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News - page 210

T-Mobile and SpaceX want to connect your iPhone to satellites to end network dead zones

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T-Mobile and SpaceX Coverage Above and Beyond
T-Mobile and SpaceX want to connect your existing phone to satellites.
Photo: T-Mobile

You won’t need an iPhone 14 or iPhone 15 for satellite connectivity. SpaceX and T-Mobile have announced their plan to bring cell connectivity everywhere in the US using satellites.

The service won’t require your phone to have satellite connectivity or any special chip. The Un-carrier says it will work with the “vast majority” of phones already on its network.

Mac mini should shrink down into a keyboard

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Next Mac mini should be just a keyboard
A future Mac mini should look like this.
Photo: Apple

There’s no reason the Mac mini has to take up unnecessary desk space. Apple can and should build the entire computer into the keyboard. The result would minimize clutter, making it an ideal computer for anyone living in tight quarters. And it would be quite portable.

It’s completely possible with tech Apple has now. Here’s how.

Apple and minority business leaders push toward green economy

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Meet Apple's second Impact Accelerator class of minority-owned businesses looking for growth in a greener economy.
Meet Apple's second Impact Accelerator class of minority-owned businesses looking for growth in a greener economy.
Photo: Apple

Apple introduced its second Impact Accelerator class Thursday. It’s made up of leaders from 16 minority-owned businesses that work in environmental services. They’ll be trained and mentored to help grow the businesses, which may end up partnering with Apple.

And at the same time, they’ll advance “a shared goal of creating a greener world,” Apple said.

Set yourself apart from the riffraff with this $15,000 Apple Watch case

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And it comes with an Apple Watch, you say? What a bargain.
And it comes with an Apple Watch, you say? What a bargain.
Photo: Golden Concept

Tired of slumming it with just a regular ol’ expensive Apple Watch? Well, you could dress it up a bit if you fork over $15,000 for an Apple Watch case smothered in more than 400 diamonds.

I mean, you deserve a special treat now and again, don’t you? A company called Golden Concept thinks so.

iPhone 13 dominates US smartphone shipments

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6.1-inch iPhone 13 review
Guess what's the best selling smartphone in America?
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

iPhones made up more than half of all smartphones shipped in North America during the second quarter of 2022, according to a market research firm. This marks the third quarter in a row that more than 50% of the handsets shipped in the region came from Apple.

Samsung, the next nearest rival, had less than half as many shipments in Canada, Unites States and Mexico.

Affordable new smart Wi-Fi light strip from TP-Link supports HomeKit

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You can get a huge array of colors or bright white light out of these strips.
You can get a huge array of colors or bright white light out of these strips.
Photo: TP-Link

TP-Link just flipped the switch on a new lineup of smart LED light strips and light bulbs, some of which you can use with HomeKit or other home-automation systems.

The main selling point here is budget-friendliness. Prices range from $25 to $50, so you won’t break the bank lighting up your space.

Apple’s ‘far out’ event invite hints at iPhone 14 features

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Apple's 'far out' invite hints at iPhone 14 features
What does this say to you?
Image: Apple

People love to examine Apple’s event invites looking for hints of what will be unveiled. The starry invitation to the September 7 Far Out event that went out Wednesday might drop a clue to one or more long-rumored features finally coming to the iPhone 14.

And, of course, we’ve seen some deliberately silly suggestions for what the image and theme are hinting at.

Or the Apple logo made out of stars could be simply a cool-looking image. (There are new wallpapers for those who think so.)

Get $15 off SwitchBot and turn your dumb lock into a smart one

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The SwitchBot Lock fits over your existing
The SwitchBot Lock fits over your existing "dumb" lock.
Photo: SwitchBot

Users who aren’t ready to to take the plunge into full home-automation system like HomeKit and related accessories have another option to make a dumb lock smarter.

SwitchBot recently launched a new version of SwitchBot Lock. The company said it’s the best way to make a door lock smart without refitting, so users can lock or unlock their door via devices like iPhone or Apple Watch.

Better yet, right now you can get 15% off on Amazon, or about $15 off the $100 price.

How to see the AR Easter egg hidden in Apple’s September event invite

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How to see the AR Easter egg hidden in Apple’s spring event invite
Have some augmented-reality fun with the invitation to the Apple fall event.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Concealed in Wednesday’s invite to the Apple early fall event is an augmented reality Easter egg. It’s not just cool – it might be a hint of what to expect.

The graphic for the September 7 “Far Out” event shows the Apple logo made of stars. The AR version is a 3D orb filled with stars floating in space.

Get ready to sing along with Central Park season 3 in September

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Get ready to sing along with 'Central Park' season 3 in September
Central Park season 3 premieres on Apple TV+ in only a few weeks.
Photo: Apple TV+

Central Park is coming back with more musical adventures. Season three of the highly rated animated comedy will return to Apple TV+ in early September, and a trailer offering a glimpse at the upcoming fun premiered Wednesday.

The second season of Central Park scored an amazing 100% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Kooky interactive site lets you design your own Franken-iPhone

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Finally, a new iPhone worth $1,150, if not more.
Finally, a new iPhone worth $1,150, if not more.
Photo: Neal.Fun Design the Next iPhone

A new interactive website called Design the Next iPhone lets you have a laugh by making whatever monstrosity you want out of Apple’s market-leading handset, due for a major refresh with the iPhone 14 series on September 7.

And each time you make a new design, Apple CEO Tim Cook pops up with some encouraging marketing-speak.

Far out: Apple’s Sept. 7 iPhone event is on and in person

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Far out: Apple’s Sept. 7 iPhone event is on and in person
The date's no surprise, but we weren't so sure about the "in person" part.
Image: Apple

Apple sent out invitations Wednesday to a “far out” event scheduled for September 7. There’s nothing in the invite to indicate what’s on the agenda, but this will almost certainly be the debut of the iPhone 14 lineup and Apple Watch Series 8.

