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News - page 185

Surprise! Apple is 2022’s ‘biggest stock-market loser.’

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By one important measure, Apple is this year's biggest stock-market loser.
By one important measure, Apple is this year's biggest stock-market loser.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

It’s no secret 2022 has been a volatile year for tech stocks, even as Apple has stayed locked in its familiar role of stock market juggernaut, somehow always beating earnings expectations.

So you might be surprised to hear “Apple is this year’s biggest stock-market loser,” according to a report.

As 3nm processors go into production, Apple’s chipmaker looks ahead to 2nm

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TSMC 7nm processor
Apple chips keep shrinking, which makes them more efficient.
Photo: TSMC

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company began cranking out chips using its new 3nm process Thursday at its Tainan plant. But, never one to rest on its laurels, TSMC is already laying the groundwork for 2nm processors.

Apple is expected to be among the first companies to benefit from the cutting-edge chips, which will be faster while requiring less power.

‘Tiny beast’ M1 Mac mini drives well-lit workstation [Setups]

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The lighting's not for everyone, but some people think it's pretty cool.
The lighting's not for everyone, but some people think it's pretty cool.
Photo: [email protected]

If you want a healthy computer setup, don’t just check off the “ergonomics” box and leave it at that. In addition to good posture, straight wrists and so on, you’re going to need good lighting to reduce eye strain. And to look good on video, too, of course.

Today’s featured M1 Mac mini setup throws the switch on a couple of lighting products we rarely see.

Apple unveils special ‘Year of the Rabbit’ AirPods Pro for Chinese New Year

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Special-edition AirPods Pro with the Year of the Rabbit graphics.
Apple is selling a special edition AirPods Pro to celebrate the Chinese New Year.
Photo: Apple

Ahead of the Chinese New Year on January 22, 2023, Apple has released a limited-edition AirPods Pro in the country. The charging case of the earbuds features a Year of the Rabbit engraving.

Besides the engraving, the special edition AirPods Pro retail box features the Year of the Rabbit graphics.

Next iPad Pros could boast larger OLED displays

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Here's more proof iPad will get gorgeous OLED screens
The first OLED iPad Pro will not just be better looking, it'll be a bit larger.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple plans a modest increase the screen sizes in the next generation of iPad Pro models, according to a reliable source. Numerous earlier leaks indicted these will also be the first Apple tablets with OLED displays.

That will make the upcoming iPad Pro significant a improvement over the 2022 version.

Last chance: Get 20% off 96 different Laut accessories for Apple devices

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The protective Laut Holo AirPods 3 case catches the light and dazzles.
The protective Laut Holo AirPods 3 case catches the light and dazzles.
Photo: Laut

Year-end sales can be a bonanza for anyone seeking Apple accessories — and the Laut sale in the Cult of Mac Store is no exception. You can slash 20% off the price of 96 different accessories for Apple products.

So whether you need a stand, charger or case for any number of devices — not to mention a plethora of stylish Apple Watch bands — the Laut sale on all accessories has you covered. Check out some highlights below. The sale ends at 11:59 p.m. PST on December 30.

5 most exciting Apple products coming in 2023

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Apple logo with red background.
These are the Apple products to get excited about in 2023.
Image: Rajesh

Every year, Apple launches a handful of products that stand out from the competition. 2023 is going to be no different, but next year will be special for Apple in many ways.

The company could enter a new product category with its AR/VR headset, and the iPhone could get some major hardware upgrades. Below is a roundup of five Apple product launches to look forward to in 2023.

An Apple Watch Ultra for $48? No, but you can get this obvious knockoff.

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It sure looks the part, but does it do all the rough stuff?
It sure looks the part, but does it do all the rough stuff?
Photo: Pebble

Some rugged, outdoorsy types might hesitate over the Apple Watch Ultra’s $800 price tag. But what if they could get a lookalike watch for less than $50?

