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News - page 271

Furby-loving animator trades 3-monitor PC gaming rig for cozy Mac station [Setups]

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That's a refurbished Furby in the center.
That's a refurbished Furby in the center.
Photo: [email protected]

Gamer and 3D animator Jazinity said she’d been a Windows user for most of her life before M1 Macs caught her eye and she made a nearly wholesale switch, going from a tri-display PC gaming station to a “cozy but productive” M1 MacBook Air situation.

The refurbished Furby in the center of the photo may or may not have been in the previous computer setup, but not much else. She has another Furby at her desk at the office, though she’s working at home for the time being, like many people these days.

UK plans dramatic ‘publicity attack’ against encryption

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UK steps up fight against encryption
It will use children for dramatic anti-encryption stunts.
Photo: Markus Spiske/Unsplash

The U.K. will spend taxpayer money on a dramatic “publicity attack” against end-to-end encryption, according to a new report. The country apparently hopes to sway public opinion before taking further steps to crack down on the security feature.

A major focus of the campaign will be child safety. M&C Saatchi, the agency hired to run the marketing blitz, reportedly will use child actors to carry out emotive stunts that suggest encryption is being used by predators to conceal their activities.

Apple website pays tribute to Martin Luther King Jr.

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Martin Luther King Jr.
"Today and every day, we honor his life."
Image: Apple

Apple dedicated its website to Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday to mark the holiday that commemorates the late civil rights activist’s birthday. The Apple homepage features a large photo of King, as well as a quote from his 1967 speech at a Philadelphia high school.

“I believe that we can transform dark yesterdays of injustice into bright tomorrows of justice and humanity,” it reads.

Safari bug leaks your browsing activity and Google account details

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Safari 15 leaks browsing activity
Well, that's not good.
Image: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

A newly discovered bug in Safari 15 allows any website to track your browsing activity and may even reveal your identity if you’re a Google user.

The vulnerability stems from Apple’s implementation of IndexedDB, a storage API widely supported by most modern browsers. And the problem affects users on Mac as well as iPhone and iPad. Here’s what you need to know.

Netflix hikes prices in the US and Canada

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Netflix Downloads for You puts suggested shows right onto your iPhone
The premium plan is now priced at $19.99 a month, up from $17.99.
Image: Netflix

Netflix has raised its prices for subscribers in the United States and Canada so that it “can continue to offer a wide variety of quality entertainment options.”

Its premium plan, which offers 4K content, is now $19.99 a month. The company’s most affordable subscription, which allows only one stream at a time, is up to $9.99 a month, making it the most expensive video service.

iPhone 13 scraps noise cancellation feature available on earlier models

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iPhone 13 phone noise cancellation
Apple says it was meant to be removed.
Image: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

iPhone 13 is missing a useful noise cancellation feature for phone calls that is available on earlier models. It was initially believed that its absence was a bug that would eventually be fixed by Apple, but it seems that’s not the case.

Apple Support confirmed to an iPhone 13 owner that the feature is gone from the newest iPhone lineup. And it doesn’t look like it’s coming back.

iPhone 14 non-Pro models might not get ProMotion displays after all

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iPhone 13 Pro models get Apple's ProMotion display technology.
iPhone 13 Pro models have Apple's ProMotion display technology. But the two “standard” iPhone 14 models apparently won’t.
Photo: Apple

A reliable source shot down an earlier leak about the the two “standard’ iPhone 14 models including 120Hz ProMotion screens. This would have brought them closer in line with Apple’s Pro handsets that already have the feature.

This is an example of the challenges of making predictions about a handset that is still many months away.

iPad Air 5 with ultra-wide cam might beautify video calls

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iPad Air 4
The 2022 iPad Air 5 might look much like its predecessor, but with a FaceTime-friendly front camera.
Photo: Apple

The next-generation iPad Air is right around the corner, according to a leak coming out of Asia. The upcoming tablet will allegedly get a better front-facing camera with support for Center Stage. And a general specs boost.

On the inside, the iPad Air 5 supposed to have much in common with the iPad mini 6.

Future iPhones: Talking ‘pillholes’ and foldables [The CultCast]

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The CultCast: Will an iPhone with a
Will an iPhone with a "hole+ pill" screen cutout really look better than the notch?
Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: We’re not 100% on board for the rumored “hole + pill” screen cutouts that might replace the notch in iPhone 14. But we’re definitely intrigued by the concept of a folding iPhone.

Also on The CultCast:

  • How powerful will Apple’s AR/VR headset be, and what will it do?
  • That pricey Apple Polishing Cloth is available again.
  • Cupertino loses yet another key member of its chipmaking team as competitors look to steal M1’s crown.

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.

Submit your best shots for 2022 iPhone Photography Awards

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Enter your iPhone or iPad pics now to compete in the 15th annual iPhone Photography Awards.
Enter your iPhone or iPad pics now to compete in the 15th annual iPhone Photography Awards.
Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac

You have from now until the end of March to enter your most amazing iPhone or iPad photographs to compete in the 15th annual edition of the iPhone Photography Awards. As in past years, for the 2022 contest you submit your pics through the group’s website.

2022 iPad Pro might charge through oversized Apple logo

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2022 iPad Pro might charge through oversized Apple logo
Is that an oversized Apple logo or are you just happy to see me?
Concept: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple reportedly wants to add MagSafe wireless charging to the new iPad Pro, and it’s reportedly going to make a surprising design tweak to make it happen: increasing the size of the Apple logo on the back of the tablet.

The same unconfirmed report says the 2022 will have an improved camera, larger battery and a processor upgrade.

