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David Snow - page 116

‘Messy’ developer’s MacBook Pro rig drives dual external displays [Setups]

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If you count the MacBook Pro, it's a triple-display workstation.
If you count the MacBook Pro, it's a triple-display workstation.
Photo: Mia@Detroit

Mia, a software developer from Detroit who writes mobile apps, got in touch with Cult of Mac recently to share her MacBook Pro-driven, dual-display workstation.

“I love your setup articles but sometimes they make me feel bad about myself,” she said.

Aqara offers a third, more-advanced smart lock for HomeKit and Home Key

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The Aqara Smart Door Lock D100 Zigbee works with HomeKit and Home Key.
The Aqara Smart Door Lock D100 Zigbee works with HomeKit and Home Key.
Photo: Aqara

Aquara launched its third and most-advanced smart lock for HomeKit and Home Key on Thursday, the D100 Zigbee.

Unlike the previously released N100 Zigbee and A100 Zigbee, which are handle locks, the new D100 is an automatic mortise lock that lets users open a door without pushing a handle or turning a knob.

It’s expected to roll out in more countries soon, but for now you can get it in parts of Asia and the Middle East. You can find more information about its distribution below.

What could be in store for the return of the big HomePod?

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The big HomePod could be back soon. But how pricey and how functional will it be?
The beloved big HomePod could be back soon. But how pricey and how functional will it be?
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Apple plans to produce an updated version of the HomePod as soon as the fourth quarter of 2022 or the first quarter of 2023, supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said Friday.

As reliable as Kuo can be, little other information exists beyond speculation. But that’s part of the fun.

A lot of folks are jonesing for an Apple smart speaker that goes beyond the HomePod mini. The original HomePod, while much more expensive, earned a great reputation for sound quality before Apple killed it in 2021. So naturally, Apple fans are interested in a successor, possibly with new features.

Composer makes beautiful music with 2013 Mac Pro and big Cinema Display [Setups]

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A 9-year old Mac Pro and an even older 30-inch Cinema Display. You don't see those every day.
A 9-year old Mac Pro and an even older 30-inch Cinema Display. You don't see those every day.
Photo: Travis Lohmann

Las Vegas-based pianist, composer and educator Travis Lohmann reached out to Cult of Mac recently with an intriguing setup that hearkens back to yesteryear but still gets the job done in the here and now. Or in the “hear and now,” if you like.

It’s not every day you see a 9-year-old Mac Pro and an even older 30-inch Cinema Display getting the job done in 2022, but it happens.

Sony pushes comfort with its new lightweight LinkBuds S earbuds

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Sony's new lightweight LinkBuds S with ANC cost $199.99.
Sony's new lightweight LinkBuds S with ANC cost $199.99.
Photo: Sony

Sony brought out its latest earbuds with active noise cancellation (ANC) Wednesday, the $199.99 LinkBuds S. The consumer electronics giant appears to be going for “Goldilocks” buds here, fitting a super-lightweight option for comfortable, long-term wear just below its flagship WF-1000XM4 ANC earbuds in both price and quality level.

Brave iOS browser gains ‘Privacy Hub’ and improved protection against ‘fingerprinting’

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Brave's browser for iOS adds a Privacy Hub and more.
Brave's browser for iOS adds a Privacy Hub and more.
Photo: Brave

Privacy-oriented browser Brave updated its iOS app Wednesday with a new Privacy Hub that summarizes trackers it blocked for a specific website or over a certain period of time, not unlike what Safari’s Privacy Report does.

Protect your Apple Watch while tracking workouts with ActionSleeve 2

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You can wear it anywhere, not just on the wrist.
You can wear it anywhere, not just on the wrist.
Photo: Twelve South

An Apple Watch makes a great fitness tracker, but drenching the expensive gadget covered during an intense workout can be worrisome. An athletic band can help, but not all of them are versatile enough to mop up perspiration and keep your wearable out of harm’s way while you flail away.

That’s where Twelve South’s updated ActionSleeve 2 comes in. Not only does it encase your Apple Watch in reinforced fabric, it’s made to wear other places on your body rather than just your wrist. You can put on the upper arm, for example, or anywhere on your arms.

And it’s a good deal right now in the Cult of Mac Store.

New Pebblebee Clip and Card item trackers work with Find My

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The Pebblebee Clip is about the size of an AirTag in a case.
The Pebblebee Clip is about the size of an AirTag in a case.
Photo: Pebblebee

Item tracking company Pebblebee launched two new trackers Thursday — the Clip and the Card — that integrate with Apple’s Find My network so you can easily keep tabs on them via iPhone, iPad or Mac.

