President Biden signed an executive order Thursday that reverses Trump’s attempts to force TikTok’s developer ByteDance to sell the wildly popular app to American companies. But Biden doesn’t take the pressure off it and other Chinese-made apps. He’s just no longer singling out TikTok.
Remember this? It’s back! Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
The iPhone text magnifier makes a comeback in iOS 15. It disappeared two years ago, but returns in the next version of iOS and iPadOS. The magnifier makes it easier to place the cursor exactly where the user wants, without it being hidden behind their fingertip.
Many of macOS Monterey’s most exciting new features will not be available on Mac models powered by Intel processors. Live Text, Portrait mode for FaceTime video calls and more all require Apple’s own M1 chip.
Siri is taking over our lives. Photo: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac
Smart home technology isn’t a massive focus of Apple’s. But the European Commission is nonetheless concerned that Apple could be one of the companies potentially able to engage in anticompetitive behavior in this area due to its outsized influence on the tech industry.
In preliminary investigation results published Wednesday, the EC raises concerns about the potential of “gatekeepers emerging” in this sector. The inquiry into Internet of Things (IoT) devices was launched in July 2020. It’s based on feedback from more than 200 different companies. Along with Apple, Amazon and Google are both mentioned as big players.
It’s soft, protective, and can be easily attached to your iPad’s case (or something else) so that you never lose it. Bag yours today from the Cult of Mac Store for under $15.
Bolstering chip manufacturing in the United States. Photo: Intel
The U.S. Senate passed a bill Tuesday that could see the United States invest $52 billion in growing its own chip manufacturing technologies. The $52 billion is part of a broader bipartisan bill. In total, it aims to invest close to $250 billion in U.S. manufacturing and technology.
The bill passed Tuesday with a 68-32 vote. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer described it as likely to “go down as one of the most important things this chamber has done in a very long time.”
It is an attempt to wrestle back control of some of the world’s tech manufacturing from China.
Enter to win a dream setup that will thrill any Apple fan. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
Want another bite out of Apple? Of course you do. While Apple alternatives come in at better price points, there’s a reason why the brand has so many steadfast loyalists. There’s simply nothing quite like Apple products.
That’s why this Apple bundle giveaway is as awesome as it claims to be. For a limited time, you can purchase entries to win an iMac, iPad Pro, MacBook Pro, AirPods Pro and a bevy of Apple subscriptions, all while donating to a benevolent charity. With products valued at a grand total of $5,743, this is a bundle giveaway that you definitely don’t want to miss.
You'll need an A12 Bionic chip (or better). Photo: Apple
Apple’s brilliant new Live Text feature for iOS and iPadOS 15 only works on some iPhone and iPad models. If your isn’t powered by an A12 Bionic processor (introduced in 2018) or better, you’re out of luck.
Tencent’s Honor of Kings raked in royalty levels of cash in the App Store, app analytics platform Sensor Tower reports. The report doesn’t break down exact iOS earnings, but across both the iOS App Store and Android’s Google Play store, the popular gaming title pulled in $264.5 million in player spending — in the month of May alone.
That’s a whole lot of cash, not least for a multiplayer online battle game that’s been around on mobile since 2015. It’s a testament to its longevity, and the fact that App Store success doesn’t rely on the United States these days.
A quicker, easier way to wipe your Mac. Photo: Apple
Apple’s upcoming macOS Monterey update will make it easier for users to wipe all data from a Mac. A new “erase all contents and settings” option allows a system to be wiped without removing macOS.
Apple says the process — similar to that available on iPhone and iPad — is instant and secure, destroying all encryption keys.
You can now transfer even more data. Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac
Android users will enjoy a more seamless experience when switching to iPhone this fall with the improved “Move to iOS” feature in iOS 15.
After several years of no significant changes, the switching tool is finally getting the ability to copy over photo albums, files, folders, and even more from Android devices.
No need to struggle with the Siri Remote. Image: Apple
Signing into Apple TV apps will soon be easier than ever, thanks to the ability to use Face ID or Touch ID on your iPhone or iPad with tvOS 15.
The new “Sign in with Apple Device” feature will negate the need to enter usernames and passwords with Apple TV’s Siri Remote, significantly speeding up the sign in process. But there is a small catch.
Will World Timer come with watchOS 8 this fall? Image: Apple
A new “World Timer” face for Apple Watch has been spilled ahead of its release in a WWDC 2021 developer session.
The face didn’t get a mention during Apple’s watchOS 8 announcement on Monday, and isn’t yet available inside the first developer beta. Fans will be hoping it does appear before watchOS 8 makes its public debut.
Thanks to Substack and its rivals, 2021 has been huge for subscription newsletters. But Casey Newton of Platformer notes that the newsletter boom times could be threatened by Apple’s newly announced Mail Privacy Protection feature for iOS 15. And he’s not alone.
