The new Mac Pro is finally here, and considering the fact that it looks exactly like a trash can, what better way to celebrate its release than to replace your Mac’s current trash icon with Apple’s stealthy, space-age new super computer?
[contextly_auto_sidebar id=”hK0mUIVoXXJHJcnau6JIx1KI4WWJVNId”]
Apple’s personal virtual assistant Siri is a smart cookie, but she’s veered towards the apocalyptic and apocryphal this morning, predicting the opening of the gates of hell on July 27th.
For nerds of a certain age (my age), the Sinclair ZX Spectrum was our first home computer/games console/escape from the nightmare world of normal humans. And now this iconic machine is set to be reborn in its home country of Great Britain, only now it’ll be a Bluetooth accessory for your iPad.
Real Racing 3 for iOS has received a stocking-filler of a Christmas update in the form of a handful of new features and tweaks — the major one being the addition of a multiplayer mode allowing users to race against multiple friends in realtime via Game Center.
Jolicloud, the Norwegian Dropbox alternative that doesn’t have to secretly give your data to the U.S. police state whenever it’s asked, has made available a beta version of its v2.0 web app. And it’s pretty amazing. Up until now, Jolicloud was very similar in intent and execution to Dropbox: a folder that’s everywhere.
Now, though, you not only get online access to your Jolicloud folder, but to all your other internet accounts. Including Dropbox.
Apple stock took a bit of a hammering this morning, as it fell by more than $16 a share before rebounding.
UPDATE: Sadly, as pointed out by one of our readers and then corroborated, it seems that Bill Gates didn’t after all buy an iPad — although the rest of the story stands. The confusion came from the apology on behalf of user NY1227 for including an iPad on her wishlist.
You may remember Unclutter, the app which “sweeps away desktop detritus.” Well, now it’s back, and it’s tidier than ever.
Question: When is an iPhone not an iPhone?
Answer: When it’s an ioPhone. And when it runs Android.
Seizing on the massive following the iPhone enjoys in Japan, Japanese manufacturer Iosys will reportedly start marketing its cheap knockoff iPhone 5c-inspired ioPhone5 this Friday.
Among a long list of cool new features added to Boinx’s iStopMotion for Mac, two stand out. The first is that you can hook up a Canon DSLR and see it’s live-view output right in the app. But the second is the one you’ll really be interested in: iStopMotion now outputs animated GIFs.
Apple’s “fastest Mac ever” is now available to order from the Apple online store, with prices starting at $2,999. The high-end desktop, which is assembled in the United States in Austin, Texas, is currently shipping before the end of the year.
You can also pick one up today from your local Apple retail store, or from an Apple authorized reseller.
If you’re buying a Mac Pro today, you might also be looking around for a 4K monitor or two to hook up to it. Well, LG has you more than covered, with its crazy wide new 19:10 ratio 4K screen, catchily dubbed the 31MU95. The 31-inch screen has a resolution of 4,096 x 2,160, and is so wide you might only need one of them.
You know how Apple keeps last year’s iPhone around, maybe adds a color, and sells it for less than the current model? That’s what Olloclip is doing with the 3-IN–1 lens. Kinda. The lens now fits the iPhone 5C, comes in a rainbow of matching colors, and costs just $60.
In the world of minimalist text editors that do geeky things like support Markdown, iA Writer is one of the best. Made by Information Architects in Tokyo, the app has sold over 1,000,000 copies in the App Store since its release in 2010.
The followup to iA Writer has been released today on Mac and iOS. It’s a jaw-dropper. Talk about the perfect balance of a lightweight interface and awesome feature set.
The Pebble smartwatch started as a project on Kickstarter and has now shipped over 190,000 units. While select partners like Yelp and Foursquare have been working with Pebble to create apps for the platform, Pebble is announcing that it will be introducing an official app store of its own in 2014.
Developers will be able to submit and sell apps in what Pebble is calling a “first-of-its-kind wearable tech application directory.” Like Apple’s App Store, Pebble owners will be able to browse for apps to install from the Pebble iOS and Android companion apps.
Last month Pebble released its 2.0 SDK that gives devs access to the device’s accelerometer and full support for iOS 7’s enhanced Notification Center. You can order a Pebble online for $150.
Source: Pebble
Congratulations! You have a brand-new iPhone 5s, 5c, iPad Air or iPad mini with Retina, right? Well, even if you got a new-to-you hand-me-down iPad 3 or iPhone 4S, Cult of Mac has you covered with a ton of non-obvious tips and tricks to get you up and running with speed and style.
Browsing the App Store can be a bit overwhelming. Which apps are new? Which ones are good? Are the paid ones worth paying for, or do they have a free, lite version that will work well enough?
