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News - page 172

Apple TV+ kicks off MLS Season Pass for soccer fans in 100 countries

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With MLS Season Pass, soccer fans can watch every MLS match via the Apple TV app from February 25 through the league championship.
With MLS Season Pass, soccer fans can watch every MLS match via the Apple TV app from February 25 through the league championship.
Photo: Apple

Major League Soccer fans in more than 100 countries can now sign up for the MLS Season Pass subscription service via the Apple TV app and Apple TV+, Cupertino said Wednesday.

This comes ahead of the 2023 season’s launch on February 25. The new service will air all MLS and Leagues Cup matches, plus hundreds of MLS NEXT Pro and MLS NEXT games, Apple said.

Rugged Samsung SSD expands to 4TB of storage

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Rugged Samsung SSD expands to 4TB of storage
Take 4TB of additional storage wherever you go with this tough SSD.
Photo: Samsung/Cult of Mac

The Samsung T7 Shield rugged SSD launched in 2022 with a maximum of 2TB of capacity and is now available with twice that.

T7 Shield is a a credit-card size external SSD intended for outdoor content creators or travelers. It works with Mac and iPad plus a wide variety of devices.

Pump up Mac audio quality with new Sound Blaster X5

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In addition to jacking up speaker sound, the X5 should make most headphones sound better.
In addition to jacking up speaker sound, the X5 should make most headphones sound better.
Photo: Creative

Creative’s new Sound Blaster X5, a USB sound card, digital-to-analog converter (DAC) and headphone amplifier, promises to jack up your Mac’s audio quality.

It’s not cheap at $280. But the device launched Tuesday might make big difference in the sound flowing from speakers and headphones alike.

‘Periscope’ camera might remain iPhone 16 Pro Max exclusive

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Not this type of periscope.
Not this type of periscope.
Photo: US Navy

iPhone 16 Pro buyers reportedly won’t get the “periscope” camera previous rumors suggested. A camera with the new type of high-end lens will be restricted to only the iPhone 16 Pro Max, according to a reliable source of Apple info.

The new hardware actually will arrive with the iPhone 15 Pro Max in 2023. But it supposedly won’t come to the regular-size iPhone Pro in 2024, despite what earlier reports indicated.

The pop-up lens should bring a noticeable jump in image quality while also shrinking the thickness of the iPhone’s notoriously large camera hump.

Apple’s super-expensive Pro Display XDR gets a $300 discount

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Pro Display
Apple's Pro Display XDR is impressive but very, very expensive.
Photo: Apple

Looking to buy Apple’s 32-inch Pro Display XDR? Amazon is taking a whopping $300 off the stunning display, reducing the hole the purchase would otherwise make in your wallet.

With an MRP of $4,999, the Pro Display XDR is an expensive piece of tech. But you can take advantage of the deal on Amazon to get the display for $4,699.99.

HomePod 2 review roundup: Great sound but no giant leap forward

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A second-generation HomePod and a hand holding an iPhone.
The new HomePod looks almost exactly like the original, but it packs definite improvements.
Photo: Apple

The first reviews of the updated HomePod say the new smart speaker sounds excellent but doesn’t break much new ground.

Compared to Apple’s original smart speaker, the second-generation HomePod is more of an asset in a smart home than before. However, the device’s limitations on playing music from third-party sources mean that the home in question better be an Apple household.

Dual-purpose new iPad stand is also a USB-C hub

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Dual-purpose new iPad stand is also a USB-C hub
There's no need for a separate iPad stand and USB-C hub. Plugable just launched a combination device.
Photo: Plugable

The Plugable USB-C Stand Dock goes beyond just holding up an iPad so the display can be seen — it’s also an 8-port hub with HDMI, two USB-A ports and many more.

The design reduces clutter on the user’s desk. And the stand/hub is also portable.

1Password 8 for iOS is about to get much better

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1Password app sign in with FaceID
Universal search will soon make a comeback in 1Password 8.
Photo: 1Password

1Password is among the best password managers for iOS, and it is about to get even better. Putting a pause on adding new features, 1Password developers have announced several improvements to the app’s fundamentals.

