It's up to Apple's App Review team to prevent malware from sneaking onto its software store. Graphic: Apple
Keeping bad applications out of the App Store is a monumental task — Apple says it denied 1.7 million apps submitted for approval in 2022. That’s out of 6.1 million, and it’s an increase from the previous year.
And Apple also blocked nearly 3.9 million stolen credit cards from being used to make fraudulent purchases on the App Store. Plus, the iPhone-maker blocked millions of fake reviews.
Photomator for Mac is designed for pros, but doesn't cost an arm and a leg. Photo: Pixelmator
The powerful image-editing application that used to be called Pixelmator Photo when it was only available for iPad and iPhone launched Tuesday on Mac as Photomator.
It promises state-of-the-art color adjustments, AI tools, powerful Repair and Clone tools, and batch editing. But it faces tough competition from Adobe Photoshop.
This wireless car charger with auto-clamp makes it easy to handle your iPhone while you drive. Photo: Elago
Everybody knows it’s dangerous to use your iPhone while driving. In order to do so safely and hands-free, you need a car mount. And what could be better than a wireless charger mount that senses and grabs onto your phone for you? No need to take your eyes off the road to carefully place it just so.
Love live music? Apple Maps and Apple Music now offer new ways to find concerts. Photo: Apple
Good news for live-music lovers rang out Tuesday. Apple said new concert-discovery features it just added to Apple Maps and Apple Music will help music fans and artists connect in major cultural hubs worldwide.
Apple will bring Assistive Access, Live Speech and Personal Voice to iPad and iPhone. Photo: Apple
Just can’t wait for WWDC23? Apparently, Apple can’t either because it’s already starting announcing new features that will almost certainly be in iOS 17, iPadOS 17 and macOS 14.
These are aimed at those with disabilities, and include Live Speech and Personal Voice. These will allow those with speech disabilities to participate in conversations in a synthesized voice that sounds like the user.
Snap a photo or video from midair with this drone that uses artificial intelligence to capture aerial images. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
AI image generators are exciting, but there’s another way for artificial intelligence to give you a great photo. The self-flying Air Neo camera drone uses AI to lock onto you and snap a few photos from the air.
Quick, someone check to see if hell has frozen over. Photo: Microsoft
Windows users can now send and receive messages and calls via an iPhone. The new capability — which many thought would never happen — comes courtesy of Microsoft’s Phone Link for iOS, which is rolling out now.
This is the latest software release from Microsoft to make it easier for Windows users to own an iPhone.
Microsoft started rolling the feature out in April, and announced on Monday it’s available to all Windows 11 users.
Give your Mac a very particular set of skills with the Mac Madness App Bundle. Photo: Wes Hicks/Unsplash License/Modified by Cult of Mac
Your Mac can’t do everything right out of the box. The Mac Madness App Bundle gives you 14 Mac apps especially suited for various tasks, from exporting photo metadata to batch-converting audio files.
These apps will give your Mac a very particular set of skills, just like Liam Neeson in Taken. And you can get lifetime licenses to all 14 of them for just $19.99 (regularly $74.86).
We don't yet know what the Apple VR/AR headset will look like, but that doesn't mean it's too soon to get excited about it. AI image: Midjourney/Cult of Mac
Multiple sources predict Apple will launch its first VR/AR headset three weeks from today at WWDC23. As the company’s first major new product category to launch since Apple Watch, there’s a lot riding on the headset. And yet not everyone’s buzzing with anticipation.
For those who aren’t yet feeling excited, here are five reasons you should look forward to the big reveal next month.
Mifa's Sparkle Band is the picture of elegance. Or, mom might like a classic leather band or a tactical strap. Photo: Mifa
You’re not the first person to show up late to the party for Mother’s Day, forgetting to fork over a gift on her special day. So, a day later, it’s a good thing you can still choose from a huge selection of great Apple accessories on sale.
You can pick up a variety of items for 15% to 25% off in the Cult of Mac Store’s Mother’s Day Sweet Savings Collection through Monday. See a selection of highlights below.
Bluetti's AC60 power station and B80 extension battery make a powerful combo that can handle the great outdoors.
Photo: Bluetti
Bluetti’s latest portable power station, the AC60, is the company’s most compact and durable yet. The lightweight power station, which launches today alongside the B80 expansion battery, comes with an IP65 rating, so it’s ready for your next outdoor adventure.
Plus, if you pair it with Bluetti’s new B80 — and maybe a solar panel or two — you don’t need to run out of juice.
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The solar generator and expansion battery combo promises faster charging, longer battery life and safer operation than other small power stations on the market. “The AC60 surpasses all expectations for traditional mini power stations,” Bluetti said, noting that both the AC60 and B80 come with an industry-leading six-year warranty.