Apple might be forced to push VR/AR headset back to 2023

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Apple mixed reality headset
It probably won't look anything like this.
Photo: Vu Hoang/Flickr CC

One of the most hotly anticipated products of 2022 could be delayed until 2023, according to an unconfirmed report. Apple’s VR/AR headset might not be announced until late this year and not ship until next year.

Mechanical and software problems reportedly delayed the device, which supposedly will offer both virtual reality and augmented reality capabilities.

Every iPhone 14 model might pack a ProMotion display and 6GB of RAM

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Every iPhone 14 model will have a ProMotion display and 6GB of RAM
The standard iPhone 14 is expected to look much like the iPhone 13.
Image: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The displays in the two “standard” iPhone 14 versions will be upgraded to 120Hz ProMotion, according to a prediction by an industry analyst. And they supposedly will come with 50% more RAM.

There’ve been plenty of rumors about the iPhone 14 Pro models, so those interested in the two standard ones should be pleased to get some leaked details.

When you need a second WFH zone, this is how you do it [Setups]

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Basic Apple Guy's setup, the
Basic Apple Guy's setup, the "kitchen edition," needs to be easy to clean and move.
Photo: BasicAppleGuy.com

Blogger Basic Apple Guy, whom we’ll call BAG, has been an Apple fan since high school shop class, when he convinced the teacher that making an iMovie on the teacher’s iMac G3 should fit into the curriculum. Now, decades later, BAG’s passion lives on. It showed when he recently shared one of his computer setups, the “kitchen edition.”

Popular Humble games subscription drops support for Mac

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Humble drops Mac
You have until January 31 to save your games.
Photo: Humble

Humble, the subscription service that offers a bunch of popular games for an affordable monthly fee, is dropping support for Mac and Linux.

Starting February 1, the company will roll out a new business model for Humble Choice, which will require a brand-new app that’s only available on Windows. You have until January 31 to download games you already own.

‘iPhone SE 3’ renders imagine a gorgeous design upgrade we won’t get

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iPhone SE 3 render
It's pretty, but it's unlikely.
Render: Ten Tech Review

New renders of an “iPhone SE 3” show off a gorgeous design upgrade with an edge-to-edge display and no Home button. The device looks a lot like iPhone XR, but with the same dimensions as the current iPhone SE.

These images are said to be based on leaked CAD drawings, but before you get too excited, they’re probably not accurate. At least not for iPhone SE 3.

Apple blocks security updates for those who won’t install iOS 15

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iOS security update
Apple won't offer security updates on iOS 14 anymore.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple is more aggressively encouraging users to update to iOS 15 by stopping security updates for those who don’t.

Cupertino previously made security improvements available as a separate release — and vowed to keep delivering them for those who stick with iOS 14 “until you’re ready to upgrade.” Just a few months later, that’s changed.

Writers Guild Award nominations go to 5 Apple TV+ shows

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Jon Stewart is back in the anchor's chair on Apple TV+ show
The Problem With Jon Stewart is just one of the Apple TV+ series up for a 2022 WGA Award.
Photo: Apple TV+

Apple TV+ earned six nominations across five series in the 2022 Writers Guild of America Awards. These honor outstanding writing in TV series.

The film nominations will be announced later in January, and Apple might pick up some additional nominations then.

AirPods 3 drop back to their lowest price ever

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AirPods 3 drop back to their lowest price ever
AirPods 3 are brilliant… and on sale!
Photo: Apple

Amazon has an answer for what to do with that gift card you received over the holidays. The recently released AirPods 3 are once again selling for their lowest price ever: $139.99.

And there are significant deals on AirPods Pro and AirPods 2 as well.

This battery pack juices MacBook at top speed, offers MagSafe for iPhone

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The MagSafe-compatible Chargeasap Flash Pro Plus power bank can charge up to six Apple devices at once.
The MagSafe-compatible Chargeasap Flash Pro Plus power bank can charge up to six Apple devices at once.
Photo: Chargeasap

The Chargeasap Flash Pro Plus is for those who want a single battery that can replenish all their gear. All at once. It holds 25,000mAh and can charge a MacBook at up to 100W though USB-C, and has three other ports. But that’s just the start, as there’s a built-in MagSafe iPhone charger and an Apple Watch charger, too.

The power pack went through a round of crowdfunding but has moved past that stage. It is available to order now.

Another modded USB-C iPhone is going on sale, and this one’s waterproof

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This one's reinforced and waterproof, its maker said.
This one's reinforced and waterproof, its maker said.
Photo: Gernot Jöbstl

First a robotics engineering student made a splash late last year by modding an iPhone X with a USB-C port instead of a Lightning port — and sold the device for big money. Now someone else is touting a similar modification, but this time the handset boasts a reinforced port that includes waterproofing. And yes, the tinkerer’s going to sell it soon — probably for more money than most people make in a year.

iPhone 14 won’t include in-screen Touch ID

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iPhone 14 won‘t include in-screen Touch ID
Bad news: looks like iPhone 14 won’t be Apple’s first with an in-display Touch ID scanner.
Concept: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple won’t build the Touch ID fingerprint recognition system into the 2022 iPhone, according to a very reliable tipster. That’s bad news for those who aren’t fans of Face ID, or who just want a second option.

There haven’t been any specific reports that the iPhone 14 will include Touch ID, but Apple is supposedly working on an in-screen version.

Powerful new SVS speakers and amp add AirPlay 2 support

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The new SVS Prime Wireless Pro speakers with AirPlay 2 support will come in black or white.
The new SVS Prime Wireless Pro speakers with AirPlay 2 support will come in black or white.
Photo: SVS

Audio company SVS rolled out new wares at CES 2022 — Prime Wireless Pro Speakers and an accompanying SoundBase multi-room amplifier. Both have added support for Apple’s AirPlay 2 streaming over previous Prime Wireless models’ capabilities, among other new features.