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News - page 293

iPhone 13 series increases battery sizes by up to 18%

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iPhone 13 series increases battery sizes by up to 18%
Pull the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 batteries out to find their exact storage capacities.
Photo: iFixit

Apple beefed up the batteries in all four models in the new iPhone 13 series. There are significant increases in capacity in all of them, especially the iPhone 13 Pro Max.

Teardowns of the iPhone 13 models are starting to appear, including ones from iFixit, revealing these battery sizes.

iPhone 13 and iPad mini: The good, the bad, the ugly! [The CultCast]

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The CultCast 511: Early iPhone 13 and iPad mini reviews leave us asking,
Early iPhone 13 and iPad mini reviews leave us asking, "That all ya got, Apple?"
Image: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: The early reviews are in — let’s talk about the best and worst parts of iPhone 13, 13 Pro and the iPad mini. Plus: Apple is prepping yet another great feature coming soon to your HomePod — it ain’t dead yet, baby!

Super-clean rig relies on Magic Trackpad and mouse combo [Setups]

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It seems more and more people swear by the Magic Trackpad and Magic Mouse combo.
It seems more and more people swear by the Magic Trackpad and Magic Mouse combo.
Photo: [email protected]

When you travel the online highways and byways in search of cool computer setups, you start to notice certain patterns. One is that lots of people seem to love Apple’s Magic Trackpad. Another is that plenty of folks hate the Magic Mouse. And a third seems to see a growing number of people absolutely love using a Magic Trackpad + mouse combo — which some onlookers find mystifying.

iPhone 13 mini doesn’t come with faster MagSafe charging

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iPhone 13 mini MagSafe Charger
12W is still the max.
Photo: Apple

Those hoping that iPhone 13 mini might ship with faster MagSafe charging will be disappointed to learn that it’s no quicker than its predecessor. Top-ups are restricted to a maximum of 12W when using a 20W charging adapter.

iPhone 13 and 13 Pro models, like last year’s larger iPhone models, can charge at up to 15W.

Restoring iPhone 13 or a new iPad from backup can break Apple Music

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Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos and Lossless Audio are coming to Apple Music subscribers beginning June 2021.
A day-one update fixes the problem.
Photo: Apple

Apple warned owners of iPhone 13 and its newest iPad models on Friday that restoring their device from an earlier backup can cause problems in Apple Music. A bug prevents some users from accessing the Apple Music catalog and settings, and from using Sync Library on their new device.

The problem affects only iPhone 13, the 2021 iPad mini and the new ninth-generation iPad. Installing a software update fixes the problem.

Apple Watch 7 packs new ‘communications transmitter’ for data transfer

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Apple Watch Series 7
But you probably won't be able to use it.
Photo: Apple

Apple Watch Series 7 comes with a brand-new “communications transmitter” for wireless data transfer, regulatory documents reveal. The 60.5GHz module works with a “Wireless Serial Dock” that could enable faster transfer speeds.

It seems, however, that the new connectivity option is likely going to be reserved for internal use.

Lego Star Wars Battles explodes onto Apple Arcade

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Grab your blaster: ‘Lego Star Wars Battles‘ shoots toward Apple Arcade
“Lego Star Wars Battles” lets Chewbacca fight Boba Fett. Or have an Ewok take on a Tusken Raider.

The newest addition to Apple Arcade really puts the “war” in Star Wars. Look for a mix of one-on-one real-time combat and tower defense with classic characters in Lego Star Wars Battles.

The game debuted Friday, and is playable on a wide variety of Apple devices.

Apple fans worldwide get their hands on iPhone 13 and new iPad models

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iPhone 13 and new iPads hit the Apple Store
Are you one of the lucky ones?
Photo: Apple

iPhone 13, the 2021 iPad mini and the ninth-generation iPad hit the Apple Store on Friday morning. Cupertino showed off photos of customers getting their hands on its newest devices in Beijing to celebrate the occasion.

Those who preordered online last week also started receiving their new devices today. Twitter and other online platforms have become flooded with images from excited Apple customers with new products to unpack.

Sci-fi epic Foundation premieres a day early on Apple TV+

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Sci-fi epic ‘Foundation’ premieres a day early on Apple TV+
The wait for Apple TV+’s Foundation is almost over.
Photo: Apple TV+

You won’t have to wait until Friday for the much-anticipated debut of Foundation on Apple TV+. The first episode of this adaptation of Isaac Asimov’s sci-fi classic will premiere2 on Apple’s streaming service three hours early, so Americans can watch it Thursday night.

The same goes for everything debuting on Apple TV+, including the latest episode of Ted Lasso.

iOS 12.5.5 update blocks Pegasus spyware from older iPhones

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iOS update blocks Pegasus spyware from iPhones
Install iOS 12.5.5 on your older iPhone to protect it from the Pegasus spyware.
Photo: Андрей Сидоренко/Pixabay/Cult of Mac

iPhone models that can’t install iOS 14 or iOS 15 can still get protection from the infamous Pegasus spyware thanks to iOS 12.5.5. Apple released this update Thursday for devices as old as the iPhone 5s to close a security hole in active use by hackers.

The same update can also be installed on older iPad and iPod touch models.

Brydge’s new Stone Pro Thunderbolt 4 hub expands your connectivity

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The new Brydge Stone Pro TB4 Docking Station has 12 ports.
The new Brydge Stone Pro TB4 Docking Station has 12 ports.
Photo: Brydge

Brydge has unveiled what looks to be a formidable, 12-port Thunderbolt 4 hub to expand your laptop’s connectivity. It’s the Stone Pro TB4 docking station. The only catch is you can’t get it just yet.

