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News - page 293

Sneak a peek at Apple TV+ coming-of-age adventure Harriet the Spy

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Sneak a peek at ‘Harriet the Spy’ in trailer for coming of age adventure
Harriet the Spy will premiere November 19, 2021, exclusively on Apple TV+.
Photo: Apple TV+

Apple TV+ released the first trailer for its adaptation of the children’s classic Harriet the Spy. The animated series about the irrepressible Harriet M. Welsch is set to debut on the streaming service on November 19.

Plenty of talent is involved. It’ll star Golden Globe and SAG Award nominee Beanie Feldstein, and include Emmy winner Jane Lynch. The series will be produced by The Jim Henson Company.

Wee standing desk and cute displays make an easy-stash UK office [Setups]

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A small, table-top standing desk, tiny monitors and right-angle adapters save space in a cramped London flat.
A small, table-top standing desk, tiny monitors and right-angle adapters save space in a cramped London flat.
Photo: daxmillion@Reddit.com

Folks often endure work-from-home situations where space is at a premium. Maybe they have a big house full of kids and pets. Maybe they live a tiny studio apartment in a big, expensive city. In either case, sometimes the whole computer setup sits where they eat, and it has to go away at dinnertime. Today’s setup solved the problem by turning a dining table into an easy-stash U.K. office.

AirPods 3 refresh could finally appear at next week’s Apple event

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AirPods 3 refresh on the way
It's about time Apple delivered a refresh.
Image: Apple/Cult of Mac

Apple will finally introduce its third-generation AirPods refresh during next week’s “Unleashed” event, according to one reliable leaker. We’ve been waiting for them to appear for over a year now, and an upgrade is long overdue.

AirPods 3 are expected to look a lot like AirPods Pro, with shorter stems that result in a slightly more compact design. However, they will skip “Pro” features — like active noise cancellation — to remain more affordable.

Apple considers future AirPods that monitor temperature, posture and hearing

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In the future, your AirPods might take your temperature, check your posture and help with hearing.
In the future, your AirPods might take your temperature, check your posture and help with hearing.
Photo: Charlie Sorrel

Apple appears to be looking into new ways to expand its health-related features. This time it focuses on its popular AirPods, according to a new report. In the future, in addition to filling your head with tunes and podcasts, the earbuds may take your temperature, monitor your posture and help improve your hearing.

Apple says sideloading apps on iPhone would ‘cripple privacy and security’

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iPhone sideloading isn't safe, Apple says
iOS restrictions make it safer than Android, Apple says.
Image: Apple

iOS is safer than Android because you cannot sideload apps onto an iPhone, Apple says. The company this week published a document in response to the European Commission’s proposal that could force Apple to allow third-party app marketplaces, which points out the many risks (as Apple sees it) with that plan.

Titled “Building a Trusted Ecosystem for Millions of Apps,” the 31-page PDF argues that allowing the sideloading of apps on iPhone “would cripple the privacy and security protections that have made iPhone so secure.”

Apple Watch Series 7 review roundup: Bigger is a bit better

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Apple Watch Series 7 review roundup: Bigger is a bit better
The first round of Apple Watch Series 7 reviews are in.
Photo: Apple

The larger screen in the Apple Watch Series 7 is the highlight of the upcoming wearable, according to the first reviews out today. And reviewers praise faster charging, too.

Even so, the consensus is that the new model will be a welcome upgrade for those with an older Watch but not a significant jump for those with Series 6.

Apple makes big cuts to iPhone 13 orders amid chip shortages

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6.1-inch iPhone 13 review
Customers already face lengthy waits for new iPhone 13 orders.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple is being forced to cut iPhone 13 orders by as many as 10 million units due to ongoing chip shortages, according to a new report. Cupertino had planned to produce 90 million handsets before the end of the year.

It is now telling partners that the final figure will be lower as partners Broadcom and Texas Instruments — which supply parts related to iPhone’s wireless connectivity and display — struggle to deliver enough components.

Adobe teases RAW image editing in Photoshop for iPad

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Adobe teases RAW image editing in Photoshop for iPad
As seen here, Photoshop for iPad will soon be able to work with images in a variety of raw formats.
Screenshot: Adobe

Adobe promised Tuesday that Photoshop on the iPad will soon be able to work with images in a variety of raw formats.