Unlike such events for the past couple of years, members of the tech press are being invited to attend in person.

For details of what’s likely on the agenda, check out our rundown of everything Apple is expected to announce at the “Far Out” event.

Some leather Apple Watch bands look more prestigious than others

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That's a classy Apple Watch band from Laut.
That's a classy Apple Watch band from Laut.
Photo: Laut

Everybody knows a leather Apple Watch band is a timeless and elegant accessory, just as it has been for watches in general for decades. But not all leather bands are equal.

Laut, for example, offers its Prestige Leather Apple Watch Band made from premium Saffiano leather. It finishes your look in style.

And you can get it right now in the Cult of Mac Store for just $49.99.

‘Tower of power’ spurs cable-clutter debate over otherwise-clean rig [Setups]

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Plenty to see here, but the
Plenty to see here, but the "tower for power" in the corner drew most of the attention.
Photo: [email protected]

Some people care deeply about cable management, with nary a cord to be seen in their computer setups. Others couldn’t care less about it, leaving wire-spaghetti all over the place. And folks in the middle want to do it right, but meh, maybe next week, and maybe only somewhat.

Today’s featured MacBook Pro and iPad Pro setup stakes out much of the ground described above. Cable management is in play, but it’s done in a way that drove some neatniks crazy while others applauded the controlled mayhem.

Steelseries offers first 5.1 surround-sound gaming speakers via USB

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Steelseries said its new Arena 9 is the first 5.1 surround sound system that works via a single USB connection.
Steelseries said its new Arena 9 is the first 5.1 surround sound system that works via a single USB connection.
Photo: Steelseries

Steelseries, known for gaming headsets, has jumped into the desktop speakers pool with a big splash. Its new Arena line of desktop speakers is the company’s first product of that type.

And it includes what the company calls the world’s first 5.1 surround sound speakers you can run with a single USB connection to a Mac, PC, gaming console or TV.

Cut cable clutter with mountable Belkin 6-in-1 hub

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Cut cable clutter with mountable Belkin 6-in-1 hub
Your iMac can have six more ports without adding a bunch of wires to your desk.
Photo: Belkin

Place the new Belkin Connect USB-C 6-in-1 Multiport Hub in the back of an iMac or monitor to discreetly add multiple ports to a computer. It offers a couple of USB-A ports, memory card readers and more.

The hub is available now.

You can now pay for AppleCare+ for Mac annually from day one in these three countries

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AppleCare provides extended insurance for so many Apple products.
Renewable AppleCare+ annual plans are now available in Canada, Australia and Japan
Photo: Apple

You can now subscribe to and pay for AppleCare+ annually in Canada, Australia and Japan. All Macs, plus Apple’s Pro Display XDR and Studio Display monitors, are eligible for this yearly plan.

It is also possible to renew your AppleCare+ subscription every year after that — there’s no need to stop after three years.

Hillary and Chelsea Clinton cheer Gutsy women in Apple TV+ trailer

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Certain powerful and accomplished woman inspire Hillary and Chelsea Clinton.
Certain powerful and accomplished woman inspire Hillary and Chelsea Clinton.
Photo: Apple TV+

In the first trailer for upcoming docuseries Gutsy, Hillary and Chelsea Clinton take part in animated discussions with strong and accomplished women who inspire them.

The list of participants in the series, which premieres September 9 on Apple TV+, is truly varied. It includes famous names from different walks of life, including Kim Kardashian, Gloria Steinem and Jane Goodall.

Apple confirms iPadOS 16 delay [Updated]

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iPadOS 16 Stage Manager
iPadOS 16 is turning out to be more difficult than Apple expected.
Image: Apple

Apple seeded iPadOS 16 beta 7 to developers on Monday, and its build number confirms that the release of this new version has been pushed back several weeks. This is in-line with an earlier leak that iPads wouldn’t see an update until October.

In addition, there has now been no new macOS Ventura beta for over two weeks, showing it’s also not close to release. That’s not surprising, however.

iOS 16, watchOS 9 and tvOS 16 are in the final stages of beta testing, and are expected to become debut in September, as expected.

New Street Fighter collection gives Apple accessories a retro kick

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Casetify's new collection features action-packed imagery from
Casetify's new collection features action-packed imagery from the classic game Street Fighter.
Photo: Casetify

Casetify, known for pop-culture imagery on its iPhone cases and other accessories, plans to mark the 35th birthday of classic game franchise Street Fighter with a slew of products featuring imagery from it.

The products will include iPhone 13 cases and MagSafe chargers, according to a new report.

Easily add external SSD to Mac with new Satechi drive enclosure

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Easily add external SSD to Mac with new Satechi drive enclosure
Increase your available storage with an SSD and the Satechi USB-C Aluminum Tool-Free Enclosure.
Photo: Satechi

The Satechi USB-C Aluminum Tool-Free Enclosure allows M.2 PCIe NVMe and SATA solid state drives to be easily added to a Mac. Place the SSD in the rugged enclosure and it’s ready to plug into a laptop or desktop’s USB-C port.

The accessory launched Tuesday and is available to purchase now.

iPhone 14 production in India won’t start the same time as China

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Apple supplier is increasing its ability to build masses of iPhones in India
iPhone 14 production in India won’t start as soon as expected.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Apple will reportedly start manufacturing iPhone 14 in India two months after its initial launch in September. The company has been working closely with its Indian suppliers to boost their production capacity in the region.

Apple typically starts manufacturing new iPhones in India six to nine months after their launch.