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David Snow - page 144

TeamGroup unleashes trio of fast USB flash drives

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The biggest and fastest of TeamGroup's new USB flash drives goes by the name
The biggest and fastest of TeamGroup's new USB flash drives goes by the name "Extreme Speed."
Photo: TeamGroup

Though cloud storage has made drive-based storage seem a little like an also-ran, local, portable, physical storage still has a place. So it’s good companies still try to improve it. TeamGroup has released three speedy new USB-3.2 flash drives, including one that carries the name “Extreme Speed.”

Todd Haynes’ Velvet Underground doc for Apple TV+ is a hit at Cannes

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Discover how an unsuccessful rock band went on to become hugely influential in the Velvet Underground documentary on Apple TV+.
Discover how an unsuccessful rock band went on to become hugely influential in the Velvet Underground documentary on Apple TV+.
Photo: Apple

Director Todd Haynes’ first foray into documentary filmmaking, The Velvet Underground, got rave reviews after its world premiere Wednesday at the Cannes Film Festival. And that bodes well for the music doc’s debut on Apple TV+ and in theaters on October 15.

Original HomePods reportedly ‘bricked’ by 14.6 software update

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HomePod speaker
Everything you heard about the HomePod is true.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Recent reports suggest owners of the original HomePod should steer clear of the device’s software version 14.6 and the newer version 15 update for beta users.

After numerous reports surfaced on Reddit and elsewhere, it appears the updates “brick” some users’ devices in certain configurations.

Edifier launches low-cost, hi-res wireless earbuds to rival AirPods Pro

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Edifier Neobud Pro high-res, wireless, noise-cancelling earbuds are coming soon.
Edifier Neobud Pro high-res, wireless, noise-cancelling earbuds are coming soon.
Photo: Edifier

Beijing-based Edifier built a reputation for producing high-quality speakers and headphones. Now, with the upcoming release of its Neobuds Pro hi-res, wireless, noise-canceling earbuds, it looks hungry to capture market share from top contenders like Apple’s AirPods Pro and Sony’s new WF-100XM4.

Spike email app adds audio and video calls for macOS and iOS

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Spike email app adds audio and video calls right in your inbox.
Spike email app adds audio and video calls right in your inbox.
Photo: Spike

Popular email app Spike, which strips down emails to make them more like chats or test messages, just added audio and video calls. The update means Spike users can readily communicate in real time — and skip switching to Zoom, FaceTime or another videoconferencing app.

You, too, can 3D-print a clock based on the iOS Settings icon

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Lucas Hall's 3D-printed Settings Clock is based on the iOS Settings icon.
Lucas Hall's 3D-printed Settings Clock is based on the iOS Settings icon.
Photo: [email protected]

A new 3D-printed Settings Clock based on the classic iOS icon looks flat-out cool. Lucas Hall designed the small, analog clock, which is driven by an inexpensive clock mechanism — and would look great on any Apple fan’s wall.

As you can see from the image, Hall based his Apple-inspired clock on the iOS Settings icon. And you can have one just like it. You just have to get your 3D printing on.

‘Deviant’ creates clean setup with classic and modern touches [Setups]

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This setup features a tasteful wood-grain desk and a gamer chair fit for Batman.
This setup features a tasteful wood-grain desk and a gamer chair fit for Batman.
Photo: DeviantSubrbanKid@Reddit

Redditor DeviantSubrbanKid, based in the Philippines, knows how to impress a few computer setup mavens on social media. Make the workstation clean, tasteful and functional. And then add some weird or interesting touches.

Brilliant completes HomeKit rollout with updated smart plug and wall switch

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Brilliant's smart plug and wall switch now work with HomeKit.
Brilliant's smart plug and wall switch now work with HomeKit.
Photo: Brilliant

San Mateo, California-based smart home equipment maker Brilliant completed its HomeKit rollout with updates adding Apple’s smart home platform to a smart plug and a wall switch.

Brilliant sells a variety of smart products, including wall panels, dimmer switches, smart plugs and related parts.

Make your M1 MacBook Air setup as light as, um, air [Setups]

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The laptop's not the only thing about this setup that feels light.
The laptop's not the only thing about this setup that feels light.
Photo: cosmiccrispapple@Reddit

Many people have a thing for clean, simple computer setups where distractions are minimized and productivity — of whatever type — is maximized. Redditor CosmicCrispApple seems to find a Zen-like state simply by emphasizing the color white with some black contrast on the desk.

But it’s really not that simple. You also have to keep things, well, simple. And if you do it right, your setup can look and feel as light as air.

Twitch Watch Parties now work on iOS devices

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You can now join a Twich Watch Party on your iPhone.
You can now join a Twich Watch Party on your iPhone.
Photo: Twitch

People who use the video-streaming app Twitch can now join the platform’s “Watch Parties” on iOS and Android devices, according to a tweet sent out Friday.

Focused since its launch on bringing people together to watch and comment on video gameplay, Twitch also does drama and comedy. Its Watch Parties let Twitch users stream Amazon Prime content.

Updates to Controller for HomeKit app enhance your home automation

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Controller for HomeKit 5.4 lets you back up your database, store codes and more.
Controller for HomeKit 5.4 lets you back up your database, store codes and more.
Photo: Controller for HomeKit

The third-party Controller for HomeKit app’s new version 5.4 update adds something users have wanted for a while. It’s a full backup and restore process that includes the HomeKit codes identifying the devices and accessories you include in your home automation.

Think you’re productive? Go split-screen ultrawide +1 on the side [Setups]

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If you would like to see your setup featured on Cult of Mac, send some high-res pictures to info+setups@cultofmac.com. Please provide a detailed list of your equipment. Tell us what you like or dislike about your setup, and fill us in on any special touches or challenges.
If you would like to see your setup featured on Cult of Mac, send some high-res pictures to [email protected]. Please provide a detailed list of your equipment. Tell us what you like or dislike about your setup, and fill us in on any special touches or challenges.
Photo: randomo_redditor@Reddit

Randomo_redditor runs her MacBook Pro and iPad with a monstrously wide Dell monitor, at 49 inches. But even that curved showstopper fails to provide enough real estate for all she does. So she added a 27-inch Dell display in portrait mode on the side. If you’re searching for the best monitors for Mac Mini, you might find this Samsung ultra-wide monitor setup to be a great option.

Now she can fit everything on the screens. And we do mean everything. Randomo already made the most of her widescreen by using an app to split the screen into thirds, for different uses.

New Dell UltraSharp Webcam takes a page from iPad Pro’s book

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Dell's new UltraSharp 4K webcam features AI auto framing.
Dell's new UltraSharp 4K webcam features AI auto framing.
Photo: Dell

Dell’s slick new UltraSharp Webcam takes a page out of the 2021 iPad Pro’s book with a Center Stage-like advanced AI auto-framing feature. It keeps the subject — most likely your face, on a video call — centered in the frame and in focus, even if you move around a lot.

The new Dell 4K webcam isn’t cheap, you may notice. But for the $199.99 price tag, you get some nice features.

Free music app replicates Mac OS X iTunes widget from 2005

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Mario Guzman's Music Widget app faithfully replicates the Mac OS X iTunes widget.
Mario Guzman's Music Widget app faithfully replicates the Mac OS X iTunes widget.
Photo: Mario Guzman

The new Music Widget, which is actually a standalone app, brings back to life the original Mac OS X (Tiger) iTunes widget. So you can party like it’s 2005 with your tunes.

The Tiger OS, released in 2005, offered nifty little widgets through its Dashboard. Now programmer Mario Guzman gives us an exact replica of the defunct iTunes widget, but for modern Macs.

Got data? The biggest-ever portable encrypted SSD just came out

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Apricorn's new 20 TB Fortress L3 is the biggest-ever portable encrypted SSD.
Apricorn's new 20 TB Fortress L3 is the biggest-ever portable encrypted SSD.
Photo: Apricorn

The headline should probably read, “Got data? And money?” Storage device-maker Apricorn released on Thursday what it bills as the largest-ever portable encrypted solid state drive. It holds 20TB of data and costs $12,999.

But don’t worry, you can get a much smaller one for as little as $239.

Anker’s latest Thunderbolt 4 dock packs a whopping 12 ports

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The Anker Apex Thunderbolt 4 dock has a whopping 12 ports.
The Anker Apex Thunderbolt 4 dock has a whopping 12 ports.
Photo: Anker

Anker’s new Apex Thunderbolt 4 Docking Station, available July 1, sports a familiar design but packs an usually high number of ports for the maker’s typical consumer wares — 12. They include a 90-watt power pass-through slot and legacy options.

Masimo seeks Series 6 import ban in smartwatch fight with Apple

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Apple Watch Series 6
Apple Watch Series 6
Photo: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac

Healthcare technology company Masimo Corp. has upped the ante in its legal fight with Apple. In a patent-infringement complaint filed today at the U.S. International Trade Commission in Washington, D.C., it said U.S. imports of the Apple Watch Series 6 should be halted.

Slack launches new audio tool, plans new sharing features

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Slack Huddles, or quick audio chats, are easy to set up within the app.
Slack Huddles, or quick audio chats, are easy to set up within the app.
Photo: Slack

Business communication platform Slack launched a new audio tool called Slack Huddles today. That and a few other enhancements available now or soon are moving the app from a text-based messaging replacement for email to a more multimedia environment.

M1 Mac mini usurps Mac Pro and tops MBP in super-widescreen rig [Setups]

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A Mac mini usurped a 16-inch MacBook Pro in this super-widescreen setup.
A Mac mini usurped a 16-inch MacBook Pro in this super-widescreen setup.
Photo: OSJdesigns@Reddit

A lot of folks eagerly await new MacBook Pro models, preferably with updated M1 chips. You know, the ones not introduced at WWDC as predicted? In the meantime, plenty of people are snapping up the affordable and reportedly fabulous M1 Mac mini. We’ve seen it over and over again in our far-flung travels among Setups online.

Apple teams up with ‘Magic’ Johnson on Negro League baseball drama

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Legendary pitcher Leroy
Legendary pitcher Leroy "Satchel" Paige played on the Pittsburgh Crawfords and other Negro League teams.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons CC

Apple has teamed up with Earvin “Magic” Johnson and other producers to develop a new drama series, according to a new report. The show will tell the stories of baseball legend Leroy “Satchel” Paige and the Negro Leagues.

Free web music app imitates iPod Classic click wheel

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Tanner Villarete's free music player web app simulates the classic iPod click wheel.
Tanner Villarete's free music player web app simulates the iPod Classic click wheel.
Photo: Tanner Villarete

The iPod’s iconic click wheel had a good run, launching in 2004 with the iPod mini. It joined the fourth-generation iPod’s design later that year. It even auditioned in the odd product concept over the years. Finally, in 2014, the company phased it out with the iPod Classic.

But nothing great is gone forever, as a free new web music player app shows.

Retro-cool Apple Glass AR concept pays homage to Steve Jobs

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Designer Antonio De Rosa's concept for Apple Glass is complete.
Designer Antonio De Rosa's concept for Apple Glass is complete.
Photo: Antonio De Rosa

Designer Antonio De Rosa has released another set of conceptual renderings for a possible Apple product. This time he’s picturing a retro-cool take on the much-anticipated Apple Glass augmented reality eyeglasses many expect to see come out this year.

New Eos Bridge makes positioning instruments iOS-compatible

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Eos Bridge gives almost any positioning instrument iOS Bluetooth compatibility.
Eos Bridge gives almost any positioning instrument iOS Bluetooth compatibility.
Photo: Eos Positioning Systems

Montreal-based Eos Positioning Systems, known for its Arrow Series GNSS receivers, has released Eos Bridge. The device clips on your belt and gives almost any positioning instrument iOS Bluetooth compatibility.

Just by way of background, GNSS stands for Global Navigation Satellite Systems. As such, it underlies the better-known Global Positioning System (GPS) used in the U.S. and elsewhere. GPS is one of five GNSS constellations in play around the world, and the oldest one. You can learn more here.