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Apple allegedly requires employees to wear body cameras to stop leaks [Updated]

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Axon Body 2 body camera
The Axon Body 2 body camera could become a common sight at Apple headquarters.
Photo: Axon

Apple is reportedly forcing some of its employees to wear “police-grade” body cameras in an effort to stop them from leaking proprietary information.

Recently, the company stepped up efforts to stop internal info from appearing in the press. This is apparently the latest move.

Update: Mark Gurman from Bloomberg said on Twitter that there’s no truth to this report.

Sennheiser launches XS Lavmic for content creators on the go

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Just clip on the new Sennheiser XS Lavmic and record sort of like a pro.
Just clip on the new Sennheiser XS Lavmic and record sort of like a pro.
Photo: Sennheiser

You may be used to simply recording audio on your mobile device for those endless cat-video voiceovers of yours. But if you want clearer, more-focused audio for your content creation, a small microphone like Sennheiser’s new XS Lavmic will usually do a better job.

See the amazing world-building in second trailer for Apple TV+’s epic Foundation

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See the amazing world-building in second trailer for Apple TV+’s epic ‘Foundation’
Apple went all in on the special effects for “Foundation.” And the writer is top-notch.
Photo: Apple TV+

Apple TV+ finally revealed the debut date for Foundation, its much-anticipated adaptation of Isaac Asimov’s classic series of novels. The wait will be over on September 24, 2021.

And a second “teaser trailer” debuted on Monday… though it does a bit more than tease.

When the only way to go is up [Setups]

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When you can't built out, built up.
When you can't built out, built up.
Photo: xelferz@Reddit

Some computer setups are a little like Manhattan. When you have nowhere else to build horizontally, the only way to go is vertical. Hence the monitor tower seen in Redditor xelferz’s MacBook Pro-and iPad Air-based workstation.

Pressed into the corner of a narrow room with a vaulted ceiling, xelferz’s setup stacks a 34-inch LG ultrawide display on top of a 49-inch, curved ultrawide LG display. A webcam sits on top of the lower screen. The whole thing looks a bit like a tree.

Snapchat promises fix for frequent app crashes on iPhone [Update]

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Snapchat icon
Avoid version 11.34.0.35 if you can.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

UPDATE: A fix for this problem is now available. Download the latest Snapchat update from the App Store.

Snapchat has promised to roll out a fix for frequent app crashes on iPhone after its latest update. Version 11.34.0.35 of the app sends some users back to their Home screen immediately after being opened.

HyperJuice 4-in-1 MagSafe wireless charger stand folds up for easy transport

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HyperJuice 4-in-1 Wireless Charging Stand folds for easy transport
HyperJuice 4-in-1 Wireless Charging Stand holds up an iPhone 12 and Apple Watch, and can juice up AirPods too. And it folds!
Photo: Sanho/Hyper

The HyperJuice 4-in-1 Wireless Charging Stand includes a MagSafe-compatible charger and an Apple Watch charger. In its base are two more charging pads for AirPods and/or another phone.

Plus, Sanho’s stand offers a couple of tricks. It can fold flat to go into a backpack or suitcase. And it can get power from either USB-C or a DC charger.

Apple receives iPhone 13 components ahead of mass production

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iPhone 12 mini
It's almost that time again.
Photo: Lyle Kahney/Cult of Mac

Apple has begun pulling in new components for iPhone 13 lineup, with mass production scheduled to begin in the coming weeks ahead of a big launch this fall.

Sources in the supply chain say the orders will bring significant revenue increases for a number of Apple’s suppliers, including Cyntec and TXC.

Apple’s plan for $1 billion Irish data center isn’t dead yet

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Irishcenter
A mock up of Apple's proposed data center in Ireland.
Photo: Apple

Apple seems to be reviving plans to build a $1 billion data center in Athenry, Ireland.

It looked like the project was dead after Apple said in 2018 that “delays in the approval process” forced it to make other plans. But the company has now submitted a second application to extend planning permission.

