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Ed Hardy - page 179

Tiny MacBook adapter unites 480GB SSD, Thunderbolt 3 and HDMI

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Minix Neo Storage Pro with MacBook
Minix Neo Storage Pro combines an SSD, USB-A and HDMI in a clip-on package.
Photo: Minix

Minix Neo Storage Pro is a 480GB solid-state drive that’s also a USB-C multi-port adapter. Plug it into a MacBook and it expands the storage capacity, while also adding HDMI and USB-A ports. And there’s also an accessible Thunderbolt 3 port.

Analyst: iPhone 9 set for mid-April release, but 6.7-inch iPhone 12 delayed

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iphone9
The iPhone 9 release could be right around the corner.
Photo: Mauro Batino

Apple will “likely” launch a low-cost iPhone 9 as early as next week, according to an analyst report published Friday.

Travel difficulties caused by the coronavirus outbreak may push back the release of the largest iPhone ever until late fall, the analyst said. However, other new iOS devices are still on schedule for September.

Apple adds local information to its COVID-19 iPhone app

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iPhone showing coronavirus that causes COVID-19
Apple’s COVID-19 iPhone app providing reliable info about the novel coronavirus has been updated with details from each U.S. state.
Photo: Cult of Mac/Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Apple updated its COVID-19 screening application for iPhone with information from each U.S. state’s health department to help users know what’s expected in their area.

This fits with the goal of Apple’s app — giving people resources to stay informed on steps they can take to protect their health during the coronavirus outbreak.

Meross smart plug makes HomeKit home automation easy and cheap [Review]

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Meross Smart WiFi Plug Mini review
Insert the Meross Smart WiFi Plug Mini into a wall socket and you can control it from anywhere in the world.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The Meross Smart WiFi Plug Mini is an inexpensive and easy-to-install way to get started in home automation. This smart plug lets you control a lamp, fan or other appliance without needing to touch it. Support for Apple’s HomeKit and Amazon Alexa means voice commands, or automated schedules, are all that’s necessary.

I tested a pair of these accessories for a week, and can report on how they perform in daily use.

LG’s latest top-tier and more affordable smart TVs offer Apple AirPlay 2 and HomeKit

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LG Nano99, Nano90, and Nano81 all work well with iPhone and Mac.
LG new and upcoming NanoCell smart TVs all include Apple’s AirPlay 2 and HomeKit smart home technologies.
Photo: LG

LG took the wraps off a dozen large-screen TVs on Thursday, all of which support Apple’s AirPlay 2 and HomeKit so they can be integrated into an iPhone-controlled smart home. Screen sizes for these 2020 TVs range from 49 inches all the way up to 86 inches.

Apple might turn MacBooks into wireless chargers

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MacBook wireless charger
Wireless chargers built into future MacBook models remains a real possibility.
Photo: Cult of Mac

Apple hasn’t abandoned the idea of building reverse wireless chargers into its devices. It’s been considering for years the idea of enabling a MacBook to send power to an iPhone without the hassle of wires. And the ability to recharge another handset, or an Apple Watch, was supposed to be a feature of the iPhone 11, but it didn’t happen.

Nevertheless, undeniable evidence that Apple engineers are still working on the technology came to light on Thursday.

iOS 14 could allow app previews without a full download

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App Store
You might soon be able to use applications without downloading them with iOS 14 Clips.
Photo: Graham Bower

iOS 14 will reportedly be able to run part of third-party applications, giving users access to some of their features without them needing to install the entire app on their iPhone, according to a published report. How much of each application would be available in these “Clips” would be up to that app’s developer.

COVID-19 might mean no new emoji in 2021

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2020 emoji
No new emoji might appear in 2021, so these 2020 additions might be the last for a while.
Photo: Emojipedia

The group that’ll determine which emojis would have been added next year said Wednesday that it’s delaying its decision by six months, until September 2021. This raises the possibility that there’ll be no new emoji characters in next year’s iPhone operating system update.

The new 2020 emoji list has already been unveiled by the Unicode Consortium.

Huawei just had to copy the Apple Card

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Huawei Card is coming soon
Huawei Card borrows quite a bit from Apple Card.
Artists Concept: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Huawei unveiled its own credit card April 8, just a year after the debut of the Apple Card. That might be a coincidence if the Chinese company didn’t have a long history of copying Apple.

