Mobile menu toggle

Apple Park staff will begin returning to work on June 15

By

Apple Park overhead.
But most employees won't return for months.
Photo: Apple

Apple Park staff have been told that they will begin returning to work in phases starting Monday, June 15, a new report claims.

A “very limited” number of workers will be allowed in the office on certain days, depending on their role — and there will be restrictions. Apple has reportedly warned employees that most won’t go back for several months.

Comcast finally adds Chromecast support to Xfinity iOS app

By

Chromecast and iPad
Google’s Chromecast just became more useful for Xfinity subscribers.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Comcast on Tuesday made it much easier for Xfinity subscribers to watch cable channels on any TV. That’s because the Xfinity Stream app got support for Google’s Chromecast player at long last.

This allows users to stream live content or recorded shows to this inexpensive video player.

Small WFH setups don’t have to suck [Setups]

By

MacBook Pro Setup: In a small desk setup, every inch counts.
In a small desk setup, every inch counts.
Photo: @stalman/Twitter

Tyler Stalman is a professional photographer whose workspace is pretty small, but he manages to make a lot of it.

Stalman’s MacBook Pro-powered setup centers on a 27-inch LG UltraFine 5K Monitor, which finally allows him to process his work in full 4K resolution. He was shooting in 4K but was unable to see his shots in full res until he took the plunge and got himself the UltraFine monitor.

ADAM elements CASA Hub 10E brings versatility to your MacBook

By

ADAM Elements CASA Hub 10E opens up possibilities for your MacBook Pro or MacBook Air connectivity.
The CASA Hub 10E opens up possibilities for your MacBook Pro or MacBook Air connectivity
Photo: ADAM elements

This USB-C hub post is presented by ADAM elements.

Have you switched to a MacBook Pro or MacBook Air laptop that only has USB-C ports? Then you probably want to either upgrade your connected hardware or get used to working with a hub. That’s where the CASA Hub 10E from ADAM elements comes in. Featuring two USB 3.1 ports, an HDMI port, a Thunderbolt 3 port and two USB-C ports, the expandable, modular hub brings plenty of versatility to your MacBook and the devices you need to connect to it.

Apple plans in-store Mac trade-in program

By

MacBook Pro
Done with your old Mac? Consider an Apple trade-in.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Apple reportedly will soon begin allowing customers to trade in their Macs at its retail stores. Shoppers will supposedly have the option to apply the money toward a new Mac or other device, or to a gift card.

iPhone 12 production starts in July

By

This iPhone 12 concept reflects all the latest rumors.
Assembly of the iPhone 12 might still be right around the corner.
Photo: svetapple.sk

The iPhone 12 series will reportedly start being assembled in July. Apple’s top-tier 2020 handsets are waiting on final testing.

What’s not clear how this information, supposedly coming from sources in Apple’s Asian supply chain, fits with various earlier rumors that the next-generation iPhone won’t debut until October. The company typically launches new models in September.

First iOS 13.6 beta brings better option for automatic updates

By

iOS 13.6 Developer Beta 2 replaces version 13.5.5
iOS 13.6 will make life easier for people who don’t want to install new iOS versions.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple decided to remove one of the little irritations of iPhone and iPad. Developers on Tuesday got their first look at iOS 13.6 and the iPad equivalent, which give users the option to not download new system software updates.

This is important enough to bring on a new iOS version number.

TSMC stays on track to make 3-nanometer chips for iPhone 14

By

Apple A14 processor
Apple’s chipmaker thinks long-term. It’s already prepping for the A14, A15 and maybe even the A16 iPhone processors.
CGI: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company’s long-term plan to begin producing 3-nanometer processors in 2022 remains on schedule. This company manufactures all Apple CPUs, and the 3nm process is expected to be used to make the A-series chips for future iPhones, iPads and perhaps Macs as well.

In the near term, TSMC is already making chips for the iPhone 12. And the company is close to perfecting the process that’ll make the chips for 2021 iPhones.

Sanitize your phone, keys and more with UV light [Deals]

By

UV Shield
Use UV light to kill most common bacteria and viruses on your phone, keys, glasses, and more.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

With everything else going on the world, there is still a global pandemic. So now is not the time to stop being careful about viruses and germs. That makes this powerful, microbe-killing UV station a great way to minimize exposure to risky bugs.

