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David Snow - page 106

Apple Music Live series returns Friday with Harry Styles show

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The first show in the returning Apple Music Live series features Harry Styles on Friday.
The first show in the returning Apple Music Live series features Harry Styles on Friday.
Photo: Apple Music

Apple has rebranded its Apple Music Live series and kicks off a new season with a live performance by Harry Styles in New York City on Friday, May 20.

Apple Music subscribers can tune into the live show and enjoy a seven-part video interview with Styles anytime.

Ad firms share your location and online behavior 747 times a day

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Advertisers pay to know your online behavior and location.
Advertisers pay to know your online behavior and location.
Photo: Charlie Sorrel/Cult of Mac

Google leads the way among ad tech companies sharing your online behavior and location with advertisers. It happens an average of 747 times a day in the United States and 376 times a day in Europe. That’s according to a new report from a civil liberties group.

Google and others use a process known as real-time bidding to help advertisers target you by behavior and location.

The group behind the report called such sharing “the biggest data breach” in the world.

This may be the best look yet at the upcoming iPhone 14 Pro Max

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The iPhone 14 Pro Max mock-up is at left, the slightly bigger camera assembly.
The iPhone 14 Pro Max mock-up is at left, with a slightly bigger camera assembly.
Photo: Unbox Therapy

As excitement builds for the iPhone 14 launch expected in about four months, many of the usual suspects are finding ways to stoke it. Case in point, the YouTuber behind Unbox Therapy posted a video Monday in which he “unboxed” what he implied is a CAD design mock-up of an iPhone 14 Pro Max created by iPhone case makers in Japan with access to Apple schematics.

The replica device looks just like an iPhone 13 Pro Max in the video. But a closer look and some measurements revealed numerous subtle differences, many of which track with analysts’ predictions for the new handset.

HP monitor sports pop-up webcam with Center Stage-like tracking

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The webcam pops up and keeps you centered in the frame, a la Center Stage.
The webcam pops up and keeps you centered in the frame, a la Center Stage.
Photo: HP

A new report said HP plans to release a 1440p USB-C monitor with a built-in webcam that pops up and features tracking much like Apple’s Center Stage used in iPad models.

The display should serve professionals who want decent pixel density but don’t need the top-shelf visuals a graphics professional might.

Apple Podcasts offers new features for creators and listeners

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Creators and listeners both can benefit from Apple Podcasts' new features.
Creators and listeners both can benefit from Apple Podcasts' new features.
Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

Apple offered several new features for its Podcasts app Monday. They include downloaded episode controls, annual subscription plans, partnerships with third-party hosting platforms and more.

There’s something for both podcast creators as well as listeners in the updates, with some changes available in imminent OS updates and others slated to become available in the fall, Cupertino said.

Would this dual Studio Display rig be your ‘dream setup?’ [Setups]

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This is someone's dream setup. Is it yours?
This is someone's dream setup. Is it yours?
Photo: [email protected]

You look at enough computer setups online and you realize people are never really done with them. There’s always something to add. It could be some gear got held up by shipping delays, or the setup’s owner got a sudden urge to try another type of input device or some other gadget. And people often take ages to tame the cable clutter.

So you rarely see people claiming a setup’s done for good. Or it’s the best it can be. Or it’s the proverbial “dream setup.”

But sometimes they say that. Today’s setup got called a “dream setup” by its proud owner. Would you agree?

For All Mankind season 3 trailer races to Mars

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Red planet, here we come.
Red planet, here we come.
Photo: Apple TV+

If you’re a fan of critically acclaimed Apple TV+ space drama For All Mankind, brace for impact. Apple launched the season 3 trailer Monday.

In it, the alt-reality vision of a decades-long space race rockets off to Mars.

Apple TV+ trailer lays out summer slate of fun shows for kids and families

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Apple TV+ laid out a summer lineup of kids and family series.
Apple TV+ laid out a summer lineup of kids and family series.
Photo: Apple TV+

Apple TV+ listed its new lineup of shows and specials for kids and families set to air this summer, including new series like Duck & Goose and Best Foot Forward plus Peanuts specials and new episodes of fan-favorite shows.

The new summer lineup of kids shows will kick off in July with the first series, Duck & Goose.

You can watch a trailer all about the summer’s content and how to watch it below with Jack McBrayer from Hello Jack! The Kindness Show.