New MacBook Pro and iPad mini remain on track for 2021

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This 14-inch MacBook Pro concept is by Renders by Ian
It could be Apple's fastest Mac to date.
Concept: Ian Zelbo/Renders by Ian

Big upgrades for the MacBook Pro and iPad mini are still on track for a 2021 release. A new entry-level iPad, aimed primarily at students, will also appear this year, according to a new report.

Apple is said to be fully focused on new iPhone and Apple Watch upgrades coming this fall for now, but other hardware revisions are expected before the end of 2021.

Last chance! Start the summer right with a Color Pop iPhone case [Cult of Mac Giveaway]

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Colorful iPhone cases: The Casetify Color Pop collection comes in vibrant colors.
The Color Pop collection from Casetify comes in vibrant colors.
Photo: Casetify

Nothing screams summer more than sweet, sticky popsicles. And Casetify, a purveyor of durable and vibrant cases, just launched a Color Pop line that will make your iPhone look like a popsicle — but without the mess. If you want a pop of color for your iPhone, make sure to enter this week’s giveaway. Enter and you could win one of five Casetify cases.

To sweeten the giveaway even more, Casetify is giving all Cult of Mac readers 15% off cases this week. Just use the code COM15 at checkout.

iOS 15 brings big changes to Safari — but don’t worry [Cult of Mac Magazine 407]

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In iOS 15, Safari's Address Bar gets a new address.
In iOS 15, Safari's Address Bar gets a new address.
Cover: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac

I’m too terrified to put the iOS 15 beta on my iPhone. Luckily, Cult of Mac writer Ed Hardy isn’t afraid to sacrifice his smartphone’s stability — and maybe his sanity.

He’s been selflessly testing the next-gen operating system to evaluate the changes coming soon to an iPhone near you. And he’s ready to tell you exactly what to expect in Safari in iOS 15.

Some folks seem upset by Apple’s more-controversial changes, but Ed says not to worry. Find out what he likes about Safari in iOS 15, and what he doesn’t, in this week’s cover story. Download Cult of Mac Magazine to read for free on your iPhone or iPad.

Also this week, we’ve got reviews of new documentaries Fathom and Who Are You, Charlie Brown? And, of course, all the usual Apple news, reviews and how-tos.

iOS 15 will bulk up to WPA3 security for hotspot connections

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iPadOS 14 is good but iPadOS 15 just needs some new features to even better.
It’s not too soon to start an iPadOS 15 wishlist.
Concept: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

When iOS 15 and iPadOS 15 finds their way to the masses in the fall, one upgrade may be easy to miss. Hotspot connections made from iPhones and iPads will feature the stronger WPA3 security protocol, making those mini networks more secure and harder to hack.

Logitech MX Travel Case gives your mouse a proper home away from home

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Your Logitech mouse is ready to hit the road with the new Logitech MX Travel Case.
Your Logitech mouse is ready to hit the road with the new MX Travel Case.
Photo: Logitech

If you love your Logitech mouse as much as I do, you probably hate jamming it unceremoniously into your suitcase. So undignified!

And yet, if you’re like me, you likely depend on your mouse. For me, it’s crucial if I want to remain comfortable and also get some serious work done on the road. The new Logitech MX Travel Case provides proper housing for your precious pointer (and some other gear, too).

iPadOS 15 gives beefy iPad apps access to more RAM

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iPadOS 15 gives beefy iPad apps access to more RAM iPadOS 15 gives beefy iPad apps access to more RAM iPadOS 15 gives beefy iPad apps access to more RAM iPadOS 15 gives beefy iPad apps access to more RAM iPadOS 15 gives beefy iPad apps access to more RAM iPadOS 15 gives beefy iPad apps access to more RAM iPadOS 15 gives beefy iPad apps access to more RAM iPadOS 15 gives beefy iPad apps access to more RAM iPadOS 15 gives beefy iPad apps access to more RAM iPadOS 15 gives beefy iPad apps access to more RAM iPadOS 15 gives beefy iPad apps access to more RAM iPadOS 15 gives beefy iPad apps access to more RAM
Powerful iPad graphics apps will have access to more RAM on iPadOS 15.
Photo: Apple

iPadOS 15 lets applications request more than the usual amount of RAM. This removes a limitation in iOS 14 that kept apps from taking full advantage of the 2021 iPad Pro models with more RAM than any of their predecessors.

