A redesigned Wemo WiFi Smart Plug brings HomeKit support to regular appliances later in July. Photo: Belkin
Belkin began taking pre-orders on Monday for a much smaller version of the Wemo WiFi Smart Plug. Like the original, it supports Apple’s HomeKit home automation system. But in a design that doesn’t crowd the wall socket.
The Maurice Sendak Foundation owned the rights to Where the Wild Things Are. And they just made a deal with Apple TV+. Photo: The Maurice Sendak Foundation
Apple TV+ and The Maurice Sendak Foundation have teamed up to develop new shows based on the many works of Maurice Sendak, a world-renown author and illustrator of children’s books. Whether this means a series based on Where the Wild Things Are is in the works is anyone’s guess, though.
Don’t wait for the iPhone 12. Focos Live lets iPhone users film bokeh video today. Photo: Xiaodong Wang/Cult of Mac
iPhones can automatically blur the backgrounds of still images but not video. Enter Focos Live, a recently released application that brings to iPhone video the effect Apple calls Portrait mode (and everyone else calls “bokeh”). The effect gives photographers the ability to unfocus the background to draw attention to what’s going on in the foreground.
What is the code for greatness? No one in the documentary series Greatness Code is going to tell you. Photo: Apple TV+
There’s a reason this review only has one image in it: Apple TV+ doesn’t have any more press pictures for this show. Why? Because why should it? This paper-thin passel of hagiographies isn’t worth promoting.
Greatness Code, which debuts July 10, isn’t a show so much as it’s an investment in the big star athletes being interviewed. To say no to the project would have meant scuttling potential relationships with some of the biggest names in sports. But to admit it’s worth your time seems a bridge too far.
Gmail users can finally enjoy the benefits of Split View multitasking. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Google finally lets Gmail users read their email while also displaying another app. Apple introduced Split View multitasking way back in 2015, but it’s just now coming to this popular email application.
Tom Hanks wrote this nuts-and-bolts movie about naval warfare. Photo: Apple TV+
Tom Hanks is here to rescue a cargo convoy from the Nazis — and presumably you from your free time. His new movie, Greyhound, is being released straight to Apple TV+ this Friday after COVID-19 scuttled the film’s theatrical release. This means there’s nothing between you and some old-school, flag-waving thrills.
In fact, Greyhound is the very definition of old school. There’s no fuss, no muss: just a man, his crew and some German U-boats hiding out in the gray fog of World War II, ready to pounce on American soldiers.
Sanho HyperJuice can charge all your Apple gear at once. Photo: Sanho
Sanho’s HyperJuice wall charger that debuted Monday isn’t much bigger than a credit card but still has room for a pair of USB-C ports that can put out 100W, dual USB-A ports that max out at 18W, and swappable power prongs.
It uses Gallium Nitride (GaN), a new semiconductor material that’s more efficient than traditional silicon used in current chargers. It lets Sanho create this ultra-portable wall charger.
Sean Teale and Brittany O'Grady star in musical romance Little Voice. Photo: Apple TV+
The latest lightweight Apple TV+ crowdpleaser comes from producer J.J. Abrams, songwriter Sara Bareilles and writer Jessie Nelson. Little Voice, which debuts on Apple’s streaming service on July 10, hits every single beat you expect — and none you don’t.
There’s little chance you won’t experience precisely the emotional journey and reaction you’re anticipating just from looking at the show’s promotional materials.
If you wanna watch a scrappy, model-beautiful singer finally find her voice with help from a supportive and kooky family of zany outsiders, and then live her dream of being a star, then yeah, come on in.
Pokémon Go turns 4 today and, while it might not be the shiny new toy of the App Store anymore, it’s not showing signs of slowing down, either.
The AR Poké-spotting game just passed $3.6 billion in global player spending, according to leading app analytics platform Sensor Tower. Of that, almost $1.7 billion — or 46.4% of the total revenue — came from the App Store.
Score what just might be the world's strongest phone cable, in either Lightning or USB-C. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
Mobile devices depend on Lightning and USB cables to stay charged and synced, so it’s a bummer that those cables are so prone to fraying and breaking. Even in perfect shape, standard Apple cables tend to last just a few months. Not so with these Iron Man-worthy cables from Evercable.
Hanks talks about his "Apple overlords" in new interview. Photo: Apple TV+
Tom Hanks made a few not-so-flattering comments about the “Apple overlords” in an interview about his new World War II movie Greyhound. The film, which was originally supposed to launch in theaters, was pulled due to the coronavirus pandemic. Instead, it will premiere on Apple TV+ this Friday.
In an interview with The Guardian, Hanks describes the shift to Apple TV+ as “an absolute heartbreak.” He also spills the beans on one of Apple’s slightly unusual requests for his press interviews.
