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Top stories - page 164

iOS 15.4 allows third-party apps to use 120Hz ProMotion on iPhone 13 Pro

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The iPhone 13 Pro is as powerful as it is beautiful.
iPhone apps are smoother than ever under iOS 15.4.
Photo: Apple

Apple’s new iOS 15.4 beta eliminates a bug that prevents third-party apps from using iPhone 13 Pro’s super-smooth ProMotion feature.

Until now, apps not made by Apple have been restricted to a 60Hz refresh rate on the company’s newest flagship smartphone. But after installing iOS 15.4, they’re just as silky as apps running on iPad Pro.

This magnetic iPhone charger is on sale for $29.99

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Grab a new wireless charger for the iPhone 12 for $30.
It's like Apple's MagSafe charger, but less expensive.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

The technology behind wireless chargers improves every year. This Magnetic Wireless Charger for iPhone is fast, safe and remarkably convenient for the price. You can get one for $29.99 or two for $49.99 while they’re on sale.

It’s similar to Apple’s MagSafe charger, but more affordable — especially if you buy two. (Can you ever have too many iPhone chargers?)

US states and Microsoft back Epic Games in fight against the App Store

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Epic Games vs. the App Store
It's getting harder for Apple to defend its rules.
Image: Epic Games

The Department of Justice, 35 U.S. states, and Microsoft have all backed Fortnite developer Epic Games in its fight against the App Store.

Briefs filed by Epic’s supporters with the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit say last year’s ruling — which said the App Store was not a monopoly — is wrong. They also claim Apple is stifling competition.

Apple Music taunts Spotify with massive Neil Young promotion

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Apple Music backs Neil Young
Apple Music is "the home of Neil Young."
Image: Apple/Cult of Mac

Apple Music has launched a huge Neil Young promotion just days after Spotify began pulling all of the singer’s content from its platform.

Listeners will today find a “We Love Neil” section under the “Browse” tab that features albums, interviews, and playlists. Cupertino has also send out tweets and push notifications that call Apple Music “The home of Neil Young.”

Here’s everything you need to know about Apple’s biggest quarter ever

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Despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, Apple achieved its
Despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, Apple achieved its "biggest quarter ever," Tim Cook said
Photo: Elena Mozhvilo/Unsplash license

Apple sold a crazy number of iPhones and Macs during the December quarter. And the result is what CEO Tim Cook called the company’s “biggest quarter ever.”

Take a deeper dive into the details to see how Apple was so very successful.

Learn how to create your own NFTs with this helpful guide

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Protect your own art with this guide to developing NFTs.
Jump on the NFTs bandwagon with this beginner's guide.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Technology has transformed just about everything in the modern world and art is no exception. Non-fungible tokens, aka NFTs, are a new way to uniquely register and ultimately protect your art in the open market.

Want to know how to get started with NFTs? This How to Create Your First NFT: The Beginner’s Guide will show you everything you need to know.

Apple’s boffo quarter easily beats Wall Street expectations

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Apple’s financial results were all the company could ask for.
Multiple products contributed to Apple having a stellar financial results last quarter.
Graphic: Cult of Mac

Apple raked in $123.9 billion in revenue during the last three months of 2021. That’s a year-over-year increase of 11%. More importantly, it’s significantly higher than financial analysts had predicted.

All that revenue led to quarterly earnings per diluted share of $2.10. Again, that solidly beat expectations.

Sonnet’s new adapters run two 4K displays from one port on your M1 Mac

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Connect two 4K displays to one port on your Mac with Sonnet's new adapters.
Connect two 4K displays to one port on your Mac with Sonnet's new adapters.
Photo: Sonnet Technologies

If you want to run more than one display with your M1 MacBook Air or M1 MacBook Pro, Sonnet Technologies just made things easier. The company rolled out new dual-display adapters that let you hook up two 4K displays to your laptop using just one of its precious few ports.

macOS Monterey 12.3 beta resumes testing Universal Control [Updated]

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macOS Monterey Universal Control: Coming soon to a Mac (and other Apple gear) near you.
Universal Control: Coming to a Mac (and other Apple gear) near you. Eventually.
Photo: Apple

Apple seeded the first beta for macOS Monterey 12.3 to developers on Thursday. It includes the long-overdue Universal Control feature, suggesting this will finally launch soon.

