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David Snow - page 93

Mayo Clinic finds new way Apple Watch detects bum tickers

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AI and ECG readings from Apple Watch could be crucial to detecting heart problems.
AI and ECG readings from Apple Watch could be crucial to detecting heart problems.
Photo: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac

The famed Mayo Clinic showed us a new way artificial intelligence (AI) and Apple Watch can help save patients’ lives, according to a new study.

Instead of relying only on expensive tests conducted in clinical settings, doctors may be able to turn to AI and Apple Watch electrocardiogram (ECG) recordings to help determine which patients have previously undetected heart pump problems that could lead to heart failure.

Soccer, anyone? Apple TV+ launches MLS Season Pass soon.

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Are you ready for some football? And by that we mean soccer, natch.
Are you ready for some football? And by that we mean soccer, natch.
Photo: Apple TV+

Apple TV+ and the top pro soccer league in the United States, Major League Soccer (MLS), said Wednesday the MLS Season Pass subscription service showing all matches with no blackouts launches February 1, 2023.

The launch, which includes features on multiple Apple services, kicks off a 10-year partnership between Apple and MLS.

Want a smart plug made for Matter? You can already nab Meross’ new one.

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Ready for a smart plug made for the Matter smart home standard?
Ready for a smart plug made for the Matter smart home standard?
Photo: Meross

Accessories maker Meross now allows you to order one of the first smart plugs designed for the new Matter smart home wireless networking standard.

And not only that. The plug, which the company said will ship on December 31, appears to be one of the first smart gadgets to sport the Matter logo.

And right now you can get it for 30% off in a launch discount.

MacBook Pro drives dynamic, well-mounted displays [Setups]

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A 34-inch ultra-wide display in landscape mode and a 24-inch monitor in portrait mode make a good combo.
A 34-inch ultra-wide display in landscape mode and a 24-inch monitor in portrait mode make a good combo.
Photo: [email protected]

Powerful MacBook Pro — check. Extremely capable USB dock — check. Dazzling displays properly mounted in different orientations — check. Two of the best input devices you can buy — check.

Today’s featured computer setup seems to have it all without going overboard, and it all rests easily on a solid standing desk from New Zealand.

And the user even recommends deals on truly stellar noise-canceling headphones. Read on for more and don’t miss the gear list at the bottom of the page.

Ugreen 3-in-1 MagSafe charger is perfect for the nightstand [Review] ★★★★☆

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Charge three devices at once.★★★★☆
Ugreen's MFi-certified charger tops off three devices at once.
Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac

There’s something especially convenient about having a multi-device charging station on your nightstand. Or you could place at the edge of your desk or on a table by the front door. It’s a place you can charge your iPhone, AirPods charging case and Apple Watch all at once if need be.

Ugreen sent me its version to test out, the 3-in-1 MagSafe Wireless Charging Station. It’s a good charger for most people — especially because it’s MFi-certified for MagSafe. That means you get a full 15 watts for MagSafe iPhones and 5W apiece for an AirPods charging case and Apple Watch.

But the device isn’t without minor drawbacks.

New Elgato Stream Deck+ jacks up control with LCD touch strip and 4 dials

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Elgato just further opened up your workflow-tweaking opportunities.
Elgato just further opened up your workflow-tweaking opportunities.
Photo: Elgato

Corsair Gaming subsidiary Elgato unveiled the latest version of its popular Stream Deck streaming and workflow controller Wednesday, dubbing it Stream Deck+.

It retains eight of the familiar customizable LCD keys that other versions have. But it adds a touch strip, which is a screen, and four “infinite dials” to help you tweak and adjust tasks in your workflow. A common use of this type of tool is controlling video streaming production.

Fortitude tactical bands toughen up your Apple Watch (Ultra included)

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Tefeca Fortitude bands give strength to all Apple Watches, including Ultra.
Tefeca Fortitude bands give strength to all Apple Watches, including Ultra.
Photo: Tefeca

There are plenty of nylon and canvas Apple Watch bands out there, but they don’t all have Fortitude. Tefeca Fortitude, that is. It’s a line of extra-tough and handsome bands that are super-comfortable — especially the Ultra Wide versions, which are as wide as an Apple Watch Ultra case.

And a wide band isn’t just comfortable. It offers a distinctive, masculine look — like you’re on a mission.

And if you act fast, you can get a great discount on the bands in a variety of styles, colors and sizes. See below.

‘Finally, a real student setup that’s not $8,000’ [Setups]

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This tidy setup didn't cost a fortune, but it gets the job done.
This tidy setup didn't cost a fortune, but it gets the job done.
Photo: [email protected]

It’s funny when you see a student’s computer setup on social media with gear that looks like it costs a bazillion bucks. Like, what, did Elon Musk go back to college for some reason? Maybe to escape the $44 billion dumpster fire that is Twitter?

