New to working from home? Here's how you can get the most out of it. Photo: Hello I'm Nik/Unsplash CC
COVID-19 lockdowns mean more and more people will find themselves working from home. While everyone agrees that staying away from the office is the right thing to do, working from home nonetheless comes with certain challenges. These work-from-home accessories can help.
If you want to thrive in this new environment, you should consider investing in some or all of these items. They will make you more productive, and more comfortable, as you wait out the coronavirus pandemic. And, yes, I assume you already own a computer you can work on. (If not, those new iPad Pros look pretty hot.)
AirPods Pro supplies are starting to catch up with demand. Photo: Cult of Mac
Apple’s supply issues for two crucial products appear to finally be getting better, based on tracking data by Loop Ventures.
Both the iPhone and AirPods are starting to ship out to customers sooner than in previous weeks as suppliers in China finally get back up to full speed. The only thing that’s unclear is whether the improved shipping times are due to China getting back to work, or because customers in the U.S. are hunkering down.
Registered Apple developers can already get the finalized version of iOS 13.4 and iPadOS 13.4 ahead of its public debut on March 24.
Apple released the Golden Master builds iOS 13.4, iPadOS 13.4, watchOS 6.2, macOS Catalina 10.15.4, and tvOS 13.4 on its developer today, bringing a host of new features to iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Apple TV and Mac.
Apple’s brilliant new Magic Keyboard is going to make working on iPad Pro better than ever before — but what if you don’t own an iPad Pro? Logitech has you covered with its new Combo Touch keyboard case.
Just like the Magic Keyboard, the Combo Touch boasts real, backlit keys and a built-in trackpad. Unlike the Magic Keyboard, it also offers functions keys, and it’s pretty affordable at just $149.
Apple Certified Refurbished units are one of the best deals you can get. Photo: Apple
Following new product announcements from Apple this morning — including new MacBook Air and iPad Pro models — Apple freshened its refurbished lineup online with various price drops ranging from new low prices on the MacBook Air to steep discounts on the 11-inch iPad Pro.
The innovative LiDAR scanner in the 2020 iPad Pro is fast and accurate. Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac
The 2020 iPad Pro is the first Apple computer with LiDAR. This innovation enables the tablet to make an accurate 3D map of its location. Combine it with software improvements and this tablet is, in Apple’s words, “the world’s best device for augmented reality.”
And the LiDAR scanner might be usable for other purposes, as well.
Toy Story would never have existed without this dynamic duo. Photo: Pixar
Ed Catmull and Dr. Pat Hanrahan, who created the 3D computer graphic breakthroughs that led to Pixar, have been awarded this year’s Turing Award, it was announced Wednesday.
The award, which is often called the Nobel Prize of computing, carries a $1 million prize.
Everything we wanted the Smart Keyboard to be. Photo: Apple
Apple’s exciting new Magic Keyboard is going to make working on iPad Pro better than ever when the accessory debuts in May. It’s a huge improvement over the Smart Keyboard Folio in so many ways.
Prices start at $299, which makes the Magic Keyboard an expensive upgrade. For many iPad Pro users, however, it will be well worth it. Here are five reasons why the Magic Keyboard with trackpad blows our minds.
That's Peacock color, in case you were wondering! Photo: Apple
It might not be quite as big news as a new iPad Pro or MacBook Air, but Apple Wednesday unleashed a slew of new iPhone cases, Apple Watch bands, and iPad cases.
And all in seasonal spring colors, too. You know, just in case we forget what the outside world looks like while we’re all self-isolating!
Since silver is a bacteria killer, these iPhones are less germy. Photo: Caviar
The health experts say we can’t be too cautious in preventing the spread of a deadly coronavirus.
Caviar, the Russian brand that gold-plates and bejewels iPhones, is doing its part by turning to silver and its antibacterial properties for a line of iPhone 11 Pro cases.
For extra protection, you can pick one of four sacred cultural symbols representing health and good fortune.
iPadOS 13.4 takes another big step toward making Apple tablets comparable with a MacBook. Photo: Cult of Mac
The 2020 iPad Pro announced Wednesday launches next week with iPadOS 13.4, and many recent tablets are getting upgrades, too. iPadOS 13.4 makes significant improvements to iPad mouse functionality, and also brings progress on external keyboard support.
iOS 13.4 for iPhone is also expected to launch next week. Both versions include iCloud Drive folder sharing and other changes.
