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News - page 286

Apple agrees to cough up $30 million to settle worker dispute

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Say goodbye to the Uptown Apple Store in Minneapolis.
The lawsuit was first filed in 2013.
Photo: Apple

Apple will pay out $30 million to settle an employee dispute after it forced workers to stay behind to have their bags after their shifts had ended. It finally marks an end to the lawsuit that was first filed eight years ago.

The lawsuit was dismissed by one California judge back in 2015. But after the decision was appealed, the California Supreme Court in February 2020 ruled that Apple must pay compensation to those affected.

Are MacBook Pro’s MagSafe chargers really too strong? [The CultCast]

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The CultCast Apple podcast: The new MacBook Pro's MagSafe might just be too strong!
The new MacBook Pro's MagSafe might just be too strong!
Image: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: Reports of MagSafe connectors being too strong on the new MacBook Pros leave us scratching our heads. Is MagSafe-gate for real? It’s always something when Apple releases a killer new product….

Also on The CultCast:

  • Tech companies seem in a frenzy to get new MacBook Pros in their employees’ hands.
  • Apple storms into the MDM game.
  • And an all new Under Review!

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.

Incredibly rare Chaffey College Apple-1 sells at auction for $500,000

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Only six examples features the koa wood case.
Only six known examples features the koa wood case.
Photo: John Moran Auctioneers

Lots of Apple fans know the company’s first product was the Apple-1 personal computer. Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs initially put the machines together in a garage in 1976. Now one unit in their early run of 200, known as the “Chaffey College Apple-1” because its first owner taught there, has sold at auction for $500,000.

Apple Arcade’s collection of classic games grows by leaps and bounds

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Apple Arcade’s collection of classic games grows by leaps and bounds
Crossy Road+ and many other App Store Greats have recently become part of Apple Arcade.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The selection of App Store Greats available through the Apple Arcade subscription service continues to grow. Friday brings the addition of Galaga Wars+ and Kingdom Rush Frontiers TD+.

They join dozen of other classic games that players used to have to pay to play individually but are now all available with a single Apple Arcade subscription. Plus there are many more original games, too.

M1 all around: Mac mini and iPad Pro drive developer’s workstation [Setups]

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The M1 Mac mini is paired with a 32-inch Samsung 4K monitor, a Keychron Q1 mechanical keyboard and a Logitech MX Master 3 mouse.
The M1 Mac mini is paired with a 32-inch Samsung 4K monitor, a Keychron Q1 mechanical keyboard and a Logitech MX Master 3 mouse.
Photo: PJ Flordeliz
Sometimes you see a workstation and you can pretty much tell by the gear what its owner does for a living. Today’s featured setup has an M1 Mac mini, a 12.9-inch M1 iPad Pro and an Acer laptop, plus a custom mechanical keyboard, a network switch and a huge external hard drive. That led me to guess the person might be a IT staffer or a software developer. And I was right.

Samsung is ditching its awesome DeX app for Mac

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Samsung DeX on Mac
Well, that's a shame.
Image: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

Samsung has confirmed that it is dropping support for its official DeX app for Mac (and Windows 7) in January.

The move means Galaxy smartphone owners will no longer be able to connect their device to a macOS machine to turn it into an Android-powered desktop. However, the awesome DeX feature itself isn’t going anywhere.

We could be waiting almost a year for the next AirPods Pro refresh

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They AirPods Pro fit in their case like nothing ever happened.
Apple doesn't rush its AirPods upgrades.
Photo: Charlie Sorrel/Cult of Mac

We could be waiting almost another year for Cupertino’s second-generation AirPods Pro refresh. A new report — citing sources in Apple’s supply chain — claims the new buds won’t drop until the third quarter of 2022.

Earlier rumors have indicated the upgrade could bring an even more compact design with a more rounded shape, plus motion sensors for fitness tracking.

iPhone X with USB-C port fetches over $86,000 on eBay

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iPhone X with USB-C port
It could have sold for even more!
Photo: Ken Pillonel

An iPhone X that’s been modded to use a USB-C instead of Lightning connector has sold for a whopping $86,001 on eBay.

Built by robotics engineering student Ken Pillonel, the device — which still functions perfectly normally — was shown off in October before being listed for sale earlier this month. It had received a bid of $99,000, but that was retracted.

