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News - page 373

Puffco’s psychedelic promo video will give you a contact high

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The Peak Pro clip doesn't look like your typical tech promo video.
The Peak Pro clip doesn't look like your typical tech promo video.
Photo: Puffco

CES 2021 bug Loaded with psychedelic visuals and insect-eye product shots, Puffco’s promo video for its upcoming Peak Pro vaporizer will get your head spinning.

The super-chill dabbers in the high-concept one-minute video all look like they’re doing their thing in darkened rooms at their own private raves. The Peak Pro’s pulsating lights and a pulsing soundtrack add to the mood.

Kensington’s brilliant StudioDock adds USB-C hub to iPad desk stand

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The Kensington StudioDock was named a CES 2021 Innovation Awards Honoree.
Kensington StudioDock could be the iPad productivity tool you’re looking for.
Photo: Kensington

CES 2021 bugThe Kensington StudioDock turns an iPad into a desktop. The tablet magnetically attaches to the stand, and then a USB-C connection brings access to a range of ports, including HDMI, Ethernet, USB-A, and more. Plus, there are wireless chargers for iPhone and AirPods built in.

The stand is impressive enough to be named a CES 2021 Innovation Awards Honoree.

New OtterBox clip joins iPhone to Xbox controller for on-the-go gaming

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OtterBox, known for rugged phone cases, branched out to the gaming market.
Cheery people use the OtterBox Mobile Gaming Clip and the Gaming Carry Case.
Photo: OtterBox

CES 2021 bugOtterBox, known for rugged phone cases, branched out to the gaming market. Its newly announced Mobile Gaming Clip attaches a smartphone to an Xbox Wireless Controller.

The company also unveiled the Otterbox Easy Grip Controller Shell, which brings extra protection to an Xbox controller. And more gaming accessories, too. All at CES 2021.

Caséta Outdoor Smart Plug lets you extend HomeKit to your yard

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Lutron Caseta Outdoor Plug takes HomeKit outside.
Think of all the ways HomeKit can enhance your outdoor living space.
Photo: Lutron

CES 2021 bug Lutron is taking its top-notch HomeKit smart plug outside. The upcoming Caséta Outdoor Smart Plug is a beefy-looking, iP-65-rated AC outlet that’s built to take all the abuse Mother Nature can dish out.

Designed to give you control over things like outdoor lighting and pumps, it’s smart enough that it can adjust your timers when daylight saving time arrives.

“It’s essentially weatherproof, dirtproof and sunproof,” said Matt Swatsky, Lutron’s vice president of residential mid-market business, in a press release Monday. “A homeowner can now enjoy all the benefits of a Caséta system for their outside spaces.”

OWC portable SSD is so tough it survived a trip into space

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OWC Envoy Pro FX was unveiled at CES 2021.
The OWC Envoy Pro FX portable SSD is designed for the urban jungle or a chaotic movie set.
Photo: OWC

CES 2021 bugThe Envoy Pro FX is a 2 terabyte SSD that’s “built like a tank” according to OWC, its maker. The solid state drive is compatible with Mac, iPad, and many other devices. Plus, it can transfer data at up to 2800 MB/s.

Monday is the kickoff of CES 2021, so OWC also took the wraps off an updated version of its travel USB-C multi-port adapter.

Belkin MagSafe charger juices up both iPhone 12 and AirPods

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Belkin BoostCharge Pro 2-in-1 Wireless Charger Stand with MagSafe is a lot of name.
Easily make FaceTime calls with Belkin’s new charging stand that supports the iPhone 12 series’ MagSafe system.
Photo: Belkin

CES 2021 bugThe Belkin Boost↑Charge Pro 2-in-1 Wireless Charger Stand with MagSafe uses magnets to hold an iPhone 12 up where it can be more easily seen. And it includes a pad for AirPods cases that support wireless charging.

In addition, Belkin also unveiled the SoundForm Freedom True Wireless Earbuds on Monday, the first day of CES 2021. These truly wireless headphones offer environmental noise cancellation and 8 hours of playback.

Apple Watch research study will monitor for possible cognitive decline

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The Elkson Apple Watch bumper case solved a problem that drove me crazy, and it looks good too!
Your Apple Watch can check your heart health. How about your cognitive health too?
Photo: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac

Whether it’s heart health or exercise routines, there are plenty of biometrics Apple Watch can keep tabs on. But could it also be used to monitor cognitive performance and possible decline?

That’s the basis of a new, multi-year observational research study announced Monday. A collaboration between Apple and neuroscience company Biogen, the aim is to assess the role the Apple wearable and the iPhone could play in measuring cognitive health.