Google offers 2 months of free Stadia Pro gaming service

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Google’s Stadia will run on MacBooks and iPads, not just Android devices.
This free trial to the Google Stadia Pro cloud gaming service gives your Mac, iPhone or iPad access to top-tier games.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Google said Wednesday that it’s offering two free months of the cloud-based gaming service Stadia Pro to gamers in 14 countries. This includes access to nine games, including GRID, Destiny 2: The Collection, and Thumper.

The company is doing this to help combat feelings of isolation many might be feeling during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Constantly charge your iPhone with Xvida case and clip-on battery [Review]

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Xvida Magnetic Wireless Charging Case and Portable Battery Pack review
Combine the Xvida Magnetic Wireless Charging Portable Battery Pack with the Charging Case to make an iPhone battery case.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The Magnetic Wireless Charging Case from Xvida protects your iPhone from drops and blows, but that’s just the start. Magnets set into its back allow it to easily attach to a range of other accessories made by this company. That includes a wireless charger that adds hours of use to the handset.

I’ve tested both the Xvida Magnetic Wireless Charger Portable Battery Pack and the protective case that it pairs with to see how they stand up to real-world use.

Apple Maps highlights food deliveries and pharmacies

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Apple Maps helps you find food and medicine in the COVID-19 crisis.
Apple Maps helps you find food and medicine during the COVID-19 crisis.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple Maps has been tweaked to make it easier to find businesses people are more likely to need during a shelter-in-place order. The default navigation app for iPhone now gives greater prominence to grocery stores and food delivery than it does to restaurants and fast food chains.

Totallee UV Phone Sanitizer kills germs, and recharges your iPhone

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Totallee UV Phone Sanitizer and iPhone charger
An iPhone placed in the Totallee UV Phone Sanitizer will be bathed in UVB and UVC rays.
Photo: Totallee

Drop your iPhone into the Totallee UV Phone Sanitizer and a pair of ultraviolet lights will kill the germs and bacteria that handsets tend to get coated in. And, as a bonus, this accessory also works as a wireless phone charger.

Totallee makes no promises this product works against the novel coronavirus that’s causing the current pandemic. But earlier studies have shown that the UVC light this accessory emits is effective against other viruses.

Sling TV promises week of free streaming service, no strings attached

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Sling TV
The “Stay in and Sling” offer promises 7 days of Sling TV, with no credit card required to sign up.
Photo: Sling TV

It’s not necessary to enter credit card info to sign up for a week of free Sling TV live channels and on-demand movies. The streaming service includes CNN, HGTV Cartoon Network and much more. And it’s all available for seven days with no strings attached to people sheltering at home during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Google Maps spotlights nearby delivery and take-out restaurants

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Google Maps adds Takeout and Delivery buttons
Tap on the Delivery or Takeout buttons in Google Maps to see open eateries that are closeby.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

A pair of easy-to-see buttons have been added at the top of the Google Maps iPhone and Android apps to help users find restaurants in their area that offer takeout and delivery service. These point people toward nearby eateries still offering service during the coronavirus crisis.

Apple builds 1 million face shields a week for medical workers

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Apple CEO Tim Cook shows off a face shield Apple is making for medical workers.
CEO Tim Cook shows off a face shield Apple is making for medical workers.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple CEO Tim Cook said Sunday that the company is building face shields for medical workers. These are already being distributed in the US, and the plan is to make a million of them a week to be sent to around the world.

In addition, Cook revealed the company has sourced, but not yet donated, over 20 million face masks. The head of Apple said “We’re working continuously and closely with governments at all levels to ensure these are donated to places of greatest need.”

Satechi makes the best Apple Watch travel charger we’ve seen [Review]

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Satechi USB-C Magnetic Charging Dock for Apple Watch review
Satechi Charging Dock for Apple Watch is about the same size as Apple’s wearable.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The Satechi USB-C Magnetic Charging Dock for the Apple Watch is more portable than Apple’s own. And because it uses USB-C, it’s easier to use with a MacBook or iPad Pro — just plug it straight in.

I put the Satechi USB-C Magnetic Charging Dock for Apple Watch through a battery of tests. Here’s how it stood up.

Watch Epix movies and shows for free through Apple TV app

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Epix is available through the Apple TV app.
Just open the Apple TV app to access Epix streaming content at no charge.
Photo: Apple/Epix

All the streaming content of the cable channel Epix is reportedly free to Apple users until May 2. Original shows like Pennyworth and Godfather of Harlem as well a wide selection of movies are available from Epix through the Apple TV app.