iPad - page 30

Apple slashes App Store fees in half for ‘vast majority’ of devs

By

App-Store-UK-coronavirus
Those who earn less than $1 million a year will pay just 15%.
Image: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

Apple on Wednesday confirmed plans to cut App Store fees to just 15% for many of its developers.

The lower rate, which comes into effect in January as part of the new App Store Small Business Program, applies to those who earn less than $1 million a year in app revenue and in-app purchases.

First iPad with mini-LED display, AirPods 3 expected for early 2021

By

iPad Air
LCD's days are numbered.
Photo: Apple

Apple will introduce its first iPad with a mini-LED display and refreshed AirPods in the first half of 2021, according to one reliable analyst.

Ming-Chi Kuo of TF International Securities predicts the iPad will be one of six Apple products that will get mini-LED screens next year. Others include iPad Pro, iMac Pro, and MacBook Pro.

How to use Intercom on HomePod, iPhone, AirPods and more

By

How to use Intercom
Intercom is on its way. Here's all you need to know.
Image: Apple/Cult of Mac

Apple’s new Intercom feature lets you use HomePods to send short audio messages to almost anyone with an Apple device. While Apple showcased Intercom when unveiling the upcoming HomePod mini smart speaker, the feature also works with the regular HomePod as well as iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch and more.

If you a HomePod, and you’ve updated it (and your other Apple devices) with the latest software, you can use Intercom to communicate with your family or housemates in new ways.

Score a refurbished iPad for a fraction of the original price

By

iPad refusrbished
Save massively on four models of refurbished Apple tablets, from iPad 2 to iPad Pro.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

The iPad brought us into a Star Trek reality of slim, sleek tablet computers. After 10 years, Apple tablets still feel futuristic. And with a refurbished model, you can get all the enjoyment at a fraction of the original price.

If you’re looking for an iPad but working with a budget, look no further.

Apple earnings: Can iPad and Mac pick up the iPhone slack again?

By

Apple earnings Q4 2020 will likely come down to iPad and Mac demand.
iPhone sales were likely weak last quarter so Apple earnings will depend a lot on Mac and iPad.
Photo: Cult of Mac

Weak iPhone sales likely pulled down Apple earnings in its last financial quarter. But the COVID-19 pandemic almost certainly pushed up demand for iPad and Mac. Still, total revenue is expected to be down slightly.

We’ll find out for sure Thursday when Cupertino announces its financial results from the July-through-September period.

Apple battles rocky relationship with biggest manufacturing partner

By

Apple's relationship with Foxconn on the rocks
Apple's partnership with Foxconn isn't as rosy as it seems.
Photo: Apple

Apple’s partnership with Foxconn, its largest manufacturing partner, is “eroding” as a result of the supposedly shady tactics that Foxconn is using in an effort to boost profits, according to a new report.

It is claimed that Foxconn has exaggerated hiring counts, used Apple equipment to produce orders for other companies, and cut corners on component and product testing.

Microsoft Office embraces trackpad for iPad users

By

Microsoft Powerpoint for iPad has a new home screen.
The iPad versions of Microsoft Word, Excel and Powerpoint are getting facelifts.
Photo: Microsoft

Updates to Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint for iPad bring greater support for trackpads and mice. The new versions, which began rolling on Monday, also includes updated start screen and a new ribbon of feature menus.

Apple A14 processor makes iPad Air 4 dramatically faster

By

iPad Air 4 launches later this month.
The iPad Air 4 offers a big speed boost over its predecessor.
Photo: Apple

The iPad Air 4 is the first computer of any kind unveiled with the Apple A14 processor. The tablet isn’t out yet, but an early Geekbench 5 benchmark score apparently shows it’s nearly 50% faster than its predecessor.

This bodes well for the iPhone 12, which is also expected to run Apple’s new chip.

How to use Smart Selection in iPadOS 14

By

How to use Smart Selection in iPadOS 14
Smart Selection makes your iPad and stylus even more useful.
Graphic: Apple/Cult of Mac

Smart Selection in iPadOS 14 can be amazingly useful for anyone who takes notes with their iPad. This new feature lets you handwrite some words, then turn them into text at any point later on.

Here’s how it works.

Apple explains the secret sauce that makes Scribble so great in iPadOS 14

By

Scribble in iPadOS 14 was developed with machine learning.
Scribble in iPadOS 14 recognizes how you write, not only what you write.
Photo: Apple

Scribble handwriting recognition in iPadOS 14 is a more complex system than many might realize. Identifying letters and words goes beyond simply examining what someone has written. The iPad uses machine learning to recognize the writer’s intent through how they write, according to Craig Federighi, Apple’s SVP of software engineering.

Early tests show iPad 8 brings a huge speed boost

By

iPad 8 is smarter to help you get smarter.
iPad 8 boasts a significantly faster processor than its predecessor.
Photo: Apple

The new iPad 8 is only a “speed bump” version of the seventh-generation model, but it certainly offers a noticeable increase in performance. Benchmarks show this recently released tablet is about twice as fast as its predecessor.

Pandemic drives buyers toward bigger tablets with detachable keyboards

By

A rise in tablet sales benefits the iPad Air.
Buyers are increasingly interested in tablets that can also function as laptops.
Photo: Apple

The COVID-19 pandemic is causing unexpected consequences, including a sudden sharp rise in tablet sales, according to a market-research firm. Specifically, there’s significantly increased demand for large tablets with removable keyboards that can function as laptops.

Apple leads the way in consumer satisfaction for Mac and iPad

By

The 2020 iMac is faster, but didn’t get a new design.
Customers are pretty darn satisfied when it comes to Mac.
Photo: Apple

Apple fans love to complain every so often, but overall they remain pretty darn satisfied when it comes to the company’s personal computer offerings.

That’s according to data from the American Customer Satisfaction Index, which reports that Apple ranks No. 1 in user satisfaction for personal computers with a score of ACSI score of 82. This ranking covers iMacs, MacBooks and iPads.

Master iOS 14’s best new features [Cult of Mac Magazine 367]

By

Now that you've upgraded, it's time to take advantage of all the new iOS 14 features.
Now that you've upgraded, it's time to take advantage of all the new features.
Cover: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac

If you downloaded iOS 14 — and you really should — you probably know it’s packed with tons of new features. Find out how to make the most of all the latest additions with our roundup of iOS 14 tips and how-tos.

And, naturally, we’ve got plenty of coverage of this week’s big “Time Flies” event. Get the scoop on the new Apple Watches, iPads and Apple services in the latest edition of Cult of Mac Magazine. It’s free, and it’s a blast to read on your iPad or iPhone.

You’ll also get the rest of our Apple how-tos and product reviews. And, if you don’t want to download the mag (did I mention that it’s free?), you can get the week’s top stories in your browser below.