Mobile menu toggle

Fraudsters steal whopping $19 million worth of iPhones

By

Fraudster steals $16k from victim posing as Apple tech support
A wide-ranging criminal enterprise devoted to stealing new iPhones has been broken up by police.
Photo: Donald Tong/Pexels CC

Criminals allegedly used identity theft to steal thousands of iPhones from across the United States over several years. Their scheme involved assuming stolen identities and going to stores run by wireless carriers to pose as customers looking for upgrades to new models.

iOS 13 opens door for Spotify to use Siri

By

Spotify Premium update October 2018
Jamming out on Spotify using Siri is finally possible.
Photo: Spotify

One of the best features on Apple Music could soon make its way onto Spotify thanks to iOS 13.

Apple is finally making it possible for Spotify and other music, podcast and audio apps to use Siri. Not being able to integrate with HomePod or Siri were two of Spotify’s many complaints in a recent open letter slamming Apple. When iOS 13 comes out that will finally be possible.

Tech company workers are split on Apple monopoly

By

App Store
Is the App Store a monopoly?
Photo: Cult of Mac

Nearly 75% of Apple employees are behind Tim Cook’s recent declaration that the App Store is not monopoly.

A recent survey found that Qualcomm and Spotify employees are the biggest Apple haters with over 80% responding that recent App Store monopoly claims are legit. The overall tech industry appears to be split on the case though with 54% of employees from the biggest companies taking Apple’s side.

How to use a PS4 or Xbox One controller with iOS 13 and iPadOS

By

Xbox One controller Apple EarPods
Controller support is better than ever.
Photo: Evan Killham/Cult of Mac

iOS 13, iPadOS, and tvOS 13 will finally allow you to play games with a PlayStation 4 or Xbox One controller.

That means there’s no need to purchase a pricey MFi controller that is restricted by Apple’s outdated gamepad guidelines. Simply connect one of the controllers you already own and you’re good to go.

Here’s how to get set up.

How new Mac Pro borrows from Apple’s best designs

By

Mac Pro cheese grater
You might be better off with iMac Pro instead.
Photo: Apple

WWDC 2019 bug It’s obvious that the new Mac Pro, unveiled this week during Apple’s WWDC keynote, is a reboot of the venerable Power Mac G5, a machine released in 2003 that featured a distinctive “cheese grater” grille.

Aside from looks, there are many similarities to the G5, plus a couple of ideas from other older Apple machines. Here are some of the clearest design influences on the new Mac Pro.

Anonymously enjoy everything the internet has to offer

By

Everybody needs a VPN in their life these days. Like Surfshark Mac VPN.
Everybody needs a VPN in their life these days.
Image: Surfshark

This post is presented by Surfshark.

These days, anyone who’s even a little bit tech-savvy knows that using a virtual private network when you go online is a must. But with all the VPN options out there, it can be tough to find the right one. For true anonymity, you want one that doesn’t log your activity, that’s flexible for use on all your devices, and that works wherever and whenever you hop online. If you’re planning to upgrade your online security at the best price, keep an eye out for Surfshark VPN Black Friday discounts to get premium features at a fraction of the cost.

Apple doesn’t want everyone to use a mouse with iPhone and iPad

By

iPad-Pro-mouse
Not everyone should use a mouse. Especially not this kind.
Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac

You might think it would be pretty simple for Apple to add mouse support to its mobile operating systems. But that’s not so. The company reportedly spent years developing its newest accessibility feature.

Apple is also keen to stress that mouse support in iOS 13 and iPadOS is for certain users — those who cannot easily use touch. It was not added to replace touch for the average iPhone and iPad user.

You won’t need iTunes to install the iOS 13, iPadOS public betas

By

iPadOS-multitasking
Awesome news for public testers.
Photo: Apple

You won’t need iTunes to install the iOS 13 and iPadOS betas when they go public, Apple’s Craig Federighi has confirmed.

Registered developers who want to get their hands on the software now must download the update package and restore their device through iTunes. They must also have the new Xcode 11 beta installed.

That won’t be the case when Apple expands the reach of its betas next month.

Everything Apple showed off at WWDC 2019 in under 8 minutes [Video]

By

Exploding neon robot head with Apple OSes flying out
Every major OS from Apple is getting updated this year!
Graphic: Ian Fuchs/Cult of Mac

WWDC Apple’s WWDC 2019 keynote introduced tons of new features and changes coming this fall. From a new tvOS design and Apple Watch faces to Dark Mode on iOS and a reimagined iPad home screen, there’s so much to keep track of.

If you missed the keynote, or just want the highlights, have no fear. We wrapped up all the headlining features of the epic 2 hour, 20-minute presentation into less than 8 minutes.

How to use a mouse with your iPad

By

trackpad mode
Trackpads -- not just for the Mac any more.
Photo: Charlie Sorrel/Cult of Mac

The iPadOS beta is out, and it has one killer feature — mouse support. Not only can you use any Bluetooth mouse or trackpad to control the text-selection cursor on the iPad, you can use the mouse just like you would on a Mac — clicking buttons anywhere in the entire iPad user interface.

