both iPhone and iPad

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Zagg Pro Stylus 2
The Zagg Pro Stylus 2 does most of what Apple Pencil does, but costs less.
Photo: Zagg

There are plenty of iPad styli, and also lots of iPhone ones. The just-launched Zagg Pro Stylus 2 is both. The colorful accessory also stands out from the crowd (and the original version) with wireless charging.

It works with a wide variety of iPad models, and launched Tuesday at a price well below Apple Pencil.

Apple hasn’t given up on Face ID for MacBooks

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No Face ID in MacBook Pro is a missed opportunity
There’d be far fewer complaints about the MacBook Pro notch if it included Face ID.
Graphic: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple just received a patent that covers building Face ID into a MacBook. The facial-recognition system is not a feature of any Mac … yet. But the new patent serves as evidence that Apple is still at least considering the idea of replacing Touch ID with Face ID in its notebook line.

This mechanical keyboard comes with a personalized display

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You can personalize the LCD screen just below the large multi-use control knob.
You can personalize the LCD screen just below the large multi-use control knob.
Photo: Epomaker

The new Epomaker TH80-X compact keyboard comes with a large, multi-use control knob and a built-in LCD screen for customization.

Available today, the latest member of Epomaker’s TH80 family of mechanical keyboards features a space-efficient 75% layout rather than a full-size one.

Apple should soon begin making iPhone ‘Batterygate’ payments to customers

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iphone battery
Batterygate is long over, but Apple is still dealing with the repercussions of a severe lapse in judgement.
Photo: iFixit

Apple is expected to soon begin making payments to iPhone users who were affected by 2017’s “Batterygate.” The iPhone-maker settled a class-action lawsuit in 2020, and the money is finally going out.

Those who owned an iPhone back then, and who filed a claim several years ago, should receive about $65.

Netflix games on TVs will use iPhones as controllers

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Netflix games on TVs will use iPhones as controllers
A just-announced Netflix cloud gaming service will bring games to TVs, as well as Mac and Windows.
Graphic: Netflix

Netflix games (remember Netflix games?) are finally expanding beyond iPhone and Android. The streaming service has begun testing its games on TVs and computers, too, via a cloud-gaming service.

A unique aspect of the upcoming service is that gamers playing on a TV will be able to use their iPhone or other handset as a controller.

Slender new Spigen hubs greatly expand MacBook connectivity

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Spigen's new 6-in-1 hub opens up the connectivity options for MacBook.
Spigen's new 6-in-1 hub opens up the connectivity options for MacBook.
Photo: Spigen

Mobile accessories-maker Spigen rolled out two new USB hubs for MacBooks and other laptops Monday: Spigen ArcDock Pro Multi Hub 6-in-1 and ArcDock Multi Hub 8-in-1.

In each case, a plethora of ports give you plenty of options for connecting your MacBook Air or MacBook Pro to loads of peripherals, including a high-definition external display.

Apple TV+ doubles down on soccer superstar Lionel Messi

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The second of the two documentary series covers Messi's big move to MLS' Inter Miami CF.
The second of the two documentary series covers Messi's big move to MLS' Inter Miami CF.
Photo: Apple

Apple TV+ said Monday it landed the “first and only behind-the-scenes account of soccer superstar Lionel Messi’s new chapter” with Major League Soccer team Inter Miami CF.

The as-of-yet untitled documentary series comes in addition to the other Messi documentary series coming to Apple TV+. That one covers the legend’s longstanding work with Argentina’s national team and his many FIFA World Cup appearances.

Try this cool way to mount iPad for use with Sidecar [Setups]

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The little iPad holder makes using Sidecar or Universal Control a cinch.
The little iPad holder makes using Sidecar or Universal Control a cinch.
Photo: [email protected]

While many folks like to have miles of screen real estate with multiple external monitors, some enjoy simply having their iPad’s screen in tandem with their main screen, especially for use with Sidecar or Universal Control.

Today’s clean and well-lighted MacBook Pro setup mounts an iPad with the main monitor in a neat way while hiding away the laptop. 

New images reveal components of iPhone 15 USB-C port

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Mockup of iPhone 15
A USB-C port will be one of the more important changes in the upcoming iPhone 15 series.
Photo: Mockup Cloud

If anyone still has lingering doubts that the iPhone 15 series will have a USB-C port, images showing the internal hardware for the port have leaked out.

The end of the Lightning port is expected to be one of the major changes of the iPhone 15 series when it debuts next month.

iPad is a bright spot in weak post-pandemic tablet market

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iPad Air 5
iPad Air 5 brought a big surge of sale in Q2 2022, which made Q2 2023 look weak.
Photo: Apple

Although people are still buying millions of iPads, the numbers are down compared to where they were during the pandemic.

Still, Apple is doing a much better job of selling tablets than any of its rivals. During the second quarter of this year, it shipped about twice as many as any other company, according to a pair of market research firms.

Apple ‘Watch X’ with new design might arrive in 2024

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Apple Watch Series 7 with Speidel Twist-O-Flex watch band
The Apple Watch's 10th anniversary upgrade could be a special one.
Photo: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

Apple is planning some big upgrades for the 2024 Apple Watch. Reportedly called the “Watch X,” it could debut with a slimmer chassis, a new watch band mechanism and other major changes.

With the Watch X launch, Apple plans to celebrate the Apple Watch’s 10th anniversary.

