Mobile menu toggle

News - page 215

Apple Watch 8 may stick with current design and drop some color options

By •

A new report suggests a new design isn't coming to standard Apple Watch 8 models.
A new report suggests a new design, as shown in this render, isn't coming to standard Apple Watch 8 models.
Photo: Ian Zelbo

Apple Watch Series 8, at least in the standard 41mm and 45mm models, will see the same design as Apple Watch 7 rather than adding new elements like flat edges or bigger screens, a new report indicated Friday.

And the source added there may be no new sensors and fewer color choices with Apple Watch 8 than with the 7 series.

Apple Card users get Luck-y with 3 free months of Apple TV+

By •

Apple Card users get Luck-y with 3 free months of Apple TV+
Apple Card subscribers, it's your lucky day.
Image: Apple

Anyone who uses an Apple Card can get Apple TV+ free for three months. And the deal isn’t limited to new subscribers – current ones also qualify.

It’s a promo for the new Apple TV+ movie Luck, and has the tagline, “It’s your lucky day. For three whole months.”

MacBook Pro and Studio Display replace iMac in picture-perfect setting [Setups]

By •

An M1 MacBook Pro and Studio Display enjoy the sunset by the coast north of Boston.
An M1 MacBook Pro and Studio Display enjoy the sunset by the coast north of Boston.
Photo: [email protected]

Some older iMacs are being shown the door, giving way to newer Macs paired with Studio Displays. That’s the case with today’s featured computer setup. In it, an iMac gave way recently to a plenty-powerful M1 MacBook Pro paired with a brilliant Studio Display.

And the attractively spare setup, well placed in a beautiful coastal setting, is nearly all Apple — down to the input devices and audio gear.

Apple steps up iPhone assembly in India

By •

india.iphone
Workers are already assembling iPhones in Indio.
Photo: Carnegie Council

Foxconn will begin shipping the iPhone 14 from its assembly plant in India almost as soon as its Chinese plant starts shipping Apple’s next smartphone, according to an industry analyst. This is apparently a sign that Apple is decreasing its dependence on China.

And Foxconn is reportedly building up its assembly capacity in India.

Apple Studio Display firmware update squashes pesky audio bug

By •

Apple Studio Display
A firmware update for the Apple Studio Display is hopefully the end of the monitor's audio problems.
Photo: Apple

A firmware update released Thursday fixes an audio problem that has afflicted the Apple Studio Display. Users of the pricey monitors have been complaining of choppy playback, audio that cuts out unexpectedly and playback speed issues.

Previously, Apple’s only solution to the problem was a variation on “turn it off and then back on again.”

Mophie’s new 20,000 mAh power bank quickly charges two devices on the go

By •

Carry 20,000 mAh with with Mophie Powerstation Pro
The Powerstation Pro external battery is just one of several charging accessories from Mophie that just debuted on the Apple store.
Photo: Zagg/Mophie

The Mophie Powerstation Pro boasts 20,000mAh of power, and dual USB-C ports to quickly deliver it to a MacBook or other computer at up to 45W. Apple likes the new power bank enough to launch it Thursday on its online store.

For a deeper look at its performance and features, check out our Mophie Powerstation Pro review.

The same is true of the Mophie Speedport 120, a 4-port charger that can provide up to 120W of power.

In addition, a collection of car chargers from Mophie also just debuted on the Apple store.

iOS 16.5 could enhance iPhone 14 with reverse wireless charging

By •

Mophie Snap+ Juice Pack Mini review
Soon, other MagSafe power banks besides Apple might be able to receive power from an iPhone, not just transmit it.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple will add support for wirelessly charging accessories to the iPhone 14, according to a tipster. iPhones already have limited support for reverse wireless charging, but the capability is supposedly being expanded.

This would make a range of third-party MagSafe accessories more useful.

