iPadOS limits Home screen widget placement. A concept artist shows there’s no reason for this limitation. Photo: A Better Computer Trailer
While Home screen widgets came to iPad first, the release of iOS 14 offered iPhone users much more flexibility in widget placement. A concept designer showed what iPadOS 15 could look like with the same flexibility.
Surface Pro X is Microsoft’s chief rival for the iPad Pro. A new version should offer improved performance. Photo: Microsoft
Microsoft unveiled a faster version of the Surface Pro X on Thursday. This updated tablet/laptop has an improved version of the Arm-based processor that debuted in the original last autumn. Performance of first-generation model didn’t impress reviewers or power users. Hence the new iteration.
The Surface Pro X competes head-to-head with Apple’s iPad Pro line. Both even use similar processors.
Of course a folding iPhone screen won‘t develop a crease. But Apple is still exploring how to make this possible. Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac
Apple is working on a solution for the biggest drawback of folding displays. The first generation of foldable handsets made by rival companies develop a crease where the screen bends, but Apple engineers want to put a bendable display that includes a self-healing material in a folding iPhone.
What could be more sleekly minimalist? (You get a set of lighter icons, too.) Photo: Traf
San Francisco-based graphic designer Traf was one of the first to jump on the idea of creating high-quality icons for iOS 14 users to customize their Home screens — and he’s reaping the benefits.
In a new blog post, Traf writes that it took him just six days to rack up 3,626 sales of his stunning monochrome icon set. Because he charged $28 for them, he made $101,528 — officially passing the six-figure mark.
Here’s a slightly crazy statistic: Gamers around the world have spent a combined 10.4 million years playing Fortnite, according to a new report. That’s considerably longer than the 6 million years humans have been around in some form.
In total, the top 10 games played online have been played for some 19.2 million years. World of Warcraft, Overwatch, Grand Theft Auto V and Witcher 3 make up the rest of the top five.
iOS 14.0.1 lets you set Gmail as your default email application, and have it actually stick. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Apple’s default apps could potentially be banned from coming preinstalled on new iPhone and iPads in Europe, according to draft European Union legislation.
The so-called Digital Services Act is intended to level the playing field for smaller companies wanting to compete with “gatekeeper platforms” (aka tech giants). The EU currently has two investigations into the App Store and one into Apple Pay.
TikTok may be facing a possible extinction-level event in the U.S., but that’s not stopping its worldwide success as the popular video-sharing app just racked up yet another month as the world’s most downloaded social media app.
According to analytics firm Sensor Tower, TikTok enjoyed 63.4 million installs worldwide in August 2020. That’s up 1.7 percent from August the previous year. TikTok was the no. 1 social media app in the App Store, Google Play store, and — unsurprisingly — both combined.
Your PlayStation will be able to double up as an Apple TV+ viewer. Photo: Sony
Since the days of the PlayStation 2’s in-built DVD player, for many people their games console has been the primary media hub for their TV. Despite this, Apple TV+ is not currently available on the top games platforms.
That may soon change, according to reports that claim that Apple is supposedly working with Microsoft and Sony to introduce its Apple TV app to Xbox and PlayStation.
This setup combines new and vintage Apple products. Photo: u/jhoule1394
COVID-19 forced Jeff Houle to work remotely, which was not a problem since he prefers his personalized WFH desk rather than his drab office desk. Houle is an avid collector, whether it is Disney pins (see the cork board) or old Apple products.
But when it comes to Macs, he does not just collect them. He finds unique ways to reuse them. He held on to his iBook G4 and iMac G4 (which he got at a swap meet for $10) to play old games like the original Sim and Oregon Trail — where he probably found the iBook.
Don't miss out on these awesome new accessories. Photo: Elago
Looking for some great accessories for your iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch or Mac? The Cult of Mac Store is full of them, and we’re adding new ones all the time that you won’t want to miss.
This week’s top picks include a terrific wireless charging stand from Zens, must-have MacBook protection from Elago, an ultra-cool protective sleeve for your Apple TV remote, and more!
Use virtual reality to explore an opulent but very strange mansion in HoloVista. Screenshot: Aconite
The drawback to virtual reality gaming on an iPhone is it requires players to look at the world through their handset’s screen. Rather than try to escape that limitation, the new VR game HoloVista embraces it.
The player takes on the role of a character who’s also looking at the world through their iPhone. But what they’re seeing is a strange mansion they’ve been asked to photograph.
