Mobile menu toggle

News - page 229

‘Severe’ thermal throttling in Apple M2 chip raises questions about MacBook Air performance

By

'Severe' thermal throttling in Apple M2 chip raises questions about MacBook Air performance
The M2 MacBook Pro can get hot, hot, hot. What does that mean for the M2 MacBook Air, which has no fan?
Graphic: Apple

The just-released MacBook Pro running Apple’s new M2 processor offers generally good performance, but its single fan can’t stop it from experiencing ‘severe’ thermal throttling under certain conditions, according to tests done on the device.

The upcoming MacBook Air also uses an M2 chip and doesn’t have a fan at all. How much thermal throttling it will experience is not yet knownn, but it could be signficant.

Bowers & Wilkins overhauls flagship ANC headphones and plans whole new level

By

The new Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 feature improvements across the board, the company said.
The new Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 feature improvements across the board, the company said.
Photo: Bowers & Wilkins

Bowers & Wilkins is often cited for the great sound quality of its Px7 noise-canceling over-ear headphones, released in 2019, and a worthy rival to AirPods Max. Now the British audio specialists have overhauled the model with release of the Px7 S2 — but without a price increase.

And what’s more, the company said a new flagship model, the “luxurious” Px8, is coming soon.

New CarPlay feature could let you pay for fuel right from the dashboard

By

CarPlay may not take over the whole dashboard with iOS 16, but it may let you pay for fuel from the infotainment center.
CarPlay may not take over the whole dashboard with iOS 16, but it may let you pay for fuel from the infotainment center.
Photo: Apple

Apple previewed the next generation of CarPlay at WWDC22, but most of those new features are a ways from becoming reality. However, the arrival of iOS 16 later this year could see new CarPlay apps for “fuel and driving tasks,” including a way to pay for fuel right from the vehicle’s infotainment center.

CleanMyMac X update better monitors your Mac’s health

By

MacPaw CleanMyMac X update better monitors your Mac's health
CleanMyMac X adds monitors for the processor, HD, RAM and more.
Photo: MacPaw

MacPaw’s CleanMyMac X now includes five new ways to track the health of Mac computers. They monitor the CPU, RAM, storage, battery and more. The software already blocks malware and ensures other third-party apps are always up to date.

MacPaw also announced that its raffle to raise money for Ukrainian aid brought in far more than expected.

South Korean App Store developers can now ditch Apple’s payment system

By

App Store will accept alternative payment systems
But it might not be beneficial to use an alternative payment system.
Image: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

Apple now allows App Store developers in South Korea to use third-party payment systems. The option is limited to apps distributed in the country.

The Cupertino giant is allowing alternative payment processors in the South Korean App Store to comply with the amended Telecommunications Business Act.

Apple Card subscribers earn 4% cash back at Petco, Ray-Ban, Yeti and more

By

Use Apple Card and Apple Pay to get 4% back at select retailers
Double your Apple Card cash back with select retailers in July.
Photo: Apple

Use an Apple Card at certain online retailers and service providers between now and the end of July to earn 4% cash back. It’s a summertime promotion, and the companies involved offer sunglasses, movie tickets, coolers, hotel rooms, etc.

Apple Pay and the Mac-maker’s credit card regularly offer at least 2% cash back for online purchases but some special deals bring larger percentages. Like this one.

Win a 4-in-1 MagSafe charging stand with built-in nightlight [Cult of Mac giveaways]

By

SwitchEasy MagPower 4-in-1 Magnetic Wireless Charging Stand: It's the perfect addition for your bedside table or desk.
It's the perfect addition for your bedside table or desk.
Photo: Adel Neal/Cult of Mac

This week’s giveaway is a sturdy, MagSafe-compatible, multi-device wireless charger that includes a convenient nightlight. The SwitchEasy MagPower 4-in-1 Magnetic Wireless Charging Stand has everything you need to charge your iPhone (series 12 and upward), AirPods (wireless charging case), Apple Watch and one USB device simultaneously.