Geek taxidermy: Get wall art in the form of a disassembled iPod Classic or iPad mini

By •

The fourth-generation iPod Classic is iconic because it introduced the Click Wheel.
The fourth-generation iPod Classic is iconic because it introduced the Click Wheel.
Photo: Grid Studio

Grid Studio disassembles well-loved gadgets and presents their rearranged innards as framed wall art. And its nostalgic collection for Apple fans just got two new entries.

The collection now includes a fourth-generation iPod Classic and a first-generation iPad mini for your aesthetic consideration.

Redesigned 2022 iPad might hold on to Home button

By •

Redesigned 2022 iPad might hold onto Home button
A side-by-side comparison with iPad 9 (right) shows the upcoming iPad 10 (left) will be wider.
Photo: Mysmartprice/Cult of Mac

The 10.2-inch iPad expected in fall 2022 supposedly will get a facelift. Leaked CAD drawing indicate the upcoming tablet will have a larger screen and the flat edges Apple includes in its other tablets.

But the low-cost iPad 10 reportedly will remain the last iPadOS device with a Home button after the redesign. The audio jack could be out, though.

Keep up with the latest home automation tech with Wemo Smart Dimmer with Thread

By •

Keep up with the latest smartphone tech with Wemo's Smart Dimmer with Thread
Wemo’s latest dimmer switch uses HomeKit over Thread for fast, reliable connections.
Photo: Belkin/Wemo

Dimming your lights is just the most obvious feature of the newly announced Wemo Smart Dimmer with Thread. It uses mesh networking to provide fast, reliable connections to your HomeKit home-automation system so you can control the switch from anywhere – across the room or across the country.

Plus, the wall dimmer switch doesn’t require a neutral wire so it can be installed in older homes as easily as new ones.

Microsoft Teams adds native Apple silicon support at long last

By •

Microsoft Teams is getting native support for M1 and M2 Macs ... pretty soon.
Microsoft Teams is getting native support for M1 and M2 Macs ... pretty soon.
Photo: Microsoft

Apple first said it would transition from Intel chips to Apple silicon more than 2 years ago. Then Cupertino launched the first M1 Mac in November 2020. And, finally, today Microsoft said its Teams app will now run natively on M1 and M2 Macs.

So it’s about time.

But don’t get greedy and expect the upgrade immediately. The Redmond tech giant said the rollout to users will be incremental.

iPadOS 16 might be delayed until October

By •

iPadOS 16 Stage Manager
iPad users could be waiting longer than expected for iPadOS 16.
Image: Apple

iPadOS 16 reportedly won’t be introduced in September, as expected. Instead, the next major iPad upgrade has supposedly been pushed back by a month.

The upcoming version is packed with new features, including giving iPads with an M-series processor support for floating app windows on the tablet screen and on external displays

M1 MacBook Pro and custom PC split dual gaming displays [Setups]

By •

The owner tried to set this whole thing up to roll into another room.
The owner tried to set this whole thing up to roll into another room.
Photo: cjeffe10

Some computer setups will make you green with envy, considering their gear’s quantity as well as quality. Take today’s featured setup, a delight for both gamers and podcasters.

It sports not just a new M1 MacBook, but also a powerful custom gaming PC. It boasts not just a solid 27-inch full HD display, but a monster 49-inch super-ultra-wide screen. And it relies on not just a good webcam, but a premium mirrorless digital camera.

And the list goes on, extending to audio and even a new mechanical keyboard. Read on.

OWC’s rugged, waterproof SSD with Thunderbolt expands to 4TB capacity

By •

OWC Envoy Pro FX was unveiled at CES 2021.
The OWC Envoy Pro FX portable SSD is designed for the urban jungle or a chaotic movie set.
Photo: OWC

The OWC Envoy Pro FX is a very rugged external SSD that previously topped out at 2TB, but is now available with 4TB of storage capacity.

The solid state drive is dustproof, drop-proof, and waterproof. It’s compatible with Mac, iPad, and many other devices. Plus, it supports Thunderbolt as well as USB connections.

