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News - page 261

Apple’s boffo quarter easily beats Wall Street expectations

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Apple’s financial results were all the company could ask for.
Multiple products contributed to Apple having a stellar financial results last quarter.
Graphic: Cult of Mac

Apple raked in $123.9 billion in revenue during the last three months of 2021. That’s a year-over-year increase of 11%. More importantly, it’s significantly higher than financial analysts had predicted.

All that revenue led to quarterly earnings per diluted share of $2.10. Again, that solidly beat expectations.

Sonnet’s new adapters run two 4K displays from one port on your M1 Mac

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Connect two 4K displays to one port on your Mac with Sonnet's new adapters.
Connect two 4K displays to one port on your Mac with Sonnet's new adapters.
Photo: Sonnet Technologies

If you want to run more than one display with your M1 MacBook Air or M1 MacBook Pro, Sonnet Technologies just made things easier. The company rolled out new dual-display adapters that let you hook up two 4K displays to your laptop using just one of its precious few ports.

iOS 15.4 beta lets you use Face ID while wearing a mask

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Why Apple Watch’s iPhone unlock will change your freakin’ life
Being able to easily unlock your iPhone while wearing a face mask is coming in iOS 15.4.
Photo: Ivan Samkov/Pexels CC

Face ID in iOS 15.4 will let users unlock their iPhones while wearing a mask. No Apple Watch necessary. The system will scan just the area around eyes. It comes with a warning that the change makes Face ID less secure, though.

Apple seeded the first iOS 15.4 beta to developers Thursday.

iPad Pro case provides slimline protection and a home for Apple Pencil — save 20%

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Laut Huex Folio for iPad
All-around protection that won't let you down.
Photo: Laut

Want to protect your 11-inch iPad Pro or fourth-generation iPad Air without doubling its size? Check out the new Huex Folio from Laut, which offers a slimline design that includes a screen cover and a home for Apple Pencil.

Bag yours from the Cult of Mac Store with a 20% discount for a limited time.

AirPods with Ear ID could someday unlock your iPhone

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AirPods 3 drop back to their lowest price ever
Apple hopes to someday enable AirPods to identify who is wearing them.
Photo: Apple

First there was Touch ID, then Face ID. Now Ear ID could be on the way. Apple filed for a patent on a biometric system using AirPods wireless earbuds.

The idea is that headphones should be able to identify who is wearing them and refuse to work for unidentified wearers. But if the system is accurate enough, it could potentially be used to unlock an iPhone or Apple Watch without needing a passcode.

Think you can’t afford a soundbar and subwoofer with surround sound? Sony disagrees.

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Sony's new soundbar and subwoofer combo add surround sound to your TV for $300.
Sony's new soundbar and subwoofer combo add surround sound to your TV for $300.
Photo: Sony

Hot on the heels of Denon’s launch of a soundbar-and-subwoofer combo with Dolby Atmos for just $449, Sony said Thursday it will offer its own affordable surround-sound rig for only $300. It’s the HT-S400 2.1ch Soundbar, set for launch in April.

At that price, Sony’s new soundbar looks like a solid budget-friendly option for stellar TV audio. Pumping out 330W of sound, it comes with a wireless subwoofer, easy connectivity to the company’s newest TVs and an OLED heads-up display.

Judging by the Denon and Sony launches, it appears an era of high-quality, affordable TV audio solutions is upon us. After all, just months ago, companies raced to put out similar gear that cost many hundreds of dollars more, in many cases.

Apple fixes the iCloud sync issues tormenting users and developers

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iCloud
Data syncing should be stable again.
Image: Apple

Apple says it has eliminated the iCloud sync issue that has been causing all kinds of disruption inside third-party apps.

The problem first surfaced late last year, soon after iOS 15 made its debut, and sporadically prevented many apps from syncing data through iCloud — much to the frustration of users and developers. But it is said to be eliminated now.

Sketchy rumor claims iOS 16 will bring interactive Home screen widgets

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iOS 16 interactive widgets
It could be a massive Home screen upgrade.
Image: LeaksApplePro

Apple could finally make widgets interactive in iOS 16, allowing you to control music playback, toggle your flashlight, adjust display brightness, and lots more right from your Home screen.

