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New Zagg Pro Keys adds keyboard and trackpad to pro and non-pro iPads

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Zagg Pro Keys and Rugged Book iPad keyboard cases
The Zagg Pro Keys with Trackpad (center), a new version of the Rugged Book (left) and the Pro Keys without trackpad (right).
Photo: Zagg

The Zagg Pro Keys with Trackpad isn’t just for pro-grade iPad users because anyone might want the option to turn their tablet into a laptop. The new keyboard case is compatible with the 11-inch iPad Pro, the 10.9-inch iPad Air and the 10.2-inch iPad.

Zagg also introduced on Wednesday a version of Pro Keys without a trackpad for the 12.9-inch iPad Pro. And the accessory maker launched a Rugged Book keyboard case for the 11-inch iPad Pro and the 10.9-inch iPad Air.

2021 iPad Pro review roundup: Beautifully fast

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2021 iPad Pro with m1 processor
Reviewers shared their real-world experiences with the M1 processor and the mini-LED screen in the 2021 iPad Pro.
Photo: Cult of Mac

The 2021 iPad Pro successfully combines a gorgeous display with a blazing-fast M1 processor, according to the first wave of reviews published Wednesday.

Chris Velazco from Engadget said, “this might be the best portable computer Apple has ever made.”

Apple Watch Series 7 might feature flat-edged design, green color option [Updated]

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Apple Watch Series 7 concept
This is Apple Watch Series 7, according to tipster Jon Prosser. Highlights include flat edges and a new color.
Concept: Jon Prosser/RendersbyIan

The next-gen Apple Watch could get a huge makeover, with a new, flat-edged design and a green option reminiscent of the AirPods Max.

The redesign would bring Apple Watch into line with the flatter design language and form factor of current-gen Apple products including the iPhone 12, iPad Pro and iPad Air. Apple tipster Jon Prosser revealed the info about the upcoming wearable, likely to be marketed as Apple Watch Series 7, on an episode of his Genius Bar podcast with Sam Kohl.

Moft Snap Tablet Stand adds lightweight kickstand to iPad

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Moft Snap Tablet Stand adds lightweight kickstand to iPad
Prop up an iPad with the Moft Snap Tablet Stand. Then fold it flat.
Photo: Moft

The iPad doesn’t include a kickstand, but the Moft Snap Tablet Stand can be attached to any full-size model, propping the screen up at a variety of viewing and working angles. And it’s easily removable, slim and weighs in at under 5 ounces.

Even better, it’s compatible with the Apple Magic Keyboard.

Google ‘quick delete’ erases your last 15 minutes of search history

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Google 'quick delete’ erases your last 15 minutes of search history
Hide what you’ve been searching for with Google’s promised “quick delete” option.
Image: Google

Google promises to let users easily delete their recent search history. It’s part of a number of privacy changes announced Tuesday at Google I/O.

The company makes its money from advertising but has had to step up its privacy offerings because of pressure from government regulators and Apple.

Powerful iOS camera app Halide makes the jump to iPad

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Halide Mark II is available for iPad users too.
Halide for iPad is ready to break the bias against tablet photography.
Photo: Lux

Halide isn’t just for iPhone any more — the alternative camera application gained iPad support on Tuesday. Lux promises its latest release is, “packed with all the powerful features of Halide for iPhone and a few special ones for better photography on big screens.”

Redesigned MacBook Pro could arrive this summer, larger iMac in the works

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13-inch MacBook Pro with M1 boasts amazing speed and battery life.
The next MacBook Pro sounds like a winner.
Screenshot: Apple

A redesigned MacBook Pro could hit Apple Store shelves as early as this summer, Bloomberg reported Tuesday.

It will come in 14- and 16-inch screen sizes, with a redesigned chassis, MagSafe charger, next-gen M-series chip and the return of the HDMI port and SD card reader. The last time Apple released a new MacBook Pro was November 2020.

M1 iMac review roundup: Fast, thin and oh-so-cool

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24-inch iMac with M1 processor released in 2021
A stunner of a computer.
Photo: Apple

Apple’s debut M1 iMac is a winner, according to the first wave of reviews that arrived Tuesday. The first iMac redesign since 2012 earns praise for its ultra-thin looks, its gorgeous 4.5K display and its M1-powered performance.

T3 hails it as “the world’s coolest desktop.” While it seems likely that other, better M1 Macs will follow — especially for power users who need a bit more oomph — the new 24-inch iMac certainly lives up to the hype.

COVID-19 forces temporary closures for Apple factories in Vietnam

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Don’t let your opinion of Vietnam be stuck decades in the past.
Apple produces a growing number of products in Vietnam.
Photo: Cult of Mac/Marcus Nguyen/Pexels CC

The coronavirus pandemic continues to wreak havoc on Apple’s supply chain (as well as everywhere else), with two Apple suppliers ordered to temporarily shutter factories in Vietnam as a result of a surge of COVID cases in the region.