Why Apple is (nearly) recession-proof

By •

Apple’s financial results were all the company could ask for.
Analysts expect consumers to keep buying Apple products, no matter what the global economy does.
Graphic: Cult of Mac

Although economists can’t agree whether a global recession is on the way, it’s definitely a possibility. But Apple execs don’t seem to have a lot to worry about – market analysts remain generally upbeat about the company.

Here are comments from a range of experts that are sure to warm Apple CEO Tim Cook’s heart.

M2 MacBook Air blows away other Macs in speed test

By •

M2 MacBook Air review roundup: The fast and the beauteous
The Apple M2 chip gives the 2022 MacBook Air a crazy fast web browser.
Photo: Apple

The new M2 MacBook Air got an amazing score on the Speedometer 2.0 benchmarking app. Apple’s latest notebook solidly beat other Macs in this test of web browser speed.

The performance boost comes from the new Apple M2 processor – the MacBook Pro with the same chip scores equally well.

Apple Maps extends cycling directions to all 50 states

By •

With the addition of Hawaii, now you can get turn-by-turn biking directions in all 50 states.
With the addition of Hawaii, now you can get turn-by-turn biking directions in all 50 states.
Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac

If you ride a bike, now you can now get turn-by-turn navigation from Apple Maps in all 50 states. That’s because cycling directions recently arrived in Hawaii.

If you get rolling now, there’s just time to bike through the whole country in … never. Not gonna happen.

But it’s nice to know directions are available all over if you ever need them.

Are you worthy of Nomad’s new golden Base One chargers?

By •

Nomad's Gold Base One Max looks so money.
Nomad's Gold Base One Max looks so money.
Photo: Nomad

Nomad’s refined and costly Base One and Base One Max MagSafe chargers are widely considered to be of excellent quality,  even “high-end” status. But now you can feel even more like a king — maybe King Midas — by snagging one with a rich golden hue.

That’s right, Nomad just rolled out golden gear for you, the Gold Base One and Base One Max.

Redesigned Eve Aqua sensor for HomeKit gains durability

By •

The new Eve Aqua Smart Water Controller is more durable than before.
The new Eve Aqua Smart Water Controller is more durable than before.
Photo: Eve Systems

Eve Systems rolled out a redesigned version of it Eve Aqua Smart Water Controller for HomeKit Tuesday that should help you keep your lawn or garden green.

The gadget sports a new look and improved mechanics for better durability, the company said.

Apple ends face mask mandate for corporate employees at ‘most locations’

By •

The walkway around Apple Park.
Apple corporate employees will see a lot fewer masks at Apple Park.
Photo: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

Apple reportedly told its corporate employees the company’s face mask requirement is at its end. There are exceptions, though.

In March, the company removed the requirement for workers who had been vaccinated for COVID-19. After Monday’s policy change, it’s mostly come to an end for all employees.

Plugable’s USBC-VAMeter3 gets even better at finding charging woes

By •

Plugable’s USBC-Vameter3 gets even better at finding charging woes
Plugable's tiny voltage and amperage meter can help you find out why a MacBook or iPad isn't getting power.
Photo: Plugable

Anyone who’s ever said to themselves “Is this $%&@ thing even charging?” might be interested in the new version of Plugable’s voltage and amperage meter.

Plug the USBC-VAMeter3 into your device then plug the charging cable into the meter and you’ll see how much power is flowing and in which direction.

A new version USBC-VAMeter3 launched Tuesday for under $30. It can handle more power, which makes it more useful and less likely to be accidentally damaged.

Apple offers feeble fix for Studio Display’s speaker problems

By •

Apple Studio Display
Apple's $1,599 Studio Display is marred with issues.
Photo: Apple

After months of complaints from Studio Display owners, Apple finally offered a temporary fix for problems with the pricey monitor’s speakers and microphone. The frustrating glitches include choppy playback, audio that cuts out unexpectedly and playback speed issues.

The company provided a temporary solution in an internal memo while it scrambles to come up with a software fix.