Cult of Mac

You know how headphone cables always get tangled? In the past, I have put a cable down carefully, and picked it up just moments later, and the wires have already tied themselves into knots. And you know what else is super-annoying? Apple’s stupid USB-C and Lightning headphone adapters, the kind that you have to use if you want to plug headphones or cables recent into iPads and iPhones.

But what if there was a way to take both these annoyances, and combine them into something … slightly less annoying?!? That would be amazing, obviously. Today we will see how to use the powerful dark force of tangling to stop you from losing your headphone jack dongles.

Grownup shows drew most of the attention during the launch of Apple TV+, but children’s programming debuted as well, including Ghostwriter. Not to be overlooked, an extended trailer out today puts attention on this educational thriller.

Watch it now:

Recent rumors suggest that Apple is leaning on another company to help develop its highly anticipated augmented reality headset. At first, I thought that sounded crazy. Apple Glasses look set to be the company’s biggest new product launch since Apple Watch. Surely Cupertino would keep development of something that important in-house?

But when you look back over Apple’s history of joint ventures, it starts to make more sense. Apple tends to partner with third-parties in very specific circumstances — and Cupertino knows exactly what it’s doing.

The beta process for iOS 13.3 and its iPad equivalent is moving along. Apple just seeded the second beta of each to developers. The final version, when it’s released to the general public, will help parents limit who their kids talk to with a big improvement to Screen Time.

In addition, there are new betas of watchOS 6.1.1 and tvOS 13.3.

Retailers have already started slashing prices on some of Apple’s hottest products ahead of Black Friday. And Cult of Mac can help make your next upgrade even more affordable.

Simply sell your old iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, or Mac to us when you upgrade and you’ll receive a fat stack of cash toward its replacement.

We typically pay more than other buyback services and we make the entire process quick and simple. Get your quote today in just a couple of minutes.

Apple TV+ has turned out to be pretty good. Certainly, it’s a lot better than critics claimed. So, you may even want to share the shows with your family. And, thanks to Apple’s Family Sharing, this is not only possible, but easy.

You can all watch different shows at the same time, or you can just enjoy the lazy convenience of catching the latest episode of The Morning Show on whoever’s device is nearest. Let’s see how to share your Apple TV+ subscription with your family.

Research by IBM found that its employees who use a Mac are more likely to exceed expectations on performance reviews than co-workers with PCs. Mac’s users also make larger high-value sales deals.

Long-time Mac users should find this delightfully ironic, as IBM helped popularize the PC back in the 1980s.

Apple TV+ has lost its head of current scripted and unscripted programming less than two weeks after it made its big debut.

Kim Rozenfeld will continue working alongside Cupertino through his own company, Half Full Productions, as part of a new deal. Apple is expected to get first dibs on new content.

Cupertino pitched Apple Card as the greatest credit card in history. Instead, the card generated negative PR based on accusations that the algorithm used to decide credit limits is discriminatory.

Even Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak complained about the supposedly sexist algorithm. Woz said he received 10 times more credit than his wife, despite sharing bank accounts and assets. Here’s how Apple became the latest tech giant to be accused of algorithmic bias — and what that means.

Google Chrome may soon start giving slow websites a badge of shame.

The move, which will also “reward” sites that load quickly, is aimed at encouraging developers to deliver a high-quality experience for all users, Google says.

A forthcoming documentary will tell the story of the Apple Lisa, quite possibly the most important “flop” in the company’s history.

Before Macintosh: The Apple Lisa is planned for release in early 2020. With that date approaching, computer historian and director David Greelish shared some early scenes and the poster with Cult of Mac. Check them out below.

We rely on our digital gear for almost every aspect of everyday life, and our devices rely on power. So if there’s a break in the chain, whether a dead battery or a bad cable, it can create a cascade of problems. That’s why we’ve rounded up three of the best super-tough charging accessories from Go-Tough. From rugged batteries to reinforced cables, they can take a licking and keep on … well, charging.

Most importantly, you can rely on them for a constant supply of precious power.

Facebook is quietly using your iPhone’s camera in the background while you scroll through your news feed.

The issue is believed to be a bug that affects devices running certain versions of iOS. It has been replicated on handsets with iOS 13.2.2, but not those still using iOS 13.1.3.

A brand-new Apple original this week premiered in Los Angeles, California, ahead of its Apple TV+ debut. Truth Be Told starring Octavia Spencer will be available for streaming on December 6.

The limited drama series, based on the novel Are You Sleeping by Kathleen Barber, follows a podcaster who is compelled to reopen the murder case that made her a national sensation.

The Disney+ app is officially available to download through the App Store. The subscription service features an extensive back catalog plus new shows, including the Star Wars spinoff The Mandalorian.

And, just like that, the streaming war just got a whole lot more intensive!

An iPad Pro in development for next year will be the first with a 3D scanner capable of creating digital representations of real-world objects, according to an unconfirmed report. This will supposedly be used in augmented reality and virtual reality applications.

This scanner will next appear in the 2020 iPhone, and in AR/VR goggles and glasses in coming years.

Don’t give up hope for the 16-inch MacBook Pro. Multiple sources indicate that the launch Apple’s biggest laptop in years could be imminent.

Even if it wasn’t announced in October, as so many people expected.

Since I wrote about Apple’s ongoing MacBook disaster last week, and then offered a bunch of alternatives to the current MacBook lineup, several readers got in touch to ask which — if any — older MacBooks we’d recommend. I haven’t bought a MacBook in years, so I did a little research, and asked around the Cult of Mac crew.

So, let’s find out which is the best (old) MacBook you can buy today.

Sanho calls its newly-unveiled HyperJuice “the smallest 100W charger on the market.” Despite the svelte design, it has 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’s on Kickstarter now, available for well below the eventual regular price.

The AirPods Pro come in a Qi-enabled wireless charging case, which means you can just drop it onto a charging mat, grab them a while later, and everything is topped up and ready to go. But the LED indicator on the case blinks off soon after you start charging. What’s up? How do you find out if your AirPods are full yet?

It’s not exactly going out on a limb, but respected Apple expert Ming-Chi Kuo predicts next year’s Apple Watch Series 6 will be offer better performance than the current one, and include improved wireless speeds.  Still, with the launch about likely 10 months away, it’s not surprising that only a few vague generalities can be said about Apple’s next wearable.

What’s more interesting is a mention of enhanced water resistance that raises the possibility of taking this device to the bottom of the sea.

The YouTube channel Carfection is car porn and episodes are shot to hook an auto buff teetering on the brink of addiction.

Undulating roads, sumptuous light, purring engines, a slow pan on every line and curve, Carfection uses an arsenal of cinematic gear to achieve perfect shots.

Would an iPhone 11 Pro used to shoot a recent episode on a special edition Mustang sate Carfection’s car lovers?

Activision has confirmed that it will bring controller support to Call of Duty: Mobile “soon.”

The game’s publisher says it is finalizing the plans ahead of a future update. It sounds like it will implement special matchmaking measures for those who choose to use physical buttons and sticks.

Apple has changed its home page for Veterans Day, paying tribute to those who fight to keep America free.

Its home page features a banner reading: “Here’s to the brave ones. We’re proud to honor America’s veterans and service members this Veterans Day and every day.” It links to a webpage with a reminder of Apple’s 10% discount for vets.

Apple will release its first AR headset in 2022, followed by a smaller device such as AR glasses in 2023, claims a new report from The Information.

The publication draws its timeline from a reported internal presentation made at Apple’s HQ.