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David Snow - page 64

Bright and beautiful Mac Studio rig gets a lot right [Setups]

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A lot of people want to know what that delightful wallpaper is. See below.
A lot of people want to know what that delightful wallpaper is. See below.
Photo: [email protected]

A well-lit and well-equipped computer setup can evoke peace and productivity at the same time. Today’s Mac Studio rig exudes a zen-like calm despite being a total powerhouse.

It features a well-mounted Studio Display, a slick mechanical keyboard with wrist rest, a sleek external drive as well as tidy pegboard storage for AirPods Max.

Eve Play lets you stream to older amps and speakers via AirPlay 2

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Soon you'll be able to stream via AirPlay 2 from your iPhone or iPad to your active speakers, amplifier or streaming-capable soundbar.
Soon you'll be able to stream via AirPlay 2 from your iPhone or iPad to your active speakers, amplifier or soundbar.
Photo: Eve Systems

Eve Play, an audio streaming interface that lets you stream via AirPlay 2 from an iPhone or iPad to an amplifier, active speaker or soundbar, will come out soon, Eve Systems said Thursday.

The little black box — Eve’s first audio device — also integrates with other AirPlay 2 devices like HomePods. But the new device doesn’t ship until November 14, so you’ll have to wait a bit.

Security researchers can now apply to help Apple defend iOS

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If that screen doesn't intimidate you, this might be the program for you.
If that screen doesn't intimidate you, this might be the program for you.
Photo: Apple

Security researchers can boost their iPhone research, work with security teams and help protect users — all while earning bug bounties for finding credible threats — if they apply to the 2024 iPhone Security Research Device Program, Apple said Wednesday.

File an application by October 31 to get your special iPhone for security research.

Apple tests 3D printing that could revolutionize manufacturing

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Stainless steel Apple Watches are the test case for a new manufacturing process using 3D printers.
Stainless steel Apple Watches are the test case for a new manufacturing process using 3D printers.
Photo: Apple

Apple is testing a 3D-printer-based manufacturing process for some of its upcoming Apple Watches that could radically change how it manufactures products generally, a new report said Wednesday.

In testing, the company is using 3D printers for the stainless steel chassis of some wearables. It may prove more eco-friendly and economical, cutting down on materials needed.

Mac Studio makes most of new super-ultra-wide display [Setups]

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Lights, camera, action! This Mac Studio rig is ready for videoconferencing and more.
Lights, camera, action! This Mac Studio rig is ready for videoconferencing and more.
Photo: [email protected]

Version:
Some computer setups are bare-bones but functional, others are swanky as all-get-out. Leaning toward the latter, today’s setup rocks a powerful M2 Ultra Mac Studio desktop computer driving a new, 49-inch Samsung G9 super-ultra-wide display. If you’re looking for a mac mini monitor, check out this impressive Samsung ultra-wide monitor setup.

But that’s not all the finery the solid standing desk supports. Festooned with key lights, it’s also a great videoconferencing station, with a premium webcam, a mounted USB microphone and killer speakers.

Apple set to train 12 more ecofriendly minority-owned businesses

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Meet the members of Apple's third Impact Accelerator class (more details below).
Meet the members of Apple's third Impact Accelerator class (more details below).
Photo: Apple

Apple set up its third Impact Accelerator class to help 12 minority-owned green-technology and clean-energy companies develop their businesses, the company said Wednesday.

The training program, in this case for a dozen Black-, Hispanic/Latinx- and Indigenous-owned companies, is part of Cupertino’s Racial Equity and Justice Initiative.

New Ted Lasso shortbread cookies cost how much?

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When you break it down to per-unit cost, it's about $3 per cookie. But they're buttery!
When you break it down to per-unit cost, it's about $3 per cookie. But they're buttery!
Photo: Mackenzie Limited

If you miss Ted Lasso on Apple TV+ badly enough, perhaps you’ll pay $30 for 10 of the shortbread biscuits, aka cookies.

That’s the hope of gourmet food purveyor Mackenzie Limited, anyway. It now offers its exclusive, officially endorsed “Biscuits with the Boss” shortbread cookies much like the ones coach Lasso often brought to AFC Richmond owner Rebecca Welton on the show.

New gadget makes your XLR microphone work with your computer

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This would be less expensive most really nice USB microphones.
This would be less expensive most really nice USB microphones.
Photo: Shure

If you have a high-quality XLR microphone, how do you use it with your computer? Shure made that easier Monday with its new MXV2U USB digital audio interface that turns XLR mics into USB mics.

Using the simple, compact interface, you can adapt any XLR mic to USB and start recording, podcasting, streaming and more.

New Samsung ViewFinity S9 takes on Studio Display

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A new competitor to Apple's 5K Studio Display arrives.
A new competitor to Apple's 5K Studio Display arrives.
Photo: Samsung

The new 27-inch Samsung ViewFinity S9 Monitor with 5K resolution started shipping to addresses in the United States Monday, the company said. It comes along with specs and price very similar to Apple’s popular Studio Display.

The new monitor, which won a CES Innovation Award earlier this year, costs $1,599 — just like Studio Display. But Samsung’s comes with a tilt- and heigh-adjustable stand while Apple charges $400 for one.

For health’s sake, get a standing desk [Setups]

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Even if you have a lot more gear than this, a standing desk can make a world of difference.
Even if you have a lot more gear than this, a standing desk can make a world of difference.
Photo: [email protected]

Maybe you’ve got back pain, or maybe your rear end falls asleep too much when you sit for long periods. Whatever the case, you, like many Apple fans, can benefit from a standing desk in your computer setup.

