Apple is allegedly working to make this dream into a reality. Illustration: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
iPad users will soon be able to work with applications in floating windows, if an unconfirmed report is correct. This is a highly requested feature from those who want Apple’s tablet to function more like a Mac.
iPadOS will supposedly offer something like tablet mode and laptop mode depending on how it is being used.
Ian Zelbo works on renders on a tricked-out PC in New York City. Photo: Ian Zelbo
We last wrote about the computer setup of 17-year-old concept creator and render artist Ian Zelbo back in May 2021. As then, the young New Yorker’s 3D renderings of Macs and other leaked tech products continue to amaze viewers online.
But he recently switched things up a bit with the gear he needs to get the job done. Along with a big step up from a 13-inch M1 MacBook Pro to a 14-inch M1 Pro version, he custom-built a PC to do a lot of the heavy lifting in his resource-intensive work.
An India-based blog posted a series of renders on Wednesday it said are based on leaked factory CAD images of the upcoming iPhone 14 Pro. They support leaks and rumors indicating that a hole-punch design will replace the notch, among other changes.
Hands-on use shows the iPad Air 5 can handle demanding graphics apps. Photo: Apple
The iPad Air 5 reaches customers on Friday, and the first reviews describe it as a moderately improved version of the already excellent fourth-generation model.
They give us our first hands-on impressions of the tablet with an M1 processor and support for Center Stage.
Get 45% off this ultimate portable Apple Watch charger. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
Sure, you rely on your stand to charge your Apple Watch when you’re at home. But, you need a great Apple Watch charger for when you’re traveling too. Carrying around a bulky stand simply isn’t practical. This 2-in-1 Portable Apple Watch Charger fits the bill perfectly, and even better, right now it’s on sale for $18.99. That’s a 45% discount off the regular price of $34.
Get 40% off this useful cleaning pen for AirPods. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
How often do you clean your AirPods? If your answer is simply, “I don’t,” then we need to talk. Rather than worrying about all the dirt that accumulates in your earbuds over time, you can set your sights on this AirPod Cleaning Pen. It’s on sale for just $14.99 — a 40% discount off the regular price of $24.
With double the MagSafe, this power bank from OtterBox both sends and receives power wirelessly. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
The OtterBox Wireless Power Bank for MagSafe doubles down on wireless charging. It clings magnetically to your iPhone while charging it, and the external battery also magnetically attaches to MagSafe chargers to receive power. And it can do both at the same time. There are versions with 3,000mAh and 5,000 mAh of capacity.
I tested the MagSafe accessory with my iPhone 13, and I’m pleased with how well it works.
Try them out now and let Microsoft know what you think. Image: Microsoft
Microsoft this week rolled out a big Xbox Cloud Gaming update that promises “major performance improvements” on iPhone and iPad. They should allow for smoother and more responsive gameplay, the company said.
The changes have already been well-received by Cloud Gaming users, with Microsoft seeing a “significant increase” in positive feedback from players.
Razer's new Key Light Chroma offers adjustable colors and temperatures. Photo: Razer
If you want to kick your streaming or vlogging up a notch, Razer has a trio of new products designed to help you look and sound better to your online audience.
On Friday, the gaming peripherals company rolled out the Razer Key Light Chroma, the Razer Seiren BT lapel microphone and the Razer Audio Mixer.
An Apple autonomous vehicle could still be on the road in just a few years, despite a reorg of the development team. Photo: Possessed Photography/Unsplash CC
The group at Apple developing a self-driving electric car has been “dissolved for some time,” according to a reliable source of insider information. But the project supposedly hasn’t been canceled — it’s undergoing a reorganization.
This is likely a reflection of the many difficulties Apple has run into with this very complex project.
Sweet savings on devices that look brand-new. Photo: Apple
You can now buy official iPhone 12 and 12 Pro refurbs through the Apple Store online in the United States. Prices start at $619 for a regular 6.1-inch model with 64GB of storage. Apple doesn’t yet offer iPhone 12 mini or 12 Pro Max.
