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News - page 83

Anker Solix’s new portable power stations land in the Goldilocks zone

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Product shot of Anker Solix C300 DC
The Anker Solix C300 DC weighs just 6.18 pounds and comes with a pop-up light that's perfect for camping.
Photo: Anker Solix

A pair of new portable power stations from Anker Solix give users multiple ports to choose from and a handy way to light up a dark campground. Lightweight and attractively designed, the Anker Solix C300 DC and the Anker Solix C300 offer new options for energizing outdoor adventures (or riding out power outages).

Released Wednesday, the two similar-looking power stations offer different options for different scenarios. And they’re both on sale for a limited time.

China cites weird reason for banning wireless chargers

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China ban on wireless chargers
As of September 1, this and many other wireless chargers won't be on sale in China, one of the world's biggest markets.
Photo: Apple

In a move that could significantly impact Apple’s wireless charging technology in China, the country’s regulators plan to ban many wireless chargers, including Apple 15-watt MagSafe and Qi2 models, because of new radio-frequency rules, a new report said Tuesday. Why? Apparently it’s to “maintain the order of airwaves.”

Apple revenues could top record $400 billion in 2024

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record-breaking Apple revenue
Analysts think Apple will bust through the $400 billion mark for revenues in 2024, which would be a first.
Photo: Midjourney/Cult of Mac

Market analysts expect Apple to reach a new milestone in 2024, with global revenues exceeding $400 billion for the first time, according to a new report Wednesday. It anticipates growth in Apple’s hardware and services businesses to drive that record-breaking revenue growth.

This little pill-shaped AI ‘memory capsule’ records your life

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Plaud NotePin
Plaud NotePin records and summarizes your life, basically. Get those action items lined up for every possible situation.
Photo: Plaud.AI

Powered by artificial intelligence, the tiny new Plaud NotePin wearable records, transcribes and summarizes meetings and events to help you manage tasks at work, school or home, Plaud.AI said Wednesday. The company described the pill-shaped device, which you can wear on a necklace, wristband, clip or pin, as a “memory capsule.”

“Plaud NotePin is more than just an AI device,” said Nathan Hsu, CEO and Co-founder at Plaud.AI. “It’s your always-ready business partner, handling mundane, daily tasks so you can concentrate on what truly drives value in your life and career. This small but powerful device is reshaping the professional landscape, allowing users to optimize their day-to-day workflow and focus on what matters most.”

Apple lays off 100 employees across its services division

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Apple store logo
The job cut affects the Apple Books team the most.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple reportedly laid off 100 employees from its services division Tuesday due to a change in priorities. The biggest job cuts hit the team that worked on the Apple Books app and the Apple Bookstore. This marks the company’s fourth round of layoffs this year.

mophie powerstation plus ultra packs everything needed to power iPhone or Mac

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mophie powerstation plus line: 2024
Three models of increasing capabilities make up the new mophie powerstation plus line.
Photo: Zagg/mophie

The new mophie powerstation plus ultra plugs directly into a wall, and built-in cables let it plug straight into your iPhone or Mac. But it’s no simple wall adapter — it’s also a 10,000mAh power bank.

mophie also introduced on Tuesday two more models in the 2024 powerstation plus line with a variety of features.

Snapchat finally embraces iPad

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SNapchat iPad app
It's about time!
Photo: Snapchat/Cult of Mac

The latest Snapchat version runs full-screen on an iPad, as the social networking service finally noticed Apple makes tablets.

Complaints aside, it’s a boon for users who can now see their friends and use silly filters on a larger display.

AI-powered Apple Watch band brings more touchless one-handed control

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Wearable Devices Mudra Band
Mudra Band adds gesture control to all Apple Watches, not just newer models.
Photo: Wearable Devices

An update to the Wearable Devices Mudra Band for Apple Watch brings enhanced same-hand, touchless gesture control and task management for users even in older models of the device, the company said Monday. The artificial intelligence-powered functionality complements the band’s existing solutions for iPhone, iPad and other Apple products, it added.

