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News - page 286

Would you go without an external keyboard and mouse? [Setups]

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Would you make do with neither an external keyboard nor a mouse?
Would you make do with neither an external keyboard nor a mouse?
Photo: [email protected]

With the new M1 Pro and M1 Max MacBook Pro models selling like hotcakes, a lot of people are wondering how to incorporate their new laptops into their computer setups. Is it enough just to use the laptop, or should it be used with an external keyboard, mouse or trackpad, as well as an external monitor? If you’re setting up your Mac and find that Bluetooth is off, you may need to know how to turn Bluetooth on Mac without mouse or keyboard.

This awesome X-ray wallpaper lets you see inside your Apple Watch

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Apple Watch X-ray wallpaper
One of the coolest ways to use the Photos face.
Photo: iFixit

Your Apple Watch is surprisingly pretty on the inside. Take a peek behind the screen with this awesome wallpaper from the fine folks over at iFixit.

The photo is a real X-ray image of Apple Watch Series 7. It clearly shows off a number of important components, including its Taptic Engine, intricate chipset, and the wireless charging coil. And it works great as a watch face.

Apple Watch owners sue for injuries caused by swollen batteries

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Apple Watch battery repair
Apple didn't leave enough space for expansion, plaintiffs claim.
Photo: iFixit

Apple faces a class action lawsuit from Apple Watch wearers who claim to have been injured by their device after its battery swelled and cracked its screen.

The plaintiffs say Apple, in its efforts to make Apple Watch as thin as possible, doesn’t provide enough space for potential battery expansion. So, when this happens, the display pops out and can leave “razor-sharp edges” exposed.

Microsoft was open to bringing Xbox exclusives to iPhone, Apple wouldn’t play ball

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Microsoft wanted to bring Xbox exclusive to the App Store
Halo Infinite could have hit the App Store.
Photo: Microsoft

Microsoft told Apple that it was willing to turn big Xbox exclusives into iPhone and iPad games before negotiations over bringing its Xbox Cloud Gaming service to the App Store broke down earlier this year, internal emails show.

Microsoft was also open to releasing individual apps for each of the titles available in its streaming catalog to comply with App Store rules. It changed course when it became apparent that appeasing Apple was just too difficult.

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.