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News - page 285

Spotify brings Apple Music-like synchronized lyrics to all users

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Spotify lyrics roll out to all
Just like Apple Music's
Photo: Musixmatch

Spotify’s new synchronized song lyrics — much like those we’ve enjoyed inside Apple Music for a while now — are now rolling out globally. The feature is available to both free and paid users across almost all devices.

Lyrics were one of the most requested features among Spotify users, the company said. They first entered testing among a smaller number of customers early this year, and now everyone can enjoy them.

iPhone could ship with Apple’s own 5G modems in 2023

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Tim Cook seems really excited about 5G. Should you be?
Qualcomm will eventually get the boot.
Photo: Apple

Apple is expected to start shipping its own 5G modems for iPhone in 2023. The chips will reduce the company’s reliance on Qualcomm — which is currently a major supplier of cellular chips for Apple devices.

Sources say the modems won’t be integrated into Apple’s primary A-series chipsets for iPhone, but will instead be separate components.

Power your peripherals with Accell’s new Thunderbolt 4 Docking Station

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The new Access Thunderbolt 4 Docking Station expands your laptop or desktop's connectivity.
The new Access Thunderbolt 4 Docking Station expands your laptop or desktop's connectivity.
Photo: Accell

Accell launched its newest Thunderbolt 4 Docking Station on Wednesday. The company said the Intel-certified hub provides high speed data transfer, dual 4K or 8K external display capability and 96W of power delivery (PD) to quickly charge multiple peripherals.

T-Mobile denies $100 Apple Watch rebate promised by Apple

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Apple Watch Series 7 T-Mobile rebate
Some customers have redeemed the rebate successfully.
Image: Apple

T-Mobile customers are reportedly being denied a $100 rebate on Apple Watch Series 7 that was promised by Apple at the time of purchase.

As of Thursday morning, Apple’s website still advertises the promotion — which is supposedly available between October 8 and December 31. But some customers who have tried to redeem their cash say they’ve been unsuccessful.

$750 million Astroworld lawsuit seeks damages from Apple

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Apple's Astroworld statement
This statement replaced Apple's promotions for Astroworld on social media.
Screenshot: Cult of Mac

Apple has been named alongside Travis Scott, Drake and concert promoter Live Nation in a new $750 million lawsuit over this month’s catastrophic Astroworld Festival. Houston attorney Tony Buzbee filed on behalf of 125 concert attendees, including the family of 21-year-old victim Axel Acosta.

“No amount of money will ever make these plaintiffs whole,” Buzbee said. The damages sought are intended “to punish and make an example of all involved” in the event — and to encourage better safety measures in the future.

Get the fantastic Cult of Mac, 2nd Edition book at more than 70% off

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The Cult of Mac 2E
This deluxe chronicle of Apple fandom is beautifully designed.
Photo: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac

If you’re looking for a holiday gift for an Apple fan, consider The Cult of Mac, 2nd Edition. This great-looking coffee table book about the Apple community is on sale right now for just $9.99 — a whopping 71% off.

Co-written by David Pierini and yours truly, the gorgeously designed, full-color book details many aspects of the Apple fan universe.

iOS 15.1.1 fixes dropped calls on recent iPhones

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iOS 15.1.1 fixes dropped calls on recent iPhones
iOS 15.1.1 is a bug fix update for recent iPhone models.
Photo: Cult of Mac

Users of recent iPhone models can now install iOS 15.1.1. Apple released the update Wednesday to take care of problems with dropped calls on these handsets.

It’s only for iPhone 13 and iPhone 12. And there is not an iPadOS equivalent.

Murder-mystery comedy The Afterparty premieres on Apple TV+ on Jan. 28

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Apple’s murder-mystery comedy ‘The Afterparty’ premieres on Jan. 28
Tiffany Haddish leads an ensemble cast in The Afterparty, coming to Apple TV+ in January.
Photo: Chris Miller

A premiere date for a hotly anticipated Apple TV+ series has finally been revealed. The Afterparty starring Tiffany Haddish and a collection of other comedians will make its debut on Apple’s streaming service on Friday, January 28.

