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David Snow - page 94

Get Anker’s ‘industry first’ plant-based charging cables and new Nano charger in matching colors

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Anker's new bio-cables and Nano 3 charger come in a variety of colors.
Anker's new bio-cables and Nano 3 charger come in a variety of colors.
Photo: Anker

With the iPhone 14 series imminent, Anker rolled out its tiny new Nano 3 wall charger Tuesday along with an “industry-first” set of eco-friendly, bio-based charging cables.

The gallium nitride-based Nano 3 is even smaller than before and packs 30W of power. But the real headliner may be the two sizes of plant-based USB-C charging cables for USB-C and Lighting devices.

And you can get the charger and cables in a choice of fanciful matching colors and at 10% off for two weeks, Anker said.

Get up to 70% off Apple accessories for Labor Day

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Mifa's rugged nylon tactical band is popular.
Mifa's rugged nylon tactical band is popular.
Photo: Mifa

As you (hopefully) kick back and relax on Labor Day, consider putting less of your hard-earned pay than usual toward a great variety of Apple Watch accessories. You can get 20% to 70% off in the Cult of Mac Store’s Labor Day Sale, which ends Tuesday.

You have your choice of a variety of Apple Watch bands, plus an Apple Watch charging stand and a hybrid USB-C power pack. Shop our Labor Day Sale now, or read about some of the great deals below.

New Withings smart scale and subscription service integrate with Apple Health

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You won't be able to hide anything from your Withings Body Comp smart scale.
You won't be able to hide anything from your Withings Body Comp smart scale.
Photo: Withings

Withings introduced its newest and most-advanced smart scale along with the company’s first health subscription service Thursday, both integrated with Apple Health.

The company said the Body Comp scale measures multiple biomarkers for a complete body assessment and the annual Health+ subscription service provides health analysis and tools to help users build healthful routines.

The scale and service launch October 4 at a price of $209.95.

Bluetti debuts its latest power stations at IFA 2022

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Bluetti releases new products, including the EP600 power station, in early September.
Bluetti releases new products, including the EP600 power station, in early September.
Photo: Bluetti

This post on portable power stations is brought to you by Bluetti.

Bluetti, a leader in clean-energy storage, will debut its latest power stations — including the game-changing EP600 Solar Power Station planned for 2023 — at the IFA 2022 consumer electronics show in Berlin. The event takes place September 2 through September 6.

Bluetti’s ongoing research and development enables it to offer advanced energy-storage products that can do everything from making your next camping trip memorable to powering your home after a natural disaster.

Check out the latest power products, and how you can see them, below.

Sleek, dual-display MacBook Pro rig gives off serious Tron vibes [Setups]

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This is how you take a picture of a setup if you want people to think it's an ad.
This is how you take a picture of a setup if you want people to think it's an ad.
Photo: [email protected]

When you look at a lot of computer setups showcased on social media, it’s not difficult to see that many of them are staged. They’re so well put together and photographed, you just can’t see normal slobs owning them.

But sometimes the internet tricks you with a surprisingly slick photograph of a real person’s setup. That seems to be the case in today’s featured dual-display MacBook Pro setup, photographs in a cool-gray wash.

“This looks like a render advertising the mouse or something,” one commenter said. “Tron vibes,” added another, referring to the 1982 sci-fi film known for its then-cutting-edge computer animation.

Go off the grid with new, fast-charging EcoFlow portable power station

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The new EcoFlow Delta 2 Portable Power Station can be a home backup in a power outage or it can power your trips off the grid.
The new EcoFlow Delta 2 Portable Power Station can be a home backup in a power outage or it can power your trips off the grid.
Photo: EcoFlow

Got a big camping trip coming up? Or maybe you worry about power outages at home? EcoFlow launched its new Delta Portable Power Station Friday.

The company said it fully charges in 1.3 hours, has a 10-year lifetime and powers 90% of devices and appliances.

The new station serves as an upgrade of the Delta Portable Power Station. EcoFlow noted the new one charges seven times faster than the industry average, has expandable capacity and features a battery that should keep it going for a decade.

