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Ohio now supports digital driver’s license in Apple Wallet

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Apple Wallet with digital driver's license options
Ohio took a a step closer to purely digital wallets.
Image: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Ohio just became the fifth U.S. state to support digital driver’s licenses and IDs stored in the Wallet app on iPhone or Apple Watch. The major advantage is speeding up the process of moving through security checkpoints at airports.

The rollout of digital ID like this is going slowly, so the day when an iPhone can completely replace a physical wallet is still somewhere off in the misty future.

Steve Jobs’ bomber jacket goes up for auction

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Steve Jobs’s bomber jacket goes up for auction
Steve Jobs’s bomber jacket is one of dozens of Apple memorabilia items now up for auction.
Image: RR Auction/Cult of Mac

You have the opportunity to wrap yourself in a piece of Apple history: the bomber jacket Steve Jobs was wearing in an iconic photo of the Apple co-founder “flipping the bird” to an IBM sign.

It’s part of Steve Jobs and the Apple Revolution, an auction that just kicked off featuring nearly 300 items.

Apple likely had a gangbuster spring quarter

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Apple Financial Results predictions
Looks like Apple had one of its best quarters in long time.
Image: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Analysts predict Apple will announce a jump in revenue when it reveals the financial results for the June quarter Thursday. The iPhone-maker has reported very few revenue increases in the past 18 months, so this is cause for excitement among investors.

Positive expectations helped keep Apple the world’s most valuable publicly traded company for almost three weeks now.

Billy Crystal’s chilling thriller Before comes to Apple TV+

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Before with Billy Crystal arrives on Apple TV+
Jacobi Jupe and Billy Crystal star in the psychological thriller “Before,” premiering October 25, 2024 on Apple TV+.
Photo: Apple TV+

When you think of psychological thrillers, the first two people you picture probably aren’t Billy Crystal and Rosie Perez. But apparently they don’t just do funny — they do tense and scary, too. Apple TV+ gave a first look at the stars in upcoming thriller Beyond on Wednesday.

The new 10-episode series starring Crystal and Perez arrives on Apple TV+ on October 25.

Eavesdropping on HDMI cables can reveal computer screen’s content

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HDMI cable security threat
What could be more innocent and helpful than an HDMI cable? You might want to reconsider that.
Photo: Highwings

In a surprising development that may concern Apple users, computer security researchers from Uruguay have discovered a method to reconstruct screen content by intercepting electromagnetic emissions from HDMI cables. The bad news is this HDMI cable security threat could potentially impact all devices using HDMI, including Apple gear. The “good” news is that it’s not easy to do, so individual users aren’t likely to be targets. But companies and governments might be.

Modern-classic USB mic serves up audio to Mac Studio [Setups]

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Blue Yeti USB microphone
Blue Microphones' Blue Yeti and Snowball mics were hits before Logitech bought the company. In this photo, a Blue Yeti peeks out from under the left end of the central monitor.
Photo: [email protected]

Not many USB microphones favored by streamers and podcasters eclipse the big names like Shure, Sennheiser and Rode. But one example that comes close is the Blue Yeti USB mic. Once a rising mainstay in a oddball startup’s lineup, now it’s a mainstay for peripherals giant Logitech. And it remains popular and even award-winning. Today’s Mac Studio rig relies on one.

iPhone Emergency SOS via satellite feature expands to Japan

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iPhone Emergency SOS via satellite feature expands to Japan
Japanese iPhone users just got a little safer.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple expanded Emergency SOS via satellite to Japan. It allows iPhone users to communicate with emergency services from very remote locations.

The potentially life-saving feature works on all iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 models, and is already available in over a dozen other countries around the globe.

iPhone 16 could come in these 5 colors

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Alleged iPhone 16 dummy units
Here's your first look at the iPhone 16's possible color options.
Photo: Sonny Dickson

Alleged iPhone 16 dummy units showing off the rear panel’s design and color options leaked in all their glory Tuesday. The picture suggests Apple will return to an iPhone 12-like vertical camera setup on its upcoming non-pro iPhones.

They also show the iPhone 16 in five colors, including pink and mint green shades.

Deadpool and Wolverine cases wrap iPhone in classic comic art

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Deadpool and Wolverine cases wrap iPhone in classic comic art
Celebrate the success of Deadpool & Wolverine with this new collection of Apple device cases.
Photo: Casetify

Deadpool and Wolverine star in the blockbuster film of the summer, and you can join in the fun with iPhone cases from Casetify. These feature limited-edition designs inspired by classic comics.