The very unusual murder mystery was created by film virtuosos Phil Lord and Chris Miller.

iOS 15.2 lets you search inside Apple Music playlists

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Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos and Lossless Audio are coming to Apple Music subscribers beginning June 2021.
Rolling out to everyone soon.
Photo: Apple

Apple’s latest iOS 15.2 beta lets users search inside Apple Music playlists for the first time. The update makes it easier to quickly locate tracks, which should make it a little quicker to keep your favorite playlists in order.

This was one of the most requested features for Apple Music playlists. As users have noted, however, the service still has a long way to go before it catches up with rivals on playlist features.

Part 2: From PC pigsty to prim M1 Pro MacBook workstation [Setups]

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In round 2, I experiment with an open laptop stand, a mechanical keyboard with a wrist rest, a Magic Trackpad 2, an ergonomic mouse with a trackball and a monitor light bar.
In round 2, I experiment with an open laptop stand, a mechanical keyboard with a wrist rest, a Magic Trackpad 2, an ergonomic mouse with a trackball and a monitor light bar.
Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac

I wrote recently about the shameful squalor of my previous “setup” — basically a borrowed PC laptop perched on a pile of junk — and my effort to build something worthwhile around a gleaming new 14-inch M1 Pro MacBook. Well, like a lot of people in the throes of building a computer setup, I found that second-guessing haunted me into buying a whole lot of alternative gear.

You know, for testing purposes. Trial and error. Not because of my apparent shopping addiction. Or not much, anyway.

iOS 15.2 paves the way for DIY display replacements on iPhone 13

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iPhone 13 display repair
That's the end of that.
Photo: iFixit

Apple’s newest iOS 15.2 beta paves the way for DIY screen replacements on iPhone 13. Earlier versions of the firmware inexplicably disabled Face ID when a display was replaced by anyone other than Apple. But that’s no longer the case.

The change came just a day before Apple revealed its new Self Service Program, which will offer customers the parts and tools they need to carry out hardware fixes themselves — if they feel competent enough to do so.

Apple will sell parts and tools so customers can repair their own devices

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Apple Self Service Program for customer repairs
It's a major change to the company's repair policy.
Photo: Apple

Apple today revealed its new Self Service Program, which will provide customers with the parts and tools they need to repair their own devices. It marks a major shift in the company’s approach to hardware fixes.

The iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 lineups are the first to be supported, but will be soon followed by Mac computers powered by M1 chips, Apple said. The Self Service Program launches next year in the U.S., and will expand in 2022.

Apple’s simple Shortcuts change greatly improves cross-device support

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Like Shortcuts? macOS Monterey's got 'em.
You no longer have to update storage locations for each Shortcut.
Photo: Apple

Apple’s newest betas for iOS, iPadOS and macOS make a simple Shortcuts change that greatly improves the user experience across different devices.

Shortcuts now know which storage folders to use automatically — depending on your device — negating the need to manually update them individually for different hardware.

Apple Home Services chief leaves after less than 3 years on the job

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Apple Home Services chief Sam Jadallah left his post after less than three years.
Apple Home Services chief Sam Jadallah left his post after less than three years.
Photo: Apple

Apple hired Sam Jadallah in February 2019 to lead its smart home initiatives as head of the Home Services department. Last week, he posted word of his departure on LinkedIn.

Neither Jadallah nor Apple has given a reason for the departure. After two years and nine months on the job, Jadallah wrote:

That’s a wrap with Apple. I’m so grateful for the friendships that will endure and the opportunity to shape and create new capabilities for people and homes around the world. As a corporate exec, investor and entrepreneur, it was a treat to be an entrepreneur within Apple and to create products at scale.

Apple Watch seems to break Mail Privacy Protection in iOS 15

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Mail Privacy Protection on Apple Watch
That's not good.
Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac

Beware using Mail on your Apple Watch. Security researchers have found that receiving messages on your wrist compromises Mail Privacy Protection in iOS 15 by revealing your IP address to senders.

