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Save on awesome iPhone, Apple Watch, AirPods accessories in our big back-to-school sale

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CoM Back to School iPhone accessories sale
Bands, stands, cases, and more at up to 72% off.
Photo: Cult of Mac

The Cult of Mac Store’s big back-to-school sale kicks off today with sweet discounts on awesome iPhone, Apple Watch, AirPods and Mac accessories from Elago, Just Mobile, Mujjo and Twelve South.

Save up to 72% on brilliant bands, stands, cases, and more, with prices starting at a mere $9.95. The discounts are good for a limited time only, so enjoy them while you can!

Scribble and Smart Selection make Apple Pencil way more productive

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Apple Pencil 2 in Hand
The Apple Pencil is fancy, and finally getting more useful.
Photo: Ian Fuchs/Cult of Mac

Back when Apple introduced the Apple Pencil, the company positioned the stylus primarily as a tool for artists. And try as I might, I’ve never been particularly great at drawing. That said, it didn’t stop me from picking up an Apple Pencil to annotate documents, edit photos or use as an alternative way to touch the screen.

Then the Magic Keyboard came along with a fantastic trackpad experience. It offered a different way to interact with the screen without touching it with my finger. But now, with iPadOS 14, Apple has rewritten the story of what Apple Pencil can do, and it’s completely changed how I use my iPad once again.

Too many Chrome tabs open? Tame browser chaos with tab groups.

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Use Google Chrome Tab Groups to declutter your browser.
If you've got too many tabs open in Chrome, you can declutter things with the new Tab Groups feature.
Photo: Luca Bravo/Unsplash CC

Hey there, all you tab hoarders: Google Chrome just gave you a handy tool to bring some order to the nightmare lurking at the top of your web browser. A new Chrome feature lets you group tabs together with custom names to tame the chaos.

Unfortunately, it’s not completely obvious how to get in on the tab-grouping action. Here’s how to make it work for you.

World’s smallest iMac will make you feel like freaking Goliath

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This iMac mini is smaller than an iPad mini.
A custom-built iMac mini looks like Apple's desktop but it's so little!
Screenshot: Michael Pick/The Casual Engineer

If you never looked at the iMac and wished it was way, way smaller, then you’re not Michael Pick. He built what he calls the “world’s smallest iMac.”

The modder filmed a video demonstrating the process of creating this tiny, yet fully functional, computer. Watch it now:

Leaked iPad Air 4 images suggest it will get an iPad Pro-style makeover

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2020 iPad Air Concept with Apple Pencil 2
This proposed 2020 iPad Air concept is mostly a scaled-down iPad Pro.
Photo: svetapple.sk

Images that appear to show training manuals or marketing images for the forthcoming iPad Air 4 were posted by an Apple leaker posted Wednesday.

The images, posted by Twitter user DuanRi, show off a design similar to the iPad Pro. If the images are real, the iPad Air 4 will be the first in this series without a Home key. And there’ll be a single rear-mounted camera.

Interestingly, the images also suggest Apple will stick with Touch ID, rather than adopting Face ID for the next-gen iPad Air. The Touch ID sensor will be incorporated into the power button, not under the display (as some previous rumors suggested).

Plugable USB-C multiport hub costs way less than Apple’s [Review]

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Plugable USB-C Multiport Adapter review
The Plugable USB-C Multiport Adapter adds three frequently used ports to MacBook or iPad Pro.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

There’s no reason to watch a movie on your MacBook or iPad when the world is full of external displays you can connect to. Of course, to make the connection you’ll need something like the Plugable USB-C Multiport Adapter. Not only does it have an HDMI port, there’s a USB-A port for connecting an external drive. And a USB-C port for keeping your computer powered.

It was obviously designed to copy Apple’s Apple USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter but at a much lower price. Here’s how it stands up.

New iPad, Apple Watch Series 6 leak via Eurasian database

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The new iPad Air adds support for Apple Pencil and the Smart Keyboard.
Apple could have a 2020 iPad Air on the docket with an even larger display.
Photo: Apple

A listing of multiple unknown tablets by the Eurasian Economic Commission seemingly confirms that Apple will soon introduce a range of new 2020 iPad models.

The same source also says multiple Apple Watch models running watchOS 7 are about to be released.

New leak confirms some of the most exciting iPhone 12 specs

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iPhone 12 models
If a new leak is correct, many of the iPhone 12 images circulating for months are correct.
Photo: JinStore/Twitter

New images and video of a prototype iPhone 12 Pro Max allegedly fell into the hands of frequent Apple leaker Jon Prosser. This allows him to reveal that Apple’s next handset will have thinner bezels — but the notch isn’t shrinking.

He also served up details Tuesday on the upcoming iPhone’s camera that add weight to numerous earlier leaks. That includes a higher video recording rate, a Lidar sensor and more.

How to use the redesigned iPhone Magnifier in iOS 14

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The iPhone Magnifier is easier to find in iOS 14.
The iPhone Magnifier gets a big upgrade in iOS 14.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

A handy digital magnifying glass to replace reading glasses has been buried in the iPhone for many years. With iOS 14, it becomes a lot easier to find. And there are some fantastic new features.

Here’s how to use the Magnifier on iPhone. And iPad, too.

Apple said to be developing ‘less ambitious’ AirPower charger

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AirPower
Arriving in 2020?
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Apple is planning a “less ambitious” wireless charging gadget that will fill the gap left by AirPower’s cancellation, according to a new report.

Cupertino’s original plans for a wireless charger included the ability to charge iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods simultaneously. It’s unclear if its replacement will support more than just iPhone and AirPods.

