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News - page 275

Apple TV+ share of streaming market just keeps growing

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Appletvpluslogo
Apple TV+ has a growing chunk of the U.S. streaming market. Netflix does not.
Photo: Apple

Apple TV+ garners 5% of the U.S. streaming video market, according to a company that follows the industry. While that makes Apple TV+ a small player, the service started 2021 with just a 3% share, so the year saw significant growth.

Its two largest rivals, Netflix and Amazon Prime Video, saw drops in their shares of the streaming market in 2021.

Get in the game with Audio-Technica’s new hi-fi headsets

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The new Audio-Technica ATH-GDL3 gaming headset features an open-back design. The ATH-GL3 gaming headset features a closed-back design (not pictured).
The new Audio-Technica ATH-GDL3 gaming headset features an open-back design. The ATH-GL3 gaming headset features a closed-back design (not pictured).
Photo: Audio-Technica

A pair of new featherweight gaming headsets from Audio-Technica feature high-fidelity audio, detachable boom microphones and other features designed to give gamers goosebumps.

The ATH-GL3 comes with a closed-back design to reduce ambient noise. The ATH-GDL3 features an open-back design, offering a wider soundstage.

Apple faces $57 million fine for pathetic approach to third-party payments

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Apple.logo.paris.store
Apple's "evasion" of the rules is "gross," according to Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney.
Photo: Josh Davidson/Cult of Mac

Apple will be fined up to €50 million (approx. $57 million) by Dutch regulators for its rather pathetic attempt at allowing third-party payments for apps and subscriptions in the Netherlands.

Although Cupertino took half-hearted steps to comply with new legislation, it ensured that it was incredibly difficult for developers to implement third-party payment systems. It also demanded fees for payments it wasn’t processing.

Pristine design workstation’s keys to clean cable management [Setups]

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Does this look like a designer's setup, or does this look like a designer's setup.
Does this look like a designer's setup, or does this look like a designer's setup.
Photo: [email protected]

Leave it to a digital product designer to work their magic in a tastefully pristine workstation with an absolute minimum of cable clutter. “Cable management gets a 10 out of 10,” one person said of today’s featured computer setup. And all that walnut wood doesn’t hurt, either.

But how did they manage to tame the cable monster?

iPhone 13 owners report strange pink screen issue, Apple calls it a bug

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iPhone 13 pink screen issue
Why hasn't Apple fixed it already?
Photo: DPigar/Apple Support Communities

A growing number of iPhone 13 owners are reporting a mysterious issue that causes their displays to turn pink. The problem seems to be arising after a device restart — sometimes after the iPhone has frozen.

According to Apple, the problem is a software bug rather than a hardware issue. However, some users have been experiencing it since iPhone 13 made its debut.

WhatsApp prepares two-step verification for desktop and web apps

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WhatsApp two-step verification
Making it more difficult for others to get into your account.
Image: WABetaInfo

WhatsApp is preparing to greatly increase the security of its desktop and web apps by adding two-step verification during the sign-in process.

Users will be prompted to create a six-digit PIN as an additional layer of protection for their account. They will then enter this when registering their phone number with WhatsApp again — like when signing in on other devices.

Apple readies its ‘widest array’ of new products ever for this fall

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Tim Cook is keeping quiet about Apple TV+ subscriber numbers for now.
Credit cards at the ready!
Photo: Apple

Apple is preparing to launch the “widest array” of new products in its history, according to a new report. This fall is expected to bring new iPhone models, a more affordable MacBook Pro, and big refreshes for iMac and Mac Pro.

That’s in addition to a “revamped” MacBook Air, new AirPods Pro, and lots more. Apple is also said to be preparing an iPhone SE refresh for this spring.

‘Frankenchip’ and other big changes coming to pro Macs this year [The CultCast]

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The CultCast: The next Mac Pro might get a monstrous chip.
A "monstrous" chip might power the next Mac Pro.
Image: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: Leaks, rumors and government filings give us an even clearer look at what Apple’s product pipeline looks like for 2022. We’re expecting big changes to the pro Mac lineups this year — including a hybrid Apple “Frankenchip” based on the M1 series.

Also on The CultCast:

  • Bye-bye, 13-inch MacBook Pro!
  • See you soon, new iPhone SE and iPad!
  • We’ll miss you, Apple discount “loophole” for teachers and students! (Post-show update: It’s back.)

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.

Apple’s education discount ‘loophole’ is back!

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Apple education discounts available again without student verification
Home school teachers can once again get Apple education discounts.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The U.S. Apple Store for Education reversed a recent change Friday, dropping the requirement that shoppers prove they are a university student or teacher before they can get products at a discount. This surely comes as a relief for home-school teachers. But it’s also good news for anyone willing to fib to get a discount.

It’s not clear if this is a temporary rollback or a permanent change, though.

The musical comedy of Central Park returns to Apple TV+ in March

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The musical comedy of ‘Central Park’ on Apple TV+
Central Park returns with eight all-new episodes on March 4.
Photo: Apple TV+

The interrupted second season of Central Park will resume on March 4. The Apple TV+ musical comedy has eight more episodes with the madcap adventures of the Tillerman family.

The series has garnered multiple Emmy nominations, and the first half of the second season has a amazing 100% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

It’s an iPhone accessories blowout, Charlie Brown: The Casetify Peanuts collection

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Who doesn't love Peanuts? Now you can show it with your iPhone case and more.
Who doesn't love Peanuts? Now you can show it with your iPhone case and more.
Photo: Casetify

Toward the end of January, Casetify plans to launch an expansive Peanuts-themed iPhone accessories collection. That’ll give fans of Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Woodstock, Linus and the rest of the gang the chance to snap up special iPhone cases, MagSafe wallets and more.

