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Soundcore’s new Space A40 earbuds zero-out noise and play a long time [Review] ★★★★

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The new Soundcore Space A40 earbuds have stellar ANC and epic battery life. And you'll probably like how they sound, too.★★★★
The new Soundcore Space A40 earbuds have stellar ANC and epic battery life. And you'll probably like how they sound, too.
Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac

The new Soundcore Space A40 True-Wireless Noise Cancelling Earbuds came out Thursday alongside their sibling Space Q45 over-ear headphones.

Upon release, both products made a lot of noise about strong active noise cancellation (ANC) and massive battery life. And like the headphones, which I already reviewed, the earbuds don’t disappoint.

While their marquee qualities are strong ANC and lengthy play time, the A40 buds also sound good and feature lots of opportunities for audio customization.

Apple and minority business leaders push toward green economy

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Meet Apple's second Impact Accelerator class of minority-owned businesses looking for growth in a greener economy.
Meet Apple's second Impact Accelerator class of minority-owned businesses looking for growth in a greener economy.
Photo: Apple

Apple introduced its second Impact Accelerator class Thursday. It’s made up of leaders from 16 minority-owned businesses that work in environmental services. They’ll be trained and mentored to help grow the businesses, which may end up partnering with Apple.

And at the same time, they’ll advance “a shared goal of creating a greener world,” Apple said.

Set yourself apart from the riffraff with this $15,000 Apple Watch case

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And it comes with an Apple Watch, you say? What a bargain.
And it comes with an Apple Watch, you say? What a bargain.
Photo: Golden Concept

Tired of slumming it with just a regular ol’ expensive Apple Watch? Well, you could dress it up a bit if you fork over $15,000 for an Apple Watch case smothered in more than 400 diamonds.

I mean, you deserve a special treat now and again, don’t you? A company called Golden Concept thinks so.

Affordable new smart Wi-Fi light strip from TP-Link supports HomeKit

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You can get a huge array of colors or bright white light out of these strips.
You can get a huge array of colors or bright white light out of these strips.
Photo: TP-Link

TP-Link just flipped the switch on a new lineup of smart LED light strips and light bulbs, some of which you can use with HomeKit or other home-automation systems.

The main selling point here is budget-friendliness. Prices range from $25 to $50, so you won’t break the bank lighting up your space.

Soundcore Q45 headphones crush noise cancellation and battery life [Review] ★★★★

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The new Soundcore Q45 headphones have strong noise cancellation and long battery life.★★★★
The new Soundcore Q45 headphones have strong noise cancellation and long battery life.
Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac

With Thursday’s release of the new Soundcore Space Q45 Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones and sibling Space A40 earbuds, Soundcore began replacing its Life series of sound products. The company sent me both products to test. This review covers the Q45 cans (my A40 review will appear tomorrow).

I’ve spent a couple weeks with the Q45 over-ear, closed-back headphones. Soundcore pushes two main selling points: strong noise cancellation and long battery life. And with the Q45 headphones, the company has hit it out of the park on both counts.

And they sound good for the price, too.

Get $15 off SwitchBot and turn your dumb lock into a smart one

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The SwitchBot Lock fits over your existing
The SwitchBot Lock fits over your existing "dumb" lock.
Photo: SwitchBot

Users who aren’t ready to to take the plunge into full home-automation system like HomeKit and related accessories have another option to make a dumb lock smarter.

SwitchBot recently launched a new version of SwitchBot Lock. The company said it’s the best way to make a door lock smart without refitting, so users can lock or unlock their door via devices like iPhone or Apple Watch.

Better yet, right now you can get 15% off on Amazon, or about $15 off the $100 price.

Kooky interactive site lets you design your own Franken-iPhone

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Finally, a new iPhone worth $1,150, if not more.
Finally, a new iPhone worth $1,150, if not more.
Photo: Neal.Fun Design the Next iPhone

A new interactive website called Design the Next iPhone lets you have a laugh by making whatever monstrosity you want out of Apple’s market-leading handset, due for a major refresh with the iPhone 14 series on September 7.

And each time you make a new design, Apple CEO Tim Cook pops up with some encouraging marketing-speak.

Some leather Apple Watch bands look more prestigious than others

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That's a classy Apple Watch band from Laut.
That's a classy Apple Watch band from Laut.
Photo: Laut

Everybody knows a leather Apple Watch band is a timeless and elegant accessory, just as it has been for watches in general for decades. But not all leather bands are equal.

Laut, for example, offers its Prestige Leather Apple Watch Band made from premium Saffiano leather. It finishes your look in style.

And you can get it right now in the Cult of Mac Store for just $49.99.

