While a 5G iPhone won’t come as soon as we might hope, the wait won‘t be as long as we might fear. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Most people probably shrugged their shoulders at the news Apple and Qualcomm ended their long, bitter legal war. But this is actually going to benefit every iPhone user.
It means that Apple is almost guaranteed to introduce a handset with super-fast 5G next year. Before now, there was some question about whether that was possible.
Have you read the new Tim Cook book yet? Photo: Kristal Chan/Cult of Mac
The first-ever biography of Apple CEO Tim Cook hits bookstores today, and it’s written by none other than Cult of Mac founder, Leander Kahney.
I haven’t heard from Leander in god knows how long while he’s been writing this book. But based on the early reviews, it appears like it was all worth it. No one has written a full book about Cook until now. Leander’s book, Tim Cook: The Genius Who Took Apple to the Next Level, details how Cook took on Steve Jobs’ mantle. While nearly any other human would have crumbled under that pressure, Cook thrived.
Early reviews for the book have been coming in all week, and so far they’re pretty positive. Here are some of the highlights.
Kim Rozenfeld is no longer a part of Apple's team. Photo: Apple
Netflix doesn’t seem worried at all that Apple and Disney are launching their own competitive streaming services by the end of 2019.
In its latest report to investors, Netflix cited Disney and Apple as its biggest upcoming competition, but instead of fearing the two companies’ platforms, Netflix swears its actually excited about the competition.
The legal war between Apple and Qualcomm is finally over.
In a surprise announcement, the two companies revealed that they have agreed to drop all litigation against each other, bringing an end to a dispute over royalities and patent infringements that spanned multiple countries.
If your MacBook Air seems a little brighter recently, you’re not imagining it. Photo: Apple
Installing the latest macOS version on a 2018 MacBook Air increases the maximum screen brightness.
Apple’s own description of this notebook indicates that the highest potential brightness level is now 400 nits. That’s much higher than with this laptop launched.
Cult of Mac offers real cash for your old Apple devices, and we typically pay more than anyone else. What’s more, it’s incredibly quick and simple, and we will even buy back battered tech in need of repair.
The new Mac Pro will bring in the bags for Apple. Photo: Erfon Elijah
Two whole years ago, Apple promised pro users that it would completely revamp the Mac Pro. Apple teased that it’s making a modular system that will have the flexibility professionals need.
With Worldwide Developers Conference 2019 on the horizon, our first glimpse of the modular Mac Pro could be less than two months away, but The CultCast host Erfon Elijah is ready to douse your hopes of getting a new dream machine this year.
In his latest video, Erfon goes over all the reasons why the modular Mac Pro sounds amazing in theory but could be a giant dud. From a design that looks like some IHOP flapjacks to pricing concerns, there’s some good evidence to be skeptical about the new computer, especially when you consider Apple’s recent track record with its “Pro” machines.
Watch Erfon count down the reasons why the next Mac Pro might flop.
macOS 10.15 might have a feature that’s already available from Luna Display. Photo: Astro HQ
Turning a tablet into an external display for a laptop isn’t a new idea, but Apple is reportedly going “all in” by building this feature into the next version of macOS.
The iPad will supposedly function as a touchscreen for Mac software, which should catch the eye of digital artists.
iPhone 11 will do little to reverse falling shipments. Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac
Huawei says it has had no contact with Apple regarding the supply of 5G chips for a future iPhone lineup.
The Chinese smartphone-maker has previously stated it would be willing to work with its rival on a 5G iPhone. However, Apple has not been in touch — despite its struggle to obtain chips elsewhere.
Apple will help rebuild Paris’s fire-ravaged Notre Dame cathedral. Photo: Pexels
The world was horrified yesterday as Paris’ iconic Notre Dame cathedral was ravaged by fire. Today, offers to help rebuild are pouring in, with Apple joining the chorus of companies and individuals promising contributions.
The Xenon Flash will bring studio control to mobile photography. Photo: LIT Vision
Smartphone camera advances have been jaw-dropping. Engineers continue to advance low-light performance, while adding computational effects like bokeh and embedding additional cameras with telephoto and ultra-wide lenses.
