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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.

Apple TV+ kids show Stillwater wins a Peabody

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Apple original series Stillwater won a Peabody Award.
Apple original series Stillwater won a Peabody Award.
Photo: Apple

Apple TV+ original animated series Stillwater won a Peabody Award today for excellence in storytelling, and for work that encourages empathy. Actor Goldie Hawn, who has worked extensively with kids on various forms of programming, presented the award in a video.

Microsoft copies Apple, puts Android apps on Windows 11

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Microsoft copies Apple, puts Android apps on Windows 11
Running phone apps on a desktop or notebook. Now where have I heard of that before?
Photo: Microsoft

Windows 11 borrows a page from Apple’s playbook and can run applications created for smartphones. In the case of Microsoft’s just-announced operating system update, users will be able to install Android apps from Amazon’s software store.

That’s quite similar to M1-based Macs’ ability to run iOS and iPadOS software as easily as macOS apps.

New Time to Walk stories for Apple Fitness+ feature Randall Park, Stephen Fry and others

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Time to Walk
More inspirational stories to get you pumped.
Photo: Apple

Apple is debuting new episodes of its Time to Walk stories for Apple Fitness+. The new episodes, featuring Randall Park, Michaela Jaé “MJ” Rodriguez, Stephen Fry, Anthony Joshua, and others, will arrive starting June 28.

On the same day Apple will also introduce an Artist Spotlight series, boasting workouts with workouts set to playlists from individual artists — like Alicia Keys, Jennifer Lopez, Keith Urban, and Lady Gaga.

Here’s when Foundation and other big shows hit Apple TV+

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Foundation is coming to Apple TV+ next year.
Foundation on Apple TV+ will be a mix of Star Wars and Game of Thrones.
Photo: Apple/Skydance Television

The wait for the Apple TV+ adaptation of Foundation is almost over. The same goes for The Problem With Jon Stewart. Apple’s streaming service announced the premiere dates for these shows and more, all coming this fall.

The free Apple TV+ trial offered when the service debuted runs out at the end of June, and the iPhone-maker is trying to build excitement for upcoming series by announcing their debut dates.

iPhone 13 will come with new, improved batteries and faster 5G for many users

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iPhone 12
Are you excited about iPhone 13?
Photo: Apple

The next-gen iPhone will boast “more flexible SiP battery modules and LCP antenna modules,” backing up previous rumors that it will come with a new, improved battery and bring new ultra-speedy mmWave 5G to new countries.

A report published Thursday by Digitimes noted that these are two of the big changes expected for this year’s iPhone refresh. Other than this, the iPhone 13 (or whatever Apple opts to call it) will reportedly “see few changes.” Fortunately, from the sound of things that might include pricing.

House committee approves antitrust legislation that could hit Apple hard

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App Store faces barrage of antitrust charges
Apple's antitrust woes look set to continue.
Photo: Sora Shimazaki/Pexels CC

A House committee approved antitrust legislation Thursday that threatens many big tech companies — Apple included. In a 24 to 20 vote early this morning, the committee approved the American Choice and Innovation Online Act.

The bill, which still needs to pass the full House, seeks to stop big platforms from advantaging their own products or services over those made by others. That could affect Apple, which not only owns and operates the App Store distribution platform, but also makes products that compete with some of the apps distributed through said store.

France will hear case regarding unfair App Store terms in September

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App Store
Apple is currently fending off App Store complaints around the world.
Photo: James Yarema/Unsplash CC

A case brought by France’s finance ministry against Apple will have its day in court September 17. The case involves allegedly abusive contractual terms imposed by Apple for developers selling software in the App Store.

It’s a similar scenario to the complaint made by Fortnite makers Epic Games, regarding the control Apple has over developers on iOS. The lawsuit follows a three-year probe carried out by the DGCCRF consumer fraud watchdog. It’s also just the latest of many complaints made about the App Store around the world.

