This official Apple special-edition Watch band is down to just $14
Macworld Much like Apple Watches, extra Apple Watch bands can be rather pricey, so whenever one snaps, replacing it can burn your pocket for $50. Thankfully, we found a fantastic model on clearance at Walmart that’s just $14, good for $35 off the original MSRP and a great chance to grab an official Apple Watch for less than some third-party options.  The discounted model is the 40mm/44mm Black Unity Sports Band. This special edition watch band was created to celebrate Black history and culture and is inspired by the Pan-African flag, featuring the same beautiful combination of black, red, and green. The band also has an inscription that reads “Truth. Power. Solidarity.” These are 40mm and 44mm bands, but they will fit all larger Apple Watch models. More specifically, the 40mm option will fit 38mm, 40mm, or 41mm models, and the 44mm band will fit 42mm, 44mm, 45mm, and 49mm Ultra models.  That’s every Apple Watch series so no matter which watch you have, you’re good to go with this $14 bargain.  Since this is a sports band, it’s made of synthetic rubber that’s durable and strong but also soft and comfortable to wear for long hours. Usually, Apple’s Sports Bands are available to purchase for $49, but since this one is on clearance due to the new 2024 Black Unity band arriving this month, grabbing one for a mere $14 is an absolute steal. We advise you to hurry up and place your order because such bargains vanish quickly.  Buy the Black Unity Apple Watch Sports Band for $14 at Walmart Apple Watch

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Apple lands rights to Everest Sherpa film ‘Tenzing,’ starring Tom Hiddleston and Willem Dafoe
In the run-up to this week's Cannes market, Apple Original Films has landed worldwide rights to "Tenzing," starring… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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M4 iPad Pro comes with a color-matched USB-C cable, so go for space black
Today is M4 iPad Pro launch day, so users are starting to get their hands on the new iPad and experience it in the flesh. We know that the new iPad Pro has Apple’s most advanced chip, a remarkable Ultra Retina XDR display, and other key improvements. The 13-inch Pro is also the thinnest Apple product ever made, and lighter than before. But beyond the physical changes of thinness and lightness, did you know that it also comes with a color-matched USB-C cable? more…

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Apple resellers celebrate the launch of 2024 iPads with deals in every category
Apple resellers today are blowing out inventory to make way for the new iPad Air 6 and M4 iPad Pro, and that means discounts are available offering up to $500 off current and closeout products — and even a few complementary monitor options.There are a variety of discounts available, with prices starting at $24.99 across popular Apple resellers, including Amazon, Best Buy, B&H and Adorama. Our Apple Price Guide breaks down the savings by product type and specs, making it a one-stop destination for those in the market for Apple hardware and accessories.Below are a few highlights from the price tracker — along with two Samsung monitor options that start at just $379 — so if you're looking for a graduation gift or need an iPad at a discount to keep the family entertained this summer, there are a variety of offers to choose from. Continue Reading on AppleInsider

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Folks now holding onto iPads for longer than ever
New research shows the iPad buying cycle slows as folks wait longer between new releases, like with the new 2024 iPad Pro and Air. (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)

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40% of iPad users use their tablet for ‘3 years or more’
CIRP’s latest data shows that a whopping 40% of iPad users keep their tablet for “3 years or more.” That’s up from 36%… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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Confirmed: Redesign makes M4 iPad Pro incompatible with older cases, keyboards, styli
A change in magnet placement in the M4 iPad Pro has a huge effect on accessory compatibility. It affects folio cases, keyboards and styli. (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)

