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News - page 5

iPhone 17 Pro leak teases longer battery life and cooler performance

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iPhone 17 Pro rumors
iPhone 17 Pro might run cooler under load.
Concept: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple’s upcoming iPhone 17 Pro family may use more efficient displays and feature improved thermal efficiency. They will seemingly also pack bigger batteries to deliver long battery life.

The information comes from a Chinese leaker known for his accurate iPhone-related leaks in the past.

Instagram for iPad arrives, 15 years late

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Instagram for iPad
Took a while but Instagram for iPad is finally out.
Image: Meta/Cult of Mac

It took far longer than necessary, but Meta introduced on Wednesday an Instagram application that takes advantage of the iPad’s large screen.

Meta emphasizes the new app’s ability to play Reels — short videos that collectively rack up billions of views a day.

Dolby Vision 2 could fix Apple TV’s darkness problem

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Dolby Vision 2 arrives
Think movies and shows on Apple TV 4K tend to be too dark? Relief could be on the way.
Photo: Dolby

Dolby unveiled Dolby Vision 2 Tuesday with big changes to the industry-leading HDR picture quality technology — and the timing couldn’t be better for Apple users. With Apple expected to announce next-gen Apple TV 4K at its September 9 Awe dropping event or shortly thereafter, the streaming device could be perfectly positioned to support the updated display standard as Dolby Vision 2 arrives, from day one or soon.

And Dolby Vision 2 could even solve users’ “too dark” complaint about Apple TV content.

Never miss the shot with the iSteady V3 Ultra gimbal’s AI tracking

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Photo of the Hohem iSteady V3 Ultra phone gimbal sitting on a bench, to capture video of a tennis match
The iSteady V3 Ultra phone gimbal uses AI-powered smart tracking to make sure you capture all the action.
Photo: Hohem

Hohem’s new iSteady V3 Ultra phone gimbal gives iPhone filmmakers a powerful new tool to elevate their mobile videography game. Released today, it brings significant upgrades to the company’s already impressive stabilization technology.

With this new version of Hohem’s phone gimbal, you can pretty much bid farewell to shaky iPhone videos.

Apple’s lucrative Google search deal is safe

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Photo of an iPhone with a Google search page on the screen, used to illustrate Apple search deal with Google
The Justice Department's long-running lawsuit against Google won't blow a $20 billion hole in Apple revenues.
Photo: Solen Feyissa/Unsplash License

Google can continue its search deal to pay Apple billions of dollars a year for a prime spot as Safari’s default search engine, as long as it’s not an exclusive placement, a court ruled Tuesday.

U.S. District Judge Amit P. Mehta said the proposed banning of such payments — which amounted to $26 billion to Apple and others in 2021, and likely grew since then — would actually help Google. Such a move also posed a “substantial risk of harm” to Apple, consumers and Google’s other partners, he said.

“Google will not be barred from making payments or offering other consideration to distribution partners for preloading or placement of Google Search, Chrome, or its GenAI products,” Mehta wrote in the 226-page ruling released Tuesday. “Cutting off payments from Google almost certainly will impose substantial — in some cases, crippling — downstream harms to distribution partners, related markets, and consumers, which counsels against a broad payment ban.”

Vision Air could cost half what Vision Pro does

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Vision Air rumors
You might actually be able to afford Apple’s Vision Air.
Photo: Apple/ChatGPT/Cult of Mac

Apple must have heard the complaints about the cost and weight of the Vision Pro AR headset, because it’s reportedly working on a Vision Air that will be half as expensive and almost half the weight. That’s the word coming Tuesday from a source who’s built a reputation by often being accurate in predictions about future Apple products.

It’ll take Apple a while to develop the new product, though.

Apple should copy this clever earbuds case

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Artronic Designs Komutr MagSafe earbuds
Artronic Designs Komutr use MagSafe to stand out in the crowded market for wireless earbuds.
Image: Artronic Designs

The new Komutr earbuds from Artronic Designs do a trick that any Apple AirPods user can envy. Their charging case uses MagSafe, so it magnetically attaches to the back of an iPhone.

“They’re almost impossible to lose,” boasts Artronic.

There is a significant drawback to the Komutr’s design, though.

The aliens have landed — and so have high ratings for Invasion

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Invasion season 3
Shamier Anderson stars in “Invasion” season 3, a hit on Apple TV+.
Photo: Apple TV+

Invasion season 3 is the most popular show on Apple TV+ and among the most watched series on any streaming service, according to a company that tracks ratings. New episodes resumed last week for the epic alien onslaught.

Speaking of sci-fi, the Apple TV+ adaptation of Foundation also found a large audience last week.

AirPods Pro 3 rumors: Heart rate monitoring, design changes and more

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AirPods Pro 3 rumors
Here's everything to expect from Apple's premium earbuds.
Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac

Apple looks poised to unveil its highly anticipated AirPods Pro 3 at its Awe Dropping event on September 9, marking the first major update to the premium noise-canceling earbuds since 2022. Multiple sources suggest the third-generation model will bring significant hardware upgrades alongside Apple’s continued software feature rollouts. Check out all the AirPods Pro 3 rumors below.

UK still wants global backdoor into iPhone users’ data

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UK iCloud back door
The U.K. wants to peer into everyone’s iCloud data.
Image: ChatGPT/Cult of Mac

The United Kingdom government is reportedly still demanding a secret backdoor into encrypted Apple iCloud accounts, despite the Trump administration stating recently that the demand had been dropped.

Apple’s attempt to block the U.K. Home Office efforts to violate the privacy of Americans is headed for court.

