Mobile menu toggle

Apple Watch needs a Sick Mode [Opinion]

By

Apple Watch Sick Mode
The next time you get ill, your Apple Watch should help you get better.
Photo: Cult of Mac

When you‘ve caught a bad cold, the flu or a global pandemic, it’s no help that your Apple Watch keeps urging you to go for a run. That’s why this wearable needs a sick mode.

When it comes out this autumn, watchOS 7 should include a mode that gives good advice for people ill enough to need bed rest rather than a trip to the gym.

Compact wireless charger juices all your Apple devices at once [Review]

By

Native Union Drop XL Wireless Charger (Watch Edition)
The Native Union Drop XL wireless iPhone charger also has a Apple Watch Edition.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Anyone packing iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods doesn’t have to deal with charging them separately. The Native Union Drop XL Wireless Charger (Watch Edition) can handle all three of these at once. And it won‘t take up much room on your nightstand.

I tested this multidevice wireless charger from a top-notch brand in my daily use to see if it lived up to its promises.

Stay sanitary with a Roomba for bacteria [Deals]

By

Rockubot
This robot uses UVC-light and ultrasonic waves to kill 99.9% of bacteria, germs and viruses.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Did you know that ultraviolet light can kill germs? It can, and that’s good news, because it means there are better ways of sanitizing your home than constantly spraying and wiping it down with chemicals. With this tool, keeping a sanitary space is as simple as powering up a little Roomba-style robot.

This Apple Watch bumper case solves a very specific problem [Review]

By

The Elkson Apple Watch bumper case solved a problem that drove me crazy, and it looks good too!
Elkson's Apple Watch Case solves a problem that drove me crazy, and it looks good too!
Photo: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac

For the longest time, I had a particular problem with my Apple Watch. When I rode my bicycle, the watch’s Digital Crown would rub against my wrist, playing havoc with the sound coming through my AirPods. Suddenly it would get very loud, or very low. It drove me crazy.

I tried everything I could think of, including wearing my watch backward so the Digital Crown was reversed, or on the inside of my wrist. Nothing worked, so I disabled Now Playing on my Watch, which I missed because it’s great for controlling music when doing something like riding a bike.

Then I came across Elkson’s Quattro Series Bumper Case for Apple Watch. This inexpensive cover surrounds the Digital Crown and prevents it from spinning when I ride my bike. Problem solved.

Master these iPad trackpad gestures immediately [Cult of Mac Magazine 342]

By

Master these 6 iPad trackpad gestures now.
These handy gestures will change the way you use your iPad.
Cover: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac

If you use (or plan to use) a trackpad with your iPad, you definitely need to know these six handy gestures. From the three-finger swipe to the slammer, they will transform the way you use your tablet.

Get the lowdown on those essential iPad gestures, plus the rest of what’s new in iPadOS 13.4, iOS 13.5 and macOS Catalina 10.13.4, in this week’s free issue of Cult of Mac Magazine. Download it for easy reading on your iPad or iPhone. You’ll also get the rest of the week’s top Apple news, reviews and how-tos.

Got some extra time? Use it to Master Adobe Creative Cloud [Deals]

By

Adobe Creative Cloud Suite
Boost your earning potential from home with 60 hours of courses in Adobe Creative Cloud.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Whether to stay creative or to broaden job prospects, Adobe’s Creative Cloud is one of the best tools to have under your belt. Lots of us are at home wondering what to do right now, so it’s a good time to sharpen your skills. And with this deal, you can get more than 60 hours of training in Adobe CC for less than $35.

Amazing Stories delivers solid shot of escapism with ‘Signs of Life’ [Review]

By

Michelle Wilson in Amazing Stories
Michelle Wilson anchors a solid outing of the new Amazing Stories.
Photo: Apple TV+

After a bumpy start, the Apple TV+ reboot of Amazing Stories headed off in an agreeable direction. Between its heart-on-the-sleeve emotional core and the very modern, depressive look at the deflation of the American dream, this is a show that understands why people need to believe in the impossible today.

Episode 4, titled “Signs of Life,” might not be a perfect hour of television. However, it’s got its heart in the right place. And a host of excellent elements make its story beats hit with extra force.

