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News - page 260

Mini-LED iMac Pro launch might slip to summer

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A new 27-inch iMac Pro could look something like this.
A new 27-inch iMac Pro could look something like this.
Concept: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

The new iMac Pro with a mini-LED display rumored to launch this-coming spring might not come along so soon. It now looks more likely to show up sometime during the summer, display analyst Ross Young said Monday.

Concept Mac takes you way, way, way back

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Concept Mac takes you way, way, way back
What if the next Mac looked like the original Macintosh?
Concept: Ian Zelbo

Suppose Apple made a Mac that harks back to its early days. A concept designer floated the idea of a computer with the latest tech, including an M2 processor, but in a casing that mimics the original Macintosh from 1984.

It’s certainly a fun idea, especially to those who remember those days. But the practicality is questionable.

Aussie cops bust teen for allegedly stealing $42,000 in Apple computers

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Canberra Centre
The Apple Store in Canberra Centre was burglarized by some fairly incompetent thieves.
Photo: Apple

A couple of scofflaws broke into an Australian Apple Store and made of with thousands of dollars in computers. But the hapless burglars — allegedly including a 16-year-old boy — were soon tracked down by police.

They got caught because they apparently made nearly every possible mistake.

Apple pushes new activity challenge and resources for Heart Month

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Apple celebrates Heart Month across an array of products and services.
Apple celebrates Heart Month across an array of products and services.
Photo: Apple

In recognition of Heart Month, aka February, Apple is rolling out a series of new activity challenge and heart-health resources to support users’ efforts to stay healthy.

Also toward that end, the company hopes you’ll learn a thing or two from preliminary trends shown in the Apple Heart and Movement Study.

Chip shortages cripple iPad shipments

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iPadOS 15 split-view multitasking
The global chip shortage hit Apple in the iPads last quarter.
Screenshot: Apple

The lone dark spot in Apple’s otherwise bright Q4 earnings report was iPad. And analysts are out with their estimates of how bad the damage was, with Apple’s quarterly tablet shipments possibly dropping as much as 21% year over year.

The only good news for Apple is that the drop off wasn‘t because of low demand. It couldn’t get the necessary parts to make sufficient devices to meet demand.

Before and after: Out with (some of) the old, in with (the best of) the new [Setups]

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In the after photo, a new LG 4K monitor replaces the Cinema Display.
In the after photo, a new LG 4K monitor replaces the Cinema Display, among other key changes.
Photo: [email protected]

When you spend a third or more of your waking hours all but chained to a computer setup, you might as well make it a pleasant place to spend time. That’s what most of Cult of Mac‘s Setups coverage is all about, really — glorifying both the high-tech performance and the stylish comfort that ease your enslavement to whatever it is you do with tech.

Today’s 14-inch M1 Pro MacBook Pro-based featured setup shows a “before and after” transition. Musician and Salesforce consultant Jon Young said a revamp of his wife’s “nicer and more spacious” work area inspired his changes. “Mine just has more gadgets lol,” he said.

Get 70% off Speidel leather and silicone Apple Watch bands

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Speidel's Square Tip Oiled Leather Band comes in different colors with matching buckles.
Speidel's Square Tip Oiled Leather Band comes in different colors with matching buckles.
Photo: Speidel

If you own an Apple Watch, you know how easy it is to switch bands. It takes about five seconds. Having a band for every occasion is part of the fun of owning the wearable. Silicone, nylon, leather, metal mesh — you can change things up on a dime.

Speidel makes all sorts of watch bands and straps — including a wide range of bands for Apple Watch. And right now you can get two great ones for 70% off regular prices in the Cult of Mac Store. The Speidel Square Tip Oiled Leather Band for Apple Watch is on sale for just $9.89. And the Speidel Matching Scrub Band for Apple Watch is just $5.99.

Apple’s latest updates break Wallet on Apple Watch, Bluetooth on Mac

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Driver's licenses and IDs in Apple Wallet
Syncing Wallet changes just isn't happening for some.
Image: Apple

Apple rolled out a new crop of software updates last week, and you probably (sadly) won’t be surprised to learn that they bring yet more bugs.

