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News - page 199

Mophie’s new power bank sports built-in iPhone and Mac charging cables

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Mophie's new power bank sports built-in iPhone and Mac charging cables
Never be without the charging cable you need with the Mophie Powerstation Plus.
Photo: Zagg

The latest model in the Mophie Powerstation Plus line of external batteries includes two integrated charging cables —Lightning and USB-C. This simplifies charging an iPhone, iPad or Mac.

The 10,000 mAh power bank can extend the battery life of these devices by hours.

Will Roku’s new smart-home gadgets work with HomeKit and Matter?

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Those who use Roku streaming devices will find the new smart-home gear, like the doorbell camera, integrate seamlessly.
Those who use Roku streaming devices will find the new smart-home gear, like the doorbell camera, integrate seamlessly.
Photo: Roku

Roku is best-known for its streaming media devices. But it’s branching out with a whole-home strategy that will see a range of smart-home gadgets, including security cameras, lights and plugs, go on sale next week at Walmart, the company said.

But a report indicates the company isn’t saying yet whether its new gadgets will work with the new Matter smart-home connectivity standard supported by Apple and other companies. It’s designed to let devices from different makers work together on systems like Apple’s HomeKit and others.

Roku’s lack of clarity is a bit odd, given that it’s among the companies supporting Matter, and that might give some would-be purchasers pause.

MacBook Pro and PC rig features designer’s own folding MagSafe stand [Setups]

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This moody shot doesn't show the folding MagSafe stand well, but you can see it in the images below.
This moody shot doesn't show the folding MagSafe stand well, but you can see it in the images below.
Photo: [email protected]

Once in a while a computer setup comes along that shows off its owner’s invention. Sometimes it’s something perfectly utilitarian and sometimes it’s something weird and wonderful (examples below).

In today’s featured MacBook Pro and Intel NUC PC setup, we find a nifty folding MagSafe charging stand just about to go on the market.

Brazil fines Apple again for selling iPhones without charger

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Apple.logo.paris.store
Apple plans to appeal the decision.
Photo: Josh Davidson/Cult of Mac

A Brazilian court fined Apple a second time for not bundling chargers with the iPhones it sells in the country. The court imposed a fine of 100 million reals ($19 million).

The Brazilian association of borrowers, consumers and taxpayers filed the lawsuit in the Sao Paulo state court.

Louis Armstrong’s Black & Blues trailer gives inside look at a musical icon

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‘Definitive’ Louis Armstrong documentary trumpets toward Apple TV+
Apple TV+ will release Louis Armstrong’s Black & Blues, giving an in-depth look at the musician’s life and legacy.
Photo: Apple

Louis Armstrong is one of the most important jazz musicians ever, as both a trumpet player and a singer. Apple TV+ promises to introduce a definitive documentary of his life based on never-before-heard home recordings and personal conversations.

Louis Armstrong’s Black & Blues premieres worldwide at the end of October.

Netflix ad-supported plan costs just $7

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Commercials are coming to Netflix
You'll soon be able to get Netflix at a lower cost by watching commercials.
Photo: Netflix/Cult of Mac

The price of Netflix dropped like a rock for those willing to watch commercials. The streaming service announced Thursday that its new ad-supported subscription plan is only $6.99 a month – 30% to 55% below the current cost.

The new option will debut in November 2022. It’ll then be a cheaper option for enjoying a large library of shows and movies on a Mac, iPad or Apple TV.

This clever new desk mat charges your iPhone and AirPods

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The desk mat's charging panel is a convenient place to top off your smartphone and earbuds charging case.
The desk mat's charging panel is a convenient place to top off your smartphone and earbuds charging case.
Photo: Journey

You may not consider the humble desk mat a necessity in your computer setup. But what if you could charge your smartphone and earbuds charging case just by placing them on your desk? You can with the new Alti Wireless Charging Desk Mat. Accessories maker Journey unveiled it Thursday.

