Cult of Mac

Parallels Desktop 15 lets you run Windows on a Mac faster than ever, thanks to a performance-enhancing switch to Apple’s Metal framework. Today’s update to the popular virtualization app brings loads of other feature enhancements, including support for DirectX 11.

The increased efficiency means some Windows apps that would not even launch in Parallels Desktop 14 work properly in the new version.

“We want you to do whatever you want,” said John Uppendahl, Parallels’ VP of communications, during a demo of the new software at the Cult of Mac office in San Francisco.

Like the AirPower charger Apple wasn’t able to deliver, the Courant Catch:2 can wirelessly send power to multiple devices placed anywhere on its charging mat — there’s no need to carefully arrange them. Plus, this accessory truly looks like the luxury product it is, with a handsome leather exterior.

Power through my review of this just-released product, which I tested with recent and older iPhones.

We’ve raved about the TENC Air iPhone case from Just Mobile, and gave a real-world example of the Xkin screen protector doing its job. We got phenomenal feedback, so our friends at Just Mobile agreed to put together an exclusive discount bundle for Cult of Mac readers.

Buy a TENC Air case from our Watch Store now, and you can get an Xkin screen protector for half off. The discount on the Xkin will be reflected in your cart at checkout. But the deal won’t last forever, so get it while you can.

Patterning is probably the best drum machine app on the iPad, and one of the best iOS music apps, period. Which makes it criminal that we’ve never written a dedicated post about it. That can change today, because the developer, Olympia Noise Co., just added keyboard shortcuts.

Wait, come back! These aren’t just any keyboard shortcuts. These shortcuts let you use your iPad’s Smart Folio Keyboard, or any Bluetooth keyboard, to fingerdrum on the iPad.

This post is presented by Wondershare.

A new iPhone means making sure your old app data makes it across from your old one. Even with backups, though, some apps like WhatsApp will simply start fresh on a new device. However, you can use an app like Dr.Fone to move accounts and chats from one device to the next. Here’s how it works.

Showing an adorable puppy in your online dating profile is an easy way to make yourself seem likable and kind. Unfortunately, many of the people who use this method seem to think there’s no reason to put up with a smelly, dirty mutt when they can just lie about it.

Think about your music library for a second. Which of the songs in your library come from Apple Music? Which ones did you add to the library yourself? And which ones have you added to iTunes Match, but haven’t actually made it to your iCloud library yet?

These things are a little confusing. The beauty of Apple Music, and the iCloud Music Library, is that all of your music is there, in one place. But this simplicity also makes it hard to see what’s going on. Happily, iTunes is still more than up to the task, and can even split these songs into individual playlists. Let’s check it out.

The megapixel war among smartphone cameras is about to go nuclear.

Samsung today unveiled a 108MP camera sensor, an industry first that is headed for a future Xiaomi handset.

Apple has dropped a new trailer for The Morning Show ahead of its big debut.

The original drama, which stars Jennifer Aniston, Reece Witherspoon, and Steve Carell, will be one of the first shows streaming on Apple TV+ when it launches this fall.

Apple had a disappointing last quarter in Europe, where iPhone market share fell by a significant 17%. Into the space previously held by Apple, Samsung and Xiaomi made the biggest gains.

Samsung grew its market presence by 20% versus this time last year. In doing so, it’s almost tripling Apple’s market share. Xiaomi, meanwhile, increased 48%, although it still lags behind Apple.

iOS 13 is cracking down on potty mouths. Apple’s built-in Notes app automatically censors handwritten curse words. However, it seems words considered to be less offensive are ignored.

An iPhone survived under water for two days before being discovered by divers in a murky lake in the U.K.

The phone was discovered by a team of professional divers. It belonged to a member of staff at a watersports park in Nottinghamshire. “The screen lit up and he had a missed call from his granddad,” the diver who discovered it said.

In the age of precarity, everybody has good reason to hustle. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to make extra income — you just need to know how.

We rounded up three lessons that offer valuable insights for anyone looking to expand their skills and boost their income. Each is taught by popular educator Quaison Carter, with inside insights on SEO, scaling up and finding your personal “genius.”

One of the first employees recruited for Apple’s health team has left Apple to join the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Dr. Andrew Trister joined Apple in 2016, shortly after it introduced Apple Watch. Since then, Apple has heavily piloted in the direction of health-tracking. Tim Cook has said Apple’s focus on health will be its, “greatest contribution to mankind.”

The CEO of YouTube has joined a growing list of big name tech industry figures who restrict their kids’ access to mobile devices.

Susan Wojcicki says that, “I have times when I take away all my kids’ phones, especially if we’re on a family vacation, because I want people to interact with each other.” Steve Jobs and Bill Gates have previously expressed similar sentiments.

TP-Link has cancelled plans to bring HomeKit support to its Kasa Smart Plug Mini.

The device was supposed to get an update that would make it compatible with Apple’s platform earlier this year. But after months of delays, that promise has been scrapped.

Everyone knows about the risks of phishing email, dodgy downloaded software, and accessing sensitive data while using public Wi-Fi. But how about third-party Lightning cables?

According to a new report, these are a risk as well — with security experts noting that it’s possible for malicious Lightning cables to grant access to your Mac to a remote attacker.

Telegram for iOS now lets you send messages without sound so you don’t disturb the person receiving them.

Its version 5.10 update — available now from the App Store — also lets you customize dark mode accent colors, set custom titles for group admins, and enable Slow Mode for group conversations.

We just added a bunch of awesome new gadgets and accessories to the Cult of Mac Watch Store.

Whether you want a gorgeous Apple Watch band, a handy charging stand, or a stylish AirPods case, we’ve got you covered with the latest from the likes of Twelve South, Mifa, and more.

Find out what’s new this week right here — and be prepared to splash some cash.

Nuheara’s IQbuds Boost work as Bluetooth headphones, but that’s only the start. They are really for people who need just a bit of help hearing. They aren’t true hearing aids, but might actually be better.

Take a listen to my review of these high-end wireless earbuds, along with an optional Bluetooth accessory that connects them to your TV.

In the world of startups, marketing and business in general, few tools are as compelling as a good pitch deck. Presenting your ideas in a clean, classy way, you’re more likely to win over investors and partners.

The iPadOS beta Apple introduced this week offers something none of its predecessors did: reliability. Stability, even. After days of testing on an iPad Pro, I found it close enough to the final version that an average person can access a mouse or thumbdrive with their iPad nearly hassle-free. That hasn’t been true of earlier betas.

Less rigorous testing of iOS 13 on an iPhone XS Max indicates it’s also relatively stable.

Apple makes a MacBook Pro and an iPad Pro. Soon there could be an iPhone Pro, too.

This unconfirmed report comes from a source with an unblemished history for leaking details about upcoming Apple products.

Sure, Samsung showed off some clunky ideas this week during its Galaxy Note 10 showcase. But some of Samsung’s new features got us hoping Apple adds them soon to iPhones and MacBooks. It’s high time Apple does what Samsung always does: Copy the best features!

Find out what we liked in this week’s issue of Cult of Mac Magazine. In it, you also will find an assortment of Apple news (the latest on Apple Card and iPhone batteries), reviews (AR swim goggles, etc.) and how-tos (mute those calls!).

Grab the iOS version for free and read it on your iPad. Or, alternatively, hit the links below to read in whatever browser you want.

The signature feature of the upcoming iPhone 11 could also be in Apple’s professional-grade tablets. The next iPad Pro will get the triple-lens camera supposedly launching in this fall’s iOS handsets, according to an unconfirmed report from Asia.

And regular iPad models might get a dual-lens camera.