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How new Mac Pro borrows from Apple’s best designs

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Mac Pro cheese grater
You might be better off with iMac Pro instead.
Photo: Apple

WWDC 2019 bug It’s obvious that the new Mac Pro, unveiled this week during Apple’s WWDC keynote, is a reboot of the venerable Power Mac G5, a machine released in 2003 that featured a distinctive “cheese grater” grille.

Aside from looks, there are many similarities to the G5, plus a couple of ideas from other older Apple machines. Here are some of the clearest design influences on the new Mac Pro.

Everything Apple showed off at WWDC 2019 in under 8 minutes [Video]

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Exploding neon robot head with Apple OSes flying out
Every major OS from Apple is getting updated this year!
Graphic: Ian Fuchs/Cult of Mac

WWDC Apple’s WWDC 2019 keynote introduced tons of new features and changes coming this fall. From a new tvOS design and Apple Watch faces to Dark Mode on iOS and a reimagined iPad home screen, there’s so much to keep track of.

If you missed the keynote, or just want the highlights, have no fear. We wrapped up all the headlining features of the epic 2 hour, 20-minute presentation into less than 8 minutes.

How to use a mouse with your iPad

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trackpad mode
Trackpads -- not just for the Mac any more.
Photo: Charlie Sorrel/Cult of Mac

The iPadOS beta is out, and it has one killer feature — mouse support. Not only can you use any Bluetooth mouse or trackpad to control the text-selection cursor on the iPad, you can use the mouse just like you would on a Mac — clicking buttons anywhere in the entire iPad user interface.

The feature is not on by default. It’s not even a regular checkbox. To enable mouse and trackpad support on your iPad, you have to dig into the Accessibility settings.

Why photographers won big-time at WWDC

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photographers and new Mac Pro
Apple has a pretty good idea on how to make photographers and filmmakers happy.
Photo: Apple

WWDC 2019 bug The WWDC keynote delivered exciting news for every Apple user, but for photographers of all stripes, Monday was their jackpot.

Professional photographers and filmmakers finally got a new Mac Pro that can handle ambitious workflows.

Operating system updates due out this fall for Mac, iPhone and iPad will bring a slew of new features for editing and organizing.

The iPad will be an even more capable tool in the field and changes to the iPhone camera should tamp down those worries that Apple was falling behind the likes of Huawei, Samsung and Google.

And we’re not even talking about the new hardware coming this fall.

Sketchnotes breeze through WWDC 2019’s biggest surprises

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WWDC 2019 Keynote sketchnotes, part 1 of 4
A quick visual highlight of the WWDC 2019 keynote through sketchnotes.
Photo:

WWDC 2019 bug The WWDC 2019 keynote came packed with exciting announcements.  As in past years, I ended up with four pages of drawings in my notebook. I sketched out the biggest new features coming to tvOS 13, iOS 13, macOS Catalina and watchOS 6. And then there’s the new Mac Pro and Pro Display XDR.

As seen in my first sketchnote, above, tvOS 13 adds multi-user support and support for Xbox One and PlayStation DualShock 4  game controllers for Apple Arcade. Meanwhile, watchOS 6 will bring an App Store directly to the Apple Watch, a new Noise app, and a new Cycle tracking app for women.

For a quick visual recap of the highlights  of the WWDC 2019 keynote, check out the rest of my sketchnotes below.

Apple’s epic WWDC 2019 keynote was the best in years

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Nailed it! Craig Federighi onstage during the WWDC 2019 keynote.
That pretty much sums it up.
Photo: Apple

WWDC 2019 bug Like a blockbuster movie, Apple’s jaw-dropping WWDC 2019 kickoff served up a boatload of things that make us swoon: fun new features, LOL-worthy jokes, actual soulful moments and unexpected twists.

Perhaps most surprising — in an era of rampant leaks — Apple even delivered a legitimate surprise when it showed off its highly anticipated Mac Pro computer. That monster machine might look a little familiar, but the modular design and audacious specs got the world buzzing. (So did that cringe-inducing $5,999 price tag. That’s the starting price.)

And, like most modern movies, the WWDC 2019 keynote lasted about 15 minutes too long.

WWDC 2019 changed everything: Here’s what you need to know

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Tim Cook
Tim Cook had a lot of news to share at WWDC 2019.
Photo: Apple

WWDC 2019 bug Apple unleashed a mountain of software updates (and even some smokin’ new hardware) Monday, during what was arguably one of the best WWDC keynotes we’ve ever seen.

The entire event ran for more than two hours but it felt like there was hardly enough time to get to all the new stuff. iOS 13 got the most attention, for good reason, but Apple also surprised us with better gaming features on Apple TV, the ability to completely control your Mac with your voice, a new Mac Pro and so much more.

If you didn’t have time to watch the entire WWDC 2019 keynote, we’ve rounded up the highlights so you don’t miss a thing.