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iPad Air hands on: A return to an affordable large-format iPad
The new iPad Air is still more power than most need, but that 13-inch one returns large-screen media consumption to the masses for exactly what it cost almost a decade ago.2024 iPad Air 13-inchWe've already written tens of thousands of words about the new iPads, and across the internet, there are perhaps billions. You probably already know that Apple simplified the iPad line by killing the ninth-generation iPad, and putting the 10th generation in its place.This, of course, leaves the iPad Air and iPad Pro to fill the middle and top of the line. But, for most, the iPad Air is far more than sufficient. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Apple users are keeping their iPads for a very long time
Over the last few years, Apple customers have extended their upgrade cycles for iPads, possibly making the new models an appealing choice for those ready to purchase.11-inch iPad ProApple announced on May 7 the long-anticipated new iPad models. The new iPad Pro is thinner than ever and has a new M4 chip, while the iPad Air is larger.Analysis of iPad buyer behavior over the past three years indicates that customers are extending the life of their devices. In the most recent 12-month period, nearly two-thirds of new iPad buyers who previously owned an iPad had kept their old devices for at least two years. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Is this removable iPad matte display option better than the $100 nano-texture upgrade?
Astropad launched its Rock Paper Pencil v2 kit earlier this year which delivers a removable and reusable matte screen protector and pen-on-paper upgrade for iPad with ball-point style Apple Pencil tips. Now it’s available for the new iPad Pro and Air and begs the question, at 60% less, is this a better matte display solution than Apple’s $100 nano-texture upgrade? more…

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iOS 18 will let you set custom voice phrases to trigger actions, no ‘Siri’ necessary
Today amid a wealth of accessibility announcements, including hands-free CarPlay and the futuristic Live Captions on Vision Pro, Apple announced that iOS 18 would be introducing a powerful new voice feature. Vocal Shortcuts will enable system-wide action triggers based on custom phrases you set, with no need to say “Siri.” more…