The Indian company Pebble — no relation to the Pebble smartwatch outfit acquired by Fitbit — said it will ship just such an option soon. And the Pebble Cosmos Engage looks just like the real thing. But it probably doesn’t function like a real Apple Watch Ultra.

Why now is the best time to buy an iPhone 14 Pro or Pro Max

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iPhone 14 Pro held above a wet picnic table
You can have a shiny new iPhone 14 Pro in your hand soon. But there's a good reason to not procrastinate on placing your order.
Photo: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac

Now is the “sweet spot” to get an iPhone 14 Pro or Pro Max. Apple has almost caught up with demand, but a growing crisis in China might impact production of the top-tier iOS handsets.

So if you’ve been waiting for the right time to order one, this is probably it.

Mac mini and MacBook Pro trade off in student rig [Setups]

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Both a MacBook Pro and a Mac mini drive this setup.
Both a MacBook Pro and a Mac mini drive this setup.
Photo: [email protected]

Back in our day — when we walked 5 miles uphill to school both ways — students were lucky to have plywood on cinderblocks for a desk and a laptop weighing, oh, let’s say 25 pounds (we’re too old to remember things).

Nowadays, these kids have pretty swanky computer setups with desktop machines you could toss in a knapsack. Today’s featured item boasts a Mac mini, a MacBook Pro, a 4K display, Magic Keyboard, Magic Trackpad 2 and a Lego building set to die for.

Wild new mechanical keyboard sports a full screen under clear keys

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As soon as that finger contacts the key, a ripple is going to scatter those koi fish.
As soon as that finger contacts the key, a ripple is going to scatter those koi fish.
Photo: Finalmouse

Gaming mouse-maker Finalmouse dipped its toe in the mechanical keyboard pool last week, and it made a ripple like you might see on the keyboard itself. That’s because the keeb, aimed at gamers, features clear keycaps and switches so you can see the full screen underneath while you type, showing crazy colors and lights.

Whether the new Centerpiece keyboard is easy to type on or just crazy distracting, it’s certainly going to be interesting. It comes out in early 2023.

Folding iPad mini probably not in development

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2021 iPad mini 6
The iPad mini will apparently stay a traditional tablet.
Photo: Apple

There’s bad news for those ready for a folding iPad. Apple is not working on a small folding tablet to replace the iPad mini, according to a reliable source of inside info.

Still, a new version of the iPad mini with a faster processor is on the way.

Don’t make the same mistake I did with new AirPods

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Why isn't that case festooned with hilarious emojis? Foolish me.
Why isn't that case festooned with hilarious emojis? Foolish me.
Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac

As soon as AirPods Pro (2nd generation) launched, I ordered them. I got them into the shipping queue so fast, in fact, I skipped any option that looked like it might take extra time or add expense. That included “Personalize them for free,” which would have done neither.

Apple has been letting users monogram AirPods cases with letters and numbers since 2019. It added emojis the following year. Now you can even choose your own Memoji via the Apple Store app.

What I didn’t realize at the time is that whatever you have etched on the case shows up on your devices wherever your earbuds are indicated, like when you pair them. Now I wish I’d monogrammed mine because it’s so much easier to identify your own personal AirPods.

Why Apple’s VR headset won’t be the next iPhone

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Why Apple’s VR headset won’t be the next iPhone
Apple VR/AR headset won't be anywhere near as successful as the iPhone. But it is leading to something big.
Graphic: Cult of Mac/Minh Pham/Unsplash License

The AR/VR headset likely coming from Apple in 2023 will not be the company’s next smash hit. It will have fans, just not huge numbers of them.

But this first headset will be an important stepping stone toward an Apple device that will change the world.

Production of 3nm processors finally starts at Apple’s chipmaker

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Apple might get cutting-edge 3nm processors in 2022
Apple will reportedly be one of the first companies in the world able to offer processors made with a 3nm process.
Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac

3 nanometer chip production is about to begin at Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company. This is important news for Apple, as TSMC makes the CPUs for Mac, iPhone, iPad, etc.

Apple is expected to use 3nm processors in products launching in 2023, making the devices faster and more efficient.

Watch some of the best Apple TV+ shows for free

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Eva Birthistle, Anne-Marie Duff, Sharon Horgan, Sarah Greene, and Eve Hewson are Bad Sisters.
Bad Sisters is just one for five popular Apple TV+ shows now watchable by everyone.
Photo: Apple TV+

Apple has a gift for those without an Apple TV+ subscription: the first seasons of five popular shows are now available for anyone to watch at no charge.

Spend your Christmas vacation time enjoying some Ted Lasso or Prehistoric Planet, or any of the many other free episodes. These can all be enjoyed without an Apple device.

Design problem forced Apple to nerf iPhone 14 Pro chip

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iPhone 14 might have to settle for less advanced 4nm chip
The A16 is much weaker in graphics performance than Apple initially intended.
Graphic: Apple/Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The A16 processor in the iPhone 14 Pro models isn’t as powerful as Apple first hoped. Engineers reportedly mucked up the original design of the GPU so much that the company was forced to use essentially the same design as its predecessor.

Apple’s difficulties hiring and retaining top talent for its processor team apparently caused the problem.

External monitor, MacBook Pro and iPad all float on one arm [Setups]

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The external display, MacBook Pro and iPad are all lined up on one mount/arm.
The external display, MacBook Pro and iPad are all lined up on one mount/arm.
Photo: [email protected]

Today’s featured Mac-and-gaming-PC computer setup pulls off a rare feat. It perfectly aligns three displays on one arm. The displays are a substantial external monitor, a MacBook Pro and an iPad Pro mounted vertically (yet running Sidecar).

Read on for tips on how to pull all that off, as well as tricks to using an iPhone as a mounted webcam and more.

YouTube scores NFL Sunday Ticket rights after Apple punts

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NFL could pass Sunday football games to Apple TV+
Nope, not gonna happen.
Concept: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple’s year-long effort to broadcast pro football games on Sunday nights has come to an end. The Mac-maker was reportedly in negotiations for the rights to NFL Sunday Ticket, but was outbid by Google’s YouTube TV instead.

Apple TV+ will continue to boast high-profile sports, but its roster won’t include NFL games.

Take $17 off this compact 4-in-1 MagSafe charging stand

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The charging stand is convenient on your desk or your nightstand.
The charging stand is convenient on your desk or your nightstand.
Photo: SwitchEasy

Even if you’re not worrying about giving gifts that must arrive by a certain deadline, mid-to-late December is a great time to take advantage of holidays sales. And right now you can get a great deal on a handy SwitchEasy 4-in-1 MagPower Charging Stand that’ll keep your gadgets going.

Through December 26 you can get it for 20% the regular price in the Cult of Mac Store. That’s a savings of $17.

DaVinci Resolve pro video editing app launches on iPad

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DaVinci Resolve pro video editing app heads for iPad
Yes, that's the popular DaVinci Resolve video-editing application running on iPad.
Photo: Blackmagic Design

Blackmagic Design introduced the promised iPad version of it’s DaVinci Resolve professional video editing application. Beyond editing, it also handles color correction.

The software is available for download now from the App Store.

Apple removes new Home architecture upgrade option in iOS 16.2

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iOS 16.2 bring in a new Home architecture upgrade option.
Thank your stars if you did not upgrade the Home app's architecture in iOS 16.2.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

With iOS 16.2, iPadOS 16.2, and macOS Ventura 13.1, Apple introduced a new architecture for the Home app. Following issues reported by early adopters, the company has pulled the upgrade option altogether.

The new Home app architecture promises improved performance and reliability. It was an opt-in upgrade, with users getting the option when they opened the Home app after installing iOS 16.2.