Mobile menu toggle

News - page 77

New iPads make it much easier to manage battery health

By

iPad Battery Health menu
Quickly checking iPad battery health just got a lot easier with M4 iPad Pro and M2 iPad Air.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The new M4 iPad Pro and M2 iPad Air finally make it easy to manage your tablet’s battery heath from the Settings app. iPadOS finally has a Battery Health menu in its 17.5 version, but it only works with the new iPads, not older models.

The new feature lets you limit charges to 80% capacity, which can extend the battery’s lifespan.

M4 iPad Pro and M2 iPad Air go on sale

By

M4 iPad Pro and M2 iPad Air design
The M4 iPad Pro and M2 iPad Air are now on sale.
Photo: Apple

Apple’s new M4 iPad Pro and M2 iPad Air are now on sale. Customers who preordered the tablets are also getting their units today in launch countries.

If you did not preorder the new iPads, you can pick one up from your nearest Apple store or authorized retail store.

OpenAI’s amazing GPT-4o could be the next Siri

By

OpenAI GPT-4o
The new OpenAI GPT-4o AI-powered chatbot might be part of iOS 18 and macOS 15.
Image: OpenAI

OpenAI’s GPT-4o, a new version of the company’s artificial intelligence chatbot, is a significant step forward from its predecessors. Demonstrations show the AI interacting with users in ways that seem startlingly human.

Unconfirmed reports indicate Apple and OpenAI are negotiating a deal that would build some version of GPT into iOS and macOS.

Apple loses ground to archrival on smartphone satisfaction

By

smartphone customer satisfaction - iPhone 15 Pro Max
iPhone lost a bit of ground to Samsung on customer satisfaction.
Photo: Apple

Apple has lost its customary lead on smartphone customer satisfaction as archrival Samsung has drawn even overall and gone ahead in one area, according to new data.

New findings from the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) show Apple’s rating went up a point, but Samsung’s rose three points to tie overall and creep ahead on 5G satisfaction.

Denon adds Siri to smart speakers (with one big catch)

By

Siri works with Denon speakers
Got a HomePod or HomePod mini? Go ahead and talk to Siri through some Denon speakers.
Photo: Denon

Audio specialist Denon added the Siri voice assistant to certain wireless speakers and a soundbar this week — only the second third-party product line to do so. But there’s a catch. Siri only works with the speakers if you also have a HomePod or HomePod mini speaker to act as a relay.

The same is true of the first non-Apple products that added Apple, ecobee smart thermostats. But it’s a little weirder this time because it’s all speakers. Only an Apple speaker will let you use Siri with Denon’s speakers.

2024 iPad Air reviews roundup: Bigger, and probably ‘pro’ enough

By

2024 M2 iPad Air with Apple Pencil Pro
Compatibility with the new Apple Pencil Pro is one reason to buy this year's iPad Air.
Photo: Apple

The first reviews of the 2024 iPad Air paint the tablet as a budget version of last year’s iPad Pro.

Here’s the consensus of the early M2 iPad Air reviews: If you want a big-screen iPad, but don’t need (or don’t want to pay for) high-end features like an OLED screen, Face ID and Apple’s most powerful processor, this is the tablet for you.

Vision Pro should go on sale outside US soon [Updated]

By

Woman holding a Vision Pro in front of her face, capturing her Vision Pro Persona
Vision Pro probably won't be a U.S. exclusive for much longer.
Photo: Apple

The wait to get Apple Vision Pro is apparently nearly over for consumers in more than half a dozen countries.

Although the AR/VR headset launched in the United States this winter, availability has yet to expand outside the borders of Apple’s home country. But Apple Store employees around the world are reportedly getting trained on the device. And the headset reportedly cleared a major regulatory hurdle Monday for launching in China.

iOS 17.5 helps detect unwanted Bluetooth tracking tags

By

What's new in iOS 17.5
The iOS 17.5 update includes a new word game, additional alerts for tracking tags, fresh Pride wallpapers and more.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The new iOS 17.5 update brings cross-platform tracking notifications for unwanted Bluetooth trackers plus a new Quartiles spelling game and an Offline Mode for Apple News+ subscribers, Apple said Monday.

And that’s in addition to the new Pride and Unity Lock Screens and Apple Watch faces we can expect. As far as other Apple OS updates go, macOS 14.5 got compatibility with Apple News+ features and bug fixes, watchOS 10.5 incorporates new Pride updates and the rest are performance and stability updates.