Everything you need to know about iOS 13 and iPadOS

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The new iPadOS.
The new iPadOS.
Photo: Charlie Sorrel/Cult of Mac

WWDC 2019 bugWow, iOS 13 is quite something. We got most of what we wanted, and a lot more. Proper USB support, an improved Files app, plus a radical new UI paradigm for the iPad. And what about that mouse support!

Let’s take a look at the main points. And over the coming weeks and months, we’ll be going extremely deep on everything that’s new in iOS 13.

macOS Catalina takes Mac to an all-new level

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WWDC 2019
Craig Federighi unveils macOS Catalina
Photo: Apple

WWDC 2019 bug Apple is moving out of the deserts of macOS Mojave and onto the island of Catalina for the release of macOS 10.15.

macOS Catalina is one of the most important updates for the Mac in years. It packs tons of new features focused on privacy, accessibility and performance while also delivering some fresh UI changes and new apps.

iPadOS brings those killer iPad features we’ve been craving

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iPadOS is the new name of the tablet version of iOS.
iPadOS is the new name of the tablet version of iOS.
Photo: Apple

WWDC 2019 bugApple just unveiled some of the most significant changes to the iPad line ever as it continues making these tablets ever better computers for professionals. The company even went so far as to free them from iOS — from now on, they run iPadOS.

Other dramatic changes include allowing applications to open multiple windows, a home screen redesign, improvements to the Files app, and more.

Insane new Mac Pro packs 28-core processor

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The new Mac Pro is a beautiful beast.
The new Mac Pro is a beautiful beast.
Photo: Apple

WWDC 2019 bug Apple is taking the Mac further than its ever gone before with the brand new Mac Pro.

The company teased professionals two years ago when it announced that it was completely rethinking the Mac Pro and then when quiet about the project ever since. Today at WWDC 2019, Apple gave developers a preview of the new machine and it looks like an absolute beast.

tvOS 13 positions Apple TV as a real gaming console

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WWDC 2019 tvOS 13
Apple wants to be a big player to gamers.
Screenshot: Apple

WWDC 2019 bug Apple promised support for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One game controllers when it releases a redesigned tvOS this fall.

CEO Tim Cook said Apple TV will be more “entertaining and personal” as he unveiled changes to the company’s video ecosystem Monday during the Worldwide Developers Conference.

At launch, tvOS 13 will also include full-screen previews of shows and individualized support for each person in the household to build their own lists of shows, movies and even Apple Music.

Are the Powerbeats Pro better than AirPods? [Review]

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Powerbeat Pro in charging case
Order yours now!
Photo: Ian Fuchs/Cult of Mac

Back in 2014 – long before the AirPods – I picked up what would become my go-to fitness earbuds – the PowerBeats2. A year and a half later, the AirPods came out, replacing my PowerBeats2 that were literally falling apart.

Fast forward to now, and I’ve been using my AirPods – both my first gen, and more recently, my second gen – in almost every situation. I use them all the time and carry them almost everywhere I go. But sometimes I hate my AirPods. No matter how simple and convenient they are, they insist on slipping just a little when I wear them while exercising. And if there’s any background noise or wind, even the loudest volume is inaudible while wearing the AirPods.

Even with those minor drawbacks, they were my favorite headphones. Then I got the new Powerbeats Pro.

What to expect from WWDC 2019

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WWDC 2019
It’s going to be big!
Photo: Apple

Apple’s annual Worldwide Developers Conference is just days away and it’s shaping up to be one of the most software-packed events in the company’s history.

New software for the iPhone, iPad, Mac and more will be shown off for the first time when Tim Cook takes the stage on June 3rd. Most of the event will be focused solely on Apple’s biggest software updates of the year, but there’s a chance we could see some new hardware too.

How to stop apps using background refresh to snoop your data

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Refreshing background refresh drink
What could be more refreshing than a rhubarb and soda drink, with something in the background?
Photo: Charlie Sorrel/Cult of Mac

Background refresh is what lets your iPhone and iPad download your email while your iPhone is sleeping, to update your weather app while you are sleeping, and to grab all kinds of data so that it’s ready before you need it — news feeds, notes-app syncing, and pretty much anything else.

However, as revealed this week by the Washington Post, plenty of bad apps are abusing the background refresh mechanism. They are using it to send your private data — you location, your email address, your phone number, and much much more.

It’s likely that this is happening to you, because background refresh is enabled by default for newly-installed apps. Fortunately, it’s an easy problem to fix. Today we’ll see how.

One more thing? Catch our WWDC hardware predictions, this week on The CultCast

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CultCast 390
Does Apple have any WWDC hardware reveals up its sleeve?

This week on The CultCast: Apple may be prepping the Mac Pro for its big reveal … don’t miss our WWDC 2019 hardware expectations! Plus: The pros and cons of the 2019 MacBook Pro … we discuss. And did you know all the best Get a Mac ads never actually aired? We’ll tell you the odd reason why. All that and soooo much more.