“This charging mat is our all-in-one solution to keeping your desk clutter-free while simultaneously charging your devices. We promise that it will soon become your favorite desk companion,” the company said.

More Apple services coming to Windows 11

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More Apple services coming to Windows 11
Windows users get get a touch of sweet iCloud Photos goodness
Screenshot: Microsoft

Microsoft and Apple are cooperating to enable the Windows 11 Photos app to access photos and videos from iCloud. In addition, the Apple Music and the Apple TV applications are also coming to Windows.

The Apple vs. Microsoft war is truly over.

These are the iOS 16 features we’re still waiting for

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These are the iOS 16 features we’re still waiting for
iOS 16.1 will soon bring features Apple announced months ago.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple announced a plethora of iOS 16 features at WWDC22. But not all of them made their way into the first public release of the OS in September. Some of them will arrive later this year or even in early 2023.

Check out this list of iOS 16 features that we are still waiting for.

Buy refurbished Studio Display from Apple and save big

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A table showing the desktop Macs.
Save big on Apple's Studio Display by buying refurbished.
Photo: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

Seven months after its launch, Apple has started selling refurbished Studio Display units through its Certified Refurbished Store in the U.S. The company announced the standalone monitor in March this year.

Apple’s Refurbished Store provides a great way to save money on Apple products. Prices for refurbished units are usually around 10-15 percent lower than MSRP.

Last chance: Protect Apple Watch from drops and scrapes with an aluminum case (20% off)

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SwitchEasy's aluminum alloy case protects Apple Watch and looks good doing it.
SwitchEasy's aluminum alloy case protects Apple Watch and looks good doing it.
Photo: SwitchEasy

If you spend a few hundred bucks or more on an Apple Watch, you may want to protect it. People put their iPhones in cases all the time, so why not Apple’s wearable?

Good thing SwitchEasy makes a pair of aluminum cases that are protective yet subtle, saving your smartwatch from bumps, scrapes and drops.

And through October 13, you can get 20% off the cases in the Cult of Mac Store.

Origami case/stand raises iPad to eye level

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Origami case/stand raises iPad to eye level
These is all just one iPad case/stand. The Moft Snap Float Folio can be folded into many different configurations.
Photo: Moft

The new Moft Snap Float Folio raises the bar on iPad cases that also function as stands. Literally. It can be folded to lift the the iPad screen up to 3.6 inches.

If that’s not enough, the case/strand also folds into five other configurations to allow the iPad to be used in different ways.

No, Lufthansa isn’t banning AirTags from checked bags [Updated]

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After a bit of confusion, Lufthansa says it won't ban AirTags from checked baggage.
After a bit of confusion, Lufthansa says it won't ban AirTags from checked baggage.
Photo: Daniel Romero/Unsplash License

German airline Lufthansa is not banning Apple’s AirTags and similar tracking tags from checked luggage, the company said Wednesday.

“The German Aviation Authorities (Luftfahrtbundesamt) confirmed today, that they share our risk assessment, that tracking devices with very low battery and transmission power in checked luggage do not pose a safety risk,” a Lufthansa representative told Cult of Mac in an email Wednesday. “With that, these devices are allowed on Lufthansa flights.”

Ads might come to Apple TV+

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Ads might come to Apple TV+
You might see this message soon on Apple TV+.
Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac

Although Apple TV+ is one of the few streaming services without commercials, the company is reportedly talking to media agencies about adding adverts to its shows.

If true, Apple is likely considering a cheaper ad-supported tier for TV+, not forcing all subscribers to watch commercials.

Ferrell and Reynolds get their musical Scrooge on in Spirited trailer

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Ryan Reynold share a new enthusiasm for tap dancing in the teaser for the Apple TV+ musical
Ryan Reynold share a new enthusiasm for tap dancing in the teaser for the Apple TV+ musical "Spirited."
Photo: Apple TV+

How many times have you watched the many-and-varied film-and-TV versions of the Charles Dickens classic, A Christmas Carol? You know, Scrooge, Tiny Tim, Bob Cratchit, bad dreams, redemption. Well, if you haven’t heard, the story has once again clawed its way out of the grave.

