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News - page 188

Save a massive $100 on the latest iPad mini

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iPad mini 6 with control center open
At $399, the iPad mini 6 provides a lot more value for money.
Photo: Ian Fuchs/Cult of Mac

Apple’s 2021 iPad mini is down to $399.99 on Amazon, a sweet $100 discount off its usual retail price. You can get the 64GB Wi-Fi + Cellular variant with a similar $100 off.

Featuring an A15 Bionic chip and an 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display, Apple’s smallest iPad can be your perfect travel companion.

The Mac is back! Apple ships most MacBooks ever

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WWCC22: The new M2 MacBook Air comes in four colors.
The July launch of the M2 MacBook Air helped propel Apple's to new heights in notebook shipments.
Photo: Apple

Apple shipped a record number of MacBooks during the September quarter, a whopping 26% increase over the same period of 2021, according to a market-analysis firm. That’s more than the company has ever shipped in a single quarter.

At the same time, Windows notebook-makers saw their shipments decline.

Bad news for Xmas: Apple’s largest factory forced into ‘total lockdown’

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Foxconn building
Foxconn is Apple's biggest contract manufacturer.
Photo: Puddingworld, CC BY-SA 4.0/Wikimedia Commons

Days after reports of Foxconn employees hopping fences and fleeing from their jobs, a report late Wednesday from Taiwan News says Apple’s biggest iPhone factory is now on “total lockdown.” These new restrictions may have a big impact on Apple’s sales during the crucial holiday period.

Foxconn, whom Apple contracts to manufacture the lion’s share of iPhones, Macs and other Apple products, has had employees stay in on-site dormitories in a “closed-loop system” to prevent COVID outbreaks. Employees have been complaining about the “increasingly unsafe and inhumane working conditions” of the dorms.

Apple begins adding 5G to iPhone in India next week

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iPhone 5G
iPhone users in India don't have to wait much longer for 5G.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

5G service launched in India in October, but no iPhone supports the high-speed wireless networking standard… yet. Apple plans to change that in December.

And those who are part of the iOS beta program can get access even earlier.

Top kid-friendly case and keyboard options for iPad 10

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OtterBox EasyClean Tablet Case
Put the iPad 10 in a very protective case before handing it to child, like this one from OtterBox.
Photo: OtterBox

The just-released iPad 10 is a major update, but the design changes mean new cases are required. Fortunately, accessory makers OtterBox and Logitech quickly brought out several of them for designed with children in mind.

A kid-friendly stylus is also an option.

T-Mobile wants you to charge your gadgets with a hot-purple suitcase

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T-Mobile turns November 3 into April Fools Day with a hot-purple suitcase-charger.
T-Mobile turns November 3 into April Fools Day with a hot-purple suitcase-charger.
Photo: T-Mobile

We had to check the calendar to see if it was April 1 when T-Mobile’s press release showed up. “Introducing the Un-carrier On from T-Mobile – the Smartest, Flyest Carry-On Ever,” it said, pushing a new carry-on bag the cellular carrier said is the only one on the market with wireless charging.

The suitcase, produced in partnership with Samsara Luggage, is awkwardly named the “Un-carrier On” and comes in one color: magenta. A big part of T-Mobile’s brand, that color is also the name of one of its membership plans.

2023 iPhone 15 will continue to use Qualcomm’s 5G modem

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Qualcomm patents
Qualcomm is a vital supplier for Apple until the latter's in-house 5G modem is ready.
Photo: Qualcomm

Apple’s plans of using its in-house modem starting from the iPhone 15 in 2023 are unlikely to pan out. Qualcomm will continue to supply the Cupertino company with the “vast majority” of iPhone modems next year.

The San Diego chipmaker expects Apple to shift to its in-house modem by 2024 at the earliest. It had previously expected to supply the iPhone maker with only 20% of modem chips in 2023.

Why the iPhone 14 Pro cameras are a ‘huge leap’

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iPhone 14 Pro Camera Deep Dive
The folks at Halide have published their thorough review of the iPhone 14 Pro camera system.
Photo: Apple, D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

It’s taken a while to fully unpack and understand the technical improvements to the cameras in the iPhone 14 Pro. Camera nerd Sebastiaan de With, co-founder and designer of the highly-respected Halide camera app, has written a detailed review of the improvements to the camera system.

His professional opinion? These are not just great iPhone cameras, they’re great cameras, period.

Tired of boring Apple Watch bands? Try this.

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We bet you're wondering where she got that Apple Watch band.
We bet you're wondering where she got that Apple Watch band.
Photo: Cult of Mac Store

At the end of the day, it seems like there are only so many types of Apple Watch bands. Leather. Stainless steel. Nylon. But what about something cool and cosmopolitan you don’t see everywhere? We think we found just the thing.

Goldenerre is known for some pretty glamorous accessories, and its Leather Link Apple Watch Band is an interesting option. It hand-wrapped leather links alternate with gleaming metallic ones for an exciting look. Check it out below and in the Cult of Mac Store.

Filming begins on Severance season 2 with 8 new stars

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Filming begins on 'Severance' season 2 with 8 new stars
Production is officially underway for Severance season 2 on Apple TV+.
Photo: Apple TV+

Fans of the hit Apple TV+ series Severance can rejoice that production on season 2 started this week. More of what Stephen Colbert called a “dystopian workplace sci-fi mystery black comedy psychological thriller” is on the way.

Upcoming episodes of the Emmy-winning – and very creepy – series will feature the original stars as well as eight new ones.

iPhone and Mac devs share tips on starting a career in coding

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Apple STEAM Day
Coding can be a rewarding career, but not if you don't ever get started. Devs have some suggestions to help.
Inage: Apple

Creating iPhone and Mac apps can be a rewarding career, both financially and by doing something you enjoy. But some people find it hard to get started. Developers who’ve made the jump into coding point out that you can make your hobby into your career, it’s never too late, and more tips.

Anyone one considering becoming a dev might benefit from their advice.

MacBook Pro rig employs gaming and portable monitors, rare keyboard and mouse [Setups]

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This person mounts a portable monitor on their laptop keyboard and uses a 27-inch gaming display, too.
This person mounts a portable monitor on their laptop keyboard and uses a 27-inch gaming display, too.
Photo: [email protected]

We love it when a computer setup we’ve looked at before gets a facelift, or some sort of significant update. Today’s featured MacBook Pro setup stuck with the laptop, an interesting usage of a portable display and a highly unusual mechanical keyboard. But it added a beautiful gaming monitor, a rarely seen vertical mouse and some other details.

And of course it kept its beloved Lego Wall-E. And it even found a practical use for extra Lego bricks.

Delightful Apple accessories by Elago going for 15% off (today only!)

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Elago's W5 Apple Watch Stand is a blast from the past.
Elago's W5 Apple Watch Stand is a blast from the past.
Photo: Elago

Elago is known for its fun and interesting stands and cases, often in a retro vein. If you’re in need of Apple accessories along those lines — or along any lines, really — you should check out the big Halloween Sale in the Cult of Mac Store. It ends today (Tuesday, November 1).

The three Elago items below, for example, are all offered at 15% off regular prices.

New Mac app lets you search everything you’ve ever seen or heard

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Rewind: Find anything you’ve seen, said, or heard.
Rewind: Find anything you’ve seen, said, or heard.
Image: Rewind AI, Inc.

Rewind is a Mac app coming soon that promises to create a searchable, rewindable index of everything you read online, write in conversation, work on or even say in meetings.

We’ve all had this happen: you remember seeing something that you want to share, but you don’t remember where you saw it nor enough details to find it on the internet. Rewind promises to make everything that you’ve “seen, said or heard” searchable.

Apple TV+ scores 17 nominations in new Children’s and Family Emmy Awards

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The Fraggles are back! New kids’ series premieres Jan. 21
"Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock" on Apple TV+ is up for an Emmy Award for Outstanding Children's or Family Viewing Series.
Photo: Apple TV+

The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences named the nominees for the new Children’s & Family Emmys on Monday, and Apple TV+ earned 17 nominations. That includes shows in two of the top categories.

