You can put your hands on a new iPhone 14 Pro today. Photo: Apple
The time when iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max buyers could expect a long wait to get Apple’s latest are over. The top-of-the-line iOS handsets can now be ordered from the Apple store for next-day delivery.
That’s a far cry from last fall when the wait stretched out over a month.
Apple's tribute to MLK includes one of the civil rights leader's classic books for free. Photo: Apple
As it has done over the past several years on this national holiday, Apple dedicated most of its homepage Monday to honoring Martin Luther King Jr.
Along with a photo of King preaching at the pulpit, this quote by him urging a response to the Vietnam War appeared: “This is no time for apathy or complacency. This is a time for vigorous and positive education.”
And the Cupertino tech giant offered a book by King for free on Apple Books.
Alogic's new 67W wall chargers come with plugs that work in many countries. Photo: Alogic
Consumer electronics maker Alogic rolled out a new lineup of chargers for travelers in early January. The range includes car chargers as well as portable GaN wall chargers that work in multiple countries to keep your iPhones, iPads, MacBooks and more going.
Equipped with various power capacities and port selections, the chargers could be useful for travel and in hybrid work environments, the company said.
A touchscreen is a logical addition to a MacBook. Here's why. Image: karsten madsen/Pexels/Modified by Cult of Mac
You may have felt a seismic shift recently. The origin was Apple Park in Cupertino, where Tim Cook and Co. decided to start work on a touchscreen MacBook Pro. This is something the company has been adamantly against for many years, going back to a scathing comment from the late Steve Jobs.
But the computing world has changed enormously since Jobs mocked touchscreen laptops. Today, there are plenty of reasons for Apple to make one.
Steve Jobs said it would never happen, but we've heard that one before. Image: Marek Levák/Unsplash License/Modified by Cult of Mac
This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: Deep down inside, you know you want to give your Mac the finger. Apple might make that happen in the (somewhat) near future, according to the latest rumor. That’s right — Apple reportedly is “seriously considering” making a touchscreen MacBook. That’s enough to get us chattering!
Also on The CultCast:
Apple’s headset inches closer to (mixed) reality. But where are you going to put that waist-mounted battery pack if you don’t wear a belt?!? This is chaos!
Lots of geeky talk on the future of Apple screens, and why microLED will make a big difference.
What Apple products to expect this year, and when we think we’ll see them.
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.
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New HomeKit Architecture Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Apple apparently plans to re-release its update to the underlying architecture of its HomeKit home-automation system in the near future. The upgraded platform for the Home app is included in the latest iOS and iPadOS betas.
The company briefly made this update available to all users in December before withdrawing it due to unspecified problems.
This iPhone 15 Pro Max concept is based on leaks with a bit of hope mixed in. Image: Antonio De Rosa/ADR Studio
The iPhone 15 is expected to get a facelift along with other design changes, and a new concept video and images present a very early look at the handset Apple might launch this autumn.
The concept artist started with details that have leaked out already and mixed in some of their own hopes. The result is splendid.
Illustrated is a puzzle game that immerses players in beautiful illustrations and the stories behind them. Image: BorderLeap
Illustrated is a new puzzle game — literally. Players put together jigsaw puzzle pieces to assemble beautiful illustrations.
Putting puzzles together is a meditative process for many, and the new game embraces that, with each containing a quote or other wisdom. It’s now available on Apple Arcade for iPhone, Mac and more.
Even the wall art above the Studio Display is Apple -- a deconstructed iPhone. Photo: [email protected]
Some computer setups are more Apple-ish than others. Apple-y. Apple-centric. Today’s featured M1 Max MacBook Pro outfit welcomes a new Studio Display to replace a recently “retired” 20-inch Cinema Display, and that’s just the start of the Cupertino madness.
Almost everything else in the setup is Apple, too. The input devices, the audio gear — even some of the wall art. And what’s in the book collection? The Cult of Mac hardcover book.
Apple CEO Tim Cook is set to receive a substantial pay cut in 2023. The company’s top executive will receive “only” $49 million in compensation this year.
For comparison, Cook’s compensation was $99.4 million in 2022 and $98.7 million in 2021.
The deal is only on the black ones. But black goes with everything, right? Photo: Beats
Need great wireless earbuds but don’t want to spend much? Woot, owned by Amazon, is currently selling refurbished Beats Studio Buds for the uncommonly low price of $59.99.
That’s $90 off the list price of $150. And it’s less than typical sale prices, like the $99.95 Amazon is charging right for the buds right now.
All you need to keep your devices juiced up all day Photo: Pitaka
The Cult of Mac giveaway this week is a corker. We teamed up with Pitaka for one lucky winner to get the chance to win an iPad Pro accessory bundle worth $190.
