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iOS 15 brings welcome enhancements to FaceTime, notifications, more

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iOS 15 brings welcome enhancements to FaceTime, Notifications, more
Apple took the wraps off iOS 15 on the opening day of its WWDC conference.
Screenshot: Apple

iOS 15 just made the jump from rumor to reality. Apple is bringing major new features to FaceTime, Messages, notifications, and more. Many of the applications that come bundled with iPhone are getting updates, like Apple Maps and Weather.

However, some features people had been hoping for didn’t make the cut, like interactive widgets.

iPadOS 15 brings Home screen revamp, more powerful multitasking

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iPadOS 15
iPadOS gets widgets you can place anywhere — just like iPhone.
Photo: Apple

Apple today gave iPad owners their first peek at iPadOS 15 with a revamped Home screen and more powerful multitasking. The update also introduces bolstered privacy controls and some welcome changes to notifications.

iPadOS 15 makes its public debut this fall alongside iOS 15 and other software updates for Mac, Apple Watch, and Apple TV. Developers can get their hands on the very first betas later today.

Amazing retro-innovation draws adulation [Setups]

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A MacBook Pro and widescreen display setup has a secret weapon: a desktop whiteboard.
A MacBook Pro and widescreen display setup has a secret weapon: a desktop whiteboard.
Photo: TheCrunks@Reddit

If you look at enough computer setups, you get used to seeing the amazing technology that impresses people on social media sites. But then, sometimes the cool innovation, or let’s say killer retro-innovation, is just an unfamiliar form of whiteboard with dry-erase notes scribbled on it.

Redditor TheCrunks has an admirably capable but compact setup with plenty of tech to like.

App Store scams continue to rake in millions

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TikTok continues to dominate the App Store in 2020.
Lots of apps. More than a few scams.
Photo: Kon Karampelas/Unsplash CC

Apple’s “walled garden” approach to the App Store improves quality control — but it doesn’t filter out all of the spammy, scammy content. According to a report by the Washington Post, scam apps represent close to 2% of the App Store’s top-grossing apps.

While that might not sound like all that much, it’s a sizable amount when you consider that the App Store hosts approximately 1.8 million apps. These scam apps reportedly have cost users in the vicinity of $48 million.

Create professional videos with this best-selling Mac app

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video editing
Camtasia lets you quickly and easily create professional-looking videos.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Want to make your videos as good as they can be? You need powerful video editing software. Camtasia 2021 is a best-selling video editor that speeds up the creative process for editing pros and newbies alike.

With a 4.5/5 star rating on Capterra, 8.8/10 stars on TrustRadius and 4.5/5 stars on G2, Camtasia 2021 typically retails for $299. But it’s on sale for just $199 for only a few weeks.

Apple’s executive board gets Memoji makeover ahead of WWDC 2021

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Leadership
Apple introduced Memoji in 2018.
Photo: Apple

Apple has switched out the photos for its leadership team for Memoji versions on its website ahead of today’s WWDC keynote. Apple did this once before in July 2018, when it adopted the cartoon avatars to celebrate World Emoji Day.

This time, it’s likely a preview of one of the things users can expect as part of the WWDC keynote. Apple has utilized Memojis as part of the advertising aesthetic for the virtual, developer-focused event. Apple is expected to show off iOS 15 today. One of the rumored features for iOS 15 is an upgraded Messages app, which will — by the look of things — lean into Memoji.

TikTok comes out on top for yet another month in the App Store

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U.S. investigations of TikTok gather steam.
TikTok was the top, most downloaded, non-gaming app in the App Store last month.
Photo: Kon Karampelas/Unsplash CC

TikTok has completed yet another victory lap as the most downloaded, non-gaming title in the App Store, this time for the month of May. According to app analytics platform Sensor Tower, TikTok enjoyed more than 80 million monthly installs across both iOS and Android that month. This time, Brazil was the no. 1 market for TikTok, followed by China, where the app is called Douyin.

On iOS, TikTok was followed by YouTube in second place, then Instagram, then video editing app CapCut, then WhatsApp, Facebook, Zoom, Messenger, Google Maps, and Gmail rounding out the rest of the top 10.

Apple pays compensation to woman whose private media was shared during iPhone repair

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iPhone 12 Pro parts cost shockingly little
The incident took place in 2016.
Photo: Cult of Mac

Apple has reportedly paid out millions of dollars in compensation to a woman for a traumatic experience in which personal explicit media on her iPhone was uploaded to her Facebook account during a routine device repair, The Telegraph reports.

