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Automatically make websites faster, easier to read in Safari [Pro tip]

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How to enable Safari's Reader mode automatically
Don't let online bloat weigh you down.
Image: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

Safari pro tips bugWe want to help you master Safari. Cult of Mac’s Safari Pro Tips series will show you how to make the most of Apple’s web browser on iOS and Mac.

Wouldn’t it be nice if you could strip out all the unnecessary bloat from your favorite websites so that they’re easier to read and faster to load? Well with Safari’s built-in Reader mode on Mac, iPhone, and iPad, you can.

What’s more, you can have Reader mode load automatically on every website you visit with a simple settings change. We’ll show you how in this Safari pro tip.

HomePod mini music handoffs just got better

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HomePod Software Version 14.4 debuted January 26.
The littlest HomePod isn’t being overlooked.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The recently released HomePod mini got a raft of new features in a software update released Tuesday. The process of handing off songs from an iPhone to the smart speaker now comes with some visual, audio and haptic effects. And media controls automatically appear on the iPhone when it nears the diminutive HomePod.

iOS 14.4 brings improvements to QR codes and Bluetooth audio

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iOS 14.4 debuted to the general public on Tuesday.
iOS 14.4 isn’t a substantial update, but it does include new features.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple released iOS 14.4 to the general public on Tuesday, along with the iPad equivalent. According to their developer, these allow users to scan smaller QR codes, and to classify their various Bluetooth devices so audio notifications can be routed correctly.

It also closes a security hole that hackers might have actually used to break into iPhones.

Top Apple engineer moves to mysterious new project

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What is top Apple hardware engineer Dan Riccio up to now?
What is top Apple hardware engineer Dan Riccio up to now?
Photo: Apple

Dan Riccio, one of Apple’s top designers, is moving to a mysterious new role in Cupertino.

After joining Apple in 1998, Riccio worked on loads of groundbreaking products, from the first iMac to last year’s AirPods Max and the M1-powered Macs. Now, he’s become Apple’s “vice president of engineering.”

Going forward, Riccio says he will be “focusing all my time and energy at Apple on creating something new and wonderful that I couldn’t be more excited about,” according to a press release Monday.

Palmer is here for your tears. Better just hand them over. [Apple TV+ review]

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Justin Timberlake and Ryder Allen in Palmer
Justin Timberlake is a star, but Ryder Allen steals the show in Palmer.
Photo: Apple TV+

Apple TV+ makes an awards bid with the well-meaning Palmer, a drama of recovery, change and tolerance. It might not set the world on fire, but the film proves uniquely difficult to resist.

Justin Timberlake is in fine form as a hardened convict who grows soft and open to love thanks to the charms of a little boy. His accent might not last the whole movie, but his commitment to the part is nevertheless most endearing.

Handy Monochest keeps Apple Watch and spare bands safe and secure while traveling [Review]

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Monowear Monochest for Apple Watch
The ideal Apple Watch accessory for frequent travelers.
Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

If you plan to go traveling with your Apple Watch as soon as it’s safe to do so, you’ll want to take with you the handy Monowear Monochest. This book-like accessory securely carries your spare bands, and doubles as a stand that keeps your Apple Watch protected while it’s charging.

The Monochest is compatible with all generations of Apple Watch, and we think it’s a must-have for frequent travelers. What’s more, you can get yours today at 20% off the usual price.

Dickinson weighs the real world and fantasy in enervating party episode [Apple TV+ review]

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Finn Jones & Hailee Steinfeld in Dickinson
Finn Jones and Hailee Steinfeld talk about the future in this week's featherweight episode.
Photo: Apple TV+

Dickinson rocks the party this week on Apple TV+ as Sue hosts a salon and Emily tries to boost her confidence long enough to be proud of herself in public.

The show’s tightrope walk of purposeful frivolity keeps butting up against its desire to say and do things of real substance. It’s the rare show that can pull off such a feat. And so far, Dickinson seems too interested in strained wordplay to quite get there.

Losing Alice starts with a bang, then goes quiet [Apple TV+ review]

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Lihi Kornowski (left) plays an upstart screenwriter who tangles with a veteran filmmaker (Ayelet Zurer) in Losing Alice.
Lihi Kornowski (left) plays an upstart screenwriter who tangles with a veteran filmmaker (played by Ayelet Zurer) in Losing Alice.
Photo: Apple TV+

New Apple TV+ miniseries Losing Alice takes a deep dive into the psychology of two sexually charged rivals. There’s a lot to sink your teeth into with this eight-episode psychological thriller, which premieres Friday on the streaming service.

Losing Alice offers a cautionary tale about the perils of collaboration — and about riding the wave of TV production to series length.

Apple delays plan to bring Face ID to iMac

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Apple plans the 2021 iMac redesign we’ve been dreaming of
The new iMac refresh is going to be great. But don't expect Face ID just yet.
Concept: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

People have been using Face ID to unlock their iPhones since 2017, and their iPads since 2018. But don’t expect to unlock your iMac using facial recognition just yet.

According to a Friday report from Bloomberg, Apple has been developing Touch ID for Mac. However, while it was originally planned for the 2021 iMac redesign, it’s now been pushed back to a later update.

Next MacBook Air could be thinner and lighter, with MagSafe charger

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MacBook Air M1 2020
The next MacBook could arrive later this year or early the next.
Photo: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac

Apple’s next-gen MacBook Air will be thinner and lighter than the current version, as well as boasting a MagSafe charger and, possibly, a redesigned display.

