TSMC on track toward 2nm and 1.4nm processors for Apple devices

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TSMC looks ahead to super-speedy 2nm processors
2nm processors made by TSMC will be faster while using less power than today's 3nm iPhone and Mac chips.
Image: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Progress is reportedly going well at Apple’s chipmaker TSMC on development of the 2nm and later 1.4nm processors to power the 2025 through 2027 Mac and iPhone models.

Getting these chips into production is a critical part of keeping Apple at the forefront of technology.

Double your airtime with two 4K drones for less than $166

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The Ninja Dragon Phantom Eagle Pro 4K and Blade K are both included in this 4K camera drone bundle.
Capture amazing aerial footage with this two-drone bundle.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Current drone technology is remarkable, and it’s revolutionizing everything from military and humanitarian operations to online sales and even Apple Maps. But unlike groceries, cutting-edge drones for everyday users just keep getting more affordable. And this 4K camera drone bundle is the perfect example.

For a limited time, you can get the Ninja Dragon Phantom Eagle Pro 4K and Blade K for one low payment of just $165.99.

How to change the size and color of the Mac pointer

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Any Color You Like
The Mac cursor doesn't have to be boring black-and-white.
Image: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

The Mac pointer (also called the cursor) is black with a white outline by default, but you can change the pointer color if you want to make it more prominent. Plus, you can even change the Mac pointer size. 

You might lose track of the small cursor if you have low vision — or just a really big monitor. Making the pointer larger can make it easier to see. 

Changing the pointer color to, for instance, bright red can make it easier to see, too. You can choose any color, like light purple or green, to fit the aesthetic of your setup. (This is especially cool if you have a matching colorful iMac.)

Here’s how to change your Mac pointer size and color.

iPadOS 17.5 beta confirms next-gen iPad Pro’s OLED display

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OLED iPad mockup
The OLED iPad Pro should ship with slimmer bezels.
Photo: Cult of Mac

Apple’s new iPad Pro could launch in early May with updated internals and a refreshed design. All rumors surrounding Apple’s next premium tablet indicate it will feature OLED displays.

The first iPadOS 17.5 beta seems to confirm this, as it contains four new display firmware for unreleased iPad models.

Pick your next winner with this easy-to-use stock screener

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Pick smarter stocks with this $119.99 investment screener.
Get expert analytics for your stock portfolio with this $119.99 tool.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Dealing with an investment portfolio can be scary. What factors should you look for in a promising stock? When is the right time to sell? These are all questions that require research, but a stock-screening service like Tykr can make those sorts of decisions easy.

It’s a great tool that cuts through the math to deliver straightforward advice for today’s investors. And it’s not just for times when the market is flying high: Savvy investors can make money even when the market is down or going sideways.

If you want in on that action, jump on this chance to get a lifetime subscription to Tykr for just $96 with code ENJOY20.

These CT scans show Vision Pro’s glorious guts like nothing else

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Lumafield CT scan Vision Pro
An internals-only scan gives you a sense of how much Apple artfully packs into Vision Pro.
Photo: Lumafield

Want to see exactly what advanced engineering lies inside a Vision Pro AR/VR headset compared to Meta Vision Quest headsets? Lumafield dropped a fascinating video and a series of CT-scan images Tuesday to show you.

Lumafield pointed out it’s aim is not to present a head-to-head comparison or product review, but to reveal the companies’ “divergent design philosophies” through the headsets’ hardware engineering.

Apple’s Ferret-UI helps AI use your iPhone

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Ferret-UI
Ferret-UI might help AI systems like Siri understand and work with mobile-device screens.
Photo: Pexels-Tracy Le Blanc

Apple’s new Ferret-UI multimodal large language model could help artificial intelligence systems better understand mobile screens like the one on your iPhone, according to a research paper released Tuesday.

Among those potentially benefitting from this? Perhaps the much-maligned Siri voice assistant will do more for you on mobile devices. And maybe visually impaired users and developers who need to do user interface testing will benefit, too.

Apple showcases what Vision Pro can do for business

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Vision Pro business apps - Microsoft 365
Multitasking is easy between Microsoft 365 productivity apps using life-size windows.
Photo: Apple

Vision Pro and spatial computing can help businesses find new ways to customize workspaces, collaborate on 3D designs, deliver specialized employee training and guide remote fieldwork, Apple said Tuesday, citing visionOS apps.

“There’s tremendous opportunity for businesses to reimagine what’s possible using Apple Vision Pro at work,” said Susan Prescott, Apple’s vice president of worldwide developer relations and enterprise marketing, in a statement.

Today in Apple history: Apple sells its 100 millionth iPod

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iPod
The iPod was Apple's most successful product yet.
Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac

April 9: Today in Apple history: 100 millionth iPod sold April 9, 2007: Apple sells its 100 millionth iPod. Coming five-and-a-half years after the portable music player went on sale, the landmark event confirms the iPod as Apple’s most popular product of all time.