In addition to experiencing Wallet sync problems between iOS 15.3 and watchOS 8.4, early updaters also report Bluetooth issues in macOS 12.2 that cause battery drain on some MacBook models.

macOS 12.3 suggests Apple’s Ultra Wideband technology is coming to Mac

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Apple Ultra Wideband
It would make missing Macs a lot easier to find.
Image: Apple/Cult of Mac

Apple’s new macOS 12.3 beta, which rolled out to registered developers last week, suggests Ultra Wideband (UWB) technology is coming to Mac.

UWB, currently exclusive to iPhone models with the Apple U1 chip, allow precise location reporting to make missing devices much easier to find. UWB is also used to improve AirDrop and to enable Apple’s CarKey feature.

WhatsApp chief says company ‘would love’ to deliver an iPad app

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WhatsApp on iPad
Is WhatsApp for iPad looking more likely than ever before?
Image: WhatsApp/Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

WhatsApp chief Will Cathcart has revealed that the company “would love” to deliver a native iPad app after acknowledging that users have been waiting for it for a long time.

WhatsApp is one of the only major messaging platforms that doesn’t offer a tablet app for iPad or Android. But Cathcart says “the underlying technology is there” now that WhatsApp offers proper multi-device support.

Apple lets devs release unlisted apps that can only be found with a link

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app-store
Devs can now hide apps that aren't for general distribution.
Image: Apple

Apple has confirmed that developers can now release unlisted apps on iPhone, iPad and Mac that cannot be found without a direct link.

Unlisted apps — which do not appear in App Store search results, categories, recommendations, or other listings — will developers to distribute their titles to limited audiences, such as employees and students.

2022 looks like a humdinger for new Apple hardware [The CultCast]

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The CultCast: What new Apple hardware is popping out of Apple's magic pipeline this year?
What's popping out of Apple's magic pipeline this year?
Image: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: Will Apple blow our minds (and our wallets) with a devastating blitz of new hardware in 2022? Signs point to yes. This week we’re discussing the latest rumors about new Apple gear coming this year — and trying not to get too excited.

Also on The CultCast:

  • Tim Cook’s alleged stalker sounds just plain sad in Apple’s restraining order application.
  • And the Apple CEO’s house has disappeared behind a massive, Minecraft-looking wall in Apple Maps.
  • You can make make your house go to blurs-ville, too!

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.

FAA and 5G carriers hatch plan to ensure safe flights

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Stingrays mimic cell towers, and are used by both criminals and police.
The FAA worked out a deal that will let us stop talking about C-band 5G and airports.
Photo: Miguel Á. Padriñán/Pexels

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration worked out a compromise that will let AT&T and Verizon deploy their new C-band 5G near airports without it interfering with instruments on airplanes.

While that’s good news for iPhone users who want fast cellular-wireless access everywhere, the agreement also means that the new version of 5G still won‘t be offered very near airports.

iPhone solidly beats rivals to take No. 1 smartphone spot

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iPhone Q4 2021: Apple solidly beats all rivals to take #1 smartphone spot
iPhone shipments in Q4 2021 beat out every competitor.
Graphic: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac/Rodnae Productions /Pexels

Apple moved more smartphones during the 2021 holiday quarter than any competitor. It outsold Samsung, its nearest competitor, by more than 20%.

That said, the number of iPhones that shipped during Q4 2021 dropped a bit year over year.

Fun new emoji coming in iOS 15.4 will let you salute, melt and tear up

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Fun new emoji coming in iOS 15.4 will let you salute, melt and tear up
Here are some, but not all, of the new emoji coming soon to iPhone and iPad.
Image: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Soon you’ll be able to use an emoji to show that your battery is low. Or that you’re melting, are feeling ambivalent or patriotic, or getting teary-eyed. This is because the crop of fresh emoji approved in fall 2021 will debut when iOS 15.4 does.

Then they be used in texts, emails … wherever.

