Some iPhone XR owners really aren't happy with their purchase. Photo: Apple
Apple on Monday was hit with a second class-action lawsuit over iPhone XR’s “inferior” Wi-Fi antennas.
The company is accused of hiding the fact that its more affordable handset, released in 2018, shipped with a 2×2 MIMO antenna array, while the pricier iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max packed a 4×4 MIMO array.
The club is not a subscription service but simply recommendations of content that can be bought through iTunes for $14.99 or rented through Disney+, Hulu, or HBO for $3.99 each.
This spunky little guy is the star of Spyder, one of the best games on Apple Arcade. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
There’s never been a better time to try Apple Arcade, the subscription gaming service that serves up unlimited access to more than 100 iPhone, iPad and Apple TV titles for only $4.99 a month.
With exclusive games — and a total lack of the annoying ads and in-app purchases that mar many “free” iOS games — it offers some real advantages. But it wouldn’t be a bargain if there were no fun games. Fortunately, there are plenty. Here are some of the best you’ll find on Apple Arcade.
A set of origami-style lights illuminate the cozy setup of Instagram user @mrisad, an integration delivery manager. The Nanoleaf lights floating above his dual monitors evoke the control panels from some ’70s sci-fi show. And they’re integrated with HomeKit, Apple’s home-automation platform.
The heart of his rig is a beautiful pair of screens. The large main screen is a $1,000 curved, 38-inch screen from LG. The second screen is a 28-inch Asus gaming monitor. He hooked them both up to a Mac mini, and elegantly suspended them in midair by an inexpensive ($40) but fully articulated desktop stand.
To round out his setup, @mrisad has a Magic Keyboard and Trackpad from Apple, and a trio of chargers for his iPhone, iPad and AirPods. As for audio, he has a HomePod and a pair of Sennheiser noise-canceling headphones.
A swipe right isn't just good for Tinder. GIF: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac
Using nested lists is a terrific way to organize your plans and thoughts inside the Notes app, and it’s super-simple to create them on iPhone and iPad using this quick pro tip. All you need is to get your swipe on.
Password protection is a major update in Mozilla 76
Mozilla released Firefox 76 Tuesday with an improved manager to protect from password leaking and reuse. Firefox 76 now lets users know when a password is used on another website and advises when they have been used too many times.
Many are pinning hopes for AirPods Pro noise cancellation improvements on a new firmware update. Photo: Charlie Sorrel/Cult of Mac
Apple introduced a firmware update for AirPods Pro on Tuesday. There’s no word yet on what this does, but many users of these truly-wireless headphones hope it improves active noise cancellation.
Americans pay mobile data costs well above the global average. Photo: Polina/Pexels
Americans pay far more for 4G service than much of the world, according to a report released Tuesday by a price-comparison firm. The cost for 1 gigabyte of LTE data in the United States costs almost twice the global average. And U.S. 4G service costs more than similar offerings in a whopping 187 other countries.
Was that offensive? Twitter to start looking. Screenshots: Ian Fuchs/Cult of Mac
Twitter will soon test a new feature designed to discourage people from using “offensive or hurtful language” in their replies, the company said Tuesday.
Instead of standard hinges, consider a bendable MacBook. Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac
A proposed MacBook design change is radical while at the same time preserving the traditional clamshell design. Apple received a patent today for a notebook computer without standard hinges. Instead, it’s flexible enough to bend in the middle.
Play today to earn a bonus Ford GT. Image: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac
Microsoft’s insanely popular Forza racing series has finally landed on iPhone and iPad. The free-to-play Forza Street, which first debuted on Windows two years ago, is available to download now from the App Store.
The game promises gorgeous visuals, fast-paced racing action, and iconic cars any racing fan will be familiar with. There are also some sweet bonuses for those who play within the first 30 days of the game’s release.
Woot is blowing out brand-new Smart Keyboards for iPad Pro. You can bag yours for as little as $99.99, but you’ll need to act fast. This sale is good for today only, and available stock won’t last long at this price.
Following cancellation of its face-to-face conference, Apple is going online with WWDC, starting June 22. Photo: Apple
Apple announced Tuesday it will host its 2020 Worldwide Developers Conference virtually, beginning June 22. It will be available to view using the Apple Developer app, streamed on the Apple Developer website and free for all registered developers.