Well, if you stop interrogating me for a second, hypothetical App Store shopper, I can tell you about this thing we do here.
Every week, we highlight some of the most interesting new apps and collect them here for your consideration. This time, our picks include something to help you make good choices, a simple flight locator, and instructions for keeping your hands really super clean.
Here you go:
Smart Decisions — Productivity — Free
I clearly have a lot on my mind — I can’t even decide which pants to wear. Luckily, Smart Decisions exists. It’s an app that breaks up your major (or minor) quandaries into their component parts and helps you reach conclusions simply and methodically. First you identify the problem, and then you list out the alternatives. After that, you figure out the most important factors to consider and rank them in order of importance. The app then has you compare two options at a time based on the factors you listed. After you’ve exhausted all combinations, it tells you what your best choice is.
Apparently, I want cereal more than pancakes. That was a surprise.
Hand Wash — Health & Fitness — Free
Cold and flu season is upon us, and you might not know this, but that thing where you just hold your hands under the water for a second before wiping them off on your pants? That’s not doing a darn thing.
If you’d like to know a better way to wash your hands, Hand Wash is here for you. It trains you in the World Health Organization’s Five Moments method, and it even contains a little game that will grade your mastery of washing technique and duration.
Now, stop using your hand as a tissue and go clean up. I want to sneeze just looking at you.
Where Is My Flight — Utilities — Free
Where Is My Flight is a pie-simple tracker with a single box. You put the flight number in there, and it tells you where and when to find it. If you’re the one flying, you might find it helpful that the app tells you which terminal you’ll be in so that you can plan your overpriced airport meals accordingly.
If you’re not the one flying, you’ll find the landing-time estimates handy so you can time your pick-up accordingly. It’s just a simple, useful app, and anything that removes any of the annoyances of air travel is worth checking out.
Thyme — Utilities — Free
Here’s an app that might come in useful for any big meals you might be planning.
Thyme lets you set individual timers for each burner of your stove and your oven so that you can see at a glance how much longer everything has to go. It sure beats my usual method of setting one timer on the microwave, one on my phone, one on the back of the stove (which never works, anyway), and then just watching the clock.
We’re all about simplifying here, people.
Thyme: A kitchen timer for your culinary arts
Billy: The Bill Samurai — Utilities — Free
So you go out to dinner with a bunch of your friends, and when the bill arrives, you decide to save time and just pay the whole thing yourself. But you’re a little obsessive-compulsive, so you insist that your friends pay you back exactly what they owe. But how do you figure it out? That’s a lot of math to fit into one head.
This app has you covered. You just enter in the menu price of every item, tell it who ordered what, and enter in the tip and tax percentages, and it gives you the exact amount each person needs to pay you back, to the cent. And nothing screams “friendship” quite like making change.
Here’s how to make sure your new iPhone rings true in all the places you take it – these are Cult of Mac’s favorite, top-rated accessories for 2013.
Earskinz are a pair of silicone covers custom-made to fit Apple’s EarPods designed to add grip to the slick surface and to make them stay in your ears. If you don’t have the ideal ear shape that Apple was designing for — and seriously, who does? — these are definitely for you. They also help by shutting out ambient noise for better sound and allowing you to listen at a lower volume.
The EarSkinz not only keep your headset in place, but the slight extra thickness forms a pretty decent seal in my ears, let you walk through busy city streets listening to podcasts and audio books with the sound at a reasonably low level. Both our reviewers can’t imagine using their iPhones without them.
Buy from: EarSkinz
There’s no point in obscuring the beautiful line of your iPhone 5 or 5s with a clunky case: go for the AL13 Ultrathin bumper, a precision-cut aluminum number that shows off the design of device while providing some additional protection. The bumper case comes in a gorgeous metal box, cushioned with black foam, with a design aesthetic that matches the AL13 itself.
The material of the bumper case is metal, transmits vibrations from the iPhone a bit more than other rubber or plastic cases. That’s not a bad thing when it’s in a pocket, but set it on a glass or metal table and you’re going to hear it.
Ultimately, unless you own nothing but glass tables, the AL13 is a delightfully simple, minimalist, elegant design for an iPhone 5 case, and provides just enough protection while allowing the gorgeous design of the iPhone itself to shine forth. While $80 might be a bit on the steep side for many of us, for those to whom design matters, it’s a small price to pay for such a well-crafted and delightfully Apple-like iPhone case.
Buy from: design by m
The Armpocket i30 is perfect for walking, running, hiking, and pretty much any physical activity that requires easy storage of and access to all models of the iPhone 5 (and older versions too!) when pockets aren’t an option. The i30’s storage is generous without being too bulky, providing three separate sections to hold stuff in place via a pocket in front and a strap on the back.