Well, today’s clean and practical MacBook Pro setup is the real thing — a starving student’s workstation cobbled together on a budget.

Let’s look at how the user saved some money.

Ted Lasso’s Coach Beard covers the World Cup in new Apple podcast

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The new After the Whistle podcast covering the World Cup kicks off November 17.
The new After the Whistle podcast covering the World Cup kicks off November 17.
Photo: Apple News

An amusing audio teaser from Apple News on Monday introduced the limited podcast After the Whistle, in which Coach Beard from the Apple TV+ hit Ted Lasso — aka actor Brendan Hunt — and veteran English sportscaster Rebecca Lowe will explain everything about the world’s biggest sporting event, the World Cup, as it happens.

As you may know, the World Cup is a massive football tournament (to use the world’s sensible term for soccer). It kicks off Sunday in Qatar and will be broadcast globally. Apple News boots up the podcast on Thursday in anticipation of it.

Save up to $1,200 on Bluetti’s super-powerful power stations and backup batteries

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Check out Bluetti's deals on power products, plus freebies and special offers.
Check out Bluetti's deals on power products, plus freebies and special offers.
Photo: Bluetti

Black Friday, one of the biggest sale days of the year on November 25, is almost here. But Bluetti, maker of power stations and energy storage products, isn’t waiting. It already kicked off the holiday shopping season with a slew of great deals, below.

In addition, Bluetti also offers freebies and more in what it calls “mystery boxes,” as well as exclusive giveaways and a prize drawing. Read on to see what you can get!

Apple gear finds stout home on custom maple standing desk and monitor riser [Setups]

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Both the standing desk and monitor shelf sport 3-inch-thick maple.
Both the standing desk and monitor shelf sport 3-inch-thick maple.
Photo: [email protected]

A great computer setup starts with a solid desk — preferably a standing desk, so you can sit or stand as your aching body requires. Today’s featured setup finds a MacBook Pro, iPad Pro, Studio Display and Dell 4K monitor resting easy on a stout maple standing desk and monitor riser.

Wherever you see wood in the photograph, know that it’s 3 inches thick. That’s one way to reduce monitor wobbling.

New ‘Shot on iPhone’ video touts super-stable Action Mode

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Normally this shot would be shaky enough to turn your stomach. But Action Mode makes it smoothe.
Normally this shot would be shaky enough to turn your stomach. But Action Mode makes it smoothe.
Photo: Apple

A new YouTube video commissioned by Apple demonstrates how well Action Mode in iPhone 14 stabilizes tricky, action-packed video shots without any special equipment.

And every handset in the iPhone 14 series has the feature, so you, too, can be an action movie director.

Last chance! Save $20 on magnetic mount that makes your iPad stand tall

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You can easily bring your tablet up to eye level with SwitchEasy's MagMount stand.
You can easily bring your tablet up to eye level with SwitchEasy's MagMount stand.
Photo: SwitchEasy

Have you noticed yourself slouching as you look down at your iPad, even when it’s on a stand and resting at a decent viewing angle? SwitchEasy offers an option that raises your tablet up to eye level, improving your posture and keeping those pains in the neck from happing.

It’s the SwitchEasy MagMount Magnetic iPad Stand. And Thursday is your last chance to get 20% off the stand in the Cult of Mac Store. The flash sale ends November 10.

New Philips Hue smart lights get festive for the holidays

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You can get the colorful new lights strings starting November 15.
You can get the colorful new lights strings starting November 15.
Photo: Signify

With the Christmas holiday season fast approaching, Philips Hue, owned by Signify, broke out its new Festavia string lights. They work with HomeKit, the Home app, Siri voice commands and the Hue app.

They’re not cheap, however. A 65-foot cord with 250 LED lights goes for $160.

Apple TV+ will bring back murderously fun Bad Sisters for season 2

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The Garvey sisters shall return, Apple TV+ said.
The Garvey sisters shall return, Apple TV+ said.
Photo: Apple TV+

Apple TV+ said Wednesday its murderously fun dark comedy Bad Sisters, which ended its first season in October, will return for a second go-round.

That’s good news for fans of the show — myself included — but you have to wonder what will happen with the story. The Belgian show it’s based on, Clan, had only one season. And at the end of season one of Bad Sisters, the Garvey women get what they want regarding their jerk of a brother-in-law.

But perhaps his demise won’t turn out to be the perfect crime it looked like. And that’s no spoiler. You know he’s dead from episode 1.

Stick this stylish sleeve for Apple Pencil anywhere

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Strong adhesive lets you stick the sleeve anywhere.
Strong adhesive lets you stick the sleeve anywhere.
Photo: Elago

Even if you have an Apple Pencil 2 that sticks magnetically to the edge of your iPad, that’s not a super-secure storage option for the stylus because it could get knocked off. And it’s not an option at all for the original Apple Pencil. So it’s a good idea to have another, much more secure way to carry your stylus.

