David Snow - page 7

Logitech’s new flagship webcam combines ultra HD with AI

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Logitech MX_Brio webcam
The business version includes the AI feature.
Photo: Logitech

Logitech’s new MX Brio and MX Brio 705 for Business 4K webcams combine ultra high-definition video performance with artificial intelligence to help find your best look, the company said.

“We know that MX users collaborate and communicate from many different environments, and need a versatile webcam offering the best video and sound quality,” said Anatoliy Polyanker, general manager of Logitech’s MX Business, in a press release Wednesday. “MX Brio is our highest-quality webcam, featuring customization and the ability to show themselves or their work in the best possible way.”

Mechanical keyboard clicks with Mac Studio workstation [Setups]

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Keychron K8 mechanical keyboard
This Keychron mechanical keyboard beat out a couple of Razer keyboards to be here.
Photo: bucketofmonkeys@reddit.com

Some people love peace and quiet. Others love mechanical keyboards. That clackety-clacking noise is the very sound of productivity, isn’t it? The feel of the keys. The way you can practically make a lifelong hobby out of customizing a “hot swappable” model with different keycaps, switches and more. Today’s Mac Studio and Studio Display setup relies on a Keychron K8 mechanical keyboard. 

The user swears by it, having chosen it over a couple of well-regarded Razer keebs. He’s still got the Razer wrist rest, though. 

Still big in Japan, iPhone slips in China

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iPhone 15 Pro in iPhone market outlook
Tuesday's iiPhone market outlook reports fell short of upbeat.
Photo: Apple

A flurry of iPhone market outlook reports shows Apple’s juggernaut handset is still the top-seller in Japan while slipping to fourth place in China so far in 2024. And that comes as Apple lowers component shipment targets for the year amid supply chain challenges, pointing to a possibly down year.

14-inch M3 MacBook Pro gains multi-display support

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M3 MacBook Pro multi-display support
Updates will soon enable all M3 MacBooks to drive multiple displays in clamshell mode.
Photo: Apple

The new M3 MacBook Air laptops Apple rolled out Monday support up to two 5K (or lower rsolution) external displays in clamshell mode. And now the base 14-inch M3 MacBook Pro will add multi-display support, according to a report.

In the case of the entry-level MacBook Pro, which uses the same chip but lacks multi-display functionality, support will come in the form of a software update. M3 Pro and M3 Max MacBook Pro models already support the feature.

Slash $120 off Magic Keyboard case for 11-inch iPad Pro/iPad Air

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Magic Keyboard for 11-inch iPad Pro and iPad Air
Grab this steep discount on Magic Keyboard for 11-inch iPad Pro and 10.9-inch iPad Air.
Photo: Apple

Apple is famous for quality products as well as the high prices that go with them. That’s true of its input devices like keyboards — including the excellent, $299 Magic Keyboard for 11-inch iPad Pro and 10.9-inch iPad Air (4th and 5th generations). But what if you could get that Magic Keyboard for $120 off?

Right now Amazon is offering Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro/Air — which offers case-like protection for the tablets and much more — for just $179.99

Mac Studio and Studio Display refurbs seem new [Setups]

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Mac Studio and Studio Display refurbs in setup
This user said it's hard to tell his Mac Studio and Studio Display aren't new.
Photo: bucketofmonkeys@reddit.com

When new Apple gear comes out, sometimes it pays to wait a bit and grab it when the iPhone giant and other sellers start offering refurbished versions of it. Today’s setup boasts a Mac Studio desktop computer and a Studio Display, both refurbished, and the user said he had a hard time telling they’re not actually new.

Today in Apple History: CarPlay goes for its first drive

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Apple CarPlay in 2014 Volvo
At launch in 2014, CarPlay appeared in Volvo cars, as well as Mercedes-Benz and Ferrari models.
Photo: Volvo

March 3: Today in Apple history: CarPlay goes for its first drive March 3, 2014: With the CarPlay launch, Apple introduces iOS functionality for iPhone users behind the wheel via the car’s in-dash screen.

Showcasing the new car infotainment platform at the Geneva International Auto Show, Apple calls CarPlay “a smarter, safer and more fun way to use iPhone in the car.” Vehicles from Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo are the first off the line to incorporate it.

Get up to $150 off Beats headphones and earbuds

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Beats Studio Buds+ in transparent case
Love that transparent look to Beats Studio Buds+.
Photo: Apple

It’s a rare day you see big price drops at Apple.com, but Friday saw Beats headphones and earbuds price drops there and at retailers like Amazon.