Speed test shows original iPhone was a complete slug

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Original iPhone was a complete slug compared to iPhone 12
The original iPhone was tiny, but also slow at basic tasks like taking a picture or just opening its built-in apps.
Photo: PhoneBuff

If you remember the first-gen iPhone being a speed demon compared to today’s models then you’re in for a real surprise. A head-to-head comparison between the 2007 iPhone and the 2020 version shows just how pokey the original one was at even basic tasks.

The test doesn’t unfairly ask the 2007 iPhone to run software it was never designed for. No, the handset is slow running even basic applications.

Confessions of a former Mac hater [Setups]

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Ignore the electric guitars and amps. Thisis about Macs replacing PCs.
Ignore the electric guitars and amps. This is about Macs replacing PCs.
Photo: gnophy@Reddit

Sure, it may be overstating things to call Redditor gnophy a former “Mac hater.” After all, he only said he used to be “anti-Mac” and he “couldn’t get along with the OS.”

Well, good news for Apple. He’s finally been assimilated. And it only took many, many years to subdue the software engineer and musician.

iPhone survives 3-day dip in Idaho’s Snake River

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iPhone 12 Pro Shiny sides
The iPhone is impressively durable.
Photo: Ian Fuchs/Cult of Mac

When his kayak overturned in fast moving water while on Snake River in Idaho, Tom Adams lost his keys, fishing pole, wallet and iPhone.

However, three days later, a dive team found the items — including the iPhone, still in working order. “To all our amazement, [the phone] was still on!” Adams told the East Idaho News. “It was still alarming from my Sunday morning wake-up call reminder.”

$135,000 of smuggled iPhones seized by Customs in India

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iPhone India cusoms
The iPhones seized at Customs.
Photo: Hyderabad Customs

Customs officials have seized around 80 iPhones being smuggled through Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad, India. The devices included various iPhone 12 models, including the iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max. They also arrested two passengers who owned the checked-in luggage, and another person reportedly involved in the smuggling.

The smuggling was almost certainly to avoid paying import duty on the devices. Import duties on the iPhone in India were increased from 10 to 15% in late 2017.

Google Fi’s built-in VPN is now available on iPhone

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Google Fi
Protect your privacy online.
Photo: Apple

Google Fi, the search giant’s cellular service, features a built-in VPN for protecting the online activity of users by stopping third parties tracking their location via IP address. The handy, privacy focused feature has previously been available only for Android users. However, Google has announced that it’s rolling out for iPhone as well.

“Starting today, we’re expanding our built-in VPN to iPhone,” Google tweeted Thursday. “With the Fi VPN, you get a private online connection and more protection from hackers included on all plans.”

Apple TV+’s coming-of-age movie CODA gets its first trailer

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Emilia Jones in Coda
Coming to Apple TV+ on August 13.
Photo: Apple TV+

Apple Studios has debuted the trailer for CODA, a movie which swept the 2021 Sundance Film Festival — capturing its Special Jury Award for Ensemble Cast, Directing Award, Audience Award, and Grand Jury Prize.

A coming-of-age drama starring Emilia Jones and previous Oscar winner Marlee Matlin (Children of a Lesser God), the movie is about a teenaged girl torn between following her musical dreams and staying with deaf family who rely on her. The title is an acronym standing for “Child of Deaf Adults.”

Check out the trailer below.

Hands on: Safari in iOS 15 takes some getting used to, but it’s worth it

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Hands On: Safari in iOS 15 takes some getting used to
Safari in iOS 15 moves the Address Bar and adds Tab Groups.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The most controversial change in iOS 15 — moving Safari’s Address Bar to the bottom of the screen — doesn’t deserve the deluge of criticism some users are heaping upon it.

I tried out the latest iOS 15 beta to check out that feature, plus the new Tab Groups and other changes coming to Safari. Here’s what I like and what I don’t.