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UK lawsuit dredges up 2017’s ‘Batterygate’ controversy

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Apple iPhone 6s
A UK lawsuit intends to stop Apple from doing something it already promised five years ago it would never do again.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

A UK consumer rights advocate filed a £750m claim accusing Apple of slowing down handsets as old as the iPhone 6. This is over “Batterygate,” a controversy that first erupted way back in 2017 and has long since been settled in the U.S. and other countries.

Even so, a bad decision from five years ago has come back to haunt the company.

Score dirt-cheap airfare deals with Dollar Flight Club — and maybe win $5,000

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Your next vacation might be cheaper than you think with this deal.
Your next flight could be more affordable than you thought possible with Dollar Flight Club.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Is it really a vacation if you spend half the time recovering from the stress of planning it? With how expensive flights are right now, it’s hard to think of an airline ticket as anything more than another bill, even if you’re flying somewhere incredible.

Luckily, Dollar Flight Club can find you amazing deals on domestic and international airfare so you can focus on fun. For a limited time, you can become a Premium Plus+ member for $99. And if you purchase between June 15 and June 30, you get five entries for a chance to win $5,000 toward flights, hotels, food, adventures and more!

Internal mode in iPadOS 16 enables Stage Manager on older iPads

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Why the best iPadOS 16 features are limited to M1 iPads
The Stage Manager controversy refuses to die.
Graphic: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Code in iPadOS 16 indicates Apple has an internal mode to enable the upcoming Stage Manager multitasking feature on older A-series iPads.

Stage Manager aims to improve the multitasking experience on iPads by adding floating, resizable app windows and other features that make the tablets more like Macs. However, Apple’s decision to keep the feature exclusive to iPads with M1 chips has caused quite a bit of controversy.

Kids can learn about creating with iPad at in-person Apple Camp

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Kids can learn about creating with iPad at in-person Apple Camp
Apple Camp lets families create and learn together.
Photo: Apple

You know about band camp and football camp, but did you know there’s also Apple Camp? This is the twentieth year of the free program for children and families. And this year, it’s returning to in-persion sessions at Apple Store locations around the world.

Sign-ups began today, and the two-hour sessions are available starting next week and running through the summer.

Say cheers this Father’s Day with Winc wine delivery

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Get your dad wine he'll love for Father's Day.
Toast your dad this Father's Day with 12 bottles of wine for just $85.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Dad deserves a glass of wine to wind down with at the end of a long day. And yet wine is one of those simple delights that’s easy to get wrong but so satisfying to get right.

You can get your dad some wine he’ll love on his special day with Winc wine delivery. You can purchase $155 of credit toward 12 bottles for only $84.99 during our Father’s Day Sale, which ends June 19 — no coupon necessary!

15-inch MacBook with M2 Pro might launch in spring 2023

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13-inch MacBook Air with M2
The 13-inch MacBook Air with M2 might be joined by a larger version.
Photo: Apple

A 15-inch MacBook will debut in less than a year that offers either an M2 or an M2 Pro processor, according to a reliable Apple analyst. That could make it one of the first with the upgraded version of the M2.

Note that the notebook might not be branded as a MacBook Pro or a MacBook Air. It could be a “MacBook.”

M1 MacBook Pro and Studio Display co-star with HyperX RGB mic [Setups]

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The flashy RBG microphone sits to the left of the Studio Display.
The flashy RBG microphone sits to the left of the Studio Display.
Photo: [email protected]

If you’re tired of being just another drab presence on conference calls or online gaming tournaments, maybe it’s time to bring the party. No, we’re not saying you should send everyone jello shots beforehand. But you might try a sassy RGB microphone like the one in today’s featured MacBook Pro and Studio Display setup.

And it’s not just for fun. The product designer who uses it said it’s perfectly loud and clear on Zoom and Discord calls.

DockCase USB-C dock with display smartens up connectivity [Review] ★★★

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The display isn't life-changing, but it can be useful and it's kind of cool.★★★
The display isn't life-changing, but it can be useful and it's kind of cool.
Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac

After trending toward fewer and fewer ports for a while, Macs have added some back lately, offering better connectivity for the latest laptops and desktops. But it never hurts to have a dock to connect additional devices, share files and distribute power — and now you can get one with an informative display.

DockCase has shaken up the fairly boring world of USB-C docks with its new series. The company sent me its 7-in-1 USB-C Smart HD Display Dock Pro to take for a spin. DockCase said it’s the first to offer such a dock with an HD display.

How to master the Siri Remote scroll wheel

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Does the Siri Remote have you going around in circles?
Does the Siri Remote have you going around in circles?
Photo: Graham Bower/Cult of Mac

When Apple TV 4K launched last year, it had fans salivating. But not for the sharper picture or faster processor. It was the new Siri Remote that caught everyone’s eye. Had Cupertino finally made a TV remote control that didn’t suck?

With its iPod-style scroll wheel, the second-generation Siri Remote promised to make scrolling through content effortless. In reality, the scroll wheel turned out to be hard to use, and lacked support from third-party apps like YouTube.

But don’t throw your remote at the TV just yet. When you get the hang of its quirks, the Siri Remote scroll wheel works surprisingly well. And you can use it with loads of essential apps, including Netflix, HBO Max and, of course, Apple TV+.

Apple’s free classes will expand your mind this summer

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All you need to learn for free with Apple is an iPad.
All you need to learn for free with Apple this summer is an iPad.
Photo: Apple

Apple trotted out a new list of free iPad-based virtual conferences this summer in its Professional Learning series. Topics cover subjects like photo storytelling, making music and learning the Swift programming language.

And best of all, they’re free. All you need to participate, once you register, is an iPad.

Huge Oceanhorn: Chronos Dungeon update comes loaded with new enemies, weapons and levels

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'Oceanhorn: Chronos Dungeon' update comes loaded with new enemies, weapons and levels
There is even more RPG action in Oceanhorn: Chronos Dungeon - Golden Edition.
Image: Cornfox & Brothers

Oceanhorn: Chronos Dungeon – Golden Edition adds new enemies to the dungeon crawler, along with new levels, special items, power ups, legendary weapons and more.

The update released by Cornfox & Brothers on Wednesday even includes the town of Nexus – previously the game took place entirely in the dungeon.

Give Dad the gift that keeps on giving: MS Office for life

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Give your dad some home and Microsoft office software for Father's Day.
Give your father a gift he can use at home or work.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Dads work really hard to take care of their families. This Father’s Day, why not give your dad some software that could make his professional and home life a little easier?

For example, check out this deal on a lifetime license to Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows. It’s on sale now for only $59.99 (regularly $947). Plus, it comes bundled with finance courses from author and entrepreneur Chris Haroun.

That’s the full MS Office suite for life, plus 51 courses that thoroughly explain investing, taxes and key business concepts.

Your repaired iPhone 12 will return in more eco-friendly packaging

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iPhone 12 mini
Don't be surprised if your repaired iPhone 12 comes in a brown box
Photo: Lyle Kahney/Cult of Mac

Apple will start shipping repaired iPhone 12 units in environment-friendly packaging starting this week. Made from bleach-free paper certified by the Forest Stewardship Council, the new brown box will replace the white boxes used so far.

Apple promises to eliminate the use of plastic in its packaging by 2025.

Budget iPad could finally dump Lightning and adopt USB-C

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New budget iPad 9 gets better video chat, doubles storage
The iPad 9 could be the last Apple tablet with a Lightning port, as its successor might use USB-C instead.
Photo: Apple

The budget iPad will reportedly be the next Apple device to dump the Lightning port in favor of USB-C. The tenth tablet in this series might also have a larger screen, a faster processor and optional 5G.

The upcoming device is expected to debut this fall.