New Apple webpage showcases the power of iPhone + Apple Watch

By

iPhone and Apple Watch a brilliant match.
The best duo in tech?
Photo: Apple

In case you’re still not convinced you need an Apple Watch to go with your iPhone, Apple on Tuesday published a new webpage that reminds visitors how powerful the two can be together.

The page highlights some of Apple Watch’s best features, like the ability to take calls, reply to messages, act as a remote for iPhone’s camera, and its ability to track your heart rate and all your workouts.

Apple could confirm Mac’s transition to ARM chips at WWDC 2020

By

Full-screen works great on a MacBook.
The move we've all been waiting for is finally getting close.
Photo: Charlie Sorrel/Cult of Mac

Apple reportedly will confirm the Mac’s transition to ARM chips during its Worldwide Developers Conference keynote on June 22.

The company has been using Intel processors inside the Mac since it ditched PowerPC chips in 2006. But speculation regarding a move to custom CPUs has been growing as Apple’s own chips have become incredibly powerful.

We may not see an ARM-powered Mac this year, however. Sources say Apple plans to announce the initiative, code-named Kalamata, at WWDC 2020. That would give developers time to adjust before the first ARM Macs arrive in 2021.

Grab this refurb Mac Pro for just … $43,000

By

President Trump will tour Apple's Mac Pro factory in Texas this week
Prep your credit card for maximum impact.
Photo: Apple

Hey, big spender. Act fast and you can snag a refurbished 28-core Mac Pro — for just $43,859.

It’s totally tricked out, so it’s the most expensive Mac Pro currently in Apple’s refurb store. Grab your credit card, and it can be sitting on your desk by Wednesday!

Sketchy report claims recording iPhone calls will be built into iOS 14

By

recording iPhone calls in iOS 14 is easy
It might be as easy as flipping a switch to start recording iPhone calls with iOS 14. Maybe.
Photo: IT Home/Cult of Mac

Recording phone and FaceTime calls with iPhones running iOS 14 could be as easy as flipping a switch, if an unconfirmed report is correct. It’ll supposedly be up to users to do so legally.

That said, the source for this info is a bit questionable.

Support a good cause when you snag this snazzy Apple Watch band

By

Icon-Days-Apple-Watch-band
10% of all profits go to plastic awareness charities.
Photo: Icon Days

Icon Days’ first band for Apple Watch is not only beautiful, but it’s helping clean up our planet. It’s also available at a new, more affordable price.

The band is made from genuine leather, finished with unique and snazzy designs. And at least 10% of all profits go to environmental charities on a mission to eradicate single-use materials that are destroying the environment.

Apple should buy privacy-focused search engine DuckDuckGo, analyst says

By

DuckDuckGo offers great image search, plus it doesn’t track you.
Great image search, plus it doesn’t track you.
Image: DuckDuckGo

Even though Google pays a hefty sum to stay the default iPhone search engine, an industry analyst suggests Apple should buy rival DuckDuckGo anyway.

That likely wouldn’t be the end of Google and Apple’s cooperation on search, according to AllianceBernstein’s Toni Sacconaghi. But it would strengthen Apple’s bargaining position.

A 49-inch UltraWide is just the beginning of this incredible setup [Setups]

By

MacBookPro Setup
Because a 49-inch UltraWide wasn't enough, he added a second monitor on top.
Photo: @chau_codes

If most UltraWide monitors are impressive, then a 49-inch UltraWide is jaw-dropping. That is just the start of programmer Justin Chau’s amazing setup, which took years to assemble. Above his 49-incher, he has a 32-inch Dell S Series Monitor, which gives him an insane amount of screen real estate.

Apple dreams up tech for a social distance group selfie

By

iPhone X Portrait selfies
Social distancing and group selfies don’t mix. But Apple might have a solution: the synthetic group selfie.
Photo: Apple

Even in the age of social distancing, the group selfie doesn’t have to be an endangered species. For several years, Apple has been investigating automatically merging multiple images into a group selfie.

And now that the company has a patent on the idea, it could be part of iOS 14 or a later version.