Quarantined photographer executes fantastic FaceTime fashion shoot

By

Alessio Albi FaceTime model shoot
Alessio Albi makes screenshot magic on FaceTime.
Screenshot: Alessio Albi/Instagram

Quarantined photographers across the internet have used the lockdown to come up with personal projects they could shoot within the same confines of their home.

Condé Nast shooter Alessio Albi has one of the more interesting bodies of work to emerge from staying at home. He is using FaceTime for remote fashion shoots.

Boxy iPhone 12 Pro concept packs ProMotion XDR display and PowerDrop

By

iphone-12-pro
Would you buy the iPhone 12 Pro if it looks like this?
Photo: The Hacker 34

Another iPhone 12 Pro concept landed on YouTube this week to satiate Apple fans who just can’t wait for the real deal to be revealed this fall.

Created by the Hacker 34, the new iPhone 12 Pro concept offers a couple features not included on the drool-worthy concept we posted yesterday. Armed with a ProMotion XDR display, new quad-camera setup and two-way charging, this boxy concept will have you ready to open your wallet for the 5G iPhone, whenever it actually comes out.

Check it out:

Customize your Apple Watch workouts for effective home exercise

By

Can't go to the gym? Customize your Apple Watch to fit your home workouts.
Can't go to the gym? Customize your Apple Watch to fit your home workouts.
Photo: Meghan Holmes/Unsplash CC

If you’re stuck at home due to COVID-19 self-isolation, you’re probably not getting enough exercise these days. Still, you should try to keep yourself in shape, for both your mental and your physical wellbeing. The Apple Watch can definitely help, and you can customize the data it displays during workouts so you only see what you need.

Maybe you don’t need to know the current pace for your indoor walk, or you don’t care to be distracted by your calorie burn during a yoga session. Let’s see how to customize Apple Watch workouts to fit your personal needs.

Apple Watch might get Touch ID for easier unlocking

By

Apple-Watch-Touch-ID
Is Touch ID really necessary?
Mockup: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

Apple is working to bring Touch ID to Apple Watch for the first time, according to new reports out Friday. The company is said to be exploring two methods of integrating the technology into its wearable for easier unlocking.

The new model may prove particularly interesting to Apple Watch Series 2 owners, who are expected to miss out on Apple’s upcoming watchOS 7 update this fall.

Zoom shares data with Facebook even about non-Facebook users [Updated]

By

Zoom video conferencing for Mac
Zoom became very popular during the COVID-19 pandemic, but has some sketchy privacy practices.
Photo: Zoom

The Zoom video conferencing app has been a lifesaver for many people unexpectedly forced to work from home during the coronavirus outbreak. But privacy experts have raised concerns that this app shares more user data than many might realize. That includes the iOS version reportedly sending information to Facebook, even about users who don’t have a Facebook account.

Update: Zoom has removed this controversial code.

Disney+ racks up 5 million downloads on launch day in Europe

By

disney.plus.uk.2
Disney+ has finally landed in the UK.
Photo: Apple

The Disney+ mobile app is off to a roaring start in Europe and the UK just days after it launched earlier this week.

Third-party app analytics firm App Annie revealed that the Disney+ app has been downloaded over 5 million times on launch day, possibly thanks to millions of residents having to shelter-in-place due to the coronavirus pandemic.

This setting makes Mac System Preferences way easier to use

By

Arrange your Mac System Preferences alphabetically.
Arrange your Mac's System Preferences alphabetically.
Photo: Jessicah Hast/Unsplash

Are you forever opening up your Mac’s System Preferences app and searching for the section you need? If so, it’s because by default, all those Preference Panes are ordered by category, which — to me at least — makes little sense.

Luckily, changing a single setting in the Mac’s System Preferences app can make this essential tool far easier to use. There’s a much better way to sort them — alphabetically. Let’s check it out.

Hackers see COVID-19 as a big opportunity for new exploits

By

hacker
We should be even more vigilant online.
Photo: Clint Patterson

A new report published on Friday by the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (Europol) details the many ways hackers are using the COVID-19 pandemic to exploit unsuspecting targets.

