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tvOS 14 gets picture-in-picture support, deeper HomeKit integration

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tvOS picture
TvOS 14 brings some impressive new features to Apple TV.
Photo: Apple

WWDC 2020 Apple showed off improvements coming to Apple TV during the WWDC keynote Monday, as execs detailed changes coming in tvOS 14.

The biggest tweak in the next-gen Apple TV operating system is platform-wide picture-in-picture. This means that users can continue playing Apple TV games or using fitness apps while also screening a movie, watching live sports or keeping tabs on the news.

iPadOS 14 brings huge Apple Pencil advances

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Apple Pencil just got much more useful in iPadOS 14.
Use an Apple Pencil to enter text anywhere with Scribble in iPadOS 14.
Photo: Apple

WWDC 2020 iPad owners can use an Apple Pencil to write words into any text box thanks to iPadOS 14, which Apple announced Monday at its developers conference.

And there are other enhancements coming as well, like home screen widgets, improvements to search, and some user interface tweaks.

AirPods Pro’s Spatial Audio will give you surround sound-style audio on wireless airbuds

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AirPods supplier confident of booming business through 2021
AirPods Pro are about to get even more pro
Photo: Charlie Sorrel/Cult of Mac

WWDC 2020AirPods got some impressive-sounding (no pun intended) features announced at WWDC, including an upcoming “Spatial Audio” feature that will provide better 3D sound for its AirPods Pro wireless earpods.

The feature will use motion tracking to replicate a surround sound, movie theater-style listening experience, making it sound like the audio you’re listening to is coming from around the wearer. It will work by using the device’s in-built accelerometer to track the motion of users’ heads. It will then remap the sound field constantly as your head moves around.

CarKey feature will let you unlock and start your car using iPhone

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CarKey
You can share keys with Messages, too.
Photo: Apple

WWDC 2020

Apple’s car-focused tech got a nifty update at WWDC, letting users start their cars with their iPhone. Announced Monday, Apple’s new CarKey digital car keys feature will allow you to unlock and start select vehicles using NFC technology.

Emily Schubert, Apple’s Engineering Manager for Car Experience showed off the feature, which promises to revolutionize the way you start your vehicle for the 21st century.

AirPods 3 upgrade with AirPods Pro design expected in early 2021

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AirPods Pro settings
Could AirPods 3 look just like AirPods Pro?
Photo: Charlie Sorrel/Cult of Mac

Apple will introduce its third-generation AirPods buds featuring the same design as AirPods Pro during the first half of 2021, according to one reliable analyst.

The new wireless headphones could help drive a 28% increase in AirPods shipments next year. Apple’s rumored decision not to include free EarPods with iPhone 12 this fall could also contribute to the boost.

macOS Big Sur, no iOS name change, zero new hardware and other last-minute WWDC rumors

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Big Sur
How does macOS Big Sur sound to you?
Photo: Diliff/Wikipedia CC

WWDC 2020 iOS 14 won’t be called iPhone OS and the new macOS will be called “Big Sur,” according to Apple tipster L0vetodream.

In a series of tweets early Monday, the Apple leaker shared a number of “predictions” that may spill details of the virtual-only Worldwide Developers Conference keynote Apple will Monday.

How to watch the WWDC 2020 keynote again [Updated]

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Tim Cook at WWDC on iPad
Are you ready?
Photo: Henry Ascroft/Apple

WWDC 2020 The upside to an online-only WWDC 2020 is that Apple is making its big keynote more accessible than ever this year. No matter where you are or what device you’re using, you should be able to tune in live.

The event kicks off at 10 a.m. Pacific today. Here are your options for watching the stream. (Update: If you missed the WWDC keynote, or simply want to watch it again, you can see it in the YouTube embed below.)

Apple could eliminate thousands of unlicensed games from China App Store next month

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Apple Store
Thousands of apps could get the boot in China next month.
Photo: Apple

Apple is set to begin a deep clean of the App Store in China, removing “thousands” of games that don’t have the proper government approvals, a report by Bloomberg claims.

Developers and publishers have reportedly been told that they will need to secure licenses to continue selling their games starting next month. While regulators have been promising such a crackdown since 2016, they have been slow to push through rules. As a result, unlicensed games were still being published in the interim.

Tim Cook talks WWDC secrets, taxes, and how the iPhone could help people change the world

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Tim Cook talks to John Dickerson
Tim Cook's interview aired the day before WWDC.
Photo: CBS

Tim Cook talked taxes, WWDC secrets, and how the iPhone can play a small, but important role in changing the world for the better in an interview aired over the weekend on CBS Sunday Morning.

“I’m full of secrets and it’s hard not to overflow right now,” Cook said. “But I’ve been trained well.” On other topics, however, he was a lot more open.

Antitrust issues? Microsoft president says App Store business model must be investigated

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Microsoft Windows
Microsoft went through its own antitrust case in the early 2000s.
Photo: Microsoft

Microsoft’s president Brad Smith has seemingly joined the number of voices criticizing Apple for taking a 30% cut of app revenue.