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iPad Air (M2) vs iPad Pro (M4)
Macworld Apple has finally updated its higher-end iPad lineup, with new Air and Pro models. The upgrades include new processors, display sizes, and colors, as well as an ultra-thin chassis design for the premium models. But which one should you choose to get the best value for money? Here’s our comparison guide to the iPad Air (M2) and iPad Pro (M4) models that launched in 2024.  Design & build quality Apple iPad Air 11-inch (M2, 2024) Price When Reviewed: $599 (128GB, Wi-Fi only) Best Prices Today: $584.99 at Amazon | $599 at Apple The Air was given a design overhaul one generation ago in the iPad Air (2022), so it’s not surprising that much of the construction looks familiar on the latest model. Obviously, the most noticeable difference is that the Air now comes in a choice of 11-inch and 13-inch variants.  Apple Apple Apple Specifications are pretty much identical for both, with the larger model making use of the extra real estate to include a 2x bass response in the stereo speakers, but that’s about it.  Dimensions work out as follows: 11-inch iPad Air (M2): 9.74 x 7.02 x 0.24 inches (247.6 x 178.5 x 6.1mm); 1.02 pounds (462g) 13-inch iPad Air (M2): 11.04 x 8.46 x 0.24 inches (280.6 x 214.9 x 6.1mm); 1.36 pounds (617g) There are new color schemes, with the Air available in Space Gray, Starlight, Purple, or Blue. But perhaps the most useful upgrade (at least in terms of design) is that the FaceTime camera has been repositioned on the longer edge of the iPad, creating a landscape orientation that makes far more sense than the previous portrait one. The Air still doesn’t get Face ID, however, so the Touch ID sensor in the power button will be how you unlock the device and make payments.  Apple Apple Apple The baseline storage has finally been upgraded to something sensible, plus Apple has added higher capacity options too. Here are the different amounts available: 128GB 256GB 512GB 1TB Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4, 2024) Price When Reviewed: $999 (Wi-Fi only) Best Prices Today: $999 at Apple On the iPad Pro (M4), meanwhile, the design advances are more profound. Yes, it’s still an aluminum rectangle, but Apple’s engineers have worked hard to make this not only the thinnest iPad they’ve ever created, but the thinnest Apple product ever made! Yes, even slimmer than the iPod nano. Crazy.  Apple Apple Apple Here are the dimensions for the two new iPad Pro models: 11-inch iPad Pro (M4): 9.83 x 6.99 x 0.21 inches (249.7 x 177.5 x 5.3 mm); 0.98 pounds (444g) 13-inch iPad Pro (M4): 11.09 x 8.48 x 0.20 inches (281.6 x 215.5 x 5.1 mm); 1.28 pounds (579g)  So, for the first time, the iPad Pros are now lighter than the iPad Airs. Maybe Apple needs to rethink the names of its iPads going forward?  Apple Apple Apple Whereas the iPad Air (M2) has twin stereo speakers, the Pro models double this with a four-speaker array. They also employ a landscape FaceTime camera, but Apple bestows Face ID on its Pro models, making it even easier to log in.  Color schemes are simpler on the Pros, with only Space Black or Silver to choose from, while storage options come in the following flavors: 256GB 512GB 1TB 2TB All Pro and Air models,  in compliance with EU law, come with USB-C charging ports, although the Pro versions have upgraded Thunderbolt / USB 4 capabilities. Apple also announced a new Apple Pencil Pro, which works with both the Air and Pro models; the new Air and Pro are also both compatible with the Apple Pencil (USB-C). There’s a new Apple Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro (M4), while the existing Magic Keyboard works with the iPad Air (M2) devices.  Display  Apple has been hard at work on the new Ultra Retina XDR displays for the Pro models. They feature a revolutionary new design that combines two OLED panels layered up to create something the company is calling a Tandem OLED display. This allows them to be brighter, with a full screen brightness for SDR and HDR of 1,000 nits, and a maximum of 1,600 nits for HDR, while delivering the depths of color and contrast for which OLED panels are famed.  Apple Apple Apple You can also opt for a nano-texture glass if you buy the 1TB or 2TB storage variants. This has microscopic etches in the panel that diffuse light, massively reducing the glare from surrounding light sources. Standard glass appears on all the other models.  There is of course ProMotion (or 120Hz refresh rate in human-speak), which remains a Pro-only feature.  While the Pros take the headlines for their impressive new displays, the Liquid Retina panels on the iPad Air (M2) models are no slouches, and for the first time you get to choose between an 11-inch (actually 10.86-inch) or 13-inch (actually 12.9-inch) size. All of the new iPads offer P3 Wide Color (P3), True Tone, and resolutions that deliver 264 ppi (pixels per inch), as you can see below: 11-inch iPad Air (M2): 2360 x 1640 13-inch iPad Air (M2): 2732 x 2048 11-inch iPad Pro (M4): 2420 x 1668 13-inch iPad Pro (M4): 2752 x 2064 The brightness of the Airs does lag behind their more expensive siblings, however, topping out at 500 nits. Good news is that all support the Apple Pencil Hover feature, which was previously only available on the iPad Pro. Processor  It’s all change on the processor front, with both platforms getting solid upgrades. The Airs go from the M1 to the M2 chipset, while the Pros jump further, swapping the previous M2 for the brand-new M4.  The M1 was already powerful enough for most things, so moving to the M2 on the Air is great news for anyone that wants a fast iPad for gaming and some creative work, and one that will stay speedy for years to come. It’s packed with an 8-core CPU, 10-core GPU and a 16-core Neural Engine to handle AI and machine learning features. It’s so powerful that it was the driving force of the previous-gen iPad Pro models.  Apple Apple Apple This year’s Pros, though, are fitted with some frankly crackers processing power. Apple claims the new M4 is one of the main reasons why the new iPad Pros can be made so thin and utilize the Tandem OLED display. Built on a 3-nanometer architecture, it features improved speed and energy management, all powered by a CPU with four performance cores, six efficiency cores, and next-generation machine learning accelerators. Apple says that the new M4 delivers 1.5x faster CPU performance than the M2.  The GPU has also been levelled up, with 10 cores and various performance enhancements that can render apps up to 4x faster than the M2. All while delivering the same performance as that chip, but using only a quarter of the power draw.  In all honesty, the M2 in the Air is more than enough for people using the iPad as an everyday device, while the M4 is truly Pro-level hardware that should satisfy even the most demanding iPad creative.  Cameras We have to admit, we’re not fans of people using iPads to take pictures, but it happens and we just have to deal with it. There are not that many distinct differences between the optics available on the Air and Pro models, with the latter benefitting from some small additional capabilities.  Apple Apple Apple All come with a 12Mp Wide camera (f/1.8) offering a 5x digital zoom and Smart HDR 4. The Pros get Adaptive True Tone flash as a bonus. Across the board you can capture video up to 4K @ 60fps, slo-mo at 240fps, and time-lapse with stabilisation. The Pros again have some advantage, with ProRes video, audio zoom and stereo recording. Again, for most people this won’t be an issue at all, as it’s mainly for filmmakers.  The front-facing camera is again standard across the platforms, with a 12Mp landscape Ultra Wide (f/2.4) that supports 2x zoom out, Centre Stage, Retina flash, Smart HDR 4 for photos, Cinematic video stabilisation, and top out at 1080p @ 60fps. Where the Pros cameras differ is the inclusion of TrueDepth for Face ID, Portrait mode and Portrait Lighting, plus you can use Animoji and Memoji. Connectivity There’s little to separate the Airs and Pros in terms of connectivity. They all support Wi-Fi 6e, 5G (assuming you pay extra for cellular connectivity), MIMO, Bluetooth 5.3, Gigabit LTE and GPS. Physical connections are through the USB-C port on the Airs or the Thunderbolt / USB 4 on the Pros, while all have Smart Connectors for the Apple Magic Keyboards.  Here’s a breakdown of how the iPad Air M2 models compare: iPad Air M2 (11in)iPad Air M2 (13in)Display10.86-inch Liquid Retina, 2360 x 1640 resolution, 264ppi, P3 Wide colour, True Tone12.9-inch Liquid Retina, 2732 x 2048 resolution, 264ppi, P3 Wide colour, True ToneProcessorM2M2Storage128GB / 256GB / 512GB / 1TB128GB / 256GB / 512GB / 1TBMain Camera12Mp Wide camera (f/1.8), 5x digital zoom, Smart HDR for photos, 4K/60fps, 240fps slo-mo, time-lapse with video stabilisation12Mp Wide camera (f/1.8), 5x digital zoom, Smart HDR for photos, 4K/60fps, 240fps slo-mo, time-lapse with video stabilisationFront Camera12Mp Ultra Wide (f/2.4) FaceTime HD, landscape, 2x zoom out, Centre Stage, Retina Flash, Smart HDR for photos, Cinematic video stabilisation, 1080p/60fps12Mp Ultra Wide (f/2.4) FaceTime HD, landscape, 2x zoom out, Centre Stage, Retina Flash, Smart HDR for photos, Cinematic video stabilisation, 1080p/60fpsWiFi6e6eBluetooth5.35.3LTE5G5GGPSYesYesPortsUSB-C, Smart connectorUSB-C, Smart connectorBiometricsTouch IDTouch IDApple Pencil SupportApple Pencil Pro, Apple Pencil (USB-C)Apple Pencil Pro, Apple Pencil (USB-C)Dimensions9.74 x 7.02 x 0.24 inches (247.6 x 178.5 x 6.1mm) 11.04 x 8.46 x 0.24 inches (280.6 x 214.9 x 6.1mm)Weight1.02 pounds (462g)1.36 pounds (617g)ColorsSpace Gray, Starlight, Purple, or BlueSpace Gray, Starlight, Purple, or BluePriceStarts at $599 / £599 / A$999 Starts at $799 / £799 / A$1,299 Here’s a breakdown of how the iPad Pro M4 models compare: iPad Pro M4 (11in)iPad Pro M4 (13in)Display11-inch Ultra Retina XDR, Tandem OLED, 2420 x 1668 resolution, 264ppi, 1000nits SDR/HDR, 1600nits HDR, ProMotion,  P3 Wide color, True Tone, Apple Hover support 13-inch Ultra Retina XDR, Tandem OLED, 2752 x 2064 resolution , 264ppi, 1000nits SDR/HDR, 1600nits HDR, ProMotion,  P3 Wide color, True Tone, Apple Hover support ProcessorM4M4Storage256GB / 512GB / 1TB / 2TB256GB / 512GB / 1TB / 2TBMain Camera12Mp Wide camera (f/1.8), 5x digital zoom, Smart HDR for photos, 4K/60fps, 240fps slo-mo, time-lapse with video stabilisation, Adaptive True Tone Flash, ProRes video, audio zoom, stereo recording12Mp Wide camera (f/1.8), 5x digital zoom, Smart HDR for photos, 4K/60fps, 240fps slo-mo, time-lapse with video stabilisation, Adaptive True Tone Flash, ProRes video, audio zoom, stereo recordingFront Camera12Mp Ultra Wide (f/2.4) TrueDepth, landscape, 2x zoom out, Centre Stage, Retina Flash, Smart HDR for photos, Cinematic video stabilisation, 1080p/60fps, Portrait mode, Portrait Lighting, Animoji and Emoji12Mp Ultra Wide (f/2.4) TrueDepth, landscape, 2x zoom out, Centre Stage, Retina Flash, Smart HDR for photos, Cinematic video stabilisation, 1080p/60fps, Portrait mode, Portrait Lighting, Animoji and EmojiWiFi6e6eBluetooth5.35.3LTE5G5GGPSYesYesPortsThunderbolt / USB 4, Smart ConnectorThunderbolt / USB 4, Smart ConnectorBiometricsFace IDFace IDApple Pencil SupportApple Pencil Pro, Apple Pencil (USB-C)Apple Pencil Pro, Apple Pencil (USB-C)Dimensions9.83 x 6.99 x 0.21 inches (249.7 x 177.5 x 5.3 mm)11.09 x 8.48 x 0.20 inches (281.6 x 215.5 x 5.1 mm)Weight0.98 pounds (444g)1.28 pounds (579g) ColorsSpace Black or Silver Space Black or Silver PriceStarts at $999 / £999 / A$1,699Starts at $1,299 / £1,299 / A$2,199 Price and Availability  There are several price points available, depending on storage allocation, cellular connectivity or the size of the display. Here are all the variations, with the devices receiving 15 May release dates. Below each list you’ll find a price-comparison widget showing the best deals in your area. 11-inch iPad Air M2: 128GB, Wi-Fi: $599 / £599 / A$999 256GB, Wi-Fi: $699/ £699 / A$1,179 512GB, Wi-Fi: $899/ £899 / A$1,529 1TB, Wi-Fi: $1,099/ £1,099 / A$1,879 128GB, Cellular: $749 / £749 / A$1,249 256GB, Cellular: $849/ £849 / A$1,429 512GB, Cellular: $1,049/ £1,049 / A$1,779 1TB, Cellular: $1,249/ £1,249 / A$2,129 Retailer Price $584.99 View Deal $599 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket 13-inch iPad Air M2:   128GB, Wi-Fi: $799 / £799 / A$1,299 256GB, Wi-Fi: $899/ £899 / A$1,479 512GB, Wi-Fi: $1,099/ £1,099 / A$1,829 1TB, Wi-Fi: $1,299/ £1,299 / A$2,179 128GB, Cellular: $949 / £949 / A$1,549 256GB, Cellular: $1,049/ £1,049 / A$1,729 512GB, Cellular: $1,249/ £1,249 / A$2,079 1TB, Cellular: $1,449/ £1,449 / A$2,429 Retailer Price $799 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket 11-inch iPad Pro (M4): 256GB, Wi-Fi: $999 / £999 / A$1,699 512GB, Wi-Fi: $1,199 / £1,199 / A$2,049 1TB, Wi-Fi: $1,599 / £1,599 / A$2,749 2TB, Wi-Fi: $1,999 / £1,999 / A$3,449 256GB, Cellular: $1,199 / £1,199 / A$2,049  512GB, Cellular: $1,399 / £1,399 / A$2,399 1TB, Cellular: $1,799 / £1,799 / A$3,099 2TB, Cellular: $2,199 / £2,199 / A$3,799 Retailer Price $999 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket 13-inch iPad Pro (M4): 256GB, Wi-Fi: $1,299 / £1,299 / A$2,199 512GB, Wi-Fi: $1,499 / £1,499 / A$2,549 1TB, Wi-Fi: $1,899 / £1,899 / A$3,249 2TB, Wi-Fi: $2,299 / £2,299 / A$3,949 256GB, Cellular: $1,499 / £1,499 / A$2,549  512GB, Cellular: $1,699 / £1,699 / A$2,899 1TB, Cellular: $2,099 / £2,099 / A$3,599 2TB, Cellular: $2,499 / £2,499 / A$4,299 Retailer Price $1299 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Should I buy the iPad Air M2 or iPad Pro M4? Apple keeps thing pretty simple with the new Airs and Pros. There are next to no differences specs-wise between the 11-inch and 13-inch models on either platform, so once you’ve decided on whether it’s an Air or Pro model you want, the only other factor is a preference of size.  If you want an everyday iPad that’s really fast, can take anything you throw at it, plus making you safe in the knowledge that you won’t have to upgrade any time soon, then the Air is a great choice.  Those who want the very best in terms of speed and display will find the Pro models hard to resist. They are great, but you’ll need to ask yourself if you really need that much power? If so, then the Pros deliver it in abundance. To see what other options are available, be sure to read our guide to the best iPads before making your decision. iPad

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Apple published a new Press Release
Apple just published a new Press Release:The redesigned iPad Air and new iPad Pro are available today

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Huawei mimics Apple retail stores to peddle its iPhone knockoffs in China
Huawei is revamping its retail strategy and aggressively opening stores in China, with some nearby to the Apple retail stores… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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Spotify hit with cease and desist from music publishers alleging ‘direct infringement’
Spotify is being accused of engaging in “direct infringement by hosting unlicensed musical works in its lyrics, videos and podcasts” by the National Music Publishers Association. In a new letter sent to the music streaming service this week, the NMPA alleges that Spotify “distributes music videos and podcasts using musical works without the consent of or compensation.” more…

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Today in Apple history: Apple reinvents the computer store
On May 15, 2001, Steve Jobs flipped the script on boring computer stores, unveiling an ambitious plan to open 25 innovative Apple stores. (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)

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Apple’s 16-inch M3 Pro MacBook Pro now $250 off, upgraded iPad mini 6 $110 off, and more in today’s best deals
Happy iPad launch day folks! While much of the early pre-order deals we have tracked on the M4 iPad Pro and M2 iPad Air have faded (some are still live though!), today’s deals focus on Apple’s latest MacBooks and the venerable iPad mini 6. The 16-inch M3 Pro MacBook Pro with 18GB of memory is nearly $250 off, the mid-range 15-inch M3 MacBook Air is $100 off, and you’ll find some solid deals on upgraded iPad mini 6 configurations too. Head below for a closer look at today’s 9to5Toys Lunch Break. more…

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Here’s how many years Apple users are keeping their iPads
Alongside the 2024 iPad Pro and Air launches, CIRP has a new report that sheds light on Apple customers’ tablet upgrade cycles. Here’s how many years iPad users are waiting before buying a new model. more…

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App Store emulator surge continues, this time for PlayStation Portable games
PPSSPP, a popular emulator for PlayStation Portable games, is now available for gamers to play their nostalgic favorites from years past.PPSSPP on the App StoreApple has officially welcomed PPSSPP, a popular PSP emulator (and not the sound to summon a cat), to the App Store. It's a significant development in the company's approach toward emulators.Users can download PPSSPP directly from the App Store. The app promises to deliver a high-fidelity gaming experience on iOS devices, supporting a wide range of PSP titles. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Apple showcases amazing new accessibility features like Eye Tracking
Apple touted cool new accessibility features coming to its devices, including Eye Tracking, Music Haptics and Vocal Shortcuts. (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)

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