News - page 29

This theory makes sense of those crazy iPhone 17 Slim rumors

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AI-generated image of
What will the "iPhone 17 Slim" look like?
AI image: Midjourney/Cult of Mac

Leaks tell us Apple is prepping a super-slim version of next year’s iPhone 17 without all the features of the Pro models but with a price that’ll make it the most expensive in the lineup. These reports left many of us skeptical. Would anyone pay more for a slim-but-stripped-down iPhone?

But let’s change the rumor slightly — what if Apple is prepping a super-slim iOS handset that folds? If the recent leaks are actually about the iPhone 17 Fold, they make a lot more sense.

Today in Apple history: Power Mac G4 gets a mirrored redesign

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Product shot of the Power Mac G4 Mirrored Drive Doors model.
This was the ultimate Mac power setup in 2002.
Photo: Apple

August 13: Today in Apple history: Power Mac G4 gets a Mirrored Drive Doors redesign August 13, 2002: Apple unveils the final face-lift for its Power Mac G4, the so-called “Mirrored Drive Doors” model.

The distinctive-looking computer borrows visually from the previous “QuickSilver” G4, released a year earlier. However, it adds a different front panel, with a mirrorlike finish for the media drive doors. It’s the last visual redesign of Apple’s Power Mac G4.

New Opera One browser for iOS brings AI with voice input, image generation

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Opera One browser for iOS
The new Opera One on iOS brings a raft of appealing features for iPhone users.
Photo: Opera

The Opera browser’s new mobile version for iPhone, dubbed Opera One for iOS, integrates artificial intelligence features like image generation and voice input, a free VPN for private browsing and other elements to offer a fresh alternative to pre-installed browsers on Apple devices like Safari, the company said Tuesday.

“Our research shows mobile phone users are six times more likely to be happy than not, after switching away from their system’s default browser,” said Jona Bolin, product manager at Opera. “So with Opera One for iOS, we want to further raise the bar and deliver a better browsing experience versus what users will find pre-installed.”

iOS 18 beta 6: All the new features and changes

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iOS 18 beta 6: All the changes
iOS 18 is another beta closer to release.
Photo: Rajesh Pandey/Cult of Mac

Since WWDC24, Apple has released five developer beta builds of iOS 18 every two weeks. The company has now switched to a weekly beta release cycle. iOS 18 beta 6 is here, packing some minor changes as Apple focuses on squashing all the bugs.

You can find all the new features and minor enhancements in iOS 18 beta 6 below.

SD card with amazing 8TB of storage coming from Western Digital/SanDisk

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An 8TB SanDisk SD card will probably look much like this.
An 8TB SanDisk SD card will probably look much like this.
Concept: SanDisk/Cult of Mac

Western Digital has been showing off its upcoming SD card with a whopping 8TB of storage capacity. And if that weren’t enough, the company’s SanDisk subsidiary is also prepping a tiny microSD card that can hold 4TB.

The days when a bulky external hard drive was necessary to carry around a huge collection of files are almost over.

Patreon iPhone app forced to charge Apple’s 30% App Store fee

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Patreon is the premier crowd-funding app for creators.
Sending money to creators via the Patreon iPhone app is likely about to cost more.
Image: Patreon

Patreon, a service that many authors, artists, etc. use to get funding from fans, has to switch its iPhone/iPad application to Apple’s in-app purchase system by November. The company criticized the requirement on Monday, and pointed out this will add Apple’s 30% App Store fee to all new memberships purchased through the iOS software.

But Patreon isn’t being singled out — Apple makes virtually all applications use its purchasing system. Not that’s everyone is happy about it.

Top audio interface sculpts software engineer’s sound [Setups]

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Audient audio interface
This software engineer uses a bigger version of one the best audio interfaces for Mac.
Photo: [email protected]

In today’s enviable computer setup, a software engineer drives a Studio Display with an M2 Pro MacBook Pro. But among other impressive peripherals connected in the rig we found a great version of one of Cult of Mac‘s Best Audio Interfaces for Mac. An interface serves as a bridge between your Mac and external audio sources like microphones and musical instruments to make the most of recording and mixing. 

Today in Apple history: Apple’s war with IBM commences

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IBM PC 5150: The IBM Personal Computer
This unassuming IBM Personal Computer started the Apple-versus-PC feud.
Photo: Boffy B/Wikipedia CC

August 12: Today in Apple history: Apple's war with IBM commences with IBM Personal Computer launch August 12, 1981: The launch of the IBM Personal Computer ignites a long-running Apple-versus-PC rivalry.