Hijack finale brings huge surge of viewers

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Idris Elba in
So many people tuned in to see the conclusion of "Hijack" starring Idris Elba that it's the most watched show on streaming.
Photo: Apple TV+

Hijack, the Apple TV+ thriller starring Idris Elba, wrapped up last week, and the finale pushed the series to the very top of the charts. It became the most popular show on any streaming service, according to a market analysis.

With the entire season of Hijack available, now is the time to binge-watch it.

Mark your calendars for iPhone 15 launch [The CultCast]

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iPhone 15: Coming soon! The CultCast logo, episode 607.
What will iPhone 15 look like? We're about to find out.
Image: Cult of Mac

This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: Looks like we have an iPhone 15 launch date. An early hint pinpointed September 13, but now it looks like the big reveal might come a day earlier. Mark your calendars (but maybe use a pencil rather than a Sharpie).

Also on The CultCast:

  • We take a closer look at what the iPhone 15 Pro’s A17 Bionic chip can do.
  • Apple’s working on a wide array of M3 Macs — here’s a rundown. Plus, the M3 Max chip sounds particularly beastly.
  • Total Mac aficionado Griffin explains why an iPad makes a better choice than a MacBook Air for college students.
  • Apple TV 4K is about to get a sweet upgrade just for AirPods fans.

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.

Learn to tame cable clutter with Basic Apple Guy [Setups]

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See any cables here? We didn't think so.
See any cables here? We didn't think so.
Photo: Basic Apple Guy

Today’s featured computer setup comes from Mac maven and designer Basic Apple Guy. We know him from the free wallpapers he offers for download. Who knew he was such a cable-management Jedi?

We came across his powerful setup with nary an unsightly cable while writing about his new “Flow” wallpaper — which was actually inspired by his fight with cable clutter.

‘Messi effect’ doubles MLS Season Pass subscriptions

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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

Jorge Mas, the managing owner of Inter Miami CF, says that the addition of Lionel Messi to his soccer team has “more than doubled” subscriptions to Apple’s MLS Season Pass, which allows viewers to watch Major League Soccer games.

Messi joined the Florida team in July. The huge boost in paid viewership is quick work, even for the man who’s been called the greatest soccer player ever.

No, the low price of this high-resolution dock is not a typo

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A seven-port dock with 4K resolution output isn't easy to find for $20.
A seven-port dock with 4K resolution output isn't easy to find for $20.
Photo: Baseus

Baseus Technology unveiled its Red Dot Design-awarded Baseus Metal Gleam 7-in-1 Docking Station Thursday. It supports ultra-high-def 4K@60Hz resolution for content output.

The company touted an absurdly low-sounding price of $19.99. “It has no match in its tier with a competitive price of $19.99 since the passkey to access such a high-resolution hub is way higher,” the company said.

Emergency SOS via Satellite saves family from Maui wildfires

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iPhone 14's Emergency SOS via Satellite comes to the rescue again.
iPhone 14's Emergency SOS via Satellite comes to the rescue again.
Photo: Apple

iPhone’s Emergency SOS via Satellite got credit for saving lives Wednesday when it was the only way a family trapped in a van amid raging wildfires on the island of Maui, Hawaii, could call for help.

The service has brought aid to plenty of people in need so far in its short life, since launch in 2022. This emergency seemed even more fraught than many, as you can see from the frantic texts shown in a post on X below.

Download pretty wallpaper inspired by … cable management?!?

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The new
The new "Flow" got inspiration from cable management, of all places.
Photo: Basic Apple Guy

Mac maven and designer Basic Apple Guy pumps out intriguing desktop wallpaper you can put on your Apple devices like Mac, iPad and iPhone.

But the latest one, “Flow,” which he put out Wednesday, came from a truly surprising place — his obsession with cable management in his home office and computer setup.

Disney+ joins Netflix in cracking down on password sharing

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Disney+
Disney is taking multiple steps in hopes of making its streaming service profitable, including trying to end password sharing.
Photo: Disney

Disney CEO Bob Iger said Wednesday that the entertainment behemoth is exploring ways to prevent subscribers of its video streaming service from sharing passwords. Rival Netflix saw a surge in subscribers after it did its own crackdown.

The ad-free versions of Disney+ and Hulu are also getting a price increase this autumn.

New Miops Spark turns iPhone into DSLR camera

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Miops Spark is a handheld device that gives your iPhone DSLR-like controls.
Miops Spark is a handheld device that gives your iPhone DSLR-like controls.
Photo: Miops

Camera products maker Miops unveiled a Kickstarter campaign Tuesday for Spark, a new camera companion designed to help iPhone users capture photos and video like professionals.

The handheld attachment provides DSLR-camera-like buttons that help you control your iPhone’s cameras.

iPhone 15 Pro’s A17 Bionic chip might sport 6-core GPU, 6GB RAM

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iPhone 15 Concept
iPhone 15 Pro's A17 Bionic chip could sport an extra GPU core.
Photo: Cult of Mac

Apple’s upcoming A17 Bionic, the 3nm chip that reportedly will power iPhone 15 Pro, could feature a six-core CPU and six GPU cores. For comparison, the iPhone 15 Pro’s A16 Bionic uses a five-core GPU.

Based on TSMC’s advanced 3nm node, which increases transistor density to boost processing power while simultaneously reducing power consumption, the A17 Bionic reportedly will ship with 6GB LPDDR5 RAM. (That’s the same as the iPhone 14 Pro series.)