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Why the iPhone 14 looks like the iPhone 12

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Why the iPhone 14 looks like the iPhone 12
There's something slightly familiar about the iPhone 14 design...
Concept render: souta

It’s understandable if you’re feeling slightly underwhelmed by the upcoming iPhone 14. Leaks, combined with artist renders, give us an early glimpse of the iOS handset coming this autumn. And if they’re accurate, this year’s iPhone lineup will look nearly identical to its predecessors going back years.

That’s because Apple uses a three-year cycle in iPhone designs these days. That’s not laziness – there’s a solid reason for the choice.

Ad firms share your location and online behavior 747 times a day

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Advertisers pay to know your online behavior and location.
Advertisers pay to know your online behavior and location.
Photo: Charlie Sorrel/Cult of Mac

Google leads the way among ad tech companies sharing your online behavior and location with advertisers. It happens an average of 747 times a day in the United States and 376 times a day in Europe. That’s according to a new report from a civil liberties group.

Google and others use a process known as real-time bidding to help advertisers target you by behavior and location.

The group behind the report called such sharing “the biggest data breach” in the world.

Apple develops Door Detection for blind or low vision iPhone users

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Apple develops Door Detection for blind or low vision iPhone users
Door Detection can find and verbally describe a door to an iPhone or iPad user.
Screenshot: Apple

Apple’s Door Detection uses advancements in hardware, software, and machine learning to help people who are blind or low vision use their iPhone and iPad to navigate the last few feet to their destination.

This is one of several innovative software features unveiled Tuesday with new ways for users with disabilities. These include Live Captions, Apple Watch Mirroring and more.

This Apple Watch charging cable can handle 4 devices at once

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Use 1 outlet for 4 devices with this discounted charger.
Charge everything all at once with this four-headed cable.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Why carry multiple charging cables when you can get one that connects to all your gear at once? The 4-in-1 Multi-Port & Apple Watch Charging Cable lets you top off four devices simultaneously without a mess of cords.

And for a limited time, this combo Lightning/USB-C/Apple Watch cable is on sale for $17.99 (regularly $34).

Apple tests color e-ink display for future foldable devices

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The foldable iPhone 12 Flip concept could someday be a reality.
Apple could use a color electronic paper display panel for a foldable device's cover display.
Photo: ConceptsiPhone

Apple is testing electronic paper display tech from Chinese company E Ink for use as the cover screen on future foldable devices, according to TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

Color EPD panels could be ideal for foldables with a secondary screen, as they are more energy efficient than traditional OLED panels.

Become a certified coding pro for less than $3 a course

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Grab this top-rated $3000 coding bootcamp on sale.
With 15 premium courses, this bargain bundle is your ticket to coding success.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Whether you crave an exciting new career in tech or just want to boost the skills on your résumé, learning to code is one of the most valuable specialties you can have.

You can master various in-demand programming languages from home with The 2022 All-in-One Learn to Code Certification Bundle. Usually $3,000, it’s on sale right now for just $44.99. With 15 premium courses included in this e-learning bundle, that works out to less than $3 a course.

This may be the best look yet at the upcoming iPhone 14 Pro Max

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The iPhone 14 Pro Max mock-up is at left, the slightly bigger camera assembly.
The iPhone 14 Pro Max mock-up is at left, with a slightly bigger camera assembly.
Photo: Unbox Therapy

As excitement builds for the iPhone 14 launch expected in about four months, many of the usual suspects are finding ways to stoke it. Case in point, the YouTuber behind Unbox Therapy posted a video Monday in which he “unboxed” what he implied is a CAD design mock-up of an iPhone 14 Pro Max created by iPhone case makers in Japan with access to Apple schematics.

The replica device looks just like an iPhone 13 Pro Max in the video. But a closer look and some measurements revealed numerous subtle differences, many of which track with analysts’ predictions for the new handset.

HP monitor sports pop-up webcam with Center Stage-like tracking

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The webcam pops up and keeps you centered in the frame, a la Center Stage.
The webcam pops up and keeps you centered in the frame, a la Center Stage.
Photo: HP

A new report said HP plans to release a 1440p USB-C monitor with a built-in webcam that pops up and features tracking much like Apple’s Center Stage used in iPad models.

The display should serve professionals who want decent pixel density but don’t need the top-shelf visuals a graphics professional might.

Apple Podcasts offers new features for creators and listeners

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Creators and listeners both can benefit from Apple Podcasts' new features.
Creators and listeners both can benefit from Apple Podcasts' new features.
Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

Apple offered several new features for its Podcasts app Monday. They include downloaded episode controls, annual subscription plans, partnerships with third-party hosting platforms and more.

There’s something for both podcast creators as well as listeners in the updates, with some changes available in imminent OS updates and others slated to become available in the fall, Cupertino said.

Wait is over for iOS 15.5, macOS 12.4 and watchOS 8.6

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iOS 15.5, macOS 12.4, iPadOS 15.5, watchOS 8.6 and tvOS 15.5: If you have an Apple computer, no matter the shape or size, there's a good chance it just got a software update.
If you have an Apple computer, no matter the shape or size, there's a good chance it just got a software update.
Photo: Szabo Viktor/Unsplash License

Apple released software upgrades for all its computers Monday. After finishing weeks of beta testing, macOS Monterey 12.4, iOS 15.5, iPadOS 15.5, watchOS 8.6 and tvOS 15.5 are available for anyone to download.

Many of them include an update to the Podcasts application to keep it from taking up too much storage space. And the webcam in the recently released Apple Studio Display will work better after a firmware update.