The beta comes just a day after macOS 12.2 ended testing and was released to the public.

How to get Apple’s new Unity wallpapers for iPhone, iPad and Mac

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Get Apple's Unity wallpapers
They look great on all Apple devices.
Image: Apple

Apple this week dropped a bunch of gorgeous new Unity wallpapers — and a new band and face for Apple Watch — for iPhone, iPad and Mac as part of its Black History Month celebrations.

Here’s how to download them and enable them on your devices.

iPad Pro case provides slimline protection and a home for Apple Pencil — save 20%

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Laut Huex Folio for iPad
All-around protection that won't let you down.
Photo: Laut

Want to protect your 11-inch iPad Pro or fourth-generation iPad Air without doubling its size? Check out the new Huex Folio from Laut, which offers a slimline design that includes a screen cover and a home for Apple Pencil.

Bag yours from the Cult of Mac Store with a 20% discount for a limited time.

Think you can’t afford a soundbar and subwoofer with surround sound? Sony disagrees.

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Sony's new soundbar and subwoofer combo add surround sound to your TV for $300.
Sony's new soundbar and subwoofer combo add surround sound to your TV for $300.
Photo: Sony

Hot on the heels of Denon’s launch of a soundbar-and-subwoofer combo with Dolby Atmos for just $449, Sony said Thursday it will offer its own affordable surround-sound rig for only $300. It’s the HT-S400 2.1ch Soundbar, set for launch in April.

At that price, Sony’s new soundbar looks like a solid budget-friendly option for stellar TV audio. Pumping out 330W of sound, it comes with a wireless subwoofer, easy connectivity to the company’s newest TVs and an OLED heads-up display.

Judging by the Denon and Sony launches, it appears an era of high-quality, affordable TV audio solutions is upon us. After all, just months ago, companies raced to put out similar gear that cost many hundreds of dollars more, in many cases.

Get the whole Microsoft Office for Mac suite for just $50

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Microsoft Office for Mac is only $50.
This is an outrageous deal on the full Microsoft Office suite for Macs.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Some software is just essential. And we’ve got a hot deal on one of computing’s bedrock software suites: Microsoft Office Home & Business for Mac 2021. This six-part bundle comes with the programs that functionally run the professional world.

And right now, a lifetime license to these essential Microsoft Office programs is on sale for just $49.99 (regularly $349).

Apple fixes the iCloud sync issues tormenting users and developers

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iCloud
Data syncing should be stable again.
Image: Apple

Apple says it has eliminated the iCloud sync issue that has been causing all kinds of disruption inside third-party apps.

The problem first surfaced late last year, soon after iOS 15 made its debut, and sporadically prevented many apps from syncing data through iCloud — much to the frustration of users and developers. But it is said to be eliminated now.

Sketchy rumor claims iOS 16 will bring interactive Home screen widgets

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iOS 16 interactive widgets
It could be a massive Home screen upgrade.
Image: LeaksApplePro

Apple could finally make widgets interactive in iOS 16, allowing you to control music playback, toggle your flashlight, adjust display brightness, and lots more right from your Home screen.

The new widgets are codenamed “InfoShack” internally, according to a sketchy new rumor that promises more details are on the way.

iPhone could accept NFC credit card payments without additional hardware

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iPhone credit card payments
Worrying news for companies like Square.
Mockup: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

Apple is working to give iPhone the ability to accept contactless credit card payments over NFC without the need for additional hardware “in the coming months,” according to a new report.

You currently need a third-party credit card reader, like those made by Square, to use iPhone as a payment terminal. However, since iPhone 6 made it debut in 2014, Apple’s smartphone has been packing the NFC technology that’s needed.

Get a Lightning cable that won’t fray for less than $15

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Grab a charger that'll last for only $15.
This braided Lightning cable is built to last.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

It can prove difficult to find a Lightning cable that works well and lasts a while. The Crave 4-foot Lightning-to-USB Cable is super-sturdy and can handle the output of a powerful charger.

