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Add dual 4K displays to your Intel Mac with OWC’s new adapter

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OWC's new adapter helps you drive two displays with your Intel-based Mac or iPad.
OWC's new adapter helps you drive two displays with your Intel-based Mac or iPad.
Photo: OWC

At Cult of Mac we’re always going on about M1 Macs, but here’s something for the Intel Mac crowd. OWC launched a new DisplayPort adapter allowing you to connect two 4K displays or one 8K display to your Intel-based Mac or iPad using a single Thunderbolt port.

The best thing to happen to videoconferencing? iPad’s Center Stage.

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iPad’s Center Stage is the best thing to happen to video conferencing
Center Stage is Apple’s best creation in years.
Photo: Apple

A highlight of the just-released budget iPad and iPad mini is the addition of Center Stage, a feature that lets the front-facing camera follow someone on a video call. It’s brilliant. It makes FaceTime and Zoom calls so much simpler.

This is perhaps the best new feature Apple has come up with in years. If you have a recent iPad and aren’t using this videoconferencing feature, you’re missing out. And here’s hoping it gets built into the 2022 iPhone.

Safeguarding sensitive health care data with Hexnode and Apple devices

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Hexnode UEM: Unified endpoint management gives you complete control over organization's critical devices (and the sensitive data they contain).
Unified endpoint management gives you complete control over organization's critical devices (and the sensitive data they contain).
Image: Hexnode

This health care data security post is presented by Hexnode.

The health care sector is under tremendous stress due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the persistent threat of hackers, phishers and other bad actors. Staffers are overworked and under-resourced, while hackers employ ever-more-sophisticated methods to compromise sensitive health care data.

The solution is a unified endpoint management system such as Hexnode, one of the market leaders. The platform can be employed to enhance the security of any health care enterprise and safeguard critical patient data against breaches.

Hexnode perfectly aligns with the capabilities of Apple devices, streamlines various processes, and makes it easier for organizations and end users alike.

iOS 15 problems continue as iPhone 13 owners report CarPlay crashes

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Ford-CarPlay
Will it ever end?
Photo: Ford

The long list of problems that have surfaced in iOS 15 continues to grow as iPhone 13 owners report new issues with CarPlay.

Some say they are unable to play tracks in Apple Music or third-party apps like Spotify without the system crashing completely. There are some fixes you can try, like disabling the equalizer if it’s active, that may solve the problem.

The Problem With Jon Stewart goes deeper than The Daily Show [Apple TV+ review]

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Jon Stewart is back in the anchor's chair on Apple TV+ show
Jon Stewart is back in the anchor's chair.
Photo: Apple TV+

Jon Stewart is back on TV with more control, more freedom and more gray hair. His new Apple TV+ show, The Problem With Jon Stewart, debuts Thursday and promises to tackle the tough questions facing the world.

But has America missed its smart-ass in chief since he departed The Daily Show in 2015? Is there still a place for Stewart’s left-leaning (fire)brand of comedy in the modern media landscape? Can TV actually exert any kind of power on public opinion anymore? Tune in every week on Apple TV+ to find out.

Save an extra 15% off fun and useful gadgets during our VIP Sale

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These home tech solutions are 15% off for a limited time.
Got gadgets? Our VIP Sale delivers the goods.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

There are a lot of things you can get to improve your quality of life, your comfort and your downtime. Get yourself some cool gadgets during our VIP Sale and enjoy an extra 15% off. And if these aren’t enough for you, there are plenty more fun accessories and tools where that came from. Happy shopping.

iPhone 13 Pro Max hits faster charging speed of 27W

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iPhone 13 charging test
Topping up your iPhone is faster than ever before.
Photo: ChargerLAB

iPhone 13 Pro Max charges faster than its predecessor, with speeds hitting up to 27W when connected to a 30W (or higher) power adapter, new tests reveal. That’s up from a maximum of 22W in last year’s iPhone 12 Pro Max.

The smaller iPhone 13 Pro maxes out at 23W, while all iPhone 13 units — with the exception of iPhone 13 mini — can receive up to 15W when charging wirelessly using an Apple MagSafe charger.