While Apple is in there swinging, the real competition will be between Disney and Netflix, both of which earned dozens of nominations.

Last day to get 10% off Elkson Bumper Cases for Apple Watch

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Elkson bumper cases cover a range of Apple Watch series and sizes.
Elkson bumper cases cover a range of Apple Watch series and sizes.
Photo: Elkson

Most people at least consider protecting their iPhone with a case, but not everyone thinks to protect their Apple Watch that way — even though the wearable is arguably the more-fragile device. Good thing Elkson offers the rugged Quattro Bumper Case for Apple Watch.

And aș part of the Halloween Sale in the Cult of Mac Store — ending on Tuesday (November 1) — you can get the case for various series of Apple Watch for just $10.79, or 10% off.

Customize Cooler Master’s new mechanical keyboard any which way

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This wired mechanical keyboard can be easily modified in multiple ways.
This wired mechanical keyboard can be easily modified in multiple ways.
Photo: Cooler Master

California peripherals specialist Cooler Master just updated its popular 65%-format mechanical keyboard (CK721) to create the company’s first fully customizable board, the wired CK720. You can swap out its switches without a soldering iron to easily get the typing feel and sound you like best.

“We’re huge fans of custom-built mechanical keyboards ourselves, so we wanted to make sure the CK720 is a great steppingstone into the hobby,” said Dennis Liu, Cooler Master’s peripheral general manager, in a press release. “Whether you like smooth linear switches with maximum thock, or a sharp tactile typing feel with a marbly sound, the CK720 has the ability to achieve it.”

Last chance! Take 10% off classic Mifa Apple Watch bands.

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Mifa's glamorous Sparkle band comes in silver or rose gold options.
Mifa's glamorous Sparkle band comes in silver or rose gold options.
Photo: Mifa

The Halloween Sale in the Cult of Mac Store has something for everyone. Even within specific accessory types by one brand, you find choice. Take Mifa’s Apple Watch bands, for example. Today’s your last day to get 10% off in the week-long sale.

You can glam up your Apple Watch considerably with the Sparkle Bracelet, which looks like a million bucks. Or you can go with the ultimate classic strap with a Classic Leather band.

Two key execs are leaving Apple

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Apple Store
The head of the online Apple Store is one of multiple executives leaving the company.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The head of the online Apple store and its Chief Information Officer are reportedly both exiting the company.

This follows on the heels of news that Apple’s head of design is also on the way out.

Get M2 MacBook Air from Apple’s refurbished store with big discounts

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Apple keeps up with rush of M2 MacBook Air preorders
You can save up to $150 on the M2 MacBook Air by buying a certified refurbished unit from Apple.
Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac

Announced at WWDC22 in June, Apple has now started selling refurbished units of the M2 MacBook Air in the US. You can pick up selected Air variants from Apple’s Certified Refurbished store and save up to 15%.

Depending on the model, you can save up to $150 on the 2022 MacBook Air by buying a refurbished unit from Apple.

iPhone SE 4 design is still up in the air

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iPhone XR test
iPhone SE 4 might look much like the iPhone XR, but Apple is also considering other designs.
Photo: Apple

Apple is reportedly sticking with a two-year replacement cycle on its budget handset line. That means the iPhone SE 4 won’t be out until 2024, according to a reliable source.

The launch is apparently far enough away that Apple hasn’t settled on a final design.

Kids relate through sci-fi in Apple TV+ Circuit Breakers trailer

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Kids' sci-fi series
Kids' sci-fi series "Circuit Breakers" premieres on Apple TV+ November 11.
Photo: Apple TV+

If you were a kid, wouldn’t you like to use a remote control to just “turn off” your parents for a while? But what if you couldn’t figure out how to turn them back on?

That’s one of many scenarios that flash past in the trailer for Circuit Breakers Apple TV+ released Monday. It’s a science-fiction series about middle-schoolers set in the near future. It premieres November 11.