Ryan Dumlao, product manager for this application, gave a sneak peek at the power of the upcoming feature for Apple tablets. Watch it now.

Last chance! Win a bundle of iPhone 13 cases from Case-Mate [Cult of Mac giveaway]

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Case-Mate iPhone 13 cases giveaway: Enter to win a bundle of five gorgeous iPhone cases from Case-Mate.
Take your shot at winning five eye-catching Case-Mate iPhone cases.
Image: Cult of Mac/Case-Mate

If you just bought the latest iPhone 13 and need some new cases, this week’s giveaway is for you. Case-Mate is giving away five of its most popular cases that are both pretty and protective.

This excellent bundle will keep your new iPhone 13 looking good. If you’re our lucky winner, you can keep all five iPhone cases for yourself or split up the bundle and share with a friend. Whatever you choose to do, make sure to enter this week’s giveaway.

M1X MacBook Pros might start at 16GB RAM, 512GB storage, 120Hz screen

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M1X MacBook Pros might start at 16GB RAM, 512GB storage
The 2021 MacBook Pro models could be the latest with 120Hz displays.
Concept: Cult of Mac

The 16-inch and 14-inch MacBook Pro models expected soon will offer more storage and RAM that their most recent predecessor, according to a tipster. And an expert claims they’ll have 120Hz displays.

Both notebooks will have mini-LED screens and M1X processors, and are likely to be unveiled at the Apple event on October 18.

Ecobee SmartThermostat is first third-party hardware to get Siri support

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The Ecobee SmartThermostat with Voice Control is the first of many third-party devices to get Siri voice support.
The Ecobee SmartThermostat with Voice Control is the first of many third-party devices to get Siri voice support.
Photo: Ecobee

As announced at Apple’s WWDC conference earlier this year, Siri voice support has come to the Ecobee SmartThermostat with Voice Control — the first hardware not made by Apple to get it, with many others to follow. Ecobee said a new software update bringing the change rolls out over the coming weeks.

How to see the AR Easter egg hidden in Apple’s October 18 event invite

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How to see the AR Easter egg hidden in Apple’s October 18 event invite
Captain Tim Cook calls for warp speed!
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Concealed in Tuesday’s invite to the Apple October event is an augmented reality Easter egg. It’s a bonus to make the invite seem cool, and perhaps get Mac fans excited about what’s coming.

The graphic for the Oct. 18 event has a “zooming into hyperspace” effect. And it looks even better in AR.

Apple invites the world to Oct. 18 ‘Unleashed’ event; new M1X Macs expected

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Apple invites the world to Oct. 18 ‘Unleashed’ event; New Macs expected
Multiple new Macs could be “Unleashed“ at the Apple October event.
Photo: Apple

Apple sent out invites Tuesday to its much-anticipated October product launch event. The tagline is “Unleashed,” and the streaming event almost certainly will bring the debut of redesigned MacBooks and perhaps an iMac running an updated Apple processor.

Cupertino could squeeze some other new products onto the agenda as well. The event is scheduled for October 18 at 10 a.m. Pacific time. Here’s what to expect.

Add dual 4K monitors to M1 MacBooks with Hyper’s new adapters

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Add dual 4K monitors to M1 MacBooks with Hyper's new adapters
With the HyperDrive Dual 4K HDMI 3-in-1 USB-C Adapter you can easily connect a pair of displays to an M1 MacBook.
Photo: Hyper

A pair of adapters just launched by Hyper let MacBooks with an Apple M1 processor connect to dual HDMI monitors. Apple says the macOS notebooks can only use one external display, but users found a workaround. And Hyper built this workaround into its latest accessories.

There’s a basic HyperDrive Dual 4K HDMI adapter, plus a second version that offers additional ports.

Watch Apple’s new trailer for promising dark comedy The Shrink Next Door

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The Shrink Next Door for Apple TV+
It hits Apple TV+ on November 12.
Photo: Apple

The first trailer for The Shrink Next Door introduces the characters that fuel this upcoming dark comedy based on true events. The limited series, which stars Will Ferrell, Paul Rudd and Kathryn Hahn, debuts November 12 on Apple TV+.

The two-minute clip released Tuesday introduces us to the wealthy Martin “Marty” Markowitz (Ferrell) and his longtime therapist Dr. Isaac “Ike” Herschkopf (Rudd), who uses his charm and friendliness for exploitation and manipulation.