According to a Friday report from Bloomberg, Apple is planning to launch these new laptops in the second half of 2021 or in 2022. This would be the second MacBook Air to feature Apple Silicon processors, following the M1 MacBook Air released at the end of last year.

Apple tests fix for Bluetooth fault afflicting Apple Silicon Macs

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macOS 11.2 is right around the corner.
macOS Big Sur might take care of a pesky Bluetooth problem bothering M1 Mac users.
Graphic: Cult of Mac

Apple seeded a macOS Big Sur‌ 11.2 release candidate to developers on Thursday. Among other changes, it promises to improve Bluetooth reliability, which is probably music to the ears of those using the recently released Macs built around Apple’s first-generation M-series processor.

Controversial anti-tracking feature is about to go live in iOS 14

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Your iPhone will soon offer a bit more privacy.
With iOS 14.4 and iPadOS 14.4, applications will have to ask if they can track you.
Graphic: Apple

Apple seeded to developers the release candidates for iOS 14.4 and the iPad equivalent on Thursday. It’s probably the last step before a public release. Among other changes, these new versions will apparently give iPhone and iPad users the option to block third-party applications from tracking them.

Devs can also install watchOS 7.3 RC and tvOS 14.4 RC, which became available Thursday too. But macOS Big Sur 11.2 is still on Beta 2.

Apple’s first VR headset could be an expensive disappointment

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Oculus Quest
Apple's first headset could be around the same size as Oculus Quest.
Photo: Oculus

Don’t expect too much from Apple’s first virtual reality headset. A new report warns that Cupertino’s first stab at a wearable VR system, which could come in 2022, will be expensive with a limited set of capabilities.

The device is believed to be designed primarily as a “niche precursor” to more ambitious AR/VR glasses that Apple plans to launch later.

Why a portless iPhone would be a nightmare

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Apple, please don’t saddle us with a portless iPhone. This wouldn't be better.
This wouldn't be better.
Photo illustration: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

A reliable source says Apple is considering stripping the Lightning port from future iPhone models and replacing it with … nothing. Hopefully, it’s not too late to stop this terrible, terrible idea.

A portless iPhone is possible. And there are even a few advantages. But the significant drawbacks make the idea something that should be dropped like a burning bag of poo.

Smart Satechi stand floats your iPad over your keyboard [Review]

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Satechi Aluminum Desktop Stand for iPad review
The Satechi Aluminum Desktop Stand securely holds a variety of tablets, in portrait or landscape orientations.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The redesigned Satechi Aluminum Desktop Stand transforms your iPad into a desktop computer. And it looks great doing so, holding the tablet so it seems to float over your keyboard.

I added the accessory to my office. Here’s how it works in real life.

Show full URLs in Safari’s address bar on macOS [Pro tip]

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Show full URLs in Safari's address bar
Don't let Safari cut your URLs short.
Image: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

Safari pro tips bugWe want to help you master Safari. Cult of Mac’s Safari Pro Tips series will show you how to make the most of Apple’s web browser on iOS and Mac.

Sometimes it’s handy to see complete URLs in Safari’s address bar, but they get shortened automatically for the sake of cleanliness. The good news is there is a way to prevent that from happening in macOS.

We’ll show you how in today’s Safari pro tip.

How to avoid M1 Mac’s dreaded screensaver bug

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Avoid M1 Mac's screensaver bug
Fast User Switching seems to be the problem.
Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac

A strange bug plaguing a seemingly large number of M1 Mac owners spontaneously displays a screensaver that cannot be dismissed. But there is an easy way to avoid the problem until Apple rolls out a proper fix.

We’ll show you how.

AirPods Max teardown finds mystery chips, screwy screws and impressive engineering

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iFixit AirPods Max teardown finds much to like
An AirPods Max Teardown wouldn’t be complete without an X-ray of Apple’s new over-the-ears headphones.
Photo: iFixit

iFixit took a deep dive into AirPods Max, fully disassembling Apple’s over-the-ear headphones. What they found in the teardown was a startling number of different types of screws. But also a craftsmanship that helps justify the hefty price tag.

Automatically save your Safari reading list for offline viewing [Pro tip]

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Automatically save your Safari reading list offline
Access your reading list anywhere, anytime.
Image: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

Safari pro tips bugWe want to help you master Safari. Cult of Mac’s Safari Pro Tips series will show you how to make the most of Apple’s web browser on iOS and Mac.

Need something to read on the go when you don’t have great data connectivity? Automatically save your Safari reading list to your iPhone, iPad, or Mac so that you can keep up with your favorite sites anytime, anywhere.

We’ll show you how in this Safari pro tip.

Touch ID could return in 2021 iPhone 13

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The 2018 iPhone models aren't going to have an in-display Touch ID fingerprint scanner.
Touch ID could be back, but not as you know it.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

A fingerprint scanner might once again be part of Apple’s iPhone line, according to a reliable source. Touch ID might appear in 2021 alongside Face ID, not in place of it.

Also, Apple reportedly has a folding screen in the prototype stage.

Automatically fetch desktop websites in Safari on iOS [Pro tip]

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How to fetch desktop websites in Safari
Don't settle for mobile sites all the time.
Image: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

Safari pro tips bugWe want to help you master Safari. Cult of Mac’s Safari Pro Tips series will show you how to make the most of Apple’s web browser on iOS and Mac.

If you prefer an entirely unadulterated experience when browsing the web, you probably find yourself frequently loading websites in desktop mode in Safari on iPhone. But rather than having to enable this mode every time you visit a new site, you can have Safari fetch desktop websites automatically.

We’ll show you have to set it up in this Safari pro tip.