Apple Store’s new ‘lists’ feature lets you keep track of things you want

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Apple Store app gets new 'lists' feature
Grab the newest update now.
Image: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

The latest update to the Apple Store app adds a brand-new “lists” feature that makes it easier to keep track of all the things you want.

You can then share and discuss your lists with in-store Specialists, Apple says — then get a recap of your conversation sent to the app so it’s easy to find later. Lists also make it faster to buy what you want when you’re ready to check out.

Anker 310 Magnetic Ring makes any iPhone 12 or 13 case MagSafe-compatible

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The Anker 310 Magnetic Ring turns your regular iPhone 12 or 13 case into a MagSafe-compatible one for $8.
The Anker 310 Magnetic Ring turns your regular iPhone 12 or 13 case into a MagSafe-compatible one for $8.
Photo: Anker

Is your regular iPhone 12 or 13 case keeping you from enjoying Apple’s MagSafe technology? Anker now offers an inexpensive fix for your case — the Anker 310 Magnetic Ring — so you don’t have to buy a new, MagSafe-compatible one. The ring is $8, whereas a new case would probably cost you well over $20.

Targus laptop backpack boasts Apple Find My tracking

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Targus laptop backpack boasts Apple Find My tracking
CES 2022 Innovation Awards honoree: The Cypress Hero Backpack with Find My Technology from Targus.
Photo: Targus

Plenty of backpacks have an AirTag tracker attached by their owners, but Targus is making one with Apple Find My tech built in. This will allow users to locate the backpack with their iPhone if it gets lost.

The Cypress Hero EcoSmart Backpack won’t launch until spring, but has already been named a CES 2022 Innovation Awards Honoree.

Glorious GTA: The Trilogy gameplay footage leaks ahead of release

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GTA The Trilogy leaked gameplay footage
It's also coming to iPhone and iPad next year.
Image: okayjosh/YouTube

Glorious new gameplay footage captured from Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy — The Definitive Edition has leaked before it makes its official debut on consoles and PC tomorrow, November 12 — and lands on mobile next year.

The rather lengthy clips, taken from GTA III, Vice City and San Andreas, give us a closer look at the games’ improved graphics and significantly faster frame rate. They also show off some user interface enhancements.

91-year-old grandma creates unbelievable masterpieces in Microsoft Paint

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Concha García Zaera art from Microsoft Paint
Who'd have thought Microsoft Paint could produce art like this?
Images: Concha García Zaera

Who needs expensive Photoshop subscriptions and fancy drawing hardware? 91-year-old grandma Concha García Zaera creates and sells beautiful and insanely detailed masterpieces using nothing but a mouse and Microsoft Paint.

Zaera’s artwork, which is all put together using a Windows 7 PC, has attracted more than 300,000 followers on Instagram. It features everything from serene and colorful landscapes to cute and cuddly pet portraits.

Google rolls out big upgrades for Gmail, Meet and Sheets on iOS

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Gmail, Meet and Sheets gets big updates on iPhone and iPad
Enjoy Home screen widgets and Picture in Picture support.
Photo: Google

Google this week rolled out a bunch of rather significant updates for Gmail, Meet, and Sheets on iPhone and iPad that add a number of neat new features and improvements. You can download them from the App Store now.

Gmail now offers a Home screen widget that lets you see your inbox at a glance, while Meet now features Picture in Picture support so you can carry out remote meetings while you continue to do other things on your device.

Apple tests Legacy Contacts to allow loved ones access to your data after you pass on

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Apple tests Legacy Contacts to allow loved ones access your data after you pass on
Setting Legacy Contacts in the current iOS 15.2 beta is simple.
Photo: Cult of Mac

Apple apparently intends to launch a promised Legacy Contacts feature in the upcoming iOS 15.2 and the iPad equivalent. This will allow friends or family members to access your data after you die.

It will prevent pictures and phone numbers from being permanently locked on an iPhone or iPad if someone passes away without giving out their passcode.

iCloud for Windows now supports ProRes videos and ProRaw photos

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iCloud for Windows now supports ProRes videos and ProRaw photos
There are multiple new features in the PC version of the iCloud app.
Photo: Apple

Apple threw a bone to iPhone owners who are also PC users on Wednesday. iCloud for Windows version 13 adds support for Apple ProRes videos and Apple ProRaw photos.

And there are other new features in the free app too, like greater control over iCloud Drive and the ability to generate strong passwords.

