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Security researchers can now apply to help Apple defend iOS

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If that screen doesn't intimidate you, this might be the program for you.
If that screen doesn't intimidate you, this might be the program for you.
Photo: Apple

Security researchers can boost their iPhone research, work with security teams and help protect users — all while earning bug bounties for finding credible threats — if they apply to the 2024 iPhone Security Research Device Program, Apple said Wednesday.

File an application by October 31 to get your special iPhone for security research.

Apple tests 3D printing that could revolutionize manufacturing

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Stainless steel Apple Watches are the test case for a new manufacturing process using 3D printers.
Stainless steel Apple Watches are the test case for a new manufacturing process using 3D printers.
Photo: Apple

Apple is testing a 3D-printer-based manufacturing process for some of its upcoming Apple Watches that could radically change how it manufactures products generally, a new report said Wednesday.

In testing, the company is using 3D printers for the stainless steel chassis of some wearables. It may prove more eco-friendly and economical, cutting down on materials needed.

Today in Apple history: Apple hatches secret plan to save the Mac

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Close-up of vintage Apple Keyboard II with rainbow Apple logo
An internal Apple memo outlined four possible ways to combat the increasingly dominant Windows operating system.
Photo: Maurizio Zanetti/Flickr CC

August 30 August 30, 1990: A 112-page confidential Apple memo lays out what the company must do to make the Macintosh division a marketplace contender.

The internal memo comes from Dan Eilers, Apple’s vice president of strategy and corporate development. He boldly says Apple must consider four strategies: licensing Mac OS, licensing both the Mac’s operating system and hardware, creating a spinoff brand for the Macintosh, or starting a totally new company to combat the growing threat of Microsoft’s Windows.

Troubles behind it, iPhone 15 series moves into full production

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Coronavirus-related shutdowns continue to disrupt Chinese factories.
Workers in China and India are now assembling the iPhone 15 series.
Photo: Steve Jurvetson/Flickr CC

Apple and the companies assembling the iPhone 15 reportedly worked through all the significant production problems they faced making the next iOS handsets. They supposedly faced issues with the cameras, LCDs, batteries and titanium frame in upcoming models

After clearing those hurdles, the four models in the iPhone 15 series are now set for the launch that’s almost certainly happening in September.

Mac Studio makes most of new super-ultra-wide display [Setups]

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Lights, camera, action! This Mac Studio rig is ready for videoconferencing and more.
Lights, camera, action! This Mac Studio rig is ready for videoconferencing and more.
Photo: [email protected]

Version:
Some computer setups are bare-bones but functional, others are swanky as all-get-out. Leaning toward the latter, today’s setup rocks a powerful M2 Ultra Mac Studio desktop computer driving a new, 49-inch Samsung G9 super-ultra-wide display. If you’re looking for a mac mini monitor, check out this impressive Samsung ultra-wide monitor setup.

But that’s not all the finery the solid standing desk supports. Festooned with key lights, it’s also a great videoconferencing station, with a premium webcam, a mounted USB microphone and killer speakers.

Apple set to train 12 more ecofriendly minority-owned businesses

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Meet the members of Apple's third Impact Accelerator class (more details below).
Meet the members of Apple's third Impact Accelerator class (more details below).
Photo: Apple

Apple set up its third Impact Accelerator class to help 12 minority-owned green-technology and clean-energy companies develop their businesses, the company said Wednesday.

The training program, in this case for a dozen Black-, Hispanic/Latinx- and Indigenous-owned companies, is part of Cupertino’s Racial Equity and Justice Initiative.

Score a 4K dual-camera drone for less than $80

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Save $120 on this advance 4K dual-camera drone during Labor Day pricing.
Pick up this 4K dual-camera drone for only $79.97 during this Labor Day deal.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Want an impressive drone at a surprisingly low price? The Ninja Dragon Blade X 4K Dual Camera Drone costs just $79.97 during our Labor Day Sale.

The advanced drone usually goes for $199. Act now to snag 60% savings on a product primed to capture stunning HD footage from high in the sky.

Martin Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon hits theaters in October

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Martin Scorsese’s 'Killers of the Flower Moon' hits theaters in October.
Apple Original Films unveiled the key art for Killers of the Flower Moon, set to release in theaters globally this fall.
Images: Apple TV+

Martin Scorsese’s historical drama Killers of the Flower Moon will debut in theaters in late October. The real-life tale of a serial killer will appear on the Apple TV+ streaming service sometime after that.

The film stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Lily Gladstone and Robert De Niro, and Apple is clearly hoping it will earn an Oscar or two.

WhatsApp becomes true FaceTime rival with new Mac app

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WhatsApp for Mac
WhatsApp's native Mac app makes using the messaging service a lot easier.
Photo: WhatsApp

WhatsApp just got a native Mac app that delivers a vastly superior experience than the current Electron-based app. It also supports up to eight people on video calls and 32 on audio calls.

Released Tuesday, WhatsApp’s new native Mac app makes it a better FaceTime alternative, as you can access almost the same set of features across your PC and phone.

AirPods with USB-C might launch at Apple’s September event

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Of course, if the stock ear tips that come with AirPods Pro 2 may work fine for most people.
Apple could soon offer an AirPods case that charges with USB-C. Finally!
Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac
Wonderlust 2023

AirPods that use USB-C to charge in place of Lightning are reportedly right around the corner. They supposedly will be unveiled at Apple’s “Wonderlust” event on September 12.

The modified version of Apple’s wireless earbuds are part of a general move away from Lightning.

What could the ‘Wonderlust’ event invite mean?

