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Everybody’s stuck, blocked and frustrated in Dickinson’s latest episode [Apple TV+ review]

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Anna Baryshnikov (left) and Hailee Steinfeld play two very different Dickinsons in Apple TV+ show
Anna Baryshnikov (left) and Hailee Steinfeld play two very different Dickinsons.
Photo: Apple TV+

Dickinson ambles closer to the edge of its hero’s fame and madness in this season’s fourth episode, which serves as a meditation on creative blockage.

Though oft charming and frequently beautiful, the postmodern Apple TV+ show about the 19th-century poet still suffers from an irreconcilable identity crisis. This week’s episode, released Friday, takes no steps to resolve the situation.

Apple plans the iMac redesign we’ve been dreaming of

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Apple plans the 2021 iMac redesign we’ve been dreaming of
The 2021 iMac could dump the huge screen bezels of the current version. And move to Apple Silicon.
Concept: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The iMac is about to get the dramatic redesign so many people have been hoping for, according to a highly reliable source. Smaller bezels and an M-series processor are highlights.

Apple is also reportedly planning a significant redesign of the Mac Pro desktop.

2022 iPhone will be cooler than ever. Literally.

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Future iPhones might need a Vapor Chamber cooling system
The 2022 iPhone could sport an advanced cooling system.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

A powerful processor and 5G wireless networking will force Apple to build a cooling system into the 2022 iPhone, according to an analyst and trusted Apple prognosticator.

But the system Apple is reportedly investigating won’t be ready in time for the iPhone 13, expected this autumn.

Apple Watch could spot COVID-19 symptoms a week before it strikes

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Apple Watch Series 6
Two studies suggest Apple Watch could be a useful diagnostic tool.
Photo: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac

Smartwatches such as Apple Watch could detect COVID-19 infections a week before the wearer feels sick or would test positive for the novel coronavirus, two medical studies suggest.

Since such devices can identify subtle changes in heart rate that might indicate an early infection, they could spot asymptomatic individuals, who make up a sizable proportion of COVID-19 cases.

MagSafe charger could make triumphant return to MacBook Pro this year

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MagSafe
MagSafe was a great Apple innovation.
Photo: Gordon Mei/Flickr CC

Apple’s MagSafe branding technically made a return last year with the iPhone 12. But the MagSafe fans most fondly recall — the neat magnetic charging system for the MacBook — is also gearing up to make a comeback.

According to a Friday report from Bloomberg, Apple is bringing back MagSafe for this year’s MacBook Pro refresh. The connector will reportedly be similar in design to the “elongated pill-shape” original MagSafe. It will provide faster charging for the MacBook.

A16 Bionic: TSMC gears up to produce first 3nm chips for future iPhone

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Apple A14 is made with an amazing 5nm production process.
Ready to see the A14 look like old hat?
Screenshot: Apple

Apple’s A14 chipmaker Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) is gearing up for “risk production” of its next-gen chips, Digitimes reported Friday.

The chips in question are TSMC’s 3-nanometer chips, expected to be the eventual successor to the current 5-nanometer chips. Risk production refers to the dress rehearsal process for manufacturing, in which things appear ready to go, but are not quite ready to go into mass production just yet.

Apple may drop the Touch Bar from its next MacBook Pro

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You got the touch. Here's how to master your MacBook Pro’s Touch Bar.
Apple introduced the context-sensitive Touch Bar in 2016.
Photo: Graham Bower/Cult of Mac

According to reliable TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the next-gen MacBook Pro will come in 14- and 16-inch sizes, feature more ports and bring back the MagSafe charger in some form (!). And, of course,  the high-end laptops will run on new Apple Silicon chips.

But the first big MacBook Pro redesign in half a decade also do away with the Touch Bar, the controversial — and never entirely successful — innovation Apple debuted back in 2016.

This tiny charger juices up your iPhone and MacBook [Review]

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Aukey Omnia Mix review
Don’t let the small size of the Aukey Omnia Mix fool you.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The Aukey Omnia Mix wall charger offers a USB-C port that can handle anything from an iPhone to a MacBook. It’s palm-size but the 65W portable power adapter also includes a USB-A port for other electronics, like an Apple Watch.

My real-world testing included using the affordable charger with multiple Apple devices. Here’s how it stood up.

Change Safari’s save folder to prevent lost downloads [Pro tip]

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Choose Safari download location
Don't lose your Safari downloads.
Image: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

Safari pro tips bug We want to help you master Safari. Cult of Mac’s Safari Pro Tips series will show you how to make the most of Apple’s web browser on iOS and Mac.

How many times have you downloaded something from the internet and then had to spend way too much time trying to figure out where it was saved? It’s probably a common occurrence — especially on iOS.

But did you know that you can tell Safari exactly where to save your downloads so that you never lose them? We’ll show you how in this Safari pro tip.

