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News - page 280

Never lose your Apple TV remote again

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Elago has you covered with its new Apple TV remote cases, plus a handy mount.
Elago has you covered with its new Apple TV remote cases, plus a handy mount.
Photo: Elago

Have you ever lost your Apple TV remote? What an annoyance. But Elago’s new accessories for the Apple TV — a neat bunch of cases for your remote-control device as well as a mounts for it and your Apple TV hardware — help prevent loss. And they make thoughtful gifts for Apple fans.

Apple suppliers ‘gearing up’ for next-gen iPhone SE in early 2022

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iphone-SE
Apple's most affordable 5G phone.
Photo: Apple

iPhone component suppliers are preparing for the launch of a next-generation iPhone SE in early 2022, according to a new report. Industry sources also claim that there have been no cutbacks in orders for the latest iPhone models.

The new iPhone SE is not expected to deliver a big redesign. However, recent reports have suggested it will feature a faster chip and 5G connectivity.

Apple mixed reality headset could feature advanced gesture controls

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

Apple’s first mixed reality headset will pack a number of advanced sensors that allow for innovative gesture controls, according to one analyst.

It is believed the device will be able to recognize subtle changes in hand movements, like the clench of a fist, to allow users to interact with virtual objects without using another device, such as a controller.

watchOS 8.3 brings gesture controls to older Apple Watch models

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Apple Watch AssistiveTouch gesture controls
Apple Watch Series 4 and Series 5 support on the way.
Photo: Apple

The new watchOS 8.3 release candidate, rolled out by Apple on Wednesday, brings AssistiveTouch gesture controls to older Apple Watch models.

The feature made its debut back in May, but could be used only on newer devices, like Apple Watch SE and Apple Watch Series 7. The release candidate expands support to Series 4 and Series 6 devices for the first time.

Jennifer Lawrence will star as Theranos CEO Elizabeth Holmes in Apple TV+ drama

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Elizabeth Holmes
Elizabeth Holmes will be played by Jennifer Lawrence in an upcoming Apple TV+ film.
Photo: Max Morse/TechCrunch/Wikipedia CC

Apple TV+ reportedly confirmed that it’s producing Bad Blood, a film that will have mega-star Jennifer Lawrence portray Elizabeth Holmes, who is currently on trial for fraud committed as the head of medical tech startup Theranos.

It seems appropriate that Apple TV+ should produce the film, as Holmes modeled herself after Apple co-founder Steve Jobs. All the way to the black turtleneck.

Court delays App Store changes as Apple appeals contentious ruling

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App Store
The App Store won‘t see any changes to payment methods. For now.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Developers will have to put plans to steer App Store users to their own direct payments systems on the back burner. A court on Wednesday granted Apple’s request to put the change on hold while the iPhone-maker appeals the Epic Games v. Apple court ruling.

Any modifications to the App Store resulting from the lawsuit are now in limbo… quite possibly for years.

Developer squeezes primo sound out of a solid gaming rig [Setups]

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Premium audio components make this setup a sonic powerhouse.
Premium audio components make this setup a sonic powerhouse.
Photo: [email protected]

Premium computer setups for gaming are known for their eye-popping visuals, of course — but they need great sound, too. Today’s featured setup gets there with a killer display but also a raft of audio gear by companies like Aiyima, Burson, Kanto and Hifiman. The headphones, in particular, may make you green with envy.

Redditor IsTowel is a front-end developer and designer as well as a gamer. Their post about their “Working and listening station” outlines some pretty high-level gaming specs in a Mac and PC, dual-display setup — especially for stellar sound quality.

Samsung could make iPhone 14’s first ‘hole punch’ displays

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Samsung Galaxy with hole punch display
Samsung already makes 'hole punch' displays for its own phones.
Photo: Samsung

Samsung has reportedly started manufacturing new “hole punch” OLED displays for iPhone 14 that will allow Apple to finally do away with the notch.

The South Korean company already uses hole punch displays in its own Galaxy devices, negating the need for a black bar at the top of the screen. On iPhone, however, they will initially be exclusive to iPhone 14 Pro models.

New Satechi Mac dock adds multiple Thunderbolt and USB-A ports, plus more

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New Satechi Mac dock adds multiple Thunderbolt and USB-A ports, plus more
The Satechi Thunderbolt 4 Dock adds almost a dozen ports. And it enables high-speed data transfers over most of them.
Photo: Satechi

Satechi’s just-launched Thunderbolt 4 Dock includes a whopping eleven ports, including three Thunderbolt 4 and four USB-A ports. And there’s also a range of other ports for connecting additional peripherals.

Plus, Satechi launched a pair of USB-C hubs on Wednesday.

Next-gen AirPods Pro could bring new design, better chip in late 2022

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Next-gen AirPods Pro concept
They could look a little like this.
Concept: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

We could be waiting close to a year for Apple’s much-anticipated AirPods Pro upgrade, but according to one analyst, it will be well worth the wait. The next-generation buds are expected to deliver a brand-new design and a better chip.

They could also be Apple’s first headphones with fitness tracking capabilities.

AirPods on acid: See the evolution of Apple’s wireless buds like never before

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AirPods Pro CT scan
A CT scan reveals the insides of AirPods Pro in the prettiest way possible.
Photos: Scan of the Month

Ever wondered what your favorite wireless headphones might look like during a weird acid trip? Find out right here (while sober) with these mesmerizing CT scans of AirPods, which showcase the evolution of Apple’s buds on the inside.

