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News - page 184

This new robot vacuum really gets you

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It vacuums, mops, avoids objects and, apparently, understands your commands.
It vacuums, mops, avoids objects and, apparently, understands your commands.
Photo: Ecovacs

Ecovacs Robotics’ newest robot vacuum, the Deebot T10 Omni, includes its own artificially intelligent voice assistant named Yiko, which features natural language processing. Sorry, Siri.

The premium vacuuming-and-mopping bot joins the new Deebot N10+ and T9+ vacuums in the lineup. And it comes at a deep launch discount through March 30.

Stylish magnetic hoop stand holds iPhone or iPad securely

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SwitchEasy's MagEasy Flipmount is a sturdy stand for iPads, iPhones and other devices.
SwitchEasy's MagEasy Flipmount is a sturdy stand for iPads, iPhones and other devices.
Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac

It’s almost magical how an MagSafe iPhone sticks so firmly and easily on magnetic stands and chargers. But your devices don’t actually need to be MagSafe-enabled to enjoy that kind of mount — not if you have the MagEasy FlipMount Magnetic Hoop Stand. It’s MagSafe-compatible, sure, but it also takes older, unmagnetized iPhones, iPads and practically anything else.

That’s because the handy, flexible stand comes with adhesive magnetic hoops — also sold separately — that can make almost any device MagSafe-compatible. Both the stand and hoops are available now in the Cult of Mac Store.

Apple Pay Later gives you 6 weeks to pay off interest-free loans

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Apple Pay Later lets shoppers buy now then pay in installments
Apple launched a new way to pay off expensive items on Tuesday.
Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac

A new Apple Pay Later service allows consumers to pay off purchases of under $1,000 in installments. No interest or fees are charged. And it’s not only for Apple products — the service can be used for any expensive item.

It begins rolling out on Tuesday with broad availability “in the coming months,” according to Apple.

Apple Music Classical app steps onto the conductor’s podium

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Apple Music Classical
You can start listening to the Apple Music Classical app today.
Photo: Apple/Samuel Sianipar/Unsplash/Cult of Mac

The long-awaited Apple Music Classical application is now live in the App Store. It gives subscribers access to the world’s largest classical music catalog, and is designed to help users find specific recordings of great works almost instantly.

Apple Music Classical is a dedicated app that is great for classical experts as well as anyone who is new to classical, with the largest classical music selection in the world, the very best search and browse capabilities, the most premium sound experience with Spatial Audio, and thousands of exclusive recordings,” said Oliver Schusser, Apple VP of Apple Music and Beats. “We believe this is the very best classical music streaming experience available anywhere, and for us, this is just the beginning.” If you’re looking for classical music songs, you can explore them through Apple Music Classical listening guides.

iOS 15 and iPadOS 15 updates fix serious security problems in older handsets and tablets

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Updates is here for your iPhone bugs
iOS 15.7.4 takes care of a long list of security bugs.
Photo: Cult of Mac/Egor Kamelev/Pexels

Apple introduced iOS 15.7.4 and iPadOS 15.7.4 for older devices on Monday, closing significant security holes in a range of frequently used applications. Anyone still running iOS 15.x should install the new version.

Cupertino also released iOS 16.4 and the iPad equivalent on Monday. The updates for its older operating systems are further proof that Apple doesn’t abandon them.

macOS Ventura 13.3 and iPadOS 16.4 usher in new emoji and other improvements

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First public betas for iOS 16, macOS Ventura arrive
Apple released OS updates for its various computers today, including Mac and iPad.
Photo: Apple

The wait is over for macOS Ventura 13.3 and iPadOS 16.4, which Apple released Monday. While not major upgrades, they do bring new emoji, a better way for devs to work with betas, and other changes (including security updates).

Apple also released iOS 16.4, as well as watchOS 9.4 and tvOS 16.4, today.

15 new features in iOS 16.4 you should try right away

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iOS 16.4 release candidate
After you upgrade your iPhone, try these new features in iOS 16.4.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple released iOS 16.4 on Monday, bringing significant changes and new features to its iPhone operating system.

Once you install iOS 16.4, the biggest point release of iOS 16 so far, check out these 15 features to try right away — including the new “high five emoji” combo.

