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David Snow - page 121

Try pCloud as a top alternative to Dropbox

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If you're looking for cloud storage, consider pCloud as an alternative to Dropbox and other services.
If you're looking for cloud storage, consider pCloud as an alternative to Dropbox and other services.
Photo: pCloud

This cloud storage post is brought to you by pCloud.

The well-regarded pCloud service prides itself on providing highly secure encrypted cloud storage, where you can safely keep your personal files, back up your PC or share your business documents with your colleagues and collaborators. As such, it’s a great alternative to Dropbox, with plenty of benefits above and beyond everyday cloud storage offerings.

Satechi debuts USB-C 4 cables alongside new 30W GaN charger

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Satechi's compact new charger and USB-C 4 cables pair nicely with Apple's latest hardware.
Satechi's compact new charger and USB-C 4 cables pair nicely with Apple's latest hardware.
Photo: Apple

Satechi beefed up its array of charging accessories Thursday with its first USB-C 4 cables and a compact new 30W GaN USB-C charger.

They pair nicely with Apple’s latest hardware, and you can get the new Satechi wares at a discount for launch.

Ted Lasso takes 4 Critics Choice awards, CODA nabs 2 BAFTAs

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Ted Lasso tends to dominate during awards season.
Ted Lasso tends to dominate during awards season.
Photo: Apple TV+

Ted Lasso, the hit Apple TV+ sports comedy series, keeps winning awards. On Sunday night it picked up four at the 27th Annual Critics Choice Awards ceremony, including Best Comedy, topping seven other nominees.

The streaming service’s indie film CODA also won a Critics Choice award, as well as a pair of BAFTA awards (aka the British Oscars) over the weekend.

Blowing half your budget on headphones and Lego sets [Setups]

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The college kid who owns this computer setup might be headed for an aerospace-related career.
The college kid who owns this computer setup might be headed for an aerospace-related career.
Photo: [email protected]

College students, often not exactly made of money (yet), usually feel obliged to be super-thrifty. Their setups might feature entry-level gear, hand-me-down equipment, doors on cinderblocks serving as desks — that sort of thing.

But today’s featured setup, owned by a college student, comes with some frills. They’re courtesy of a lucrative internship the computer science major completed last summer.

Charge 4 gadgets on the go with this sleek new power bank

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Baseus' new Blade 100W Power Bank can charge four devices at once.
Baseus' new Blade 100W Power Bank can charge four devices at once.
Photo: Baseus

Whether you’re a traveler, a commuter or just need to charge a bunch of devices around the house, you might find the new Baseus Blade 100W Power Bank useful. Baseus rolled out the “notebook thin” device on Thursday.

Wish you could make that cable go away? Here’s how. [Setups]

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What would you do with that cable on the left?
What would you do with that cable on the left?
Photo: [email protected]

Many a near-pristine computer setup is marred by one pretty ugly thing: a power cable. People pride themselves on having “one-cable” setups, where gear plugs into other gear or works wirelessly, and the whole shebang depends on one cable going into the wall outlet from a hub or a power strip. Others get as close as they can to that Zen-like state of near cableless-ness.

Today’s featured setup has that one, nagging cable. And we’re here to help make it go away.

Apple’s fancy black-and-silver Mac accessories can now be purchased separately

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Apple's new black-and-silver peripherals dress up your desktop whether or not you buy them with the new Mac Studio or Studio Display.
Apple's new black-and-silver peripherals dress up your desktop whether or not you buy them with the new Mac Studio or Studio Display.
Photo: Apple

Along with the new Mac Studio desktop computer and Studio Display Apple rolled out on Tuesday, it launched swanky black-and-silver peripherals — Magic Keyboard, Magic Trackpad and Magic Mouse — that go well with the new gear.

They’re similar to options you can choose if you buy a pricey new Mac Pro. But now you can purchase them separately.

Do you have to pay a bit more than you would for the normal options sold a la carte? Yes. But of course you do.

Here’s your chance to try another affordable, compact mechanical keyboard

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You can use Cooler Master's new 65% layout mechanical keyboard with PC or Mac.
You can use Cooler Master's new 65% layout mechanical keyboard with PC or Mac.
Photo: Cooler Master

Hardcore gamers, dedicated office workers, gear geeks — can you ever have enough choice among affordable mechanical keyboards? Well, another new one entered the fray recently when peripherals maker Cooler Master released its new CK721 Gaming Keyboard.

The new keeb sports a sleek 65% layout, customizable features and compatibility with macOS, iOS, Windows and Android.

Manage and secure a diverse fleet of devices with Scalefusion

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Scalefusion MDM: How does your IT department manage all the devices your employees use, in all the places they use them?
How does your IT department manage all the devices your employees use, in all the places they use them?
Image: Scalefusion

This MDM post is brought to you by Scalefusion.

