Apple pledged Monday to donate $10 to the National Park Foundation (NPF) for many Apple Pay purchases. If you buy via Apple Pay on apple.com, in the Apple Store app or at a U.S. Apple Store through August 28, you’re helping national parks.
Cupertino said it’s a way to celebrate 106 years of the U.S. National Park Service. And you can also enjoy special content and collections on Apple Maps, Apple Podcasts and more.
Apple’s Self Service Repair program is about to expand to recent MacBook Pro and MacBook Air models. This will give those who want to fix their macOS notebook access to repair manuals and genuine Apple parts and tools.
The program began offering the info, parts and tools needed to fix recent iPhone models in spring 2022.
Apple will reportedly start showing ads inside Apple Maps on iPhone starting next year. The company is looking to generate more revenue from its ad business in the coming years.
Apple currently displays ads inside the App Store and certain apps like Apple News and Stocks.
Apple is getting ready to ship iOS 16 in September and has reportedly finished the development of the first public release. Apart from iOS 16, the Cupertino giant will also seed watchOS 9 to the public next month.
iPadOS 16 and macOS Ventura will reportedly arrive a month later in October.
Multiple sources say the Apple’s upcoming M2 Pro chip will be made with an enhanced manufacturing process that wasn’t yet available for the recently released M2. That will make Apple’s next processor more efficient than the one in the new MacBook Air.
Even better, the M2 Pro could launch in updated MacBook Pro models before the end of 2022.
Apple fans are no stranger to the company’s high prices. For example, if you’re looking for a portable power bank to charge your iPhone while on the go, Apple’s MagSafe Battery Pack will set you back $99. On the other hand, the Speedy Mag Wireless Charger helps keep your iPhone up and running for the low sale price of just $48.99.
The affordable battery pack also comes in several colors, so you’re not relegated to the white zone.
This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: Looks like we have a date for the next big Apple event: Mark your calendars for September 7! We’re expecting iPhone 14 and Apple Watch Series 8 — which both sound awfully familiar — and hoping for something surprising.
Also on The CultCast:
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Grab your iPhone or iPad to play Madden NFL 23 Mobile, which has just been updated for the new football season.
This is the ninth season of the mobile game from Electronic Arts. It not only put players on the field in the biggest games of the season, it also has a General Manager mode to let players build a team.
A classic action game gets fresh update in Jetpack Joyride 2. There are new weapons and equipment, and tougher enemies, too.
Fans of the original can strap on a jetpack and fly through a version with plenty of new features, on Apple Arcade starting today. And it’s now for Mac, too!
★★★★☆
Apple TV+ medical drama Five Days at Memorial, about the terrible misfortune of the staff of an abandoned hospital during Hurricane Katrina, hits the fourth day of disaster this week.
The power is still off, and the A/C is a distant memory. Helicopters are coming to evacuate, but the elevator to the roof is broken. Things are going to get worse before they get better. The gripping drama stays madly compelling and deeply tragic.