UPDATE: Developers who don’t want to wait for the next iOS and iPadOS updates can download the “golden master” versions now by joining Apple’s beta program.
The new Magic Keyboard looks incredible. Photo: Apple
The surprise iPad Pro refresh, unveiled on Wednesday morning, has us all reaching for a credit cards. If you’re still on the fence, Apple’s awesome new ads will convince you this is a worthwhile upgrade.
Both highlight iPad Pro’s increasing ability to replace a traditional computer thanks to its blazing-fast A12Z Bionic processor, brand-new Magic Keyboard, and true trackpad support.
Low price, new keyboard, two times faster. Photo: Apple
Apple updated its MacBook Air lineup Wednesday, adding a redesigned scissor-switch Magic Keyboard, twice the storage, a reported two times faster CPU and a lower price tag starting at $999.
Apple said the new MacBook Air comes with twice the storage capacity of the previous model. The new base model starts at 256GB, with up to 80% faster graphics performance. It also supports the Apple 6K Pro Display XDR.
It's powered by a new A12Z Bionic chip. Photo: Apple
Apple surprised the world Wednesday with a brand-new iPad Pro that packs a LiDAR Scanner, Ultra Wide camera and studio-quality microphones. The tablet is powered by an improved A12Z Bionic chip that makes it faster than many laptops.
Consumers can order it beginning today from the Apple Online Store, with prices starting at $799.
Everywhere's closing right now. Fortunately, apps can help us continue to get things done. Photo: Brad Gibson / Cult of Mac
Massive numbers of people are self-isolating or working from home at the moment. As many challenges as that can raise, it is at least easier than it would have been previously thanks to the strong ecosystem of apps which can help with just such a scenario.
With that in mind, Apple has started adding more editorial content into the App Store, offering curated suggestions to suit people stuck home as a result of coronavirus.
Movies Anywhere will soon let you loan your digital movies to other people with Screen Pass. Photo: Movies Anywhere
Movies Anywhere combines films bought through iTunes, Google Play, etc. into one service. And now it’s testing a new feature called Screen Pass that enables loaning your movies to other people.
It’s only in beta, and isn’t expected to be available to everyone until May. Which is too bad, because it would be really useful right now with so many in self isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic.
GitHub for mobile keeps you up to date on your projects wherever you go. Photo: GitHub
The code sharing and publishing service GitHub released iOS and Android apps today. These enable users to check code, talk to team members and even merge code right from their phone or tablet.
Alto's Odyssey imagines snowboarding in the desert. And it’s currently free. Photo: Snowman
Both Alto’s Adventure and Alto’s Odyssey are free for a week to benefit anyone quarantined by the COVID-19 epidemic. The developer, Snowman, made the move to “bring a little calm into your homes during these difficult times.”
These endless runner snowboarding games are beautifully designed. Alto’s Odyssey even won an Apple Design Award.
Dog and a fireplace sold separately. Screenshot: coreyprol/Instagram
Many professionals around the world are getting their first taste of working from home as the world tries to slam the door on the spread of COVID-19. Some, like me, will make the adjustment within the first five minutes. Self-isolation is something you can get used to.
Others, though, will feel a little lost.
Inspiration is a click away, thanks to thousands of Apple users posting pictures of their work-from-home setups on Instagram.
One of the easiest ways to pirate movies and TV shows is back just in time for the great stay-at-home coronavirus quarantine party of 2020.
Popcorn Time, the legendary app that was basically a Netflix for privacy, announced its return Tuesday on Twitter, saying its newest build, called “Love in the Time of Corona Version 0.4,” is available for download.
Trolls World Tour will be available on iTunes the day it hits theaters. Photo: Universal Pictures
As cities across the United States start encouraging residents to stay home due to the COVID-19 pandemic, at least one major movie studio is making big changes to how it releases films.
Universal Pictures revealed this week that its movies currently in cinemas will become available on iTunes and other on-demand services starting as early as Friday. But they won’t come cheap.