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News - page 365

iMac Pro discontinued: Get it before it’s gone

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The new iMac Pro brings awesome firepower to the desktop this December.
The iMac Pro might not be replaced with a new version.
Photo: Apple

Apple discontinued the iMac Pro, which is still one of the fastest Macs available despite being more than three years old. Whether the move means an updated version of the all-in-one desktop is on the way is unclear.

UPDATE: Don’t miss the Cult of Mac editorial “Good riddance to iMac Pro and the era of underwhelming Macs.”

Selena Gomez, Jane Fonda will be profiled in Dear… season 2 on Apple TV+

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‘Dear…’ season two was green lit by Apple TV+
Dear… has been renewed for a second season and will highlight the lives of 10 more celebrities.
Photo: Apple

A second season of the documentary series Dear… will take a look at the lives and careers of more actors, musicians and athletes like Viola Davis, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and 8 more. It was approved on Friday, and is set to premiere later in 2021 on Apple TV+.

I want a folding iPhone and I want it now

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Why should Android users have all the folding fun?
Why should Android users have all the folding fun?
Photo: Mika Baumeister/Unsplash CC

If you’ve been paying attention to cutting-edge smartphones, you probably noticed a trend — foldable screens. And while folding phones might seem gimmicky, I think they present the perfect solution to a market-inflicted problem.

Unfortunately, while Apple is reportedly working on folding iPhone prototypes, the latest report suggests it we might wait nearly three more years for Cupertino’s first crack at such a device.

That’s way too long when the Android market is pressing forward fast. Please, Apple, don’t make us wait for a folding iPhone.

Flip through puzzles in Sp!ng on Apple Arcade

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Sp!ng debuted Friday on Apple Arcade
Sp!ng is designed to be challenging but not stressful.
Screenshot: SMG Studios

SMG Studios calls Sp!ng “a stress ball for your brain.” The goal of the new title is to maneuver a ball through a maze while collecting gems, but in a relaxed way. There’s only one control to grab the ball, spin it and release it.

The puzzle game debuted Friday on Apple Arcade.

Coder’s M1 Mac mini display goes ultrawide and vertical [Setups]

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An ultrawide monitor and a vertical one can be a good look.
An ultrawide monitor and a vertical one can be a good look.
Photo: CompilingTheFuture @ Reddit

Reddit is a great place to seek advice about computer setups. Redditor CompilingTheFuture did well recently when puzzling over replacing the triple-monitor display running off his M1 Mac mini.

The problem? One of the main issues was that three screens were so wide that peering into the corners required a lot of “neck twisting.” Sounds painful.

Apple Watch defies rivals’ smartwatch downturn in 2020

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watchOS 7.3.1 squashes a bug inApple Watch’s Power Reserve feature.
Apple Watch shipments grew 19% last year.
Photo: Cult of Mac

Apple Watch shipments increased by 19% last year, according to a new report from Counterpoint Research. Those are respectable numbers. However, they look even better compared to the performance of other smartwatch makers like Samsung and Fitbit, whose shipments declined in 2020.

This trend runs counter to the trajectory seen with most other Apple products. Even smash hits like the iPhone and AirPods, which grew over time, gradually made up a smaller piece of the pie as rivals gobbled up market share. In the case of the Apple Watch, however, not only is Apple remaining No. 1 — with 33.9 million units reportedly shipped in 2020 — but it’s retaining its lead.

OLED displays could be coming to iPad and MacBook in 2022

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MacBook Air M1 2020
Future MacBooks could come with OLED screens.
Photo: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac

Apple will bring OLED displays to both the iPad and MacBook in 2022, according to a new report from Digitimes.

OLED (short for “organic light emitting diode”) screens offer several advantages over older technologies, including more-vibrant colors, higher contrast, thinner hardware and increased power efficiency.

Apple sends out $500 digital vouchers to devs who return their DTK Macs

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Mac mini with ARM chip
DTK Mac was a preview of Apple Silicon.
Photo: Apple

Apple started issuing $500 digital vouchers to developers following the return of their Developer Transition Kit Macs.

The company introduced the custom DTK Macs last year at its Worldwide Developers Conference. As their name suggests, the hardware was intended to help developers transition their apps from Macs’ previous Intel architecture to new Apple Silicon processors.

They were offered as a one-year lease, although Apple wound up requesting them back at around the nine-month mark.

Clock’s not running out: TikTok lands at top of App Store for yet another month

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Top apps February
Here's how the top apps for February shook out.
Photo: Sensor Tower

TikTok has cemented itself at the top of the App Store for yet another month, showing the seemingly unassailable dominance of the video-sharing app. According to app analytics platform Sensor Tower, TikTok was the top-grossing, non-gaming app worldwide for February 2021.

For the month, it raked in more than $110 million in user spending across both iOS and Android. That’s approaching twice what it earned in revenue that month last year, although marginally down from the $128 million it pulled in back in January.

Wolfwalkers fetches 10 animation award nominations

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Wolfwalkers is headed for Apple TV+ in late 2020
Wolfwalkers sniffed out ten nominations in the Annie Awards.
Photo: Cartoon Saloon

Apple TV+’s Wolfwalkers received a whopping ten nominations for the 48th Annie Awards, which celebrate excellence in animation. That put it in a tie for most nominations with Pixar’s Soul.