But what makes this charging stand different is the clever addition of a built-in nightlight. With a simple tap of the base, it lights up (with three brightness settings). It gives you enough light to find your devices, but with no glare in your eyes, because the light is directed away from the stand on the chrome arm.

As iPhone turns 15, old prototypes could fetch $500,000 each

By

Half a million for an
Half a million for an "old-ass iPhone," as Miani put it? Really?
Photo: Luke Miani

Apple iPhone turns 15 years old today. To mark the occasion, YouTuber Luke Miani showed off a handful of iPhone prototypes. They feature pre-release software and somewhat unfamiliar designs.

To give you an idea of how rare these handsets are, two of them are valued at $500,000 apiece.

Leather rally Apple Watch bands make a racy statement

By

If you're wearing that strap, you probably drive a fast car.
If you're wearing that strap, you probably drive a fast car.
Photo: BluShark

Evoking nostalgia for 1960s and 1970s motorsports with their distinctive perforations, leather rally watch bands pair beautifully with rugged chronograph watches and smartwatches alike.

BluShark’s trio of leather rally Apple Watch bands, for example, make quite the racy statement.

Your car may not be all that fast, but if you want to feel like Steve McQueen getting behind the wheel, check out BluShark’s leather rally Apple Watch band collection in the Cult of Mac Store.

Apple is slowly catching up with demand for 2021 MacBook Pro

By

Apple pushes February MacBook Pro orders back to June
You won't need a calendar to track your 2021 MacBook Pro order. It might help, though.
Photo: Cult of Mac

Wait times for Apple’s hottest MacBooks are shorter than they were this spring. It’s now possible to get some versions of the 2021 MacBook Pro delivered in less than a month.

And the COVID outbreak in China that caused the delays is apparently over.

New program rewards top Apple Support Community contributors

By

The new Apple Community+ program seeks to reward top contributors in the Apple Support Community.
The new Apple Community+ program seeks to reward top contributors in the Apple Support Community.
Photo: Apple

Apple introduced a new global “Apple Community+” program Wednesday that Cupertino said will recognize and reward top contributors in the Apple Support Community.

The new program will provide “access to special perks, white-glove experiences, and more,” the company said.

Trailer gives sneak peek at final season of Jason Momoa’s See, coming soon to Apple TV+

By

Trailer gives a sneak peek at the final season of Jason Momoa's 'See'
Jason Momoa in the third season of “See,” premiering globally Friday, August 26 on Apple TV+.
Photo: Apple TV+

See is coming to an end. The epic, post-apocalyptic adventure series starring Jason Momoa will wrap up with season 3, which premieres on Apple TV+ in late August.

A just-released teaser trailer for the upcoming season reveals a new threat for Baba Voss and his family.

Mac Pro and 3-Pro-Display-XDR workstation is an AV wonderland [Setups]

By

A 2019 Mac Pro is the core of this computer setup, along with a 16-inch M1 Pro MacBook (not pictured).
A 2019 Mac Pro is the core of this computer setup, along with a 16-inch M1 Pro MacBook (not pictured).
Photo: Liam Hudson

We can count the number of times we’ve come across a three-Pro Display XDR workstation in our Setups travels on less than one hand — maybe two or three times. And if you throw in a late-model Mac Pro and a pile of great audio-visual gear for professional-level videoconferencing, well, that’s even more rare.

Liam Hudson, CEO of a qualitative electronic trading company, sent his “ultimate computer setup” for at-home work to Cult of Mac. And it’s really something.

Why you won’t want to use iPad as a Home Hub with iOS 16

By

You'll still be able to use iPad as a Home Hub when iOS 16 and iPadOS 16 come along, but will you want to?
You'll still be able to use iPad as a Home Hub when iOS 16 and iPadOS 16 come along, but will you want to?
Photo: Apple

The recent news that iPads won’t function as Home Hubs with iOS 16 and iPadOS 16 stands corrected. Apple now says they’ll work. But they won’t benefit from any new features in the revamped HomeKit and Home app.

And that’s likely to be a pretty big drawback.

