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David Snow - page 71

Jabra’s new top-shelf Elite 10 noise-canceling earbuds add Dolby Atmos

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Jabra's newest flagship noise-cancelling earbuds features Dolby Atmos with head tracking.
Jabra's newest flagship noise-cancelling earbuds features Dolby Atmos with head tracking.
Photo: Jabra

Jabra just rolled out its new flagship wireless active noise-canceling earbuds, Jabra Elite 10, alongside its rugged Jabra Elite 8 Active buds.

Elite 10 features 10mm drivers, comfortable open-ear construction and, in a first for Jabra, Dolby Atmos spatial audio with head tracking.

Aqara unveils new HomeKit-enabled smart lock, camera and more

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Aqara's new smart-home products roll out in the coming months.
Aqara's new smart-home products roll out in the coming months.
Photo: Aqara

Aqara showcased its new Smart Lock U200, Camera E1, Dual Relay Module T2 and Ceiling Light T1M at IFA 2023 in Berlin, Germany, last week, the company said.

The products support the Matter home automation standard and should go on sale in the coming months, Aqara said.

One multiport USB-C fast-charger to rule them all [Review] ★★★★☆

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It's a bit big for portability, but Ugreen's new 300W GaN charger easily juices up your devices at home or at work.★★★★☆
It's a bit big for portability, but Ugreen's new 300W GaN charger easily juices up your devices at home or at work.
Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac

As the world increasingly turns to USB-C connectivity — looking at you, imminent iPhone 15 — Ugreen is there. Its powerful new Nexode 300-watt GaN fast-charger, launched Tuesday, powers up five devices at once — four via USB-C and one via USB-A.

Ugreen calls it “the world’s first 5-Port 300W GaN desktop charger,” and the company sent me the beast to check out. You’ll want to keep this hefty brick in one place, not carry it around with you.

Prepare for the next hurricane with Bluetti power

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The best way to stay safe in a hurricane is to be prepared. Bluetti and its power stations can help.
The best way to stay safe in a hurricane is to be prepared. Bluetti and its power stations can help.
Photo: Bluetti

Hurricane Idalia struck Florida hard on August 30, downing trees, ripping roofs off buildings and flooding roads enough to submerge cars. In some parts of the state, residents face rebuilding their homes and lives.

SPONSORED
This post is brought to you by Bluetti.
How can you prepare for the next major storm and its aftermath? Energy-storage leader Bluetti‘s safety guidelines can help you safeguard life and property. Plus, the company is offering some help for Floridians in need.

Roguish Tim Cook stars in ‘Grand Theft Auto Cupertino’ wallpaper

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Oh, if we could just play this version.
Oh, if we could just play this version.
Photo: Basic Apple Guy

Designer Basic Apple Guy has appeared on Cult of Mac a lot lately, but with new wallpaper coming out that makes it looks like Apple CEO Tim Cook and other execs are in a new version of classic game Grand Theft Auto, how can we slam on the brakes now?

Released Friday, “Grand Theft Auto Cupertino” wallpapers are available for free download!

Raft of new Anker Qi2 chargers joins MagSafe-for-all parade

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Anker MagGo Qi2 power bank features a display on the side, plus a kickstand.
Anker MagGo Qi2 power bank features a display on the side, plus a kickstand.
Photo: Anker

Just ahead of iPhone 15’s release, a squad of Anker charging accessories featuring Qi2 wireless charging — like MagSafe, but for everyone — rolled out at IFA Berlin, the company said Thursday.

New and updated products include MagGo magnetic chargers, power stations and banks with Qi2, plus updated USB-C Nano chargers and more.

The new Qi2 spec is said to work with upcoming iPhone 15 series handsets at 15W of fast-charging power without MagSafe certification.

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.

Wonderlust wallpapers appear immediately after Apple’s event invite

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Commemorate Apple's all-important September event with Wonderlust wallpaper on all your devices.
Commemorate Apple's all-important September event with Wonderlust wallpaper on all your devices.
Photo: Basic Apple Guy
Wonderlust 2023

Designer and Apple fan Basic Apple Guy is nothing if not lightning quick with his new wallpapers. His Wonderlust Apple Event Wallpapers came out almost immediately Tuesday after Apple issued its September event invite.

Apple might ditch leather for woven material in iPhone 15 cases

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The woven-material cases in question first appeared on Chinese site Weibo.
The woven-material cases in question first appeared on Chinese site Weibo.
Photo: @UnclePan - Weibo

Following up on recent rumors saying Apple won’t make leather cases for the iPhone 15 lineup, newer rumors suggest Apple will replace them with a new woven material, according to leakers.

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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headless MacBook Air
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.