David Snow - page 26

Why does this MacBook Pro rig need a dock with 14 ports? [Setups]

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Some setups just look nicely
Some setups just look nicely "lived in."
Photo: Infinite_Somewhere58@Reddit.com

In a world where advancing computer technology often seems like an arms race, with ever-more-powerful processors and compact chargers that pump out hundreds of watts, it’s no surprise docking stations keep boosting their port arrays.

Today’s featured MacBook Pro setup almost seems like it doesn’t have enough gear to merit its Plugable dock’s whopping 14 ports. But it supports multiple external displays for M1 Macs, and that’s why the user loves it.

Beats Studio Buds+ come in 2 new cosmic colors

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The cosmic pink ones have a two-tone thing going on.
The cosmic pink ones have a two-tone thing going on.
Photo: Beats

Apple subsidiary Beats added two new color options to its recently released Beats Studio Buds+ noise-cancelling earbuds — cosmic pink and cosmic silver.

The new metallic finishes are part of a collaboration with press-on nails retailer Olive & June. They’ll become available September 7, the companies said.

Crank workout tunes with new air-conduction earbuds

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These earbuds don't go in your ear at all, so you can hear external noises.
These earbuds don't go in your ear at all, so you can hear external noises.
Photo: OneOdio

OneOdio unveiled its new OpenRock S Open Air Conduction Earbuds Tuesday, meant for active users who want to listen to music while doing sports activities.

Using air-conduction technology, the buds don’t go in your ear canal. So you can stay better-aware of what’s around you while you run, cycle or work out.

Make any home smart with Brilliant’s new control panel

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Even renters and people uncomfortable working with wiring can use this.
Even renters and people uncomfortable working with wiring can use this.
Photo: Brilliant

Smart-home systems maker Brilliant unveiled a new “install it anywhere” plug-in version of its Smart Home Control Panel Tuesday.

Any homeowner or renter can use its touchscreen-based control and automation system to manage smart home products integrated with HomeKit and Siri.

Soundcore jacks up noise cancellation with new over-ear headphones

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Soundcore already rocked outstanding noise cancellation with previous products, so an improved system in the Space One headphones bodes well.
Soundcore already rocked outstanding noise cancellation with previous products, so an improved system in the Space One headphones bodes well.
Photo: Soundcore

Anker audio brand Soundcore launched its new Space One over-ear headphones Tuesday with an upgraded noise cancelling system. It’s designed to reduce the voices not already in your head.

The new cans also claim long playtime, high-quality audio through the LDAC codec and a “floating” design built for comfort, Soundcore said.

New ArcField MagSafe charger powers up iPhone fast

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It's a potent little charger with a built-in kickstand.
It's a potent little charger with a built-in kickstand.
Photo: Spigen

Using older magnetic chargers, lots of folks still charge their iPhones at a pokey rate of 7.5 watts. So it’s good news Spigen just rolled out its first 15W MagSafe device, the ArcField Wireless Charger.

You can use it to quick-charge any MagSafe iPhone 12, 13 or 14 handset, and it’ll juice up an AirPods Pro charging case at 5W.

Momax power station packs 6 ports, 100W of power and wireless charging

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Not only does it have 6 ports, it offers fast wireless charging, too.
This portable power bank will keep all your Apple gear humming.
Photo: Momax

It’s a total drag when your iPhone, iPad or other device runs low on power and you don’t have a way to charge it — or your charger is old and slow but you don’t have much time. That’s when the new Momax 100W 6-Port Charging Station comes in super handy.

SPONSORED
This post is brought to you by Momax.
The charging station’s name pretty much says it all, minus one crucial feature. Not only does it deliver a blistering 100 watts of power via six convenient USB-C and USB-A ports, it can fast-charge wirelessly. You just lay your iPhone or other Qi-enabled device on top of the station for that. Plus, it’s reasonably priced — and Cult of Mac readers can knock 30% off the normal price with the discount code below.

Apple purchases help support US national parks

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Help keep national parks going with your next Apple purchase. And there's an Activity Challenge, too.
Help keep national parks going with your next Apple purchase. And there's an Activity Challenge, too.
Photo: National Park Foundation/Jeremy Wade Shockley

The U.S. National Park Service turns 107 on Friday. And, as usual, Apple is running its donation campaign to the National Parks Foundation to celebrate.

