Apple is closing down internal Slack channels to stop employees discussing remote working options, reports Zoe Schiffer from The Verge.
Many Cupertino employees are currently engaged in a Cold War of sorts with their employer over the remote working arrangement coming out of the coronavirus pandemic. As the arguments flare up among staff, Apple has taken the step of shuttering the Slack channels where these are taking place.
Not the prescription Nintendo wanted. Photo: Nintendo
If you want to see the doctor, you’d better hurry for an appointment. Dr. Mario, that is!
The worst performing of Nintendo’s mobile games on iOS, Nintendo has announced that it is shutting down Dr. Mario World, its update of 1990s puzzle game Dr. Mario. The game will be going offline on October 31 or November 1, depending on timezone. It launched in 2019.
For All Mankind will continue until at least 2023. Photo: Apple
For All Mankind has reportedly been renewed for a record (for Apple, at least) fourth season, according to a post on the Writers Guild of America webpage.
The sci-fi show, which is based in an alternate history in which the global space race continued, wrapped up its second season in April 2021. The second season was accompanied by a podcast by Apple titled For All Mankind: The Official Podcast.
Apple broke records in multiple types of revenue last quarter, from Macs to Services. And its installed base of user hit a new record, too. Photo: Cult of Mac/EverythingSuperMario
Apple just revealed that its made heaps of money last quarter. It broke all kinds of revenue records, and Mac, iPhone and iPad contributed strongly to the total.
But there are also some dark clouds in Apple future. Read on to get the good news and bad from the company’s most recent financial earnings results.
Apple had another record-breaking quarter, with strong growth in iPhone, Mac, iPad, Services, etc. Photo: Cult of Mac
Apple took in $81.4 billion in revenue during its most recent financial quarter, up 36% from the same quarter of last year. And profits were up as well, with earning per share hitting $1.30.
Market analysts just can’t keep up with how well the iPhone-maker is doing. These results beat expectations handily.
The iPad Air 5 could look quite a bit like its predecessor while also getting upgraded features. Screenshot: Apple
The difference between the current 10.9-inch iPad Air and the 11-inch iPad Pro is relatively slim. And now it seems more of the features of the Pro tablet are moving to the Air. Apple is reportedly going to build on the powerful 2020 model with an iPad Air 5 that offers a dual-lens camera and optional 5G. Plus, the tablet is getting a processor upgrade.
These changes would make it a stronger mid-range tablet in Apple’s product lineup.
Apple isn’t exactly walking back some of the biggest changes in iPadOS 15. But it’s giving users to option to do so. Screenshot: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Apparently responding to criticism of the Safari redesign in iPadOS 15, a beta released Tuesday makes significant changes to the layout of the Safari web browser. The newest iteration gives users the option to view the Address Bar very much like it looks in iPadOS 14. But those who prefer can keep the new compact view.
All-around protection with an antimicrobial coating. Photo: Casetify
Keep your iPhone clean, protected and looking snake-tacular with these cool Python cases from Casetify. They’re impact-resistant yet super-slim, and finished with an antimicrobial coating that eliminates 99% of bacteria.
They’re also MagSafe compatible, so you won’t have to worry about shedding your wireless charger.
Long before there was the iPhone, users in France had another connected device with which they could do everything from check movie listings or the weather to chatting with other users or booking vacations: The Minitel.
Pre-dating the World Wide Web by several years, the Minitel was a French videotex online service that could be accessed through the phone line. It was used by tens of millions of people in France. Among those who gave it a go? None other than Apple co-founder Steve Jobs — who once got a unit sent to the U.S. so he could put it through its paces.
No turning back! Photo: Charlie Sorrel/Cult of Mac
Apple’s stopped signing iOS 14.6 after releasing iOS 14.7. That means that, if you’ve upgraded to the latest version of Apple’s mobile operating system, it’s too late to turn back. (Although, to be fair, why would you want to?)
Apple TV+ season debut was cause for optimism. Photo: Apple TV+
Ted Lasso is, as far as awards and cultural relevance goes, the biggest hit Apple TV+ has had yet. Last week, season two of the heart-warming comedy debuted on Apple’s streaming service — and, well, it’s a smash hit so far.
According to Deadline, citing data from Apple, it was Apple TV+’s biggest premiere day ever, largest opening weekend to date, and no. 1 debut across all series and movies. That’s pretty impressive.
Elon Musk took a couple of potshots at Apple during Tesla’s Monday earnings call. The Tesla and SpaceX boss started by claiming that Apple uses more cobalt in its batteries than Tesla. He later on talked about “walled gardens” in tech, and fake-coughed while saying Apple’s name.
This isn’t the first time that Musk, who currently has a net worth of $160 billion, has dissed Apple.
The MOFT x Popl is a convenient stand and communications device. Photo: MOFT
Accessories brand MOFT and software startup Popl have released the new MOFT x Popl Tap-to-Connect Stand & Grip. It’s a small smartphone stand that uses software to let you share information easily.
The next iPad mini could have a larger display than any of its predecessors. But still stay “mini.” Concept: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
The iPad mini 6 screen will increase to 8.3 inches, according to a report from a display industry expert. This is just the latest leak to indicate that Apple is about to dramatically improve the design of its smallest tablet.