Mail Privacy Protection — available across Mac, iPhone and iPad — is designed to prevent this from happening by masking your actual IP address. But it seems that using Mail on Apple Watch completely undermines it.

WhatsApp said to be developing new Catalyst app for iPad and Mac

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WhatsApp Catalyst app for iPad
It still doesn't have a release date yet.
Photo: WABetaInfo

WhatsApp is reportedly working on a new app that will work on both iPad and Mac. It’s thought to take advantage of Apple’s Catalyst platform, which makes it easier for developers to build universal applications.

The popular messaging service is already available on macOS, but this would be the first native WhatsApp client for iPad. WhatsApp has already started rolling out improved multi-device support that is less reliant on a smartphone.

Epic CEO calls for single App Store for all, says ‘Apple must be stopped’

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Epic Games vs. the App Store
Tim Sweeney is not a fan of the App Store.
Photo: Epic Games

Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney renewed his attack on the App Store, telling a conference in South Korea that “Apple must be stopped.”

Sweeney, who spoke Tuesday at the Global Conference for Mobile Application Ecosystem Fairness, accused Apple of complying with “oppressive foreign laws.” He also called for “a single store that works with all platforms.”

Amazon launches Prime Video app for Mac

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The new Amazon Prime Video app for Mac means you don't have to use a browser for viewing.
The new Amazon Prime Video app for Mac means you don't have to use a browser for viewing.
Photo: Amazon

Amazon introduced a native macOS app for its Amazon Prime Video service Monday, offering another option for Mac owners who previously relied on a browser to watch. They can get the app in the App Store.

The new Mac app provides access to all Amazon Prime streaming content. Prime Video subscribers can use the app to stream content or download content on Macs for offline viewing.

Disney characters go for each other’s throats in upcoming Apple Arcade game

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Disney characters go for each other throats in upcoming Apple Arcade game
Mickey looks TERRIFYING
Photo: Mighty Bear Games

Beloved Disney and Pixar characters will put aside the caring and sharing and try to beat the stuffing out of each other in Disney Melee Mania, a game that’ll launch soon on Apple Arcade.

Mickey in particular looks like he’s taken that “mania” part to the max and is ready to devour someone’s liver.

New HyperDrive USB-C MacBook dock adds amazing 15 ports

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New HyperDrive USB-C MacBook dock adds amazing 15 ports
Add up to 15 ports to a MacBook with a new USB-C hub/dock from Hyper.
Photo: Hyper

The HyperDrive 4K Multi-Display Docking Station for 13”-16” MacBook has room for 15 ports, including a trio of HDMI ports that support 4K 60Hz. There’s also Gigabit Ethernet, a trio of USB-A ports, a trio of USB-C ports, memory card readers and more.

Rather than sitting beside or behind the laptop, Hyper’s latest dock props it up.

Keeping it weird with a ‘dual-display laptop’ and an ortholinear keyboard [Setups]

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A portable monitor is mounted over the MacBook Pro's keyboard and an ortholinear-layout keyboard is the main input device.
A portable monitor is mounted over the MacBook Pro's keyboard and an ortholinear-layout keyboard is the main input device.
Photo: [email protected]

We see a lot of dual- and multi-display workstations here at Setups Central, but we can’t recall seeing a “dual-display laptop” or a “laptop monitor stack.” Those are terms we made up for a second portable display mounted under a laptop’s screen and on top of its keyboard, as in today’s featured setup.

Apple asks states to pay up for iPhone’s digital ID cards

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Driver's licenses and IDs in Apple Wallet
Supporting digital IDs won't be cheap.
Photo: Apple

Apple’s strict requirements for digital ID cards in the iPhone’s Wallet app ask states to provide customer support and contribute to costs, according to a new report.

Cupertino wants states to maintain the systems needed to distribute digital IDs, hire project managers to respond to Apple inquiries, and market the feature themselves — all at the taxpayer’s expense, leaked contracts reveal.