Apple TV+ dropped a teaser trailer Wednesday for its new version, the comedy-musical Spirited set for release in theaters November 11 and on the streaming service November 18.

This time it looks like a contemporary take, with Ghost of Christmas Present Will Ferrell trying to drag corporate-executive-looking Ryan Reynolds into a vision that includes big dance numbers.

Did you know your office walls need pegboards? They do. [Setups]

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This setup just added an LG UltraFine display, but it's the pegboards everybody's raving about.
This setup just added an LG UltraFine display, but it's the pegboards behind it everybody's raving about.
Photo: [email protected]

Sometimes the hero of a computer setup isn’t the computer itself. And it may not be a slick external display or other peripherals, either. In today’s featured MacBook Pro setup, a newly added LG UltraFine display gets some attention, but the real star is something a bit more pedestrian mounted on the wall behind it.

Pegboards may have no world-changing technology built into them, but they can radically change your setup for the better as an inventive storage and charging solution.

Apple Music finally launches on Xbox

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First-time Apple Music subscribers get just a 1-month free trial now (unless they bought an Apple device).
Xbox gamers can now enjoy Apple Music while playing.
Photo: Apple

Apple Music is now available on recent versions of Microsoft’s Xbox gaming console. That includes playing songs while gaming.

The streaming music service is already available on PlayStation and other third-party entertainment platforms.

Mythic Quest season 3 trailer sets up battle of deeply dysfunctional game companies

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'Mythic Quest' season 3 trailer sets up battle of deeply dysfunctional game companies
Charlotte Nicdao and Rob McElhenney in Mythic Quest, premiering November 11 on Apple TV+.
Photo: Apple TV+

Mythic Quest season three is just weeks away, and Apple TV+ ramped up fan excitement on Tuesday with a trailer for the new season. The new episodes will pit the gaming company newly formed by Ian and Poppy against David and Mythic Quest.

Watch the trailer now.

Bose busts out compact, affordable new soundbar with AirPlay 2

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The new Bose Smart Soundbar 600 is only about 2 inches high.
The new Bose Smart Soundbar 600 is only about 2 inches high.
Photo: Bose

Bose took a further step into the compact, affordable soundbar market Monday with release of its new Smart Soundbar 600. It looks set to compete in a growing pool of home-theater audio products that don’t break the bank.

Featuring Dolby Atmos, Bose “TrueSpace” and AirPlay 2 technology, the slender speaker goes for $499, Bose said.

Ask Apple promises one-on-one coding help for developers

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Ask Apple promises one-on-one coding help for developers
Ask Apple is a new series of interactive Q&As and one-on-one consultations for developers.
Photo: Apple

Ask Apple is a new way for iPhone and Mac developers to get support and feedback. It will include interactive question-and-answer sessions and one-on-one consultations.

“If you’re a developer, you don’t want to miss out on Ask Apple,” says Greg Joswiak the company’s global head of marketing.

Joe Rogan interviews Steve Jobs in eerie, AI-generated podcast

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Joe Rogan interviews Steve Jobs in eerie AI-generated podcast
Steve Jobs (1955 – 2011) did not do a new interview with Joe Rogan. You can listen to it anyway.
Image: Hotpot

Apple co-founder Steve Jobs passed away more than 11 years ago, but that didn’t prevent him from giving a new interview with superstar podcaster Joe Rogan. In it, the co-creator of the Mac talks about the importance of Eastern mysticism, his thoughts on LSD, Google, innovation and more.

There’s just one tiny wrinkle: The entire podcast is generated by artificial intelligence. That includes Jobs’ and Rogan’s voices and their responses.