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News - page 254

Floating app windows could be coming to iPad. Finally.

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Floating app windows could be coming to iPad. Finally.
Apple is allegedly working to make this dream into a reality.
Illustration: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

iPad users will soon be able to work with applications in floating windows, if an unconfirmed report is correct. This is a highly requested feature from those who want Apple’s tablet to function more like a Mac.

iPadOS will supposedly offer something like tablet mode and laptop mode depending on how it is being used.

3D-render wunderkind Ian Zelbo jacks up performance [Setups]

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Ian Zelbo works on renders on a tricked-out PC in New York City.
Ian Zelbo works on renders on a tricked-out PC in New York City.
Photo: Ian Zelbo

We last wrote about the computer setup of 17-year-old concept creator and render artist Ian Zelbo back in May 2021. As then, the young New Yorker’s 3D renderings of Macs and other leaked tech products continue to amaze viewers online.

But he recently switched things up a bit with the gear he needs to get the job done. Along with a big step up from a 13-inch M1 MacBook Pro to a 14-inch M1 Pro version, he custom-built a PC to do a lot of the heavy lifting in his resource-intensive work.

Lucky shopper receives Mac Studio days early

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Lucky shopper receives Mac Studio days early
Turns out not everyone has to wait until Friday to receive a Mac Studio.
Photo: Simon/Mac4Ever

The Mac Studio is scheduled to start reaching customers on March 18. But a fortunate Frenchman got his Tuesday, three days early!

Seems a store in France missed the note from Apple about not shipping until later in the week.

Xbox Cloud Gaming gets ‘major’ improvements on iPhone and iPad

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Xbox Cloud Gaming gets major improvements
Try them out now and let Microsoft know what you think.
Image: Microsoft

Microsoft this week rolled out a big Xbox Cloud Gaming update that promises “major performance improvements” on iPhone and iPad. They should allow for smoother and more responsive gameplay, the company said.

The changes have already been well-received by Cloud Gaming users, with Microsoft seeing a “significant increase” in positive feedback from players.

Hey streamers, Razer wants you to look and sound better

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Razer's new Key Light Chroma offers adjustable colors and temperatures.
Razer's new Key Light Chroma offers adjustable colors and temperatures.
Photo: Razer

If you want to kick your streaming or vlogging up a notch, Razer has a trio of new products designed to help you look and sound better to your online audience.

On Friday, the gaming peripherals company rolled out the Razer Key Light Chroma, the Razer Seiren BT lapel microphone and the Razer Audio Mixer.

Apple Car team was ‘dissolved’ but vehicle still coming in 2025

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Making a car could produce a massive windfall for Apple.
An Apple autonomous vehicle could still be on the road in just a few years, despite a reorg of the development team.
Photo: Possessed Photography/Unsplash CC

The group at Apple developing a self-driving electric car has been “dissolved for some time,” according to a reliable source of insider information. But the project supposedly hasn’t been canceled — it’s undergoing a reorganization.

This is likely a reflection of the many difficulties Apple has run into with this very complex project.

Apple now sells iPhone 12 and 12 Pro refurbs in the US from $619

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Get your iPhone 12 ready for resale.
Sweet savings on devices that look brand-new.
Photo: Apple

You can now buy official iPhone 12 and 12 Pro refurbs through the Apple Store online in the United States. Prices start at $619 for a regular 6.1-inch model with 64GB of storage. Apple doesn’t yet offer iPhone 12 mini or 12 Pro Max.

A range of color options are available and all units are unlocked for use on any carrier. As is always the case with refurbs, stock levels are likely to fluctuate, so it might be best to bag one soon if you’re interested.

iOS 15.4 lets you restore Apple Watch from iPhone for the first time

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You can now restore Apple Watch with iPhone
Only Apple could restore an Apple Watch until now.
Image: Apple

If you encounter firmware issues on Apple Watch, you can now wirelessly restore its software yourself using an iPhone — provided you’ve updated to iOS 15.4 and watchOS 8.5, which made their official debuts on Monday.

Is it the first time Cupertino has given Apple Watch owners this functionality. Until now, firmware issues often required users to take their device to Apple to be restored, since there is no way to connect the device to a Mac.

A15 Bionic finally gets real competition from an unlikely source

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MediaTek rivals A15 Bionic
Another blow to Qualcomm.
Image: MediaTek

MediaTek looks set to become the first mobile chipmaker to finally give iPhone 13’s A15 Bionic chip a run for its money in processing performance.

The Taiwanese company’s new Dimensity 9000 chipset, announced late last year, is yet to make its way into an Android device. But early benchmarks suggest it will easily outpace rivals from Google, Samsung and Qualcomm.

Satechi debuts USB-C 4 cables alongside new 30W GaN charger

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Satechi's compact new charger and USB-C 4 cables pair nicely with Apple's latest hardware.
Satechi's compact new charger and USB-C 4 cables pair nicely with Apple's latest hardware.
Photo: Apple

Satechi beefed up its array of charging accessories Thursday with its first USB-C 4 cables and a compact new 30W GaN USB-C charger.

They pair nicely with Apple’s latest hardware, and you can get the new Satechi wares at a discount for launch.

Limited-edition Cult of Mac band is the ultimate Apple Watch upgrade

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CoM-Apple-Watch-band
Get yours before they're all gone!
Photo: Clessant

The limited-edition Executive Leather Apple Watch Band by Cult of Mac is everything you could want in a luxury Apple Watch upgrade.

