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News - page 175

Tetris trailer portrays Cold War-era struggle to bring classic game to the world

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In Tetris, Nikita Efremov (left) plays the long, straight block while Taron Egerton stars as the square block. (Kidding!)
Photo: Apple TV+

The Tetris movie isn’t about falling blocks. Instead, the Apple TV+ film is a thriller about how the hugely popular game was brought out of the Soviet Union during the Cold War.

The trailer clearly shows the struggle an entrepreneur goes through to convince a deeply suspicious communist regime to allow Tetris out of the country.

Apple keeps plugging away on a folding iPhone

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Apple is still plugging away on a folding iPhone
This patent filing is irrefutable proof that Apple is still exploring a folding iPhone.
Image: Apple/Cult of Mac

We can be sure Apple isn’t ignoring the folding phone market, even though the company is showing no direct signs of making an iPhone Fold. There’s plenty of indirect evidence, including patent filings that show handsets with foldable screens.

Apple received a new patent approval that shows it’s still thinking about a folding iPhone.

Apple VR/AR headset likely will launch at WWDC23

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Apple VR/AR headset concept by Adriano Orbarissa
In a few months, we might finally know what Apple AR/VR headset actually looks like.
Concept: Adriano Orbarissa/Freelancer.com

Earlier reports that Apple’s VR/AR headset will launch this spring were apparently overly optimistic — the latest leak points to a debut at the company’s annual developers conference in June.

If so, it’s likely to overshadow the new iOS and macOS versions also coming at WWDC23. But that probably would have happened even if the device had been unveiled months earlier, as it’ll include a new operating system for third-party developers to write applications for.

Apple’s chipmaker pours $3.5 billion into Arizona plant

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TSMC chip wafer
TSMC is investing heavily in an Arizona plant that will make chips for Apple and other companies.
Photo: TSMC

TSMC is going large with its Arizona plant. The Taiwanese company that makes processors for almost every type of Apple device committed itself to putting $3.5 billion into its U.S. subsidiary. And that’s only part of the eventual cost.

Apple has already promised to use chips made at the plant.

Don’t forget to update the software on your MagSafe cable

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Official product photo of the renowned USB-C to MagSafe 3 Cable (2 m)
Official product photo of the renowned USB-C to MagSafe 3 Cable (2 m)
Photo: Apple

Apple issued an important software update recently — and we’re not talking for iPhone, Mac, iPad or Apple Watch. It’s 2023, so it’s for something way more esoteric: a power cable.

Yes, the USB-C to MagSafe 3 Cable comes with a tiny computer inside of it that needs software updates, for some inscrutable reason.

iPhone modem-maker gets ready for faster 5G Advanced in 2024

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

Qualcomm, the chipmaker that supplies the 5G modems in all iPhones, on Wednesday unveiled the X75, its next-generation modem that will be the first to support 5G Advanced. This emerging cellular-wireless standard will give a speed boost to cellular-wireless networks and make mobile VR/AR more practical.

The X75 probably will be used in the iPhone 16 when it launches in 2024.

New iOS gaming controller sports Lightning and USB-C connectors

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With a USB-C connector in addition to a Lightning connector, the controller easily works with both iPads and iPhones.
With a USB-C connector in addition to a Lightning connector, the controller easily works with both iPads and iPhones.
Photo: RiotPwr

Saying Wednesday that it created a “future-proof cloud gaming controller,” RiotPwr released a new iOS gaming controller with both Lightning and USB-C connectors.

“The RiotPWR RP1950 controller [is] the solution for the USB-C cloud gaming crisis for iOS users,” the company added.

3 Macs and KVM switch keep remote worker out of trouble [Setups]

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Three Macs and a KVM switch with a big external monitor can be the perfect solution.
Three Macs and a KVM switch with a big external monitor can be the perfect solution.
Photo: [email protected]

Today’s featured computer setup employs three separate Macs — MacBook Pro, M1 MacBook Air and M1 Mac mini — connecting two of them to a big external monitor using a KVM docking station.

KVM switches are handy when you don’t want to switch cables from different computers using the same monitor and input devices. But there’s another reason the user, Greg Coit, chose the method.

Test indoor air quality with new Ikea monitor

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The monitor's launch comes in April and its HomeKit and Matter compatibility are expected via a pending Dirigera hub update.
The monitor's launch comes in April and its HomeKit and Matter compatibility are expected via a pending Dirigera hub update.
Photo: Ikea

Ikea unveiled its new indoor air-quality monitor Tuesday. With a name that sounds like a Swedish jet fighter — Vindstryka — it’s designed to help you combat pollutants in your home or office. And it will be HomeKit- and Matter-compatible through the Ikea Dirigera hub after the company updates it.

The Swedish home furnishings giant set an April launch date for the monitor but hasn’t added a price tag yet.

Extrapolations trailer looks ahead to a grim future

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'Extrapolations' trailer looks ahead to a grim future
Extrapolations will put a human face on climate change.
Photo: Apple TV+

Apple TV+’s star-studded limited series Extrapolations is set in a near future where the chaotic effects of climate change have become embedded into everyone’s everyday lives.

The trailer for the series gives a dark look at what the end of the century could look like.

Only loyal Apple customers can use Apple Pay Later

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iPhone using Apple Pay Later
Apple Pay Later: For the rest rich of us.
Image: Apple

In order to be approved for Apple Pay Later, the company’s own buy now, pay later service, individuals will need to be loyal Apple customers. The service has strict hoops you need to jump through: Apple will check your spending at Apple Stores, purchases and subscriptions on the App Store, Apple Cash payments, Apple Pay history and more.