Apple is helping find the music superstars of tomorrow. (So long as they live in London, that is!) Photo: Apple
Apple’s “Made in LDN” Today at Apple program will kick off later this month, after Today at Apple sessions were canceled this year due to the coronavirus pandemic. Because of the continuing effects of coronavirus, the sessions will take place online, rather than in Apple Stores.
The Made in LDN sessions are aimed at teaching skills to young musical artists, aged 16-25, in London. They will run from July 27 through August 28. Registration kicks off today.
Tidy up and stay charged with these great 4th of July deals on everyday tech. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
What better way to celebrate this Fourth of July weekend than by giving yourself the gift of Apple upgrades? We rounded up some real firecracker deals on chargers, UV sterilization devices, noise-canceling headphones and more.
It took 10 years of work to create StaffPad, the iPad music app that won an Apple Design Award. Cover: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac
David William Hearn, co-creator of revolutionary iPad music notation app StaffPad, reveals the decade-long quest that earned the app an Apple Design Award.
You’ll find that story, plus the usual roundup of iPhone and Mac news and rumors, in this week’s free issue of Cult of Mac Magazine. It’s packed with Apple how-tos and reviews, too. Download it to read the slick iOS mag on your iPad, or hit the links below to get the stories in your browser.
These MacBook accessories will revolutionize your computer. Photo: Charlie Sorrel/Cult of Mac
Ring in the Fourth of July by giving your laptop a new lease on life. Any one of these four great deals on MacBook accessories will give you a new feeling of … independence.
It took three years to assemble this rig. Photo: @carlosazaustre
It took web designer Carlos Azaustre a span of three years to piece together his setup. Everything was carefully chosen.
To start off, the Madrid-based front-end engineer has the Samsung 34-inch UltraWide Monitor. He previously had a 24-inch FullHD Monitor but after a few years of wear-and-tear he decided it was time to make a change. So he splurged and went with the Samsung UltraWide. He runs his rig off of a 13-inch 2013 MacBook Pro which sits upon an AmazonBasics Laptop Desk Stand.
Many iPhone users already have multiple wall chargers, some still in the wrapping. The iPhone 12 might not include one. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Adding weight to recent reports that the iPhone 12 will ship without a charger in the box, Apple supposedly sent a survey to someone who recently traded in a handset to ask if he’s still using the wall charger. The responses from him and others could help the company decide whether it should leave out this accessory.
Don't do everything yourself. Image: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Ready to start delegating some of your responsibilities to someone else? It’s easier than ever with Reminders in iOS 14 and iPadOS 14, which gives you the ability to assign tasks to other people.
Not ready for iOS 14? Here's how to go back. Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac
If you caved and installed the iOS 14 or iPadOS 14 betas on your iPhone and iPad, and now you’re running into problems, you’ll be pleased to know you can downgrade to iOS 13.
It’s a relatively simple process that shouldn’t take you long, and as long as you’ve backed up, you won’t lose too much data data. We’ll walk you through the process in this step-by-step guide.
Now is the time to treat yourself to AirPods Pro! Amazon is offering renewed models that look and work as good as new for just $202 — the lowest price we’ve seen so far on Apple’s best wireless buds.
The internet's angry about a possible iPhone change, but we're totally fine with it. Image: The CultCast
This week on The CultCast: With iPhone 12 right around the corner, a new rumor says it will be missing one key feature, and the internet is not happy. Plus: It’s a CultCast exclusive! We’ll tell you how Cupertino might be planning to bring the Apple Store right to your home. And we discuss our favorite new shows and Mary Jane” accessories in an all-new What We’re Into.
Our thanks to Squarespace for supporting this episode. Easily create a beautiful website all by yourself, at Squarespace.com/cultcast. Use offer code CultCast at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain.
The A14 could be a game-changer for Apple. Screenshot: Apple
Apple chipmaker TSMC is reportedly preparing 80 million A14 chips for the next-gen iPhone 12, claims regular Apple leaker l0vetodream.
Interestingly, this follows a recent report suggesting that certain iPhone orders have been cut in half. If accurate, it suggests that Apple has some very high hopes for the iPhone 12.
Tensions between China and India have been ramping up. Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac
Apple contract manufacturer Foxconn has successfully resolved an issue that was stopping its component shipments from China being imported to India, amid tensions between the two nations.
Customs officials were holding shipments from China following violent incidents at the Himalayan border, which is shared by China and India. This was reportedly causing problems for Foxconn, which carries out iPhone manufacturing (among other things) in both countries.
These great 4th of July deals include language lessons, VPN protection, 10TB of cloud storage and more. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
One of the reasons to be excited about the Independence Day is deals like these. We’ve rounded up tools for learning and translating other languages, a powerful VPN service, and a massive 10TB of cloud storage. Best of all, they’re all discounted by 80% or more.