Get up to 46% off iMacs and MacBooks this week

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You can get a good deal on a 2021 24-inch 4.5K iMac, plus other iMacs and MacBooks.
You can get a good deal on a 2021 24-inch 4.5K iMac, plus other iMacs and MacBooks.
Photo: Apple

Amazon bargain site Woot! is pushing M1 Macs at low prices through April 3. You can get up to 46% off some machines, which include MacBook Pro, MacBook Air and iMac from 2020 and 2021, plus a handful of Intel-powered Macs.

Get 15% off when you pair magnetic iPad case with stand

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The sturdy magnetic stand is a perfect iPad companion.
The sturdy magnetic stand is a perfect iPad companion.
Photo: Elago

If you have an iPad, you should protect it with a case and put the device on a stand for perfect, hands-free use, whether you’re typing away on a keyboard, drawing with Pencil or just watching a video. And right now you get Elago’s Magnetic Folio case and the company’s magnetic stand for 15% off when you buy them both.

You can find Elago Magnetic Folio cases for all models plus the Magnetic Stand for iPads in the Cult of Mac Store.

Major workstation makeover covers all bases [Setups]

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The nearly maxed-out M1 MacBook Pro is on a shelf out of frame.
The nearly maxed-out M1 MacBook Pro is on a shelf out of frame.
Photo: [email protected]

We often see big upgrades to setups we’ve covered here in the past. But they’re not usually comprehensive, where everything from the daily-driver Mac to the input devices to the audio gear gets made over (and in some cases greatly expanded).

Let’s just say today’s featured MacBook Pro setup looked a lot different 2 years ago. It’s more evidence that a setup is never, ever “done.”

Tim Cook touts ‘symbiotic’ relationship between Apple and China

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Tim Cook speaks with university students in Naples, Italy, after accepting an honorary Master's degree.
Apple CEO Tim Cook was a prominent attendee at the China Development Forum.
Photo: Federico II online canale 1

Apple CEO Tim Cook was one of the few executives from U.S. companies to attend the China Development Forum in Beijing over the weekend as tensions between the two countries continue.

In a speech, Cook spoke about the “symbiotic kind of relationship” that Apple and China have.

Add 2 external displays and zippy charging with new 9-in-1 dock

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Get two big external displays going with your M1 MacBook.
Get two big external displays going with your M1 MacBook.
Photo: Ugreen

Ugreen’s latest multiport docking station — sporting nine ports for most workstation connectivity needs — is helpful in several ways, including if you want to extend an M1 MacBook’s external-display capacity from one to two.

The device also offers 100 watts fast charging plus fast file transfer via USB-A and USB-C ports.

BenQ’s 3 sharp new 4K monitors swivel on Ergo arms

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The PD2706UA is the newest of the three 4K monitors that come with the Ergo Arm.
The PD2706UA is the newest of the three 4K monitors that come with the Ergo Arm.
Photo: BenQ

BenQ recently added its 27-inch PD2706UA Design Monitor for home productivity to its lineup of screens that ship with the Ergo Arm. It follows the 27-inch PD2705UA and the 32-inch PD3205UA, both aimed more specifically at designers for their color accuracy.

All three displays offer customizable ergonomic design with plenty of options for movement on the Ergo Arm.

iPhone 15 could go eSIM-only in more countries

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Apple video explains how to activate an iPhone 14 eSIM
iPhone 15 could force you to ditch the physical SIM card for good.
Graphic: Apple

Apple removed the SIM card tray from the iPhone 14 units sold in the US. With the iPhone 15, the company seemingly plans to ditch the SIM slot on the iPhone in even more countries.

A new report indicates the iPhone 15 could launch with only eSIM support in France.

iOS 17 might be more exciting than expected

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iPhone 14 is the first Apple handset to ditch the physical SIM card tray altogether.
iOS 17 is coming with a lot more features than initially rumored.
Photo: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac
WWDC23

Apple’s upcoming iOS 17 update will be bigger than initially planned. The company reportedly changed its strategy during the development process to add some “nice to have” features to the iPhone operating system.

Latest iPhone 15 rumors sound like a mixed bag [The CultCast]

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iPhone 15? The CultCast show notes page.
Just how different will iPhone 15 be?
Image: Cult of Mac

This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: iPhone rumors are flying, and some of them sound fantastic! But then there’s the one about a potentially troublesome mute button…

Also on The CultCast:

  • Apple TV+ gets ready to invade theaters in a big way.
  • Celebrity portraits created by Midjourney V5 look shockingly realistic. Erfon’s been trying his hand at AI-generated art, too, and he’s loving this new technology.
  • We’re giving away a selfie stick with superpowers.