Siri loses a whole bunch of features and is now even less useful

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Sorry, Alexa: Siri still the most widespread AI assistant
Not a lot, apparently.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Siri is widely considered the dumbest of the smart assistants (although I would argue that Samsung’s Bixby easily takes that crown) and it just got a little dumber. Apple has removed a whole bunch of useful Siri features that iPhone users — particularly those with vision impairment — relied on.

Siri can no longer play your voicemail messages, check your call history, send an email, and more. “Sorry, I can’t help with that” is the response that greets iPhone users who attempt to use the features that were available before iOS 15 made its public debut almost two weeks ago.

Don’t use Visa cards with Express Transit on iPhone if you hate getting mugged

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Apple-Pay-Express-Transit-London
Security researchers just uncovered a big flaw.
Photo: Apple

Security researchers have discovered a major flaw in Express Transit on iPhone that allows hackers to steal money from a user’s Visa card. They say the problem can be easily fixed, but neither Apple or Visa seem interested.

The flaw makes it possible for iPhone’s contactless payment system, designed to make it easier and faster to pay for public transport, to be charged arbitrary transactions by a device that imitates a transport terminal.

Jon Stewart PSA cures tragedy of being unable to find Apple TV+

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Jon Stewart PSA cures tragedy of being unable to find Apple TV+
If you can't watch Jon Stewart's new show because you can’t find Apple TV+, don’t blame him.
Screenshot: Apple TV+

Jon Stewart wants to be sure everyone knows how to find Apple TV+. So much so, in fact, that he created a public service announcement to help all the “innocent people who may never know the pleasures of Schmigadoon.” Stewart has an ulterior motive, of course: His new talk shows debuts Thursday on the streaming service.

Watch the wackiness now. That way you can be sure to see the first episode of The Problem With Jon Stewart on Apple TV+ for free.

Snatch these essential apps for an extra 40% off

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These will unleash your iPhone and Mac.
Right now, you can save an extra 40% on these nine must-have apps.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

With the sheer number of security tools and productivity-boosting apps on the market, it can be difficult to sift through the chaff and find the best ones to purchase. But we did the hard work for you with this roundup of nine premium utility, security and entertainment apps for Mac, iOS and other platforms. Plus, with coupon code VIP40, you can save an extra 40% off their already-reduced sale prices.

Most of these deals offer lifetime subscriptions. Act quickly, though, because the deals themselves will only be around for a limited time.

OWC’s new 6-port USB-C hub is tough and portable [Review]

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OWC’s new 6-port USB-C hub is tough and portable [Review]
Expand the capabilities of your Mac or iPad with the OWC USB-C Travel Dock E.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The OWC USB-C Travel Dock E adds the most commonly used ports to your Mac or iPad. It lets you use an HDMI monitor, two USB-A accessories, Ethernet and more. And the stylish hub ready to be used in your office or on a business trip.

I put the accessory through a battery of tests. Read on to see how well it stood up.

Protect your precious Apple Watch with this tough bumper case

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Elkson-Quattro-Bumper-Apple-Watch
Get yours for just $11.99.
Photo: Elkson

UPDATE: The brilliant Elago Quattro bumper is now available in new color options, including shark gray and light pink, and it now supports 40mm Apple Watch models. Get yours today for just $11.99 from the Cult of Mac Store.

Don’t let your precious (and pricey) Apple Watch fend for itself in harsh environments. Pick up this tough Quattro Bumper Case from Elkson for essential protection against scuffs and shattered screens.

It protects the sides of your Apple Watch that are prone to scratching when you’re hard at work. It also has a lip that helps prevent its screen from rubbing up against anything rough.

You can get yours for Apple Watch Series 4, Series 5, and Series 6 for just $11.99.