Would this dual Studio Display rig be your ‘dream setup?’ [Setups]

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This is someone's dream setup. Is it yours?
This is someone's dream setup. Is it yours?
Photo: [email protected]

You look at enough computer setups online and you realize people are never really done with them. There’s always something to add. It could be some gear got held up by shipping delays, or the setup’s owner got a sudden urge to try another type of input device or some other gadget. And people often take ages to tame the cable clutter.

So you rarely see people claiming a setup’s done for good. Or it’s the best it can be. Or it’s the proverbial “dream setup.”

But sometimes they say that. Today’s setup got called a “dream setup” by its proud owner. Would you agree?

Get 1TB of secure cloud storage for life, at one low price

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Save your files and some room with this cloud storage.
A massive amount of reliable, encrypted cloud storage can put an end to your data worries.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Deleting videos you might have wanted and purging apps you could have used are some of the worst outcomes of seeing the dreaded notification that your device is running out of storage. Additionally, it’s hard to use your phone, laptop or tablet how you want when there’s always a limit to how much you can save.

You can make those problems disappear with a lifetime subscription to Koofr cloud storage. It offers a full terabyte of easy-access cloud storage, so your devices always have room. And for a limited time, it only costs $169.99 (regularly $2,700).

Video shows Apple’s Tap to Pay iPhone feature in action

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iPhone Tap to Pay
iPhone's Tap to Pay feature will make accepting payments a breeze
Photo: Apple

Apple has started testing its new “Tap to Pay” iPhone feature in the Apple Park Visitor Center in Cupertino.

Tap to Pay allows small businesses and merchants the ability to accept payments using only their iPhones. The feature makes it possible to receive payments using Apple Pay, credit/debit cards, and other compatible digital wallets.

Apple could go all in on USB-C across its product lineup

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This AirPods charging case has a USB-C connection.
USB-C could finally be the standard charging port across all Apple devices
Photo: Ken Pillonel

Beyond iPhones, Apple is looking to switch to USB-C on all its other products with a Lightning connector like the AirPods, Magic Mouse, Magic Keyboard, and more.

A reputable Apple analyst thinks the Cupertino company will make the transition in the “foreseeable future.”

Feel lucky? Watch the teaser trailer for Apple TV+ animated comedy Luck.

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Do you feel lucky? Watch the teaser trailer for Apple TV+'s animated comedy 'Luck'
All is not going as expected in the Land of Luck.
Photo: Apple TV+

The Apple TV+ teaser trailer for the upcoming animated film Luck explains how luck really works: it’s controlled by magical creatures. The star-studded film by Skydance Animation will be about the unluckiest person in the world visiting the Land of Luck.

Watch the trailer to see more – and learn more about luck.

Get Microsoft Office for Mac, plus courses that teach you to master the apps

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These advanced Microsoft Office courses are incredible .
Learn advanced MS Office skills and get the apps, too.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Even if you use Microsoft Office every day, you probably aren’t getting the most out of the world’s most popular software.

For instance, every time you start with a blank Word document instead of utilizing a template that does the job for you, that’s time wasted. And every time you add up all the numbers in a list on Excel instead of hitting the SUM button, that’s math you could have avoided.

The Premium Microsoft Office Training Bundle + Lifetime License of MS Office Home & Business for Mac 2021 teaches you how to get more out of the apps you might be using for work and school every day. And it gives you lifetime access to those apps, too — all for just $79.99 (regularly $,1549).

Things get a little too convenient this week on Tehran [Apple TV+ recap] ★★☆☆☆

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Tehran recap, ★★☆☆☆
Milad (played by Shervin Alenabi) and Tamar (Niv Sultan) wind up in uncomfortable situations this week.
Photo: Apple TV+

Apple TV+ show Tehran puts its second-season plot in motion this week, but the Israeli espionage drama keeps making bizarre missteps in its pursuit of pulse-pounding thrills, twists and turns.

Manjar steps into Farraz’s home in the perfect disguise, Tamar tries out her new character, Milad almost screws everything up for all of them.

Everybody’s tense and everybody’s guilty, as usual. And Tehran continues to benefit from good performances, tight editing and solid music and sound design, which keep every nail-biting scene running efficiently. But is that enough to save the show from an increasingly blinkered perspective?

Apple TV+ trailer lays out summer slate of fun shows for kids and families

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Apple TV+ laid out a summer lineup of kids and family series.
Apple TV+ laid out a summer lineup of kids and family series.
Photo: Apple TV+

Apple TV+ listed its new lineup of shows and specials for kids and families set to air this summer, including new series like Duck & Goose and Best Foot Forward plus Peanuts specials and new episodes of fan-favorite shows.

The new summer lineup of kids shows will kick off in July with the first series, Duck & Goose.

You can watch a trailer all about the summer’s content and how to watch it below with Jack McBrayer from Hello Jack! The Kindness Show.

Shining Girls gets tangled up in time travel [Apple TV+ recap] ★★☆☆

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Shining Girls recap: Things get weird when you start messing around with time travel.★★☆☆
Things get weird when you start messing around with time travel.
Photo: Apple TV+

Popular new Apple TV+ series Shining Girls keeps finding new clues to the identity of its time-traveling menace Harper. Meanwhile, Kirby and her reporter co-worker Dan get closer to breakthroughs — and further from normalcy — at every turn.

Kirby must ensure she doesn’t alienate everyone in her life just when she needs them most, even as she tightens the noose around Harper. Dan just needs to make sure Kirby doesn’t come across as an unreliable witness.