‘Tower of power’ spurs cable-clutter debate over otherwise-clean rig [Setups]

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Plenty to see here, but the
Plenty to see here, but the "tower for power" in the corner drew most of the attention.
Photo: [email protected]

Some people care deeply about cable management, with nary a cord to be seen in their computer setups. Others couldn’t care less about it, leaving wire-spaghetti all over the place. And folks in the middle want to do it right, but meh, maybe next week, and maybe only somewhat.

Today’s featured MacBook Pro and iPad Pro setup stakes out much of the ground described above. Cable management is in play, but it’s done in a way that drove some neatniks crazy while others applauded the controlled mayhem.

Steelseries offers first 5.1 surround-sound gaming speakers via USB

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Steelseries said its new Arena 9 is the first 5.1 surround sound system that works via a single USB connection.
Steelseries said its new Arena 9 is the first 5.1 surround sound system that works via a single USB connection.
Photo: Steelseries

Steelseries, known for gaming headsets, has jumped into the desktop speakers pool with a big splash. Its new Arena line of desktop speakers is the company’s first product of that type.

And it includes what the company calls the world’s first 5.1 surround sound speakers you can run with a single USB connection to a Mac, PC, gaming console or TV.

iPhone stuck in boot loop? Fix that and other problems with iToolab FixGo.

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iToolab FixGo can help you solve several different problems.
FixGo can solve all kinds of iPhone problems, including the dreaded boot loop.
Photo: iToolab

This post on iPhone boot loops is brought to you by iToolab FixGo.

iPhones are justifiably well-known for reliability, but problems can come up. Sometimes malware’s the culprit. Other times a software update doesn’t end well and jams up your handset.

On those rare but incredibly frustrating occasions when your iPhone can’t get past the Apple logo and keeps rebooting — known as getting stuck in a “boot loop” — or freezes up for any reason, iToolab FixGo can help.

The Mac app can fix all kinds of operating-system problems with iPhone, iPad and iPod touch.

Hillary and Chelsea Clinton cheer Gutsy women in Apple TV+ trailer

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Certain powerful and accomplished woman inspire Hillary and Chelsea Clinton.
Certain powerful and accomplished woman inspire Hillary and Chelsea Clinton.
Photo: Apple TV+

In the first trailer for upcoming docuseries Gutsy, Hillary and Chelsea Clinton take part in animated discussions with strong and accomplished women who inspire them.

The list of participants in the series, which premieres September 9 on Apple TV+, is truly varied. It includes famous names from different walks of life, including Kim Kardashian, Gloria Steinem and Jane Goodall.

How to download YouTube videos to MP3 or MP4 with YT Saver Video Downloader

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YT Saver can help you download videos from YouTube and other sites.
YT Saver makes it quick and easy to download videos from YouTube and other popular sites.
Image: YT Saver

This post on how to download YouTube videos is brought to you by YT Saver.

When you love to download videos, audio and playlists from YouTube and other popular websites, it helps to have a solid video downloader that can handle browsing, downloading, converting and securing content all in one place.

YT Saver Video Downloader does the trick, whether you use Mac or Windows. We’ll focus on Mac and show you how the video downloader and converter works.

New Street Fighter collection gives Apple accessories a retro kick

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Casetify's new collection features action-packed imagery from
Casetify's new collection features action-packed imagery from the classic game Street Fighter.
Photo: Casetify

Casetify, known for pop-culture imagery on its iPhone cases and other accessories, plans to mark the 35th birthday of classic game franchise Street Fighter with a slew of products featuring imagery from it.

The products will include iPhone 13 cases and MagSafe chargers, according to a new report.

Dell’s fancy new webcam isn’t as pricey as the last one

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The new Dell Pro Webcam features a built-in, noise-cancelling microphone.
The new Dell Pro Webcam features a built-in, noise-cancelling microphone.
Photo: Dell

Dell rolled out its new Dell Pro Webcam over the weekend, offering a less-expensive alternative to the UltraSharp 4K webcam it brought to market last year.

The new one shares some high-end features but also lets go of some others to get the price down.

‘Look, ma, no Mac mini’ (but yes, crazy keyboard and backward trackpad) [Setups]

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The Mac mini is mounted behind the monitor. And, yeah, the Magic Trackpad in the middle of the split keyboard is backwards on purpose.
The Mac mini is mounted behind the monitor. And, yeah, the Magic Trackpad in the middle of the split keyboard is backwards on purpose.
Photo: [email protected]

Sometimes you see one thing that seems quietly radical about a computer setup, only to find out it’s full of even weirder tweaks.

Today’s featured setup is a good example. It hides a Mac mini behind a display. But in front of the display, a wildly split mechanical keyboard surrounds a Magic Trackpad turned backward — on purpose!

Want to support national parks? Use Apple Pay this week.

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The Southwest Conservation Corps’s Leaders of Color crew provides a supportive space for aspiring BIPOC conservationists to break into the field.
The Southwest Conservation Corps’s Leaders of Color crew provides a supportive space for aspiring BIPOC conservationists to break into the field.
Photo: National Park Foundation/Jeremy Wade Shockley

Apple pledged Monday to donate $10 to the National Park Foundation (NPF) for many Apple Pay purchases. If you buy via Apple Pay on apple.com, in the Apple Store app or at a U.S. Apple Store through August 28, you’re helping national parks.

Cupertino said it’s a way to celebrate 106 years of the U.S. National Park Service. And you can also enjoy special content and collections on Apple Maps, Apple Podcasts and more.

Console gamers can get the party going with BenQ’s new 4LED projector

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Into social gaming? This little number should help.
Into social gaming? This little number should help.
Photo: BenQ

BenQ unveiled its new TH690ST short-throw 4LED projector Friday, calling it “the world’s first 4LED video party projector with preset game modes for bringing big entertainment to any gathering.”

You connect it to any gaming console or other video source with an HDMI cable to get the party started. Oh, and don’t forget to have a wall to project on.

Slim, MagSafe-compatible wallet doubles as iPhone stand

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The new Moft Flash Wallet & iPhone Stand is MagSafe-compatible.
The new Moft Flash Wallet & iPhone Stand is MagSafe-compatible.
Photo: Moft

Accessories maker Moft offered a new folding wallet Thursday that magnetically sticks to your iPhone 12 or 13, but also acts as a stand whenever you need one.

Carry your license and another card with your handset. Set the stand to take a video call or watch a YouTube video. What’s not to like?

Well, some folks might not like the two-card maximum, but that could work fine for others.

How do you fix that wobbling screen? [Setups]

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A wobbling monitor will drive you mad in short order.
A wobbling monitor will drive you mad in short order.
Photo: [email protected]

Imagine buying a massive new ultra-wide, curved monitor to display what you do on your Macs in style. But once you get it all set up, the monstrous thing won’t stop wobbling.

Today’s featured M1 MacBook Pro and Mac mini setup suffers just that problem, despite the use of a recommended monitor arm attached to a solid standing desk.

Check out the advice the user got and all the gear in play below.

After 20 years, what’s the most ‘Shazamed’ song of all time?

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Shazam, owned by Apple since 2018, turned 20 on Friday.
Shazam, owned by Apple since 2018, turned 20 on Friday.
Photo: Apple

Apple bought the popular music-recognition app Shazam, which can name any song you hear, in 2018. Friday marks the app’s 20th birthday. And this week it officially surpassed 70 billion song recognitions, Cupertino said.

That’s a lot of people in bars wondering what the tune is.

Ever wonder what song is the most “Shazamed” of all time? Well, Apple provided that nugget and many other factoids, and referred to a lot of interesting music you may want to check out.

Kim Kardashian’s Beats earbuds sold out quickly at Apple but are now on Amazon [Updated]

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The three neutral colors are designed to blend in like a proper fashion accessory.
The three neutral colors are designed to blend in like a proper fashion accessory.
Photo: Apple

Three new colors of Beats Fit Pro wireless earbuds — a collaboration between Beats and celebrity Kim Kardashian — went on sale at Apple online Tuesday and promptly sold out. But now you can get them on Amazon, too.

The three new “neutral” colors are designed to blend in more than most earphones. Following Tuesday’s launch at Apple.com/Kim, they went on sale Wednesday at select Apple Stores and resellers.

Hey podcasters, get a monstrous deal on a Blue Yeti Nano USB mic

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The Blue Yeti Nano is an easy, plug-and-play option.
The Blue Yeti Nano is an easy, plug-and-play option.
Photo: Logitech for Creators

If you’re thinking of starting a podcast — better hurry up, every single person on earth has one, it seems — you need a good USB microphone.

And now you can get a good deal on a popular one, as Amazon has knocked 30% off the regular price of a Blue Yeti Nano USB Microphone.

That’s a savings of $30 on what was already a pretty affordable mic for podcasters and streamers.

First look at Shantaram on Apple TV+ shows thrills and romance in 1980s Bombay

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“Shantaram” is a new Apple Original drama series starring Charlie Hunnam.
“Shantaram” is a new Apple Original drama series starring Charlie Hunnam.
Photo: Apple TV+

Apple TV+ offered a first look at upcoming drama series Shantaram this week in the form of a photo of star Charlie Hunnam (Son of Anarchy) in character, plus a rundown of the cast and plot of the adventure-romance, set to premiere October 14.

And speaking of drama and adventure, the production ran into big trouble on the way to becoming a reality.