Ends soon: Get 20% off a huge selection of iPhone cases from SwitchEasy

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The Odyssey lanyard cases for iPhone 12 and 13 give you additional carry options.
The Odyssey lanyard cases for iPhone 12 and 13 give you additional carry options.
Photo: SwitchEasy

Apple’s new iPhone 14 series may be on the way, but many people won’t switch if they have a recent iPhone already, though they may feel like they’re missing out on all the fun. If you have an iPhone 11, 12 or 13, why not change it up with a new case?

That’s much cheaper than getting a new iPhone. And this week, it’s cheaper still. You can grab any of 41 different cases for iPhone 13, 12 and 11 for 20% off in the Cult of Mac Store. But don’t wait around: This sale ends at 11:59 p.m. PST on September 2, 2022.

Potent new OtterBox charger lineup powers you up at home and on the road

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OtterBox rolled out an array of new chargers.
OtterBox rolled out an array of new chargers to address different needs.
Photo: OtterBox

OtterBox released its Premium Pro Power lineup of chargers Wednesday, including wall chargers, car chargers and MagSafe charging stands.

With the release, OtterBox steps further into the market for smaller charging accessories, including potent-but-compact gallium nitride (GaN) chargers.

Get a magnetic iPad stylus for about half Apple Pencil 2’s price

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Palm sensitivity lets you rest your palm as you write or draw without messing anything up.
Palm sensitivity lets you rest your palm as you write or draw without messing anything up.
Photo: SwitchEasy

Buying an iPad doesn’t usually mean just buying an iPad. Many people want useful accessories, like a stylus that lets them write and draw more precisely than they can with their fingers. But Apple Pencil 2 usually goes for a fairly steep $129.

If you’d like to get an advanced stylus with most of Apple Pencil 2’s features for much less, you have options. A good one is the SwitchEasy EasyPencil Pro.

You can get the fourth-gen version of it in the Cult of Mac Store for just over half the cost of Apple Pencil 2, plus a supply of extra tips for different uses. Or you can nab the third-gen EasyPencil for a little less. See more information below.

iPad Pro extends brilliant 5K display through Sidecar [Setups]

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The LG 5K display and the iPad Pro work together through Sidecar.
The LG 5K display and the iPad Pro work together through Sidecar.
Photo: [email protected]

Apple has said many times it won’t produce a touch-screen Mac because that’s what iPads are for. But Sidecar functionality can make an iPad a touch-screen extension of a Mac, where you can drag and drop elements and work with them using Apple Pencil or your fingertips.

Today’s featured MacBook Pro setup mounts a big 5K display and an iPad Pro right next to each other. In the photograph, you can see the desktop wallpaper running right onto the tablet’s display through Sidecar (more on that below).

And who doesn’t love an all-Apple audio arsenal? This setup rocks paired OG HomePods, AirPods Max on a cool charging stand and AirPods, too.

New Edifier ANC earbuds offer solid sound at a good value [Review] ★★★

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Edifier's new W240TN wireless earbuds have a bit of an industrial look going.★★★
Edifier's new W240TN wireless earbuds have a bit of an industrial look to them.
Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac

Noise-cancelling wireless earbuds that cost under $100 jostle in a competitive field. One company that consistently stands out from the crowd with high-quality goods that are a great value for what they cost is Edifier.

And the company, based in China, has done it again with the Edifier W240TN true wireless earbuds. They launch Thursday for a price of $79.99. Edifier sent me a pair to try out.

There really aren’t many reasons not to buy these if you want good earbuds for well under $100. But there are a couple of potential reasons, depending on your priorities.

New Belkin Boost Pro GaN chargers top off iPhones fast

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Belkin's compact new GaN chargers feature dual USB-C ports and fast charging.
Belkin's compact new GaN chargers feature dual USB-C ports and fast charging.
Photo: Belkin

Belkin trotted out two new Boost Charge Pro GaN wall chargers Tuesday in 65W and 45W versions. Both adapters feature dual USB-C ports and programmable power supply (PPS).