The new widgets are codenamed “InfoShack” internally, according to a sketchy new rumor that promises more details are on the way.

iPhone could accept NFC credit card payments without additional hardware

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iPhone credit card payments
Worrying news for companies like Square.
Mockup: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

Apple is working to give iPhone the ability to accept contactless credit card payments over NFC without the need for additional hardware “in the coming months,” according to a new report.

You currently need a third-party credit card reader, like those made by Square, to use iPhone as a payment terminal. However, since iPhone 6 made it debut in 2014, Apple’s smartphone has been packing the NFC technology that’s needed.

Sweeping multinational drama Pachinko premieres on Apple TV+ this spring

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Sweeping multinational drama ‘Pachinko’ premieres on Apple TV+ this spring
Lee Minho and Minha Kim in Pachinko, premiering globally March 25, 2022 on Apple TV+.
Photo: Apple TV+

An adaptation of the New York Times bestselling novel Pachinko is now scheduled to premiere on Apple TV+ in March. The international drama series will take place across three countries and star an internationally renowned cast.

The first images from the upcoming eight-episode season were revealed Wednesday.

Star-studded animated film Luck gets August release date on Apple TV+

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‘Luck’ is coming to Apple TV+.
Luck, coming to Apple TV+, takes a trip to a world of good and bad luck to discover there are more powerful things than luck.
Photo: Apple/Skydance Animation

Skydance Animation’s Luck will be the second full-length animated film on Apple TV+ when it premieres in August 2022. The story of the unluckiest person in the world will feature the voices of Jane Fonda, Whoopi Goldberg and other stars.

While the release date and additional details on the film were revealed Wednesday, there is as yet no trailer.

Take hands-free control of your Stream Deck with Elgato’s new pedal

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The new Elgato Stream Deck Pedal gives you hands-free control over your shortcuts.
The new Elgato Stream Deck Pedal gives you hands-free control over your shortcuts.
Photo: Elgato

Anyone who uses a stream deck to streamline hardware and software workflows with shortcuts now has the option to go hands-free with the new Elgato Stream Deck Pedal, unveiled Wednesday.

And in addition to launching the pedal, the company said its new Discord communications software plugin for Stream Deck is now available.

Wall Street expects best-ever Apple quarterly earnings

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Apple MacBook cash dollars money
Apple probably raked in more revenue in the 2021 holiday quarter than in any previous quarter in its history.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

When Apple reveals its financial results from the holiday shopping season on Thursday, analysts predict the company will announce its best quarter ever.

Whether the Mac-maker meets this lofty goal will have a big effect on its stock price, which has been sliding in recent weeks. 

Get your game on with Logitech’s new mechanical keyboards

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The new Logitech G413 SE comes in full size, above, or a tenkeyless version.
The new Logitech G413 SE comes in full size, above, or a tenkeyless version.
Photo: Logitech G

Serious gamers like to use specialized gaming gear in their computer setups. And that includes input devices like souped-up mice and sleek mechanical keyboards. The good news is, the latter keep getting better and cheaper. On Wednesday, Logitech’s gaming arm, Logitech G, rolled out the G413 SE Mechanical Gaming Keyboard in two sizes.

And better yet, the two new keebs’ prices won’t break the bank.

Bring Dolby Atmos to your TV with Denon’s affordable new soundbar

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Denon's new soundbar offers Dolby Atmos at a reasonable price.
Denon's new soundbar offers Dolby Atmos at a reasonable price.
Photo: Denon

If your TV sounds a little thin on its own, you might want to beef up that audio with a soundbar and subwoofer. Until recently, sets offering Dolby Atmos 3D surround sound tended to cost quite a bit. But Denon’s got an affordable new outfit for you — the DHT-S517 soundbar.

Known for it AV receivers, Denon now takes on the likes of Sonos Arc with its release of the DHT-S517. You can plug it into any TV to jack up your entertainment experience with Dolby Atmos for $449.

watchOS 8.4 squashes frustrating Apple Watch charging bug

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watchOS 8.4 squashes frustrating Apple Watch charging bug
Apple Watch users can return to happily charging with watchOS 8.4.
Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac

Apple Watch wearers can now install watchOS 8.4. And many will want to do so soon because the new version removes an irritating bug that prevented some third-party chargers from working.