You may know Brydge more for its iPad keyboards than its docking stations. Recently Cult of Mac‘s Ed Hardy said the Brydge 12.9+ iPad Pro keyboard beats out Apple Magic Keyboard. But the new Stone Pro TB4 is one of several docks the company makes.

Make Apple Watch workouts more comfortable with ActionSleeve 2

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Twelve South ActionSleeve for Apple Watch
Always comfortable and out of your way.
Photo: Twelve South

Do you find your Apple Watch is uncomfortable on your wrist during intense workouts? Wear it on your arm where it’s out of your way with the superb ActionSleeve 2 from Twelve South — now available from the Cult of Mac Store.

Made from a soft and lightweight fabric, ActionSleeve 2 feels good even when you’re hot and sweaty. It doesn’t prevent Apple Watch from tracking your heart rate and other statistics, and it’s machine washable so you can keep it clean.

Feast your eyes on these zany Casely iPhone 13 cases

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Casely's new iPhone 13 cases are a feast for the eyes. If you're into that sort of thing.
Casely's new iPhone 13 cases are a feast for the eyes. If you're into that sort of thing.
Photo: Casely

Apple accessories provider Casely is known for its kooky and colorful designs. That remains true with its new iPhone 13 cases. The new Casely iPhone 13 case collections for Apple’s new handsets are full of zany patterns, prints and textures worthy of an Instagram influencer.

Extend your iPhone’s battery life with myCharge MagLock Superhero

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Keep your MagSafe iPhone going with a myCharge MagLock Superhero battery pack.
Keep your MagSafe iPhone going with a myCharge MagLock Superhero battery pack.
Photo: myCharge

While late-model iPhones have impressive battery life, if you stream a lot of videos or use your handset as a hotspot for hours on end, you’ve probably seen dwindling power. But now you can extend the runtime of your MagSafe-capable iPhone 12 or 13 for up to 48 hours with a new battery pack called myCharge MagLock Superhero.

EU proposes forcing iPhone to switch to USB-C

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Anker PowerLine II USB-C Cable with Lightning Connector
If the European Commission has its way, the iPhone Lightning port will be replaced by a USB-C one.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The European Commission put forward legislation Thursday that would make USB-C the standard port for all smartphones and tablets. The move seems aimed directly at Apple and the Lightning port used in iPhone and the budget iPad. But it also would affect super-cheap Android handsets that still use micro-USB.

The proposal also would unbundle the sale of chargers from the sale of electronic devices.

Add a trio of blazing-fast ports to your Mac with new Plugable Thunderbolt 4 hub

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Add trio of blazing-fast ports to your Mac with new Plugable Thunderbolt 4 hub
Plugable’s just-launched Thunderbolt 4 hub makes your Mac more useful by adding accessories that require very fast connections.
Photo: Plugable

The new Plugable TBT4-HUB3C hub turns a single Thunderbolt 4 port into three of them, expanding the number of high-speed accessories that can be connected to a Mac or iPad Pro. That includes big displays and large-capacity drives.

And Plugable also launched new 1-meter and 2-meter Thunderbolt cables Thursday.

Bring on some less dystopian Apple TV+ sci-fi

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Explosion-packed Foundation trailer will get fans excited for Apple TV+ series
“Foundation” looks amazing. And apocalyptic.
Photo: Apple TV+

Apple TV+ is shooting for the stars with two new sci-fi series and a film this autumn. The trailers for Foundation, Invasion and Finch all look amazing. And dark. The descriptions for all of them include either “dystopian” or “apocalypse” or both.

Could we get some science fiction that’s a little more upbeat from Apple’s streaming service?

Grab a recycled iPhone 13 case from Casetify’s collection

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Casetify offers iPhone cases made from recycled and upcycled materials.
Casetify offers iPhone cases made from recycled and upcycled materials.
Photo: Casetify

If you like to use products made from recycled materials, Casetify has you covered when it comes to iPhone 13 covers. Its collection features several styles of MagSafe-compatible cases, both recycled and upcycled, with solid drop protection and options for personalization.

‘Duplicitous conduct’ earns Fortnite extended App Store ban

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Epic Games v. Apple is just getting started
If you thought the war between Apple and epic Games was over, think again.
Graphic: Epic Games/Cult of Mac

The first phase of the legal war between Apple and Epic Games is over, and a Federal court agreed with the game developer in some of the major points in their lawsuit. But Apple refuses to reinstate Fortnite and other Epic titles to its App Store during the appeals process.

The iPhone maker says this is the result of “Epic’s duplicitous conduct” leading to the lawsuit.

Apple intensifies its war on leakers

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When will the Apple leaks stop?
Tim Cook says Apple is “doing everything in our power” to find iPhone leakers.
Photo: Apple

Apple CEO Tim Cook is fed up with employees who leak details of upcoming devices to the press. He sent out a company-wide memo that said, “people who leak confidential information do not belong here.”

The memo was quickly leaked to the press.

PSA: iPhone 13 series is incompatible with most earlier cases

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PSA: iPhone 13 series is incompatible with most earlier cases
Note the difference in size of the camera hump on the iPhone 12 (on left) and the iPhone 13 (on right).
Photo: Apple

While the iPhone 13 has drawn some criticism for being a minor update, improvements to the cameras mean that none of the new handsets are compatible with tight-fitting cases designed for earlier models.

This is not unusual. But Apple’s 2021 models look so much like their iPhone 12 equivalents that it might be easy to think the exteriors are identical when they are not.