Mobile menu toggle

New CalDigit Thunderbolt 4 dock boasts record 18 ports

By

This thing bristles with 18 ports, the most ever on a Thunderbolt 4 dock, CalDigit said.
This thing bristles with 18 ports, the most ever on a Thunderbolt 4 dock, CalDigit said.
Photo: CalDigit

CalDigit said Tuesday its newly released Thunderbolt Station 4 dock for MacBook Pro sports 18 ports — the most ever on a Thunderbolt 4 dock. The company said it’s also the only TB4 dock with 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet as well as 98W of charging power.

Tinder promises to stop charging older users more for premium features

By

Tinder pricing
Users aged 30 to 49 have been paying 65.3% more than younger users.
Image: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

Tinder vows to stop charging older users “substantially more” for premium features after the shady tactic was exposed in a report on price discrimination.

The popular dating service has been charging users aged between 30 and 49 an average of 65.3% more than younger users in almost all countries. It has already been hit with one class action lawsuit over its pricing strategy.

Denzel Washington and CODA pick up big Oscar noms for Apple TV+

By

Denzel Washington and ‘CODA’ pick up big Oscar noms for Apple TV+
Denzel Washington is up for the Best Actor Oscar for his role in The Tragedy of Macbeth, now streaming on Apple TV+.
Photo: Apple TV+

The nominations are out for the 94th Academy Awards, and Apple TV+ films are up for six Oscars. Two movies from Apple’s streaming service attracted the attention of the Academy: CODA and The Tragedy of Macbeth.

Both films have already garnered a bevy of awards and nomimations.

What the puck? Belkin’s new iPhone charger comes with a kickstand [Review]

By

Belkin Boost↑Charge Pro Portable Wireless Charger Pad with MagSafe 15W review
Belkin’s Portable Wireless Charger Pad is a MagSafe charger and desktop stand in one.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Belkin found a way to improve on Apple’s MagSafe charging puck for iPhone. Both charge equally fast, but Apple’s lies flat, while Belkin’s includes a built-in kickstand. Plus, the third-party accessory maker put in a much longer cable. And these are just some of the benefits of the (deep breath) Belkin Boost↑Charge Pro Portable Wireless Charger Pad with MagSafe 15W.

I put the wireless charger through a round of tests. It came through with flying colors.

Apple’s new Tap to Pay feature lets iPhone accept contactless payments

By

iPhone Tap to Pay
It will be available only in the U.S. initially.
Photo: Apple

Apple will give iPhone the ability to accept contactless payments without additional hardware later this year, the company confirmed Tuesday.

The feature, which Apple calls “Tap to Pay,” initially will be available to merchants in the United States who use a “partner-enabled iOS app.” The company says Tap to Pay will “empower millions” to use their iPhones to seamlessly accept payments.

Learn from a pro and design apps for the iPhone and iPad

By

Start making apps for iPhone and iPad with Swift.
Learn Swift from the best and start making iOS apps today.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

To start developing apps for the iPhone and iPad, all you need to know is how to code with Swift. Want to get off to a fast start? We’ve got a hot deal on a that will get you developing iOS apps in no time.

Swift 5 Fundamentals: The Language of iOS Development covers the basics as well as advanced aspects of this fundamental Apple coding language. Plus, it shows you how to put those skills to use. And right now it’s only $19.99 (regularly $200).

LG shifts display production to prepare for new OLED iPad

By

Apple Smart Folio for iPad Pro, iPad Air
But when will we actually see an OLED iPad?
Photo: Apple

LG Display is reportedly making changes to its production plans so it can double its OLED screen output in preparation for a new iPad, according to a new report.

Sources say the South Korean company is shifting equipment to its Paju plant to ensure more efficient production of high-resolution panels that meet Apple’s strict quality standards for iPad.

New MacBook Pro with next-gen M2 chip could land next month

By

MacBook Pro notch won’t hinder mouse cursor movement
Could we get an M2 Mac earlier than expected?
Photo: Apple

Apple’s next MacBook Pro upgrade could be right around the corner. Supply chain sources claim a new model with a next-generation M2 chip will be unveiled during Cupertino’s spring event next month.

Aside from the silicon upgrade, the new MacBook Pro is expected to employ the same internals as existing models. Apple suppliers reportedly kept production going during the Lunar New Year to prepare for the machine’s arrival.

Nvidia scraps $66 billion plan to acquire mobile chip designer Arm

By

FTC moves to block Nvidia's acquisition of Arm
Regulators didn't like the idea of Nvidia and Arm merging together.
Image: Arm/Nvidia/Cult of Mac

Nvidia on Monday backed out of a deal to acquire mobile chip designer Arm for $66 billion, according to reports. It would have been the largest ever sale in the semiconductor industry, but regulators including the FTC weren’t keen on it.

SoftBank, the Japanese company that currently owns Arm, still expects to sell it by the end of the year through an initial public offering.

Dell’s new 4K USB-C monitors are first to use LG’s high-contrast ‘IPS Black’ tech

By

Dell's new 27-inch and 32-inch UltraSharp monitors are the first to use LG's IPS Black Technology.
Dell's new 27-inch and 32-inch UltraSharp monitors are the first to use LG's IPS Black Technology.
Photo: Dell

Dell said it has started shipping two new monitors that are the first on the market using LG’s new IPS Black Technology, rolled out at CES in January. IPS Black promises 35% deeper blacks than typical 4K displays, which tend to have poor contrast in favor of other benefits (mainly brighter colors). That’s effectively doubles the usual contrast ratio to 2000:1.

If you depend on your display for the best possible image — say, like a designer does — the new monitors could offer the great color IPS displays are known for, but with solid contrast, too.

Hack your productivity with some serious Microsoft Office skills

By

Master Excel, Publisher, and more with this bundle.
Boost your capabilities with this Microsoft Office training bundle.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

It’s amazing how much more you can get out of the Microsoft Office programs you use every day. The 2022 Premium Microsoft Office Training Certification Bundle teaches you how to use programs like Excel and Publisher to their fullest.

And right now, it’s on sale for $29.99 — a 98% discount of its regular price of $2,200.

Elizabeth Moss gets scary-metaphysical in Shining Girls Apple TV+ trailer

By

Think twice before you cross Elizabeth Moss.
Think twice before you cross Elizabeth Moss.
Photo: Apple TV+

Apple TV+ set a premiere date of April 29 and put out an initial trailer for the Apple Original horror-thriller series Shining Girls on Friday. And it’s seriously spooky. What with all the blurred reality and scary-shapeshifting-killer vibes, the trailer makes the show look both disturbing and disorienting.

Apple accused of using NDAs to silence workers’ complaints

By

Apple accused of using NDAs to silence workers’ complaints
The SEC has been asked to look into whether Apple lied about not using NDAs as concealment clauses.
Photo: SEC

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is being urged to look into Apple’s claim that it doesn’t use nondisclosure agreements to prevent its employees from talking about alleged incidents of harassment and discrimination.

The request comes from a collection of state treasurers who point out that activists accuse Apple of using NDAs for exactly this purpose.

iPad leads cops to kidnap victim

By

iPad leads cops to kidnap victim
Sometime your gear can be found when you cannot.
Photo: Cult of Mac/Pixabay/Pexels

A Colorado woman was rescued from a kidnapper after police tracked down her iPad at a motel in another state.

Apple devices can be connected to the Find My network, allowing their owners to locate them if they’re misplaced. But the feature has other uses… obviously.

Universal Control sends game dev with Mac arsenal over the moon [Setups]

By

Apple's Universal Control is this game developer's dream of seamlessly carrying tasks from one screen to the next.
Apple's Universal Control is this game developer's dream of seamlessly carrying tasks from one screen to the next.
Photo: [email protected]

When Apple demonstrated its new Universal Control feature during its Worldwide Developers Conference keynote back in June 2021, it made Apple fans drool. Too bad Cupertino made everyone wait longer than expected to get their hands on it.

But now, Universal Control is finally in beta testing ahead of its public release, and the anticipatory drool is once again flowing — especially among those who get to test it out.

The owner of today’s iMac Pro-based featured setup, a game developer and blogger, is no exception.