Luna Display for Windows lets an iPad be a PC’s second screen. No wires necessary. Photo: Astropad
Windows support is coming to Luna Display. This tiny accessory can already turn an iPad into a Mac’s second screen, and a new version with the ability to do the same for PCs is in development.
iOS 14.2 beta 2 includes a random collection of new emoji. Graphic: Apple/Emojipedia
Apple seeded a second beta of iOS 14.2 to everyone on Wednesday, along with the iPad equivalent. It brings plenty of fun new emoji like ninja, the transgender symbol and a certain Italian hand gesture. And beta testers get Shazam music recognition integrated into the Control Center.
But anyone hoping to get an iPhone 12 in October might want to skip this beta.
Apple faces a tough situation in China. Photo: AllOfUs
Apple has reportedly removed a pair of RSS reader apps, Reeder and Fiery Feeds, from the App Store in China due to their ability to allow users to access information the country would rather they not see.
It’s not clear exactly what prompted this particular banning, but China has been cracking down on RSS feeds since 2007. That year, it initiated a blanket ban on all web-based RSS feed aggregators. In 2017, Apple removed RSS reader app Inoreader from the App Store in China.
In other words, this may be less a case of “What did Reeder and Fiery Feeds do wrong?” than “how did they manage to survive as long as they did?”
Apple is also reportedly developing its own AR glasses. Concept: Taeyeon Kim
Foxconn, Apple’s biggest manufacturing partner, is reportedly developing its own augmented reality (AR) smart glasses. These will be used in retail, smart factories, and smart medical care.
The AR glasses will utilize micro LED displays, one of the next-gen display technologies that Apple plans to use in future products. Apple is also said to be hard at work on its own AR glasses, tentatively dubbed “Apple Glass.”
Candy Crush Friends Saga has surpassed $200 million in lifetime player spending across both the iOS and Google Play app stores, a report from app intelligence first Sensor Tower claims.
In total, the Candy Crush franchise has earned more than $1 billion so far this year.
Tim Cook may well stay at the helm at Apple until at least 2025, according to SEC filings which detail the stock options that will vest in that time. Cook will receive 333,987 units of restricted stock options, vesting in thirds beginning April 1, 2023.
“For the first time in nearly a decade, we are awarding Tim a new stock grant that will vest over time in recognition of his outstanding leadership and with great optimism for Apple’s future as he carries these efforts forward,” Apple’s board of directors told Reuters.
This could be the end of the road for EarPods coming packaged with the iPhone. Photo: Juanibb/Wikipedia CC
A “minor code tweak” discovered in iOS 14.2 appears to confirm previous reports that Apple will not package EarPods with the iPhone 12.
The rumor was originally suggested by Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo back in May. This change in language, hidden in iOS 14.2, seems to lend credence to that idea.
A Mini LED screen could make the 2021 iPad Pro look even better. Photo: Apple
A 12.9-inch iPads Pro is reportedly set to become Apple’s first device with a Mini LED screen. It’ll supposedly be followed by a MacBook with the improved display technology in the second half of the year.
Treat your new Apple Watch to some of the best accessories! Photo: Juuk
Now that you’ve got your shiny new Apple Watch, you’ll want some great accessories to go with it. A sturdy charging stand, essential protection, and a selection of great bands are all must-haves.
We’ve rounded up 10 awesome accessories for any new Apple Watch owner to help get your collection started. They’re some of our favorite items available right now, and they’re all nicely priced.
Apple engineers are always looking to the future. Today, it’s patent for a fuel cell for an iPhone or iPad. Photo: RF._.studio/Pexels CC
Rather than traditional batteries, a future iPhone or Mac might be powered by a hydrogen fuel cell. Apple on Monday received a patent for a fuel cell that might be used in future devices. The goal is a device that can go days or weeks without needing to be refueled.
Tim Cook meeting with a member of the iPhone production line. Photo: Apple
Production is running full-tilt for the iPhone 12, the South China Morning Post reported Tuesday.
According to the publication, production is running 24 hours per day, with no vacations allowed and mandatory overtime. There are also “juicy bonuses” for employees who put in the time.
How many Apple has changed since 1976! Photo: Caviar
Russian company Caviar is known for producing blinged-out Apple devices that would make billionaire fat cats and 2000-era rappers say “that’s a bit over-the-top.”
But its latest creations, infinitely more humble and low-fi in appearance, are easily my favorite of its customized devices. Caviar will produce a pair of iPhone 12 models patterned after the original Apple-1 computer, as built in 1976.
The Apple vs. Epic Games antitrust lawsuit could come down to jurors to decide. According to a Monday report from Bloomberg, the federal judge overseeing the case has said that a jury trial could ultimately turn out to be the best way to resolve the case.
While U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers of Oakland, California has not yet ordered such a case, she indicated that it might be a scenario where jurors are the ones best equipped to decide an outcome.