This is just one of a slew of system software updates from Apple on Wednesday, including macOS Monterey 12.2, iOS 15.3 and iPadOS 15.3.

macOS 12.2 is out with smoother ProMotion scrolling … maybe

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macOS Monterey 12.2 is out with smoother ProMotion scrolling… maybe
macOS 12.2 takes care of a few bugs.
Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac

Mac users can now install macOS Monterey 12.2. Apple is vague about what’s in the new version. However, prerelease beta testers indicate it brings a rewritten Apple Music app and smoother scrolling for MacBooks with ProMotion displays. It definitely fixes a serious Safari bug.

Apple also released iOS 15.3 and iPadOS 15.3 to the public Wednesday. And watchOS 8.4, too.

iOS 15.3 is here for your iPhone bugs

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Updates is here for your iPhone bugs
iOS 15.7.4 takes care of a long list of security bugs.
Photo: Cult of Mac/Egor Kamelev/Pexels

Apple made iOS 15.3 available to all compatible iPhone models Monday. The update squashes at least one bug that recently made headlines. But there are no new features.

Apple also introduced iPadOS 15.3 to erase many of the same bugs. And macOS Monterey 12.2 and watchOS 8.4 debuted, too. tvOS 15.3 arrived Monday as well.

Dazzled: A tale of two lighting schemes [Setups]

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Thanks to Edison bulbs and Govee light strips for all these colors.
Thanks to Edison bulbs and Govee light strips for all these colors.
Photo: [email protected]

Some computer setups knock your socks off with lighting. It can be tasteful, warm, welcoming and conducive to work without eye strain. It can be bright, inventive and dazzling, like fantastic decorations. Or, as in today’s MacBook Pro-based featured setup, it can be either one of those, depending on both choice of settings and time of day.

The light show in today’s workstation derives from two sources, or schemes. One involves two very different table lamps. The other involves LED light strips.

Apple Watch gets special band, new ‘Unity Lights’ face for Black History Month

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Apple Watch gets new band and face for Black History Month
Get the new face now through the Watch app.
Photo: Apple

Apple celebrates this year’s Black History Month by promoting Black business and innovation, amplifying Black voices, and showcasing Black creatives, the company announced on Wednesday.

It is also introduced a new, limited-edition Black Unity Braided Solo Loop and Unity Lights face for Apple Watch, which you can get yours hands on today.

Beats Studio Buds get instant pairing over iCloud and new controls

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Beats Studio Buds come in white, red and black.
You now have one-tap pairing across all Apple devices.
Photo: Beats

Apple this week rolled out a new firmware update for its Beats Studio Buds that adds a couple of handy new features and controls — including instant pairing for all your Apple devices over iCloud.

Instant pairing, which was already available on AirPods, means users no longer have to connect Beats Studio Buds to all their Apple devices individually.

Apple Maps erects gigantic digital wall to hide Tim Cook’s house

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Tim Cook's house in Apple Maps
Cook's Palo Alto home is hidden from virtual visitors.
Image: Apple Maps

Apple fans who take a virtual stroll through Palo Alto inside Apple Maps and Google Maps no longer get to see Tim Cook’s house. The modern, four-bedroom condo has had a giant digital wall erected right in front of it.

We spotted the change after Apple received temporary restraining order against an alleged stalker, who claimed to be Cook’s wife, threatened the Apple boss and was caught trespassing on his property.

Apple gets temporary restraining order against alleged Tim Cook stalker

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Apple continues to soar under Tim Cook's assured leadership.
An alleged stalker reportedly showed up at Tim Cook's house on more than one occasion.
Photo: Apple

A San Francisco Bay Area court granted Apple a temporary restraining order Friday against a woman who claimed to be Tim Cook’s wife and threatened the Apple CEO. She also allegedly trespassed at Cook’s home in Palo Alto, California.

The 45-year-old woman began tweeting about Cook in late 2020, referring to him as her “bed man,” among other things. She also allegedly emailed him multiple times, sometimes sending photographs of pistols, bullets and MacBooks.