Apple TV+ films and series rank higher than any rival streaming service

By

Apple TV+ offers higher-rated films and series than any rival streaming service
Apple TV+ content gets top marks.
Graphic: Apple TV+

Apple TV+ content enjoys the highest average IMDb score of any streaming service, according to a new study. It comes in tops in a variety of areas, including dramas and child-friendly shows.

This shouldn’t come as a surprise: Apple’s streaming video service regularly wins awards, including a Best Picture Oscar in 2022.

Apple’s all-in-one gift card finally arrives in Europe

By

Buy hardware or software with the new Apple gift card.
The "gift card for everything Apple" is now available in Europe.
Photo: Apple

Apple’s all-in-one gift card is now available in France, Germany, Italy, Spain and several other European countries. The gift card’s expansion comes nearly two years after its US launch.

Until now, Apple sold separate gift cards to customers in Europe: one for App Store and another for Apple Store.

Brazil wants Apple to make USB-C iPhones

By

iPhone X with USB-C port
Everyone wants a USB-C iPhone.
Photo: Ken Pillonel

Brazil is considering forcing smartphone manufacturers to adopt a standard charging port on all their devices. The move comes in the wake of the European Union ruling mandating the use of USB-C for charging phones, tablets, headphones, and other accessories.

US Senators are also urging a common charging standard on smartphones to reduce e-waste.

Belkin revamps 3-in-1 charging stand with faster Apple Watch charges

By

This MagSafe charger from Belkin might be the coolest iPhone 12 accessory.
Belkin's iPhone/Apple Watch/AirPods charging stand just got better.
Photo: Belkin

An improved version of the Belkin BoostCharge Pro 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Stand supports fast charging Apple Watch Series 7 – up to 33% faster than Series 6.

And the stand still charges MagSafe iPhones at up to 15 watts. And it provides 5 watts to AirPods wireless charging cases.

Park the preschoolers in front of this Apple TV+ Duck & Goose trailer

By

Duck and Goose are good friends who know it's OK for friends to be different.
Duck and Goose are good friends who know it's OK for friends to be different.
Photo: Apple TV+

Rejoice, parents. A wholesome new animated series is on the way, and you can feel OK about parking your preschoolers in front of it. Or at least it looks that way from the new Apple TV+ trailer for Duck & Goose, out Tuesday.

The new show for preschool-age kids premieres Friday, July 8.

Judge rules against Apple in ECG suit calling for Apple Watch import ban

By

A judge ruled Apple infringed on AliveCor's ECG-related patents.
A judge ruled Apple infringed on AliveCor's ECG-related patents.
Photo: Apple

Personal electrocardiogram (ECG) technology maker AliveCor sued Apple last year, claiming the tech giant infringed on patents when developing the heart-health functionality for Apple Watch. AliveCor called for a ban on U.S. imports of the wearable, as well.

Now a judge from the International Trade Commission has supported the claims in an initial ruling.

Sleek Elago MagSafe stands keep your charging iPhone functional

By

The Elago MS4 charging stand, shown in silver, is compatible with MagSafe and helps unclutter your cables.
The Elago MS4 charging stand, shown in silver, is compatible with MagSafe and helps unclutter your cables.
Photo: Elago

Elago’s sleek, MagSafe-compatible iPhone charging stands make it easy to keep using your favorite gadget while it rapidly charges, sitting upright on the aluminum stand, easily at hand. Or easily hands-free, as the case may be.

You just quickly install a MagSafe charging puck into the Elago stand. Then it’s perfect for charging your phone while on FaceTime calls or while you’re using it in other ways.

Apple efforts to make iPhone 5G modems are bombing

By

An Apple 5G modem might look like this
We apparently won't see an Apple 5G modem for years to come.
Artists concept: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple is reportedly unable to produce the 5G modem for the 2023 iPhone, as it had hoped. It will instead have the buy the critical component from Qualcomm, a company that Cupertino has quarreled with in the past.

Cupertino already sank more than a billion dollars into this so-far-unsuccessful effort.