Power 5 devices at once with Satechi Dock5 charging station

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Satechi Dock5 Multi-Device Charging Station launched at CES 2021.
The Satechi Dock5 Multi-Device Charging Station provides a place to put your phones and tablets while they charge.
Photo: Satechi

CES 2021 bugThe Satechi Dock5 Multi-Device Charging Station is designed for homes with lots of electronics that need juicing up. It boasts multiple USB-C and USB-A ports, slots to hold four phones, tablets or other gadgets while they charge, as well as a single wireless charging pad.

It was unveiled at CES 2021, which kicked off Monday.

You can trust us: Apple debuts 2 privacy themed ads at CES

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Face ID
Apple keeps all your Face ID data private.
Photo: Apple

CES 2021 bug Apple has launched a couple of eye-catching ads to coincide with the first day of the virtual CES. Both ads focus on Apple’s privacy oriented stance to technologies like Face ID and Apple Pay. This includes carrying out processing on the device and not sharing information with Apple.

The short ads feature some neat Saul Bass-style typographic animation in an effort to make the topic of user privacy and not sharing data compelling and digestible. Check them out below.

Voiceitt is an iOS app that will make Alexa easier for people with atypical speech

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Voiceitt
This could be a game-changer for those who need it.
Photo: Voiceitt

CES 2021 bug For people with non-standard speech — such as those who have experienced strokes, neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s, or developmental disorders — communicating with an AI assistant like Amazon’s Alexa isn’t quite as seamless as it is for many.

With that in mind, a speech recognition startup for atypical speech, called Voiceitt, has developed an accessibility app for iOS that improves Alexa. Here’s how it works.

Upcoming iOS app will use Face ID for head- and eye-tracking

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Eyeware Beam
Coming soon to iPhone and iPad.
Photo: Eyeware Beam

CES 2021 bug Eyeware Beam, an iOS app that uses the iPhone’s TrueDepth camera setup as a peripheral for eye-tracking or head-tracking on the PC, is among the offerings at this year’s CES.

The annual tech convention, which runs today through Thursday, is a virtual event this year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. That won’t stop startups and big electronics companies from showing off some seriously impressive tech, however.

Apple and Hyundai rumored to build first Apple Car ‘beta’ next year

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Making a car could produce a massive windfall for Apple.
Production will reportedly start in 2024.
Photo: Possessed Photography/Unsplash CC

More details have emerged about Apple and Hyundai’s reported partnership to build an autonomous electric car. A Sunday article published by Korea IT News, via Reuters, claims the two companies will sign a deal by March. They will then start production around 2024 in the United States — with a trial before then.

Hyundai last week said that it had been in conversations with Apple. The reports send Hyundai shares skyrocketing by close to 20%.

Apple joins other tech giants in banning Parler

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Google, Apple and Amazon exercise their rights as private companies to refuse to do business with Parler.
Google, Apple and Amazon exercise their rights as private companies to refuse to do business with Parler.
Graphic: Cult of Mac

Apple followed though on its warning to remove Parler from the App Store this weekend. Google already banned the social-networking app from the Android software store, and Amazon is cutting off Parler’s cloud-hosting service.

The bans follow accusations that rioters used Parler to plan the attack on the U.S. Capitol last week.

Apple might shrink iPhone 13 screen notch

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The iPhone 13 notch size supposedly might shrink a bit.
The iPhone 13 notch might be shorter than the current version.
Artist’s concept: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

iPhone 13 will will still have a screen notch but it’ll be a bit thinner, according to information leaking out of Apple’s Asian supply chain.

Plus, the same source says Apple will cover the camera lenses of its upcoming handset with sapphire glass.

Is this the future of Macs? [Cult of Mac Magazine 383]

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This augmented-reality Mac concept goes full Minority Report.
This augmented-reality Mac concept goes full Minority Report.
Cover: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac

An augmented reality Mac powered by Apple glasses offers a glimpse of what computing might look like in the future.

Yes, it’s just a concept. But man, is it gorgeously detailed. We talked with concept designer Dominik Hofacker about his fascinating concept, and you can read all about it in this week’s free issue of Cult of Mac Magazine. Download it now to read on your iOS device, or get the links below.

We’ve also got the latest news and rumors on the the long-rumored Apple Car and AirTags (not to mention those Apple AR glasses that Hofacker is talking about). Plus, we’ve got how-tos and reviews (including a second take on AirPods Max and a look at the second anachronistic season of Dickinson on Apple TV+).

Today in Apple history: iTunes rips its way onto Mac

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Rip Mix Burn
Do you remember the first iTunes slogan?
Photo: Apple

January 9 Today in Apple historyJanuary 9, 2001: Steve Jobs introduces customers to iTunes at Macworld.