Laughable report claims Apple will take on Nintendo Switch with powerful hybrid console

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The Nintendo Switch's flexible Joy-Con controllers work just fine with a Mac (but not an iPhone).
Don't get your hopes up.
Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

Apple is developing its own “Nintendo Switch style gaming console” with a hybrid design that “will outperform anything that Microsoft or Sony offers in 2021,” according to one very sketchy report citing unnamed sources.

The company has games “rivaling” Nintendo hits The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Super Mario Odyssey that are “almost ready to go” to showcase the device, which will supposedly be powered by Apple Silicon.

Awesome iPhone mod brings the upgrade everybody wants

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iPhone X with USB-C mod
Good riddance, Lightning connector.
Photo: Ken Pillonel

I think most of us can agree that iPhone is long overdue a USB-C upgrade. But despite bringing the technology to Mac and iPad years ago, Apple seems reluctant to ditch Lightning for its smartphones. So, someone else did.

Robotics engineering student Ken Pillonel managed to replace the Lightning connector in his iPhone with a working USB-C connector. The mod allows for charging and data transfer — but it’s not one you’ll want to perform yourself.

New Ampere Jetpack powers up your iPhone 12 or 13 fast on the go

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The Ampere Jetpack fits any iPhone 12 or 13 series handset.
The Ampere Jetpack fits any iPhone 12 or 13 series handset.
Photo: Ampere

As many folks know by now, the new iPhone 13 series has a re-shaped and enlarged camera bump. That means some  magnetic battery packs may not fit properly. Accessories maker Ampere is rolling out its new Jetpack power bank to address that — it’s “optimized for iPhone 13” — while juicing your iPhone 12 or 13 with a full 15W of power. That’s great, as Apple limits many third-party chargers to 7.5W.

Smart blinds are about to get a lot easier to use with HomeKit

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Automating blinds can be an energy saver, among other benefits.
Automating blinds can be an energy saver, among other benefits
Photo: Eve Systems

In the expanding world of smart home accessories, window blinds are among the most complicated items to install and use. But Eve Systems and window-covering retailer Coulisse have announced they’re about to change that with Eve MotionBlinds. The HomeKit-enabled motorized blinds — the first to support the Thread standard — will come out early in 2022.

Apple crushes bunch of iPhone bugs with iOS 15.0.2

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iOS 15 has been replaced by iOS 15.0.1.
iOS 15.0.2 is out to get rid of some iPhone problems.
Photo: Cult of Mac

iPhone users should install the latest system software update because it fixes a collection of bugs. Monday’s release of iOS 15.0.2 takes care of images that couldn’t be deleted, problems with AirTag and iPhone Leather Wallet, and more. More significantly, it (and a related iPadOS update) deals with a device restore/update issue with iPhone 13 and the new iPad mini. If you’re unsure whether your AirTag is up to date, you can check the current AirTag firmware version to stay on track.

Tablet users can install iPadOS 15.0.2, which also came out Monday.

Mac shipments shoot up as total PC market slows

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The 2021 iMac is crazy thin.
Mac shipments were up last quarter.
Photo: Apple

Mac shipments saw healthy growth during Q3 2021. Two market-research firms agree that the rise increased Apple’s share of the global PC market.

But COVID-19 has made it difficult for computer-makers to get the componts they need, reducing the ability to produce and sell products.

New Kanto SX speaker stands help quell vibration and manage cables

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Kanto's SX series stands can help with audio clarity as well as cable management.
Kanto's SX series stands can help with audio clarity as well as cable management.
Photo: Kanto

Kanto has rolled out a pair of high-quality speaker stands it said can help clarify your sound system’s audio, isolate vibration and even organize some of your cable clutter. You can get the Kanto SX Series Floor Speaker Stands in two sizes: 22 inches high and 26 inches high.

When your workstation is so clean it ‘looks like a render’ [Setups]

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You know you have a clean setup when someone says it
You know you have a clean setup when someone says it "looks like a render."
Photo: marvin968@Reddit.com

A lot of computer setups we run across online look staged. They’re so perfectly, well, you know — set up. They boast impressive equipment. Some exhibit a spare beauty one would almost hate to disturb. Others scream hardcore productivity like the fate of all the companies in the Fortune 500 company rest solely upon them.