Apple gets another $5.7 million fine over App Store payments

By

App Store
Apple's response hasn't been good enough.
Image: Apple/Cult of Mac

Apple today received its third €5 million (approx. $5.7 million) fine from Dutch regulators for failing to comply with new legislation that allows dating apps to accept payments outside of the App Store.

The Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) warned Cupertino that it could have to pay up to €50 million (approx. $57 million) for not abiding by the new rules. “ACM is disappointed in Apple’s behavior and actions,” it said Monday.

How to fix macOS 12.2’s Bluetooth battery drain bug with one simple app

By

FluTooth app for macOS Bluetooth bug
FluTooth is effective and affordable.
Image: Jordi Bruin

Is your MacBook slowly dying in its sleep? It could be because of a frustrating Bluetooth bug in macOS 12.2 that’s causing severe battery drain for some users. But there’s no need to wait for Apple to fix it.

With the help of a simple (and incredibly affordable) app, you can automatically disable your MacBook’s Bluetooth connection when you close its lid — then enable it again when it’s reopened. We’ll show you how.

Apple considered Face ID for M1 iMac, but it’s not ready for MacBook yet

By

No Face ID in MacBook Pro is a missed opportunity
It will be some time before Face ID graces a MacBook.
Image: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple considered bringing Face ID to the M1 iMac, which would have been an ideal candidate for the facial recognition technology, according to a new report.

It’s not clear why the company didn’t follow through with the move. It is believed Face ID could appear in a future Apple desktop. But one source, who has been reliable in the past, says the technology isn’t yet ready for a MacBook.

This is the perfect way to charge iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods on the go

By

The MagStack is a 3-in-1 wireless charger that's only $45.
This 3-in-1 wireless charging station folds up to fit in your back pocket. And it's on sale for just $45.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

When you’re on the go and need to charge your Apple gear, size definitely matters. That’s what makes the MagStack 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Station one of the best travel accessories around.

As its name implies, it can charge your iPhone, AirPods and Apple Watch all at once. Plus, its fantastic, foldable design takes up almost no space, but can deliver fast wireless charging to all three devices.

And right now, it’s also a deal. Get one for just $44.99 (regularly $69), and start saving up for your next airplane ticket.

Incoming: New features in iOS 15.4, new gear at Apple’s March event [The CultCast]

By

The CultCast: Face ID might play nice with masks in the near future. Better late than never!
Face ID might play nice with masks in the near future. Better late than never!
Photo: Julio Lopez/Unsplash license; Image: Killian Bell, Cult of Mac

This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: iOS 15.4 packs a punch with some fun and useful new features. It’s still just a beta, but it will give us lots of new emoji for our critical, high-level communications when it goes live. Plus, the beta includes a convenient new way to unlock your iPhone while wearing a face mask — just in time for the end of the pandemic! 🤞

Also on The CultCast:

  • An Apple event in March looks quite likely.
  • Mini-LED iMac Pro might be delayed.
  • An Apple car patent sheds light on an advanced sunroof.
  • How to download Wordle, just in case The New York Times screws up the popular game.
  • Donkey talk!

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 livestream, embedded below (down by the headlines and donkey links).

Things get extra-hairy in this week’s Servant [Apple TV+]

By

Servant recap,
Just a normal family! Nothing to see here!
Photo: Apple TV+

Servant heads to the park and Julian hunts for DNA in an unsettling new episode of the Apple TV+ series about a mysterious nanny and the broken family she’s trying to help.

This week, Leanne’s paranoia takes a backseat to Julian’s, who’s convinced he has to take steps to protect his sister Dorothy from the cult, from Leanne, and from herself. Guest director Carlo Mirabella-Davis finds a host of new notes to play this week, separating him from his peers in all the right ways.

Get 36% off a screen-recording Mac app that users love

By

Stop wasting time on long video calls with this top-rated screen recording app.
This top-rated screen recorder will transform your WFH life.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Being able to quickly communicate over video has never been more important to our working lives. And there’s no better way to do it than with an all-in-one screen-capture app like Snagit.

Right now, you can grab a lifetime license to this top-rated software for Mac and PC, plus one year of maintenance, for just $39.99. That’s 36% off the regular price of $62.