Smaller brands chip away at Apple’s earbuds market share

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Xiaomi Redmi Buds 3 Pro Airdots.
Xiaomi Redmi Buds 3 Pro Airdots. Xiaomi is the world's third biggest shipper of new TWS earbuds.
Photo: Xiaomi

Apple continues to dominate the global market for true wireless earbuds with its AirPods and AirPods Pro. But a proliferation of competitors in China and elsewhere with cheaper options claims increasing market share.

Apple offers to ‘work alongside’ filmmakers to improve Final Cut Pro

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Many film and TV editors say Final Cut Pro is powerful and fun to use. So why can't it be a professional standard?
Many film and TV editors say Final Cut Pro is powerful and fun to use. So why can't it be a professional standard?
Image: Apple

In April, a group of film and TV professionals signed an open letter asking Apple to address longstanding Final Cut Pro upgrade requests and to better promote the popular and powerful program as a standard editing tool in their industry.

Cupertino offered some reassurance in a public reply to the letter on Thursday.

New taillight camera with radar watches your back while you bike

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Apparently that light can be seen from a mile away in daylight.
Apparently that light can be seen from a mile away in daylight.
Photo: Garmin

The road can be a dangerous place for cyclists, so it’s a good thing Garmin launched a new taillight Wednesday that has a high-def camera and radar. It will record everything going on behind you while you’re on your bicycle. And its radar can alert you to approaching vehicles.

Using the new Garmin Varia RCT715 Radar Camera Tail Light, you can download all footage to your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch via the Varia app. That could come in mighty handy if you’re in a crash and need to prove what happened.

Withings smartwatch sports long battery life and Apple Health integration

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The Withings ScanWatch Horizon looks like a classic dive watch but it's quite tech-savvy.
The Withings ScanWatch Horizon looks like a classic dive watch but it's quite tech-savvy.
Photo: Withings

Withings, maker of health devices and smartwatches, launched its new ScanWatch Horizon wearable on Tuesday. It looks like a classic dive watch but packs modern health and activity tracking, 30-day battery life and Apple Health integration.

It’s not cheap, but there are reasons for that.

Get a grip with colorful silicone iPhone 13 cases

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Elago's silicone iPhone 13 cases offer great protection and firm grip.
Elago's silicone iPhone 13 cases offer great protection and firm grip.
Photo: Elago

Some folks like to carry their iPhones around without cases, given that the handsets are pretty solid these days on their own. But should you really take that chance? Just imagine that extremely expensive iPhone 13 slipping out of your hand and hitting the pavement.

That’s not something you want to happen. Your whole life is on that thing.

But it’s a whole lot less likely to occur if you have an iPhone 13 case that offers a great grip, like Elago’s protective and delightfully colorful silicone cases. They’re a great deal in the Cult of Mac Store — they cost far less than Apple’s similar cases.

Sometimes ‘keeping it simple’ means maintaining older Apple gear [Setups]

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There's nothing wrong with a computer setup that keeps things simple.
There's nothing wrong with a computer setup that keeps things simple.
Photo: Doug@SanFrancisco

Not every computer setup needs to be a visually stunning technological showcase, despite appearances to the contrary on social media sites. The best setup is the one that gets the job done. And, for many people, simpler is better.

Doug, a lawyer from San Francisco, extolled the virtues of his spare but highly functional MacBook-centered setup when he reached out to Cult of Mac recently.

Sound familiar? Apple Watch 8 display might be flat.

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Ian Zelbo's render shows how Apple Watch 8 might look.
Ian Zelbo's render shows how Apple Watch 8 might look.
Photo: Ian Zelbo

Remember last year when rumors flew that Apple Watch 7 would feature a flat display and squared edges? Not true, of course. But a new leak suggests those traits might define the upcoming Apple Watch 8.

Or maybe the characteristics apply to the rumored “rugged” Apple Watch that could be coming soon. Either way, there’s reason to believe those changes have been in the pipeline.

New Ecobee smart thermostats work with HomeKit and Siri

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Ecobee introduced two new smart thermostats on Tuesday.
Ecobee introduced two new smart thermostats on Tuesday.
Photo: Ecobee

Smart home accessory specialist Ecobee unveiled two new smart thermostats Tuesday. Smart Thermostat Premium and Smart Thermostat Enhanced offer larger displays than before, a redesigned interface, HomeKit integration and more.

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.

Leak: Affordable Sonos subwoofer will pair with soundbars

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The new Sonos Sub Mini subwoofer will pair with the new Ray and other soundbars.
The new Sonos Sub Mini subwoofer will pair with the new Ray and other soundbars.
Photo: Render@TheVerge

A new report said Sonos will soon release an affordable subwoofer called “Sub Mini” to pair wirelessly with its soundbar lineup. That will include the new, nicely priced Sonos Ray.

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.