Apple did not give any details of a keynote event to announce various products, but is expected to hold one on the conferences opening day.
France plans to go it alone on COVID-19 contact tracing for mobile phones. Photo: Apple
A French official accused Apple on Tuesday of hampering the effectiveness of the country’s COVID-19 contract-tracing platform by blocking access to data via Bluetooth.
France minister for digital technology Cedric O told BFM Business TV that Apple “could have helped us make the application work even better on the iPhone. They have not wished to do so.”
Get lifetime access to highly-rated software for removing malware cleaning up clutter so your machine runs at top speeds. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
Like many other machines, computers typically get slower with age. Often, that slowness results from digital clutter that accumulates over time. CleanMyMac X targets the data that drags down Macs, giving them more space and a new lease on life.
Right now, you can get a lifetime subscription to this powerful Mac tool at a big discount.
A copyright case between Apple and Corellium is now of great interest to the DOJ. But why? Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
Apple is disputing the interference of the U.S. Justice Department in a copyright suit against software maker Corellium as questions arise as to why the federal government is now involved in the case.
The Department of Justice has now intervened in the case asking Apple to delay its request for a deposition of Corellium cofounder Chris Wade, and inquiring to what evidence Apple is planning on presenting before its lawyers question Wade.
The 10.2-inch iPad might be one of the best deals in consumer tech. It packs everything you need in a decent slate, and it’s powered by iPadOS — the best tablet operating system on the planet. It’s also compatible with Apple Pencil.
What’s really great about the 10.2-inch iPad is that it’s often available at a discount. Amazon is again offering one of the biggest yet, with $79.01 off the cheapest model, reducing its price tag to just $249.99.
A short primer on contact-tracing. Photo: Apple/Google
The UK’s National Health Service has launched its contact-tracing app — but experts quoted by the Daily Mail Tuesday claim that its non-privacy focused approach to tracking the spread of coronavirus could make it illegal.
They also claim its incompatibility with Apple and Google’s contact-tracing API may cause chaos for traveling Brits.
Permanently banish those pesky email threads with everyone commenting. Photo: Microsoft
Microsoft Outlook for iPad and iPhone now makes it easier to stop your inbox getting clogged up with massive multi-reply email threads copying in large numbers of people.
The “Ignore Conversation” feature is a handy new feature added for version 4.36.0 of the app. Here’s what you need to know.
Many repairers and recyclers aren't too fond of this chip. Photo: IFIXIT
Apple’s built-in laptop security safeguards, introduced with the 2018 MacBook Pros, are hitting independent repair shops and electronics recyclers hard, a report by Motherboard claims.
The system combines software security locks, various diagnostic requirements and Apple’s T2 security chip. Together, they mean that Macs stop working if they’re operated on by someone not using Apple’s proprietary repair tools.
The MacBook butterfly keyboard could be horribly frustrating. But now it’s gone. Mostly. Photo illustration: Graham Bower/Cult of Mac
MacBook buyers, your long nightmare is over. It’s now safe to buy a new Apple laptop without having to worry that someday the butterfly keyboard will jam up, rendering your computer useless without a significant repair. Monday’s release of a redesigned 13-inch MacBook Pro means every new laptop available through the Apple Store includes the more-reliable Magic Keyboard.
Still, Apple held onto the flawed design for too long. Anybody with a MacBook that uses the older design must live in fear of potentially jammed butterfly keys for years to come.
Apple Watch looks even better with a Strapa band. Photo: Strapa
There’s no better way to upgrade your Apple Watch than by adding some of the finest leather money can buy. That’s why you should check out these wonderful Strapa straps.
They’re beautifully made from only the finest materials, and come in a range of gorgeous color options. They’re also compatible with all generations of Apple Watch.
A new case for your iPhone SE is a great way to celebrate Star Wars Day. Photo: Otterbox
May 4 is Star Wars Day, and OtterBox is having a sale on iPhone cases with Jedi, droids and Sith aplenty. Plus, there are great Star Wars iOS games to play, and movies and TV shows to watch on your iPad or iPhone.