Watch new Apple TV+ comedy The Afterparty for free on YouTube

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Will you take the bait and watch the first episode for free?
Will you take the bait and watch the first episode for free?
Photo: Apple TV+

For the first time ever, Apple TV+ has offered the first episode of an Apple Original series — the crime comedy The Afterparty — on YouTube, where you can watch it in full for free.

That’s a promotional angle we haven’t seen before from the Cupertino tech giant. But will it work?

Say cheese: Albert Einstein, Dr. Fauci and RBG welcome new M1 Pro MacBook [Setups]

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That's not just any webcam perched above the monitor.
That's not just any webcam perched above the monitor.
Photo: [email protected]

On Fridays it’s fun to focus on computer setups with entertaining features whenever possible. Sometimes it’s seriously vintage gear. Or it could be wacky decor. Once in a while, an exotic location pops up. Today we found one where a brand new M1 Pro MacBook meets a kooky crew of bobbleheads and other figures under a really over-the-top camera rig used as a webcam.

Last chance: Save on this gorgeous, adjustable aluminum Free Stand for iPhone

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Laut stand for iPhone
It's perfect for hands-free FaceTime calls.
Photo: Laut

Sick of losing your iPhone under all the clutter on your desk? Laut’s gorgeous Free Stand ensures your smartphone is always easy to see so you don’t miss another notification. It’s also great for hands-free FaceTime calls.

The Free Stand is made from sturdy aluminum and looks right at home alongside other Apple devices. It’s also adjustable, and until the end of today, it’s available from the Cult of Mac Store at 20% off its usual price. You can also save on all other Laut products.

tvOS 15.4 brings improved video player with ‘Up Next’ queue

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tvOS 15.4 with Up Next queue
Apple continues to make tvOS even better.
Image: Sigmund Judge

The first tvOS 15.4 beta brings an improved video player with a built-in “Up Next” queue to Apple TV. The update, released Thursday by Apple, also allows users to connect to captive Wi-Fi networks for the first time.

The changes come after Apple TV got a completely redesigned video player with larger titles and more accessible subtitles in tvOS 15 last fall.

iOS 15.4 allows third-party apps to use 120Hz ProMotion on iPhone 13 Pro

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The iPhone 13 Pro is as powerful as it is beautiful.
iPhone apps are smoother than ever under iOS 15.4.
Photo: Apple

Apple’s new iOS 15.4 beta eliminates a bug that prevents third-party apps from using iPhone 13 Pro’s super-smooth ProMotion feature.

Until now, apps not made by Apple have been restricted to a 60Hz refresh rate on the company’s newest flagship smartphone. But after installing iOS 15.4, they’re just as silky as apps running on iPad Pro.

US states and Microsoft back Epic Games in fight against the App Store

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Epic Games vs. the App Store
It's getting harder for Apple to defend its rules.
Image: Epic Games

The Department of Justice, 35 U.S. states, and Microsoft have all backed Fortnite developer Epic Games in its fight against the App Store.

Briefs filed by Epic’s supporters with the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit say last year’s ruling — which said the App Store was not a monopoly — is wrong. They also claim Apple is stifling competition.

Apple Music taunts Spotify with massive Neil Young promotion

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Apple Music backs Neil Young
Apple Music is "the home of Neil Young."
Image: Apple/Cult of Mac

Apple Music has launched a huge Neil Young promotion just days after Spotify began pulling all of the singer’s content from its platform.

Listeners will today find a “We Love Neil” section under the “Browse” tab that features albums, interviews, and playlists. Cupertino has also send out tweets and push notifications that call Apple Music “The home of Neil Young.”

Here’s everything you need to know about Apple’s biggest quarter ever

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Despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, Apple achieved its
Despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, Apple achieved its "biggest quarter ever," Tim Cook said
Photo: Elena Mozhvilo/Unsplash license

Apple sold a crazy number of iPhones and Macs during the December quarter. And the result is what CEO Tim Cook called the company’s “biggest quarter ever.”

Take a deeper dive into the details to see how Apple was so very successful.