Shockingly, it costs less than Apple’s own Lightning cables. And right now, you can save even more. Get one in gold or silver for just $14.99 (regularly $19.99). At that price, it might be time to buy some extras.

Take hands-free control of your Stream Deck with Elgato’s new pedal

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The new Elgato Stream Deck Pedal gives you hands-free control over your shortcuts.
The new Elgato Stream Deck Pedal gives you hands-free control over your shortcuts.
Photo: Elgato

Anyone who uses a stream deck to streamline hardware and software workflows with shortcuts now has the option to go hands-free with the new Elgato Stream Deck Pedal, unveiled Wednesday.

And in addition to launching the pedal, the company said its new Discord communications software plugin for Stream Deck is now available.

Wall Street expects best-ever Apple quarterly earnings

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Apple MacBook cash dollars money
Apple probably raked in more revenue in the 2021 holiday quarter than in any previous quarter in its history.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

When Apple reveals its financial results from the holiday shopping season on Thursday, analysts predict the company will announce its best quarter ever.

Whether the Mac-maker meets this lofty goal will have a big effect on its stock price, which has been sliding in recent weeks. 

Get your game on with Logitech’s new mechanical keyboards

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The new Logitech G413 SE comes in full size, above, or a tenkeyless version.
The new Logitech G413 SE comes in full size, above, or a tenkeyless version.
Photo: Logitech G

Serious gamers like to use specialized gaming gear in their computer setups. And that includes input devices like souped-up mice and sleek mechanical keyboards. The good news is, the latter keep getting better and cheaper. On Wednesday, Logitech’s gaming arm, Logitech G, rolled out the G413 SE Mechanical Gaming Keyboard in two sizes.

And better yet, the two new keebs’ prices won’t break the bank.

Bring Dolby Atmos to your TV with Denon’s affordable new soundbar

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Denon's new soundbar offers Dolby Atmos at a reasonable price.
Denon's new soundbar offers Dolby Atmos at a reasonable price.
Photo: Denon

If your TV sounds a little thin on its own, you might want to beef up that audio with a soundbar and subwoofer. Until recently, sets offering Dolby Atmos 3D surround sound tended to cost quite a bit. But Denon’s got an affordable new outfit for you — the DHT-S517 soundbar.

Known for it AV receivers, Denon now takes on the likes of Sonos Arc with its release of the DHT-S517. You can plug it into any TV to jack up your entertainment experience with Dolby Atmos for $449.

How to blur out your home in Apple Maps and Google Maps

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How to hide your home in Apple Maps and Google Maps
All you have to do is ask.
Photo: Redd/Unsplash/Cult of Mac

Tim Cook’s plush home in Palo Alto, California, has been blurred out inside Apple Maps and Google Maps — likely because of an alleged stalking incident. If you enter his address, you’ll see nothing but a gigantic, pixelated wall.

But this kind of digital scrubbing isn’t reserved for top CEOs and celebrities. In fact, anyone can quite easily get their own home hidden from online maps. All you need to do is ask Apple and Google to conceal the locations. We’ll show you how.

macOS 12.2 is out with smoother ProMotion scrolling … maybe

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macOS Monterey 12.2 is out with smoother ProMotion scrolling… maybe
macOS 12.2 takes care of a few bugs.
Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac

Mac users can now install macOS Monterey 12.2. Apple is vague about what’s in the new version. However, prerelease beta testers indicate it brings a rewritten Apple Music app and smoother scrolling for MacBooks with ProMotion displays. It definitely fixes a serious Safari bug.

Apple also released iOS 15.3 and iPadOS 15.3 to the public Wednesday. And watchOS 8.4, too.

iOS 15.3 is here for your iPhone bugs

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Updates is here for your iPhone bugs
iOS 15.7.4 takes care of a long list of security bugs.
Photo: Cult of Mac/Egor Kamelev/Pexels

Apple made iOS 15.3 available to all compatible iPhone models Monday. The update squashes at least one bug that recently made headlines. But there are no new features.

Apple also introduced iPadOS 15.3 to erase many of the same bugs. And macOS Monterey 12.2 and watchOS 8.4 debuted, too. tvOS 15.3 arrived Monday as well.