Keychron goes big(ger) with latest custom mechanical keyboard

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Keychron's new Q5 is nearly full sized and completely customizable.
Keychron's new Q5 is nearly full sized and completely customizable.
Photo: Keychron

Following launches of other interesting mechanical keyboards in its customizable Q series, Keychron recently made the Q5 available.

The “almost full-size,” 96% layout custom mechanical Mac keyboard features an aluminum build, RGB backlighting, Gateron G Pro switches and more.

Apple TV will stream all Major League Soccer games for 10 years

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All the games? No blackouts? Yes, please. Watch free soccer on Apple TV.
All the games? No blackouts? Yes, please.
Photo: Apple

Cupertino unveiled a major new sports deal Tuesday, saying Apple TV will be the exclusive streaming destination for all Major League Soccer (MLS) games for 10 years, starting with the 2023 season.

Unlike Friday Night Baseball on Apple TV+, watching many soccer games will require a separate subscription to an MLS streaming service, available exclusively through the Apple TV app. But some of the biggest matches will air on Apple TV+, as well.

14.1-inch iPad might lack typical ‘pro’ features

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iPad Air 5
The 14.1-inch iPad might have more in common with the iPad Air 5 than iPad Pro.
Photo: Apple

Surprising details leaked out about the rumored 14.1-inch iPad. Aside from its large size, the display might not include top-tier features offered by other iPad Pro models, like a very fast refresh rate.

These might be an attempt by Apple to control the price of the extra-large tablet.

Secretive startup full of Apple talent aims to change your life through wearables

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Humane's wearable ditches a screen in favor of lasers, which project info out into the world. Here it is showing a thermostat projected on a user's hand.
Humane's wearable ditches a screen in favor of lasers, which project info out into the world. Here it is showing a thermostat projected on a user's hand.
Photo: Humane

The people who invented the iPhone are trying to invent what comes after the iPhone, and it sounds bonkers.

A secretive San Francisco startup called Humane appears to be developing a wearable, screen-less device that uses low-powered lasers to project information out into the wearer’s environment. And there’s not an AR/VR headset in sight.

This easy-to-use video editor for Mac is 36% off

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On macOS, Wondershare Filmora offers auto reframing, touch bar support and more.
Filmora offers many advanced features to make editing your videos easy.
Photo: Wondershare

It might look glamorous, but actually making videos is challenging. Once you get past the writing and the filming, you still have to get through the editing.

Usually, video editing proves incredibly time-consuming and tedious. But Wondershare Filmora is a quick, simple video editor that makes content creation a breeze. And perpetual licenses for Filmora are on sale for $69.99 (regularly $109) for a limited time.

Germany investigates unfair advantages in Apple’s anti-tracking system

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Facebook vs. iPhone App Tracking Transparency
There's more to App Tracking Transparency than meets the eye.
Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac

The German government is looking into whether Apple’s App Tracking Transparency system is designed to give Apple an unfair advantage in advertising.

The Bundeskartellamt doesn’t object to the iPhone-maker blocking tracking. But the agency points out that ATT doesn’t block Apple’s own advertising tracking system.

Apple plans several Stage Manager improvements in upcoming iPadOS 16 betas

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iPad finally gets floating windows in Stage Manager on iPadOS 16
Stage Manager is going to get better in upcoming iPadOS 16 betas
Screenshot: Apple

Stage Manager is undoubtedly one of the key new features in iPadOS 16. However, its M1 iPad exclusivity has irked a lot of users despite Apple explaining the technical reason behind this.

Craig Federighi, SVP of Apple’s software development efforts, has shared more insight into Stage Manager limitations.

Save 25% off this simple PDF editor that professionals love

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This PDF Editor is simple and easy to use.
This easy-to-use PDF editor might be your new favorite app.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

The PDF is one of the most popular file formats in the world. Yet somehow, a good PDF editor is still hard to find.

Wondershare PDFelement Professional is a simple PDF editor loaded with features. It caters to everyday users as well as professionals who need advanced tools. And you can get a perpetual license on sale for $119 (regularly $159) for a limited time.