Apple looks to China to bolster its growing ad business

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Apple search ads China
Feature launched in China this week.
Photo: Apple

Apple this week launched its App Store search advertising business in mainland China, five years after it arrived in the United States. Called Apple Search Ads, the targeted ads feature works similar to Google ads by letting developers bid to get advertising space for certain keywords.

Debuting Apple Search Ads in one of Apple’s biggest markets comes at the same time that Apple is cracking down on targeted advertising from other companies. Features like iOS 14’s App Transparency Tracker lets users opt out of personalized tracking from other companies. But while they’re struggling, Apple’s seemingly making the move to expand its own ad empire.

Logitech Combo Touch for iPad Air 4 adds keyboard, trackpad without Bluetooth

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Logitech Combo Touch for iPad Air 4 adds keyboard, trackpad without Bluetooth
Convert your iPad Air 4 into a detachable laptop with Logitech Combo Touch.
Photo: Logitech

Logitech’s Combo Touch keyboard case just launched for iPad Air 4. It includes a detachable keyboard and trackpad, as well as a protective case with kickstand. And Bluetooth is unnecessary.

There are versions for other iPad models out already. And there is a new color option for these.

New iPhone 13 dummies and renders show incremental changes

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Dickson's dummies show small changes to four possible iPhone 13 models.
Dickson's dummies show small changes to four possible iPhone 13 models.
Photo: Sonny Dickson

Leaker Sonny Dickson showed off iPhone 13 dummies Wednesday of four possible models that could be released this fall, in addition to case renders and video of a case, included below.

They all suggest a handful of tweaks to iPhone 12 that may be forthcoming in the new models.

Apple preps more-affordable 6.7-inch iPhone for 2022

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2022 iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Max
In 2022, every iPhone will allegedly be either 6.1 inches or 6.7 inches.
Photo: Apple

Apple will release two 6.7-inch iPhone models in 2022, according to a reliable analyst. There’ll be a high-end “Pro” model in this size, but the second will reportedly have a lower price.

The iPhone Max will supposedly replace the 5.4-inch iPhone mini in Apple’s product lineup. That model reportedly isn’t selling well, and it seems Apple is going to the opposite extreme in screen size for its successor.

Adobe Substance 3D Collection revamps tools in one suite

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Adobe's new Substance 3D Collection packs lots of creative capabilities.
Adobe's new Substance 3D Collection packs lots of creative capabilities.
Photo: Adobe

Today Adobe released its new Adobe Substance 3D Collection, a suite of interoperable tools and assets that support 3D creativity. It addresses a near-future the company pictures where 3D work’s not just for blockbuster movies and games anymore, but for anyone.

The updated apps now sit in one integrated subscription package, intended as a do-it-all capture-and-create place for 3D art, sampling and virtual photography. The tools can enhance video games, e-commerce and marketing projects, and even virtual reality content.

M1 MacBook Air handles dual external monitors [Setups]

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There's a trick to running dual external monitors with an M1 MacBook, but it's not very tricky.
There's a trick to running dual external monitors with an M1 MacBook, but it's not very tricky.
Photo: ImajiiMac@Reddit

One of the downsides you hear about the M1 MacBook Air and the M1 MacBook Pro is that they officially (natively) support just one external display in addition to the laptop’s screen, not dual external monitors.

Well, that may be true in the user manual. But Redditor ImajiiMac is among those discovering that “official” ain’t everything.

Apple TV+ video takes viewers behind the scenes of new show Physical

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Exercise your eyes with trailer for Apple TV+ dramedy ‘Physical’
Rose Bryne stars in Physical, a new dark comedy that debuted this month on Apple TV+.
Screenshot: Apple

A new Apple TV+ video gives a behind-the-scenes glimpse at the creation of new perm- and leotard-filled dark comedy Physical. The retro series follows the 1980s transformation of a timid housewife into an aerobics influencer extraordinaire.

The four-and-a-half-minute “making of” video features input from Physical stars Rose Byrne, Rory Scovel, Della Saba and Dierdre Friel, along with series showrunner Annie Weisman. It includes discussions of the show’s themes, including central character Sheila Rubin’s eating disorder.