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.

Our sponsors: Mylio and ExpressVPN

  • Mylio: It’s the easy way to manage all your photos on all your devices. Try it at Mylio.com/cultcast.
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Ted Lasso season 3 brings surge of viewers to Apple TV+

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Ted Lasso
Ted Lasso is back, and viewership is as strong as his optimism.
Photo: Apple TV+

Fans weren’t bothered by an extra-long wait for Ted Lasso‘s third season. The season premiere brought a tidal wave of viewers, pushing Apple TV+ back to near the top of the ratings charts.

And Shrinking, another Apple TV+ comedy, is finishing its freshman season with strong viewership.

Disgraced tennis star Boris Becker vows ‘new chapter’ in Apple TV+ trailer

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Becker's powerhouse tennis career segued to a trainwreck of a life.
Becker's powerhouse tennis career segued to a trainwreck of a life.
Photo: Apple TV+

Apple TV+ served up a new trailer Thursday for Boom! Boom! The World vs. Boris Becker. It’s a two-part documentary exploring the life of the German tennis legend. He triumphed at Wimbledon at age 17 and won 49 career titles, including six Grand Slams plus an Olympic gold medal. And then he went off the rails, life-wise.

Following an ugly divorce involving infidelity, the troubled celebrity ended up in prison for concealing assets to avoid paying debts. But in the trailer, filled with other tennis stars, Becker says a new chapter in his life is coming. The documentary debuts April 7.

First ChatGPT-generated app hits the App Store

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5 Movies
5 Movies is an iPhone app that provides daily movie recommendations, and it was created using ChatGPT.
Image: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

5 Movies, likely the first iPhone app generated almost entirely by ChatGPT, was approved by Apple and published on the App Store late Thursday night.

Morten Just, an independent developer of Mac apps who’s based in Switzerland, guided ChatGPT through the creation of the movie-recommendation app. Just said he told the AI what he wanted, then pasted its output into an Xcode project, writing only an estimated 2% to 5% of the code himself. The chatbot even fixed bugs as Just pasted in error messages.

“What matters to me is creating software that is useful and solves real problems,” Just told Cult of Mac after his 5 Movies app went live. “If I can do that faster with AI, I will.”

Latest 14-inch MacBook Pro gets massive $200 discount

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2023 MacBook Pro in 16-inch and 14-inch sizes
Save up to $200 on the 2023 14-inch MacBook Pro in this amazing deal.
Photo: Apple

Apple’s 2023 14-inch MacBook Pro is available with massive discounts of up to $200. The entry-level model is available with a $100 discount on Amazon, bringing its price down to $1,899 from $1,999.

The best deal is on the 1TB configuration of the machine. After a $200 off, you can get the M2 MacBook Pro for $2,299.

A MacBook Pro makes a questionable monitor stand [Setups]

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It might take a moment to locate the MacBook Pro in this photo, even with the help of that nice Anglepoise desk lamp.
It might take a moment to locate the MacBook Pro in this photo, even with the help of that nice Anglepoise desk lamp.
Photo: [email protected]

Today’s featured setup carries a strong vibe of minimalism — so much so it appeared to lack even a computer, at least at a glance at the photograph. But then we realized the laptop was stashed away in unusual (and questionable) fashion.

We recently featured a setup with the MacBook Pro and iPad hidden on a little shelf mounted under the desk. This time the laptop is stashed in a case sitting directly under the monitor stand’s base (not recommended).

AirPods Pro 2 with USB-C case could launch as early as this spring

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Ken Pillonel modded an AirPods Pro charging case and now offers a 3D-printed replacement case.
AirPods Pro 2 will supposedly get on the USB-C bandwagon soon.
Photo: Ken Pillonel

The mystery AirPods referenced in iOS 16.4 are a new version of AirPods Pro 2 with a USB-C case, according to a reliable Apple tipster. And the product could be out in the next few months.

If true, these will be a significant step in transitioning the iPhone ecosystem away from Lightning and to USB-C.

Expand your creativity with this big new drawing display

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Now that's a canvas fit for an artist.
Now that's a canvas fit for an artist.
Photo: Xencelabs

We’ve all heard of tablets you can draw on — looking at you, iPad lineup — but how about a 24-inch drawing display?

Xencelabs Technologies unveiled its new Pen Display 24 Studio Series at the Game Developers Conference (GDC) in San Francisco, which ends Friday.

If you’re serious about your art, it could be for you.