Until the iPhone arrives a couple months later, that is!

Android’s Find My clone launches along with Apple-compatible tracker tags

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Google Android Find My Device
Google demonstrated its innovation by copying Apple's Find My.
Photo: Google

Google thinks Apple’s Find My network is so clever it “borrowed” the idea. After announcing the system last year, Android’s Find My Device network is ready to locate misplaced handsets, tablets and tracking tags.

Aside from an opportunity to mock Google for its “innovation,” the new system is relevant to iPhone users because Rolling Square unveiled a pair of tags that support both Google’s and Apple’s system.

Optimize your job search with Resso Professional’s suite of AI tools

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Use AI jobs search tool Resso Professional to get a better job.
Save $460 off Resso Professional and enhance your job search with AI.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

When looking for a job, you need all the support you can get. Resso sets you up with a suite of AI-powered job search tools to help you get the interview — and then land the job.

For a limited time, you can get a Resso Professional lifetime subscription for just $79.99.

15-inch MacBook Air vs. Dell XPS 15: Which laptop should you buy?

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Dell XPS 15 vs. 15-inch MacBook Air comparison
It's the battle of the 15-inch laptops.
Photo/Graphics: Dell/Apple/Rajesh

If you are in the market for a slim laptop, there are few options better than the 15-inch MacBook Air. But if you look beyond Apple’s ecosystem, there’s the Dell XPS 15. It packs a slim and lightweight design and offers more value for money than the MacBook. So, which 15-inch laptop wins the MacBook Air vs. Dell XPS 15 smackdown?

Find out in this buying guide, which compares the two laptops on their designs, displays, performance, ports, battery lives and prices.

Microsoft’s new Arm laptops might surpass M3 MacBook Air performance

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Apple's M3 chip
Qualcomm's latest Snapdragon X Elite CPU might be faster than Apple's M3 chip.
Photo: Apple

Microsoft’s upcoming “AI PCs” might finally rival the performance of Apple’s latest MacBook Air. The new Arm-based Windows laptops, due for unveiling at a special event on May 20, will use Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite processors.

Reportedly, the new Qualcomm CPU is faster than the M3 MacBook Air in CPU tasks, AI acceleration and app emulation.

Fly Me to the Moon with Scarlett Johansson and Channing Tatum takes off this summer

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'Fly Me to the Moon' with Scarlett Johansson and Channing Tatum takes off this summer
Fly Me to the Moon will be in theaters before coming to streaming on Apple TV+.
Photo: Sony Pictures

Apple TV+ gave the world its first look at the alternate-history comedy Fly Me to the Moon with Scarlett Johansson and Channing Tatum on Monday. It’s about events that definitely did not happen during the 1969 moon landing.

The film hits theaters this summer.

This $16 keychain charger keeps your iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods juiced anywhere

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Charge your iPhone and Apple Watch on the go with this $16 2-in-1 wireless keychain charger.
Power up your Apple gear on the go with this 2-in-1 wireless charger, on sale for just $15.19.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

At just $16, this versatile keychain charger is a crazy-good deal. If you want to ensure your iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods remain juiced up and ready no matter where you go, this portable charging solution is a must. There’s nothing more portable than this 2-in-1 Wireless Keychain Charger, which can efficiently charge both an iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods no matter where you are.

It’s small enough to fit in a pocket. And for a limited time, it’s available at a pint-size price, too. Through March 10, it’s on sale for only $15.19 with code ENJOY20.

How to scan QR codes on iPhone

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A Faster Way to Scan
Scan QR codes faster with these tips.
Image: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

You can scan and open a QR code directly from your iPhone camera or a picture — you don’t have to download a third-party app. Here are the three ways you can open them: inside the camera, using a shortcut in Control Center and directly from your photo library. 

If you’re in a restaurant and you want to open their digital menu, or you’re setting up two-factor authentication using a code, you don’t want to fiddle with installing an app. This functionality is built right into your phone.

Keep reading or watch our short video.

Today in Apple history: John Sculley takes over as Apple CEO

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Former Apple CEO John Sculley talks at Web Summit 2015 in Dublin, Ireland.
John Sculley goes from pushing Pepsi to running Apple.
Photo: Web Summit/Flickr CC

April 8: Today in Apple history: John Sculley takes over as Apple CEO April 8, 1983: John Sculley, former president of PepsiCo, takes charge as Apple’s third CEO.

Despite a total lack of experience selling tech products, Sculley is lured to Apple by Steve Jobs himself. The Apple co-founder famously pitched the Pepsi exec with the line, “Do you want to spend the rest of your life selling sugared water or do you want a chance to change the world?”