The incident took place in June 2016 at an authorized Apple repair shop in California, operated by Apple manufacturer Pegatron. In a statement, Apple said that when it “learned of this egregious violation of our policies … [it] took immediate action and [has since continued to strengthen [its] vendor protocols.”

iPadOS 15 will revamp iPad’s clunky multitasking system

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iPadOS 15 will revamp app multitasking system
The current iPadOS multitasking system is useful but limited. Improvements are expected in iPadOS 15.
Photo: Apple

The iPad software upgrade expected to be unveiled Monday will improve the way users work with multiple on-screen applications, according to a last-minute report from a reliable source. iPadOS 15 also will include widget improvements and other changes.

Power 3 Apple devices at once with this colorful 3-in-1 cable, now nearly 60% off

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Apple Watch charger
Charge all your Apple gear at once.
Photo: Tech Zebra

Apple devices simplify our lives with user-friendly software and cutting-edge hardware — but keeping these devices charged all day isn’t so simple. If you only have one charging port, you have to choose between devices, meaning you may have to tuck your AirPods into your pocket or leave your phone dead a little bit longer. And if you lug around various charging cables or add in any other accessories, the bulk grows unnecessarily and inconveniently large.

This portable power station speedily charges two MacBooks at once — anywhere

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With the Bluetti EB70 Portable Power Station, your devices will be charged no matter what happens.
With this portable power station, you can keep your devices charged no matter what happens.
Photo: Bluetti

This power station post is brought to you by Bluetti.

When’s the last time you went camping and had no concerns about keeping your devices charged? Now you can get $99 off the compact Bluetti EB70 Portable Power Station and charge everything — even two 16-inch MacBook Pros at once — at full speed, anywhere.

Last chance! Win a stretch-link Apple Watch band from Rilee & Lo [Cult of Mac giveaway]

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Rilee & Lo stretch-link Watchbands
Rilee & Lo's unisex stretch-link Watchband comes in multiple colors and sizes.
Photo: Rilee & Lo

This week, we are giving away three stylish stretch-link Apple Watch bands from our friends at Rilee & Lo. Each lucky winner will receive one Rilee & Lo stretch-link Watchband and one coordinating stacking bracelet of their choice.

If you want a unisex Apple Watch band that is super-cool and easily transitions from day wear to evening, be sure to enter this giveaway.

What to expect at WWDC 2021 [Cult of Mac Magazine 404]

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What to expect from WWDC 2021: Get ready for a glimpse into Apple's future.
Get ready for a glimpse into Apple's future.
Cover: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac

Are you ready for the Worldwide Developers Conference? Apple’s biggest keynote of the year happens Monday, and it will give us our annual look at Cupertino’s road map for the future.

In the run-up to WWDC, Apple did a pretty good job of keeping its software secrets under wraps, but our top story will give you an idea about what to expect.

Elsewhere in this week’s free issue of Cult of Mac Magazine, we’ve got some the latest rumors about upcoming Apple hardware, along with a passel of how-tos to help you get the most out of all your gear.

And don’t miss this week’s reviews of the latest Apple TV+ shows to catch our interest. The new Stephen King miniseries Lisey’s Story just landed on Apple’s streaming service. And The Mosquito Coast just wrapped its first explosive season, so you can binge the whole thing while you wait for WWDC.

2021 iPad Pro teardown finds larger battery, so many tiny LEDs

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2021 iPad Pro teardown explores the mini-LED display.
A 2021 iPad Pro teardown compares the mini-LED backlights to a grain of rice.
Screenshot: iFixit

Not everyone has the nerve to crack open their 2021 iPad Pro, but an iFixit teardown reveals the interesting bits inside.

It’s not just for fun — taking the tablet apart is necessary to find out the exact battery capacity because Apple doesn’t share that detail.

Plus, iFixit took a magnifying glass to the mini-LED display in the 12.9-inch version.

Learn to develop games while you play them with this PlayStation Plus bundle

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PlayStation Plus
Want to make (and play) games? This educational bundle includes a year of PlayStation Plus.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

It’s incredible when you get to make a career out of something that you love, especially if that passion is an artistic or creative one. If the thing you love is video games, there’s actually a great way to get an exceptional, creative career from playing all day long.

The Unity Game Developer Bundle featuring PlayStation Plus includes 10 different courses that show you how to develop your own games — all while you enjoy a one-year subscription to PlayStation Plus.

Apple stock jumps nearly 2% to snap its losing streak [Updated]

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Apple.logo.paris.store
Do I understand it? Nope.
Photo: Josh Davidson/Cult of Mac

Apple is the world’s most valuable public company, days from unveiling new software and hardware at WWDC, in the middle of its hottest iPhone cycle in years, and having just debuted its biggest iMac redesign in years. So all is good, then?