Apple makes its case for booting Fortnite from App Store

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Courthouse
Apple and Epic Games could be in court for years to come.
Photo: Brett Sayles/Pexels CC

Apple on Friday asked a judge to deny Epic Games’ request for a court order forcing Apple to return Fortnite to the App Store. In a filing, the iPhone-maker said Epic Games brought the ban on itself by its own actions.

The court’s decision will determine whether this wildly popular game will be available for iPhone and iPad users while a potentially lengthy court battle between Apple and Epic Games goes on.

We talk Epic Games suing Apple (and why they might win), plus Apple’s unstoppable stock price, on The CultCast

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CultCast 442: AirPods with health sensors
The Epic-Apple battle royale is on!
Image: The CultCast

This week on The CultCast: It’s a battle of the titans! Fortnite developer Epic Games takes Apple to court over its App Store policies, and the dev just might get its way. Plus: Apple and its stock hit another astonishing milestone; Jon Prosser was right — Apple has begun rebranding Beats; and Apple TV+ finally makes the move we’ve been waiting for: bundling premium channels for one low price.

Our thanks to Squarespace for supporting this episode. Easily create a beautiful website all by yourself, at Squarespace.com/cultcast. Use offer code CultCast at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain.

Apple still has ‘a lot of gasoline’ left in the tank after passing $2 trillion

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Apple MacBook cash dollars money
Apple's at $2 trillion and not slowing down.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple passed $2 trillion this week, but one bullish Apple analyst doesn’t think the stock is anywhere near its limits. In a note published Friday, Wedbush analyst Dan Ives wrote to clients that he thinks Apple has “a lot of gasoline” left in the tank.

Ives predicted Apple could reach as high as $600. Currently, AAPL is trading at $473.10, defying the overall market with its upward trajectory.

More affordable Apple Watch might be in development

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More affordable Apple Watch would be nice.
A less-expensive Apple Watch is just one of the predictions made today by a serial leaker.
Illustration: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

A regular source of Apple leaks said on Thursday that a less expensive version of the Apple Watch is in the offing.

This was just one of multiple tidbits Jon Prosser dropped during a public Q&A session. He mentioned the first MacBook with Apple silicon, talked a bit about the company’s game controller, and more.

Apple at $2 trillion is amazing for investors, but boring for fans [Opinion]

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Tim Cook WWDC
Are Apple's days as a game-changing innovator behind it?
Photo: Apple

Apple’s surge past a $2 trillion market cap this week underlines just how well CEO Tim Cook’s vision works for shareholders. But is this good news for Apple fans?

The first publicly traded U.S. company to hit this milestone, Apple has transformed from one of the world’s dynamic companies into one that can be, well, kind of boring. The strategy that fueled this unprecedented success makes it far less likely that we’ll seen an insanely innovative product coming out of Cupertino in the future.

You can still re-download Fortnite on iPhone, iPad after Apple’s ban [Pro tip]

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Fortnite on iPad with SteelSeries Nimbus
It's not gone completely ... yet.
Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

Pro-tip-4Fortnite is currently banned from the App Store following a big fallout between Apple and Epic Games. But for some players, that doesn’t mean it’s gone from iPhone and iPad for good.

So long as you’ve downloaded Fortnite at least once before, it’s still possible to re-download it today. We’ll show you how to do it.

Adonit Note-M brilliantly combines an iPad stylus with a mouse [Review]

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Adonit Note-M review
The Adonit Note-M is a 2-in-1 stylus and mouse for iPad.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

iPadOS offers full support for mice, and it also supports styli. But carrying around both can be a bit of a hassle. That’s where the Adonit Note-M comes in. It’s a stylus that’s also a mouse. And one that’ll attach itself to the side of an iPad Pro.

I extensively tested this innovative accessory. Here’s how it performs in real-world use.

iPhone can tell if you’re too drunk to drive

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iPhone breathalyzer: Study shows that smartphone sensors can identify drunk drivers.
Have you had one too many? Your iPhone might be able to answer that question.
Photo: Joseph Pisicchio/Unsplash CC

The accelerometer built into a standard smartphone can determine with great accuracy if the person carrying the device is drunk, according to researchers at the University of Pittsburgh.

If used in the real world, the finding could lead to iPhones that warn their owners before they get behind the wheel intoxicated.

This sweet mousepad doubles as a wireless iPhone charger

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Gazepad-Pro
The Gazepad Pro is pretty and practical.
Photo: Wiplabs

It’s time to trade your tatty old mousepad for one that’s fit for 2020. The Gazepad Pro from Wiplabs is brilliantly designed, beautifully made, and doubles as a fast wireless charging pad for your iPhone.

Get yours now in one of four fancy color options for less than you might think.

Beats 1 becomes Apple Music 1 as Cupertino launches two new radio stations

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Apple Music 1 logo
Apple Music is upping its focus on live radio.
Photo: Apple

Apple is rebranding Beats 1 as Apple Music 1, while also launching two new radio stations, the company said Tuesday. Apple Music Hits and Apple Music Country will both feature their own exclusive radio shows.

Both new stations launch today, along with the renaming of Beats 1 as Apple Music 1.

Tiny WeMo smart plug makes trying HomeKit so easy [Review]

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Belkin Wemo WiFi Smart Plug review
The Wemo WiFi Smart Plug can be your ticket to easy home automation.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Home automation is convenient and even kind of fun. And a smart plug is the easiest way to get started. The redesigned Wemo WiFi Smart Plug from Belkin lets you find out if you really want to be able to control your lights or other appliances from your iPhone, without making a big investment.

A couple of weeks of testing this pint-size HomeKit accessory went into this review. Here’s what I found out.