In a world before the iPod or the iTunes Store, iTunes is simply described by Apple as, “the world’s best and easiest to use jukebox software that lets users create and manage their own music library on their Mac.” Even the biggest Apple fanboy can’t imagine just how significant a step this will be for Apple.

Apple puts Parler on notice: Moderate or disappear

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Parler was founded by free-speech advocates not likely to start moderating comments.
Parler was reportedly used to plan the attack on the US Capital. Now it could be out of the App Store.
Photo: Parler

Apple told Parler on Friday that it must either begin moderating “dangerous and harmful” comments posted by users or its application will be removed from the iPhone App Store. The free speech site popular with supporters of President Trump reportedly has until Saturday morning to come up with a “moderation improvement plan” or it’ll be removed.

The move comes because Parler has been accused of being used to plan the attack on the U.S. Capital on Wednesday.

Sweet new mini-LED display might not light up every iPad Pro

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2020 iPad Pro with Apple Pencil
There might be a big advantage to buying the largest 2021 iPad Pro model.
Photo: Apple

Sorry, 11-inch iPad Pro — no mini-LED display for you. The new type of screen will reportedly be in Apple’s largest top-tier tablet for 2021 but not the smaller version.

In addition, there are supposedly changes to the speakers and camera hump in this high-end tablet that’s expected in early spring.

2021 iPad mini screen size might expand to 8.4 inches

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The newest iPad mini supports the first-gen Apple Pencil, not the newer version of this stylus.
The 2021 iPad mini might be larger than the 2019 version (shown here).
Photo: Apple

The next iPad mini could be a bit less mini. Apple reportedly will expand the tablet from a 7.9-inch screen to an 8.4-inch one in the version coming in Q1 2021.

If true, the change would hardly be unprecedented. Apple has enlarged the displays in all other iPad models in recent years.

Last chance: Save on superb Apple Watch bands from Juuk, Rilee & Lo

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rose gold ligero
Discounts end today!
Photo: Juuk

Bagged a new Apple Watch over the holidays? Upgrade your look with up to 20% off superb bands and bracelets from Juuk and Rilee & Lo.

There are a range of leather and metal options to choose from, with prices starting at just $16 in the Cult of Mac Store’s big January sale. These discounts end tonight, so enjoy them before they’re gone!

Oceanhorn: Chronos Dungeon hacks its way onto Apple Arcade

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'Oceanhorn: Chronos Dungeon' is a 16-bit Rogue-like dungeon crawler.
You and three friends can plumb the depths of the Chronos Dungeon on your way to save the world.
Image: Cornfox & Brothers

Oceanhorn: Chronos Dungeon, a four-player dungeon crawler with a 16-bit feel, is the latest game to hack its way onto Apple Arcade. It offers rogue-like action for up to four friends sharing a couch.

It’s a follow-up to Oceanhorn 2: Knights of the Lost Realm, an RPG also available through Apple’s gaming service.

Roku acquires ill-fated Quibi’s back catalog of shows [Updated]

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Power players Jeffrey Katzenberg and Meg Whitman apparently couldn't save Quibi.
Power players Jeffrey Katzenberg and Meg Whitman ran Quibi.
Photo: Fortune Brainstorm Tech/Flickr CC

Update: The New York Times says the deal has been completed. Quibi’s 75 shows and documentaries will appear from free on the Roku Channel through 2021. The deal last for seven years.

Roku is negotiating to buy the content catalog of ill-fated short form streaming video service Quibi, the Wall Street Journal claims.

Quibi, which made short, episodic shows for watching on your phone, launched in April 2020 and shut down in October, giving it a shelf-life as short as the shows it produced.

Pandemic boom drives App Store to record-breaking year in 2020

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App Store
App Store pulled in $64 billion last year.
Photo: James Yarema/Unsplash CC

The App Store grossed upward of $64 billion in 2020, according to a CNBC report.

Provided that number is correct, it’s a big jump from the relatively stable $48.5 billion and $50 billion respectively the App Store grossed in 2018 and 2019. It shows how, in contrast to many other businesses, the digital app economy boomed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Apple stops iOS 14.3 downgrades as upgrade numbers soar

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iOS 14 adoption. It’s a good thing.
iOS 14 adoption has climbed past 82%.
Photo: Apple

Apple stopped signing iOS 14.2 and iOS 14.2.1 this week, meaning users who upgraded to iOS 14.3 can no longer go back again. The same goes for iPadOS 14.3 and those who installed it.

iOS/iPadOS 14.3 added support for Apple Fitness+ and AirPods Max. For users with an iPhone 12 Pro, it also allowed them to take photos in the Apple ProRAW format. In addition, the updates included new privacy information and an assortment of bug fixes.