The gorgeous leather strap is meticulously handmade from start to finish by Clessant’s master craftsmen, using only the finest calfskin leather, robust metal buckles and adapters, and precise stitching for the finest finish.

Only a small number are available, so bag yours today from the Cult of Mac Store before they’re all gone.

iPad Air 5 is every bit as fast as iPad Pro

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iPad Air and iPad Pro
iPad Pro does not have better performance than iPad Air 5.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Early benchmark scores for the soon-to-be-released iPad Air 5 show the tablet has approximately the same performance as the iPad Pro models that cost much more.

That’s not a surprise considering the new Air has the same M1 processor as the Pro.

Ted Lasso takes 4 Critics Choice awards, CODA nabs 2 BAFTAs

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Ted Lasso tends to dominate during awards season.
Ted Lasso tends to dominate during awards season.
Photo: Apple TV+

Ted Lasso, the hit Apple TV+ sports comedy series, keeps winning awards. On Sunday night it picked up four at the 27th Annual Critics Choice Awards ceremony, including Best Comedy, topping seven other nominees.

The streaming service’s indie film CODA also won a Critics Choice award, as well as a pair of BAFTA awards (aka the British Oscars) over the weekend.

Blowing half your budget on headphones and Lego sets [Setups]

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The college kid who owns this computer setup might be headed for an aerospace-related career.
The college kid who owns this computer setup might be headed for an aerospace-related career.
Photo: [email protected]

College students, often not exactly made of money (yet), usually feel obliged to be super-thrifty. Their setups might feature entry-level gear, hand-me-down equipment, doors on cinderblocks serving as desks — that sort of thing.

But today’s featured setup, owned by a college student, comes with some frills. They’re courtesy of a lucrative internship the computer science major completed last summer.

Apple ditches LG UltraFine 5K monitor after Studio Display’s debut

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LG 5K UltraFine Review
Well, that's no surprise.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

LG’s popular UltraFine 5K monitor has been banished from the Apple Store following the launch of Apple’s own Studio Display. Both products offer very similar specifications, but LG’s — which isn’t quite as bright — is cheaper.

Apple is still selling the 23.7-inch LG UltraFine 4K display, which is a considerably more affordable alternative to the 27-inch options at under $700.

Apple’s biggest iPhone maker closes major plant for another lockdown

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Apple's relationship with Foxconn on the rocks
Foxconn doesn't expect a "major" impact to production.
Photo: Apple

Foxconn, Apple’s largest manufacturing partner, was this weekend forced to close one its biggest plants due to a citywide lockdown. Another COVID-19 outbreak has put all of Shenzhen, China, out of action until March 20 at the earliest.

The city, home to 17.5 million people, houses the Longhua Science & Technology Park — sometimes dubbed “Foxconn City” — which features 15 factories, worker dormitories, grocery stores, restaurants, and more.

27-inch iMac could be stuck in limbo

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The 2020 iMac could like a bit like this.
The 27-inch iMac Pro is/is not about to launch.
Concept: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The 27-inch iMac is gone from Apple’s lineup. And it’s not clear when it’s coming back. Or if it will return at all.

One new leak claims that Apple has dropped plans to make a larger iMac. Another says development goes on, but the all-in-one desktop won‘t be out for a long time.

Some iPhone 14 models might miss out on Apple’s new A16 processor

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Every iPhone 14 model will have a ProMotion display and 6GB of RAM
Apple might limit its new A16 processor to only iPhone 14 Pro models.
Image: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The basic iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Max will launch this fall with the same A15 processor as the 2021 models, according to a reliable tipster. Supposedly, only the pricier iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max will sport a new A16 chip.

If true, it’ll be a move Apple has never used before.

Batter up! Friday Night Baseball starts April 8 on Apple TV+

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Apple TV+ scores Friday night baseball
Apple TV+ will stream Friday night baseball games as soon as these are available again.
Photo: Apple

In the wake of MLB team owners and players patching up their differences, Apple TV+ announced Friday that it’ll be streaming some of the first baseball games of the 2022 season. And every week thereafter until the playoffs.

Beginning April 8, Friday Night Baseball on Apple’s streaming service will be a weekly doubleheader with live pre- and postgame shows.And it won‘t require a subscription. At least not at first.

Severance on Apple TV+ hits No. 1 most-streamed series

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‘Severance’ on Apple TV+ hits #1 most streamed series
In Severance, you have to learn to expect the unexpected.
Photo: Apple TV+

Apple TV+ has a big hit on its hands with Severance. The weird workplace drama tops Reelgood’s list of the most-streamed series of the week.

The show debuted in February and the fifth episode premiered Friday. The first four were enough to push the series to the top of the chart.

Casetify Sheer Impact cases bring cool neon colors to iPhone

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Casetify Sheer Impact cases for iPhone
Outstanding protection and brilliantly bright color options.
Photos: Casetify

If you’re already bored of the color you chose for your iPhone — and you have no intention of parting with $699+ for a new alpine green model — pick up one of Casetify’s terrific Sheer Impact cases that come in bright neon colors.

They not only look amazing, but they’re built to be incredibly robust, with a sturdy bumper that protects your precious iPhone from even the toughest tumbles. They’re also made from 50% recycled materials.