Last year, AgibleBits released 1Password 8 with a new home screen and additional customization options. Based on user feedback, the company is further improving some of these features.

You can already listen to your Apple Music Replay 2023 playlist

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Recapping your top tunes for 2023 is possible if you've streamed enough music.
Recapping your top tunes for 2023 is possible if you've streamed enough music.
Photo: Apple Music

It’s that time of year again. Apple Music made Replay 2023 most-streamed playlists available Monday to anyone who’s listened to enough music in January to have one.

It may be something you associate with the end of a year — Spotify Wrapped comes out only in December, for example. But Apple Music opens up access early with updates on Sundays so you can track your hit list and more continuously, plus a year-end recap.

HomePod 2 wait times stretch out until March

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Apple HomePod 2 in white and midnight
Demand for HomePod 2 has outstripped supply.
Photo: Apple

Order the recently unveiled HomePod 2 from the online Apple store today and it might not arrive until March. Preorders for the revived version of Apple’s full-size smart speaker have surpassed the launch-day supply.
There seems to be some pent up demand for the product.

Apple Music goes big on Rihanna ahead of Super Bowl performance

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Rihanna performs at the Apple Music Super Bowl LVII Halftime Show on Sunday, February 12, 2023.
Rihanna performs at the Apple Music Super Bowl LVII Halftime Show on Sunday, February 12, 2023.
Photo: Apple Music

Apple Music trotted out various ways Monday for fans to get into Rihanna ahead of her Super Bowl LVII Halftime Show in Glendale, Arizona, February 12.

These include a halftime-show press conference on February 9, her catalog in Spatial Audio on Apple Music, Apple Music Sing karaoke and Apple Music Radio commentary, the service said.

Man shed MacBook Pro rig craves Studio Display [Setups]

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Maxed-out M1 Max MacBook Pro, curved 4K display, solid audio ... but a setup is never really done, is it?
Maxed-out M1 Max MacBook Pro, curved 4K display, solid audio ... but a computer setup is never really done, is it?
Photo: [email protected]

To the age-old question “Is a computer setup ever really done?” the answer is obviously “no.” There’s always something to add or something to fix, and once you do that it’s time to update something else (even if you don’t technically “need” the latest thing).

Today’s well-laid MacBook Pro setup has a nice curved monitor, but its user “craves” a Studio Display like he sees in other setups. And for that matter, how about a quieter mechanical keyboard and some plants that won’t die immediately, too.

Emergency SOS saves two women stranded in Canadian wilderness

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No search was needed in this rescue, never mind helicopters.
No search was needed in this rescue, never mind helicopters.
Photo: Robson Valley Search and Rescue

Emergency SOS via satellite on an iPhone 14 took the “search” out of “search and rescue” for two fortunate Canadian women. They got stuck in snow on a logging road in British Columbia, Canada.

Rescuers said they thought it was the feature’s first use in BC. And the way it pinpointed the women’s location may have saved the women’s lives without the need for a time-consuming search.

Foldable iPad with carbon-fiber kickstand could launch in 2024

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AI rendering of a folding iPad.
Are you ready for a foldable iPad?
Render: Midjourney/Lewis Wallace

Apple’s rumored foldable iPad could feature a carbon-fiber kickstand. While expensive, carbon fiber is durable and would help keep the device’s weight in check.

TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo thinks the foldable iPad might launch in 2024 with an all-new design.

The specs check out on new MacBook Pro and Mac mini [The CultCast]

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We're talking the many pros and a couple of cons about the brand-new MacBook Pro Mac mini and HomePod models Apple just released.
We're talking the many pros and a couple of cons about the brand-new MacBook Pro Mac mini and HomePod models Apple just released.
Image: Cult of Mac

This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: The first reviews and early benchmarks reveal impressive performance boosts from the new MacBook Pro and Mac mini. We’re talking the pros and cons of upgrading — including one very important “buyer beware” scenario.

