Apple news, analysis and opinion, plus general tech news | Cult of Mac

Charging stand turns Apple Watch into tiny retro computer

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There's no denying Elago's W9 Stand for Apple Watch is pretty cute.
There's no denying Elago's W9 Stand for Apple Watch is pretty cute.
Photo: Elago

Apple Watch is a serious tool, but that doesn’t mean all its accessories need to be straight-faced. Elago excels at making lighthearted and charming retro-style accessories for Apple products, and its W9 Stand for Apple Watch is no different. It makes your wearable look like an old-school Mac.

Compatible with all Apple Watch series, from Ultra down through the smaller sizes, the W9 stand is available now in the Cult of Mac Store.

Today in Apple history: iTunes ditches movie trailer downloads

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Apple's iTunes movie trailers go dark as streaming supplants downloads.
iTunes movie trailers go dark.
Photo: Tookapic/Pexels CC

May 24: Today in Apple history: iTunes ditches movie trailer downloads May 24, 2013: Apple begins phasing out the option for users to download movie trailers from its once enormously popular trailers.apple.com website.

The move signifies a major change taking place in the way customers consume digital content. Downloads will continue to decline as streaming services like YouTube and Netflix pick up steam.

View a 100-inch virtual screen with ‘world’s first AR laptop’

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If you were really standing behind her, you wouldn't be able to see any of those tabs.
If you were really standing behind her, you wouldn't be able to see any of those tabs.
Photo: Sightful

With Apple apparently on the verge of releasing its first AR/VR headset at WWDC23, an Israeli startup called Sightful has unveiled Spacetop, which it calls “the world’s first augmented-reality laptop.”

Spacetop has no dedicated display. The user dons AR glasses to view tabs across a curved, 100-inch virtual space that no one else can see. You have to wonder if this practical step into AR is the right move at the right time — or too practical for its own good.

MacBook Pro rig depends on Studio Display stand-in [Setups]

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A MacBook Pro and a Lenovo PC laptop rely on a 27-inch Alogic Clarity 4K external monitor.
A MacBook Pro and a Lenovo PC laptop rely on a 27-inch Alogic Clarity 4K external monitor.
Photo: migueltomas@Reddit.com

Apple’s 5K Studio Display in on the pricey side for many folks, so many less-expensive 4K monitors like the one in today’s featured MacBook Pro and Lenovo laptop setup tend to stand in for it.

But not every big-selling 4K display is designed to look like it belongs in an Apple setup. This one is.

Netflix’s crackdown on password sharing expands to the US

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Netflix Downloads for You puts suggested shows right onto your iPhone
Netflix's crackdown on password sharing arrives in the US.
Photo: Netflix

Netflix’s crackdown on password sharing has arrived in the US. Going forward, your friends or family members will have to pay extra to stream content from Netflix if they were leeching from your account.

Netflix’s new account-sharing rules require all members to reside in the same household.

New Matter-compatible LED strip brings 64 lighting modes to HomeKit

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Govee's popular smart-lighting products now include an LED strip that works with the new Matter standard and, therefore, with HomeKit.
Govee's popular smart-lighting products now include an LED strip that works with the new Matter standard and, therefore, with HomeKit.
Photo: Govee

With the release of Govee’s first Matter-compatible smart light — the LED Strip Light M1 — users can connect lighting across smart home automation platforms like HomeKit and others, the company said Monday.

Get creative: Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro launch for iPad

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Final Cut Pro for iPad gives users the ultimate mobile studio for all their video and editing needs — no matter where they are.
Final Cut Pro for iPad gives users the ultimate mobile studio for all their video and editing needs — no matter where they are.
Photo: Apple

Responding to years of requests for iPad versions of professional-grade software, Apple released Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro for iPadOS on Tuesday.

These are not “lite” versions of Apple’s video editing and music creation software. They are equivalent to the macOS ones, but adapted for iPad. And that includes additional features.

Today in Apple history: Steve Jobs attempts a boardroom coup

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Jobs
Sadly for Steve, things didn't work in his favor.
Photo: Esther Dyson/Flickr CC

May 23: Today in Apple history: Steve Jobs attempts a boardroom coup May 23, 1985: Bitter about being ousted from his position running the Macintosh division, Steve Jobs attempts to stage a coup to seize control of Apple from CEO John Sculley.

The 30-year-old Apple co-founder plans to overthrow Sculley while the CEO is away on a business trip in China. Unfortunately for Jobs, he makes a critical mistake when he tries to recruit the support of Apple executive Jean-Louis Gassée, who informs Sculley of the plot.

It’s the beginning of the end for Jobs’ first tenure at Apple.

New desktop power tower sports retractable USB-C cable

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The device sports three power outlets, USB-C and USB-A ports, and a retractable USB-C cable.
The device sports three power outlets, USB-C and USB-A ports, and a retractable USB-C cable.
Photo: Baseus

On Monday Baseus released its new PowerCombo 6-in-1 Charging Station, a desktop power-strip tower featuring a retractable USB-C cable.

In addition to the cable, the device includes three electrical outlets for computers, monitors and other electronics, plus a 65-watt USB-C port and a 60W USB-A port for charging devices like iPads, iPhones and AirPods.