| Cult of Mac

iOS 14.7 adds first taste of reverse wireless charging to iPhone 12

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iOS 14.7 will bring Apple Card tweaks, Apple battery pack support
iOS 14.7 brings some tweaks, but isn’t a major update.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

iPhone users can now download iOS 14.7. The update, released Monday, adds reverse wireless charging to the iPhone 12 series, albeit in a limited way. It also includes some promised improvements to the Apple Card, and allows users to manage timers on a HomePod.

In addition, Apple released watchOS 7.6.

Apple launches MagSafe Battery Pack for iPhone 12 series [Updated]

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Apple MagSafe Battery Pack
Here's how the new MagSafe Battery Pack looks when attached to iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max.
Photo: Apple

On its website Tuesday, Apple offered a new MagSafe Battery Pack, designed to work with the iPhone 12 series from mini to Pro Max. That is, it’s designed to work as of the release of iOS 14.7, due imminently.

Unlike all the other unofficially “MagSafe compatible” wireless battery packs that came out after the iPhone 12’s release, this one’s MagSafe-approved, straight from Apple. It took a while, but it’s here.

Apple’s next-gen M2 chips could roll out in early 2022

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Apple silicon will power future Mac desktops and laptops
Apple leaker has news on Apple Silicon.
Screenshot: Apple

The M2 chip, sequel to the inaugural Apple Silicon processor, will debut in the first half of 2022, says a leaker who previously nailed details about the company’s proprietary chips.

The tipster, known as Dylandkt, has an 81.3% accuracy rating according to Apple Track based on 16 previous rumors. Dylandkt said the M2 chip will be released alongside “the upcoming colorful MacBook Air.”

Apple could bring OLED display to iPad Air in 2022, iPad Pro in 2023

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Apple Smart Folio for iPad Pro, iPad Air
But what about Mini-LED?
Photo: Apple

Apple plans to bring OLED displays to iPad next year, with iPad Pro to get the same treatment in 2023, according to a new report.

The switch will begin with a 10.68-inch rigid panel, likely destined for iPad Air, sources say. Apple has already transitioned its iPhone lineup to OLED screens after first bringing the technology to iPhone X in 2017.

Apple preps more-affordable 6.7-inch iPhone for 2022

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2022 iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Max
In 2022, every iPhone will allegedly be either 6.1 inches or 6.7 inches.
Photo: Apple

Apple will release two 6.7-inch iPhone models in 2022, according to a reliable analyst. There’ll be a high-end “Pro” model in this size, but the second will reportedly have a lower price.

The iPhone Max will supposedly replace the 5.4-inch iPhone mini in Apple’s product lineup. That model reportedly isn’t selling well, and it seems Apple is going to the opposite extreme in screen size for its successor.

Apple Watch Series 7 will feature updated display, Explorer Edition will ship in 2022

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Apple Watch Series 7 concept
Is this the Apple Watch set for release later this year?
Concept: Jon Prosser/RendersbyIan

The Apple Watch Series 7 will boast a faster processor, better wireless connectivity, and a new, improved screen, says a new report from Bloomberg. The screen will have thinner bezels and a “new lamination technique that brings the display closer to the front cover.” This would be the first Apple Watch form factor redesign since 2018.

However, a body temperature sensor that was planned for this year’s update has supposedly been pushed back to the 2022 iPhone. Meanwhile, a rumored blood sugar sensor for monitoring glucose levels is reported as still being several years away.

Hands on: iPadOS 15 fixes a multitude of multitasking sins

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iPadOS 15 multitasking
The tiny multitasking menu at the top of each application is a significant improvement in iPadOS 15.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

With iPadOS 15, Apple makes the iPad’s multitasking system much more intuitive. I’ve been testing it with the first beta of this OS update, and I’m quite pleased with the changes.

Here’s how the new iPad side-by-side multitasking system works in real life. And why I think it’ll bring this feature to more users.

Why interactive widgets might be the best improvement in iOS 15 [Updated]

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iOS 15 widgets concept
The single best change Apple could make in iOS 15 is interactive widgets.
Concept: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Update:  iOS 15 was unveiled at WWDC 2021 and there was no mention of interactive widgets. Maybe in 2022…


It’s high time iPhone Home screen widgets grew up. They were one of the best additions to iOS last year, but they are still too limited. Fortunately, iOS 15 will reportedly make widgets much more interactive.

There are a few other changes expected in the new iPhone system software update, but none are as important as this one.

iFixit tears open new M1 iMac to find … very little

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M1 iMac teardown
There's a surprising amount of space in the new iMac.
Photo: iFixit

Apple’s awesome new M1 iMac finally received its obligatory teardown by the fine folks over at iFixit. You may not be surprised to learn there’s very little packed into the computer’s slender aluminum shell.

That doesn’t mean it’s not exciting. The M1 iMac is, as we’ve come to expect from Apple, an engineering marvel. It’s rather astonishing that the brilliant minds in Cupertino can squeeze so much power out of so little.

Apple preps Beats Studio Buds to compete against AirPods

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Apple preps Beats Studio Buds to compete against AirPods
Apple could soon offer AirPods and Beats Studio Buds to rival each other.
Photo: 9to5Mac

In a brewing Apple vs. Apple battle, the iPhone-maker is reportedly working on Beats Studio Buds — a pair of in-ear wireless headphones with a lot in common with AirPods.

The odd circumstance comes because the company releases headphones under its own brand and also under the Beats brand.