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News - page 409

2022 iPhone will be cooler than ever. Literally.

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Future iPhones might need a Vapor Chamber cooling system
The 2022 iPhone could sport an advanced cooling system.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

A powerful processor and 5G wireless networking will force Apple to build a cooling system into the 2022 iPhone, according to an analyst and trusted Apple prognosticator.

But the system Apple is reportedly investigating won’t be ready in time for the iPhone 13, expected this autumn.

Apple Watch could spot COVID-19 symptoms a week before it strikes

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Apple Watch Series 6
Two studies suggest Apple Watch could be a useful diagnostic tool.
Photo: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac

Smartwatches such as Apple Watch could detect COVID-19 infections a week before the wearer feels sick or would test positive for the novel coronavirus, two medical studies suggest.

Since such devices can identify subtle changes in heart rate that might indicate an early infection, they could spot asymptomatic individuals, who make up a sizable proportion of COVID-19 cases.

Last chance: Save 25% on wonderful Wood Mark bands for Apple Watch

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Wood-Mark-Apple-Watch
An Apple Watch band unlike any other.
Photo: Wood Mark

If you don’t want your Apple Watch to look just like everyone else’s, pair it with a unique band unlike any other. Choose a Wood Mark strap from the Cult of Mac Store — made almost entirely out of wood — and enjoy 25% off the usual price for a limited time.

They’re wonderfully comfortable, long-lasting, and kind on the environment. This discount ends later today, so enjoy it while you can!

MagSafe charger could make triumphant return to MacBook Pro this year

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MagSafe
MagSafe was a great Apple innovation.
Photo: Gordon Mei/Flickr CC

Apple’s MagSafe branding technically made a return last year with the iPhone 12. But the MagSafe fans most fondly recall — the neat magnetic charging system for the MacBook — is also gearing up to make a comeback.

According to a Friday report from Bloomberg, Apple is bringing back MagSafe for this year’s MacBook Pro refresh. The connector will reportedly be similar in design to the “elongated pill-shape” original MagSafe. It will provide faster charging for the MacBook.

A16 Bionic: TSMC gears up to produce first 3nm chips for future iPhone

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Apple A14 is made with an amazing 5nm production process.
Ready to see the A14 look like old hat?
Screenshot: Apple

Apple’s A14 chipmaker Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) is gearing up for “risk production” of its next-gen chips, Digitimes reported Friday.

The chips in question are TSMC’s 3-nanometer chips, expected to be the eventual successor to the current 5-nanometer chips. Risk production refers to the dress rehearsal process for manufacturing, in which things appear ready to go, but are not quite ready to go into mass production just yet.

Apple may drop the Touch Bar from its next MacBook Pro

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You got the touch. Here's how to master your MacBook Pro’s Touch Bar.
Apple introduced the context-sensitive Touch Bar in 2016.
Photo: Graham Bower/Cult of Mac

According to reliable TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the next-gen MacBook Pro will come in 14- and 16-inch sizes, feature more ports and bring back the MagSafe charger in some form (!). And, of course,  the high-end laptops will run on new Apple Silicon chips.

But the first big MacBook Pro redesign in half a decade also do away with the Touch Bar, the controversial — and never entirely successful — innovation Apple debuted back in 2016.

PSA: Season 2 of Servant gets off to a spooky start on Apple TV+

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Servant
Episode one debuted Friday.
Photo: Apple

2021 not scary enough for you? Apple TV+ is here to help. On Friday, Apple debuted the first episode of season two of Servant. The creepy psychological thriller series from Tony Basgallop and M. Night Shyamalan spooked audiences with its first season about the supernatural goings-on involving “baby” Jericho and nanny Leanne.

Check out the season 2 trailer below:

See Tom Holland’s polite but disturbed bank robber in Cherry trailer for Apple TV+

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‘Cherry’ starring Tom Holland debuts on Apple TV+ in March 2021.
Tom Holland plays a drug-addicted bank robber in ‘Cherry’ on Apple TV+.
Photo: Apple

Apple premiered the first trailer for Cherry, a drama starring Tom Holland, on Thursday. Although best known for playing Spider-Man, Holland’s upcoming film is far grittier, telling the story of an Iraq war veteran with PTSD who spirals into drug addiction and bank robbery.

The movie is coming to theaters in February and Apple TV+ in the spring.

Watch the trailer now:

New MagicMount puts MagSafe to work in the car

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Scosche MagicMount MSC is a mount, not a charger.
The Scosche MagicMount MSC holds the Apple MagSafe charger in your car.
Photo: Scosche

CES 2021 bug Take your Apple MagSafe on the go with the Scosche MagicMount MSC. Designed for in-car use, this mount comes in versions that attach to air vents, cup holders or windows.

The company also used CES 2021 to unveil fresh PowerVolt USB-C car and wall chargers.

Last chance: Save on gorgeous Goldenerre bands, stylish HEDock stand for Apple Watch

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Goldenerre Pyramid bracelet for Apple Watch
Get yours before the discount ends on January 15.
Photo: Goldenerre

The Cult of Mac Store’s big January sale is almost over, but there’s still a bit of time to enjoy generous discounts on some of our hottest Apple Watch accessories. Shop now to save on gorgeous bands and bracelets from Goldenerre, and a stylish aluminum charging stand from HEDock.