Today’s featured MacBook Pro setup features an affordable sit-stand desk, but there are many options. We’ll go over some of them below.

Boost your Mac’s performance with BuhoCleaner (50% off promo)

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The BuhoCleaner app from Dr.Buho is a breeze to use. It'll speed up your Mac.
The BuhoCleaner app from Dr.Buho is a breeze to use. It'll speed up your Mac.
Photo: Dr.Buho

Seeing the spinning “beach ball” a little too often as your Mac struggles to complete a task? If your machine is a little sluggish, it’s time to do some cleaning. A highly useful and intuitive tool for that is the BuhoCleaner app from Dr.Buho.

SPONSORED
This post is brought to you by Dr.Buho.

I tried it out and found it sped up my 2021 M1 Pro MacBook Pro noticeably after just a few simple scans. The machine was a touch more responsive when opening apps and files.

‘Headless’ MacBook Air runs alongside retro Macs [Setups]

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Bask in the warm glow of antique Macs actually being used.
Bask in the warm glow of antique Macs actually being used.
Photo: [email protected]

At Cult of Mac we love vintage Apple gear, of course. But to avoid confusion with what Apple means when it says “vintage,” perhaps we should say “retro” or even “antique.” You know, the old stuff people like to collect and put in computer museums.

Today’s featured setup sports both old and new. An M1 MacBook Air is the main computer, but it’s used as a desktop machine, sans built-in monitor. And right next to it are a working Macintosh SE/30 and an iMac G3.

This could be clicky music to mechanical keyboard lovers’ ears

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Cherry calls its new MX2A switches
Cherry calls its new MX2A switches "the new gold standard." And they include some actual gold.
Photo: Cherry

Some of the best-known and most commonly used switches for mechanical keyboards worldwide are getting a major redesign, German company Cherry said Thursday.

Known for its popular Cherry MX mechanical switches, it now debuts Cherry MX2A switches. And they come with the company’s new XTRFY K5V2 mechanical keyboard, but they may be everywhere soon enough.

Fast-charge iPhone and more with new power bank — for under $20

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At less than $20, this power bank is surely one of the cheapest ways to fast-charge your iPhone and more.
At less than $20, this power bank is surely one of the cheapest ways to fast-charge your iPhone and more.
Photo: Baseus

With fast chargers for iPhone and other gadgets becoming common, it’s no surprise they’re getting cheaper. But Baseus may have reached a new low with its Airpow PD 20W Fast Charging Power Bank, the company said Thursday.

It costs just $20 normally and is on sale now at just $16.

Is your smart light bulb giving passwords to hackers?

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A research paper found TP-Link's Tapo L530E smart bulb suffers four security flaws.
A research paper found TP-Link's Tapo L530E smart bulb suffers four security flaws.
Photo: TP-Link

A popular smart light bulb from TP-Link suffers from severe security flaws that could give hackers passwords and other information, researchers said Wednesday.

A paper examined four flaws in the bestselling TP-Link Tapo L530E, which works with Apple’s HomeKit platform.

Outstanding Beats Studio Pro headphones get $100 discount

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Beats Studio Pro improve greatly upon Beats Studio3, released in 2017.
Beats Studio Pro improve greatly upon Beats Studio3, released in 2017.
Photo: Apple

Apple subsidiary Beats unveiled its top-shelf Beats Studio Pro headphones in July, and now the cans get their first discount — and it’s a doozy.

You can take $100 off the noise-cancelling, over-ear headphones at Amazon right now.

Apple funding helps preserve sacred tribal lands

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Young indigenous women work to preserve a scared black-oak grove at the base of El Capitan in Yosemite National Park.
Young indigenous women work to preserve a scared black-oak grove at the base of El Capitan in Yosemite National Park.
Photo: Apple

The National Parks Foundation is putting up money to help indigenous youth restore a sacred tribal spot in California’s Yosemite National Park, Apple said Thursday. The iPhone-maker helps fund the foundation through Apple Pay sales.

Apple TV+ show shoots crucial episode on iPhone

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Who killed the groom? Better have a look at the wedding videographer's footage.
Who killed the groom? Better have a look at the wedding videographer's footage.
Photo: Apple

A TV director just revealed that he and his crew “got away with” using an iPhone to shoot much of an episode of murder-mystery comedy The Afterparty on Apple TV+.

Season 2, episode 8 of the show benefited from the sense of iPhone “found footage” because it takes place mostly during a wedding, so they took pains to make it look like some amateur shot it.

Rugged new case could be next best thing to Apple Watch Ultra

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The orange button alone suggests Apple Watch Ultra, even though it's not.
The orange button alone suggests Apple Watch Ultra, even though it's not.
Photo: Nomad

Nomad unveiled its new Rugged Case for Apple Watch Wednesday, and it might just satisfy a few folks who wish they had an Ultra rather than a standard model.

The new steel case and included Rugged Band fit Apple Watch Series 4 or newer. And the gear gives you a rugged look and plenty of protection for your wearable at a much lower price than Apple Watch Ultra, of course.

Irish mom and hellcat kid harmonize in Flora and Son trailer

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There's the happy mum and her darling boy! Looks like somebody needs a crappy guitar.
There's the happy mum and her darling boy! Looks like somebody needs a crappy guitar.
Photo: Apple

Apple TV+ dropped a trailer Wednesday for it upcoming Irish dramedy Flora and Son, saying “never underestimate a Dublin woman with a guitar.”

Bad Sisters mainstay Eve Hewson stars as that Dublin woman, a beleaguered mom trying to give her rebellious teen son a focus in life through a beat-up old acoustic guitar.

The film debuts in theaters September 22 and streams on Apple TV+ September 29.

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: [email protected]

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.