The compact chargers are designed for fast charging. You can use them to power up an iPhone 13 to half-full in 28 minutes, the company said.

HP debuts first monitor with ‘IPS Black’ contrast and Thunderbolt 4

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HP's new display, coming soon, offers IPS Black contrast and speedy Thunderbolt 4 connections.
HP's new display, coming soon, offers IPS Black contrast and speedy Thunderbolt 4 connections.
Photo: HP

HP rolled out a new 4K monitor at its Amplify Executive Forum Thursday, calling it “the world’s first IPS Black display with Thunderbolt 4 technology.”

The HP Z32k G3 4K USB-C Display, “coming soon” at an unspecified price, should appeal to creators and product developers, the company said.

That’s because it will offer strong color accuracy and high contrast in addition to the speed and versatility of Thunderbolt 4 connectivity.

Apple TV+ plans 4 new kids series this fall plus more Peanuts classics

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New animated series
New animated series Sago Mini Friends debuts September 16 on Apple TV+.
Image: Apple TV+

Apple TV+ listed its fall slate of kids and family fare Monday. It includes new animated series Sago Mini Friends, Slumberkins and Interrupting Chicken, plus live-action series Circuit Breakers.

And in addition to those, kids and their families can enjoy returning favorites plus a new lineup of classic Peanuts specials.

Mountain biker paralyzed in crash said Apple Watch saved his life

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Paralyzed in the crash, Ryan McConnaughey said he'd be dead if not for the Apple Watch.
Paralyzed in the crash, Ryan McConnaughey said he'd be dead if not for the Apple Watch.
Photo: KGTV News San Diego

Mountain biker Ryan McConnaughey took his usual daily ride near San Diego only to find himself going over the handlebars in a steep section. He slammed into the ground, head-first, helmet on.

Sprawled on his back, he soon found he couldn’t move from the neck down. “I knew for sure that I needed to get medical attention as quickly as possible. My brain kind of kicked into survival mode,” he said.

With his iPhone in his backpack, he began talking to his Apple Watch.

iPhone stuck on the Apple logo? Fix it with Dr.Fone.

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Is you iPhone stuck in a boot-loop? Dr. Fone can help.
Is your iPhone stuck in a boot loop? Dr.Fone can help.
Photo: Wondershare

This iOS system repair post is presented by Wondershare, maker of Dr.Fone.

Apple devices like iPhones have great reputations for reliability, but nothing’s perfect. And if you find your iPhone stuck on the Apple logo while booting up — often called a “boot loop” — what to do about it can be a real head-scratcher.

Fortunately, there is software designed to help fix that and other problems. One such option is Dr.Fone from Wondershare.

This sick rig sports 9 Macs and 3 Apple displays [Setups]

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Can you picture needing 9 Macs, including 3 top-shelf machines?
Can you picture needing 9 Macs, including 3 top-shelf machines?
Photo: [email protected]

Occasionally a computer setup displayed on social media makes you swoon. Usually it’s a combination of amazing gear, artful arrangement and exceptional photography, like something staged by a pro. But sometimes it’s just a sick amount of awesome Apple computers and displays.

Today’s featured setup, run by a consultant who “works for several companies,” relies on four high-spec Macs, five very-nice-but-not-exceptional Macs and three Apple Displays, including a Pro Display XDR — which goes for $5,000 or more by itself.

Does your wallet hurt yet? We just took ours to the ER.

Violent extortion threat pauses Apple TV+ series with Natalie Portman in Baltimore

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The shooting threat halted filming in downtown Baltimore.
The shooting threat halted filming in downtown Baltimore.
Photo: Pexels/Abdullah Almutairi

Shooting on the set of Apple TV+ series Lady in the Lake paused Friday afternoon in downtown Baltimore to consider another type of shooting. According to reports, locals threatened that if production didn’t stop, they’d return with guns blazing. Unless producers paid them $50,000.

Taping on the limited crime drama series starring Natalie Portman and Moses Ingram shut down. But producers refused to pay. They opted to move locations instead.