Secure in the Apple II’s technical superiority over the new PC, Apple welcomes International Business Machines to the personal computing party in a full-page ad in the pages of The Wall Street Journal. Things won’t stay positive for long.

iPhone 16 Pro camera button will make taking pictures a snap

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Closeup of iPhone 15’s new Action button.
iPhone 16 Pro is supposedly getting yet another new button.
Photo: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac

A button being added to the iPhone 16 Pro models is designed to act like the shutter button on DSLR cameras, according to information leaking out of Apple. That includes doing much more than simply taking pictures when pushed.

After years of keeping the iPhone buttons to a minimum, the number continues to expand.

Apple unlikely to charge for Apple Intelligence anytime soon

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Apple Intelligence at WWDC24
Apple Intelligence should remain free for use until 2027.
Screenshot: Apple

Apple does not plan to charge for Apple Intelligence in the next three years. Apparently, the company wants to add more advanced AI features before charging for it.

The Cupertino giant did not talk about eventually charging for Apple Intelligence during its unveiling at WWDC24 earlier this year.

Today in Apple history: MultiFinder brings multitasking to Mac

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MultiFinder running on the Macintosh
MultiFinder let you switch between running applications from the Apple menu — you could even see two apps side by side on your desktop!
Screenshot: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

August 11: Today in Apple history: MultiFinder brings multitasking to Mac August 11, 1987: MultiFinder brings the biggest software update to the Mac since its launch: multitasking with two apps on screen at once.

While MultiFinder brings an undeniable boost to the Macintosh’s technical capabilities, it is built on a shaky foundation that soon will begin to show its age.

What to expect from iPad 11 and iPad mini 7

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iPad 11 and iPad mini 7 leaks and speculation
iPad mini 7 is right around the corner. And so is iPad 11.
Graphic: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Rumors indicate the iPad 11 is nearly here, and an iPad mini 7 is in development, too. Neither tablet has been updated in years, but that could change this autumn. Finally! We can look forward to better performance and maybe Apple Intelligence.

Here’s what’s likely coming in late 2024 to Apple’s budget tablet, and what we’ve heard about an iPad mini 7 release date.

M4 Macs are on their way! [The CultCast]

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The CultCast episode 659: M4 Mac rumors
The Macs you've been waiting for are about to arrive.
Image: Apple/Cult of Mac

This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: It sounds like a whole bunch of Macs powered by Apple’s M4 chip — including a Mac mini that will be surprisingly small — will arrive in the not-so-distant future. We discuss the latest M4 Mac rumors (and can’t help getting more than a little excited).

Also on The CultCast:

  • The latest iOS 18 beta brings more interesting changes, including one that makes Griffin very happy.
  • We’ve got questions about the next Apple Watch SE. Will it be plastic? Vibrantly colorful? Cheaper?
  • Samsung’s copycat designers take heat from an unlikely source for mimicking Apple’s products.
  • In a new Under Review segment, Griffin tells us what he likes (and what he doesn’t) about an unusual three-in-one MagSafe charger.

Listen to this week’s episode of The CultCast in the Podcasts app or your favorite podcast app. (Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review if you like it!) Or watch the video live stream, embedded below.

Lisa Kudrow’s Time Bandits becomes a surprise hit

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'Time Bandits' on Apple TV+
The Apple TV+adaptation of Time Bandits is for the whole family.
Photo: Apple TV+

Some people were skeptical when Apple TV+ turned the 1981 cult classic movie Time Bandits into a comedic adventure series for all ages. But it’s hard to argue with success — for the second week, the show starring Lisa Kudrow is one of the most popular on any streaming service.

And Jake Gyllenhaal’s crime drama Presumed Innocent continues to pull in a huge audience.

Today in Apple history: Dev defends I Am Rich, his totally useless $1,000 app

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I Am Rich iPhone app cost $1,000 and was totally useless.
The I Am Rich app could be yours for the bargain price of $999.99.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

August 10 Today in Apple history: Dev defends I Am Rich, his totally useless $1,000 app August 10, 2008: The developer of I Am Rich, a pointless iPhone app that sold for a whopping $999.99, defends his notorious creation as “art.”

After Apple removed I Am Rich from the App Store in the wake of controversy over the app’s outrageous price and total lack of usefulness, its creator, German developer Armin Heinrich, says he made it as a sort of joke.

Nanoleaf among first to adopt Apple’s Adaptive Lighting to Matter

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Adaptive Lighting in Nanoleaf bulbs for Matter
Nanoleaf is testing Adaptive Lighting for is Essentials bulbs for use with the Matter standard.
Photo: Nanoleaf

Apple plans to expand its Adaptive Lighting feature to Matter-compatible smart lights with the release of iOS 18, which will significantly increase the number of smart lights that can use the popular feature in the Apple Home ecosystem. And among the first to work on it is Nanoleaf, according to a new report.

