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Plunging iPad shipments show Apple needs new models

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iPad Pro in Apple Store
iPads released years ago are not enough to keep up Apple's tablet shipments.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

iPad shipments declined 8.5% year-over-year in the first quarter of the 2024, according to a market research firm. The drop can be partially chalked up to the complete lack of new models for the last 18 months.

But it demonstrates Apple’s dominance of the global tablet market that it’s still on top despite a hefty decline during winter quarter.

Why every Apple fan should get excited about ‘Let Loose’ event

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Why every Apple fan should get excited about ‘Let Loose’ event
Apple's product launch event might be about more than iPad.
Image: Apple/Cult of Mac

Gorgeous new iPad Pro and iPad Air models are expected to be the highlights of Apple’s May 7 “Let Loose” product event. Tablet accessories are on the agenda, too.

But there could also be big news for those who don’t use an iPad. Apple might surprise us with the M4 processor, a first glimpse at upcoming AI features, and maybe even a Mac Studio upgrade. Plus more.

New Apple ad promises iPhone 15 can find your Mandalorian friends

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Apple Find My Friends ad
He not only carries a thermal detonator, he's got an iPhone 15 with Precision Finding.
Photo: Apple

A new Find Your Friends ad Apple dropped Friday connects the Find My universe with the Star Wars universe, as Boba Fett uses his iPhone 15 in the video to locate fellow Mandalorians in a crowded mall. Or wait, maybe it’s a convention center.

Yeah, it’s a guy in homemade Mandalorian battle gear going off to find like-minded nerds at a raucous Star Wars convention. It’s pretty funny.

Killer dock keeps MacBook Pro and PC in play [Setups]

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Orico Thunderbolt 3 dock setup
A 15-in-one Thunderbolt 3 dock handles a MacBook Pro, a PC laptop and a bunch of peripherals.
Photo: MiRealEscape@Reddit.com

Another Mac and PC computer setup stands in the spotlight today — this time a MacBook Pro and PC laptop driving a 4K display and an array of peripherals through an Orico Thunderbolt 3 dock bristling with 15 ports.

The setup emphasizes gaming, too, with a PlayStation 5 mounted under the desk. We’ll take a look at that, too.

Apple believes in ‘transformative power and promise of AI’

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An iPhone with the words
Tim Cook is betting big on AI.
Photo: Andrea De Santis/Unsplash License/Modified by Cult of Mac

CEO Tim Cook is very enthusiastic about the artificial intelligence features coming to iPhone, Mac and iPad. On Thursday, he spoke glowingly about Apple’s unique advantages in this area, and talked about the “transformative power and promise of AI.”

iOS 18, macOS 15 and iPadOS 18 are all expected to include new AI features when they launch this autumn.

From slump to pump: How Apple will get back to winning

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An Apple Store with the phrase
The future looks bright if you're wearing Tim Cook's shades.
Photo: Keming Tan/Unsplash License/Modified by Cult of Mac

Apple saw its revenue drop 4% year over year in the first quarter, the company reported Thursday. But revenue and earnings dropped less than analysts had expected, setting off a surge in the share price.

In a conference call with investors and analysts after the financial results had been announced, CEO Tim Cook and CFO Luca Maestri talked about this being the quarter of the “challenging compare,” were upbeat about iPhone sales in China, bragged about the M3 MacBook Air, and fended off questions about the company’s AI plans.

Apple exempts freeware from controversial Core Technology Fee

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iPhone 15 with Euros
Freeware won't be destroyed by Apple's Core Technology Fee.
Image: Cult of Mac/Carlos Pernalete Tua

Apple responded to protests about the Core Technology Fee it charges European developers every time one of their applications is installed. It removed the requirement for apps that generate “no revenue whatsoever.”

Currently, the CTF is only charged in the EU, but it has the potential to expand globally so prudent developers should pay attention to any changes no matter where they live.

New SoundLink Max cranks up Bose’s portable speaker lineup

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New Bose SoundLink Max portable speaker
Bose says its new SoundLink Max delivers "big sound to start the party no matter where you go."
Photo: Bose

The new SoundLink Max Portable Speaker adds a bit of heft and a bunch of powerful sound to the Bose line of SoundLink Bluetooth speakers, the company said Thursday.

“This all-new portable speaker has lasting power, rugged durability, and delivers incredible sound for its size,” Bose noted. “Now you can set the vibe with your favorite playlist no matter where you go.”

Today in Apple history: Apple’s first watch is a freebie for upgraders

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The first Apple watch was ... well, just a watch, actually.
Apple's first watch was ... well, just a watch, actually.
Photo: Jonathan Morrison

May 2: Today in Apple history: First Apple watch is a freebie for upgraders May 2, 1995: Apple enters the wearables space with its first watch. However, the first Apple watch is a timepiece with no fitness-tracking tech, no on-screen notifications and a whole lot of 1990s styling.

The device comes two decades before wearables actually will become a thing. A regular wristwatch, the freebie gadget is available via a special mail-in offer to Mac OS upgraders.

Apple cuts cost of 2024 MLS Season Pass by 30%

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2024 MLS Season Pass
Enjoy the rest of the MLS season at a sweet discount, starting now.
Photo: MLS

Soccer fans can watch the rest of the MLS season for $69. That’s $30 less than what Apple typically charges for an MLS Season Pass.

Subscribers can stream every match plus analysis and exclusive content. No Apple device required.

In a first, Apple Watch AFib History gains special FDA qualification

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FDA qualifies Apple Watch AFib History
Apple added AFib History to Apple Watch's features, like ECG readings, in 2022.
Photo: Apple

For the first time, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) qualified a digital technology — Apple Watch’s AFib History feature — for a special research program. AFib, or atrial fibrillation, is a type of abnormal heart beat associated with heart attacks.

Apple Watch’s AFib History now qualifies for FDA’s stringent Medical Device Development Tools (MDDT) program. The program says which tools research sponsors can choose from to help develop and evaluate medical devices.

Stop using these stupid, stupid passwords immediately

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Stop using these stupid, stupid passwords immediately
"Another fool who used '123456.' Time to harvest some credit card numbers."
Photo: Nikita Belokhonov/Pexels

Some people simply can’t stop using stupid, weak passwords. An analysis of the phrases used to secure various accounts in 2023 finds that “123456” was used 4.5 million times, making it the most popular. And the rest of the top 10 are all easily guessed, too.

It’s World Password Day, a good opportunity to change the horribly weak ones you’re using now. Especially as Apple makes it easy

Brush up on financial lingo for Apple’s quarterly earnings call

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Learn the financial lingo to get the most out of earnings call chatter.
Learn the financial lingo to get the most out of earnings call chatter.
Photo: Kevin Dooley/Flickr CC

When companies talk about quarterly earnings, executives often deploy language designed to puff up, excuse or obfuscate their companies’ recent performance. The goal is to excite investors over implied future success. And ultimately to give the company more money. Always. More. Money. The Apple quarterly earnings call takes place Thursday afternoon.

But when you’re the iPhone giant — with a mind-blowing market cap and a seemingly never-ending supply of hit products, including ongoing growth in services — you typically don’t need to craft hopeful-yet-non-material statements or deflect questions designed to get at the bottom line.

So CEO Tim Cook and CFO Luca Maestri will report on all the numbers. Analysts expect poor iPhone sales to dampen the quarter while artificial intelligence developments might bring hope for the future. Note that Apple’s counts the period as Q2 because it starts its fiscal year with Q1 in the previous year’s holiday season.

Apple Watch Ultra 3 might pack no hardware upgrades

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The Apple Watch Ultra has one standout feature that alone is worth the price of admission.
This year's Apple Watch Ultra refresh might disappoint you.
Photo: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac

The Apple Watch Ultra 3, due to launch this year, will have “almost no” hardware upgrades. The claim comes from reputed analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

Last year’s Apple Watch Ultra 2 packed modest improvements over its predecessor. Apple will seemingly follow the same trend with this year’s model.

Google paid Apple whopping $20 billion to remain default iPhone search engine

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Google search on iPhone
Google is paying Apple a lot to be Safari's default search engine.
Photo: Rajesh Pandey/Cult of Mac

Google paid Apple $20 billion for Google to remain the default search engine across all Apple devices. This figure came to light through court documents submitted in the US Justice Department’s lawsuit against Google.

During the course of the hearing, Google and Apple tried their best not to reveal the amount publicly.

iPhone alarm on Challengers soundtrack drives people nuts

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iPhone in Challengers soundtrack
From left, Mike Faist, Zendaya and Chris O'Connor star in the film, along with a very annoying iPhone alarm.
Photo: Amazon MGM Studios

Tennis love-triangle movie Challengers looks like a contender so far in theaters, but one co-star is getting panned — the iPhone alarm on the sports drama’s soundtrack. Social media shows viewers and listeners saying they find it “triggering,” among other rants.