This giveaway includes a Pitaka MagEZ iPad Pro case along with a MagEZ wireless charging stand. If you’re an iPad Pro owner, don’t miss your shot at winning this bundle, whether you’re on the go with your iPad in tow, or working from the comfort of your own home.
Apple Music is ready to be downloaded from the Windows Store. Screenshot: Apple/Microsoft
Windows 11 users can now download preview versions of the Apple Music and Apple TV applications.
In late 2022, Microsoft committed to getting them into the Windows Store this year.
And a new Apple Devices app is a significant move toward phasing out iTunes for Windows.
Veteran actors John Lithgow and Julianne Moore star in the new film. Photo: Apple
“Sharper” is old slang for a con artist or swindler. And in the trailer Apple TV+ dropped Thursday for its first film of 2023, a “neo-noir thriller” that shares the slang term as a title, it’s not easy to tell the con artist from the conned.
But it looks like it’ll be fun guessing which rich Manhattan people will lose their shirts in the film, starring Julianne Moore and John Lithgow.
It comes out in theaters February 10 and streams February 17, Apple TV+ said.
The wait for M2 Pro/Max MacBook Pro continues. Image: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Apple’s M2 Pro/Max MacBook Pros launch could have hit another roadblock. Rumors indicated the new Macs could debut in Q1 2023, but that does not seem to be the case anymore.
The reason behind the latest delay in the next-gen MacBook Pro’s launch is unclear.
Apple could launch a cheaper AirPods next year. Graphic: Apple/Cult of Mac
Apple could start shipping the second-generation AirPods Max and the AirPods Lite in the second half of 2024 at the earliest or the first half of 2025.
Announced in late 2020, the $549 AirPods Max has not received any refresh since their launch in late 2020.
Apple might right-size the Touch Bar lol. Image: Devin Pickell/Unsplash License/Modified by Cult of Mac
Apple now has engineers “actively engaged in the project” of adding touchscreens to Mac computers, starting with the popular MacBook Pro. According to Mark Gurman at Bloomberg, a consistent and reliable leaker, the first Mac with a touchscreen display could ship as soon as 2025.
The product is evidently still being tested internally, with no definitive plans for a product launch set in motion.
Apple might be about to give old-fashioned buttons the heave-ho. Photo: Apple
Apple is reportedly phasing out traditional buttons, starting with the iPhone 15 Pro models. The handsets will still seem to have them, but it’ll be a high-tech trick performed with haptic feedback.
The change should make the iOS devices more durable and waterproof.
Text renders more clearly on the MacBook Pro's Liquid Retina XDR display than on the ultra-wide monitor. Photo: [email protected]
With modern computer displays, you can have brilliant colors, tons of screen real estate and even a cool curve in the screen. But will you be happy reading text on it? That’s not necessarily a sure thing.
In today’s featured MacBook Pro-based computer setup, a developer finds she likes her 34-inch curved ultra-wide display, but not in every possible way. She craves more pixels, having been “ruined” by her MacBook Pro’s crisp display.
Apple Watch 6 was the first model to include the pulse oximetry sensor. Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac
A judge in Washington, D.C., ruled Tuesday that Apple infringes on one of medical device maker Masimo’s patents for light-based pulse oximetry sensor functionality and components used in Apple Watch 6 onward. The sensor measures blood oxygen levels.
Next the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) will decide whether to ban imports of Apple Watches that include the sensor, Masimo said.
A redesigned MacBook Air surely helped push up 2022 Mac shipments. Photo: Apple
Apple’s shipments of Mac desktops and notebooks grew modestly in 2022, according to market research firm. That’s in stark contrast to shipments of PCs that dropped enormously last year.
And Apple could have done even better if it hadn’t pushed back the release of new Macs past the fourth quarter.
Apple wants to shift away from Samsung for its product displays. Photo: Unsplash
Apple wants to reduce its reliance on sourcing displays for its products from Samsung and LG. So, the company is working on its own custom displays that it intends to use as early as 2024.
This would mark another move from Apple to develop more components it uses on its devices in-house.
It's not a fountain pen. It's Adonit Star. Photo: Adonit
Adonit Star is an iPad stylus for those who love antiques but don’t want to forgo modern technology. It’s designed to look like a fountain pen, not the usual plastic pencil.
It’s an accessory any 19th century lawyer would be proud to own. But is surprisingly affordable.
Grovemade's popular desk shelves now come in white oak. Photo: Grovemade
Home-office goods maker Grovemade rolled out white-oak versions of its popular desk shelves Tuesday, adding a classy new option for anyone trying to improve their computer setup.
You can get the new desk shelves in small, medium or large sizes. They’re not cheap, but you deserve to have nice things.