Super-slim M4 iPad Pro won’t be super-bendy, Apple says

By

M4 iPad Pro: Slim but not fragile
Apple VP John Ternus (shown) explains why M4 iPad Pro isn't as fragile as it might look.
Photo: Apple

Apple brags that the 13-inch version of the M4 iPad Pro is “the thinnest Apple product ever,” but the company took steps to be sure the new tablet isn’t fragile and easily bendable.

In an interview, Apple’s head of hardware engineering describes a “central rib” that makes the computer more stiff.

This is a top microphone arm for good reason [Setups]

By

Elgato Wave Microphone Arm
In this shot from Elgato, you get a clear view of its popular suspension boom arm supporting a microphone, as in today's setup.
Photo: Elgato

Streamers and podcasters often worry over their choices of microphones and audio interfaces for sound quality. But they shouldn’t forget to select great co-stars for that gear like the Elgato Wave Microphone Arm.

A good microphone boom arm makes working with the mic easy, especially in a computer setup where you need to move it aside to do other tasks. Today’s MacBook Pro and Studio Display setup makes great use of the extremely popular Elgato Wave Microphone Arm supporting an Audio-Technica mic.

And right now you can get one version of the suspension boom microphone arm for 20% off at Amazon ($99.99 $79.99), and it’s the one our user deploys.

Enjoy classic PlayStation games on iPhone with Gamma emulator

By

GammaPlay Station emulator
Gamma PlayStation emulator is a reminder that PS1 games are low-res.
Photo: ZodTTD/Cult of Mac

The just-released Gamma retro game emulator brings original PlayStation titles to iPhone. It’s ready to bring Metal Gear Solid and Final Fantasy 7 to the device you carry around everywhere.

The app is free and supports game controllers and iPad.

Should you upgrade to the 2024 MacBook Air M3?

By

Should You Upgrade to the M3 MacBook Air?
Is your MacBook old enough to justify buying the new MacBook Air?
Image: Apple/D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

If you still own an Intel MacBook Air, it might be time to upgrade to the new MacBook Air with M3. But what about if you own a MacBook Air running on an M1 or M2 chip? In those cases, it’s not as obvious if you should upgrade to the latest model.

Now that the newer models feature efficient and powerful Apple silicon chips, the MacBook Air is the laptop that strikes the right balance of speed and portability for most people. The thin design is easy to slip into a backpack and the battery will last all day — even when juggling dozens of apps.

How badly you need to upgrade to an M3 MacBook Air depends on which model you’re coming from. Our easy guide will help you decide. Check the infographic below or watch the video.

Gritty detective series Sugar stays a hit for Apple TV+

By

Colin Farrell stars in Sugar on Apple TV+
Colin Farrell helps make Sugar the latest Apple TV+ success.
Photo: Apple TV+

The dark, gritty series Sugar continues to pull in big audiences on Apple’s streaming service for another week. It stars Colin Farrell as a private detective searching for the missing granddaughter of a Hollywood magnate. It premiered last month and has stayed near the tops of the streaming ratings charts ever since.

And Dark Matter, a new Apple TV+ sci-fi series, very quickly found its audience, too.

It’s iPadmania! [The CultCast]

By

iPad Pro leads our Apple
How much iPad chatter can you handle?
Image: Cult of Mac

This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: Apple’s “Let Loose” event is over, and the new iPad Pro and iPad Air are officially here. In our postmortem, we discuss the pros (tons) and cons (not many) of the new tablets. Plus, we go over what we got right and wrong in the run-up to the event.

Also on The CultCast:

  • Apple Pencil Pro and the new Magic Keyboard for iPad sound great for artists.
  • Logic Pro and Final Cut Pro gain some cool new features.
  • The first M4 chip benchmarks look promising.
  • That eye-catching “Crush!” ad for the iPad Pro lands Apple in hot water.
  • And we have a winner in our “Let Loose” event predictions challenge.

Listen to this week’s episode of The CultCast in the Podcasts app or your favorite podcast app. (Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review if you like it!) Or watch the video live stream, embedded below.

Should you upgrade to the 2024 iPad Pro with M4 chip?