Maybe that’s not the sort of product placement Apple would prefer, but hey … all press is good press, right?

Expect dismal iPhone sales but hints of AI in Apple quarterly results

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Wall Street thinks Apple is just limping along
Wall Street thinks Apple is about to announce weak results, but AI could bring a turnaround.
Photo: Anna Nekrashevich/Pexels

The first three months of 2024 were probably not good ones for Apple. When the company reveals the financial results from its March quarter on Thursday, analysts predict a 5% annual drop in revenue will be one of the announcements.

But part of the reason for weak sales is customers anticipating AI-powered iPhones and Macs later this year. CEO Tim Cook almost certainly will drop hints about what’s coming in a conference call also scheduled for Thursday.

Jake Gyllenhaal looks guilty as hell in Presumed Innocent trailer

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A scene from Presumed Innocent trailer on Apple TV+
This family scene looks cozy. But it might include a killer.
Photo: Apple TV+

Jake Gyllenhaal is a lawyer in love in the teaser trailer for thriller series Presumed Innocent — and it looks like he might just be a murderer, too. Apple TV+ dropped the arresting trailer Wednesday.

Gyllenhaal stars in the eight-episode limited series from David E. Kelley and J.J. Abrams, which debuts June 12 on Apple TV+.

Popular low-cost noise-canceling earbuds get spatial audio

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Baseus Bowie MA10S earbuds
The wireless charging case tells you its battery status. The buds feature spatial audio.
Photo: Baseus

The affordable and popular Baseus Bowie MA10 wireless noise-canceling earbuds just got a big upgrade with spatial audio, alongside a more compact design and a digital display for battery life on the case, the company said Tuesday. The new ones are called Baseus Bowie MA10s.

Baseus called the previous version its best-selling product on Amazon last year and said the buds “have been recommended by Oscar-class composers to ensure a quality sound experience.” And you can get them for a lot less than buds like AirPods Pro 2 — just $40.

Family needs inspire 3 Swift Student Challenge winners

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Swift Student Challenge winners
From left, Dezmond Blair, Elena Galluzzo and Jawaher Shaman are three of this year’s Swift Student Challenge winners.
Photo: Apple

Apple showcased the family-inspired coding work of three Swift Student Challenge winners Wednesday. The iPhone giant changed up its annual coding competition this year by naming 50 students Distinguished Winners among 350 top coders overall. The 50 get to attend a special event at the upcoming Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC24).

“This year’s winning Swift Student Challenge submissions once again demonstrate the breadth and depth of what is possible when talented young people use coding to make their mark on the world,” said Susan Prescott, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide Developer Relations.

“We’re also incredibly proud to welcome more outstanding student developers than ever before to Apple Park to connect with our teams and each other as they continue to build apps that will no doubt transform our future for the better,” she added.

Today in Apple history: iTunes puts the hurt on DVDs

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iTunes movie
iTunes getting day-and-date releases for new movies was a big deal.
Photo: Apple

May 1: Today in Apple history: iTunes begins selling digital movies on same day as DVD release May 1, 2008: The iTunes Store takes a gigantic step toward cinematic relevancy, selling new movies on the day of their DVD releases for the very first time.

“We’re thrilled to bring iTunes Store customers new films for purchase day-and-date with the DVD release,” says Eddy Cue, Apple’s vice president of iTunes, in a press release. “We think movie fans will love being able to buy their favorites from major and independent studios.”

Movies out that week include Cloverfield, Juno, Alvin and the Chipmunks and American Gangster.

Not all monitor light bars are created equal [Setups]

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BenQ ScreenBar Monitor Light setup
BenQ's ScreenBar monitor light isn't cheap, but it's a good investment.
Photo: BenQ

You can buy a monitor light bar pretty cheap, even as low as about $20. But will it be a great piece of gear, illuminating your desk from atop your display, with a nice array of features? Probably not. Today’s M3 MacBook Pro and PC setup laid out a little more cash for a keeper — the BenQ Screenbar Monitor Light.

Epic animated adventure WondLa coming to Apple TV+ this summer

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Epic animated adventure 'WondLa' on Apple TV+
Apple TV+ promises epic adventure with WondLa.
Image: Skydance Animation/Apple TV+

The first installment of the animated adventure trilogy WondLa will premiere on Apple TV+ in June. It’s the most ambitious children’s show the streamer has launched.

The series is adapted from a New York Times bestselling book series by Skydance Animation, and has a star-studded voice cast.