AirPods have seen some surprisingly big changes since their initial introduction in late 2016. Here’s how Apple made them better — and even more compact.

macOS 12.1 release candidate brings SharePlay a big step closer to Mac

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SharePlay for Mac iPad and iPhone
A highlight of macOS 12.1 Monterey will be SharePlay.
Photo: Apple

Developers got access to the macOS 12.1 release candidate on Tuesday. This means beta testing of the new Monterey version is almost over, and Mac users will soon be able to start playing with SharePlay. But there’s still no sign of the much anticipated Universal Control feature.

Apple also seeded release candidates for iOS 15.2, iPadOS 15.2 and watchOS 8.3 to developers.

New iPhone security features are almost here

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New iPhone security features are almost here in iOS 15.2
Devs can start testing iOS 15.2. The full release is expected by mid-December.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple seeded the iOS 15.2 release candidate to developers on Tuesday, along with the iPad equivalent. When released to the public, iPhones will alert parents if their children send or receive nudes, there’s a new App Privacy Report, and users will be able to look for AirTags that might be tracking them.

The macOS 12.1 RC and watchOS 8.3 RC also went to devs on Tuesday.

Razer’s colorful cooling fan keeps iPhone cool when the gaming gets hot

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Razer Phone Cooler Chroma keeps iPhone cool when the gaming gets hot
The Razer Phone Cooler Chroma blows away the heat that can build up during long gaming sessions.
Photo: Razer

The Razer Phone Cooler Chroma is a fan designed to cool smartphones that heat up when playing demanding games. And it has colorful LEDs to make it look even cooler.

An iPhone version uses MagSafe. There’s also one for handsets without built-in magnets.

Bowers & Wilkins’ iconic Zeppelin wireless speaker flies again

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Bower & Wilkins revamped its powerful Zeppelin wireless speaker for today's streamers.
Bower & Wilkins revamped its powerful Zeppelin wireless speaker for today's streamers.
Photo: Bower & Wilkins

UK-based audio specialist Bowers & Wilkins first released its Zeppelin speaker as an iPod dock in 2007. Following a couple of other iterations over the years — the most recent one released six years ago — the airship-shaped powerhouse is back, and refitted for the streaming age.

Tim Cook allegedly pledged $275 billion to China in ‘secret’ investment deal

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Tim Cook's secret China investment deal: The agreement is said to have helped settle tensions with Chinese authorities.
The agreement is said to have helped settle tensions with Chinese authorities.
Photo: Fortune Global Forum/Flickr CC

Apple CEO Tim Cook “secretly” struck a deal with China in which he agreed to invest around $275 billion of Apple’s money to boost the country’s economy and “technological prowess,” according to a new report.

The five-year agreement was allegedly made during a series of visits Cook made to China in 2016 amid growing regulatory hostilities toward Cupertino. Since then, Apple has become China’s biggest smartphone brand.

Google adds voice and video calls to the Gmail app on iPhone and iPad

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Gmail adds voice and video calls
Download the update today to start chatting.
Screenshots: Google

You can now place calls and join remote meetings from right inside the Gmail app on iPhone and iPad.

Google Chat integration, with support for both voice and video calls, has been added in the app’s latest update. But it comes with one big limitation that means you’ll probably still need to keep the Google Chat app.

Apple expects iPhone demand to bounce back in early 2022

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iPhone 13 and new iPads hit the Apple Store
iPhone demand has reportedly fallen in recent weeks — but it may not be down for long.
Photo: Apple

Apple is expected to increase iPhone shipments by 30% during early 2022, according to a new report, which cites multiple sources familiar with the plan. It is believed Cupertino hopes to ship 300 million throughout next year.

A recent report claimed Apple had cut iPhone orders going into the holiday season as a result of weakening demand for its newest models — thanks in large part to the component shortages that have made some options hard to obtain.

Win a Wacom Intuos Pro creative pen tablet [Cult of Mac giveaway]

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Intuos Pro
This slim pen tablet is designed to create.
Photo: Wacom

If you fancy yourself an artist, this giveaway is for you. Cult of Mac is giving one lucky winner an Intuos Pro tablet with pen from Wacom, the global leader in the pen display and tablet market. You can connect it via Bluetooth or USB to your Mac (or PC), and use it to draw, paint or retouch photos.

Art is excellent for mental health. So boost your self-esteem by drawing and painting on your Mac. If you want a sense of accomplishment that a finished creation can give, make sure to enter our giveaway.

Accell’s new Thunderbolt 4 dock offers high-speed data transfers, plenty of ports

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Accell’s new Thunderbolt 4 dock offers high-speed data transfers, plenty of ports
The Accell Thunderbolt 4 Docking Station is ready for professional workloads.
Photo: Accell

The Accell Thunderbolt 4 Docking Station allows multiple peripheral connections to Mac through a single Thunderbolt 4 cable. It turns a single Thunderbolt port into two, while also offering DisplayPort, USB-A, Ethernet and more.

The professional-grade hub is available for purchase starting Monday.

Apple TV+ picks up a respectable 9 Critics Choice nominations

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Apple starts shooting second season of For All Mankind next month
“For All Mankind” picked up a nomination Best Drama Series in the Critics Choice TV Awards. Other Apple TV+ shows also received nominations.
Photo: Apple

Apple TV+ received nine nominations across six programs for the 27th Annual Critics Choice TV Awards. That includes Best Drama Series for For All Mankind, Best Comedy Series for Ted Lasso, and Best Movie Made for Television for Come From Away.

The winners will be announced in January.