It includes new social engineering attacks that convince email users to give up sensitive data, and an increase in malware distributed via malicious links. Europol calls for law enforcement agencies to be vigilant and prepared.

Apple launches new COVID-19 screening app and website in partnership with CDC

By

apple
The new COVID-19 app and website provide the latest information and guidance from the CDC for users across the US.
Photo: Apple

Apple is jumping into the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic with a new website and app that allow visitors to screen themselves for COVID-19 symptoms.

The company partnered with the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control for the new site and app, found at Apple.com/covid19 and on the App Store. The goal is to give people resources so they can stay informed on steps they can take to protect their health during the coronavirus outbreak.

Lara Croft Go goes free for quarantined tomb raiders

By

Lara Croft Go
And all without unnecessarily raiding your pocket.
Photo: Square Enix

At five years old, Square Enix’s Lara Croft Go is a comparative oldie, but a goodie. The tomb-raiding puzzle game is also now free to download — making it perfect for a time when many of us are stuck in the proverbial (definitely not literal) tombs that are our apartments and houses.

What better time to play a globe-trotting, death-dodging, brain-tickling action game?

iOS bug may expose data even while running a VPN

By

This VPN provider is backed by super secure encryption, Swiss data privacy laws, and lots more.
ProtonVPN brings an iOS bug to light.
Photo: Cult of Mac

A consultant has discovered an unpatched security bug in iOS that prevents virtual private networks from encrypting all traffic.

The problem impacts iOS 13.3.1 and later and could lead some internet connections to expose data or leak IP addresses.

CarKey screenshots show how drivers will start their cars via Wallet app

By

CarKey access type 1
Here's how you'll interface with CarKey.
Photo: DongleBookPro

A new CarKey feature for iOS 14 will let drivers start up compatible vehicles from their iPhone or Apple Watch, using a digital car key in their Wallet app. Leaked screenshots that appeared on Twitter this week show what the user interface might look like.

Tapping on the digital car key in the Wallet app will reveal the car model and automaker. It also offers the ability to share your key with another person. And an Express Mode works without requiring Face ID or your passcode.

R&B star learns iMovie on lockdown to make sexy ‘quarantine style’ video

By

Kehlani music video on iMove
Kehlani doing her work at home.
Screenshot: Kehlani/YouTube

Kehlani, an R&B star from Oakland, California, used her time in COVID-19 quarantine to teach herself iMovie — then shot and edited a racy DIY music video at home.

The video for her new single “Toxic” involves creative lighting, a lot of twerking and, um, implied self-care. “Created, directed, edited by me in my room in an hour,” she wrote on Twitter. “Thank U red wine.”

VPN use skyrockets during self-quarantine, and you should get in on the action [Deals]

By

VPN Unlimited Main
Now's a great time to finally protect your online activity with a virtual private network.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

As the coronavirus pandemic leads to stay-at-home lockdowns around the country, lots of people are suddenly online even more than usual. Unfortunately, with increased online activity comes extra risk of data theft and compromised privacy.

Plus, many people who became stuck while traveling now face problems accessing location-restricted content. So it’s little wonder that NordVPN says use of its virtual private network services spiked 165% since March 11. If you haven’t already jumped on the VPN bandwagon, now is a great time to do it. With this deal from KeepSolid VPN Unlimited, you can get a lifetime’s access for just $39.

iPad Pro’s been supercharged, but not how you think … we discuss! On The CultCast

By

CultCast 433
It's not the LIDAR cam that makes the new iPad Pro magical....
Photo: @YSR50

This week on The CultCast: Forget the A12Z and LiDAR Scanner, it’s iPadOS and the new Magic Keyboard that just supercharged the iPad Pro — we discuss! Plus, we’ll tell you the best new features in iOS 13.4. And Tim Cook, aka The Cookie, uses Apple’s massive supply chain prowess to deliver hugely needed supplies for medical workers — we got the story for ya right here!

Our thanks to LinkedIn for supporting this episode. A business is only as strong as its people, and every hire matters. So head to LinkedIn.com/cultcast and get a $50 credit toward your first job post.