Private Relay protects your online privacy. It’s the best part of Apple’s new iCloud+. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Private Relay is the latest way Apple devices can protect your privacy. The service, a part of iCloud+, makes it much harder for the websites you visit to track you.
Unlike many of Apple’s privacy services, it’s not free. But the new iCloud+ service costs very little and comes bundled with iCloud storage at no additional cost. And it comes with some other privacy benefits, too.
These courses will help you launch your Amazon side hustle. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
Jeff Bezos may be the richest person in the world at nearly $190 billion, but there’s still plenty of money to be made using his ubiquitous web marketplace, Amazon.
But like anything else on the internet, it’s not enough to post your items and patiently wait for customers. There are tried-and-true methods that will connect your product with desired customers. If you’re ready to take your Amazon business to the next level, the 2021 Complete Amazon Dropshipping & Private Label Master Class Bundle is the best way to go from just another Amazon seller to an Amazonian millionaire.
Whether you’re computer-savvy and stay up to date on the latest software or not, this is a bundle that every Amazon seller needs in their cart. Available now at 98% off for just $34.99, this bundle will change the way you handle and thrive in your online business.
The tiny multitasking menu at the top of each application is a significant improvement in iPadOS 15. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
With iPadOS 15, Apple makes the iPad’s multitasking system much more intuitive. I’ve been testing it with the first beta of this OS update, and I’m quite pleased with the changes.
Here’s how the new iPad side-by-side multitasking system works in real life. And why I think it’ll bring this feature to more users.
Just a few of the titles available on Apple TV+. Photo: Apple
Monday’s Worldwide Developers Conference keynote was short on tangible details about Apple TV+. But Apple seized upon arguably its biggest week of the year to showcase a new trailer highlighting the great shows and movies available to watch on its subscription video service. And previewing one or two more.
To a remixed version of The Beach Boys’ classic “Wouldn’t It Be Nice,” the two-minute Apple TV+ ad shows off the slate of Apple Originals. It casts Apple TV+ productions as mold-breakers, with original vision — and no shortage of big hits. It also offers some nice shots of upcoming productions, including Apple’s Foundation sci-fi series, the CODA movie that swept Sundance, the second season of surprise hit Ted Lasso and more.
Want to relive Craig Federighi’s daring iPad catch from Monday’s keynote, set to a toe-tapping tune? Of course you do. Fortunately, Jonathan Mann is here to help.
Mann, a prolific musical YouTuber, has been writing songs about Apple dating back to the days of Antennagate and the iPhone 4. None other than Steve Jobs once played one of Mann’s iPhone ditties on stage at an Apple event. Each year after Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference, Mann pens a song based on the event.
His song this year won’t leave you any the wiser if you didn’t watch this year’s WWDC keynote. But it will certainly get you nodding your head — and reliving that Federighi catch over and over. Check it out.
This smartwatch is a great alternative to Apple Watch. Photo: 116plus
Want to make your life easier this summer? Smartwatches are a great way to enhance your daily routine, saving you time and offering convenience right on your wrist. But not everyone has enough room in their budget for a costly Apple Watch.
If you’ve been hoping to simplify things and embrace the ease of having technology just a tap away, the 116plus Smart Wristband gives you all the perks of a smartwatch for a fraction of the price. In fact, it’s available in five cool colors — blue, red, black, green and purple — right now for just $29.99.
Selling your old Apple device to buy a new one can be a high-stakes game. Do it before Apple announces the replacement and you can bank a few extra bucks because a) you’re selling the latest-gen product and b) the market’s not yet saturated with other sellers doing the same thing.
The catch? You’d better be confident that Apple’s going to announce the product you think it will. Because if it doesn’t, you’ll be stuck with no device at all. That appears to have happened to a handful of Apple users who were confident that Monday’s Worldwide Developers Conference keynote would include the launch of next-gen MacBook Pros powered by M2 chips.
Apple didn’t unveil new laptops — and now people who sold their computers to gear up for new ones are not too happy about the situation.
Customize apps without changing everything. Image: Cult of Mac
iOS and iPadOS 15 give you the ability to specify accessibility settings for individual apps. The change lets you adjust things like text size, increase contrast, invert colors and more only where you need to.
Giving you the best possible download and upload speeds. Photo: Apple
If you’re lucky enough to get strong and speedy 5G coverage where you live, you’ll be pleased that it gets prioritized over Wi-Fi in iOS and iPadOS 15 when your usual network is slow.
The new feature expands your 5G capabilities on iPhone 12 and M1 iPad Pro and could make certain tasks — like downloading high-resolution movies and music or uploading data to iCloud — significantly faster.
Apple appears to have restored the scroll wheel to setting alarms in iOS 15, having replaced it with last year’s iOS 14 update.
While it’s a minor feature, it’s one that was conspicuous in its absence last year, replaced with a far clunkier, counterintuitive replacement. Now it’s back — showing that Apple does indeed listen when people call out certain features that used to be better.