42-inch smart TV may be user’s best display ever [Setups]

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LG C2 smart TV setup
This photographer said the 42-inch LG C2 smart TV is better than other displays he's tried.
Photo: johnnyphotog@Reddit.com

Today’s Mac Pro and smart TV setup is a rare find for two reasons. First, Mac Pro costs so much that we rarely see it in the wild. Second, while big smart TVs used as computer displays continue to gain popularity, we don’t often hear users saying they’re one of the best they’ve ever had. But that’s the case with this LG C2 smart TV setup, used by a photographer and musician. 

In it, a powerful cheese-grater Mac Pro drives a gargantuan 42-inch smart TV as an external display.

Belkin iPhone stand cleverly keeps camera focused on you [Review] ★★★★★

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Belkin Auto-Tracking Stand Pro review: iPhone camera dock★★★★★
Enhance your video calls and content creation with the Belkin Auto-Tracking Stand Pro.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The Belkin Auto-Tracking Stand Pro can hold up an iPhone, rotate and tilt to keep the camera focused on the user during video calls. It’s wish fulfillment for every TikTok or YouTube creator working alone. The same goes for anyone who’s frequently in video conferences.

I went hands on with the accessory and my iPhone 15. And wow, this thing is impressive.

These new earbuds cost more than $1,000 for a reason

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Campfire Audio wired earbuds
If you want audiophile sound quality, wired earbuds that cost about a grand are a decent option.
Photo: Campfire Audio

Campfire Audio’s new Fathom earbuds cost an eye-watering $1,049. What’s perhaps even more surprising is that they’re wired earbuds.

Well, there must be some special technology in those, right? Right. And even though they have a cable, of course you can use them with your Mac or another device with an audio jack.

OLED iPad Pro and new iPad Air on track for early May launch

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Wait for OLED iPad Pro might stretch into April
New iPads could finally debut next month.
Image: Apple/Cult of Mac

Apple’s long-rumored (and apparently delayed) OLED iPad Pro with M3 chip could launch in early May. Alongside the Pro iPads, Apple reportedly will unveil a new iPad Air, a third-gen Apple Pencil and a redesigned Magic Keyboard.

To prepare for the impending launch of the new iPads, Apple’s retail stores will receive new product marketing materials soon, according to the latest report.

Keep your kid safe online with this iPhone monitoring app

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The words
Monitor your children's iPhone activity 24/7 with mSpy.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

The internet is massive, weird and full of things nobody should see, let alone children. However, as wild as the internet may be, it is also a resource your kids will need to get familiar with, especially for school. To balance those two things, you need a parental control app for iPhone like mSpy. (It works for Android devices as well.)

The stealthy spy app lets parents track their children’s online activity, including texts, calls and GPS. For a limited time, you can get a lifetime of mSpy for just $119.99 with code ENJOY20. That’s a massive discount off the regular price of $1,079.82.

Today in Apple history: Mac OS 7 gets its final update

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Today in Apple history: Mac OS 7 gets its final update: Mac OS 7.6.1 was the beginning of the end for Mac OS System 7.
This was the beginning of the end for System 7.
Photo: Apple

April 7: Today in Apple history: System 7 gets its final update with Mac OS 7.6.1 April 7, 1997: Apple’s System 7 operating system receives its last update with the shipping of Mac OS 7.6.1.

The update brings a few bug fixes and support for Apple’s new PCI Power Macs and the PowerBook 3400. Most importantly, it marks the end of the System 7 era, which dawned way back in 1991.

Some of the best 2024 Macs are still ahead of us

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The Mac in 2024
2024 will bring lots of M3-based Mac desktops, and maybe an M4 MacBook.
Image: Apple/D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

After Apple’s thunderous launch of the M3, M3 Pro and M3 Max chips a few months ago, these chips likely will roll out as spec bumps in the MacStudio, Mac Pro and Mac mini later this year.

An M4 MacBook Pro remains a possibility for this fall. (I suspect M4 will be the first “must-have” Mac upgrade for anyone still on an M1-series chip.)

Save on Nut Mini, an affordable AirTag alternative

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Never lose your stuff again with this tiny Bluetooth tracker, now 20% off.
This ultra-lightweight Bluetooth tracker now has 20% off.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

If you’ve ever misplaced your house keys, wallet or backpack, you know how stressful it can be. Fortunately, you can eradicate this experience with a Nut Mini tracker. This inexpensive Bluetooth tracking tag works a bit like our favorite tracker (Apple’s AirTag, natch) — but costs a lot less.

Bluetooth trackers prove super-helpful when it comes to ensuring all your items remain safe and whatever the opposite of “lost” is. And the Nut Mini is undoubtedly one of the more affordable options. Through April 7, you can snag this nifty gadget for only $11.99 with code SECURE20.