The iPhone Magnifier gets a big upgrade in iOS 14. Photo: Ed Hardy/Killian Bell/Cult of Mac
A handy digital magnifying glass to replace reading glasses has been buried in the iPhone for many years. With iOS 14, it becomes a lot easier to find. And there are some fantastic new features.
Here’s how to use the Magnifier on iPhone. And iPad, too.
A Files Home screen widget appeared in iOS 14 beta 2. It’s unlikely any more new features like this will be forthcoming before the full release. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Apple seeded the sixth beta of iOS 14 to developers Tuesday, along with the iPad equivalent. That’s a week since the last betas were introduced — and the quick turnaround is a strong sign that Apple won’t add any more surprise features before the full release of these operating systems this autumn.
The Plugable USB-C 7-in-1 Hub easily connects an HDMI monitor to a MacBook, and much more. Photo: Plugable
Plugable decided to stand out in the crowded market for USB-C multiport adapters with a low-price offering. On Tuesday, it unveiled a 7-in-1 Hub that comes in at a significantly lower cost than many of its rivals.
Even so, it can connect to multiple legacy USB-A accessories, a external monitor and removable memory cards.
Apple is planning a “less ambitious” wireless charging gadget that will fill the gap left by AirPower’s cancellation, according to a new report.
Cupertino’s original plans for a wireless charger included the ability to charge iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods simultaneously. It’s unclear if its replacement will support more than just iPhone and AirPods.
Video editing on the go just got a little easier. Photo: Apple
Apple rolled out major improvements to Final Cut Pro X on Tuesday that promise to make life a little easier for remote video editors. The changes are designed to speed up workflows and enhance portability.
Pirates of the Caribbean and Imitation Game star Keira Knightley was due to star in the show. Photo: Tony Shek/Wikipedia CC
Keira Knightley will head up a TV adaptation of Sarah Perry’s 2016 novel The Essex Serpent for Apple TV+.
The novel, which is a period piece set in 1893, tells the story of a widow, Cora Seagrave, who moves from London to a small village in Essex after her marriage to an abusive husband comes to an end. There, she becomes interested in a local legend about a creature called the Essex Serpent.
These earbuds have it all: crystal clear audio and calls, easy touch controls, in-ear detection and 35 hours of playtime with the included charging case. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
Bluetooth earbuds are great for listening to tunes and shows on the move. Unfortunately, their tiny form factor means tiny batteries, so if you’re on the move for more than a few hours, you’ll have to be judicious with your content consumption. Not so with these sleek earbuds that also manage to pack in over a day of playtime.
Apple is working hard to boost its customer base in India. Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac
Apple will open its first Apple Online Store for the India market next month, according to a new report by Bloomberg.
The online store will reportedly be up and running for the Dussehra through Diwali holiday season, which kicks off October 25 and runs through November 14. It comes as Apple is upping its focus on the India market.
Tim Cook has said he will give his entire fortune away to charity. Screenshot: Apple
Tim Cook, a freshly minted billionaire thanks to Apple’s continued powerhouse performance, last week gifted more than $5 million worth of Apple shares to charity.
Forget the current iPhone. TSMC is already planning for the 2024 update. Photo: Apple
Apple A-series chip manufacturer TSMC has obtained land upon which it plans to build a 2-nanometer fabrication plant, the company’s senior vice president for operations revealed.
In a report published Tuesday, YP Chin said the next-next gen chip fab facility will be located in Hsinchu, a city in northern Taiwan. While there’s no confirmation on when the 2-nm chips will debut, if past patterns are anything to go by, it’s likely they will debut with the 2024 iPhone.
In the legal battle between Apple and Epic Games, which one is Thanos? Image: Whelsko/Flickr CC
In an order issued Monday night, a U.S. district judge blocked Apple from revoking Epic Games’ developer accounts as the legal battle between the two companies moves toward trial.
The move protects Unreal Engine, Epic’s software suite that is widely used by other game developers, from becoming collateral damage in the high-profile legal battle.
A new material gave Samsung’s latest handset an advantage over last year’s iPhone in a drop test. Photo: PhoneBuff
The Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra survived a series of drop tests better than the Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max. And that’s exactly what’s to be expected.