By

Should You Upgrade to the M4 iPad Pro?
Is your iPad Pro old enough to justify buying the new iPad Pro?
Photo: Apple/D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

You own an iPad Pro, and you’re wondering if you should upgrade to the new iPad Pro with M4. We feel your pain. Announced on May 7, 2024, the new iPad Pro features the brand-new M4 chip. It’s the top-of-the-line iPad with a gorgeous Tandem OLED display and a radical thin-and-light design.

It’s easily upgradable with the new Apple Pencil Pro and refreshed Magic Keyboard. But whether it’s worth upgrading depends on which iPad Pro you use right now. We put together a guide to help you decide. Check the infographic below or watch the video.

Should you upgrade to the 2024 iPad Air with M2 chip?

By

Should You Upgrade to the M2 iPad Air?
Is your iPad Air old enough to justify buying the new iPad Air?
Image: Apple/D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

Depending on which model of iPad you own, it might be time to upgrade to the new iPad Air with M2. Announced on May 7, 2024, the new iPad Air features a speedy Apple M2 chip. It’s a great middle-of-the-road iPad, with plenty of storage on the base model and a nice display that’s now available in a 13-inch size. It’s easily upgradable with the Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard.

However, whether it’s worth upgrading to the M2 iPad Air depends on which iPad you already own — so we put together a buying guide to help you make the decision. Check the infographic below or watch the video.

Apple using AI to make Siri more useful

By

Siri with AI artificial intelligence
Siri will supposedly start showing some signs of intelligence.
Photo: Cult of Mac/Nadezhda Moryak

Apple reportedly intends to fulfill the hopes of so many iPhone users by giving the Siri voice assistant an upgrade with artificial intelligence. A broad outline of the plan leaked out Friday.

Siri supposedly won’t become a general-purpose chatbot. It’ll be focused on better handling the sort of tasks iPhone users need. Recent reports suggest that Siri on iPhone 15 could see improvements, though the full AI-driven upgrade might take longer to arrive.

Overhead LED lamp lights up hot M3 Max MacBook Pro rig [Setups]

By

Pzloz LED Desk Lamp in M3 Max MacBook Pro and Studio display setup
Sometimes an overarching LED lamp is even better than a monitor light bar.
Photo: Pzloz

Something as simple as the right lamp can make a huge difference in a computer setup. Today’s sexy M3 Max MacBook Pro and Studio Display workstation benefits from a big, wide, clamp-on double-headed Pzloz LED Desk Lamp to brilliantly light the scene.

So it seems sometimes an overhead lamp can beat a monitor light bar, especially on a big, wide desk.

Mexico’s ‘Women in Blue’ arrive to fight crime on Apple TV+

By

Women in Blue on Apple TV+
More than 50 years ago, Mexico established a female police force.
Photo: Apple TV+

Did you know Mexico established an all-female police force decades ago? Well, now you do, thanks to the first look Apple dropped Friday for the Women in Blue crime series (aka Las Azules). The new Spanish-language, 10-part drama is set in 1970 against the backdrop of a serial killer’s spree.

Created by International Emmy Award winner Fernando Rovzar and featuring Ariel Award nominee Bárbara Mori, the show debuts July 31 on Apple TV+.

Wait for M4 iPad Pro stretches into June

By

M4 iPad Pro running Stage Manager
M4 iPad Pro is beautiful, powerful and backordered.
Screenshot: Apple

Preorder some configurations of the M4 iPad Pro and the recently launched tablet won’t be delivered until late May or even early June. If you held off ordering until you could read a review of the device, you could be facing a bit of a wait.

That said, there are still ways to get one on launch day, May 15.

M4 iPad Pro vs. M2 iPad Air comparison: Do you really need the Pro?

By

M4 iPad Pro vs M2 iPad Air comparison
iPad Pro or iPad Air: Which new iPad is right for you?
Image: Apple/Rajesh Pandey

The new M4 iPad Pro brings big technological leaps to Apple’s high-end tablet. It packs a cutting-edge OLED display and a fast M4 chip inside the “thinnest Apple product ever.” Upgrades in the M2 iPad Air, unveiled Tuesday alongside the Pro model during Apple’s “Let Loose” event, aren’t as impressive. An in-depth M4 iPad Pro vs. M2 iPad Air comparison, however, shows that the midrange Apple tablet likely makes a better choice for many users.

So, are you confused about buying the M4 iPad Pro versus the M2 iPad Air? This comparison will help you decide.