Looks stunning. But is it worth the upgrade versus last year's model? Photo: Apple
Want to know how the new 13-inch MacBook Pro stacks up against its predecessor or other MacBooks on the market? A new report by Japanese language Apple blog Macotakara compares the Geekbench CPU scores for various MacBooks.
The new 13-inch MacBook Pro, announced earlier this week, has a Geekbench score of 4565 and 1093 for multi and single core scores for its Intel Core i7 variant. Meanwhile, the lower spec Intel Core i5-sporting MacBook Pro model scores 4489 and 1066. That’s only marginally better than 2019 13-inch models.
Apple’s never going to bring the Mac Pro’s cheese-grater design to iPhone, but that doesn’t mean we can’t get a laugh out of the idea. A cheeky new iPhone 12 XDR Pro concept video shows just how ridiculous that would look.
It’s short, it’s sweet … and it’s the craziest iPhone concept we’ve seen in a while.
When a Mac runs its course, most of us would sell it, dump it, or bury it in the attic. Not James Burde.
As a designer and architect at Teiki Design Studio in Vermont east of Burlington, Burde spent his spare time transforming an old Power Mac G4 tower into a cocktail cabinet, aptly named the McMartini.
“It was a flash of inspiration,” Burde told Cult of Mac. “I wanted it to be a gift for my brother and hand it over to him and he’s been using it now.”
3 potential fixes recommended by Apple. GIF: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac
Apple has finally acknowledged that some AirPods Pro units can produce “cracking or static sounds” while in use. If you’re experiencing these issues, there are some things you can try that might help eliminate them.
Apple has lined up new iMac and AirPods refreshes for 2020 that are “ready to ship,” according to a reliable leaker. Both products could appear “at any time,” but it doesn’t seem like Apple has nailed down release dates just yet.
This spunky little guy is the star of Spyder, one of the best games on Apple Arcade. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
There’s never been a better time to try Apple Arcade, the subscription gaming service that serves up unlimited access to more than 100 iPhone, iPad and Apple TV titles for only $4.99 a month.
With exclusive games — and a total lack of the annoying ads and in-app purchases that mar many “free” iOS games — it offers some real advantages. But it wouldn’t be a bargain if there were no fun games. Fortunately, there are plenty. Here are some of the best you’ll find on Apple Arcade.
A swipe right isn't just good for Tinder. GIF: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac
Using nested lists is a terrific way to organize your plans and thoughts inside the Notes app, and it’s super-simple to create them on iPhone and iPad using this quick pro tip. All you need is to get your swipe on.
The MacBook butterfly keyboard could be horribly frustrating. But now it’s gone. Mostly. Photo illustration: Graham Bower/Cult of Mac
MacBook buyers, your long nightmare is over. It’s now safe to buy a new Apple laptop without having to worry that someday the butterfly keyboard will jam up, rendering your computer useless without a significant repair. Monday’s release of a redesigned 13-inch MacBook Pro means every new laptop available through the Apple Store includes the more-reliable Magic Keyboard.
Still, Apple held onto the flawed design for too long. Anybody with a MacBook that uses the older design must live in fear of potentially jammed butterfly keys for years to come.
Apple Watch looks even better with a Strapa band. Photo: Strapa
There’s no better way to upgrade your Apple Watch than by adding some of the finest leather money can buy. That’s why you should check out these wonderful Strapa straps.
They’re beautifully made from only the finest materials, and come in a range of gorgeous color options. They’re also compatible with all generations of Apple Watch.
Escape keys for everyone. GIF: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac
$299 won’t get you much in an Apple Store these days. It won’t even buy you an Escape key with your iPad Pro Magic Keyboard. But if you’re finding life a little difficult without one, there is a quick and easy way to add your own.
Apple’s newest 13-inch MacBook Pro is out with faster Intel chips and a brilliant new Magic Keyboard. It’s not quite the refresh many fans were hoping for, however, with a number of key upgrades still missing.
Here’s why you might want to wait for the next MacBook Pro refresh.
An Apple Watch pulse oximeter could potentially warn of COVID-19 infections. Screenshot: Apple
Apple Watch Series 6 will be able to take blood-oxygen readings, according to an unconfirmed report. Word of this upcoming feature has leaked before — and COVID-19 makes adding it a bit more urgent.
The source for this rumor also claims the 2020 Apple Watch will usher in numerous other new features as well.
Here's how to quickly unlock your iPhone while wearing a mask. Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac
You shouldn’t have to deal with the frustration of unlocking your iPhone with Face ID when you’re wearing a mask. And you don’t have to. This simple pro tip shows you how to skip Face ID and quickly unlock with a passcode instead.
Apple adds new CDC guidelines to version 3.0 of its COVID-19 screening app. Photo: Apple
Apple updated its COVID-19 screening app Friday with new guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, including additional symptoms of the disease and tips on using cloth masks.
Apple TV+'s Defending Jacob stays strong in its fourth episode. Photo: Apple TV+
In its fourth episode, stellar Apple TV+ show Defending Jacob shows every member of the Barber family starting to crack as young Jacob moves closer to his murder trial. As the characters head toward revelations and uncomfortable conclusions, they start to stall for time in irresponsible, sometimes dangerous ways.
As the situation unfolds, their relationships with each other start to fray.
Make using a mouse with iPad even better. GIF: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac
Apple’s default mouse and trackpad settings in iPadOS might work great with the company’s own accessories, but they can be less than ideal with third-party peripherals. Scroll speed, in particular, seems very temperamental.
Unfortunately, Apple decided it would be a good idea to hide away those scroll speed settings, so a lot of users have no idea they can be adjusted. Here’s where you can find them on iPad.
The Magic Keyboard finally makes the iPad Pro a full-on laptop. Photo: Ian Fuchs/Cult of Mac
It should come as no surprise that the iPad is one of our favorite devices here at Cult of Mac. Ever since the introduction of the 2018 iPad Pro models and iPadOS 13, Apple’s tablet has made huge strides in being more capable and powerful for tons of things I do. So, needless to say, when I saw the Magic Keyboard, I had high hopes.
One critical factor for the iPad to be a useful tool for me has been a good keyboard experience. Even more important is the ability to shift from typing on the keyboard to interacting with the touchscreen when I want to go mobile around the house or office.
Now, with the Magic Keyboard, Apple offers a new option for the iPad Pro. The new case lets you effortlessly jump between keyboard and tablet mode whenever you want. Or you can forget about the touchscreen entirely, turning the iPad into more of a laptop than ever before.
Rafe Spall and Esther Smith are not trying hard enough in new series Trying. Photo: Apple TV+
Even during quarantine, you’d really need to not value your time to look beyond the failures of imagination at the heart of Trying. The new Apple TV+ sitcom, created by Andy Wolton and starring Rafe Spall and Esther Smith as a couple who discover they can’t conceive, is sitcom 101.
There isn’t anything inherently wrong with the premise, but neither is there much to recommend it. Wolton and company seem content to do the bare minimum.
Can nothing stop the Cupertino juggernaut? Image: Lewis Wallace/Cult of Mac
While COVID-19 certainly overshadowed Apple’s most recent financial quarter, the company actually saw an annual increase in revenue, with the growth primarily coming from services and wearables.
Looking ahead, the company predicts that Mac and iPad sales will be strong. And CEO Tim Cook remains confidant about Apple’s future.
Look and weep, modern MacBook owners. Photo: Charlie Sorrel/Cult of Mac
This is Apple’s 2008 aluminum unibody MacBook, model A1278. It replaced the white polycarbonate MacBook, but was itself replaced by, or rather rebranded as, the MacBook Pro, which was more or less the same computer1.
Apple introduced this magnificent MacBook on October 14, 2008, and produced them until June 8, 2009. And it was one of Apple’s best notebooks ever. It had a fantastic keyboard, and many comfy extras that today’s skinny MacBook owners can only dream about, from a battery indicator light to an almost hot-swappable hard drive (or SSD).
It’s so good that it’s still viable today as a daily driver, with the added bonus that its weight will help keep you fit during lockdown. How do I know? Because I have one right here, and I use it for music recording and production. I’m also using it to write this article. I thought, as my last post for Cult of Mac, that I’d review the 2008 unibody MacBook as if it were new. Let’s go.
New iOS app Fancade lets you play existing games or make your own. Image: Fancade
What could be better than a mobile app that lets you play masses of games, like an old-school arcade squeezed onto your iPhone? A mobile app that lets you play masses of games and make your own new ones.
That’s what Swedish developer Martin Magni created with Fancade, a new iOS app launching Thursday. It offers a huge collection of mini-games, all created using the app itself, along with a drag-and-drop game-maker that lets you create your own.
Sick of those taking on Group FaceTime growing in size? iOS 13.5 beta let's you disable it. Photo: Apple
A Group FaceTime feature some people find irritating can be disabled in the upcoming iOS version. Currently, the tile showing the face of the person speaking gets larger, pushing everyone else aside. The iOS 13.5 beta introduced Wednesday gives users the option to turn this off.
As of yesterday, Apple Maps can now show you local COVID-19 testing stations, so you can find the nearest one and get yourself checked out. It’s really easy to do, but it does require a search to activate the new map layer.
Here’s how to find a COVID-19 test near you. Note: This currently only works in the United States.