The companies in question, Foxconn and Luxshare Precision, operate plants in Vietnam’s northern region. The area has seen a big rise in cases, including two over the weekend at Luxshare’s plant in Van Trung Industrial Park.

2021 iMac, iPad Pro and Apple TV 4K hit stores on Friday

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iMac preorders start: Early on, the purple iMac looks like the hardest to come by.
Credit cards at the ready.
Photo: Apple

Apple on Tuesday confirmed that the new 2021 iMac, iPad Pro, and Apple TV 4K will be available from retail stores on Friday, May 21.

That’s the same day preorder customers will begin receiving their deliveries. If you haven’t already claimed your new device, you’ll have the chance to do so when Apple Store locations open on Friday morning.

European Union pushes ahead with investigation into Apple Pay

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European Commission trustbuster Margrethe Vestager has Siri in her sights.
European Commission trustbuster Margrethe Vestager has her sights set on Apple Pay.
Photo: ECR Group/Flickr CC

The European Union has warned Apple that regulators’ investigation into Apple Pay is going ahead. In an interview with Bloomberg News, EU Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager said the Apple Pay case is “quite advanced” and “something that we’re pushing forward.”

Apple spends $50 million on WWDC each year

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Phil Schiller
No one knows the App Store better than Phil Schiller.
Photo: Apple

Apple fellow Phil Schiller took the stand Monday in the Epic Games v. Apple lawsuit and during testimony revealed the cost of the annual Worldwide Developers Conference: $50 million. He’s in charge of both WWDC and App Store so he brings unique insight to the ongoing court battle.

This is one of many details the long-standing Apple executive talked about on the stand.

Save on stellar Strapa bands for Apple Watch before they’re all gone

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Strapa-band-Apple-Watch
Strapa bands make any Apple Watch look even better.
Photo: Strapa

Strapa is gearing up to refresh its entire Apple Watch band collection, which means the existing lineup of stellar leather straps will soon be discontinued. Bag yours before they disappear and enjoy 20% off the usual price through the Cult of Mac Store.

Made from only the finest Italian leather and available in a variety of styles and color options, Strapa bands are beautifully put together and will easily outlast the Apple Watch you wear them with.

Apple preps Beats Studio Buds to compete against AirPods

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Apple preps Beats Studio Buds to compete against AirPods
Apple could soon offer AirPods and Beats Studio Buds to rival each other.
Photo: 9to5Mac

In a brewing Apple vs. Apple battle, the iPhone-maker is reportedly working on Beats Studio Buds — a pair of in-ear wireless headphones with a lot in common with AirPods.

The odd circumstance comes because the company releases headphones under its own brand and also under the Beats brand.

AirPods, HomePod lose out on Apple Music lossless audio streaming [Updated]

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AirPods Max connected to iPhone
AirPods Max have a lot to offer, but not the upcoming Apple Music lossless option.
Photo: Ian Fuchs/Cult of Mac

Apple Music fans who are super-excited about the just-announced lossless audio option should be aware that it won’t work with AirPods or HomePod. Not even the $549 AirPods Max.

But Apple’s headphones and smart speaker do support Spatial Audio for songs mixed in Dolby Atmos, another new feature of Apple Music.

Dress it up with a deconstructed iPhone, a drone and custom wallpapers [Setups]

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This artfully executed setup is supposedly in someone's home, not a design museum.
This artfully executed setup is supposedly in someone's home, not a design museum.
Photo: diotav@Reddit

It’s only Monday, but Dutch videographer, designer and web production artist Dion Tavenier probably wins this week’s award for setup design. Cool, spare, architectural — get the Museum of Modern Setups on the phone!

If only there was such a museum. Or such an award.

iOS 14.6, watchOS 7.5, macOS 11.4 take a huge step toward release [Updated]

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iOS 14.6 and watchOS 7.5 take a huge step toward release
The first release candidates for iOS 14.6 and iPadOS 14.6 are out. The same goes for watchOS 7.5 RC and tvOS 14.6 RC.
Photo: Cult of Mac

Apple seeded to developers the first release candidates for iOS 14.6 and iPadOS 14.6 on Monday. These are only small updates for these operating systems, and their timing may be controlled by the 2021 iPad Pro, which will reach customers on Friday.

Not to be left out, devs also got access to the initial release candidates for watchOS 7.5 and tvOS 14.6 on Monday.

Update: Shortly thereafter, Apple also seeded macOS Big Sur 11.4 RC to developers.