The problem with many armbands that I’ve used over the years is twofold, reviewer Rob LeFebvre notes. If the armband is too small, it only holds an iPhone without a case and nothing else. Two, unless it’s cinched incredibly tight on a bicep, the weight of the phone tends to bounce while running, making the whole concept less than useful. The Armpocket i30 armband is a fantastic little iPhone 5 holder that solves both of these problems.
Buy from: Armpocket Web Store
Screen protectors are the best way to keep your device’s display in great condition, but applying them is a pain in the butt. Enter Tru-Fit which comes with its a film applicator, which is essentially a plastic frame the shape of your iPhone. You place the film inside the frame, then clean your iPhone’s display using the included microfiber cloth.
Unlike other screen protectors, the Tru-Fit also comes with a sticky sheet that you can use on your front of your iPad’s display to ensure you’ve removed any dust and debris, and to prevent anything from settling on it while you’re getting the protector ready. It’s durable, anti-glare and has a terrific grip. The anti-glare version is available for the iPhone 5s and iPhone 4 models – but not for the iPhone c.
If putting together those Lego sets hasn’t left you completely exhausted, the HiRise is the docking station for you.
Twelve South’s HiRise for iPhone and iPad mini, is a combination dock and stand that looks great, is made of solid materials, fits both an iPad and an iPhone at the same time, works with cases, and best of all, will almost definitely work with all future iterations of iPhone and iPad that have a Lightning connector.
It also works with most cases, so you don’t have to dance the on-off fumble every time you need a charge. One caveat: putting it together. While beautifully packaged, the HiRise comes disassembled, like something you’d buy from IKEA. The screws didn’t want to fit, the hexwrenches were so small that they hurt my fingers to use, and even after I put the HiRise together, the two arms were very slightly crooked from one another.
“Once the HiRise is put together, I don’t have a single complaint about it. But I never want to put one together again,” says reviewer John Brownlee.
Have you been looking for a way to make your photos jump off the page? Are you serious about showcasing your photography skills? Then this Cult of Mac Deals offer is exactly what you’re looking for.
This promotion will help you create striking images and showcase your work online. That’s because you’re going to get Intensify Pro and 3 months of Zenfolio for 54% off the regular price – just $44.99 – with The Intense Photography Pack.
You’ve got a new iPad, now what?
Sure, with those sleek, lean lines it looks great naked. But once you take it outside your house, it’s a good idea to have some protection, an easy way to prop it up and carry it. And speakers!
Here’s a hand-picked selection of all the iPad accessories Cult of Mac reviewed this year — but only the best ones. These add-ons all received the highest rating, or a full four stars, from our gadget-weary team of reviewers. Shine on!
Screen protectors are the best way to keep your device’s display in great condition, but applying them is a pain in the butt. It’s hard enough ensuring they go down straight, but you also have to worry about trapping dirt, dust, and bubbles beneath them. But not with the Tru-Fit. Inside the packaging is the Tru-Fit Film Applicator, which is essentially a plastic frame the shape of your iPad. You place the film inside the frame, then clean your iPad’s display using the included microfiber cloth.
Unlike other screen protectors, the Tru-Fit also comes with a sticky sheet that you can use on your front of your iPad’s display to ensure you’ve removed any dust and debris, and to prevent anything from settling on it while you’re getting the protector ready. It’s durable, anti-glare and has a terrific grip. Available for the iPad Air, iPad 2/3/4 and iPad Mini.
The Acase for iPad mini is a beautiful case. Its high-quality leather design provides an elegant look while providing your device with protection from head to toe — for only $40. It fits like a glove, and the iPad mini is held securely inside with a leather flap that slips in behind the device.
The build quality is excellent; the stitching is strong and neat, and I have no worries about it falling apart after months of heavy use. Acase has clearly used the best materials and built this thing to last. Reviews editor Charlie Sorrel recommends the “vintage brown” version of the case, which has a soft matte leather finish, over the black and chestnut brown versions. The vintage one gains character with a bit of wear, the other two probably won’t.
If you’re looking for excellent protection for all iPad models (plus most iPhones, too), check out Loop Attachment’s Mummy Case, which swathes your device in oops-proof rubber. What sets it apart from the cheap silicone cases on eBay for a few dollars: a special coating that not only makes it super soft and smooth, but also keeps out dirt and grime.
Reviewer Killian Bell says: “I’ll happily hand my iPad to my kids while it’s in the Mummy Case, safe in the knowledge that if they drop it on the kitchen floor, it’s not going to get damaged.” The Mummy covers a large portion of your iPad’s front bezel, which provides some protection for its display. It should be more than enough to prevent it from getting damaged if it lands flat on its face, but for added peace of mind, you can combine the Mummy with a Smart Cover.