There are also MacBook cases, Apple Watch bands, AirPods cases, and more with the two superheroes.

Your iPad needs this iPad stand and wireless charger [Review] ★★★★

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Lululook 360 Rotating Foldable Magnetic iPad Charging Stand review★★★★
This stand not only supports your iPad, it also provides cable-free charging.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Imagine putting your iPad onto a stand and it immediately begins charging, without needing to plug it in. That’s possible with the Lululook 360 Rotating Foldable Magnetic iPad Charging Stand.

It’s very flexible, doesn’t take up the tablet’s USB-C port, and works with a variety iPad Pro and iPad Air models, including the ones released in 2024.

I love this accessory. Absolutely love it. Here’s why.

Retail giants slash $500 off top MacBook Pro models

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Get $500 off top MacBook Pro models
Any way you slice it, $500 is a big deal.
Photo: Apple

Apparently now’s the time to upgrade to a powerful 16-inch MacBook Pro with an M3 Pro or M3 Max chip. Major retailers Amazon and Best Buy currently offer the same big-time deals on the killer laptops — $500 off. And it doesn’t matter what set of memory and storage specifications you go for, each machine is five Benjamins cheaper than normal.

Add two screens to your laptop for maximum productivity on the road

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Save $170 on a triple monitor extender for laptops
When it comes to laptops, three screens are definitely better than one.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Love your laptop but hate its small screen? You can easily triple your screen real estate on the go with the super-portable Maxfree S2 14-inch triple monitor for laptops. This laptop monitor extender adds two screens, one on either side of your laptop, quickly turning your single-screen setup into a triple-screen productivity station.

For a limited time, it’s on sale at a steep discount from Cult of Mac Deals. Get the Maxfree S2 for just $179.99 (regularly $349) in this new, open-box sale.

Every Apple device gets a bug-fix OS update

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iOS 17.6 joins multiple other Apple OS updates
iOS 17.6 is one of six Apple operating system updates introduced on Monday.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

If you own an Apple device, it probably needs an operating system update. That includes iPhone, Mac, iPad Apple Watch … even Vision Pro. The hefty list of security-focused upgrades released Monday by Apple includes iOS 17.6, macOS Sonoma 14.6 and more.

They patch a list of more than two dozen vulnerabilities detailed on Apple’s security update page.

Apple Intelligence enters beta testing

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Apple Intelligence in beta
Real-world testing of Apple Intelligence starts with new betas.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple Intelligence took a big step toward release on Monday. The AI-powered features unveiled at WWDC24 entered beta testing so developers can start trying them out in the real world.

They are part of the initial round of betas of iOS 18.1, macOS Sequoia 15.1 and iPadOS 18.1, which are expected to launch in October.

3-in-1 MagSafe travel charger leads off new UAG power lineup

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UAG 3-in-1 Travel Charger
UAG's new 3-in-1 Travel Charger juices iPhone with up to 15 watts of power (plus Apple Watch and AirPods).
Photo: UAG

A 3-in-1 MagSafe Travel Charger for iPhone and other gear tops the new SRGE lineup of charging accessories Urban Armor Gear (UAG) released Monday, the company said. Best known for mobile device cases previously, the company’s new lineup features four new charging products for iPhone, AirPods, Apple Watch, iPad and MacBook.

“We see massive opportunities within our new Power category. Our team has brought the same attention to detail and protection from our phone cases into this new category so our consumers can Go Further,” said Carlos Del Toro, UAG’s vice president of Product Management. “Whether on the road or just at your desk, these products are must-haves to keep your device ready to go throughout the entire day. We’re especially excited about the 3-in-1 Travel Charger and all of the places our consumers will bring it to power their day.”

When to expect Apple Intelligence to reach iPhone, iPad and Mac [Updated]

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Apple Intelligence at WWDC24
Apple Intelligence is a collection of AI-powered features coming ... soon-ish.
Screenshot: Apple

When iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 launch this fall, do not expect Apple Intelligence to be part of the first releases of the operating system upgrades. The company’s cool new AI capabilities reportedly will arrive about a month later. Monday’s release of the first developer beta of iOS 18.1 — which includes some Apple Intelligence features — seems to confirm that release roadmap.

This means Apple Intelligence likely will arrive in October, around the same time as macOS Sequoia. So Mac users might get Apple AI along with their big upgrade.