Here’s more evidence iPhone 15 will switch from Lightning to USB-C

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Apple is testing a USB-C iPhone, finally.
Apple is testing a USB-C iPhone, finally.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple is testing an iPhone with a USB-C ports and planning to launch a USB-C adapter that can be used with devices with Lightning connectors, according to a new report.

The news comes on the heels of an analyst’s prediction on Wednesday that the switch to USB-C in Apple’s handsets will come with iPhone 15 in 2023.

Gear4 charges half of Apple’s price for braided nylon watch bands

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Gear4's braided Apple Watch bands cost half as much as Apple's Solo Loop.
Gear4's braided Apple Watch bands cost half as much as Apple's Solo Loop.
Photo: Gear4

Gear4, an accessories brand owned by Zagg, just added two nylon Apple Watch bands to its lineup. One is a braided nylon band priced at half the cost of Apple’s popular Solo Loop. The other is a two-tone sport band with Velcro. Both are made with recycled materials.

Hard to say if the quality meets Apple’s, but the prices certainly beat Apple’s.

Show off your iPhone 13 with this clear, MagSafe-compatible case

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The clear Limited77 MagSafe-compatible iPhone 13 case features solid drop protection.
The clear Limited77 MagSafe-compatible iPhone 13 case features solid drop protection.
Photo: Limited77

“Drop it, we dare you,” says Limited77 of its Clear Magnetic iPhone Case Series 13. Now that’s confidence. The slim, clear case can protect and showcase your iPhone 13 at the same time.

Not only does the case feature solid drop protection, its coating eliminates bacteria. We all know how dirty handsets can be because we touch them constantly. And in addition to those features, the case is MagSafe compatible, so it won’t interfere with charging your iPhone 13 wirelessly.

But even counting all those features, the best thing about the case might be its price right now. You can get 20% off the regular price in the Cult of Mac Store, a savings of $7.

Wildly expansive USB-C hub jacks up new Mac Studio [Setups]

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With the dock it sits on, that Mac Studio is even more formidable.
With the dock it sits on, that Mac Studio is even more formidable.
Photo: [email protected]

A cool aspect of both Mac minis and the newer Mac Studio are the platform-like USB-C hubs festooned with ports and added storage capacity that third parties have designed for them to sit on. Satechi was quick out of the gate with one for the mini, but there are other such cleverly designed, space-saving hubs on the market. And many of them also fit the Studio.

Today’s featured setup boasts a powerful new Mac Studio perched on a Qwiizlab hub as it drives an LG UltraWide display, among other gear.

Apple TV+ Cha Cha Real Smooth movie trailer gets the party started

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The unconventional romance premieres June 17 on Apple TV+.
The unconventional romance premieres June 17 on Apple TV+.
Photo: Apple TV+

Cha Cha Real Smooth looks to be a romance, a drama and a comedy all rolled into one. What do you call that? A rom-dramedy?

At any rate, Apple TV+ just put out the first trailer for the unconventional love story starring Dakota Johnson and Cooper Raiff. It premieres on June 17.

Sony makes its flagship over-ear headphones even better

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The new Sony flagship cans improve on their predecessors and cost about $50 more.
The new Sony flagship cans improve on their predecessors and cost about $50 more.
Photo: Sony

Few would dispute that Sony’s flagship wireless WH-1000XM4 active noise-canceling (ANC) headphones have been among the best on the market since they came out in August 2020. But Sony has improved upon them, offering its fifth-generation WH-1000XM5 headphones on Thursday.

The redesigned cans flaunt several impressive improvements over the previous model, making the XM5s an even worthier competitor to AirPods Max and other premium headphones.

Try BluShark’s smooth and supple nylon Apple Watch bands

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This is the BluShark AlphaPremier nylon Apple Watch band in
This is the BluShark AlphaPremier nylon Apple Watch band in "Bond" (that's as in James Bond, a classic black and gray stripe combo).
Photo: BluShark

Just like your watch face says something about your personality, so does your watch strap. The color, texture and pattern all mean something to you and those who catch a glance of your wrist. That’s where BluShark’s top nylon watch straps, the AlphaPremier collection, comes in.

And they’re not just for classic analog watches. BluShark has a whole lineup of smooth, comfortable AlphaPremier Apple Watch bands in stock in the Cult of Mac Store.

Earn cash back and gift cards with the free Fetch Rewards app

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Fetch Rewards is your free ticket to the luxe life.
Fetch Rewards is your golden ticket to free Apple Gift Cards.
Image: Fetch Rewards

This post on earning cash back and gift cards is brought to you by Fetch Rewards.

Who doesn’t love getting great deals? If you’re into shopping, you probably look for every advantage in your favor. You want low prices, or course, but how about also getting rewards points that give you cash back or let you earn a variety of gift cards for shopping and dining?

If you want your in-person and online shopping to be truly enriching, Fetch Rewards might be the best app for you. After all, it’s not “America’s No. 1 rewards app with over 13 million users” for nothing.

Even better, it’s free. We tell you how it works and how you can benefit from it below.

Plus, there’s an exclusive for Cult of Mac readers: Earn big and get 2,000 points for free! Before we get down to the app, let’s take a moment to share the Cult of Mac referral code, so we can both receive an excellent bonus for your loyalty: CULTOFMAC.

Sonos’ cheapest soundbar ever packs voice control and AirPlay 2 support

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The new Sonos Ray soundbar will sell for $279.
The new Sonos Ray soundbar will sell for $279.
Photo: Sonos

After leaks in April first revealed its impeding release, Sonos officially unveiled its lowest-priced Soundar, the Ray, on Wednesday.

The compact speaker features AirPlay 2 support for streaming from Apple devices as well as “Hey Sonos” voice control integrated with Apple Music.

Google Pixel Watch is coming for Apple Watch’s crown

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After lots of rumors and leaks, it turns out the Pixel Watch is only months away from release.
After lots of rumors and leaks, it turns out the Pixel Watch is only months away from release.
Photo: Google

After ongoing rumors and leaks, Google finally confirmed Wednesday at its I/O 2022 developer conference that the Pixel Watch exists. And the round-cased smart watch will be released in fall 2022 alongside the Pixel 7 smartphone.

The Pixel Watch will duke it out with the likes of the Samsung Galaxy Watch, which it resembles. But it will also look to knock market leader Apple Watch off its pedestal.

Google Pixel Buds Pro could go toe-to-toe with AirPods Pro

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Google's top new earbuds will come in several colors.
Google's top new earbuds will come in several colors.
Photo: Google

Google brought out a range of new Pixel devices to compete with Apple products at its I/O developer conference Wednesday. They include Pixel Buds Pro, premium earbuds with a number of AirPods Pro features.

But Google’s new buds, available July 21, will cost about $50 less than Apple’s top wireless earbuds.

Google shows a possible killer feature for AR glasses

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A screen shot from Google's video shows language transcription on the screen.
A screen shot from Google's video shows language transcription on the screen.
Photo: Google

Years ago Google failed to find a broad audience for Google Glass, its internet-connected glasses. But now the tech giant’s trying something new. It previewed augmented reality (AR) glasses Wednesday that translate language, Bloomberg reported.

The company conducted a brief demonstration at its annual I/O developer conference and released a video on Twitter, below.

Survival of the fittest at stake in Apple TV+ Physical season 2 trailer

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Rose Byrne plays fitness entrepreneur Sheila Rubin in
Rose Byrne plays fitness entrepreneur Sheila Rubin in "Physical."
Photo: Apple TV+

Apple TV+ offered up a new trailer Wednesday for season two of the darkish comedy Physical, starring Rose Byrne as a pioneering entrepreneur in the 1980s fitness boom in Los Angeles.

But Byrne’s character, Sheila Rubin, faces daunting competition as her husband continues to struggle with his political career.

Last chance: Save 30% on Function 101 Cable Blocks

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The magnetized cable blocks click together.
The magnetized cable blocks click together.
Photo: Function101

Pretty much anyone with gear powered by electricity — like a computer setup — can tell you how pervasive a problem cable clutter can be. Dealing with cable management is nobody’s favorite task, though, so it often goes unaddressed. And yet certain products, like cable blocks, go a long way toward solving the thorny problem.

Function 101 Cable Blocks are perfect for keeping your cables neatly arranged and within reach, rather than splayed all over the place. And you can get them for 30% off today in the Cult of Mac Store. It’s the last day of the sale.

Aura Strap 2 for Apple Watch slims down, adds subscription service

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Aura Strap 2 lets you track your fat, muscle and water levels with an app and a fitness-oriented subscription service.
Aura Strap 2 lets you track your fat, muscle and water levels with an app and a fitness-oriented subscription service.
Photo: Aura Devices

Aura Devices updated its health-metrics-focused smart band for Apple Watch Wednesday by slimming it down and adding a fitness-oriented subscription service.

The second-generation Aura Strap 2 records metrics like body fat percentage, muscle density and water levels.