That’s where the Elago Apple Pencil Holder comes in. Strong adhesive lets you stick it anywhere.

And right now you can pick it up for just $10.99 in the Cult of Mac Store.

Graphic designer trades up to Mac Studio and Studio Display [Setups]

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That's some moody lighting. The guy who owns this setup is a photographer.
That's some moody lighting. The guy who owns this setup is a photographer.
Photo: Allen Williams

Las Vegas-based graphic designer, video editor and photographer Allen Williams recently made the move from an older iMac to a brand new Mac Studio and Studio Display combo.

He shared his updated computer setup — and a bit about what a difference it makes in his work — with Cult of Mac this week.

Gorgeous stud band transforms your Apple Watch

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Turn your Apple Watch into a statement piece with this elegant stud band.
Turn your Apple Watch into a statement piece with this elegant stud band.
Photo: Goldenerre

Some accessories are just functional, while others do their job and look good at the same time. But if you’d like an Apple Watch band that brings eye-catching elegance to your wrist in any setting, behold the Goldenerre Stud Apple Watch Band.

If you’re ready to turn your wearable into a statement piece with this band, head to the Cult of Mac Store. This band is unlikely to go unnoticed.

First Apple-certified 15W car charger comes from Belkin

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This MFi-certified charger clips to a dashboard vent and delivers 15W of power to a MagSafe iPhone.
This MFi-certified charger clips to a dashboard vent and delivers 15W of power to a MagSafe iPhone.
Photo: Apple

Apple has started selling the first 15W MagSafe car charger, made by Belkin. Up until now magnetic car chargers haven’t used Apple-certified MagSafe technology. They’re Qi-certified chargers with magnets that offer half the power of a 15W MagSafe charger.

But that changes now with Belkin’s Boost Charger Pro Wireless Car Charger with MagSafe.

Affordable, feature-rich PDF editor-reader updated for iOS 16 and iPadOS 16

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PDF Editor PDF Book Reader is an inexpensive app that covers your PDF-file needs.
PDF Editor PDF Book Reader is an inexpensive app that covers your PDF-file needs.
Photo: PDF Editor PDF Book Reader

Adobe Acrobat is great for editing PDF files, but the software costs between $13 and $20 a month for a subscription. If you work with PDFs only occasionally, paying out monthly is massive overkill.

Luckily, there are practical and feature-rich apps out there that cost very little to use. One of them is PDF Editor PDF Book Reader, which has been around for years but has been updated to work with iOS 16 and iPadOS 16 on iPhones and iPads.

New bumper case is tough enough for Apple Watch Ultra

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Now you can make your Apple Watch Ultra even tougher.
Now you can make your Apple Watch Ultra even tougher.
Photo: Elkson

If you’re into extreme activities, Apple Watch Ultra in the one-tough-hombre timepiece for you. But you can make it even more rugged — and protect your investment in the pricey wearable — with the new Elkson Quattro Max Bumper Case.

If you want to make sure your Apple Watch survives whatever you throw at it, pick up the case in the Cult of Mac Store.

Thread-enabled Nano smart blinds work with HomeKit

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Nano Smart Blinds work with HomeKit.
Nano Smart Blinds work with HomeKit.
Photo: SmartWings

If you’re willing to get in on the ground floor of a crowdfunding campaign as an “early bird,” you can now score Thread-enabled smart mini blinds that work with HomeKit for $100 off the retail price.

SmartWings Nano Smart Blinds have surpassed their funding goal on Indiegogo, so they should ship to buyers in January, the company said.

Apple-hating programmer now swears by Mac Studio, Pro Display XDR [Setups]

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The person who uses this setup used to hate Apple.
The person who uses this setup used to hate Apple.
Photo: [email protected]

Some folks insist people never change, others say they often do. And proof of the latter shows up in today’s featured Mac Studio computer setup featuring Apple’s magnificent 6K Pro Display XDR.

It belongs to a Linux-loving software programmer who used to be strongly anti-Apple, according to her husband.

Bluetti crowdfunds $11 million for groundbreaking home-backup power station

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Bluetti's Indiegogo fundraising campaign was an unqualified success.
Bluetti's Indiegogo fundraising campaign was an unqualified success.
Photo: Bluetti

Power product provider Bluetti hit a big milestone recently when it raised a staggering $11.6 million on Indiegogo for its new AC500 and B300S Home Backup Power Station, a backup beast that can power a home for days.

The campaign raised the funds — $11,633,332 and counting, to be exact — between September 1, 2022, and October 30. That ensures production and sale of the advanced AC500 inverter and B300S expansion battery, set to go on sale November 25 on Bluetti’s website and Amazon (and available on Indiegogo in the meantime, see below).