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News - page 220

M2 MacBook Air now available for in-store pickup

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Apple keeps up with rush of M2 MacBook Air preorders
Time to pick up your M2 MacBook Air from your nearest Apple Store.
Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac

Apple’s new M2 MacBook Air is now arriving for preorder customers in Australia, New Zealand, Asia and Europe. It will also be available for in-store pickup starting today in most major markets of the world.

Apple’s svelte M2 MacBook Air has received rave reviews for its excellent performance and long battery life.

Go to the dark side with special-edition Nanoleaf Shapes smart lights

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See the special-edition all-black Shapes turned off, at left, and turned on, at right.
See the special-edition all-black Shapes turned off, at left, and turned on, at right.
Photo: Nanoleaf

Celebrating its “10-year Nanoversary,” Nanoleaf put out a special edition of its Shapes smart-lighting panels. It’s a new all -black color option: Ultra Black Shapes Triangles.

Like the other colors, the new set works with HomeKit as part of your smart-home lighting.

iPhone 14 is on track for early fall launch

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New renders show iPhone 14 in all its purported purple glory
iPhone 14 is moving ahead
Concept: Jon Prosser/Ian Zelbo

The iPhone 14 is reportedly already in the test production phase. That puts Apple’s next-gen smartphone on schedule to launch in September, as expected.

But, in a separate report, an industry analyst warns that one version of the 2022 iPhone may be in short supply when it launches.

Apple TV+ taps Clintons for docuseries about Gutsy women

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In new Apple TV+ docuseries Gutsy, Chelsea and Hillary Clinton will interview women that inspire them.
New docuseries Gutsy puts Chelsea and Hillary Clinton in the driver's seat.
Photo: Apple TV+

In new Apple TV+ documentary series Gutsy, Hillary Rodham Clinton and her daughter Chelsea Clinton will interview women the pair find inspirational.

The eight-part docuseries, based on the Clintons’ bestseller The Book of Gutsy Women, will premiere September 9, Apple said Thursday in a press release.

Bring your 2010 Mac back to life with Chrome OS Flex

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Chrome OS Flex turns 2009 MacBook into a useful computer again
Transform your old Mac into a Chromebook with Chrome OS Flex
Photo: Google

Google’s Chrome OS Flex is now ready to revive Macs that are too elderly to run the latest macOS version. That includes models as far back as 2010. It turns the Mac into a Chromebook, but at least it’s an up-to-date one.

The free OS is targeted at businesses and schools, but it might become a way for individuals to bring some new life to their obsolete Macs.

M2 MacBook Air review roundup: The fast and the beauteous

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M2 MacBook Air review roundup: The fast and the beauteous
The first reviews of the M2 MacBook Air are very positive.
Photo: Apple

The first reviews of the M2 MacBook Air praise its slimmer design and speedy M2 processor. “Apple’s near-perfect Mac,” says Engadget.

Sometimes reviews are a mix of positives and negatives. Not this time – reviewers found very little to criticize in Apple’s newest notebook.

With Jony Ive gone, Apple’s design team deserves more glory

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Apple's Industrial Design team at the Apple Watch unveiling.
Apple's Industrial Design team at the Apple Watch unveiling.
Photo: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac

Now that Jony Ive and Apple have finally severed ties completely, it’s time for Cupertino’s current Industrial Design team to get the recognition it deserves.

Ive’s old Industrial Design team at Apple has been doing stellar work in his absence, but without getting the full credit. As long as Ive was still an Apple consultant, the credit was muddied: Was this Ive’s work or someone else’s?

Does hyped new Android phone hide Apple logo in plain sight?

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Does hyped new Android phone hide Apple logo in plain sight?
Cover up a couple of the LEDs in the Nothing Phone's "glyph" and and what's left is an abstract version of the Apple logo.
Photo: Nothing/Cult of Mac

The just-launched Nothing Phone (1) is drawing a tremendous amount of attention even though it’s only a mid-range Android with some glowing bits. Android fans seem to really like the LED design on the back, but maybe they haven’t noticed that it’s mostly an Apple logo.

Intentional homage? Accident? Definitely hilarious!

If you’re anti-mouse and anti-trackpad, what device can you use? [Setups]

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That thing in the foreground is a Wacom Intuos Pro M tablet.
That thing in the foreground is a Wacom Intuos Pro M tablet.
Photo: happy_haircut

Some people dislike using a mouse. Others can’t fathom a trackpad. And believe it or not, some folks hate both. So what do they do to get their brilliant thoughts onto the computer screen?

Knowing it’s hard to get by in life on just a keyboard, what input device can they use in addition to it? As today’s featured computer setup illustrates, they might try using a certain tablet like it’s a cross between a trackpad and a mouse.

Apple TV+ Five Days at Memorial trailer tracks horrors in wake of Hurricane Katrina

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Vera Farmiga stars in
Vera Farmiga stars in "Five Days at Memorial" on Apple TV+.
Photo: Apple TV+

Released Wednesday, the first trailer for Five Days at Memorial depicts the agonizing decisions Hurricane Katrina forced on staff at Memorial Medical Center in New Orleans in 2005. The storm itself was just the first of many horrors.

The drama series lands on Apple TV+ on August 12.

Best Prime Day deals on Apple gear and more [Updated]

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We search out the best Amazon Prime Day 2018 deals so you don't have to.
We search out the best Amazon Prime Day deals so you don't have to.
Image: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Amazon Prime Day 2022 is here, and Cult of Mac is showcasing the best Prime Day deals for Apple fans. The annual two-day sale runs July 12 and July 13, and there are lots of solid deals to be had, including the lowest-ever price on Apple TV 4K ($109), $279 Series 7 Apple Watch, AirPods Pro for $170, $299 iPad and much more.