‘Finally, 1 cord to rule them all!’ [Setups]

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Maybe
Maybe "1 cord to rule them all," but not replace them all.
Photo: [email protected]

You’ve got to love somebody bragging about getting their computer setup’s cable management down to one cord, because it’s never really one cord. They don’t mean it literally. It’s just that one cord to a hub or dock helped reduce their previously tangled mess of cables splaying out all over the place.

iPhone 13 component shortage lengthens wait times

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iPhone 13 Pro's new Ultrawide camera enables impressive-looking macro photography.
A shortage in an iPhone 13 camera component is reportedly reducing production.
Photo: Apple

Production of the new iPhone 13 series isn’t catching up to demand. A shortage of a critical component is keeping wait times long for many versions of the handset.

But heavy demand is also reportedly adding to the delays.

Get this top-rated Apple Watch alternative on sale for less than $34 

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Top-rated smartwatch on sale: Transform your daily fitness with this affordable Apple Watch alternative.
Transform your daily fitness with this affordable Apple Watch alternative.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

We love Apple devices. But that also means we’re not always on the hunt for excellent Apple product alternatives. One of the latest we’ve found is the Smart Fit Total Wellness and Sports Activity Watch. And right now, it is in the Cult of Mac Store’s VIP Sale.

For a limited time only,  just enter the code VIP15 at checkout to get an extra 15% off this fitness-focused smartwatch, making it just $33.99 (regularly $149).

iPhone owners suffer intermittent touch input issues under iOS 15

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The iPhone 13 Pro is as powerful as it is beautiful.
How's your iPhone holding up after updating to iOS 15?
Photo: Apple

Some iPhone models are being plagued by touchscreen issues under Apple’s newest iOS 15 firmware. The problem, which seems to affect iPhone 13 owners most, causes devices to not respond to touch inputs.

A restart temporarily fixes the issue, though it does appear to resurface again soon after. Some say that repeated touches can get the screen working normally again, though.

Apple says 2021 iPad mini’s ‘jelly scrolling’ effect is normal behavior

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2021 iPad mini
There goes hope of a fix.
Photo: Apple

2021 iPad mini owners who are hoping for a fix for its mysterious “jelly scrolling” effect will be disappointed to learn that Apple considers this “normal behavior for LCD screens.”

Cupertino said uneven scrolling can occur because of the way in which its Liquid Retina displays refresh line by line. However, the behavior has not been spotted on other Apple devices with LCD screens, like the newest iPad Air.

New macOS Monterey beta hints at ‘High Power Mode’ for MacBook

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Video editing on a MacBook Pro
Get the best performance when you need it most.
Photo: Apple

Apple is working on a new “High Power Mode” that could boost MacBook performance when the device isn’t connected to a power source, according to the latest macOS Monterey beta.

The feature is thought to be similar to the “Pro Mode” that was first spotted in a macOS Catalina beta early last year. Pro Mode never made its public debut, but it seems Cupertino hasn’t given up on the idea.

Apple vows to fix iPhone 13 bug that breaks Unlock with Apple Watch [Updated]

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iPhone 13 and new iPads hit the Apple Store
Mask-wearers must enter their passcode to unlock iPhone 13.
Photo: Apple

Apple has promised to fix an iPhone 13 bug that prevents owners from using Unlock with Apple Watch. In the meantime, users can disable the feature to prevent an “Unable to Communicate with Apple Watch” error from appearing.

Unlock with Apple Watch was first introduced last April with iOS 14.5, giving iPhone users with Face ID the ability to easily unlock their devices while wearing a mask, which prevents facial recognition from working.

Update Sept. 28: iOS 15.1 beta 2 includes a fix for this problem. However, it’s not known when iOS 15.1 will be released to the public.

Adorable sci-fi romance Blush warms up Apple TV+ on Oct. 1

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Skydance Animation is producing ‘Blush’ for Apple TV+.
Skydance Animation produced Blush about a stranded astronaut meeting an ethereal visitor. Coming soon to Apple TV+.
Photo: Apple TV+

Apple and Skydance Animation teamed up to create Blush, the story of a stranded astronaut falling in love. The sci-fi short debuts October 1 on Apple TV+.

The trailer dropped Tuesday with a first look at the adorableness. Watch it now: