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Apple TV+ Metropolis adaptation gets the ax

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Apple TV+ ‘Metropolis’ adaptation gets the axe
A modern adaptation of the silent classic Metropolis will not happen.
Image: Cult of Mac

Turns out Apple TV+ is not going to turn Fritz Lang’s sci-fi classic Metropolis into a series. The ongoing writers’ strike reportedly caused the project to be shut down.

And it’s not the only Apple TV+ project to run afoul of the ongoing Writers Guild of America strike.

Will there be a Ted Lasso season 4? Yes, if Tim Cook gets his way.

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Brendan Hunt and Jason Sudeikis in
Brendan Hunt, aka Coach Beard, left, says we might not have seen the last of Ted Lasso (played by Jason Sudeikis).
Photo: Apple TV+

Ted Lasso, the comedy that became the first surprise Apple TV+ hit, earned rave reviews with its recent series finale — and now Apple CEO Tim cook wants more!

That’s according to Brendan Hunt, one of the creators and stars of Ted Lasso. Whether Cook will get it or not remains an open question, however.

Flash sale: Teach yourself a new language (or 24) for less than $160

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Teach yourself a new language (or 24) for less than $160.
Jump on this flash sale, and you can learn a new language with Rosetta Stone this summer for only $159.97.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Unless you’re fleeing the country for legal reasons, a trip overseas is always a great idea. The first visit to a new country is guaranteed to make memories that will last a lifetime, especially if you learn the language before you go. And what better way to do it than with Rosetta Stone?

The No. 1 language-learning platform has wowed millions of users since 1992, and it keeps getting better with each update. Now, new users can take 15% off a lifetime subscription to the service, thanks to a limited-time flash sale. Through midnight tonight, lifetime access to Rosetta Stone is only $159.97 (regularly $299) when you use code VACATION15 at checkout.

Apple websites start implementing passkeys in place of passwords

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Apple websites use passkeys in place of passwords.
That’s open less password you’ll have to remember.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Our password-free future just took a step closer. Apple has begin rolling out signing onto its online store can with a passkey instead of a password. The change allows shoppers to access the site with Face ID or Touch ID. The same is true for iCloud.com and Apple’s dev site.

However, the feature is still in testing so it’s not available for everyone. It requires a beta of iOS 17, iPadOS 17 or macOS Sonoma.

Never lose your Apple TV remote again

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A place for everything and everything in its place -- including your Apple TV remote.
A place for everything and everything in its place -- including your Apple TV remote.
Photo: Elago

Always wondering where you left the Apple TV remote? Maybe you should always put it in the same place when you’re done with it. And Elago makes that easy with its updated magnetic Metal Plate R1.

Just stick it to a surface on or near your TV and your R1 remote sticks to it. And viola, once you get in the habit of putting it back there, your remote is always where it’s supposed to be.

New QuietType mechanical keyboard cuts down on the clackity-clack

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"Silent" may be a stretch, but Kensington's new full-sized mechanical keyboard cuts down on the keystroke noise.
Photo: Kensington

Kensington unveiled a new “silent” mechanical keyboard for business and home use Tuesday. It’s the new MK7500F QuietType Pro Silent Wireless Mechanical Keyboard with Meeting Controls.

“Ideal for use in noise-sensitive home or office work environments, the MK7500F delivers a combination of beauty, durability and functionality, to provide professionals with a premium, quiet typing experience,” the company said.

Fixing your iPhone 14 and 2022 MacBook models just got easier

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Apple Self Service Program for customer repairs
Several recent Apple handsets and notebooks are about to be added to the Self Service Repair program.
Photo: Apple

The Apple Self Service Repair program will soon expand to include the iPhone 14 series as well as MacBook Pro and MacBook Air models released in 2022.

The program provides customers access to parts and tools they need to fix their own devices.

iPhone media apps can play music on HomePod using Siri with iOS 17

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The big HomePod could be back soon. But how pricey and how functional will it be?
Spotify is finally coming to HomePod but it relies on using your iPhone.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Apple finally plans to make playing music from third-party sources easier on HomePods. Starting with iOS 17, you can ask Siri to play music on your HomePod from music apps installed on your iPhone.

Despite Apple providing the necessary apps, only a handful of music streaming services natively support HomePod. This change from Apple in iOS 17 is an excellent workaround to this problem.

Why Apple Watch doesn’t allow third-party watch faces

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watchOS 7 new faces
There are a lot of cool Apple Watch faces, all created by Apple.
Photo: Apple

A high-level Apple exec recently answered a question that bugs many Apple Watch users: Why aren’t third-party watch faces allowed?

It comes down to the company not allowing the wearable’s all-important home screen to be replaced by a non-Apple alternative that might not prove as reliable.

EU forces removable batteries on iPhone and iPad

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iPhone 14 is easier to repair than any of its predecessors in years.
iPhone 14 is easier to disassemble than its predecessors, but Apple might have to go further.
Photo: iFixit

The European Parliament passed sweeping legislation last week intended to make recycling batteries easier. The new rules will require Apple to redesign iPhone and iPad so their batteries can be replaced by users. (Android devices will face the same mandate.)

This will be the second major hardware change to Apple products to result from EU legislation. iPhones soon will come with a USB-C port in place of Lightning because of a European requirement.

Securely store files in this Kingston flash drive encrypted with a keypad [Review] ★★★★☆

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Kingston Ironkey Keypad 200★★★★☆
No one but you will access your files if they’re on a Kingston Ironkey Keypad 200.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The best way to be sure no one is accessing your files is to lock them on an encrypted drive. The Kingston Ironkey Keypad 200 includes built-in keypad so you can easily unlock the USB drive when it’s time to access your stored information.

I put the mini-SSD to the test in my home office. Read on to see how well it stood up use with a variety of computers and other devices.

Monster 65-inch display dominates dual-station home office [Setups]

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A roving laptop station holds an iPad Pro.
A roving laptop station holds and iPad Pro plus Magic Keyboard and Magic Trackpad.
Photo: [email protected]

Today’s featured computer setup sports something we don’t see often — multiple stations for different uses. And its colossal 65-inch smart TV, used as a computer display as well as a home theater screen, is pretty unusual, too.

Check it out and peruse the gear list below.

Last chance for Father’s Day deals on Apple accessories

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Laut's Zentry AirPods Pro case is tough and it looks cool.
Laut's Zentry AirPods Pro case is tough and it looks cool.
Photo: Laut

It’s not too late to snag deals on Apple accessories for your dad — or for yourself — in the Cult of Mac Store’s Father’s Day Sale, which runs through Monday. You can find discounts of up to 15% off on 140 products from Elkson, Just Mobile, Laut, Mifa, Rilee & Lo and Speidel. It’s quite a selection.

See some highlights below and others here, and check out the whole Father’s Day Savings Collection!

Become an animator with this pro animation software

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Become an animator for under $80 with this flash sale on software.
Make your own animations with this pro-quality software for only $80.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

If a picture is worth a thousand words, then an animated image must be worth millions a minute. You don’t have to do the math on that. Just look at the popularity of films like The Incredibles or Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.

The latest version of Moho animation software makes it easier than ever for creators to put their art in motion. And a flash sale makes Moho a lot more affordable. Through June 20, you can grab this incredible alternative to traditional animation for just $79.97 (regularly $399).

iPhone 15 could use powerful U2 Ultra Wideband chip for deeper Vision Pro integration

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Two people having a conversation, one wearing the Vision Pro headset with EyeSight.
Apple has a plan to boost the Vision Pro ecosystem.
Photo: Apple

Apple could switch to a more powerful Ultra Wideband chip on the iPhone 15. And for its 2024 iPhones, the company could adopt the newer and faster Wi-Fi 7 standard.

These hardware upgrades will seemingly allow Apple to build a more competitive ecosystem for its upcoming Vision Pro headset.

Make your photos shine with this AI-powered photo editor

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Make your photos sing with this top editing software for only $80.
Get the best price on the web for this AI-powered photo editor.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Any decent photographer knows that getting the perfect shot is only half the battle. Fine-tuning that pic requires just as much skill, but even the most experienced shutterbug needs the right tools. Luminar is a full-featured photo editor that’s long been a hit with amateurs and professionals alike.

The latest update, Luminar Neo, is now available with a host of add-ons for the best price on the web. You can get the Award-Winning Luminar Neo Lifetime Bundle for only $79.97 (regularly $400).

3 Reasons to Watch: Stellar Apple TV+ music miniseries Watch the Sound with Mark Ronson

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Episode 6. Mark Ronson in “Watch the Sound With Mark Ronson,” now streaming on Apple TV+.
The mysteries of modern music production unfold in Watch the Sound with Mark Ronson.
Photo: Apple TV+

In this installment of 3 Reasons to Watch, we rewind back to Watch the Sound with Mark Ronson, a 2021 miniseries about the ins and outs of modern music production and recording.

With superproducer Mark Ronson (who’s worked with stars like Amy Winehouse and Lady Gaga) as our host, we see the ways in which sound can be manipulated — and the ways in which it is already miraculous. Here’s why you should give this must-see Apple TV+ music miniseries a spin.

New Macs’ benchmarks blow us away [The CultCast]

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The Mac Studio specs make us swoon (and question the Mac Pro's raison d'être. We talk new Macs on our Apple podcast, The CultCast (episode 599).
The Mac Studio specs make us swoon (and question the Mac Pro's raison d'être).
Image: Cult of Mac

This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: The M2 Ultra chip gives the new Mac Studio and Mac Pro incredible powers, the first benchmarks show. And the new 15-inch MacBook Air doesn’t look too shabby, either. In fact, it seems like the ultimate Mac laptop for most people.

Also on The CultCast:

  • We’ve got a great travel charger from Ugreen in this week’s giveaway.
  • Erfon uncorks an update on the untimely death(?) and possible rebirth of his beloved original HomePod.

Listen to this week’s episode of The CultCast in the Podcasts app or your favorite podcast app. (Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review if you like it!) Or watch the video live stream, embedded below.

10 more sweet tweaks and changes in iOS 17

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Text:
These are smaller features, but they’re no less awesome.
Image: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

iOS 17 has a lot of great headlining features — and many more features Apple didn’t have time to mention during the WWDC23 keynote. Today, I’m going one level deeper: Here are 10 more tweaks and smaller changes that could have a big impact on daily life with your iPhone after you update to iOS 17.

Get lifetime cloud web hosting from iBrave for just $79.97

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Get lifetime cloud web hosting from iBrave for just $79.97.
Pay one low price for everything you need to get a pro website up and running for life.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

This iBrave lifetime subscription sets you up with advanced web hosting for just $79.97 for life. It comes with everything you need to build and deploy a professional website and keep it running.

This incredible deal — rated an average of 5/5 stars by verified purchasers — is for new users only, though. And it’s only available during our limited-time flash sale, which ends June 20.

15-inch MacBook Air battery won’t be easy to swap out

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New super-size MacBook Air is 'world's thinnest 15-inch laptop'
Replacing the battery of the 15-inch MacBook Air is not going to be easy.
Screenshot: Apple

Apple’s 15-inch MacBook Air has received the teardown treatment less than a week after going on sale. The internals reveals the laptop is similar to its 13-inch sibling, with two additional speakers and the larger battery being the only significant difference.

Thanks to the larger chassis, Apple has also managed to fit a bigger battery on the 15-inch Air.

Win a 65W GaN travel charger you can plug in anywhere [Cult of Mac giveaway]

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Wide compatibility and US, UK and EU plugs make the new charger great for travelers.
Adapters for U.S., U.K. and EU plugs make this a great charger for globetrotters.
Photo: Ugreen

If you travel around the world, this Ugreen 65W GaN travel charger could become your best companion. Its powerful output and universal plugs will let you keep your MacBook, iPhone and other Apple gear juiced up practically anywhere you roam.

The Ugreen 65W Nexode GaN Charger packs two USB-C ports along with one USB-A port, making it easy to charge multiple devices simultaneously. Plus, its switchable plugs make it effortless for use when traveling in the United States and Europe. It retails for just $55.99, but you could snag one for free in this week’s giveaway.

The Crowded Room takes a quick, pointless trip to London [Apple TV+ recap] ★★☆☆☆

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Tom Holland in ★★☆☆☆
Danny (played by Tom Holland) takes a diversionary trip overseas this week on The Crowded Room.
Photo: Apple TV+

TV+ Review New Apple TV+ drama The Crowded Room, about a man arrested for crimes he doesn’t have a real understanding of having committed, takes a trip overseas this week. Danny, fleeing from his past and his crimes, heads to London to look for his dad. But he finds another shady father figure waiting for him instead.

A few botched crimes and some bonding lead Danny down more dead ends as Rya interrogates him and hopes he finally sees the light. The episode, entitled “London,” offers a maddening glimpse at the show The Crowded Room could have been.

This $50 course bundle can make you a total Excel pro

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This $50 course bundle can make you a total Excel pro.
Learn how to automate complex or repetitive tasks in Excel with these online courses.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Are you using Microsoft Excel to its fullest potential? Most people know some basic functions and how to make a chart, but they miss out on advanced uses and automation to make their lives easier.

If you want to become a pro, you might want The Complete Excel, VBA, and Data Science Certification Training course bundle. It features 13 jam-packed courses with tips and tricks from the pros. And you can get lifetime access now for just $49.99 (normally $429).