A larger screen should make the computer easier and more fun to use. Especially as the whole device will reportedly stay about the same size.
Strap on this carry-on with all your tech for your next flight. Photo: WaterField Designs
Although you never know when Covid-19 lockdowns may keep you on the ground, WaterField Designs’ new Air Travel Backpack may make you want to take flight asap. Use it to pack up a couple of laptops, cables and accessories — and maybe a change of clothes or two — and go.
Moment M(Force) cases offer MagSafe support for the iPhone 11 series. Photo: Moment
Photography accessories specialist Moment has launched a set of new iPhone 11 series cases that let your nice-but-not-brand-new iPhone play nicely with MagSafe chargers and other accessories.
Get your Mac, iPhone and iPad cables in order with TwelveSouth SurfaceSnap. Photo: TwelveSouth
TwelveSouth has an attractive solution for the problem of messy cables stretching across nearly everyone’s desk. SurfaceSnap offers leather bands with button snaps. Attach one or more of these to a desk or table to secure charging and computer cables.
A new Apple display may replace the Pro Display XDR. Photo: Apple
Apple is testing a new external display with a dedicated A13 chip as well as a neural engine, according to a recent report. And it may also be working on a less-expensive counterpart.
Kerekes István only just got his first iPhone. Now he's a celebrated iPhone photographer. Photo: Kerekes István
Kerekes István, a 44-year-old photography teacher and freelance photojournalist from Hungary, only just recently picked up his first iPhone. And already he’s used it to win awards.
His photo, titled “Transylvanian Shepherds,” won him both the Grand Prize and Photographer of the Year at this year’s iPhone Photography Awards. The striking scene depicts two shepherds in a snowy and desolate industrial landscape in Romania.
Impressively, István’s imagery also offers a great way of comparing a DSLR with an iPhone, since the photographer captured his winning shot on both. You can see how they measure up below, and find out more about István’s approach to photography.
The 3D-printed tray for Magic Keyboard and Magic Trackpad has generated a lot of interest. Photo: [email protected]
When a Reddit post draws big interest, it typically gets dozens of comments in a few days. Such is the case with leroy_pylant’s post about 3D printing his own Magic Tray for Magic Keyboard and Magic Trackpad. It generated 76 comments over five days, with a lot of inquiries about how to get the thing.
Not too much longer to wait. Photo: Geek Village Chief
As predicted, Apple’s next special event — dedicated to the iPhone 13 and, possibly, new AirPods — will take place virtually, Mark Gurman reports in his weekend “Power On” newsletter.
Gurman also said that, in keeping with the company’s approach during COVID-19 times, Apple will focus on online sales. That’s a far cry from Apple’s classic launches, where the iPhone unveiling event was attended by hundreds of tech journalists, while fans lined up outside Apple Stores to get their new handsets.
Coming soon to a Mac near you? Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac
Apple aims to bring Face ID to Mac within the next couple of years, reports Mark Gurman in his weekend “Power On” newsletter for Bloomberg.
Gurman describes deploying the facial-recognition technology across all of Apple’s major devices — iPhone, iPad, Mac — as the company’s “ultimate goal.” He also suggests that Apple could be looking to embed the TrueDepth camera system, which helps power Face ID, in the Mac screen itself. This would help to eliminate the notch at the top of the display.
The unlikely Apple TV+ hit comedy returns with more of the same. And that's a good thing. Cover: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac
Ted Lasso’s second season brings more of the aw-shucks charm and positivity that made the show the biggest hit on Apple TV+.
I didn’t find the show’s concept — a cornball U.S. football coach gets hired to lead a U.K. soccer squad — all that intriguing when the show debuted last year. But Ted Lasso’s relentless optimism won me over. And I’m not alone: The upbeat show definitely struck a chord with pandemic-weary viewers all over the world.
The show might be too sappy for Cult of Mac reviewer Scout Tafoya, who’s apparently not a sports fan. (He’s more of a Schmigadoon! kind of guy.) But even he grudgingly admits Ted Lasso is “handsomely produced and well-acted.”
And really, the show isn’t about sports … it’s about life, leadership and the transformative nature of teamwork.
Scout’s Ted Lasso season 2 review is the cover story of this week’s free edition of Cult of Mac Magazine. Download it now to read on your iOS device of choice. Even if you’re not into sports, or Apple TV+, you’ll find the mag’s stocked with plenty of Apple news, reviews and how-tos.
Enter for your chance to win one of these powerful ZMI PowerPacks. Photo: ZMI
You’re on a plane, binge-watching your favorite show, but your laptop is running out of battery. With two hours left before you land, you kick yourself for not being prepared. “That’s it,” you think to yourself, “as soon as I land, I’m getting a powerful battery pack.” Well, this week’s giveaway is for you.
ZMI is giving away two powerful portable chargers valued at nearly $230 to two lucky winners. The top prize is the $149 ZMI PowerPack No. 20, which puts out a massive 210W and can recharge a 16-inch MacBook Pro and two other devices simultaneously. This good-looking battery pack won a prestigious design award from Red Dot.
Second prize is the more portable ZMI PowerPack 20K Pro, which puts out 65W max and is valued at $80. Enter this week’s giveaway for your chance at winning one of these two battery packs.