Each purchase made with Apple Pay in the Apple Store and on Apple sites through Sunday, August 27, donates $10 to the National Parks Foundation.

Make any room a cinema with new portable projector and AirPlay

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With this projector, you can use AirPlay or ChromeCast to project a big screen almost anywhere.
With this projector, you can use AirPlay or ChromeCast to project a big screen almost anywhere.
Photo: BenQ

Want to create an immersive cinematic experience almost anywhere? Now you can with the GV31 Portable Projector BenQ released earlier this month.

With built-in Netflix and Android TV among other streaming options, the 1080p projector can stream on walls or ceilings via AirPlay from your Mac, iPad or iPhone, or from Android devices via ChromeCast.

iPad mini takes center stage in MacBook Air rig [Setups]

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That's a Hexgears mechanical keyboard in tfront of the iPad mini.
That's a Hexgears mechanical keyboard in tfront of the iPad mini.
Photo: Prestigious_Fox_5531@Reddit.com

It’s not every day you see a teeny, tiny little display under an ultra-wide one. But today’s M2 MacBook Air setup sports its dual screens that way by putting an iPad mini at the center under the big external monitor, flanked by paired HomePod minis.

The setup’s interesting highlights include a gaming handheld and a full-sized mechanical keyboard we rarely see.

This wireless charging case for iPhone, AirPods and Apple Watch is perfect for travelers

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Momax Airbox stores and charges your Apple devices.
Momax Airbox stores and charges your Apple devices.
Photo: Momax

Momax’s Airbox Portable Power Cabin may be the ultimate companion for your Apple devices. The clamshell case not only charges your gadgets fast with its built-in 10,000mAh battery, it also stores them on the go — including iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods or AirPods Pro.

It’ll top up your iPad quickly via USB-C as well. And there’s even a special, non-charging slot to store your Apple Pencil.

The company calls the Airbox the world’s first foldable power bank. And Momax is offering a limited-time deal that drops the price considerably — plus an additional discount for Cult of Mac readers only!

Here’s your chance to grab refurb MacBooks on the cheap

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Woot's latest sale offers a selection of reconditioned MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models.
Woot's latest sale offers a selection of reconditioned MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Amazon bargain website Woot! is offering a sale on factory-reconditioned and refurbished MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models — with prices as low as $280!

That low price is for a 2017 MacBook Air, but you can also score hot deals on 2022 M2 models. See below. The sale ends Tuesday, August 22, at 10 p.m. Pacific.

When it’s time to swap MacBook Pro for Mac Studio [Setups]

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When you work in 3D, you need a lot of computing power. And four screens, apparently.
When you work in 3D, you need a lot of computing power. And four screens, apparently.
Photo: b19ddw@Reddit.com

Today’s featured setup sports a powerful M2 Ultra Mac Studio desktop computer and four screens, three of them with sparkling 4K resolution. But until recently it was an M2 Max MacBook Pro setup upgraded from an M1 MacBook Pro.

Why the switch to Mac Studio? Hey, sometimes you just need a more badass computer. Especially when you work in 3D rendering and you rarely take the laptop off its dock anyway.

Nomad’s new GaN charger powers up 3 devices quickly

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Charge three devices at once via USB-C with Nomad's new GaN charger.
Charge three devices at once via USB-C with Nomad's new GaN charger.
Photo: Nomad

Accessories maker Nomad offered a new entrant in the multiport-gallium-nitride (GaN)-charger derby Thursday, unveiling its Nomad 130W GaN Power Adapter.

It comes with three USB-C ports and 130 watts of charging power for MacBook, iPad and iPhone.

Tiny new 1TB SSD is rocket-fast

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This little drive speedily transfers data via Thunderbolt 3.
This little drive speedily transfers data via Thunderbolt 3.
Photo: Sabrent

Sabrent’s new portable Rocket Nano XTRM External SSD features blazing-fast data-transfer speeds via Thunderbolt 3, the company said Thursday.

Opera for iOS adds AI browsing

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Now you have another option for using AI on your iPhone.
Now you have another option for using AI on your iPhone.
Photo: Opera

The Opera browser for iOS now features an artificially intelligent assistant created in collaboration with OpenAI. Opera calls it Aria, and says it “offers you a cutting-edge generative AI service for free.”

Similarly to other such tools, Opera integrated its AI into the browser and makes it free to use once you opt in.