So here’s your chance to grab Beats Studio Pro headphones at $349.99 $199.95 and Beats Studio Buds+ at $169.95 $129.95, among other great deals. See below.

Apple TV+ subscribers get 51 new movies, but not for long

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Great Movies on Apple TV+ collection
You're going to be busy in March and April.
Photo: Apple TV+

Apple TV+ adds movies from time to time — just not usually 50+ at once. But that’s what it did this week with its “Great movies on Apple TV” collection. It includes big-time titles like Mad Max: Fury Road, The Wolf of Wall Street, Titanic and Saving Private Ryan. You can also go old-school comedy with Ferris Bueller’s Day Off and — why not — Old School.

They’re free for subscribers in the United States to stream, but half will be gone at the end of March. The other half will last through April. Another new arrival is Ridley Scott’s Napoleon, but that Apple Original will stick around.

Satechi’s great USB-C hub and stand isn’t just for Mac mini [Setups]

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Satechi USB-C hub Mac Studio
Satechi's USB-C hub is also an ideal stand (for either Mac mini or Mac Studio).
Photo: Satechi

Satechi makes an awfully cool USB-C hub and stand for Mac mini that also suits Mac Studio perfectly. We’re surprised we don’t see that particular Satechi hub and stand more often in computer setups online.

But today’s Mac Studio rig with three big 4K displays makes perfect use of it. It greatly expands the machine’s capability and it blends right in like it’s not even there.

William Gibson’s sci-fi classic Neuromancer comes to Apple TV+

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Apple TV+ airs adaptation of Neuromancer by Willam Gibson
Apple TV+ lines up another big-time sci-fi series -- William Gibson's Neuromancer.
Photo: Apple TV+

Neuromancer, William Gibson’s much-lauded sci-fi novel published in 1984, is coming to Apple TV+, the iPhone giant said Wednesday.

The 10-episode drama has no release date yet. But it’s sure to be — as Apple TV+ says about almost every upcoming show — “much anticipated.”

New documentary trailer: Meet the men who inspired Masters of the Air

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The Bloody Hundredth documentary on Apple TV+
Here's your chance to meet some of the real people who inspired "Masters of the Air."
Photo: Apple TV+

Apple TV+ dropped a trailer Wednesday for a companion documentary film to hit World World II drama series Masters of the Air. The  documentary, The Bloody Hundredth, tells the stories of the airmen in a particularly hard-hit B17 bomber group through some of the survivors themselves as well as series filmmakers like Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks.

“Watch The Bloody Hundredth and get an in-depth look at the real stories of the brave Airmen that inspired Masters of the Air,” the streaming service said. “Streaming March 15th on Apple TV+.”

Stunning deals drop Apple Watch Ultra and other models near new lows

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Apple Watch Ultra
A smoking-hot deal on an Apple Watch Ultra refurb is just one of several bargains here.
Photo: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac

Like clockwork, Amazon bargain site Woot! comes out with great deals on Apple gear, including refurbished Apple Watch deals. So now it’s time for what looks like the lowest price we’ve seen on Apple Watch Ultra and a bunch of other deals on older Apple Watches for those who don’t want to pay typical Apple prices.

“Well, movies taught me that I’d have a wrist communicator in the far future but they didn’t say anything about ten F&F movies, that’s cray …” the site joked, apparently name-dropping the Fast & Furious movie franchise.

Triple 4K displays: Too many or just right? [Setups]

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Triple 4K displays in Mac Studio setup
That is an awful lot of screen real estate.
Photo: Imtog@Reddit.com

How many external displays would you consider ideal in your computer setup? Surprisingly, a lot of folks who assume it’s at least two end up regretting the idea. Today’s Mac Studio rig with triple 4K displays — three 32-inchers — sparked some debate on the matter.

That’s an awful lot of screen real estate that calls for a lot of head turning.

Loop your current faves with Apple Music’s new Heavy Rotation playlist

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Apple Music Heavy Rotation playlist
Now you have a curated playlist of favorites updated daily on Apple Music.
Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac

The next time you open Apple Music, you should notice a new feature called Heavy Rotation at the top. The new collection behind the fiery orange, yellow and red card is yet another way Apple surfaces the tunes you play most. But unlike the others, Apple Music Heavy Rotation playlist updates daily instead of weekly.

Personally, I’d rather have the service nudge me in new directions, as with the recently added Discovery Station. And maybe it will build out further in that direction, too.

