DTK Mac was a preview of Apple Silicon. Photo: Apple
Apple started issuing $500 digital vouchers to developers following the return of their Developer Transition Kit Macs.
The company introduced the custom DTK Macs last year at its Worldwide Developers Conference. As their name suggests, the hardware was intended to help developers transition their apps from Macs’ previous Intel architecture to new Apple Silicon processors.
They were offered as a one-year lease, although Apple wound up requesting them back at around the nine-month mark.
Here's how the top apps for February shook out. Photo: Sensor Tower
TikTok has cemented itself at the top of the App Store for yet another month, showing the seemingly unassailable dominance of the video-sharing app. According to app analytics platform Sensor Tower, TikTok was the top-grossing, non-gaming app worldwide for February 2021.
For the month, it raked in more than $110 million in user spending across both iOS and Android. That’s approaching twice what it earned in revenue that month last year, although marginally down from the $128 million it pulled in back in January.
Wolfwalkers sniffed out ten nominations in the Annie Awards. Photo: Cartoon Saloon
Apple TV+’s Wolfwalkers received a whopping ten nominations for the 48th Annie Awards, which celebrate excellence in animation. That put it in a tie for most nominations with Pixar’s Soul.
Wolfwalkers also scored a Golden Globe nomination, and is widely expected to be nominated for an Oscar later in March.
Make up for the lack of ports in your MacBook or iPad with a Satechi 9-in-1 USB-C hub. Photo: Satechi
The latest USB-C multiport hub from Satechi is designed with portability in mind. It packs in nine frequently used ports so it’s not too tiny. But designers built in a slot to hold a short travel-ready connection cable to cut down excess bulk.
Apple laptops and tablets lack a variety of ports, but adapters like this one make for easier presentations, data transfers or network connections.
Item Safety Alerts in the Find My app warn you if unknown AirTags are found. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
It won’t be possible for someone to hide an AirTag on you and track your location without permission. iPhones will notify their users if one of Apple’s item tracker tags is moving along with them.
Government agencies in the EU and UK are looking into whether the iPhone App Store violates their antitrust laws. Photo: Sora Shimazaki/Pexels CC
Spotify’s accusation to the European Union that Apple uses its control of the App Store to squeeze out competition reportedly will soon result in antitrust charges being filed against the iPhone-maker. This comes on the same day the UK begins an investigation of the App Store.
The two antitrust agencies could force Apple to lower the commissions it charges software developers. Or even require rival iPhone app stores.
Use coupon code VEHO80 at checkout to save an extra $80. Photo: Veho
If you’re an avid hobbyist who works with electronics or models (or anything else that requires assembly with tiny parts), you know that sometimes it’s impossible to see what you’re building with the naked eye.
Sad times for third-gen. Apple TV owners. Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac
YouTube is now officially dead on the third-generation Apple TV. Users who attempt to watch the app will be greeted by an error message that confirms Apple’s aging hardware is no longer supported.
That’s hardly surprising given that the third-generation Apple TV is close to a decade old now. But there is a workaround (sort of) for those who still want to watch their favorite YouTube channels on the big screen.
A one-stop shop for support. Screenshot: Cult of Mac
The new “Apple for Kids” online portal, rolled out on Thursday, makes it easier for parents and guardians to manage iPhones, iPads, and other Apple devices used by children. The hub includes useful links that will help with everything from initial setup to reversing accidental purchases.
Keeping us connected while we're stuck inside. Photo: WhatsApp
WhatsApp’s official desktop app is getting a big update to add support for voice and video calls. The new features will be available on both Mac and Windows in the newest WhatsApp release, which is rolling out now.
Copying images and videos from iCloud Photos to Google Photos is surprisingly easy. Graphic: Cult of Mac
Apple now makes it easy to copy the pictures and videos you have stored in iCloud Photos over to Google Photos. The process is straightforward, but there are a few hoops to jump through.
Sounds like the Billie Eilish doc brought a coveted crowd to Cupertino's streaming service. Photo: Apple TV+
How do you get the kids to tune into your underachieving streaming service? Buy a documentary about one of the hottest young singer/songwriters in the world.
That’s what Apple TV+ did when it snapped up the rights to new doc Billie Eilish: The World’s a Little Blurry — and the strategy apparently worked. As per usual, Cupertino won’t reveal the actual number of people who watched the film since its premiere last week. However, an insider report says the music doc brought a ton of new, young viewers to Apple TV+.