However, with all the challenges the camera teams solved, one feature lags behind – the flash. But the smartphone photographer who wants to add a hint of studio-quality light, and control in shaping it, will soon have a wireless Bluetooth flash. It should add the pop to their pictures that they desire.
Apple is trying to embrace subscription services. Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac
A Swedish publisher has accused Apple of acting like a “whimsical feudal lord” in its monopolistic App Store practices.
In an open letter, publishing giant Schibsted says that, while Apple presents itself as being a more ethical company than other tech titans, it “constitutes a threat as big as Facebook and Google.”
Apple will expand its reach in the capital. Photo: Chelsfield
A new Apple Store is destined for one of London’s most luxurious shopping districts, according to a new report.
Apple plans to open a new location in Knightsbridge between high-end department stores Harrods and Harvey Nichols. It will be the company’s sixth store in the capital.
Apple Pencil is great for many things. Playing nice with your key fob isn't one of them. Photo: Graham Bower/Cult of Mac
Apple devices famously “just work.” There are occasional lapses, however.
According to an updated support document, Apple has revealed one slightly unusual (and annoying) interaction. Users who are charging the Apple Pencil 2 with their iPad Pro may run into issues unlocking their cars using a key fob.
Forza Street takes racers to Miami. Photo: Microsoft
Microsoft is bringing one of the world’s best racing franchises to iOS. Forza Street features the iconic vehicles you know and love, with one-minute races designed to be enjoyed anywhere.
It will be free-to-play when it lands later this year.
iPad 2 is so old it doesn’t have a Lightning port. And it includes just a single speaker. Photo: Apple
An early Apple tablet is about to be put out to pasture. The second-generation iPad is reportedly going on the “vintage and obsolete products” list at the end of this month.
Most people might be surprised to hear that this device, released in 2011, isn’t already listed as obsolete.
A “Shot on iPhone” film about wildlife conservationists visits a watery realm. Photo: Apple
A short documentary about the Maldives Whale Shark Research Programme is the latest entry in the “Shot on iPhone XS” campaign, which shows what’s possible with the the advanced cameras in Apple handsets.
The 8-minute video is a full of crystal-clear video taken beneath the waves. Watch it now:
You’ve never seen iPad tricks like these. Photo: Apple
Apple’s campaign to convince everyone that the iPad Pro is a true PC replacement continued today with a barrage of six new videos extolling the tablet’s many uses.
Everything from wedding planning to music making has been highlighted in Apple’s new series of iPad Pro videos. Most of the new video are how-to videos, but there is a fun new ad that features a ton of fancy iPad Pro twirling and keyboard flipping as one iPad Pro lover takes his beloved device on an important trip.
Perhaps a rising tide of smart speaker sales will help HomePod. Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac
The number of smart speakers like Amazon’s Echo and Apple’s HomePod in use around the world is expected to keep growing strongly for years to come. It could pass 200 million in 2019, and pass 500 million in 2023.
Analysts from Canalys indicate the installed base of these devices is now surpassing the number of smartwatches in use. And smart speakers could even outnumber tablets before the end of 2021, they say.
Mall owners might be overpaying to bring Apple to shopping centers. Photo: Apple
U.S. shopping malls are losing customers at an alarming rate and there appears to be little Apple can do to help save them.
Apple stores are usually viewed as an anchor store for malls because of their high sales volumes and foot traffic they bring in. But a new study found that experimental tenants like Apple aren’t drawing in extra traffic.
LeBron has been rocking Beats since day one. Photo: Beats
Some of the biggest names in sports can be seen rocking the new Powerbeats Pro in the latest video put out by Apple’s headphone company.
Beats’ new ad unleashes the Powerbeats Pro everywhere from the basketball court to the skate park as superstars like LeBron James and Serena Williams train to dominate their respective games. With over a dozen athletes making a cameo, the action-packed ad has a lot to take in.
Rotating advertiser IDs make a lot of sense. Photo: Apple
Mozilla, the company behind Firefox, is calling for Apple to boost user privacy on iOS by introducing rotating advertiser IDs.
Most iPhone and iPad users don’t know that they can block access to their unique ID, Mozilla says. Regularly rotating IDs would make it harder for companies “to build profiles of us over time.”
Sign the petition to pressure Apple into making a change today.