A range of color options are available and all units are unlocked for use on any carrier. As is always the case with refurbs, stock levels are likely to fluctuate, so it might be best to bag one soon if you’re interested.
If you're looking for cloud storage, consider pCloud as an alternative to Dropbox and other services. Photo: pCloud
This cloud storage post is brought to you by pCloud.
The well-regarded pCloud service prides itself on providing highly secure encrypted cloud storage, where you can safely keep your personal files, back up your PC or share your business documents with your colleagues and collaborators. As such, it’s a great alternative to Dropbox, with plenty of benefits above and beyond everyday cloud storage offerings.
Only Apple could restore an Apple Watch until now. Image: Apple
If you encounter firmware issues on Apple Watch, you can now wirelessly restore its software yourself using an iPhone — provided you’ve updated to iOS 15.4 and watchOS 8.5, which made their official debuts on Monday.
Is it the first time Cupertino has given Apple Watch owners this functionality. Until now, firmware issues often required users to take their device to Apple to be restored, since there is no way to connect the device to a Mac.
Charge all the things with this affordable charging station. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
We all have more devices than we’d probably like to admit. When you’re tired of all the tangled charging cords and lost charging boxes, there are modern solutions at hand. We recommend one that effectively consolidates your needs.
The 4-in-1 Wireless Charging Station lets you center your charging in one location without a tangled mess of cords that break long before your devices are ready to replace. And it’s on sale for just $29.99 (regularly $49).
MediaTek looks set to become the first mobile chipmaker to finally give iPhone 13’s A15 Bionic chip a run for its money in processing performance.
The Taiwanese company’s new Dimensity 9000 chipset, announced late last year, is yet to make its way into an Android device. But early benchmarks suggest it will easily outpace rivals from Google, Samsung and Qualcomm.
Charge 5 devices at once (including a laptop) with this power bank.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
Flash 2.0 is a portable power bank that you can use to recharge your laptop, phone, or tablet on the go, using its rechargeable graphene battery. For a limited time, you can find a Flash 2.0 USB-C Graphene 210W Power Bank on sale for $139.99 (Reg. $299), and it even comes in 3 colors.
You will be prompted to set up Face ID with a mask after installing iOS 15.4. Photo: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac
New in iOS 15.4, released today, Apple is extending Face ID to authenticate your face while wearing a mask. In my testing, it has increased the reliability and the number of situations in which Face ID works.
This feature is arriving late into the pandemic — it would have been great to have this for the past couple of years — but as new COVID variants surge, we may still need it for the foreseeable future. Plus, in some countries, wearing a mask when you’re sick has been standard for many years.
Here’s how to set up Face ID with a mask on your iPhone.
The gorgeous leather strap is meticulously handmade from start to finish by Clessant’s master craftsmen, using only the finest calfskin leather, robust metal buckles and adapters, and precise stitching for the finest finish.
Only a small number are available, so bag yours today from the Cult of Mac Store before they’re all gone.
iPad Pro does not have better performance than iPad Air 5. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Early benchmark scores for the soon-to-be-released iPad Air 5 show the tablet has approximately the same performance as the iPad Pro models that cost much more.
That’s not a surprise considering the new Air has the same M1 processor as the Pro.
The Rock Space AX1800 WiFi 6 Router is quite capable despite a bargain price. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Wi-Fi 6 is the latest version of the wireless networking standard we all love. It’s so much better than its predecessor you should think about upgrading your router just to get it. Especially because the change won‘t be as expensive as you might expect because the Rock Space AX1800 WiFi 6 Router is just $80.
At that price, I was a bit suspicious that the device. But I’m a believer. I used this Wi-Fi access point in my home office for nearly two weeks and have no complaints.
Ted Lasso tends to dominate during awards season. Photo: Apple TV+
Ted Lasso, the hit Apple TV+ sports comedy series, keeps winning awards. On Sunday night it picked up four at the 27th Annual Critics Choice Awards ceremony, including Best Comedy, topping seven other nominees.
The streaming service’s indie film CODA also won a Critics Choice award, as well as a pair of BAFTA awards (aka the British Oscars) over the weekend.