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What does it mean?!? A modified version of Apple's
As usual, everyone's trying to divine hidden meanings from Apple's latest event invitation.
Image: Cult of Mac
Wonderlust 2023

Apple’s “Wonderlust” event invite features the Apple logo in a windswept, sandy visage. How could the artwork relate to the expected announcements of the iPhone 15 and Apple Watch Series 9 coming during the Apple event on September 12?

Here is some off-the-wall speculation — the reasonable and the ridiculous.

Handy USB-C extension cable boasts built-in power meter

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Handy USB-C extension cable boasts built-in power meter
Stop guessing about how much power is going to your devices.
Photo: Plugable

You’ll always know how much current is flowing to your devices with the just-launched Plugable USB Type-C Extension Cable with Power Meter. A small display shows how many watts are being transferred by the affordable cable.

Plugable also introduced on Tuesday a tiny 30W USB-C GaN charger plus a 32W wall charger that includes USB-C, USB-A and AC power ports.

Apple sets ‘Wonderlust’ iPhone 15 event for September 12

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Cropped version of the invitation to the Wonderlust special Apple Event, set for 10 a.m. Pacific on September 12, 2023.
Will Apple's "Wonderlust" event be wonderful?
Image: Apple
Wonderlust 2023

Apple sent out invites Tuesday to its annual September product launch event, which will happen September 12. The tagline is “Wonderlust,” so Apple is apparently hoping we’ll all be feeling both wonder and lust when it unveils the iPhone 15 series.

We’re also expecting to see the next generation of Apple Watch models.

New Ted Lasso shortbread cookies cost how much?

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When you break it down to per-unit cost, it's about $3 per cookie. But they're buttery!
When you break it down to per-unit cost, it's about $3 per cookie. But they're buttery!
Photo: Mackenzie Limited

If you miss Ted Lasso on Apple TV+ badly enough, perhaps you’ll pay $30 for 10 of the shortbread biscuits, aka cookies.

That’s the hope of gourmet food purveyor Mackenzie Limited, anyway. It now offers its exclusive, officially endorsed “Biscuits with the Boss” shortbread cookies much like the ones coach Lasso often brought to AFC Richmond owner Rebecca Welton on the show.

iPhone 14 Pro Max tops worldwide smartphone sales in first half of 2023

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iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max brought big-time camera-system upgrades.
Apple's Pro iPhones are seling really well!
Photo: Leander

The iPhone 14 Pro Max emerged as the most-shipped smartphone worldwide in the first half of 2023, according to the latest estimates. Apple reportedly shipped 26.5 million units of its most expensive phone.

The company’s smaller iPhone 14 Pro came in as the second-most-shipped smartphone globally, followed by the regular iPhone 14.

New gadget makes your XLR microphone work with your computer

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This would be less expensive most really nice USB microphones.
This would be less expensive most really nice USB microphones.
Photo: Shure

If you have a high-quality XLR microphone, how do you use it with your computer? Shure made that easier Monday with its new MXV2U USB digital audio interface that turns XLR mics into USB mics.

Using the simple, compact interface, you can adapt any XLR mic to USB and start recording, podcasting, streaming and more.

Rumors of iPhone 15 Pro Max delays are greatly exaggerated

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iPhone 15 Pro Max Concept
Don't worry about rumors that the iPhone 15 Pro Max will be delayed.
Concept: Antonio De Rosa/ADR Studio

Despite earlier reports that customers might have to wait additional weeks for the iPhone 15 Pro Max, a trusted analyst says the companies in Asia assembling Apple’s top-tier handset will begin mass shipments this week.

It and three other iPhone 15 versions are expected to hit store shelves near the end of September, as usual.

World’s slimmest 15-inch laptop gets a big $200 discount

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15-inch MacBook Air
Apple's 15-inch MacBook Air is discounted to an amazing price.
Photo: Apple

Want a slim and light laptop for everyday use with a 15-inch screen? Look no further than Apple’s 15-inch MacBook Air, especially when you can get it with a whopping $200 discount.

Amazon’s latest deal has knocked the price of the world’s slimmest 15-inch laptop to an amazing $1,099. That’s down from its usual $1,299 MSRP.

Adobe shares tips for students struggling with PDF textbooks

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PDF textbooks are better than paper textbooks
Students have better options for textbooks than this.
Photo: cottonbro studio/Pexels

Adobe wants to help students accustomed to old-fashioned paper textbooks get over the transition to PDF textbooks. The company points out that its free reader for the digital format does a lot more than display text and images, and many of these features are ideal for students.

The software developer highlighted five of the benefits of the free Mac application for those going to class with a PDF textbook.

New Samsung ViewFinity S9 takes on Studio Display

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A new competitor to Apple's 5K Studio Display arrives.
A new competitor to Apple's 5K Studio Display arrives.
Photo: Samsung

The new 27-inch Samsung ViewFinity S9 Monitor with 5K resolution started shipping to addresses in the United States Monday, the company said. It comes along with specs and price very similar to Apple’s popular Studio Display.

The new monitor, which won a CES Innovation Award earlier this year, costs $1,599 — just like Studio Display. But Samsung’s comes with a tilt- and heigh-adjustable stand while Apple charges $400 for one.

For health’s sake, get a standing desk [Setups]

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Even if you have a lot more gear than this, a standing desk can make a world of difference.
Even if you have a lot more gear than this, a standing desk can make a world of difference.
Photo: [email protected]

Maybe you’ve got back pain, or maybe your rear end falls asleep too much when you sit for long periods. Whatever the case, you, like many Apple fans, can benefit from a standing desk in your computer setup.

Today’s featured MacBook Pro setup features an affordable sit-stand desk, but there are many options. We’ll go over some of them below.