Intelli’s compact new StepUp is the Transformer of 3-in-1 iPhone chargers

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Those little platforms for Apple Watch and AirPods pop in and out.
Those little platforms for Apple Watch and AirPods pop in and out.
Photo: Intelli

In a world awash with multi-device charging stations that juice your iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods at the same time, it’s refreshing to see an unfamiliar design once in a while. Intelli provided one recently when it launched its new StepUp Magnetic Wireless Charging Station.

With its tidy little pop-out charging platforms, the MagSafe-compatible StepUp can be a sleek charger just for your iPhone or transform into a 3-in-1 for your trio of devices. But even fully deployed, the design is compact.

Nickelodeon characters go head-to-head in Apple Arcade’s new extreme tennis game

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Nickelodeon characters go head-to-head in Apple Arcade’s new extreme tennis game
Nickelodeon Extreme Tennis isn’t like any sport you’ve played before.
Photo: Viacom/Apple

Danny Phantom heads to the tennis court with SpongeBob. Or Garfield faces down Invader Zim. It’s not animation day at Wimbledon — it’s Nickelodeon Extreme Tennis. The stars of animated shows past and present compete in a very unusual version of the sport.

The game debuted Friday on Apple Arcade.

‘This is what neck pain would look like if it were a setup’ [Setups]

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In terms of proper ergonomics, the
In terms of proper ergonomics, the "before" photo set off some alarm bells.
Photo: [email protected]

If your computer setup had three screens, including a MacBook Pro, an iPad and a 32-inch external monitor, would you make the iPad the center screen? Would you put your screened devices on stands, or leave them at or near table level? Today’s setup saw a transition that might actually save its owner from years of physical therapy.

“This is what neck pain would look like if it were a setup,” someone said about the “before” photo, above.

Get Beats Fit Pro at their lowest price yet after a $46 discount

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Beats Fit Pro in black
Now just $153.11 — down from $199.99 — for a limited time.
Photo: Apple

Beats Fit Pro headphones, which made their debut last November, pack spatial audio with dynamic head tracking, the Apple H1 chip for quick and easy pairing, and active noise cancellation. Get yours at their lowest price to date.

The black models are currently available from Amazon for just $153.11 for a limited time. That’s $46.88 off the usual price.

Apple highlights iPhone 13’s brilliant battery life and durability in new ads

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iPhone 13 ad
Don't try this at home.
Photo: Apple

Apple this week dropped a pair of new ads for iPhone 13, highlighting its newest handset’s brilliant battery life and durability.

One of the one-minute clips shows iPhone 13 being used to film a boy during a day-long bike ride. The other shows the device being used as a toy, hammer, baseball bat and more by an energetic toddler.

Apple Watch’s frustrating charging bug finally gets a fix in watchOS 8.4

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Spigen-S350-Apple-Watch
Everyone will get the update soon.
Photo: Spigen

The watchOS 8.4 release candidate that rolled out to beta testers on Thursday eliminates an Apple Watch charging bug that first surfaced around a month ago.

The issue, which mostly affected Apple Watch Series 7, prevented devices from charging when using third-party accessories from a wide range of brands. But with the latest watchOS 8.4 update installed, everything is back to normal.

Massive Godzilla series stomps toward Apple TV+

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Wow, a Godzilla series on Apple TV+.
You read that right, Godzilla, the King of the Monsters himself, is getting a series on Apple TV+.
Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures

Apple TV+ is making a series set in Legendary’s MonsterVerse that includes movies like Godzilla vs. Kong. The show will be live action, and continue the story of humanity’s battle to survive in a world populated with city-crushing behemoths.

Apple education store discounts now require proof of student status

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Apple education store now requires proof of student status
If you want an educational discount on a MacBook, better be prepared to prove you are a university student.
Photo: Antoni Shkraba/Pexels

The U.S. Apple Store for Education now requires shoppers to prove they are a university student or teacher before they can get products at a discount. Before now, it essentially operated on the honor system, which was a giant loophole.

After the change, shoppers can’t even see the discounted prices without getting verified first.

Update: Apple flip-flopped on this change.  Read more in, “Apple’s educational discount ‘loophole’ is back!

Smoother ProMotion scrolling moves closer with macOS 12.2 release candidate

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Smoother ProMotion scrolling moves closer with macOS 12.2 release candidate
The macOS 12.2 release candidate means a full release is almost here.
Photo: Cult of Mac

The macOS Monterey 12.2 release candidate went to developers on Thursday. This makes a full launch only a few days away.

Apple has yet to give an official list of changes in the upcoming version, but beta testers indicate it will offer smoother scrolling on MacBooks with ProMotion displays and a rewritten Apple Music app.

Apple also seeded to developers iOS 15.3 RC, iPadOS 15.3 RC, watchOS 8.4 RC and tvOS 15.3 RC on Thursday.

JBL has a new party in a box and lots of other big plans for your ears

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The JBL PartyBox Encore is a 100W speaker with a Lightshow and two microphones.
The JBL PartyBox Encore is a 100W speaker with a Lightshow and two microphones.
Photo: JBL

Every year Samsung subsidiary JBL rolls out a tempting raft of updated or new audio products at CES, but you can’t get them right away. CES 2022, held in Las Vegas earlier this month, was no different. The company showed its new JBL PartyBox Encore and a slew of other Bluetooth speakers, earbuds and headphones. We’ll round them up below. Some are coming in spring and others in summer.