Moment beefs up whole lens lineup for growing iPhone cameras

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Got an iPhone 13 or newer? The bigger T-Series lenses should suit you.
Got an iPhone 13 or newer? The bigger T-Series lenses should suit you.
Photo: Moment

Moment said Wednesday its whole lineup of popular smartphone cameras lenses is getting bigger and bolder to suit growing handset cameras like iPhone’s, including the upcoming iPhone 15 series.

The new T-Series comprises eight lenses that are new versions of the company’s M-Series, which came out to widespread acclaim in 2017.

Slash up to $60 off Magic Keyboards for iPad

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It's not easy to find deals at $50 to $60 off Apple's Magic Keyboard cases for iPad.
It's not easy to find deals at $50 to $60 off Apple's Magic Keyboard cases for iPad.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Amazon is currently offering great discounts on Magic Keyboards for iPad Pro (11-inch and 12.9-inch models) and 10.9-inch iPad Air.

While there are many alternative keyboards and cases for iPad models out there, the time to pay Apple prices is now, when Apple prices are slashed!

Why buy a Touch ID keyboard when you can do this? [Setups]

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This user is considering a Magic Keyboard with Touch ID, but alternative came up.
This user of this setup was considering a Magic Keyboard with Touch ID, but an alternative came up.
Photo: Ajseps@Reddit.com

Social media is a great place to get ideas for gear to include in your computer setup — or to skip in favor of doing things another way. There are usually other ways to do things, as today’s M2 MacBook Pro user found out regarding password entry and any “need” for a keyboard with Touch ID.

And if you’re into video editing, check out the user’s cool gear — a PlusTek AI film scanner and a Loupedeck+ photo and video editing console with massive programmability.

Convert any XLR microphone to USB with this adapter

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No need to buy a USB mic. Just use your XLR mic with Shure's adapter.
No need to buy a USB mic. Just use your XLR mic with Shure's adapter.
Photo: Shure

If you’re a content creator and you have an XLR microphone, you don’t necessarily need to buy a USB microphone to interface with your computer for uses like streaming and podcasting. Shure’s got you covered with its new Digital Audio Interface. It converts any XLR mic to USB for easy use directly with a computer.

This mechanical keyboard comes with a personalized display

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You can personalize the LCD screen just below the large multi-use control knob.
You can personalize the LCD screen just below the large multi-use control knob.
Photo: Epomaker

The new Epomaker TH80-X compact keyboard comes with a large, multi-use control knob and a built-in LCD screen for customization.

Available today, the latest member of Epomaker’s TH80 family of mechanical keyboards features a space-efficient 75% layout rather than a full-size one.

Slender new Spigen hubs greatly expand MacBook connectivity

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Spigen's new 6-in-1 hub opens up the connectivity options for MacBook.
Spigen's new 6-in-1 hub opens up the connectivity options for MacBook.
Photo: Spigen

Mobile accessories-maker Spigen rolled out two new USB hubs for MacBooks and other laptops Monday: Spigen ArcDock Pro Multi Hub 6-in-1 and ArcDock Multi Hub 8-in-1.

In each case, a plethora of ports give you plenty of options for connecting your MacBook Air or MacBook Pro to loads of peripherals, including a high-definition external display.

Apple TV+ doubles down on soccer superstar Lionel Messi

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The second of the two documentary series covers Messi's big move to MLS' Inter Miami CF.
The second of the two documentary series covers Messi's big move to MLS' Inter Miami CF.
Photo: Apple

Apple TV+ said Monday it landed the “first and only behind-the-scenes account of soccer superstar Lionel Messi’s new chapter” with Major League Soccer team Inter Miami CF.

The as-of-yet untitled documentary series comes in addition to the other Messi documentary series coming to Apple TV+. That one covers the legend’s longstanding work with Argentina’s national team and his many FIFA World Cup appearances.

Try this cool way to mount iPad for use with Sidecar [Setups]

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The little iPad holder makes using Sidecar or Universal Control a cinch.
The little iPad holder makes using Sidecar or Universal Control a cinch.
Photo: casualhostile320@Reddit.com

While many folks like to have miles of screen real estate with multiple external monitors, some enjoy simply having their iPad’s screen in tandem with their main screen, especially for use with Sidecar or Universal Control.

Today’s clean and well-lighted MacBook Pro setup mounts an iPad with the main monitor in a neat way while hiding away the laptop.