Enable automatic Page Zoom for easier reading in Safari [Pro tip]

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How to enable Page Zoom in Safari
Make your favorite websites easier to read.
Image: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

Safari pro tips bugWe want to help you master Safari. Cult of Mac’s Safari Pro Tips series will show you how to make the most of Apple’s web browser on iOS and Mac.

iOS, iPadOS, and macOS allow you to increase font sizes system-wide so that everything you do is easier to see. You can do a similar thing to make your favorite websites easier to read inside Safari.

We’ll show you how to use Page Zoom in this Safari pro tip.

You can see evidence of AirTags on your own iPhone

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The Find My app has been hiding a secret.
An easy trick opens a hidden tab in Apple’s Find My app.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

There’s no reason to be skeptical about Apple’s plans for AirTags. Any iPhone, iPad or Mac user can see evidence that Apple is about to add support for item trackers to the Find Me application.

Close old tabs automatically to keep Safari clean [Pro tip]

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Automatically close old tabs in Safari
Let Safari take care of clearing old tabs.
Image: Cult of Mac

Safari pro tips bugWe want to help you master Safari. Cult of Mac’s Safari Pro Tips series will show you how to make the most of Apple’s web browser on iOS and Mac.

Are you an unwitting Safari tab hoarder? It’s easy to forget to close old tabs you no longer need — especially on iPhone, where the dozens of open tabs you’ve forgotten about aren’t always visible. But did you know that Safari can clear all your old tabs automatically after a certain period of time?

Find out how to set up automatic tab clearing in this Safari pro tip.

Anker’s clever wireless power bank clings to iPhone 12 with magnets

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Anker Magnetic Wireless Power Bank doesn’t support MagSafe.
The Anker Magnetic Wireless Power Bank attaches to an iPhone 12 when needed, but is easily removable.
Photo: Anker

CES 2021 bugAnker’s latest external battery uses magnets to attach itself to an iPhone 12 for wireless charging. It enables the handset to juice up while it’s being used on the move.

The accessory maker also unveiled at CES 2021 a 3-in-1 wireless charger with an removable 10,000 mAh battery.

Plugable 7-in-1 USB-C hub promises top-tier performance on a budget

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Plugable USBC-7IN1E promises high quality for a low price.
Plugable’s USB-C adapter offers plenty of ports. All of which can be used at the same time.
Photo: Plugable

CES 2021 bugPlugable freely admits its new 7-in-1 USB-C hub for Mac or iPad is entering a crowded market. But the accessory maker promises its new USBC-7IN1E multiport adapter stands out from cheap competitors with better hardware.

Nevertheless, the cost is just $30.

Satechi iPhone 12 charging stand also juices up AirPods

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Satechi Aluminum 2-in-1 Magnetic Wireless Charging Stand was unveiled at CES 2021.
The Satechi Aluminum 2-in-1 Magnetic Wireless Charging Stand looks great on a night stand.
Photo: Satechi

CES 2021 bugSatechi on Tuesday took the wraps off an aluminum stand that makes use of the magnets Apple built into the iPhone 12. It elevates the handset while charging it, making the screen easier to see. The stand also includes an AirPods charger.

Prototype wearable supposedly can monitor blood sugar noninvasively

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Quantum
It might look like an Apple Watch, but it reportedly does something no Apple Watch can do.
Photo: Quantum Operation Inc.

CES 2021 bug A new device shown off at CES may look like an Apple Watch knockoff, but its maker says it can do something Cupertino’s wearable can’t: accurately and noninvasively measure a person’s blood sugar level.

Japanese manufacturer Quantum Operation says its prototype employs a miniature spectrometer to scan blood in the wrist for biomarkers that reveal glucose levels. The user supposedly just puts on the smartwatch and activates the monitoring with a touch. After 20 seconds, the wearer receives the blood sugar data on the device’s screen.

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.

Ditch Google for another search engine inside Safari [Pro tip]

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Change default search engine in Safari
Bing, DuckDuckGo, and others are available.
Image: Cult of Mac

Safari pro tips bug We want to help you master Safari. Cult of Mac’s Safari Pro Tips series will show you how to make the most of Apple’s web browser on iOS and Mac.

Google has long been the default search engine inside Safari, but it’s not your only option. With a simple settings change, you can find what you’re looking for with Yahoo, Bing, DuckDuckGo or Ecosia instead.

Find out how in this Safari pro tip.

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.

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.

Servant serves up second helping of high-key lunacy [Apple TV+ review]

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Apple TV+ show Servant returns Jan. 15 for a wonderfully mean second season.
Servant returns this Friday for a wonderfully mean second season.
Photo: Apple TV+

Servant, the brainchild of producer/director M. Night Shyamalan and writer Tony Basgallop, is back for more perversity, more cultish derangement, and more exquisitely photographed food.

The sleeper Apple TV+ hit comes roaring back for a well-deserved victory lap this Friday. And in this second season, everyone from the characters to the directors seems to know it’s time to take off the gloves.

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.