Mobile menu toggle

Here’s how iOS 14 could be paving the way for ‘glassOS’

By

glassOS concept 3
This is how notifications and widgets could look on glassOS.
Photo: Jordan Singer

It’s still not clear exactly when Apple’s AR glasses are going to be available, but 25-year-old product designer Jordan Singer says that Apple has left enough breadcrumbs in its code to offer a compelling glimpse of what a possible glassOS might look like.

“I don’t usually like to speculate on what Apple is going to do next, but this time I found too many coincidental examples of new UI in iOS 14 that seems to be able to translate nicely to a pair of glasses,” Singer told Cult of Mac. “I’d like for this concept to give insight into how Apple is foreshadowing the future.”

Struggling Apple display-maker enjoys its first profitable quarter in more than 3 years

By

iPhone sales
Japan Display makes LCD displays for iPhones.
Photo: Apple

Apple display-maker Japan Display has just eked out its first quarterly profit in more than three years, Reuters reports. The firm made an $87.26 million net profit for the quarter. That’s compared to an almost $900 million loss in the same quarter last year.

The last time Japan Display recorded a net profit was in the October through December quarter way back in 2016. Since then, Apple has lent a hand to keep the display-maker — which once made the majority of Apple’s iPhone screens — afloat.

Supercharge your Mac with 8 powerful apps [Deals]

By

Limited Edition iMazing Bundle
Turn your Mac into a productivity powerhouse with 8 top-rated apps for desktop optimization, photography, privacy and more.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Your Mac is a productivity powerhouse. But to tap its full potential, you need the right apps. So whether for managing iPhone data, touching up photos, or staying safe online, we recommend checking out this bundle of eight awesome apps to make the most of your Mac.

Loaded with trusted, top-quality apps, the Limited Edition Mac Bundle packs something for every Mac owner. And right now, it’s on sale for a whopping 93% off.

Sketchy report claims weak orders for 5G iPhones in 2020

By

Render shows iPhone 12 camera with three lenses
There may be more to the story than initial report claims.
Photo: Pigtou/xleaks7

The iPhone 12 isn’t even out yet, and already the first report is out suggesting that it’s disappointing in terms of order numbers from Apple. A report published by Digitimes Tuesday says that mmWave-enabled 5G iPhone orders this year are likely to reach only around 15-20 million units. That’s half the previous supply chain estimate of 30-40 million units.

The paywalled report said that this is “intensifying competition” among Apple suppliers who bank on the iPhone as a large piece of their business.

macOS Big Sur’s Digital Color Meter icon is a little off and it’s driving people crazy

By

Digital Color Meter Big Sur 1
Spot anything weird about that pipette?
Photo: Roel Van Gils/Apple

When it comes to design, Apple’s not a lazy company. Cupertino sweats the small details, which — like that anecdote about Van Halen’s “no brown M&Ms” concert rider — shows it sweats the big details, too.

That’s why Apple fans seem so surprised to see that the icon for macOS Big Sur’s Digital Color Meter has something, well, just a little off about it. Can you see what’s wrong?

Belkin Thunderbolt 3 dock is ready for a professional office on the go

By

Belkin Thunderbolt 3 Dock Core includes 8 ports.
Belkin Thunderbolt 3 Dock Core can be the hub of your mobile office.
Photo: Belkin

Belkin’s newly-unveiled multiport adapter uses Thunderbolt 3, not just USB-C, and can drive two 4K monitors at 60 Hz. But that’s just the start, as the Dock Core can also transfer data over a USB-C connection at up to 40 Gbps. Plus it includes Gigabit Ethernet, a pair of USB-A ports, audio in/out, and more.

It’s designed to be part of high-performance mobile office, as it does not need a second power source.

A dual-monitor rig can still be minimal [Setups]

By

MacBok Pro Setup
You won't find much clutter on this desk.
Photo: @ jordanpulmano

Jordan Pulmano is a professional cinematographer and photographer so he wanted a desk with style, specifically minimalist style. He has two LG 27-inch FreeSync monitors. He got his first in 2017 and liked it so much he decided to get a new one. They are both held up by a pair of North Bayou Monitor Stands. He thought about getting a dual monitor stand but he rearranges his desk a lot and did not want to remove a monitor and have one arm exposed.

He has both the Magic Mouse and Keyboard. The setup is MacBook-run but he stows his laptop in a VIVO Sliding Laptop Tray. This gives him a convenient place to store his MacBook while freeing up space on his desk.

Apple offers declined customers a ‘Path to Apple Card’

By

Apple Card works hand-in-hand with iPhone
If your hopes of becoming an Apple Card cardholder were denied, you could be getting a second chance.
Photo: Apple

Apple and Goldman Sachs are reportedly giving a second chance to people whose Apple Card applications were rejected. The “Path to Apple Card” program explains why they were denied, and gives users a chance to fix the problems.

New York Times bails on Apple News

By

‘The New York Times’ kicked Apple News to the curb
Don’t expect to see The New York Times in Apple News any more.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

New York Times articles stopped appearing in the Apple News app on Monday. The newspaper ended its partnership with Apple because the Times wants a more direct connection between itself and its customers.

This is not just about the Apple News+ subscription service. Content from this source no longer appears in the free version either.