“One of our initial goals with the Mudra Band has been to provide our users with same-hand touchless watch operation, and we are pleased to cater to multiple requests by our customers,” said Asher Dahan, CEO of Wearable Devices. “This is a step forward in AI-based wearable technology, pushing the boundaries of what wearable technology can offer.”

Just what we need, another pretentious show about French fashion (en français!) [Apple TV+ trailer]

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La Maison trailer
Couldn't get enough of "The New Look" and its French fashion designers under Nazi occupation? Well, here's a contemporary melodrama about French high fashion houses pour vous.
Photo: Apple TV+

First Apple TV+ unveiled The New Look, a World War II drama depicting French fashion designers heroically carrying on with their vital work in Nazi-occupied Paris. Now the trailer for La Maison, a melodramatic family saga about a fictional French fashion house in crisis, struts down the catwalk. And it’s entirely in French. Hey, it could be great. Or, as the trailer suggests, it could be preposterously self-important.

And check out that tagline: “The fabric of power.” Seriously?

On the plus side, the show is brought to us by some talented folks behind good stuff — The Returned, Lupin and Le Bureau des Légendes. So I’ll leave out the “La Maison du Merde” jokes for now. La Maison debuts on Apple TV+ September 20.

When to expect the iPhone 16 release

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When to expect the iPhone 16 release date
It's almost here!
Image: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The iPhone 16 is almost here — the release date is less than 3.5 short weeks away. We know the day Apple will announce the new models, which means we can make a solid estimate of the iPhone 16 launch date.

Even better, long-held Apple habits point to the same release date.

Apple plans for new CFO to replace Luca Maestri

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new Apple CFO
Luca Maestri transitions from the Apple CFO role on January 1, 2025.
Photo: Apple

Luca Maestri, Apple’s chief financial officer (CFO) since 2014, will transition to head of Corporate Services on January 1, 2025, the iPhone giant said Monday. Kevan Parekh, Apple’s vice president of Financial Planning and Analysis, will assume the role of CFO.

“Luca has been an extraordinary partner in managing Apple for the long term. He has been instrumental in improving and driving the company’s financial performance, engaging with shareholders, and instilling financial discipline across every part of Apple,” said Apple CEO Tim Cook. “We’re fortunate that we will continue to benefit from the leadership and insight that have been the hallmark of his tenure at the company.”

Prep for iPhone 16 event with beautiful ‘It’s Glowtime’ wallpapers

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Prep for iPhone 16 event with beautiful 'It's Glowtime' wallpapers
Easily make the "It's Glowtime" image into the wallpaper for your iPhone, Mac and iPad.
Image: Basic Apple Guy

The invitation to Apple’s September 9 “It’s Glowtime” event includes a gorgeous glowing Apple logo, and you can easily make this the wallpaper on your iPhone, Mac or iPad.

There’s no better way to show how excited you are about the iPhone 16, which is expected to debut at the event. Or maybe you’re anticipating new Apple Watch models or AirPods 4.

Entry-level M4 Macs might ship with double the RAM

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Apple M4 processor
Entry-level M4 Macs could pack twice the RAM of their M3 counterparts.
Image: Apple

Apple is reportedly testing multiple M4-powered Macs for launch later this year. More importantly, a new report says all the Macs ship with 16GB or 32GB of system memory.

This signals that Apple might finally bid farewell to the paltry 8GB RAM for Mac base models.

Why you should install the iOS 18 beta on your iPhone today

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Why you should install the iOS 18 beta on your iPhone today
The latest iOS 18 beta is remarkably stable. Why wait?
Photo: Rajesh Pandey/Ed Hardy//Cult of Mac

You’ve wanted to try iOS 18 since Apple showed it off in June but held off for fear of massive bugs. But the current iOS 18 beta is nearly the final one — and it’s really quite stable. Put it on your iPhone now and jump ahead of friends and co-workers by about a month.