Universal Control brings M2 MacBook Air and M1 iPad Air together [Setups]

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No external display? No problem!
No external display? No problem!
Photo: [email protected]

Who says you need an external display in your computer setup? Some people get by just fine without some big, expensive monitor and whatever hub and cables it might require. Instead, they rely on their devices’ built-in screens.

And doing that, the owner of today’s featured setup takes advantage of Universal Control. That helps him work seamlessly across an M2 MacBook Air and an M1 iPad Air mounted on stands.

Soundcore’s new Space A40 earbuds zero-out noise and play a long time [Review] ★★★★

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The new Soundcore Space A40 earbuds have stellar ANC and epic battery life. And you'll probably like how they sound, too.★★★★
The new Soundcore Space A40 earbuds have stellar ANC and epic battery life. And you'll probably like how they sound, too.
Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac

The new Soundcore Space A40 True-Wireless Noise Cancelling Earbuds came out Thursday alongside their sibling Space Q45 over-ear headphones.

Upon release, both products made a lot of noise about strong active noise cancellation (ANC) and massive battery life. And like the headphones, which I already reviewed, the earbuds don’t disappoint.

While their marquee qualities are strong ANC and lengthy play time, the A40 buds also sound good and feature lots of opportunities for audio customization.

Apple and minority business leaders push toward green economy

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Meet Apple's second Impact Accelerator class of minority-owned businesses looking for growth in a greener economy.
Meet Apple's second Impact Accelerator class of minority-owned businesses looking for growth in a greener economy.
Photo: Apple

Apple introduced its second Impact Accelerator class Thursday. It’s made up of leaders from 16 minority-owned businesses that work in environmental services. They’ll be trained and mentored to help grow the businesses, which may end up partnering with Apple.

And at the same time, they’ll advance “a shared goal of creating a greener world,” Apple said.

Set yourself apart from the riffraff with this $15,000 Apple Watch case

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And it comes with an Apple Watch, you say? What a bargain.
And it comes with an Apple Watch, you say? What a bargain.
Photo: Golden Concept

Tired of slumming it with just a regular ol’ expensive Apple Watch? Well, you could dress it up a bit if you fork over $15,000 for an Apple Watch case smothered in more than 400 diamonds.

I mean, you deserve a special treat now and again, don’t you? A company called Golden Concept thinks so.

Affordable new smart Wi-Fi light strip from TP-Link supports HomeKit

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You can get a huge array of colors or bright white light out of these strips.
You can get a huge array of colors or bright white light out of these strips.
Photo: TP-Link

TP-Link just flipped the switch on a new lineup of smart LED light strips and light bulbs, some of which you can use with HomeKit or other home-automation systems.

The main selling point here is budget-friendliness. Prices range from $25 to $50, so you won’t break the bank lighting up your space.

Soundcore Q45 headphones crush noise cancellation and battery life [Review] ★★★★

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The new Soundcore Q45 headphones have strong noise cancellation and long battery life.★★★★
The new Soundcore Q45 headphones have strong noise cancellation and long battery life.
Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac

With Thursday’s release of the new Soundcore Space Q45 Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones and sibling Space A40 earbuds, Soundcore began replacing its Life series of sound products. The company sent me both products to test. This review covers the Q45 cans (my A40 review will appear tomorrow).

I’ve spent a couple weeks with the Q45 over-ear, closed-back headphones. Soundcore pushes two main selling points: strong noise cancellation and long battery life. And with the Q45 headphones, the company has hit it out of the park on both counts.

And they sound good for the price, too.

Get $15 off SwitchBot and turn your dumb lock into a smart one

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The SwitchBot Lock fits over your existing
The SwitchBot Lock fits over your existing "dumb" lock.
Photo: SwitchBot

Users who aren’t ready to to take the plunge into full home-automation system like HomeKit and related accessories have another option to make a dumb lock smarter.

SwitchBot recently launched a new version of SwitchBot Lock. The company said it’s the best way to make a door lock smart without refitting, so users can lock or unlock their door via devices like iPhone or Apple Watch.

Better yet, right now you can get 15% off on Amazon, or about $15 off the $100 price.