Apple's 16-inch MacBook Pro featuring the M2 Pro or M2 Max chip is down to its cheapest price. Image: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Apple’s 16-inch MacBook Pro with M2 Pro chip is down to its lowest-ever price. After a staggering $249.01 discount, you can get Apple’s best MacBook Pro for $2,249.99.
You can get a similar $250 off on the machine’s 1TB and M2 Max configurations.
The programmer likes his Logitech Mini mechanical keyboard. Photo: [email protected]
Before reading past the jump, take a look at today’s featured M1 Mac mini computer setup in the photograph above and see if you can quickly identify the two items that aren’t from peripherals giant Logitech — other than the main computer, display and furniture.
Both items are on the small side, so it might take a hard look to spot them. Answers below in the post and at the bottom just above the gear list.
Are you ready for some football? And by that we mean soccer, natch. Photo: Apple TV+
Apple is now offering a free, month-long trial of MLS Season Pass, its subscription service that shows all the matches from the top professional soccer league in the United States.
The deal is available for both new and returning customers.
For a limited time, new members (or former members whose memberships expired at least 18 months ago) can get a one-year Gold Star Costco Membership for $60. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
When you get a Costco Gold Star Membership, you gain access to a wide selection of appealing ingredients and premade food items that can aid you in crafting delicious meals. Take advantage of this limited-time deal for a one-year Costco Gold Star Membership for only $60, which includes a $30 Digital Shop Card*.
Starting Tuesday, an iPhone 14 can now communicate with satellites. Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac
Apple is expanding Emergency SOS via satellite to two new countries: Australia and New Zealand. If you use an iPhone 14, you can enjoy this life-saving feature for free for the next two years.
The feature allows your iPhone to contact emergency services through text messages when you are out of mobile network range.
★★★★☆
Pitaka's wireless charging case and stand look brilliant. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
With the Pitaka MagEZ Case Pro, you can stop plugging in a charging cable. Put the tablet in this slim, lightweight case then pop on a charging mat when it’s time to juice up the tablet.
Combine it with the MagEZ Charging Stand and you have a desktop setup without the hassle of wires for the iPad Pro and an iPhone or AirPods.
I tested both accessories in my home office. There’s a lot to like here.
Laut's Holo cases for AirPods reflect all the colors of the rainbow. Photo: Laut
Haven’t bought a Mother’s Day gift yet? Don’t worry. Moms are generally forgiving types. Instead of rushing to get something cheap at the drug store on the way to her house, buy her a cool Laut accessory and let her know a nice gift is on the way.
And she doesn’t even have to know you’re getting 15% off the price. Browse the Mother’s Day Sweet Savings Collection in the Cult of Mac Store now (and click here to see only Laut items). Peruse some highlights below. The sale goes through Monday.
The wait for the Apple M3 processor could be shorter than expected. Image: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Apple reportedly began internal testing of Macs powered by next-generation M3 chips. At least one of the variants could feature a 12-core CPU, an 18-core GPU and 36GB of system memory.
The next-generation Apple silicon remains a few months away from release, however. Rumors suggest it could debut at the end of this year or early 2024.
Turn your spare time into a few extra bucks with this $30 course on passive income. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
You know the old saying: “Work smarter, not harder.” That’s easier than ever in our highly digitized economy, but few take full advantage of the opportunity.
If you’re starting an online business, your most significant assets are your smarts and imagination. All it takes is a few practical steps to turn them into revenue, and that’s exactly what you can get in a new six-course e-learning bundle on passive income.
The wait is over for Logic Pro and Final Cut Pro on the iPad. Image: Cult of Mac
This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: Apple finally brings Logic Pro and Final Cut Pro to iPad, and apparently uses some clever spycraft to take down a leaker in the process. Talk about killing two birds with one stone.
Also on The CultCast:
One feature in the new Final Cut Pro for iPad makes iPhone owners jealous (and hopeful).
Erfon thinks it’s a great time to buy a Mac.
Humane’s combadge-style gadget might not kill your iPhone, but the company’s vision of a personalized AI sounds promising.
Enter for your chance to win an Urban MacBook Sleeve from SwitchEasy.
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.
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Take that to the gym for a workout. Photo: Bucardo
Time is running out to get mom a Mother’s Day gift that will ship in time for May 14 — that’s why you give her a card on Sunday explaining that a gift is coming. And that gift could be a lovely Bucardo sport band, charm necklace or pocket watch locket for Apple Watch.
You probably won’t find these features on your own. Image: Jonatan Svensson Glad/Wikimedia Commons/D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac
In the United States, iMessage is one of the first features iPhone users mention as a benefit over Android. In the rest of the world, nobody cares, because everyone uses WhatsApp and other cross-platform services.
But there are a lot of cool features inside the Messages app these days — we’ve previously covered how to edit and unsend messages and share your screen. Here are five more hidden features inside Apple’s messaging app. Keep reading or watch the video below.