And there are great new features to try, including a fully customizable Home Screen, an improved Control Center, a new Passwords app, and more.

iPhone 16 cameras, colors and more [The CultCast]

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Rumor: iPhone 16 Pro in bronze - The CultCast episode 661
iPhone 16 Pro might finally brings the bronze payoff Erfon's been dreaming of for years.
Image: Cult of Mac

This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: The latest batch of iPhone 16 rumors give us more insight into the probable camera upgrades — and color combos — coming to the lineup.

Also on The CultCast:

  • A fake Apple event invite (which apparently nailed the date) whipped the internet into a frenzy. Find out how a 14-year-old Italian hoaxer fooled the internet.
  • Want to give your iPhone a blackout? Have we got a four-character key combo for you!
  • In a new Under Review segment, Griffin raves about a Vision Pro accessory that makes the device far more usable — and won’t ruin your hairdo!

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.

6 features I want to see in iPhone 16

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iPhone 16 wish list: Features I want to see
Honorable mention: I also hope the rumor of a bronze color proves true.
Photo: Apple/D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

Despite Apple’s reputation for innovation, the company does not always adopt the latest cutting-edge smartphone technology. This year, I hope the company adds these six features in iPhone 16 — all of which you can find in Android phones.

Here’s my iPhone 16 wish list.

Sources confirm September 10 for iPhone 16 event [Update: Wrong again!]

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Apple CEO Tim Cook with a cartoon speech balloon that says,
Mark your calendars!
Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac

In an interesting turn of events, sources familiar with Apple’s plans reportedly confirmed the iPhone 16 event date as September 10, according to a new report. That date happens to match a recent hoax report that circulated online, adding an unexpected twist to Apple’s biggest product launch of the year, with the iPhone 16 lineup, Apple Watch 10 and more expected.

Update: On August 26, Apple confirmed that the event will take place on Monday, September 9. The official invite bears the catchprase, “It’s Glowtime.”

Once-dominant Apple Podcasts loses ground to 2 big competitors

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Apple Podcasts search page
More people are finding and enjoying podcasts on YouTube and Spotify these days.
Photo: Apple

In a significant shift in the podcasting landscape, YouTube has emerged as the leading platform for podcast consumption in the United States, surpassing long-time market leader Apple Podcasts and streaming giant Spotify, which is now in second place, according to recent studies. Meanwhile, former leader Apple Podcast loses market share, falling to third place. And that marks a turning point in how Americans access and consume podcast content.

What is JPEG XL and why iPhone users should care

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JPEG XL: iPhone's new photo format explained
JPEG XL might become a powerful new option for iPhone photography.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple reportedly added support for JPEG XL to the iPhone Camera app in iOS 18. That’s left many iPhone users wondering, what the heck is JPEG XL?

It’s intended to be the replacement for the classic JPEG image format with new features for use on the web. And apparently, iPhone users soon can take pictures in this format, not simply view them.

iPhone will soon let EU users replace default phone and messaging apps

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iOS 18 default apps section in Settings for EU users
A new default apps section is coming to Settings with iOS 18 ... but only in the EU.
Image: Apple

European iPhone and iPad users will be able to kick Apple’s Phone and Messages apps to the curb if they wish. The same goes for an array of other applications that iOS currently makes the default options.

These join a long list of other changes being forced on Apple by the EU’s Digital Markets Act.

Bowers & Wilkins aims for stellar sound with 2 new sets of noise-canceling earbuds

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new Bowers & Wilkins earbuds
The sleek and stylish Pi8 earbuds are Bowers & Wilkins' most advanced set yet.
Photo: Bowers & Wilkins

The new Bowers & Wilkins Pi6 and Pi8 wireless, active noise canceling (ANC) earbuds aim to redefine the premium earbud market with upgraded features, impeccable design and stellar sound quality, the venerable brand said Wednesday. The new buds come from the same team behind the company’s acclaimed Px7 S2e and Px8 headphones.

“I’m thrilled that the Bowers & Wilkins team has once again been able to raise the bar for premium design, performance and quality in the headphone category,” said Giles Pocock, vice president of Brand Marketing at Bowers & Wilkins, founded way back in 1966. “Our new Pi6 and Pi8 earbuds are truly special — I’m certain they will be just as successful as our Px7 S2e and Px8 headphones have been.”