Apple Maps finds its way onto the web [Updated]

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Apple Maps finds its way onto the web
You can now use Apple Maps on a Windows PC.
Screenshot: Apple/Cult of Mac

A Mac or iPhone is a no longer needed to access Apple Maps — a web version reached public beta testing Wednesday. It allows users to get driving and walking directions from a web browser, including Chrome and Edge on Windows PCs.

Update: Several weeks after the initial release, Apple Maps on the web now works on a broader selection of web browsers.

Hit comedy Shrinking returns this fall for season 2 [Updated]

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Shrinking season 2 on Apple TV+
The cast of Shrinking is coming back to Apple TV+ for season 2.
Image: Apple TV+/Cult of Mac

Shrinking, the hit comedy starring Jason Segel and Harrison Ford as therapists with problems of their own, returns to Apple TV+ on October 16. Friday’s’s announcement came with a tiny teaser video for season 2.

This is another entry in Apple’s collection of shows with a radical premise: People in sitcoms don’t have to be horrible to each other.

Update: Apple TV+ posted on social media about Shrinking season 2 on August 5, then pulled the post and video shortly afterward. The teaser trailer came back on Friday.

Here’s how to go way past ‘adequate’ with workstation audio [Setups]

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Yamaha HS7 speakers
Yamaha HS7 speakers on stands blow out this setup's sound.
Photo: [email protected]

What would the computer setup that has everything — in fact, two of many things — be missing? Well, in the case of today’s dual MacBook Pro workstation, it’s not excellent audio gear. Not only does it double up on high-end laptops, Studio Displays, Trackpads and more. It also mounts powerful Yamaha HS7 speakers and an AKG condenser microphone to help provide a fabulous soundtrack.

Matt Damon’s Boston heist goes wicked wrong in The Instigators [Now on Apple TV+]

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The Instigators trailer on Apple TV+
Sure, it's got Boston big-shots Damon and Affleck, but you won't believe the supporting cast on this thing.
Photo: Apple TV+

Desperate dad Matt Damon and ex-con Casey Affleck join forces for the heist of a lifetime in Boston, and guess what — it goes horribly wrong. With high-speed car chases, multiple explosions and Boston accents flying all over the place from a smart-alecky veteran cast, the new trailer for Apple Original Film The Instigators stormed computer screens Thursday in entertaining fashion.

The Instigators debuts in select theaters on August 2 before streaming on Apple TV+ August 9, but you can watch the first trailer now.

UPDATE: With its week in select theaters now past, star-studded Apple Original Film The Instigators starts streaming Friday on Apple TV+. Reviews of the caper-gone-awry flick find a lot to like, particularly in the chemistry between Boston-bred leads Matt Damon, one of the film’s producers, and Corey Affleck, one of its writers. Doug Liman (Swingers, Go, The Bourne Identity, Mr. & Mrs. Smith) directs.

Spotify, Epic Games call Apple’s latest EU App Store changes ‘confusing’

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Apple App Store NOT
Spotify and Epic Games CEO are not happy with Apple's latest App Store changes.
Photo: Cult of Mac

Spotify and Epic Games have criticized Apple for its latest App Store fee and external linking changes in the EU. They claim Apple has again disregarded the “fundamental requirements” of the Digital Markets Act.

On August 8, 2024, Apple announced new EU App Store policies to comply with the Digital Markets Act. This follows the European Commission’s June ruling that Apple violated the act’s steering rules.

Apple alters App Store linking rules and fee structure in EU

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Apple compliance with DMA
The EU's Digital Markets Act causes plenty of headaches for Apple.
Photo: European Commission

Apple is making changes to its App Store policies in the European Union to comply with the Digital Markets Act. It’s essentially easing linking rules for developers, so they can send customers elsewhere than the App Store for purchases. And it’s attaching new fees for sales that result from the links.

Here comes the incredible shrinking Mac mini

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Mac mini vs Apple TV size comparison
The Mac mini (on left) could be as small as an Apple TV (on right).
Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac

Apple is going to shrink the next Mac mini when it adds an M4 processor, according to an often-reliable source of insider information. The desktop could be the size of an Apple TV.

So, Mac micro?

Today in Apple history: It’s time to ‘think different’

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Think-Different
And just like that, a catchy slogan turns into an earworm.
Image: Apple

August 8: Today in Apple history: Steve Jobs introduces new Apple new slogan, Think different August 8, 1997: At Macworld Expo, Steve Jobs introduces the world to Apple’s new slogan, “Think different.” The catchy marketing reassures fans that Apple is exiting its mid-1990s dark age and once again making products customers will love.

It’s the beginning of Apple’s most iconic advertising campaign since the original “1984” Macintosh ad.