Love Keychron keyboards? Behold the company’s first mouse!

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The new Keychron M1 Mouse is billed as slim, lightweight and customizable.
The new Keychron M1 Mouse is billed as slim, lightweight and customizable.
Photo: Keychron

Over the past several years, Keychron has gained justifiable fame for its affordable mechanical keyboards, which appeal to a variety of users. Now it plans to release its first mouse, the M1 (not to be confused with Apple’s world-beating Silicon chipset).

Keychron said its M1 mouse comes with the “strongest, most competitive grade” sensor chip available — as well as a raft of RGB light effects.

Updated Rotor Riot iPhone game controller launches at Apple Store

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Updated Rotor Riot iPhone game controller launches at Apple Store
Connect RiotPWR’s Rotor Riot iPhone game controller to your iPhone for quick and easy fun.
Photo: Apple/RiotPWR

RiotPwr is out with a new version of its iPhone game controller with a Lightning connector. This mimics the design of Microsoft’s Xbox controller, and new version adds a pair of buttons needed to play many games.

Apple likes this accessory so much it just began offering it in the Apple Store, both online and brick-and-mortar locations.

Part 1: From PC pigsty to prim M1 Pro MacBook workstation [Setups]

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Before: A fine Dell Inspiron laptop perched atop a mess.
BEFORE: A fine Dell Inspiron laptop perched atop a mess.
Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac

Not long ago I sold, gave away or trashed most of my possessions and moved across the U.S. Soon after arrival, I found my computer unresponsive. The ol’ HP Pavilion laptop stopped powering on reliably. So I borrowed a perfectly good Dell laptop from my brother and kept on writing, mainly for Cult of Mac. I just happened to be “between Macs” at the time. But now I have a brand new 14-inch M1 Pro MacBook.

Thanks to the swanky new Apple laptop plus a few other bits and pieces I quickly acquired, as of today I no longer wallow in a PC laptop pigsty (yeah, the photo above is genuine, though I swear it wasn’t always quite that messy). I’ve got a proper Mac computer setup for the first time in a while.

Apple Business Essentials gives companies tools to manage employee devices

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The new Apple Business Essentials service brings device management, support and storage into one subscription for small businesses.
The new Apple Business Essentials service brings device management, support and storage into one subscription for small businesses.
Photo: Apple

Apple launched a new service aimed at small businesses Wednesday. Now in beta, Apple Business Essentials bundles device management, Apple support and iCloud storage into flexible subscription plans for companies with up to 500 employees.

Cupertino also unveiled an app for the service that enables employees to install apps for work and request support.

Apple’s entrance into comprehensive small business tech services by subscription could spell trouble for companies already in the space, such as Jamf and Hexnode.

Add even more ports to MacBook Pro with Satechi Pro Hub Mini

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Add even more ports to MacBook Pro with Satechi Pro Hub Mini
Plug the Satechi Pro Hub Mini into a 2021 MacBook Pro to add USB-A and other useful ports.
Photo: Satechi

While the 2021 MacBook Pro brings back some classic ports, those who want USB-A need to turn to an adapter like the Satechi Pro Hub Mini. The accessory clips to the side of the notebook and adds a pair of USB-A ports and Ethernet.

Preorders began Wednesday with a 25% discount until the launch.

The next Mac revolution: Companies rush to buy new M1 machines

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Adobe Photoshop does support the MacBook Pro notch.
"Engineering hours are much more expensive than laptops."
Photo: Apple

The new MacBook Pro lineup is an exceptional upgrade over its predecessors, with new M1 Pro and M1 Max chipsets that offer more mobile computing power than ever before. And big companies are scrambling to reap the benefits.

The likes of Reddit, Twitter and others are rolling out 2021 MacBook Pro units to employees so that they can take advantage of the massive performance gains. “Engineering hours are much more expensive than laptops,” one said.

Netflix Games goes live on iPhone and iPad with 5 titles to choose from

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Netflix Games goes live on iPhone and iPad
Included with your Netflix subscription.
Image: Netflix

Netflix Games is now available on iPhone and iPad, just over one week after making its debut on Android. Users can access all titles through the main Netflix app, but — as expected — they must be downloaded individually.

The service offers five games to begin with, including the two Stranger Things titles that were already available on iOS, and is available at no extra cost to those who already have a Netflix subscription.