Here are the best ones we’ve found so far.

Proposed new emoji list shows we already have all the emoji we need

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Proposed new emoji list shows we already have all the emoji we need
These are some of the emoji that might be added to Apple devices in 2023.
Image: Emojipedia

The collection of emoji will grow in the coming months, with the 31 proposed new entries including a shaking face, a donkey, a jellyfish and hearts in a range of colors. The proposal also includes an array of left- and right-facing hands, which likely will be used to indicate high fives.

This is by far the shortest list of new emoji proposed in years. It seems the Unicode Consortium thinks the already available collection is close to complete.

Jony Ive slips Apple’s golden handcuffs

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Former Apple design chief Jony Ive talks up big ideas in his virtual commencement speech.
Jony Ive has ended his partnership with Apple, ending a very productive 30-year relationship.
Photo: Nick Knight

Jony Ive’s 30-year partnership with Apple is over.

Ive and Apple have reportedly severed ties completely, ending a relationship that spanned more than three decades and resulted in some of Apple’s biggest products, including the iPhone, iMac, Apple Watch, spaceship campus, numerous retail stores and much more.

Mophie dual-port MacBook charger launches at Apple stores

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Mophie dual-port MacBook charger launches at Apple stores
The Mophie Speedport 45 can juice up a MacBook and and iPhone at the same time.
Photo: Zagg/Mophie

Apple likes the Mophie Speedport 45 enough to put the dual USB-C port wall charger on its online store.

This not surprising: Mophie’s new product offers more power than Apple’s recently launched equivalents, and it costs less.

AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods Max could employ powerful next-gen Bluetooth

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AirPods Pro 2 could be among Apple's earphones that take advantage of the new Bluetooth standard.
AirPods Pro 2 could be among Apple's earphones that take advantage of the new Bluetooth standard.
Photo: Killian Bell / Cult of Mac

The standards body behind Bluetooth technology said Tuesday the next-gen version first promoted two years ago is finally here. With Bluetooth LE Audio now complete, new headphones like the upcoming AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods Max can incorporate an array of improvements.

Just to name a few, we can expect better sound, improved power efficiency and connectivity to an “unlimited” number of devices if Apple fully integrates the new standard.

iOS 15.6, macOS 12.5 take penultimate step toward release

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iOS 15.6, macOS 12.5 take penultimate step toward release
Devs got the iPadOS 15.6 release candidate along with iOS 15.6 RC and macOS 12.5 RC on Tuesday.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Remember iOS 15.6 and macOS Monterey 12.5? While these have been overshadowed by iOS 16 and macOS Ventura, Apple hasn’t forgotten about them. They are nearing the end of beta testing, with release candidates going out to developers on Tuesday.

That means iOS 15.6 and macOS Monterey 12.5 are likely to debut July 19 or before. They’ll be joined by iPadOS 15.6, watchOS 8.7 and tvOS 15.6.

Apple TV+ bags 51 Primetime Emmy nominations

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Apple TV+
With 51 nominations, Apple TV+ stands to do well at the primetime Emmy Awards.
Photo: Apple TV+

The Television Academy said Tuesday Apple TV+ received 51 Primetime Emmy nominations, including 20 for the hit comedy Ted Lasso.

That matches the show’s record-breaking number of Emmy nominations in 2021. And the psychological thriller Severance received 14 nominations this year, second most among the streaming service’s titles.

YouTube picture-in-picture finally rolls out for all iPhone users

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YouTube picture-in-picture finally rolls out for all iPhone users
The wait is over. YouTube picture-in-picture is now available for all iPhone and iPad users.
Image: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

YouTube has brought picture-in-picture support to all U.S. users of its iOS and iPadOS apps. The feature is rolling out now, and will allow users to watch videos in a mini player while also using other applications.

The convenient feature has been in beta testing for many months

Apple car won’t need a steering wheel

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Apple Car: Hyundai Ioniq Electric x Apple Mouse
The Apple car might never need a driver, just passengers.
Concept: LeaseFetcher

You’ll never get behind the wheel of an Apple car. That’s because the Mac-maker’s plan is a fully autonomous vehicle, according to a trove of information about the upcoming car that came to light Monday. That means no steering wheel and no brake pedal.

But Apple does not yet have a car that’s capable of reliably driving itself. And at least one high-level exec sounds skeptical that it ever will.

First public betas for iOS 16, macOS Ventura arrive

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First public betas for iOS 16, macOS Ventura arrive
Just can't wait to try the new iOS 16 Lock screen or Stage Manger in macOS Ventura? Now is your chance.
Photo: Apple

Anyone who wants to can now install a beta of iOS 16, macOS Ventura, iPadOS 16, watchOS 9 or tvOS 16. Until now, these have been reserved for developers.

Those who are interested should take care: these are still fairly early betas. They have bugs and are not recommended for devices that will be used daily.

Apple TV 4K hits lowest price ever

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The current Siri Remote was an improvement on its predecessor.
Apple TV 4K at 32GB and 64GB are both at best-ever prices right now.
Photo: Apple

Amazon Prime Day runs officially on Tuesday and Wednesday, but many deals, including bargains on Apple gear, tend to creep in early.

Earlier today it was Apple Watch 7 hitting a new low price, and now it’s Apple TV 4K — now at its lowest price ever on Amazon.

Production woes result in severe drop in Mac shipments

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Apple Final Cut Pro updated for latest M1 processors
Shipments fell far short of demand for the Mac Studio this spring.
Photo: Apple

Apple’s struggle to get computers assembled in China during COVID lockdowns this spring had the expected result: Mac shipments dropped 22.5% in the spring quarter of 2022, according to a market-research firm.

At least company execs can take solace from the fact that this is not a demand problem. Consumers want to buy Macs but Apple can’t supply them.