Apple thinks antitrust reform could create ‘race to the bottom’ for security

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Privacy
Apple says proposed antitrust regulation would endanger consumer privacy.
Photo: Apple

Apple thinks five pieces of antitrust reform legislation could undermine innovation and competition in tech, as well as creating a “race to the bottom” for security and privacy. Apple laid out its concerns in a letter sent ahead of Wednesday’s meeting of the House Judiciary Committee to discuss the proposed laws.

The letter — sent to chairmen Jerrold Nadler and David Cicilline, and ranking members Jim Jordan and Ken Buck — lays out Apple’s arguments for why the government needs to reconsider the five bills.

Apple says allowing sideloading iPhone apps would ‘actually eliminate choice’

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App Store
Stick to the App Store, Apple says.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple’s none too keen on sideloading, the process of allowing apps to be installed on iPhones and iPads from outside of the App Store. While some critics take issue with this as an example of Cupertino’s uncompromising monopolistic tendencies, Apple — unsurprisingly — has a different take.

In an interview with Fast Company, timed to coincide with publication of a white paper on the subject, Apple’s head of user privacy, Erik Neuenschwander, explains the company’s take.

Spoiler alert: It’s all about security.

Sonic the Hedgehog speeds onto Minecraft to celebrate 30th birthday

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Minecraft
Thirty years speeds by, too fast for the naked eye.
Photo: Minecraft

It’s somehow been 30 years since Sega’s rapid blue hedgehog mascot, Sonic, first speeded his way onto the Genesis and into video game history on June 23, 1991.

To celebrate the occasion, Minecraft has released an official DLC pack that lets you play through recreations of some of Sonic’s most iconic levels from the original Sonic the Hedgehog inside, well, Minecraft. It even includes blocky rings to collect.

If you’re a fan of Sega’s iconic spiky mammal, it looks like it’s well worth checking out. This 3D endless runner is all yours for 1,340 coins — or, approximately, $8 in real world terms. Check out the trailer below.

Tim Cook called Nancy Pelosi and other Democrats worried about antitrust legislation

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Tim Cook congressional antitrust hearing: Should Tim Cook be worried about Congress breaking up Apple?
"Or how about we don't?"
Photo: C-SPAN

Tim Cook reportedly got in touch with Speaker Nancy Pelosi, in addition to other members of Congress, to voice his worries about possible antitrust legislation, the New York Times reported Tuesday.

The Democrats are currently circulating drafts of antitrust bills that could affect the likes of Apple, Amazon, Facebook and Google. If passed, these bills could impact Apple’s ability to own and operate its own App Store marketplace in the way it currently does.

Brave browser bravely takes on Google with privacy-focused search

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Brave browser bravely takes on Google with privacy-focused search
Try Brave Search if you’re trying to prevent Google from tracking everything you do online.
Photo: Brave

A public beta of a privacy-preserving search engine from Brave debuted Tuesday. It doesn’t track users, their searches or their clicks.

It is, of course, entering into a David vs. Goliath fight with Google, which dominates the search business with a more than 90% share.

Apple’s new Tower Theatre store in LA looks preposterously beautiful

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Many Angelenos on the hunt for Apple gear will recognize the historic theater's restored clocktower and sign. But the interior will blow them away.
Many Angelenos on the hunt for Apple gear will recognize the historic theater's restored clocktower and sign. But the interior will blow them away.
Photo: Apple

Apple previewed its newest retail location at the historic Tower Theatre in downtown Los Angeles on Tuesday. The company announced the store’s Thursday opening in conjunction with the launch of the Today at Apple Creative Studios global mentorship initiative for young creatives.

And wow, the new store looks like a real beauty. Apple called it “one of its most significant restoration projects to date.” That’s saying something. Just look at Rome. Or Bangkok. Or even the long-established Grand Central Station store in New York.