Vote to make this Lego iMac G3 a reality

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Lego iMac G3
The Lego iMac G3 could someday sit on your shelf.
Photo: Lego

A proposed Lego set for Apple’s iconic iMac G3 needs your vote. If enough people support the suggestion, it could be turned into a real Lego product.

The set is an homage to the original desktop iMac, with translucent Bondi Blue parts, and even the controversial mouse.

Get a sneak peek at new Powerbeats Fit earbuds

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Powerbeats Fit from teaser video
Here’s the best look available of Powerbeats Fit.
Screenshot: Apple

Apple dropped a teaser video for Powerbeats Fit, wireless earbuds the company has not yet formally announced, on Thursday. Details remain sketchy, but video of athletes wearing the in-ear audio devices revealed a bit about the hardware.

The video promises that Powerbeats Fit will be “fit for every move” when they launch this fall.

Turn iPad mini into ultraportable notebook with this detachable keyboard case

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Zagg Slim Book mini
Your iPad mini can be more than a tablet with Zagg Slim Book mini.
Photo: Zagg

The just-launched Zagg Slim Book mini acts as a protective case for the latest iPad mini, but that’s only the start. It also adds a detachable keyboard that makes the tablet ready for serious productivity.

“With the Slim Book mini, we’ve taken the performance and typing experience people expect from a full-size laptop and packed it into a sleek, portable keyboard built specifically for the iPad mini,” said Brad Bell, SVP of global marketing for Zagg.

Colorful event logo might hint at new iPhone or Apple Watch features

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An image of the
Does the invitation to the Apple event hint at what the company will announce?
Graphic: Apple/Cult of Mac

The graphic in the invitation to Apple’s upcoming “Awe dropping” product launch event looks like a thermal image, and that set off furious speculation Tuesday about whether it’s a hint about a feature coming to one of the many products expected to debut that day.

Could it refer to a way to cool the iPhone 17 Pro? Or a new Apple Watch sensor? Something else?

Apple sometimes uses its event invitations to hint about what it will announce, so it’s possible the company is clueing us in.

New rechargeable Chipolo Loop and Card trackers use Find My

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Chipolo Loop and Card tracker updated
Chipolo Loop tracker with Find My gets a rechargeable battery and double the Bluetooth range.
Photo: Chipolo

Two new Bluetooth trackers offer big improvements over the company’s previous models while maintaining compatibility with Apple’s Find My network, Chipolo said Wednesday. The Loop and Card trackers, both priced at $39, add rechargeable batteries and double their previous Blueooth range to 400 feet.

Inexpensive iPhone game controller also connects to Switch and PC

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GameSir X5s Wireless Mobile Game Controller
The GameSir X5s Wireless Mobile Game Controller offers tri-mode connectivity.
Graphic: GameSir

Wrap the brand-new GameSir X5s around your iPhone to play high-end games. But that’s only the start — the controller also works with iPad, Nintendo Switch, PC and Android.

It’s lightweight with a portable design but includes Hall Effect sticks and triggers, a gyroscope and rumble motors.

Even better, the GameSir X5s costs under $50.

Apple invites the world to ‘Awe dropping’ event

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Apple September Event: Awe dropping
All we officially know about Apple’s September event is that it’ll be “Awe dropping.”
Image: Apple

Invitations went out Tuesday for a much-anticipated Apple press event on September 9. The theme is “Awe dropping,” and the unveiling of the iPhone 17 series should be the highlight.

Also likely on the agenda are the launch of Apple Watch Series 11 and Apple Watch Ultra 3.

Avoid getting hacked while charging with these data-blocking USB-C cables

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Photo of Plugable data-blocker USB-C cable
Protect your computer from juice jacking with a data-blocking cable.
Photo: Plugable

Accessory maker Plugable just launched a collection of USB-C data-blocker charging cables. The cables transfer only power, not data, and therefore prevent “juice jacking” attacks at public charging ports.

The cables handle up to 240W and come in variety of lengths. Plus, a launch deal drops the prices!

Apple Watch Series 11 rumors: Blood pressure detection, 5G connectivity and more

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Apple Watch Series 11 rumors
Apple Watch Series 11 might bring a rush of new features. Or maybe not.
Image: Apple/Cult of Mac

With the launch of Apple Watch Series 11 likely just weeks away, rumors about what to expect remain surprisingly rare. Still, we know a fair amount about what’s coming, based on watchOS 26 and Apple’s usual moves. Additionally, some rumored Apple Watch Ultra 3 features might arrive on the regular model, too.

So, will Apple Watch Series 11 and Apple Watch Ultra 3 bring only minor upgrades, as in the last few years? Or will 2025 be the year Apple recaptures the buzz surrounding its smartwatch, adding exciting new features?

Here’s what we know about Apple Watch Series 11 so far.

New tool lets you easily transfer music from Spotify to Apple Music

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Apple Music migration tool
The Apple Music migration tool makes it easy to transfer music from services like Spotify to Apple Music.
Photo: Apple/Spotify/Rajesh Pandey

Apple significantly expanded availability of its Apple Music migration tool, bringing the service to the United States and eight other major markets this week after months of limited testing. It helps users transfer their music libraries from competing streaming services like Spotify.

Breakthrough audio and cooling tech could optimize Apple’s smart glasses

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xMEMS Sycamore microspeaker in AR glasses
The xMEMS Sycamore microspeakers sit in the stems of AR glasses near the ear.
Image: xMEMS Labs

As rumors continue to swirl about Apple’s potential entry into the smart glasses market, xMEMS Labs plans to unveil innovations that could address some of the biggest challenges facing next-generation wearable devices, the company said Tuesday. At September events it will roll out new xMEMS Labs smart glasses prototypes featuring ultra-thin speakers and active cooling technology that promise to make AI-powered eyewear more comfortable and practical for everyday use.