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 earns biggest Q1 market share for wearables

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AirPods art challenge
Apple is the Goliath of the wearables market.
Photo: @SCOTUSPlaces/Twitter

Apple’s lineup of wearables for this year’s first quarter earned the company the largest share of an exploding wearable devices market, according to a report from the International Data Corp.

Shipments of Apple Watches, AirPods and Beats headphones totaled 12.8 million for a 25.8 percent Q1 market share. While its share slipped a 1 percent, its year-over-year growth nearly topped 50 percent, according to IDC’s Worldwide Quarterly Wearable Device Tracker.

Global shipments reached 49.6 million, up 55 percent from the previous year.

All the major features to expect in macOS 10.15

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MacBook Pro coding
Apple is coding up some big upgrades for Mac this fall.
Photo: Apple

iOS 13 is expected to be the star of WWDC 2019, but this year’s conference could unleash some of the biggest changes for the Mac we’ve ever seen.

The rumor mill has been dishing out tons of details about macOS 10.15 in the lead up to WWDC 2019. We’ve already seen screenshots of some of the new apps and gotten some good details on how iOS apps are making their way onto the Mac. There’s still plenty of room for Apple to surprise us when it reveals the full details of macOS 10.15 on June 3, but here’s what we know about it so far.

iOS 13 wish list: Giving health & fitness a workout

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Will Apple move workouts to iCloud so you can browse them on any device?
Will Apple move workouts to iCloud so you can browse them on any device?
Photo: Graham Bower/Cult of Mac

WWDC is less than a week away and there are already plenty of rumors doing the rounds on what new features Apple has in store for iOS and watchOS. Dark mode, a refreshed Reminders app and a new Find My app all look set to make an appearance.

But will Apple also be giving its operating systems a shot in the arm to improve their health and fitness as well? Here’s my top-ten wish list of announcements I’m hoping to hear during next week’s keynote. These features will get my pulse racing so fast it’ll trigger a heart rate warning on my Apple Watch.

Excel for iPhone update turns photos into editable spreadsheets

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Microsoft Excel
One of Microsoft Office's coolest features.
Photo: Microsoft

An update for Microsoft Excel on the iPhone may not sound like the most exciting thing. But the update in question is actually pretty darn neat. That’s regardless of whether you regularly use spreadsheets or just fancy a neat tech demo.

The update lets you easily import spreadsheets by simply snapping a photo with your iPhone. The image you take of a paper-based spreadsheet is then recognized and turned into a fully functioning editable spreadsheet.

Miniature six-lead ECG is more accurate than Apple Watch [Updated Review]

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AliveCor KardiaMobile 6L
The pocket-size AliveCor KardiaMobile 6L can take a six-lead ECG.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

AliveCor’s KardiaMobile 6L promises to be much more accurate than the heart monitor built into Apple Watch Series 4, and almost as easy to carry around. It’s the first personal ECG with three electrodes approved by the FDA to check the electrical activity of the heart.

We put this ultra-portable iPhone accessory to the test, as well as the more basic single-lead KardiaMobile, so don’t miss our reviews of each.

5 improvements iPad users expect from iOS 13 [Opinion]

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So powerful, and yet it can’t even copy a file off a USB stick.
Better support for external monitors is one of the features iPad users want in iOS 13.
Photo: Apple

Those of us with an iPad have big expectations for the next version of Apple’s mobile operating system. These tablets pack performance comparable to laptops, but the software continues to lag.

Here’s what Tim Cook and Co. can do to remedy that.

Editor’s note: This article was originally published on January 20, 2019 but is being revisited in the lead up to WWDC 2019.

UPDATE: iPadOS 13.1 is now out, and it offers almost everything asked for in this editorial.

How to resize a JPG on your iPhone

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If only you could resize and share all pictures.
If only you could resize and share all pictures.
Photo: Charlie Sorrel/Cult of Mac

Ever wanted to resize a photo before sending it, or posting it to the web? The quickest and easiest way to do this is with a shortcut. And it’s even quicker and easier because I’ve already written it for you. All you have to do is share the photo from inside the Photos app, pick this shortcut, and you’re pretty much done. Check it out.

Why the iPod touch is still totally relevant

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It's a repair manual! The iPod touch can be anything.
It's a repair manual! The iPod touch can be anything.
Photo: Charlie Sorrel/Cult of Mac

The iPod touch exists to be used by waiters, warehouse staff, delivery persons, and anyone else whose employer wants them to use an iOS device as a handheld on-the-job computer. That’s why it just got an update, and it’s probably why it hasn’t — and never will — change size or shape. It is a utility computer. Making it an all-screen, buttonless iPhone-lite is pointless. Adding Touch ID is equally useless when it is used by multiple people.

But that doesn’t mean it isn’t also a great device for everyone else. If you need a utility iOS computer, then you should buy it. Musicians are one great example of potential users. Let’s see why the iPod Touch is still great.