The Microsoft executive said that the policy is far more anti-competitive than the complaints that led to the Microsoft antitrust case of the early 2000s. The antitrust case against Microsoft helped reshape the tech landscape 20 years ago.

ARM-based Macs could be 50% or even 100% faster than Intel ones

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Apple_macbookpro-13-inch_screen_05042020
The replacement for the 13-inch MacBook supposedly will be one of the first ARM-based Macs.
Photo: Apple

WWDC 2020 The first Macs running ARM-based processors designed by Apple could be out as early as the fourth quarter of 2020, according to trusted analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. This will supposedly bring significant performance gains.

We’ll possibly know for sure tomorrow, as Apple will supposedly reveal its plans to move macOS to its A-series processors at WWDC 2020.

There might be no new hardware at WWDC 2020

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2020 WWDC looks epic anyway
Apple might not use WWDC 2020 to unveil the new iMac, AirTags, etc.
Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac

WWDC 2020 Rumors point to Apple using Monday’s keynote for its annual developers conference to unveil a new iMac, a new HomePod and the debut of AirTags. But on Sunday, a reliable leaker said that these WWDC 2020 plans have been “scrapped.”

That said, the company supposedly still plans to unveil a long-term plan to switch Macs from Intel processors to ones Apple designs itself.

Update June 22: Confirmed. The keynote for this year’s Worldwide Developers Conference was all about software, and there was no new hardware.

Aukey’s handsome 4-in-1 USB-C hub also does wireless charging [Review]

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Aukey CB-C70 review
The Aukey CB-C70 looks great, and it does multiple jobs — It’s both a wireless charger and a multiport USB-C adapter.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The trouble with wireless phone chargers is that they take up valuable room on your desk even when they’re not being used. But the Aukey CB-C70 is also a multiport USB-C hub, so it packs plenty of functionality into a small package.

I thoroughly tested this accessory in my home office. Here’s how it stood up to daily use.

Last chance! Save 20% on bright and beautiful Apple Watch bands for Father’s Day

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Nyloon-Apple-Watch-3
Give dad the perfect gift this weekend.
Photo: Nyloon

The Cult of Mac Store’s brilliant Father’s Day sale is almost over, but there’s still time to enjoy 20% off all accessories from Monowear and Nyloon. There’s a huge collection of brilliant Apple Watch bands to choose from, with prices starting at just $24.99. Order yours before the discounts disappear!

Our WWDC 2020 predictions [Cult of Mac Magazine 354]

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WWDC 2020 keynote predictions: Get ready to rumble.
Here's what to expect from next week's WWDC keynote.
Cover: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac

WWDC 2020 Are you as psyched for WWDC 2020 as we are? The cover story of this week’s Cult of Mac Magazine tells you what to expect from next week’s big keynote. (Spoiler alert: Sounds like some new hardware in addition to the mandatory look at upcoming software.)

Elsewhere in this issue, you’ll find the latest Apple news and leaks, plus how-tos for your Apple devices. Finally, don’t miss our reviews and recommendations — including a look at new documentary Dads, the latest disappointment from Apple TV+.

Grab your copy of the free iOS mag today (or hit the links below for the stories.)

Score lifetime tools for language, reading, focus and health [Deals]

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Superhuman Bundle
Make the most of working from home by learning new skills, exercising, and more.
Photo: Manny Pantoja/Unsplash CC

Whether you’re getting outside for the summer or staying inside, it’s a great time to sharpen your mind and your body. This bundle of five lifetime app subscriptions covers language lessons, focus, working out, reading faster and more. Additionally, you can get all five at a massive 97% discount.

CdkeySales lets Cult of Mac readers save 18% on Windows and Office product keys, Win 10 Pro for $14

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CdkeySales 2
Cult of Mac readers can get 18% off an array of software product keys at CdkeySales.com
Photo: CdkeySales

This Windows and Office upgrades post is presented by CdkeySales.

CdkeySales.com is now offering Cult of Mac readers a genuine Windows 10 Pro OEM key for just $14. What’s more, you can get a Windows 10 Home key for just $12. Those prices deeply undercut what you’d have to pay Microsoft for a key. In addition, there are deals on a slew of other Windows OS and Office products, as well as combination bundles, at 18% off. See the list of product links and prices below.

Adoption of iOS 13 by iPhone users is nearly total

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iOS 13
iOS 13 adoption is almost universal.
Screen capture: Apple

Even as Apple is expected to unveil iOS 14 on Monday, the company revealed that 92% of all iPhones introduced in the last four years run iOS 13. That’s a higher adoption percentage than for iOS 12 this time last year.

And it’s vastly ahead of the percentage of Android users who’ve been able to upgrade to the latest version of Google’s operating system.

In this setup, everything pro, everything smart [Setups]

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iMac Pro Setup
Danny Winget was on a mission to reach peak minimalism.
Photo: @superscientific

When tech YouTuber Danny Winget mapped out his dream setup, he was looking to achieve one thing: stark minimalism. He certainly found it. On his desk he has a screen, a keyboard and mouse, and not much else. What makes his desk notable though, is that everything is Pro and everything is smart — even his coffee cup.