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News - page 254

Apple thanks police after ‘terrifying’ hostage situation at Amsterdam store

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Apple Leidseplein store in Amsterdam
Apple Leidseplein, where a gunman demanded $226 in ransom money on Tuesday.
Photo: Apple

Apple thanked police in Amsterdam on Wednesday for their “exceptional work” after a “terrifying” hostage situation unfolded at a local Apple store.

An armed man in a balaclava stormed Apple Leidseplein on Tuesday, and a bystander was taken and held at gunpoint. After several hours, police stopped the gunman by hitting him with a car as he tried to flee.

iOS 15.4 beta 4 adds new anti-stalking features for AirTag

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SwitchEasy Skin for AirTag
Apple wants to crack down on stalking without ruining AirTag's functionality.
Photo: SwitchEasy

Apple’s newest iOS 15.4 beta adds new anti-stalking features for AirTag that were first announced earlier this month.

The fourth beta release, which rolled out to registered developers on Tuesday, includes a new AirTag setup warning that states it is illegal to use the device to track people without their consent in many regions.

The Snoopy Show returns along with new Peanuts holiday specials

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‘The Snoopy Show’ returns to Apple TV+ in March
New episodes of The Snoopy Show premiere on Apple TV+ in March.
Screenshot: Apple TV+

Season two of The Snoopy Show premieres on Apple TV+ in March, with fresh adventures of Charlie Brown’s irrepressible pooch, his pal Woodstock and the rest of the gang. A new trailer shows the fun to be expected.

It’ll soon be followed by a pair of new Peanuts holiday specials for Earth Day and Mother’s Day.

Unclutter your desk with an invisible wireless iPhone charger

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Free up a little desk space by putting your wireless charger under it.
Free up a little desk space by putting your wireless charger under it.
Photo: Choetech

If you suffer from a cluttered desktop — and who doesn’t, at least sometimes? — Choetech has something for you. Right now you can preorder its new Invisible Wireless Charger and take one more item off the junk pile.

Of course, unless you also suffer from some seriously magical thinking, you know it’s not literally invisible. But it does hide the charger under your desk so you can power up your iPhone or other Qi-enabled gadget right on the desktop without another piece of gear sitting there.

Bose adds customizable EQ to QuietComfort 45 headphones

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A firmware update adds an equalizer so you can tweak the sound of your Bose QuietComfort 45 headphones.
A firmware update adds an equalizer so you can tweak the sound of your Bose QuietComfort 45 headphones.
Photo: Bose

Bose made a splash with its recent, long-awaited update to its popular QuietComfort 35 headphones. But while the company was probably smart not to change the QuietComfort formula much, that included not expanding the classic headphones’ limited customizability. Until now.

If you have a set of QC 45s, Bose said a new firmware update lets you access and adjust a new equalizer via the Bose Music app. So you can tweak the sound all you want with the new Adjustable EQ feature.

College gives every student free MacBook Pro, iPad mini and Apple Pencil

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If you're in college, maybe it's time to transfer?
If you're in college, maybe it's time to transfer?
Photo: Bowdoin College

In 2020, Bowdoin College in Maine launched a $1.7 million program to give students iPads and accessories. It was a response to the COVID-19 pandemic. On Tuesday, the school said it would expand what it calls its Digital Excellence Commitment. Now it will provide every student with a MacBook Pro, an iPad and an Apple Pencil.

Avoid costly water damage with Eve’s new HomeKit-enabled sensor

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Now with Thread support, Eve Water Guard sends leak alerts to the Home app.
Now with Thread support, Eve Water Guard sends leak alerts to the Home app.
Photo: Eve Systems

If you’ve ever suffered major water damage from a leak, you probably wish you could’ve found the problem before it was too late. Now you can — if you have the right smart home automation.

The second generation of the Bluetooth-enabled Eve Water Guard adds Thread networking technology that works with HomeKit. That lets it automatically join your Thread network and provide water leak notifications in Apple’s Home app before the damage is done.

New 5G chip could mean even better battery life for iPhone 14

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Apple 5G chip
TSMC beats out Samsung for Apple's orders.
Image: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

Apple’s most recent iPhone models offer better battery life than any of their rivals — and it could be about to get even better. Cupertino is reportedly preparing a new 5G chip that is even more efficient for iPhone 14.

Supply chain sources say the chip will be manufactured exclusively by TSMC using its latest 6-nanometer process, with Samsung losing out on orders.

Apple tasks South Korean firm with building autopilot chips for its first car

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Apple's actual plans for car remain secretive, with a launch likely at least a couple years away.
Apple's actual plans for car remain secretive, with a launch likely at least a couple years away.
Photo: Vanarama

Apple will use autopilot chips built by a South Korean firm in its first self-driving car, according to a new report.

The two companies joined forces around a year ago and are said to be working on a chipset package that is likely to include a CPU, GPU, memory and imaging interface to “oversee AI computations.”

Instagram quietly makes its daily usage limits less limiting

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Instagram usage limits
The 10-minute option is gone.
Image: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

Instagram addicts will have to rely on self control if they want to keep their browsing time to under 30 minutes a day after the photo sharing platform quietly made its usage limits less limiting.

It was previously possible to restrict yourself to just 10 minutes of Instagram per day within the iPhone app. Now 30 minutes is the smallest time limit.

Get your game on with BenQ’s pricey new projector

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BenQ's new gaming projector throws a 100- to 150-inch image on the wall.
BenQ's new gaming projector throws a 100- to 150-inch image on the wall.
Photo: BenQ

BenQ is known for making quality displays and monitor lights, but it also makes projectors. Its latest offering, the BenQ X3000i, can handle blazing-fast gaming at a refresh rate up to 240Hz, but it comes at quite a price — about two grand.

Apple VR/AR headset takes big step toward production

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Apple VR/AR headset takes big step toward production
The Apple VR/AR headset might look something like this concept when it finally gets released.
Concept: Martin Hajek/Computer Bild

Apple is reportedly doing engineering validation tests on its much-rumored VR/AR headset. This is an important milestone in moving the product out of the lab and into production.

The device — which supposedly will offer both virtual reality and augmented reality capabilities — is expected to be unveiled later this year.

Apple down another $5.7 million for refusing to abide by App Store rules

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App Store
Apple just won't comply with the ACM.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple was today fined yet another $5.7 million, its fifth so far, for an ongoing refusal to abide by new App Store regulation in the Netherlands.

Regulators last year ruled that dating app developers should be able to accept third-party payments. But as far as the Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) is concerned, Apple has “refused to put forward any serious proposals.”

MacBook with 20-inch folding screen sounds like a dream machine

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Astro HQ’s MacBook concept has a flexible touchscreen in place of the keyboard and trackpad.
A MacBook with a 20-inch screen might look a lot like this cool concept.
Photo: Astro HQ

Apple is reportedly working on a notebook with a display that dwarfs the 16-inch screen in the latest MacBook Pro. And the whole device won’t be gargantuan — because it’ll fold in half.

But don’t grab your credit card just yet. The product is supposedly still years away.

Drool-worthy gear: Former PC gamer goes all-in on Mac conversion [Setups]

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You don't see two Pro Display XDRs in one setup very often.
You don't see two Pro Display XDRs in one setup very often.
Photo: [email protected]

When a software engineering manager who works from home decided to leave PC gaming behind, he went all-in on his Mac conversion. In part he did it for work. He slings a lot of native code for macOS in building HR recruitment software. But, working and playing from home full time, in part he did it for himself.

So why wouldn’t he buy a super-tricked out 16-inch M1 Max MacBook Pro, not one but two Apple Pro Display XDRs and pretty much top-shelf everything else?

Kanye West snubs Apple Music, allegedly declines $100 million deal

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Kanye West
How could you be so heartless?
Photo: Super 45

Kanye West’s upcoming Donda 2 album will not be available on Apple Music — or any other streaming service. The rapper claims he turned down a $100 million deal with Apple because it doesn’t pay artists enough.

“No one can pay me to be disrespected,” read one of a number of Instagram posts that have since been removed. Donda 2 will now be exclusive to West’s own platform, the $200 Stem Player that allows listeners to “customize” songs.

iPhone 14 enters trial production right on time

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Apple plans iPhone features 3 years ahead
Mass-production is likely to begin this summer.
Photo: ConceptsiPhone

iPhone 14 reportedly entered trial production this week ahead of its official debut this fall. The move indicates that Apple has finalized the lineup’s design and is now ready to identify problems that might arise during manufacturing.

Foxconn, Apple’s largest manufacturing partner, reportedly will build the flagship iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max. And Apple will task Luxshare, which makes some iPhone 13 Pro units, with manufacturing two more-affordable models.

Which Macs will pop out of Apple’s magic pipeline next? [The CultCast]

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The CultCast: We thought the Touch Bar was going the way of the dodo, but maybe not.
We thought the Touch Bar was going the way of the dodo, but maybe not.
Image: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: Thanks to regulatory filings, we know that new MacBooks are coming soon. Now, the only question is … just exactly what Macs should we expect at Apple’s rumored March event? (We know what we want.)

Also on The CultCast:

  • Maybe MacBook Pro’s Touch Bar isn’t a goner after all.
  • There’s new hope for ancient Macs, from a very unlikely company.
  • Sony’s weird new earbuds look oddly intriguing.
  • Another great giveaway that you have an excellent chance of winning.
  • And a Steve Jobs-era Apple mystery — solved at last!

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 livestream, embedded below.

Apple TV+ will screen indie hit CODA in theaters for free

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CODA will show for free in theaters from Friday, February 25 through 27.
CODA will show for free in theaters from Friday, February 25 through 27.
Photo: Apple TV+

In celebration of CODA‘s Oscar nomination for Best Picture, Apple TV+ said Friday it will celebrate by re-releasing the indie hit in theaters next weekend. And you’ll be able to watch it for free.

You can see the film for free in theaters from Friday, February 25 to Sunday, February 27.

Create your best witchy life with Wylde Flowers on Apple Arcade

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Create your best witchy life with ‘Wylde Flowers on Apple Arcade
Help a witch grow plants, tend animals, make friends and maybe even fall in love in Wylde Flowers.
Screenshot: Studio Drydock

Help a young witch grow the family farm in Wylde Flowers, a magical sim game that debuted Friday on Apple Arcade. You’ll also need to increase your spell skills if you want to help your local coven solve a mystery.

The enchanting game is available now for a range of Apple computers.

Union! Apple retail employees move to unionize

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Union! Apple retail employees move to unionize
While these Apple Store employees are clearly happy, some don’t feel they are being paid as much as they could. So they’re unionizing.
Photo: Apple

Workers at some Apple Stores are reportedly planning to unionize. Employees are two stores are close to filing paperwork with the National Labor Relations Board and more are moving in that direction.

They say their goal is a larger share of Apple’s huge profits.