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News - page 260

Facebook is still whining about Apple’s ‘harmful’ privacy features

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By running anti-Apple ads in major newspapers, Facebook's taking its battle with Apple to the next level.
Facebook is expected to lose $10 billion to Apple's changes this year alone.
Photo: Thought Catalog/Unsplash CC

Facebook parent company Meta is still bemoaning App Tracking Transparency, the “harmful” feature Apple introduced last year in iOS 14.5 to bolster the privacy of iPhone and iPad users.

The change is “making it harder and more expensive” for businesses to reach their customers, Meta said as advertisers reportedly slash their spending on Facebook and Instagram and turn to rivals like Amazon and Google instead.

Intel leak reveals plans for more efficient chipsets to take on Apple silicon

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M1 Max chip
Intel is targeting today's M1 chips, but it's not ready to compete yet.
Photo: Apple

Intel is planning to build more efficient mobile chipsets that will better compete with Apple silicon, according to a leaked internal roadmap.

The document outlines plans to take on the 14-inch MacBook Pro specifically with upcoming Arrow Lake processors that are scheduled to launch in late 2023 or early 2024. There just one (rather large) problem with that plan.

Enhance your iPhone photography with overhauled Obscura 3 camera app

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Last updated four years ago, Obscura's third version adds a lot.
Last updated four years ago, Obscura's third version adds a lot.
Photo: Ben McCarthy

Long one of the most popular professional camera apps for iOS, Obscura is relatively easy to use. It enables various manual-style controls for shooting photographs using your iPhone.

And with Obscura 3 – Pro Camera, released Thursday, developer Ben McCarthy redesigned the interface, added new capture modes and made other improvements. The last major upgrade to Obscura came four years ago.

Foldable stand makes MacBook more comfortable to use anywhere

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Foldable Lift Stand for MacBook
Super-sturdy and ready to go with you everywhere.
Photo: Wiplabs

You don’t have to settle for an uncomfortable work setup when you’re away from the office. Wiplabs’ new Lift Stand elevates your MacBook so that it’s easier to use, and folds down so you can easily transport it anywhere.

It’s made from sturdy anodized aluminum so there’s no need to worry about it getting broken in your bag. And it’s adjustable, so you’re all but guaranteed a great viewing angle anywhere. Get your Lift Stand today for under $40.

Logitech’s Options+ software adds full native M1 Mac support

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With the new update, Logitech peripherals like the MX Master 3 mouse should work more smoothly.
With the new update, Logitech peripherals like the MX Master 3 mouse should work more smoothly.
Photo: Logitech

In what will surely be welcome news for folks who like to use the company’s peripherals with their Macs, Logitech said it’s rolling out full native M1 support in the latest beta version of its Logi Options+ software.

If you use Logitech products, you may think of it as Logi Options. Logi Options+ replaces that software and features some enhancements in addition to the native support for Silicon Macs.

Charge up to 6 devices at once with new Passport III GaN travel adapter

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Zendure says the 65W Passport III works in 200 countries.
Zendure says the 65W Passport III works in 200 countries.
Photo: Zendure

If you’re ready to start traveling the world again despite the ongoing pandemic, accessories maker Zendure thinks its new, 65W Passport III GaN travel adapter is just what you need. It said the charger works in 200 countries and can top off up to six devices at once.

Citing the success of the device’s crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter, the company even suggested Tuesday that the travel industry may be on the mend.

Well, use your own judgment there. But the Passport III does indeed look like it might be a worthy addition to your charging arsenal.

Should every workstation have a 3D printer? [Setups]

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The 3D printer at left helped make other parts of this computer setup.
The 3D printer at left helped make other parts of this computer setup.
Photo: [email protected]

You still rarely see a computer setup with a 3D printer in it. Today’s featured setup is an exception. You can see the printer against the wall on the left in the photo above.

Probably more workstations in the near future will have them. Why? Not only are they becoming more affordable, you can use them to make parts of the setup!

Sonus Faber Omnia could be your new do-it-all wireless streaming speaker

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If you can afford it, the new Sonus Faber Omnia could be your new all-around hi-fi audio player.
If you can afford it, the new Sonus Faber Omnia could be your new all-around hi-fi audio player.
Photo: Sonus Faber

“Omnia” means “prepared for all things” in Latin. The 40-year-old Italian audio brand Sonus Faber tries to live up to that with its new Omnia all-in-one wireless streaming speaker. It joins the fray in a fast-growing market for compact but premium systems.

The Omnia has built-in support for practically all streaming sources and you can hook up almost any audio-related hardware to it.

Did I mention it costs two grand? Well, there are reasons for that price point.

EU chief says Apple would rather pay fines than face App Store regulation

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App Store
Apple motion for a delay has been denied.
Image: Apple/Cult of Mac

The European Union’s head of digital policy believes Apple would rather continue to pay fines than accept new App Store regulation.

Cupertino is currently fighting new rules in the Netherlands that say dating app developers should be allowed to use third-party payment systems. EU competition chief Margrethe Vestager called Apple’s behavior an example of how “gatekeepers” try to circumvent the rules.

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.