If putting together those Lego sets hasn’t left you completely exhausted, the HiRise is the docking station for you.
Twelve South’s HiRise for iPhone and iPad mini, is a combination dock and stand that looks great, is made of solid materials, fits both an iPad and an iPhone at the same time, works with cases, and best of all, will almost definitely work with all future iterations of iPhone and iPad that have a Lightning connector.
It also works with most cases, so you don’t have to dance the on-off fumble every time you need a charge. One caveat: putting it together. While beautifully packaged, the HiRise comes disassembled, like something you’d buy from IKEA. The screws didn’t want to fit, the hexwrenches were so small that they hurt my fingers to use, and even after I put the HiRise together, the two arms were very slightly crooked from one another.
“Once the HiRise is put together, I don’t have a single complaint about it. But I never want to put one together again,” says reviewer John Brownlee.
Your iPad can double as a music maker — if you grab a decent speaker. To get some serious sound from your device, check out the UE Boom by Ultimate Ears/Logitech.
“Where this intensity comes in handy is outside,” says reviewer Rob LeFebvre. “I’ve used the UE Boom in my yard, on my bike, and in my car and it’s loud and lovely in every location. I was able to provide music for a smaller outdoor BBQ just the other day with only the Boom as our speaker of choice.”
The fact that up to eight Bluetooth devices can pair with the UE Boom at one time is yet another killer feature, as it let several of the BBQ guests play their favorite tunes through the device, without ever having to re-pair between users. I let my iPhone 5, iPad mini, and Macbook Air all pair with the UE Boom so I can send audio from any one of these devices at a moment’s notice, without having to re-pair or mess with configurations.
It’s not the cheapest of speakers – coming in at a pricey $171 – but it may be the only one you’ll ever need.
Buy from: Amazon ($171.99)
The Logitech Bluetooth Easy-Switch Keyboard K811 was so nice we reviewed it twice. Both Killian and Charlie found it the best keyboard they’d ever used – whether it was for stay-at-home or cafe-airport-train use. It’s lightweight, reliable, has a great feel.
And it works across iDevices, so you can connect it to whatever you need to type with while on the go. Charlie says, “Buy it. There’s almost no way you’ll be disappointed. Quite the opposite in fact: you’ll look forward to using it.”
Buy from: Logitech
Spotify has dragged behind Rdio in terms of aesthetic attractiveness for quite some time. It still has a long way to go, but Spotify’s desktop app is getting a facelift in the form of an update that’s slowly rolling out to users on the Mac and Windows.
As you can see, the design is much darker to compliment its mobile counterpart. It doesn’t look like any new features are included, but it should hopefully be easier to navigate.
Activation Lock is a new feature in iOS 7 that allows you to remotely wipe all the data on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch in case it gets lost or stolen. It’s such a great idea that 78 percent of iPhone users have it enabled.
After Activation Lock is enabled remotely, your iPhone will display a message for you with details on how to return it to you. This is a great feature.
When you get the device back, all you need to do is enter your Apple ID (and password!), and your iPhone or iPad will reactivate, give you a fully functional iOS device again without letting anyone else use it in the meantime.
But where the hell do you enable this feature?
When your Mac’s iSight camera is running, a tiny green light lets you know that it’s turned on. Or at least it’s supposed to. New research from Johns Hopkins University shows how hackers can remotely control the iSight camera in certain Macs without turning on the accompanying LED indicator light.
I used to be a printer opportunist. Find me the cheapest printer in the store, who cares, they’re all the same.
Which, honestly, is true for a technophile like myself (within a certain price range, anyway). I have a Wi-Fi network, spare cables, and a ton of different apps that will let me print from my various Macs and iOS devices.
Not so, however, for someone like my parents. When I went to buy them a printer a few months back to go with their new iPads, we found out that even the AirPrint printers need a WiFi network. They don’t have one (I know, don’t ask).
That’s where the Epson XP-950 comes in. Yes, it’s a high-quality up-to 11X17 photo, paper, and disc printer and scanning device, but the killer feature here? Directly printing from an iPad to the printer without an actual Wi-Fi network to send the print job across.
Oh, and it’s super easy to set up and use.
The new Walking Dead: The Game Trailer looks creepy as hell.
It’s been a year since Telltale’s first Walking Dead game came out and scared the crap out of all of us. Now Telltale has just released the first episode of the second season, titled appropriately enough The Walking Dead: Season Two.
Check out the trailer (rated M) below.