Get ready for Big Sur with $300 off MacBook Pro, $100 off MacBook Air

By

macBookpro
Big discounts on almost all models.
Photo: Apple

If your Mac is getting a little long in the tooth and even basic tasks result in long load times, you might want to think about upgrading before the huge macOS Big Sur update rolls out this fall. And it’s a great time to do it!

Amazon is currently offering up to $300 off the newest MacBook Pro models, as well as $100 off the latest MacBook Air. These are limited-time discounts, so enjoy them while you can.

Apple Design Awards celebrate the year’s most beautiful, innovative iOS apps

By

Apple Design Awards 2020: These are the eight apps Apple thinks you should check out.
These are the eight apps Apple thinks you should check out.
Photo: Apple

The eight winners of this year’s Apple Design Awards showcase “outstanding app design, innovation, ingenuity, and technical achievement,” the company said Monday.

Ron Okamoto, Apple’s vice president of worldwide developer relations, said the four apps and four games honored “inspire not only their peers in the Apple developer community, but all of us at Apple, too.”

iPhone 12 Pro could support 4K video shooting at 240fps

By

This iPhone 12 concept reflects all the latest rumors.
The iPhone 12's camera setup could be monster.
Photo: svetapple.sk

The top-end iPhone 12 Pro could support 4K at 120fps and 4K at 240fps video recording modes, claims a new video from Filip Koroy of EverythingApplePro. If accurate, this would be massive step up from the current iPhone 11 Pro, which offers 240fps in 1080p.

Koroy reportedly found evidence of the new high resolution, slow-mo format in the iOS 14 beta code. Whether this is accurate remains to be seen. If it is, it would be far above what is available in other smartphone models right now. It would also make it likely that Apple will sell a shedload of high storage handsets this year — or way more iCloud subscriptions.

Google Meet adding blurred backgrounds, images, and other new features

By

Google Meet 1
Google Meet's new features will help it to better take on Zoom.
Photo: Google Meet

Thanks to people working from home and coronavirus lockdown, 2020 has been the year of videoconferencing apps — and Google Meet is adding a few new features to try and take on rival Zoom.

According to a new report from 9to5Google, Google Meet is working on new features that will allow users to add images or blur the background of their video calls. This is a feature that already exists for Zoom and Skype users, although this will be the first time it’s available on Google meet.

Metal Slug will make its return to the App Store with Code: J

By

Metal Slug Mobile game J 1
Metal Slug will make its return to the App Store for the first time since 2016.
Photo: Metal Slug Code: J

Popular run-and-gun franchise Metal Slug looks to be returning to iOS for the first time since 2016’s Metal Slug Attack. Over the weekend, Tencent’s Timi Studios released a trailer for what they are currently calling Metal Slug Code: J.

From the look of it, it picks up the gameplay that the Metal Slug games are known for, with plenty of action, ridiculously overwrought vehicles, explosions, and more. However, it includes quasi-3D movement that wasn’t part of the original SNK games and a slightly more modern art style. Check out the trailer below.

iPhone 12 might not come with earbuds or charger in the box

By

battery
You may need to buy your own charger for the iPhone 12.
Photo: Apple

The iPhone 12 reportedly will ship without packaged earbuds, but according to reliable Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, it might also lack another standard piece of kit in its box: a charger.

In a new note to clients sent over the weekend, TF International Securities analyst Kuo confirms as legitimate a recent photo of a 20-watt power charger for the new iPhone. However, he says it won’t come with the next-generation iPhone 12.

Fantastic to fugly: All the new app icons in macOS Big Sur

By

macOS Big Sur on a MacBook Pro
What do you think of macOS Big Sur's new app icons?
Photo: Apple

WWDC 2020There’s a lot to love about macOS Big Sur, but one thing that’s dividing Mac fans is its redesigned app icons. Some look good enough to eat. Others are so ugly they’ll make you want to use Windows (not really). And some have simply lost some of their charm as a result of simplification.

What do you think of Apple’s new desktop icon designs so far? Check out all of them right here.

Samsung credit-card size SSD holds up to 2TB [Review]

By

Samsung T7 review
The Samsung T7 isn’t much bigger than an Apple Card but still holds 2 terabytes of data.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The Samsung T7 holds an amazing amount of data considering its svelte design. This Solid State Drive isn’t much bigger than a business card but holds up to 2TB. And it can be passed around between multiple computers — it’s compatible with Mac and iPad Pro, as well a wide variety of other devices.

I loaded up this recently-released SSD with a variety of files and put it through some real-world testing. Here’s how it stood up.

Master Microsoft Excel from A to Z [Deals]

By

The Premium A to Z Microsoft Excel Bundle
Get lifetime access to 43 hours of Excel instruction, from basic to advanced.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

There are few programs as common as Microsoft Excel. That’s because it’s full of potential for organizing, visualizing, processing and manipulating data — tools that go far beyond a regular old spreadsheet.

Basically, if you’ve got a grip on Excel, you’ve got excellent skills for the workplace.

Stunning concept video brings iPhone 12 rumors to life

By

iPhone 12 rumors mix in this concept video.
The real iPhone 12 ads could look much like this concept video.
Screenshot: ConceptsiPhone

A new concept video beautifully combines iPhone 12 rumors into a three-minute ballet of tech. Done in the same style as Apple advertisements, it offers an early glimpse of what the real ads might look like when the 2020 iPhone models arrive this fall.

Watch it now: