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David Snow - page 18

Dolby Atmos comes to Apple Music for Windows

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Dolby Atmos comes to Apple Music for Windows
Windows users can now enjoy the immersive listening Apple users have loved since 2021.
Photo: Apple

In a major enhancement to Apple Music for Windows PCs, Apple rolled out support for Dolby Atmos Spatial Audio. This long-awaited feature brings the immersive audio experience that Apple users have enjoyed since 2021 to the Windows platform for the first time.

Should you upgrade Apple gear now to beat rising prices from tariffs?

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upgrade before Apple prices rise
With the possibility of big price hikes looming, those looking to upgrade might want to act fast.
Photo: Apple

President Donald Trump’s newly announced 54% tariff on Chinese imports sent shock waves through the tech industry, with Apple potentially facing billions in additional costs. This raises an urgent question for consumers: Should you rush to buy that new iPhone or MacBook before prices skyrocket?

You might want to accelerate the timing of that upgrade you had in the back of your mind. But those who aren’t desperate to upgrade might benefit from playing the waiting game. See the ins and outs below.

Apple’s training program to ramp up US manufacturing starts this summer

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Apple Manufacturing Academy
The new Apple Manufacturing Academy will train small- and medium-sized businesses from across the country.
Photo: Apple

Expanding its commitment to American manufacturing, Apple plans to establish the Apple Manufacturing Academy in Detroit in summer 2025. It comes in collaboration with Michigan State University (MSU), the school said Thursday. And offering in-person and virtual training, it will work with small- and medium-sized businesses nationwide.

“The Apple Manufacturing Academy will train businesses across America to implement smart manufacturing techniques that are creating opportunity and shaping the future of technology,” said Sabih Khan, Apple’s senior vice president of Operations.

“Apple is proud to work with suppliers in all 50 states — and starting this summer, we’re excited to work with Michigan State University to expand American manufacturing leadership and help even more companies innovate and grow,” he added.

6 new games hit Apple Arcade, including RollerCoaster Tycoon Classic+ [Now available!]

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new Apple Arcade games in April 2025 -
"RollerCoaster Tycoon Classic+" lets you make wild rides.
Photo: Atari/Apple

Apple Arcade subscribers got a treat April 3 as the gaming service adds six fun new titles to its growing catalog of more than 200 ad-free games. So look out for some updated icons: RollerCoaster Tycoon Classic+, Katamari Damacy Rolling LIVE and Space Invaders Infinity Gene Evolve.

Update: The fresh games are now ready to play on Apple Arcade.

Perfect your setup with hot deals on Logitech gear

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Logitech peripherals deal
With Logitech's big "Refresh" sale, now's the time to swap out some gear in your workstation.
Photo: Logitech

With the big Refresh sale in full swing with Logitech peripherals deals, now’s the time to jazz up your workstation with an array of great gear. After all, a setup is never really done, is it? The Swiss peripherals giant is moving keyboards, mice, webcams, headsets, earbuds, USB microphones and more at great prices in the big sale. You can score up to around 30% off on some items. And surprisingly, one sale item gets reduced by $125, a staggering 56% off. See below.

Another easy way for 2 laptops to share 1 display [Setups]

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vertical laptop stand
Using a dual laptop stand, this user loves how easy it is to switch between MacBook Pro and MacBook Air with Studio Display.
Photo: [email protected]

Hooray for (super-) simple solutions. Today’s MacBook Pro and MacBook Air user runs both laptops with Studio Display. But how does he switch between them? Sure, he could employ cabling and software fixes to run both at once, but in this case simple hardware in the form of a dual vertical laptop stand comes to the rescue.

Portable PocketCloud provides solid backups for content creators

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StationPC PocketCloud NAS
PocketCloud securely backs up and copies your space-hogging media files like photos and videos.
Photo: StationPC

Billing it as “the world’s first truly portable network attached storage (NAS) device,” StationPC launched PocketCloud NAS on Kickstarter this week. The compact device blew through its crowdfunding goal with more than 40 days still to go, virtually assuring it will go into production, according to a StationPC representative.

So PocketCloud, available at a steep discount to early buyers, offers Apple enthusiasts a way to manage their growing media libraries and important files without relying solely on iCloud or external hard drives.

“PocketCloud revolutionizes portable data management with a sleek, compact design that eliminates the complexities of traditional NAS systems,” StationPC said. “Its modular backup system ensures secure on-the-go storage and seamless synchronization when docked. With intuitive controls, robust durability, and high-speed transfers up to 800 MB/s, it’s ideal for photographers, content creators, and everyday users.”

Delta emulator adds live online multiplayer for Nintendo DS games

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Delta emulator with online multiplayer
Live online multiplayer functionality should delight mobile gamers.
Photo: Delta

Popular iOS game emulator Delta released version 1.7, bringing live online multiplayer functionality to Nintendo DS games, the app said Thursday. Delta emulator with online multiplayer makes for a significant development for retro mobile gaming enthusiasts. Anyone who loves playing classic titles like Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown and Mario Kart should be delighted.

Apple Watch 10 prototype reveals mysterious new health sensor

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Apple Watch 10 prototype back
It's an Apple Watch 10, but the health sensors differ from the production model's.
Photo: Stella - [email protected]

An apparent Apple Watch Series 10 prototype with a significantly different health sensor surfaced online Monday. Speculation suggests the prototype version might indicate work on advanced health monitoring capabilities like blood glucose monitoring — an Apple goal for many years.

Affordable Aune open-back headphones thrill for the price [Setups]

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aune
Two rarities here: Aune open-back headphones and Wobkey mechanical keyboard.
Photo: [email protected]

I love a solid setup featuring Apple’s killer Mac Studio desktop computer — and all the more so if some of the peripherals look fantastic and are completely new to me. Today’s compact workstation, for example, features a cool Wobkey 80 mechanical keyboard. But I was even more distracted by a fascinating set of relatively affordable open-back headphones — Aune AR5000.

When I think at a glance that it’s a pair of $2,000 headphones, but they only cost $300 despite having premium features, I get excited.

Apple plans to put an AI health coach on your devices

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Apple AI health coach
In the near future, an AI health coach may analyze your data and make recommendations.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple may take a significant leap forward in its health initiatives within about a year, completely revamping its Health app and adding an Apple AI health coach, according to a new report.

With more resources trained on the goal, called Project Mulberry, the iPhone giant gets closer to delivering on CEO Tim Cook’s vision that Apple’s greatest contribution to society will be in health care.

Final Cut Pro adds Image Playground for Mac, portrait mode for iPad and more

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Final Cut Pro adds Image Playground
Final Cut Pro now works with Image Playground.
Photo: Apple

Big updates across Apple’s Final Cut Pro video-editing software lineup introduce AI-driven Image Playground integration, plus improved workflows and enhanced recording options.

Apple released Final Cut Pro updates Thursday that add Image Playground for Mac and iPad users. Plus, iPad users can use the software in portrait orientation for the first time.

Compact MacBook Pro station wins for best use of space [Setups]

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saving space with setup
It's not like it's an incomplete setup, either.
Photo: [email protected]

Today’s MacBook Pro setup so excels at saving space it fits more into its little nook under a staircase than many people, including me, fit in setups without that constraint. In addition to the usual, they’ve even got multiple game systems, two printers and a book collection in there. And the user still rocks a version of my previous laptop, the great M1 Pro MacBook Pro. No doubt it’s still good for a few more years.

Find My-compatible water bottle doubles as iPhone stand

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Journey Reevus smart water bottle
It's not just an insulated water bottle you can't lose (with Find My), it's an iPhone stand that can work as a tripod or camera gimbal.
Photo: Journey

A smart new water bottle called Reevus integrates with Apple’s Find My network so you never leave it behind at the gym, and it doubles as an iPhone stand and camera gimbal for steady photos and videos on your adventures, Journey said Friday. It called the water bottle the first of its kind.

“As eco-conscious people increasingly favor bottle monogamy, they’re investing in better quality bottles,” Journey said. “This is intensifying their dependence on un-losable bottles — because it’s too costly and disruptive to lose or misplace a bottle when you rely on it all day and every day.”

Side Quest looks like non-mythical sideshow [Now streaming]

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Side Quest trailer
Rob McElhenney and Derek Waters in Side Quest, premiering March 26 alongside the Mythic Quest finale.
Photo: Apple TV+

Like many viewers, I’m a big fan of hit Apple TV+ gaming office comedy Mythic Quest (especially the first couple of seasons). But the trailer for limited-series spinoff Side Quest, below, doesn’t exactly look like the stuff of myth. It doesn’t exactly fill me with breathless anticipation. But now the show is out, so you can judge for yourself.

The entire four-episode anthology series debuts on March 26, alongside Mythic Quest‘s season four finale. Hard to tell from a trailer, but it might amount to bonus points for super-fans of the main show who are sad to see it go at the end of a season.

Update: As of Wednesday, Side Quest now streams on Apple TV+. Reviews so far sound positive, though not ecstatic. The Hollywood Reporter called the limited anthology series “a pleasant but aimless ramble through the Mythic Quest universe,” for example.

Don’t miss all the best Apple deals in Amazon’s Big Spring Sale [Updated]

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Amazon Big Spring Sale
Apple deals abound in Amazon's Big Spring Sale through March 31.
Photo: Amazon

Amazon is famous for its Prime Day and Black Friday deals, but it also runs the Amazon Big Spring Sale, on now. It ends Monday, March 31, unless extended. That wouldn’t be too surprising, given that the mega retailer often extends its sales. So it’s another chance for you to score savings on all sorts of Apple gear, including MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, Mac mini, iPad Pro, iPad Air, Apple Watch, AirPods Pro 2 and more. Click on our posts to all the best deals, below.

New xMEMS tweeter promises great sound from next-gen earbuds

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xMEMS Labs Lassen tweeter
In the near future, Lassen tweeters may find their way into various manufacturers' wireless earbuds.
Photo: xMEMS Labs

The new solid-state xMEMS Labs Lassen micro speaker is a silicon micro electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) tweeter. It eliminates the need for a separate piezo amplifier while delivering premium sound quality in wireless earbuds, xMEMS Labs said Thursday. As the company’s latest tiny speaker, it could play a big role in next-gen buds.

“Lassen is a revolutionary design based on a proven platform,” said Mike Housholder, VP of Marketing & Business Development at xMEMS. “It will bring the benefits of 2-way earbud audio to a broader market by eliminating the extra cost of the piezo amplifier and minimizing the space and power required to deliver a truly immersive TWS sound experience.”

Apple showcases Mac’s role in editing hit series Severance [Video]

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Behind the Mac Editing Severance video
The marching band sequence in the season 2 finale was a particularly complicated editing job.
Photo: Apple TV+

In a fascinating new installment of its “Behind the Mac” series, Apple spotlights the pivotal role Mac computers play in editing acclaimed Apple TV+ series Severance. The 11-minute video posted Wednesday on the Apple YouTube channel and in a feature article on apple.com offers unprecedented insight into the creative process behind the thrilling season finale.

Note: Spoilers for season 2 of Severance, which recently concluded with its season finale on Apple TV+, lie below.

Also note: In a surprising little twist, Apple added a faux listing for Lumon Terminal Pro, just like the ones used in Lumon’s Macrodata Refinement Department, to Apple Store with a link to the video as well as Macs for sale. The Severance promos and tie-ins keep coming!

Kanto speakers sculpt Mac mini rig’s sound [Setups]

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Kanto speakers
Kanto's Ora speakers are compact for small spaces, but provide ample clear sound.
Photo: Cult of Mac/Kanto/[email protected]

The M4 Mac mini comes with a built-in speaker, but it’s more for alert sounds, calls and the like rather than high-quality music streaming. So today’s M4 Mac mini user does the necessary thing and adds an external sound system. This one includes nice Kanto speakers on rising stands and a powerful Kanto subwoofer under the desk.

Critics love star-studded comedy series The Studio [Now streaming]

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The Studio with Seth Rogen
Rogen plays a Hollywood studio head, new in the job but already beleaguered.
Photo: Apple TV+

Comedy actor Seth Rogen shoulders a lot with new Apple TV+ comedy series The Studio, as he writes, directs, executive produces and stars in it as an embattled Hollywood studio head, according to two trailers the streamer dropped for the show, now streaming. Will Rogen’s series fare better than the show’s fictional “Continental Studios?” Well, as you can see in the trailers, he has a star-studded cast to work with, including himself, Catherine O’Hara, Kathryn Hahn and guest star Bryan Cranston.

The 10-episode, half-hour comedy series premieres on Apple TV+ March 26, 2025. Watch the promising trailers below.

Update: We added the official trailer for The Studio under the teaser trailer, below. The new comedy series started streaming Wednesday on Apple TV+. Loaded with stars in guest cameos, the spoof of Hollywood filmmaking gets good reviews. AP News calls it “the defining portrait of modern Hollywood.” Other reviews throw around descriptions like “superb,” “spot-on, star-studded takedown” and “hilarious.” Apple TV+ press tends to stamp every show as “highly anticipated,” but this one actually was, and it sound justified in this case. It sounds like a must-see.

Apple Music Classical goes deep with listening guides

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Apple Music Classical listening guides
New Apple Music Classical learning features include Listening Guide.
Photo: Apple

New Apple Music Classical listening guides launched Tuesday are streaming app’s most significant update since its 2023 debut, Apple said. New updates introduce three innovative features designed to enhance the classical music listening experience: Listening Guides, Personalized Recommendations and Editorial Stations.

“The features in this update are the most significant additions to Apple Music Classical since launch. They each turn a normal listening experience into a wonderful journey that enhances the listener’s experience, catering to curiosity and creating new interactive ways to learn about favorite pieces of music,” said Anjali Malhotra, Global Director of Apple Music Classical.

iPad sunk in river for 5 years helps bust crime ring

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Photo of an iPad recovered from the River Thames in London that served as evidence to convict criminals
Here's the iPad mini, fresh from the River Thames after five years submerged.
Photo: Metropolitan Police Service

An iPad retrieved from the River Thames in London — after sitting underwater and lodged in mud for more than five years — became the crucial piece of evidence that helped police solve a complex international criminal network. The crime ring involved museum heists, luxury robberies and an attempted murder, according to a new report. No big surprise that iPad evidence helps convict criminals — except under these extreme conditions.

The extraordinary case highlights the remarkable resilience of Apple’s iPad technology. It maintained crucial evidence integrity even after years of submersion. The case also demonstrates how digital devices can become key pieces of evidence in solving complex criminal investigations. And that’s even when criminals believe they have successfully disposed of incriminating technology.

Hohem iSteady M7 gimbal takes iPhone videography to the next level

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Photograph shows person using Hohem iSteady M7 gimbal for phone to capture a low shot
You can easily capture dramatic low-angle shots with iPhone using the Hohem iSteady M7 gimbal.
Photo: Hohem

The iSteady M7 gimbal for phones is a super-advanced stabilizer for iPhone that Wired says is “the most advanced and feature-packed smartphone stabilizer.”

Whether you’re creating content for social media, documenting travel adventures or capturing family memories, the Hohem iSteady M7 gimbal elevates your smartphone camera’s capabilities to new heights, delivering cinema-quality results in a portable, user-friendly package.

The iPhone stabilizer combines three-axis stabilization, AI-powered subject tracking, built-in subject lighting and remote control capabilities into a single, compact package.

It’s perfect for all iPhone users, from casual content creators to professional filmmakers. Whether you’re a social media maven, a globetrotting travel vlogger or a casual user who wants to capture better footage, this affordable gimbal for smartphones offers professional-level tools in an accessible format. It’s an all-in-one videography tool that elevates what’s possible with your iPhone camera.