Big refurb and open-box sale: Get up to 31% off iPads and MacBooks

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deas on iPads and MacBooks
The sale at Woot! features older models, but there are M3 MacBook Pro models in the mix.
Photo: Apple

Amazon bargain site Woot! currently runs a sale with deals on iPad and MacBooks, including brand new, new (open box) and refurbished models, through August 6. Discounts range up to 31% off. So let it be Christmas in mid-summer with some new (to you) Apple gear.

“Jobs nods his head in approval from the Clouds,” Woot! says at the top of the sale page.

Can’t afford a Studio Display? Build one. [Setups]

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DIY Studio Display setup
Want a 5K display without paying Studio Display (or even LG) prices? Build it yourself.
Photo: [email protected]

The main complaint about Apple’s 5K Studio Display is price — at about $1,600, it’s financially out of reach for many people. And 5K monitor competitors like LG only bring the cost down a few hundred bucks. So how about saving some dough by making your own DIY Studio Display? The owner of today’s M3 Pro MacBook Pro setup did just that, crafting dual 27-inch 5K monitors for several hundred dollars less than buying production models.

Emergency SOS via satellite saves 4 hikers from wildfires

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Emergency SOS via Satellite rescue
No Wi-Fi or cellular service? Emergency SOS via satellite might save your life.
Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac

In a dramatic Emergency SOS via satellite rescue, Apple’s service led to a helicopter snatching up four women trapped on a glacier by wildfires last week in British Columbia, according to a report.

“In this instance, their cellphone literally saved their lives,” said a rescue manager.

Apple TV+ ad-supported plan could still be in the works

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Ads might come to Apple TV+
You might see this message soon on Apple TV+.
Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac

Apple reportedly met with the U.K.’s TV ratings organization Barb Audiences in what’s being taken as a sign that the company’s streaming service is prepping an ad-supported subscription plan.

Apple TV+ is the only one of the large streaming services that lacks such a pricing tier.

Silo season 2 hits Apple TV+ November 15

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'Silo' season 2 hits Apple TV+ November 15
The second season of Silo premieres this autumn!
Photo: Apple TV+

Silo will return for a second season on Apple TV+ this fall. Apple announced the premiere date for season two of the popular sci-fi series Saturday at Comic-Con International. In addition, we also learned that Steve Zahn (War for the Planet of the Apes) joined the Silo cast.

Not just you: iCloud Private Relay having an ‘issue’ [Now fixed!]

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An Apple issue is getting fixed
Apple is working to fix a problem with iCloud Private Relay.
Photo: Mabel Amber/Pexels/Cult of Mac

Update: Late Saturday, more than two days after the iCloud Private Relay problem first cropped up, Apple fixed it.

If you’ve received repeated notifications that iCloud Private Relay is inactive on one of your Apple devices, it’s not a problem with your internet connection or network. The problem is on Apple’s end.

The issue has persisted since Thursday afternoon and into Friday morning, and might be slowing down your web browsing.

Save $180 on this advanced Wi-Fi 6 router

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Netgear Nighthawk RAX43 sale
This reliable Wi-Fi 6 router can handle all your connected devices without buckling.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

If you’re noticing slow internet speeds as you add more smart devices to your home network, that’s a sign it might be time for a router upgrade. That’s where the Netgear Nighthawk RAX43 comes into play. This Wi-Fi 6 router supports up to 25 devices, delivering speeds up to 4.2Gbps and coverage extending up to 2,500 square feet.

Plus, the RAX43 comes with a powerful 1.5GHz triple-core processor for reliable and smooth performance, even if you’re streaming in 4K/8K UHD or gaming online. And now, you can get this router for 66% off. Grab one for just $89.99 instead of $269.99.

This is the most mystifying iPhone 17 rumor yet [The CultCast]

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An iPhone with the word
Apple apparently thinks thin is in again. But your wallet better be fat!
Photo: Priscilla Du Preez/Unsplash License/Modified by Cult of Mac

This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: The latest rumors about a premium “iPhone 17 Slim” leave us scratching our heads. Thickness aside, it sounds like it will bring less of almost everything. Will you pay more for an iPhone Air?

Also on The CultCast:

  • At least one iPhone 17 might get an extra-fancy camera.
  • And we might not be that far from a folding iPhone or a deluxe iPhone SE.
  • After blowing through billions, it sounds like Apple TV+ will be tightening its belt.

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.