Also on The CultCast:

  • What’s new in iOS 16.3, iPadOS 16.3 and macOS Ventura 13.2? We walk through the updates.
  • A great giveaway from Goldenerre, maker of fine Apple Watch bands.
  • Our beloved old-school HomePods just got some upgrades — including one Erfon’s been dreaming of for years.

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.

App Store prices going up in the UK and other countries in February 2023

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App Store
Apple motion for a delay has been denied.
Image: Apple/Cult of Mac

App Store prices will soon go up in the United Kingdom, South Africa, Colombia, Egypt, and a few other countries. The hike will come into effect starting February 13, 2023.

The changes will apply to both prices of apps and in-app purchases (IAP). Recurring subscriptions are not affected, though.

Leaked Apple documents confirm iPhone 15 Pro to feature Wi-Fi 6E and A17 Bionic

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iPhone 15 already in trial production
The differences between the regular and Pro iPhones will only increase with iPhone 15.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac/Pixabay/Pexels

A leaked internal Apple document confirms the company will adopt Wi-Fi 6E on this year’s iPhones. However, only the iPhone 15 Pro lineup will support the faster Wi-Fi standard.

The internal document shows the antenna architecture of devices codenamed “D8x” (the iPhone 15 Pro) and “D8y” (the regular iPhone 15).

Friday only: $300 off 14-inch 2021 MacBook Pro with 32GB RAM

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The 2021 M1 Pro MacBook Pro will last you even longer with 32GB of RAM.
The 2021 M1 Pro MacBook Pro will last you even longer with 32GB of RAM.
Photo: Apple

The 2021 14-inch M1 Pro MacBook Pro with added memory is a popular choice, and Friday you can get a configuration with 32GB of RAM for about $300 less than usual prices at Woot!, owned by Amazon.

The configuration is a winner because folks know you can’t easily add integrated memory later to most Macs, so why settle for the base 16GB for that model?

Beware, though, the sale ends just after midnight in Saturday’s wee hours.

World Surf League names Apple Watch ‘official wearable’

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Pro surfers won't have to strain to see and hear on-shore announcements.
Pro surfers won't have to strain to see and hear on-shore announcements.
Photo: Brent Bielmann, WSL

The World Surf League adopted Apple Watch as its official wearable Friday. The move enables pro surfers to use the water-resistant smartwatch with a certain app to track crucial metrics during competitions.

This marks the first time Apple Watch has become official equipment for a pro sport.

IT engineer’s MacBook Pro and Studio Display quietly get the job done [Setups]

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One in landscape, one in portrait. It's what the cool kids do with displays.
One in landscape, one in portrait. It's what the cool kids do with displays.
Photo: [email protected]

Aspects of Apple silicon chips replacing Intel processors in Macs that you don’t always hear about are how quiet and cool the M1 and M2 machines are by comparison. In today’s featured computer setup, an IT engineer sings his M1 Pro MacBook Pro’s praises in that regard, not to mention its habit of sipping battery power rather than gulping it.

And he’s also got a popular dual-display configuration going. In this case it’s a Studio Display in landscape mode and a Dell 4K display in portrait mode.

Slim new hub adds the ports a MacBook needs

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Slim new hub adds the ports a MacBook needs
Make your MacBook more useful, not bulky.
Photo: Satechi

The Satechi Pro Hub Slim connects plugs directly into the side of a MacBook to greatly expand the range of ports available to the user while adding minimal bulk. It’s slim enough for Apple’s latest notebooks.

There’s nevertheless room for HDMI, two full-size USB-A ports, memory card readers and more.

Apple gives up on in-house Wi-Fi chips

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home Wi-Fi
Apple will have to keep outsourcing Wi-Fi chips.
Photo: Alan Levine/Flickr

Apple’s drive to make all its own processors hit a bump in the road. It’s reportedly stopped development on chips to add Wi-Fi to its devices, and will instead keep outsourcing these.

The reason is simple: Apple doesn’t have enough talented engineers to design all the chips it wants. It’s putting most of its available resources into Mac and iPhone processors.