Wolfwalkers also scored a Golden Globe nomination, and is widely expected to be nominated for an Oscar later in March.

Satechi’s portable USB-C hub sports 9 ports and hideaway cable

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Satechi's portable USB-C hub is designed for home or travel.
Make up for the lack of ports in your MacBook or iPad with a Satechi 9-in-1 USB-C hub.
Photo: Satechi

The latest USB-C multiport hub from Satechi is designed with portability in mind. It packs in nine frequently used  ports so it’s not too tiny. But designers built in a slot to hold a short travel-ready connection cable to cut down excess bulk.

Apple laptops and tablets lack a variety of ports, but adapters like this one make for easier presentations, data transfers or network connections.

App Store faces barrage of antitrust charges in Europe

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App Store faces barrage of antitrust charges
Government agencies in the EU and UK are looking into whether the iPhone App Store violates their antitrust laws.
Photo: Sora Shimazaki/Pexels CC

Spotify’s accusation to the European Union that Apple uses its control of the App Store to squeeze out competition reportedly will soon result in antitrust charges being filed against the iPhone-maker. This comes on the same day the UK begins an investigation of the App Store.

The two antitrust agencies could force Apple to lower the commissions it charges software developers. Or even require rival iPhone app stores.

Billie Eilish doc attracts coveted young viewers to Apple TV+

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New documentary
Sounds like the Billie Eilish doc brought a coveted crowd to Cupertino's streaming service.
Photo: Apple TV+

How do you get the kids to tune into your underachieving streaming service? Buy a documentary about one of the hottest young singer/songwriters in the world.

That’s what Apple TV+ did when it snapped up the rights to new doc Billie Eilish: The World’s a Little Blurry — and the strategy apparently worked. As per usual, Cupertino won’t reveal the actual number of people who watched the film since its premiere last week. However, an insider report says the music doc brought a ton of new, young viewers to Apple TV+.

Business and tech guru gears up for podcasting [Setups]

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Ben Thompson's setup is wired for great sound.
Ben Thompson's setup is wired for great sound.
Photo: Ben Thompson

We noticed business and technology author and noted Mac guy Ben Thompson volunteered a pic of his setup on Twitter when tech and politics writer Casey Newton posted a shot of an immaculate setup, wondering if he has “remotely what it takes to put something like this together.”

Well, Taiwan-based Thompson certainly has what it takes to put together a great setup — even if it’s more lived in and not quite as photo-ready as the one Newton posted.

Play iPhone games with keyboard and mouse with new KeyMander 2 Mobile

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IOGear KeyMander 2 Mobile debuts in mid-March.
Hook your iPhone, iPad or Apple TV to a keyboard and mouse for gaming with the KeyMander 2 Mobile from IOGear.
Photo: IOGear

The IOGear KeyMander 2 Mobile is for iPhone users that prefer gaming with a keyboard and mouse instead of a touchscreen or controller. It works with Apple Arcade, Google Stadia and App Store games. Even ones that don’t offer native support for desktop-type input devices.

Beyond iPhone, it also works with iPad and Apple TV.

Weird series Calls brings terrifying phone convos to Apple TV+

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New audio-intensive Apple TV+ show Calls leaves a lot to the imagination.
New audio-intensive Apple TV+ show Calls leaves a lot to the imagination.
Image: Apple TV+

Calls, the new thriller coming to Apple TV+, will depend on ears instead of eyes to get hearts pounding.

The oddball series “masterfully uses only audio and minimal abstract visuals to tell bone-chilling snackable stories,” Apple said in a description of the Calls trailer posted Wednesday.

iMac 4K production slows as Apple Silicon upgrade looms

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This iMac concept reflects what a lot of people want.
It could (we hope) look a lot like this.
Concept: Daniel Bautista

Apple has reportedly slowed production of the 21.5-inch iMac ahead of a much-anticipated Apple Silicon upgrade. The company’s popular all-in-one is expected to make the shift to custom ARM chips this year.

In the meantime, certain 21.5-inch iMac 4K models powered by Intel processors could be a little more difficult to get hold of.

Apple Watch ECG on its way to Australia after government approval

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Apple Watch ECG
One of Apple Watch's best features is expanding its reach.
Photo: Apple

Apple Watch’s terrific ECG feature is one step closer to going live in Australia after receiving government approval. It comes just a month after Australia approved the device’s irregular heart rhythm notifications.

It’s not yet clear when Apple will make the feature available to Apple Watch owners.

HoverBar Duo is both iPad desk stand and clamp

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Twelve South HoverBar Duo works with any side iPad.
Attach the Twelve South HoverBar Duo to a cabinet or rest it on a desktop.
Photo: Twelve South

To use an iPad hands free around the home or office, you can get a desktop stand or one clamps to a rigid surface. The Twelve South HoverBar Duo gives you both options.

It’s not only height adjustable, but can hold a wide variety of devices, from iPad Pro to iPad mini. And iPhones too.