Well, apparently not. In fact, a report Friday notes that Apple stock is currently on track for its longest weekly losing streak in more than two-and-a-half years. Because the stock market works in mysterious ways.

Update: AAPL closed at $125.89 Friday, up $2.35 (or 1.9%). So much for the losing streak.

iPadOS 15 to MacBooks: Everything we’re looking forward to at WWDC 2021

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What to expect at WWDC 2021: iOS 15, macOS 12, new MacBook models, and more.
Get ready for updates to five operating systems. And maybe a pair of new MacBooks.
Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac

June 7 will be the single most important day of 2021 for Apple. It’s the start of the annual Worldwide Developers Conference where the company will ceremoniously unveil fresh operating system updates for iPhone, Mac, iPad, Apple Watch and more.

Big changes are anticipated for iPadOS 15, and some nice enhancements are also predicted for iOS 15. The improvements in macOS 12, watchOS 8 and tvOS 15 are likely to be more modest.

But the show won’t stop there. While WWDC is supposed to be about software, there’s a good chance we will see new MacBooks announced Monday as well.

How to opt out of Amazon’s mass wireless sharing plans

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How to opt out of Amazon Sidewalk
You have until June 8.
Image: Cult of Mac

Amazon plans to combine every Echo speaker and Ring security camera in the United States into a shared “mesh network” to ensure devices stay online even when disconnected from their owners’ home Wi-Fi connection.

The system, called Amazon Sidewalk, faced scrutiny over the lack of transparency with regard to its rollout. Many people also express concerns about the potential privacy issues it could raise.

Not interested in taking part? Here’s how to opt out of Amazon Sidewalk before it goes live on June 8.

Add dumb appliances to your smart home setup with SwitchBot

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SwitchBot Hub Mini simplifies and enhances your home automation.
SwitchBot Hub Mini simplifies and enhances your home automation.
Photo: SwitchBot

This home automation post is brought to you by SwitchBot.

These days, people control more and more aspects of their lives remotely through apps. And it’s no longer just “smart” devices like wired doorbells, thermostats and lights. Even your not-so-smart devices can join the party.

Now, with SwitchBot products, you can control many of your ordinary, old-fashioned appliances and use them with home-automation systems like Siri, Amazon Alexa and Google Home.

Join the One Dollar Club

And even better, right now you can try SwitchBot for just a buck by joining the One Dollar Club.

SwitchBot makes about a dozen products. Today we’ll focus on two, the SwitchBot Bot smart switch and the SwitchBot Hub Mini smart remote. They can be used separately or together.

Legends of Kingdom Rush slashes onto Apple Arcade June 11

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‘Legends of Kingdom Rush’ debuts on Apple Arcade in June 11
Go on an epic adventure in Legends of Kingdom Rush on Apple Arcade.
Photo: Ironhide

The popular Kingdom Rush game is getting rebooted as a medieval fantasy RPG with a storyline. Legends of Kingdom Rush is coming June 11 exclusively to Apple Arcade for iPhone, Mac and more.

Choose your heroes to fight creeps and save the world.

The Mosquito Coast season finale will leave you desperate for more [Apple TV+ review]

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The Mosquito Coast review season finale: Where will the Fox family go next season?
Where will the Fox family go next season? We can't wait to find out.
Photo: Apple TV+

The Mosquito Coast, the bold Apple TV+ potboiler about a family on the run from the law, wraps up its impressive first season this week with the end of the road — a few roads actually — in sight.

It’s a gripping finale that will leave you breathlessly waiting for the show’s just-announced second season.

Who Are You, Charlie Brown? trailer shows off Peanuts‘ A-list fans

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Charlie Brown
Go to Charlie Brown school for a history lesson.
Photo: Apple TV+

Whether it’s the classic Peanuts holidays specials or newer series like Snoopy in Space, Apple TV+ is the home of all things Charlie Brown, Snoopy and the gang these days.

Debuting later this month will be a great new addition to the collection: A star-studded feature documentary that tells the story of Peanuts and its impact. Check out the trailer below.

New house with Tesla, new home office with Tesla toys [Setups]

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A new house calls for a first-time home office with an ultrawide monitor and plenty of toys.
A new house calls for a first-time home office with an ultrawide monitor and plenty of toys.
Photo: StevenJ95

Redditor StevenJ95 recently moved from an apartment to a house, allowing him to have a new home office. For the first time. He’s got room enough in there for his MacBook Pro, his Samsung curved ultrawide monitor and even his Tesla Model S, Cybertruck and Supercharger.

OK, those last three are two diecast model cars and a cute little desktop Tesla charger for phones and such. But he does have a real Tesla Model 3 — which he sensibly parks elsewhere — as well as a lot of enthusiasm for the brand, judging by how he decorates his setup.