With the recent surge in employees working via smartphones, tablets and laptops from practically anywhere, it’s no surprise mobile device management, aka MDM, has become a crucial tool for organizations large and small. Then add in the growth of cloud computing and software-as-a-service (SaaS) apps, plus companies letting employees use their own devices (BYOD).

It all adds up to needing an MDM provider you can depend on. These days, you need something that serves the IT department’s needs while remaining easy for users to navigate. And it should work across operating systems and device types.

With Scalefusion, you can get up and running fast with a vast array of devices, and even expand your fleet, without having to worry about engaging multiple MDM providers.

Bangin’ new speaker lets you take the party with you, light show included

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Transmart's new portable speaker packs 60W of power and four drivers. Plus a light show.
Transmart's new portable speaker packs 60W of power and four drivers. Plus a light show.
Photo: Tronsmart

Not every Bluetooth speaker on the market packs 60W of power, but the new Tronsmart Bang Outdoor Party Speaker does. And it brings a beat-driven light show to the party, too. The company rolled it out on Tuesday, emphasizing that the four-driver speaker is “loud and powerful.”

“The Bang delivers an audio feast with an impactful stereo sound thanks to its two tweeters and two woofers,” the company said.

Maximum mood indigo: Go crazy with the lighting [Setups]

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Feel like you're drowning or freezing to death? It could be the lighting.
Feel like you're drowning or freezing to death? It could be the lighting.
Photo: [email protected]

Ever wonder how people get crazy-cool mood lighting in and around their computer setups? You see it all the time in folks’ photos on social media sites. The hardware — computer, displays, peripherals, other gear — may be fabulous in its own right, but the lighting just takes it to another level.

Or not. Sometimes lighting ends up being too flashy — as in, on the verge of fit-inducing. And sometimes it’s just too much of one thing. Today’s featured setup shows a cool blue wash that might just drown productivity. Or maybe it’s just for off-duty hours.

Whatever your preferences, an increasing array of products can help you get your setup light show on.

Make your Mac Pro graphics pop with new AMD Radeon Pro GPU

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AMD's latest GPU can boost your Mac Pro's graphics performance.
AMD's latest GPU can boost your Mac Pro's graphics performance.
Photo: Apple

Need to add a little more graphical firepower to your Mac Pro? AMD rolled out its new Radeon Pro W6600X GPU for Mac Pro on Tuesday, now available at Apple for $700.

The new graphics processing unit is designed to boost image quality and performance for design pros and other content creators.

Apple calls new M1 Ultra ‘world’s most powerful chip for a personal computer’

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Apple's new M1 Ultra chip is the most powerful one ever in a personal computer.
Apple's new M1 Ultra chip is the most powerful one ever in a personal computer.
Photo: Apple

When Apple rolled out the first M1 chip in late 2020, it seemed like a pretty big jump forward. Then the new M1 Pro and M1 Max in MacBook Pro models blew people away in October 2021. Now the Cupertino tech giant calls its latest M1 Ultra chip in the new Mac Studio desktop computer “the next giant leap for Apple silicon and the Mac.”

It’s almost like when Neil Armstrong got back from taking “one giant leap for mankind” on the moon in 1969 — if someone had told him, “you can toss that jalopy you went up in. Now we’ve got a real spaceship for ya.”

Apple said at its “Peek Performance” event Tuesday that the M1 Ultra is “the world’s most powerful chip for a personal computer.”

New iPhone SE brings serious upgrades at slightly higher price

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The new iPhone SE is available is available in the same colors as before, but it's much-improved on the inside.
The new iPhone SE is available is available in the same colors as before, but it's much-improved on the inside.
Photo: Apple

As widely predicted, Apple launched its third-generation iPhone SE during its “Peek Performance” event Tuesday. The new entry-level handset features 5G connectivity, a speedy A15 Bionic chipset, improved battery life, greater durability and up to 256GB of storage, Apple said.

And it will cost $429, a not-too-painful bump over the previous model’s $399 price tag.

Sony rolls out new Walkmans for audiophiles. The cheap one is $1,600.

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Sony's new Walkman models for 2022 are for audiophiles.
Sony's new Walkman models for 2022 are for audiophiles.
Photo: Sony

Following up on high-end Walkman models released several years ago, Sony recently introduced two new Walkman digital audio players it reportedly plans to start selling in April for $1,600 and at least $3,200.

The pricier one is gold-plated. Just thought you should know, in case you were already reaching for your incredibly fat wallet.

This dual-display trick is not for everyone [Setups]

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You get a tall and narrow display when your portrait-mode (vertical) monitor is an ultra-wide.
You get a tall and narrow display when your portrait-mode (vertical) monitor is an ultra-wide.
Photo: [email protected]

As we know from looking at lots of computer setups, having at least two monitors is popular, and so is having at least one of those in portrait mode (vertical). But what if you have dual displays and both are ultra-wide screens? Turned on end, isn’t the one in portrait mode going to be awfully tall?

Today’s featured setup provides an answer to those questions. Here the MacBook Pro-centered setup features two 34-inch displays in different orientations.