Forget about mini-LED MacBooks this year

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A MacBook Air without a Touch Bar might be in the offing for later in 2021.
The first mini-LED MacBook models might not launch before 2022.
Concept: Ian Zelbo

Apple may push back its first notebooks with beautiful mini-LED displays. Unconfirmed reports previously predicted 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook models with the new type of screen would arrive before the end of 2021, but a leak Monday indicates they won’t come until the following year.

At this point, it’s not clear if this means Apple won’t introduce new Mac notebooks until 2022, or if just the switch to mini-LED screens is on hold. Many are very much anticipating redesigned MacBooks powered with an Apple M2 chip.

New Pride Edition Braided Solo Loop goes beyond the rainbow

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Apple’s unique Pride bands have been a visible illustration of the ways in which the company stands with, supports and is proudly made up of members of the LGBTQ+ community.
The Pride Edition Braided Solo Loop is new for 2021.
Photo: Apple

Apple has debuted two new colorful, Pride-themed Apple Watch bands and new watch faces to coincide with International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia.

Apple has been releasing Pride Edition Apple Watch bands on an annual basis dating back to 2016. The 2021 upgrades include the ultra-colorful Pride Edition Braided Solo Loop ($99) and a new Pride Edition Nike Sport Loop ($49).

Unboxing video shows off Apple’s swanky new white Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro

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White Magic Keyboard
It's a thing of beauty!
Photo: Michaelangelo’s Tech

YouTuber Michaelangelo’s Tech has posted the first unboxing video for Apple’s new white Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro. The new keyboard accessory was unveiled alongside the 2021 iPad Pro, and has now started being delivered to customers.

Unsurprisingly, the Michaelangelo’s Tech channel notes that the white Magic Keyboard feels a whole lot like the previous-ten black Magic Keyboard to use. It certainly looks pretty darn nice, though.

Check out the unboxing video below.

Apple Music will add lossless audio, Spatial Audio for no extra cost

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Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos and Lossless Audio are coming to Apple Music subscribers beginning June 2021.
Higher-def music is coming soon to an Apple device near you.
Photo: Apple

Apple Music is going lossless — at no extra cost to subscribers. Apple revealed the free upgrade Monday, a day ahead of its rumored launch. The company said Apple Music will bring lossless audio to more than 75 million tracks starting in June so listeners can hear songs “the way the artists created them in the studio.”

In addition, Apple Music will add Spatial Audio support for songs mixed in Dolby Atmos. That means customers who own AirPods, AirPods Pro, AirPods Max and Beats headphones featuring an H1 or W1 chip — or using the built-in speakers in the newest iPhone, iPad and Mac — will be able to hear certain songs in the immersive format.

Don’t expect to remove your mask in Apple Stores just yet

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Apple Store Mask
Rules will remain in place for now.
Photo: engin akyurt/Unsplash CC

Many parts of the world are starting to emerge from coronavirus lockdown, with stores opening up and social distancing measures relaxing. But don’t expect to take off your mask to go into an Apple Store — whatever local advice suggests. This seemingly goes for both customers and retail employees.

According to Bloomberg, Apple will keep masks and other safety provisions in place for its stores as the company continues to “evaluate health and safety” measures. This comes shortly after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said vaccinated individuals don’t need to wear a face mask in the majority of public settings.

US Customs seize 36,000 ‘fake AirPods’

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Fake AirPods
AirPods on a budget.
Photo: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers in Cincinnati seized “tens of thousands of earbuds” that appear to be AirPods knockoffs. Three large shipments of “fake AirPods” from China were discovered, bound for an address in Dayton, Kentucky.

Each case had a declared value of $5,280, and contained 12,000 earbuds. Had they been legit AirPods, the total 36,000 units would have been valued at $7.16 million at retail price.

Apple Music thinks big announcement will change music ‘forever’

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Apple Music
Apple Music HiFi?
Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac

Apple is teasing a special announcement regarding Apple Music is “coming soon,” possibly referring to a new Apple Music HiFi lossless audio tier. And Apple believes it’s going to send shockwaves through the industry.

The “coming soon” tease can be seen in the Browse section of Apple Music. There is a short animation showing the Apple Music logo spinning around, getting closer and closer to the camera as it does, with multiple copies appearing as it does.

A message accompanying the video notes that users should, “Get ready – music is about to change forever.”

Blast off with space games and female erotica [Awesome Apps of the Week]

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Blast off with space games and female erotica [Awesome Apps of the Week]
These apps are out of this world.
Image: Cult of Mac

Space: the final frontier. And kinda sorta the theme of this week’s roundup of new and updated apps.

We’ve got an app that brings Star Trek, NASA and Tetris faces to Apple Watch. A free iOS game that will get arcade fans flashing back to Asteroids. And an audio app for women that blends erotica, meditation and ASMR for a trip deep into inner space.

I’m not sure how Godzilla and Kong fit into the space theme, but they crash onto the scene as well. (If only we had SpaceGodzilla.) Three … two … one …