Ben Thompson's setup is wired for great sound. Photo: Ben Thompson
We noticed business and technology author and noted Mac guy Ben Thompson volunteered a pic of his setup on Twitter when tech and politics writer Casey Newton posted a shot of an immaculate setup, wondering if he has “remotely what it takes to put something like this together.”
Well, Taiwan-based Thompson certainly has what it takes to put together a great setup — even if it’s more lived in and not quite as photo-ready as the one Newton posted.
Hook your iPhone, iPad or Apple TV to a keyboard and mouse for gaming with the KeyMander 2 Mobile from IOGear. Photo: IOGear
The IOGear KeyMander 2 Mobile is for iPhone users that prefer gaming with a keyboard and mouse instead of a touchscreen or controller. It works with Apple Arcade, Google Stadia and App Store games. Even ones that don’t offer native support for desktop-type input devices.
Beyond iPhone, it also works with iPad and Apple TV.
Digiarty Software offers a free giveaway of MacX MediaTrans. Photo: Digiarty Software
This media transfer post is presented by Digiarty Software.
If you ever found iTunes a bit clunky or too restrictive, you might want to try an alternative for transferring media files between your Mac and your iPad and iPhone, like Digiarty Software’s MacX MediaTrans. It’s an effective option.
Or you can get a lifetime license with free upgrades. It’s currently available at a 62% discount, but you save less the longer you wait to buy. (The giveaway version lets you use all the MacX MediaTrans features except for the free upgrade service, which is reserved for users of the full version of the software.)
New audio-intensive Apple TV+ show Calls leaves a lot to the imagination. Image: Apple TV+
Calls, the new thriller coming to Apple TV+, will depend on ears instead of eyes to get hearts pounding.
The oddball series “masterfully uses only audio and minimal abstract visuals to tell bone-chilling snackable stories,” Apple said in a description of the Calls trailer posted Wednesday.
Netflix Fast Laughs offers short humor clips from professional comedians. Screenshot: Netflix
Netflix subscribers with a few minutes to kill and an iPhone can tune into a new feed called Fast Laughs starting on Wednesday. These are short clips drawn from the streaming service’s shows and stand-up comedy specials.
It could (we hope) look a lot like this. Concept: Daniel Bautista
Apple has reportedly slowed production of the 21.5-inch iMac ahead of a much-anticipated Apple Silicon upgrade. The company’s popular all-in-one is expected to make the shift to custom ARM chips this year.
In the meantime, certain 21.5-inch iMac 4K models powered by Intel processors could be a little more difficult to get hold of.
The Apple Pencil 2 (shown here) might soon be replaced. Photo: Apple
An Apple tipster may have leaked an image of a new version of the Apple Pencil. The picture comes with no description, but the stylus shown appears to be either shorter or thicker than the current one.
One of Apple Watch's best features is expanding its reach. Photo: Apple
Apple Watch’s terrific ECG feature is one step closer to going live in Australia after receiving government approval. It comes just a month after Australia approved the device’s irregular heart rhythm notifications.
It’s not yet clear when Apple will make the feature available to Apple Watch owners.
Make your Wi-Fi work like never before. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
Want to say goodbye to slow Wi-Fi at home? This great gadget will help you do just that — and right now, the Super Boost Wi-Fi Repeater is on sale for just $26.99. That’s a huge 61% discount off the regular price of $69.
Attach the Twelve South HoverBar Duo to a cabinet or rest it on a desktop. Photo: Twelve South
To use an iPad hands free around the home or office, you can get a desktop stand or one clamps to a rigid surface. The Twelve South HoverBar Duo gives you both options.
It’s not only height adjustable, but can hold a wide variety of devices, from iPad Pro to iPad mini. And iPhones too.
AirTags to follow? Screenshots: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Apple’s newest iOS 14.5 and iPadOS 14.5 betas add a new “Items” tab to the built-in Find My app that allows users to tracks Beats headphones, luggage and other third-party gadgets.
Apple could be planning to stop apps written for Intel chips from working on M1-powered Macs.
New code discovered in the latest macOS Big Sur 11.3 beta suggests Apple might remove Rosetta 2, the software that translates older software to run on the new generation of Macs, at least in some regions.