Donate a drone to help protect Ukrainian civilians [Updated]

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Want to help protect Ukrainian civilians during the Russian invasion? Donate a surveillance drone.
Want to help protect Ukrainian civilians during the Russian invasion? Donate a surveillance drone.
Photo: Skylum

Among the various calls for help on behalf of Ukraine during the Russian invasion, software company Skylum offered a way for you to donate a surveillance drone that could help safeguard Ukrainian civilians from the ravages of war.

“You can help Ukrainians to protect themselves as your drone will provide real-time pictures of the situation on the ground,” Skylum said in a blog post Thursday.

Reached for comment via email from Western Ukraine, Skylum Marketing Manager Sabina Iliasova told Cult of Mac how drone deployment will work and why it’s so crucial. She is the contact who will handle donations.

Razer’s tiny new keyboard could be a must for gamers

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Razer's new Huntsman Mini has analog optical switches you can customize like crazy.
Razer's new Huntsman Mini has analog optical switches you can customize like crazy.
Photo: Razer

Gaming giant Razer rolled out a tiny new mechanical keyboard Friday that could be a boon for gamers. It’s a new-and-improved version of the first 60% keyboard released by a major brand. And it’s the first one to use Razer’s proprietary, super-sensitive “analog optical switches” that can be customized in multiple ways just by the force used to press the key.

It’s the updated Razer Huntsman Mini Analog. And if you’re a competitive gamer, you might want to get it before your opponents do.

Ukraine war causes devs to pull software from Russian App Store

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Readdle stands among developers pulling apps from the Russian App Store and calling for help for Ukraine.
Readdle stands among developers pulling apps from the Russian App Store and calling for help for Ukraine.
Photo: Readdle

As the Russian armed incursion into Ukraine continues, several developers have pulled their apps from the Russian App Store. Companies that have done so to date include Ukraine-based Readdle, MacPaw and Ajax Systems, as well as Grammarly and Epam, sources have told Cult of Mac.

The app makers add their voices to numerous other companies taking their business away from Russia amid the conflict.

Get serious about sound with Sennheiser’s new wired earbuds

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Sennheiser's new IE 600 wired earbuds are aimed at audiophiles.
Sennheiser's new IE 600 wired earbuds are aimed at audiophiles.
Photo: Sennheiser

Ready to call yourself an audiophile? Sound maven Sennheiser debuts its new IE 600 “audiophile earbuds” on Tuesday. These things are truly wired for sound. As in, they’re literally wired, not wireless. And while they cost less than Sennheiser’s flagship IE 900 earbuds, they’re not cheap.

But at launch you can only get the IE 600s in Europe. The U.S. launch comes in summer 2022.

Is a computer workstation ever really finished? [Setups]

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This striking computer setup features very cool wallpaper on the screens.
This striking computer setup features very cool wallpaper on the screens.
Photo: [email protected]

People love to put the finishing touches on their computer setups. Some love it so much they just keep doing it. Given the temptations of new gear always coming out and the never-ending allure of the glittering gadgets other people put in their fabulous setups, is the work ever really done?

Nope. For many people, setups are never really finished. People think they’re finished, like the owner of today’s featured MacBook Pro setup. But they usually aren’t.

Add a new Level Keypad to your HomeKit-enabled smart lock

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You can install the Level Keypad anywhere near your Level smart lock.
You can install the Level Keypad anywhere near your Level smart lock.
Photo: Level

If you have a Level HomeKit-enabled smart lock, now you can add a nifty new Level Keypad. It’s an especially convenient way to let others — family, friends, neighbors, the dog walker — have access to your home. And you can control when they can use it.

Beats Pill+ speaker returns from the dead for skull-encrusted encore

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The limited-edition Beats Pill+ features a skull-and-bones design.
The limited-edition Beats Pill+ features a skull-and-bones design.
Photo: Study

In a crowded Bluetooth speaker market a few months ago, Apple and its subsidiary Beats by Dre discontinued the Beats Pill+ portable speaker. They gave no word of a replacement. But now, suddenly, it arises from the dead for what appears to be one last encore. And it’s all dressed up in skulls.

The limited-edition speaker crawls from the grave on Friday at the clothing brand Stüssy’s website. But it’s a limited-time offer.

A place for everything and everything in its place [Setups]

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Behold a computer setup where everything appears in its proper place. And even the printer works reliably.
Behold a computer setup where everything appears in its proper place. And even the printer works reliably.
Photo: [email protected]

Not all “before and after” posts showcasing computer setups on social media are created equal. Sometimes the description and commentary leave out too much information. Sometimes the photographs are inconclusive. And sometimes the improvements just don’t have much “wow” factor.

Today’s featured setup splits the difference. The “before” photo, below, doesn’t offer much to go on. But the “after” photo, above, shows a well-planned setup with a place for everything and everything in its place. And the gear list, below, supports that.

It might not get a “wow” out of you, but it could be instructional.