Even if you work for Apple, you may only be approved for a $1,000 loan. The feature continues to undergo internal testing after being delayed since September, according to Bloomberg.

Rumored 15-inch MacBook Air could use M2 chip

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2022 MacBook Air with M2 processor
Apple's M2 chip might make its way into the 15.5-inch Air.
Photo: Apple

Apple’s rumored 15.5-inch MacBook Air could use the 5nm M2 chip. The same SoC powers the 2022 MacBook Air and the new Mac mini.

The Cupertino company has never released a MacBook Air with a display size larger than 13.6 inches.

Ends tonight: Score 20% off Apple Watch bands, iPhone cases, organizers and more

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The Function 101 BentoStack organizer is a bento box for your Apple accessories.
The Function 101 BentoStack organizer is a bento box for your Apple accessories.
Photo: Function 101

“Love planted a rose, and the world turned sweet,” goes an old Valentine’s Day saying. And what’s sweeter than saving a few bucks? (Not that your sweetheart has to know about that part when you give them a gift).

The Cult of Mac Store’s Valentine’s Day Sweet Savings sale goes through 11:59 p.m. PST on February 14. You can get 20% off an array of Apple accessories, including organizers, cable blocks and more from Function 101 and stylish stretch-link stainless steel Apple Watch bands and stacking bracelets from Rilee & Lo.

And you can score even bigger savings on iPhone cases and more from other brands.

New Geekbench 6 tests devices’ performance at cutting-edge tasks

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Primate Labs Geekbench 6
One of the best benchmarking applications has been updated for AR and AI tasks.
Photo: Primate Labs/Cult of Mac

Primate Labs introduced Geekbench 6 on Tuesday, the first significant update in years to a premier cross-platform benchmarking application.

The new version adds tests to check the performance of Macs, iPhones, iPads, Androids and PCs as they carry out new, cutting-edge tasks.

Snatch up these bargains on iMacs, MacBooks and iPads while they last

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You can get various versions of the 24-inch iMac, among other gear.
You can get various versions of the 24-inch iMac, among other gear.
Photo: Apple

Amazon-owned discount site Woot! is offering a slew of deals on iMacs, MacBooks and iPads through Thursday.

Some M1 laptops are already sold out, but a lot of gear remains, so jump on this if you’re in the market for Apple hardware. It’s the sort of sale that may make people wish they’d waited to buy instead of going all-in at launch.

Grab the Apple Watch Ultra at its lowest price ever

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If you have a tough timepiece like Apple Watch Ultra, you need a rugged band to go with it.
Save big on your Apple Watch Ultra purchase with this deal.
Photo: Apple

You can grab the Apple Watch Ultra with the Green Alpine Loop for a new low price of $729.99 from Amazon, saving $69.01 on your purchase.

A $50 discount will appear on the listing page, with the additional $19.01 off applied at checkout. Other variants of the watch are available with a more modest $50 discount.

iOS 16.3.1 breaks Google Photos for iPhone but a fix is out [Updated]

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iOS 16.3.1 update on iPhone with Google Photos logo on top
Google Photos app is crashing in iOS 16.3.1.
Photo: Ed Hardy and Rajesh Pandey/Cult of Mac

Apple’s recently released iOS 16.3.1 and iPadOS 16.3.1 update broke Google Photos. Users complain about being unable to open the app after updating their device to the latest software build.

Update: A new Google Photos update rolling out through the App Store fixes the crashing issue on iOS 16.3.1. If you have already updated your iPhone to the latest iOS release, grab the Google Photos update from the App Store to resolve the issue.

Apple goes on a bug hunt with iOS 16.3.1, macOS 13.2.1 and more updates

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Apple goes on a bug hunt with iOS 16.3.1, macOS 13.2.1 and more updates
iOS 16.3.1 is joined by macOS Ventura 13.2.1, iPadOS 16.3.1, watchOS 9.3.1 and tvOS 16.3.2.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

There are bug fix updates for every type of Apple device out Monday, including Mac and iPhone. Safe to say, if it has an Apple operating system, there’s an update. Don’t go looking for new features though. These are bug fix updates, including tweaks to iCloud, Siri and Crash Detection.

Nevertheless, the new versions are recommended for all users.

What if your iPhone had Lightning and USB-C ports?

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Are two ports better than one?
Are two ports better than one?
Photo: @Hyphaistos3672

Cult of Mac has reported on how Apple will replace iPhone’s Lightning connector with USB-C soon enough — but what if Cupertino decided to go with both ports on future iPhones, like the 15 series?

One engineer appeared to explore the option, modding an iPhone 12 mini by adding a fully functional USB-C port next to the existing Lightning port.

15.5-inch MacBook Air could arrive in April

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2022 MacBook Air with M2 processor
The 2022 MacBook Air with M2 processor could soon be joined by a bigger brother.
Photo: Apple

A super-size MacBook Air is supposedly right around the corner. An analyst who’s built a solid reputation for accurately predicting Apple products says the next macOS notebook will be out in six weeks or so.

This will be the first time the thin and light line of notebooks has expanded past the current 13.6-inch screen.

iMac with Apple M2 upgrade looks unlikely

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24-inch iMac 2021 with Apple M1 processor. In blue and pink
The M1 iMac could stay in Apple's product lineup for three years.
Photo: Apple

There reportedly haven’t been any signs that a 24-inch iMac with an Apple M2 processor is on the way. And that means the next iMac upgrade might be as much as a year away.

That would leave users of the all-in-one Mac desktop waiting for a total of three years for a faster version.