Aqara pledges Home Key support for new Matter-enabled smart lock

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Aqara Smart Lock U200
U200's integration with smart-home platforms and compatibility with Home Key are subject to upcoming software updates.
Photo: Aqara

Aqara launched a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign Tuesday for its new Smart Lock U200. Built on the Thread networking protocol and native to the Matter standard, the lock will integrate with many smart home devices. But its compatibility with smart-home platforms like HomeKit — and its support for Home Key in particular — will come from future software updates.

Hot rental market for unreleased Vision Pro springs up in China

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Vision Pro on table
Huge numbers of Chinese appear eager to try out Vision Pro -- not yet released there -- and they'll pay to do it.
Photo: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac

Apple hasn’t released Vision Pro in China yet, but that hasn’t stopped scads of merchants from offering the headset for rent to enthusiasts. Many of them appear to think the AR headset may go beyond typical gaming uses, a new report says. Vision Pro rentals in China have attracted tens of thousands of customers.

Some eager testers think Apple’s pricey Vision Pro bests competitors like Meta’s Quest 3, as well.

Take up to $400 off MacBooks while you can

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save $400 on MacBooks at Best Buy
These MacBook deals at Best Buy range from $150 to $400 off.
Photo: Best Buy

Looks like the end of February is a great time to score an incredible deal on MacBook Air or MacBook Pro. And that’s because Best Buy offers save $400 on MacBooks. Various models on sale include a powerhouse 15-inch MacBook Air at a record low price.

So if you’re ready to save, check out select sale items below.

M3 MacBook Pro supercharges trader’s rig [Setups]

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M3 MacBook Pro setup
The 14-inch M3 MacBook Pro with 36GB of unified memory handles powerful software.
Photo: Diesel_Formula@Reddit.com

What kind of performance boost do you get when you go from an M1 MacBook Air to an M3 Pro MacBook Pro? A pretty big one, if today’s MacBook Pro setup from an investor is any indication. They made sure to purchase a model with plenty of unified memory — 36GB — to ensure no number of open tabs would slow them down too much.

New 3-in-1 global charger eases battery woes worldwide

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Journey Axie wall charger and power bank
The compact charger is highly portable for your international travels.
Photo: Journey

Journey’s new 3-in-1 wall charger and power bank can ease battery anxiety for world travelers. The Axie 10,000mAh Global Charger and Power Bank comes with international plugs that work in 150 countries.

The company pitches the Axie as a boon for international travelers — and “the fix for low battery dramas.”

Apple TV+ notches 11 SAG Award nominations — and Lily Gladstone wins [Updated]

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Killers of the Flower Moon posters featuring SAG best actress Lily Gladstone
SAG nominated Lily Gladstone and the ensemble cast of "Killers of the Flower Moon" for awards.
Photo: Apple TV+

After the 30th Annual Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards showered Apple TV+ with 11 nominations in January — for Apple Original Film Killers of the Flower Moon and hit TV shows The Morning Show, Lessons in Chemistry and Ted Lasso — the streamer managed to net just one win Saturday in Los Angeles. SAG named Lily Gladstone best actress.

To be precise, she took the prize for Outstanding performance by a female actor in a leading role for Killers of the Flower Moon. She’s the first indigenous person to do so.

Now that she has a Golden Globe and a SAG award under her belt, her chances of bagging the Best Actress Oscar on March 10 seem even brighter.

Apple Pencil 2 drops to lowest-ever price

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Apple Pencil 2 in hand
Now's your chance to bag a great stylus at its lowest price ever.
Photo:

Apple Pencil is one piece of Cupertino kit for which there are plenty of cheaper third-party alternatives. But why shop around for those often not-as-good choices when you can get the lowest price on Apple Pencil 2?

Right now you can nab one on Amazon for $79. That’s down from the regular price of $129 — $50 off! And the still-capable Apple Pencil (1st generation) is on sale for even less. See below.

Slick new Yamaha speakers blast rapper’s soundtrack [Setups]

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MacBook Pro setup with new Yamaha speakers
This setup replaced big ol' Yamaha speakers with smaller new ones the user said sound just as good.
Photo: jonyoungmusic@Reddit.com

For those who get by with audio from a laptop or display speakers in their computer setup — as good as that can be these days — an upgrade to desktop speakers offer a real treat for the ears. Today’s MacBook Pro setup from a Florida-based rapper just got a nice set of brand new Yamaha speakers and jacked them in to a huge subwoofer under the desk.