The feature is not on by default. It’s not even a regular checkbox. To enable mouse and trackpad support on your iPad, you have to dig into the Accessibility settings.

Give your old MacBook a serious boost the cheap and easy way

By

The Aura Pro X2 offers an easy and affordable way to upgrade your 2013 or older Mac to the latest SSD specs.
The Aura Pro X2 offers an easy and affordable way to upgrade your 2013 or older Mac to the latest SSD specs.
Photo: OWC

This post is presented by OWC.

New Macs are reliably cutting-edge when they first hit shelves. But as time goes by, Cupertino’s products, like any other, move toward obsolescence. Luckily, boosting your Mac’s performance — and extending its useful life — can be a cinch.

Wonderboom 2’s new Outdoor Boost mode pumps up the bass

By

Outdoor Boost mode sounds like a perfect addition to UE Wonderboom 2 Bluetooth speaker.
Outdoor Boost mode sounds like a perfect addition.
Photo: Ultimate Ears

The tiniest member of my favorite Bluetooth speaker family just got a big upgrade. Ultimate Ears’ new Wonderboom 2 adds an Outdoor Boost mode that cranks up the bass and is “specially tuned” for listening in the great outdoors. And that seems like a completely awesome feature for the rugged little speaker.

Even better, you trigger Outdoor Boost by pressing one of the cutest buttons I’ve ever seen.

Apple names top 9 apps of 2019

By

flow
Flow by Moleskin is one of Apple's favorite apps.
Photo: Moleskin

Apple revealed the 2019 Design Awards at WWDC highlighting nine apps that offer a unique approach to design.

This year’s selections come from Italy, France, Lituania and the U.S. A lot of games are included in mix but there are also some breakthrough apps for sports, drawing, photo editing and medical imaging.

iPad is a whole new beast after leaving iPhone behind

By

Ipados
The iPad is now almost as capable as the Mac. Almost.
Photo: Charlie Sorrel/Cult of Mac

At first look, iPadOS — Apple’s new operating system designed specifically for the iPad — doesn’t seem to have added so much. If you discount the iOS 13 features that the iPad shares with the iPhone, the iPadOS extras look rather pedestrian. But these small changes show a big change of direction for the iPad. Apple is turning it into a new kind of mobile computer, instead of a big iPhone.

Imagine that you saw somebody roll a rock a few feet away from another rock. Maybe it crests a small bump in the grass. But then, when you take a step away, you see that the rock is now perched on the edge of a canyon. To mix metaphors, iPadOS is like Wile E. Coyote floating over the big drop. Only the drop goes up instead of down, or something.

Why photographers won big-time at WWDC

By

photographers and new Mac Pro
Apple has a pretty good idea on how to make photographers and filmmakers happy.
Photo: Apple

WWDC 2019 bug The WWDC keynote delivered exciting news for every Apple user, but for photographers of all stripes, Monday was their jackpot.

Professional photographers and filmmakers finally got a new Mac Pro that can handle ambitious workflows.

Operating system updates due out this fall for Mac, iPhone and iPad will bring a slew of new features for editing and organizing.

The iPad will be an even more capable tool in the field and changes to the iPhone camera should tamp down those worries that Apple was falling behind the likes of Huawei, Samsung and Google.

And we’re not even talking about the new hardware coming this fall.

iOS 13 brings brilliant charging option to save your battery

By

iOS 13
There's a lot to love in iOS 13.
Photo: Apple

iOS 13 could help keep your iPhone battery from aging too quickly due to overcharging, thanks to a new feature hidden away in the raft of new updates.

Apple came under fire for lowering CPU speeds on iPhones with older batteries during the end of 2017. $29 battery replacements were offered as an apology. Now it appears that Apple has come up with another novel solution to ease battery woes.

iOS devs sue Apple over ‘profit-killing‘ App Store fees

By

Anti-robocall bill is one step closer to being passed into law
Fees Apple charges iOS developers to appear in the App Store are the focus of a new lawsuit.
Photo: rawpixel.com/Pexels CC

A law firm is looking for iOS developers to join a class-action suit against Apple for the way it runs the App Store. The lawyers accuse the company of “anticompetitive practices.”

One of their goals is to open up distribution of iPhone and iPad apps, which currently can only be downloaded through Apple. The lawsuit also wants a decrease in the commissions devs must pay.

References to Apple ‘tag’ item trackers spotted in iOS 13

By

Tile bluetooth tracker
Apple wants to take on Tile.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

References in iOS 13 all but corroborate earlier reports that Apple is working on its own item-tracking accessories.

It is thought Apple plans to compete with Tile by offering “tags” that can be attached to bags, keys, and other valuables. You will then be able to track them using the new Find My app coming this fall.

iPhone’s Wi-Fi hotspot gets a big upgrade in iOS 13

By

iOS 12 Personal Hotspot
iOS 12’s Personal Hotspot is getting some great new features in the next version..

The mobile hotspot built into the iPhone gets some real improvements in iOS 13. iPads can connect automatically and stay connected even when asleep.

In addition, Apple upgraded some of iOS 13’s other Wi-Fi capabilities, including making the Control Center more useful.