AirPods continue to rule the ‘hearables’ market, but Apple’s lead is shrinking

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AirPods Pro with black background discounts
AirPods continue to be a big winner for Apple.
Photo: Apple

Apple’s AirPods are still the market leader when it comes to wireless earbuds, but others are starting to catch up, claims new research from analysis firm Counterpoint.

According to data released Thursday, Apple now makes up 29% of the TWS (that’s “true wireless stereo hearables”) market. The biggest competitor in terms of shipments is Xiaomi, which represents 13% of the market, followed by Samsung with 5%. Other players include the likes of JBL, QCY, JLAB, and Sony.

A14 chipmaker earnings hint at monster success for the iPhone 12

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iPhone 12 Pro parts cost shockingly little
Signs look good that the iPhone 12 has been a big hit for Apple.
Photo: Cult of Mac

We won’t definitively know how well the iPhone 12 is doing until Apple’s next earnings call January 27. But the signs are certainly looking good.

On Thursday, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC), the company that makes Apple’s A-series chips, reported better-than-expected earnings for the December quarter. This was apparently helped by “robust” demand for the iPhone 12.

Samsung Galaxy S21 will ditch power adapters just like iPhone 12

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Galaxy S21
“Whaaaaaaat's in the box?!”
Photo: Samsung/Evan Blass

Samsung was quick to mock Apple when it revealed that it was going to stop including power adapters with the iPhone. But a few months later, it seems the South Korean tech giant has reconsidered its stance, and realized that maybe Apple actually kind of had a good point.

At least, that’s according to images leaked by tipster Evan Blass, showing what he claims are promotional images for the Galaxy S21 and S21 Ultra. The new premium handsets boast a refreshed design, support for 5G — and no charger in the box.

Tim Cook: Parler can return to App Store once it solves moderation issues

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Google, Apple and Amazon exercise their rights as private companies to refuse to do business with Parler.
Parler is welcome back as soon as it can solve its moderation problems.
Graphic: Cult of Mac

Social media app Parler will be restored to the App Store if it complies with Apple’s terms of service, Apple CEO Tim Cook said Wednesday.

In a CBS interview, Cook said the app “has some issues with moderation.” However, he said Apple’s “hope is that they do that and get back on the store.”

Foxconn strengthens its chances of making the Apple Car

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Foxconn Wisconsin
Foxconn has long been Apple's go-to manufacturer.
Photo: Foxconn

Apple manufacturer Foxconn is setting up an automotive arm, just as Cupertino is reportedly gearing up to build an Apple Car. This could make Foxconn a prime manufacturing partner, much in the same way that the Taiwanese company currently assembles iPhones and other devices for Apple.

Apple’s new Racial Equity and Justice Initiative projects will combat systemic racism in US

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Parler Center
Apple is supporting the construction of a new learning hub for Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
Photo: Apple

Apple’s promised big announcement is a series of new projects within the company’s Racial Equity and Justice Initiative, designed to fight systemic racism and advance racial equity across the United States.

As part of a previously announced $100 million fund, Apple revealed Wednesday that it will support the launch of a new global innovation and learning hub for historically Black colleges and universities, open it’s first U.S. Developer Academy to support coding efforts in Detroit, and contribute venture capital funding for Black and other minority entrepreneurs.

Apple held talks with electric vehicle startup Canoo about possible acquisition

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Canoo
Canoo is a California-based EV startup.
Photo: Canoo

Hyundai is rumored to be on the verge of signing a deal with Apple to build an electric car. But Hyundai wasn’t the first automaker Apple approached about a deal, a new report claims.

As per The Verge, Apple held meetings with the California-based EV startup Canoo in early 2020. The two companies discussed options such as an Apple investment or even an outright acquisition, sources familiar with the conversations suggest.

Apple’s pending ‘big announcement’ fuels speculation [Updated]

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There’s an Apple announcement coming January 13.
Apple is about to announce... something.
Photo: Gustavo Fring/Pexels CC

CBS This Morning reports that Apple will make a “big announcement” on Wednesday. But what is about to be revealed remains a matter for speculation.

Unfortunately, it’s not a new product.

Update: Tim Cook announced on Wednesday a series of new Racial Equity and Justice Initiative projects, designed to fight systemic racism and advance racial equity across the U.S.

Anker’s clever wireless power bank clings to iPhone 12 with magnets

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Anker Magnetic Wireless Power Bank doesn’t support MagSafe.
The Anker Magnetic Wireless Power Bank attaches to an iPhone 12 when needed, but is easily removable.
Photo: Anker

CES 2021 bugAnker’s latest external battery uses magnets to attach itself to an iPhone 12 for wireless charging. It enables the handset to juice up while it’s being used on the move.

The accessory maker also unveiled at CES 2021 a 3-in-1 wireless charger with an removable 10,000 mAh battery.

Plugable 7-in-1 USB-C hub promises top-tier performance on a budget

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Plugable USBC-7IN1E promises high quality for a low price.
Plugable’s USB-C adapter offers plenty of ports. All of which can be used at the same time.
Photo: Plugable

CES 2021 bugPlugable freely admits its new 7-in-1 USB-C hub for Mac or iPad is entering a crowded market. But the accessory maker promises its new USBC-7IN1E multiport adapter stands out from cheap competitors with better hardware.

Nevertheless, the cost is just $30.