The Note 20 only just started reaching customer’s hands, giving it access to the latest, toughest version of Gorilla Glass. The iPhone 11 debuted almost a year ago, and is about to be replaced.
On August 30, win this badge in an Activity Challenge inspired by national parks. Photo: Apple
The National Park Service service turns 104 on Tuesday, and to help celebrate, there is a new Apple Pay donation program and special content collections on Apple TV and the App Store. Plus, there’s an upcoming Apple Watch Activity Challenge.
The Mac mini could have had a dedicated data/charging port for the iPod. Photo: Apple
Apple reportedly explored adding an iPod port to the Mac mini. Images of a prototype unit surfaced online over the weekend, showing a product Apple decided not to release.
Breaking news: Apple is astonishingly valuable. Photo: Global X/Flickr CC
Apple’s market cap has surged by $600 billion in the past 20 days. That’s nearly the equivalent of Tesla’s $394 billion and Netflix’s $218 billion market caps combined, Above Avalon analyst Neil Cybart points out on Twitter.
Mulan is Disney's latest live action remake. Photo: Disney
Upcoming live-action Disney movie Mulan will be available to purchase through Apple’s TV app, Variety reports.
A remake of the 1998 animated movie, the 2020 Mulan will cost $29.99 to purchase on third-party platforms — Apple’s included — starting September 4. If that’s the only Disney content you’re interested in seeing right now, that’s actually cheaper than watching it via Disney+.
These days, it’s hard to stay productive, so we rounded up four Mac and iOS apps that can help you stay on task and on deadline. There’s something here to help anyone get more from their screen time — and all these apps are heavily discounted for a limited time.
According to the publication, the Trump administration is “privately seeking to reassure” American companies like Apple that they can still do business with WeChat in China. Two weeks ago, Trump ordered a U.S. ban on WeChat, although the details were not clarified.
Apple's third Singapore store sits on the water of Marina Bay. Photo: Apple
Possibly the most spectacular Apple Store yet is set to open in Singapore, Apple’s third retail store in the country.
Apple Marina Bay Sands has a look like no Apple Store before it. It resembles a geodesic dome or giant lantern sitting on a body of water in the iconic Marina Bay, a luxury venue which first opened its doors in 2010.
An interior photo of Apple's spectacular South Korea store. Photo: Apple
Apple’s South Korea business has said that it will make a 100 billion won ($84 million) payout to support small businesses and help consumers. This is to address antitrust concerns raised in the country.
Korea’s Fair Trade Commission has been investigating Apple Korea for reportedly forcing mobile carriers to pay for advertising and warranty repairs. The payout — which is phrased like a pledge, but also sounds like a fine — will act as a make-good on Apple’s “unfair” terms.
From meetings and home automation to dispute resolution, these apps make things easier. Image: Cult of Mac
You can get a comprehensive overview of all your HomeKit cams with Eve’s latest app update. And if you spot neighbors doing something fishy on your property, you can use Jury to settle the dispute virtually rather than taking them to court (or throwing fists like a barbarian).
Those are just two of the featured apps in our roundup of the week’s best new apps and updates.
Make your car smarter with this smartphone parking sensor. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
Newer cars often bring neat tech, like rear–facing cameras and sensors so you don’t back into another vehicle (or a living thing). For anyone driving an older car, it’s not only a matter of envy to lack these features — it’s also less safe.
With this accessory, you can instantly upgrade your car’s safety.
Keep your internet data private with lifetime subs to these apps. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
Going online is hazardous. Data snoops and identity thieves lurk around every corner. One easy way to avoid them — and beat annoying content restrictions — is by using a virtual private network. With this bundle, you get two forms of VPN protection for an 86% discount.
If you’ve been waiting to make your move on a VPN, this is your opportunity to bag a sweet deal on a lifetime subscription.
Apple and Epic Games could be in court for years to come. Photo: Brett Sayles/Pexels CC
Apple on Friday asked a judge to deny Epic Games’ request for a court order forcing Apple to return Fortnite to the App Store. In a filing, the iPhone-maker said Epic Games brought the ban on itself by its own actions.
The court’s decision will determine whether this wildly popular game will be available for iPhone and iPad users while a potentially lengthy court battle between Apple and Epic Games goes on.