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News - page 194

Apple wants to shorten ‘Hey Siri’ trigger phrase to simply ‘Siri’

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Siri
Siri could become easier to summon in the future.
Photo: Apple

Apple is working on changing the “Hey Siri” hotword to just plain “Siri,” and the change could roll out as early as next year.

Introduced in 2015 with the iPhone 6s, the “Hey Siri” hotword remains unchanged to this day. You also can use the phrase to invoke Apple’s voice assistant on the Mac, iPad, HomePod and Apple Watch.

Jennifer Lawrence’s biggest hits are on Apple TV+, including Hunger Games

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Jennifer Lawrence's biggest hits are on Apple TV+, including 'Hunger Games'
Five of best Jennifer Lawrence films are now on Apple TV+.
Screenshot: Apple TV+

To celebrate the launch of Causeway on Apple TV+, the streaming service is now offering five other movies starring Jennifer Lawrence. That includes all four Hunger Games films.

It’s part of a recent move by Apple to temporarily add already-released movies to its catalogue.

Apple News will be shoved into the Weather app

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News in the Weather app.
If you're in the right city, and the weather is notable enough, and you're on the 16.2 beta, and all the stars are aligned, you just might see the News section of the Weather app.
Image: Dmitry Makeev, CC BY-SA 4.0/Wikimedia Commons and D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

Apple’s Weather app for iPhone, iPad and Mac soon will incorporate local news sourced from the Apple News service.

In the latest beta of iOS 16.2, certain cities have an additional section for weather news, slotted between the 10-day forecast and the air quality meter. On iPadOS and macOS Ventura, this section occupies an even larger widget in the corner.

Show off and protect iPhone 14 with a crystal-clear case

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Let them see your iPhone 14's vibrant color through a clear case.
Let them see your iPhone 14's vibrant color through a clear case.
Photo: Laut

There’s no better way to protect your iPhone 14 than with a tough case. And, short of going without any case at all, there’s no better way to show off your iPhone 14 than with a crystal-clear case, like the Laut Huex Crystal 14 Series iPhone Case.

And right now you can pick up the tough but absolutely clear case for just $20 in the Cult of Mac Store.

Streamers’ dream come true: Elgato launches first 4K60 webcam.

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Attention, streamers: Elgato's new Facecam Pro offers 4K streaming at 60fps.
Attention, streamers: Elgato's new Facecam Pro offers 4K streaming at 60fps.
Photo: Elgato

In a bid to capture the streaming content creator market, Elgato just launched what it called “the world’s first 4K60 webcam” — Facecam Pro. It shoot video in 4K resolution at a smooth 60 frames per second (fps), which previously required a DSLR or other advanced camera setup.

The pricey new camera joins the original Facecam in Elgato’s growing lineup.

Dual Studio Display workstation prioritizes open space [Setups]

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Two Studio Displays are better than one, don't you think?
Two Studio Displays are better than one, don't you think?
Photo: [email protected]

 People who show off their computer setups often go for a clean, spare look without much, if any, clutter — from cables or anything else. But few have as clean and spacious a look as today’s featured MacBook Pro setup with two Studio Displays. To learn more about this setup, check out the details here.

There are many ways of making a setup minimalistic without simply leaving out the crucial gear. In this case, it has a lot to do with a very cool desk with some interesting features.

With 190 products certified, Matter smart-home standard looks ahead

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About 190 products are certified for the Matter standard (or soon will be after testing).
About 190 products are certified for the Matter standard (or soon will be after testing).
Photo: CSA

The Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA) showcased companies and products using the newly available Matter home-automation standard at a launch event in Amsterdam Thursday.

The group, which includes Apple, Google and many other companies, emphasized the standard’s building momentum and drew a rough road map of what’s to come.

Fix is on the way for Apple TV users who can’t access Netflix ad-supported plan

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Commercials are coming to Netflix
Apple TV is currently unable to access the cheap new Netflix ad-supported plan.
Photo: Netflix/Cult of Mac

The inexpensive new Netflix “Basic with ads” plan launched Thursday, but users of Apple TV quickly discovered they couldn’t access it. Netflix promised a fix, though.

Users of other devices can now watch the streaming service for only for $6.99 a month, as long as they also watch commercials.

The faster new 4K Apple TV is now on sale

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Apple TV 4K 2022 launch: With an A15 Bionic chip inside a slightly smaller form factor, the new Apple TV 4K performs better yet is more energy efficient.
The new Apple TV 4K is cheaper than its predecessor.
Photo: Apple

Announced in mid-October, Apple’s latest streaming box—the 2022 Apple TV 4K—is now on sale. Pre-order customers are also receiving their units today.

The newest Apple TV 4K is faster and cheaper than its predecessor and has Thread support to control your smart home devices.

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.