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Powerful Mac Studio rig brings the symmetry [Setups]

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An M1 Ultra Mac Studio drives this setup.
An M1 Ultra Mac Studio drives this setup.
Photo: [email protected]

Computer-setup gawkers on social media love their symmetry. It’s really just human nature to prefer those clean lines and even spacing — you know, stopping short of full-blown obsessive compulsive disorder and blowing a gasket if one little cable appears out of place.

Today’s M1 Ultra Mac Studio workstation brings not only powerhouse computing, but a few tricks of the trade when it comes to creating that pleasing symmetry. And it packs an interesting device we don’t see very often.

Apple cracks down on apps that use device fingerprinting to track users

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iPhone Device Fingerprinting
Just like you have fingerprints, your iPhone can have a device fingerprint.
Photo: Cult of Mac

Apple warned all App Store developers that it’s starting a crackdown on using device fingerprinting for user tracking.

As a means of preventing this invasive tracking, Apple will soon require devs to justify the inclusion of all APIs in software submitted to the App Store.

The Beanie Bubble bursts right away [Apple TV+ review] ☆☆☆

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Elizabeth Banks and Zach Galifianakis in ☆☆☆
Robbie Jones (played by Elizabeth Banks, left) and Ty Warner (Zach Galifianakis) find themselves at the center of a surprising '90s obsession in The Beanie Bubble.
Photo: Apple TV+

TV+ Review The Beanie Bubble, the new Apple TV+ movie about a product you rightly moved on from despite its momentary stranglehold on culture, is fleetingly persuasive but hopelessly conventional.

Directed by the lead singer of OK Go and Al Gore’s daughter, the movie tells the true story of the creation of and exploitation of the Beanie Babies craze of the 1990s.

Save everything in the cloud with 1TB of lifetime storage for just $119.97

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Save everything in the cloud this school year and grab 1TB of lifetime cloud storage for only $119.97.
Snag 1TB of lifetime cloud storage for just $119.97 with this back-to-school sale.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

The back-to-school vibe has undoubtedly changed. We’ve traded our three-ring binders and Trapper Keepers for digital files and folders on our laptops. So much is saved on our computers during a school year, and it’s only natural if your machine eventually runs out of space.

The easiest thing to do is to keep all your important school, work and personal docs and photos backed up and in one place. Fortunately, during this back-to-school sale, you can get a lifetime subscription to Koofr with 1TB of cloud storage for only $119.97 to do just that. Simply enter code KOOFR with your purchase to score this $20 discount. But don’t put off this key buy for long. This deal only lasts through August 13.

Lionel Messi brings surge of viewers to Apple soccer streaming service

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Want to watch Lionel Messi? Check out the Leagues Cup on MLS Season Pass.
Want to watch Lionel Messi? Check out the Leagues Cup on MLS Season Pass.
Image: Apple

Apple pinned its hopes on soccer superstar Lionel Messi boosting interest in its MLS Season Pass, and the gamble is apparently paying off. After the legend joined Inter Miami CF, Apple reports that its soccer streaming service just had its best week ever.

And that’s after Messi playing only two matches on the service.

Android’s Find My clone hits a snag, and Google blames Apple

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Androids will soon warn of AirTags used by stalkers
Google’s Find My Device system, a copy of Apple’s, won‘t arrive for months.
Photo: Google

Google thinks Apple’s Find My network is so clever it’s “borrowing” the idea. But the upcoming extension of Android’s Find My Device network to tracking tags has been delayed — and Google says it’s all because of Apple.

The snafu supposedly stems from the companies working together on a scheme to prevent stalkers from misusing tracking tags made for the two rival platforms.

Get a grip on AirPods Pro 2 with Nomad’s new Sport Case

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The new case adds a splash of color and could help you hold onto your earbuds.
The new case adds a splash of color and could help you hold onto your earbuds.
Photo: Nomad

AirPods Pro (2nd generation) have a sleek and protective case of their own, but it’s not the grippiest accessory. So Nomad decided to curtail chances your earbuds will slip out of your hand by rolling out its new Sport Case this week.

The Morning Show season 3 teaser: ‘Let’s burn it all down’

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Things look pretty desperate for the TV talking heads in season 3.
Things look pretty desperate for the TV talking heads in season 3.
Photo: Apple

Apple TV+ unveiled a teaser for season 3 of Emmy Award-winning drama series The Morning Show Thursday, and things are starting to look pretty desperate for the show within a show. Billy Crudup’s executive producer character says “it’s time to smash and shatter” and “let’s burn it all down.”

But he’s a pretty shifty character. He might just be playing along with Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon’s characters’ threat to expose the network’s horrible secrets.

AirTag 4-pack sale beats Prime Day’s lowest price

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After a bit of confusion, Lufthansa says it won't ban AirTags from checked baggage.
Pick up a few extra AirTags by taking advantage of this deal.
Photo: Daniel Romero/Unsplash License

If you keep forgetting or misplacing things, an AirTag will make your life much easier. Apple’s tracking tag can help you track lost or stolen items, even when they are not within your iPhone’s reach.

And what’s better than one AirTag? Four! And while an AirTag four-pack retails for $99, Amazon is currently discounting them to $84.99.

iPhone 15 Pro Max price might increase $200

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iPhone 15 Pro Max price might increase
The iPhone 15 Pro models might cost noticeably more than the two basic ones.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The top-tier model in Apple’s upcoming 2023 line could be in for a considerable price jump. The iPhone 15 Pro Max could go up by as much as $200, according to an industry analyst.

While the iPhone 15 Pro will allegedly get its own price increase, the two “standard” ones will not.

Grab a Costco membership plus $30 Digital Shop Card for just $60

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Grab a one-year membership at Costco and $30 Digital Shop Card* for only $60.
Score a Costco Gold Star Membership that comes with a $30 Digital Costco Shop Card and prepare to save!
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Your party is about to start, but you’ve just realized you’re missing a key ingredient for dessert — and you forgot to stock up on cups, plates, napkins and other party essentials. Yes, you should probably hire a party planner next time. But instead of zipping through multiple stores for those items, you could shop more efficiently (and more money-consciously) with a Costco Gold Star Membership.

Fortunately, you can get a one-year Gold Star Membership to Costco now for only $60 — and you’ll even score a $30 Digital Costco Shop Card* with your purchase.

Even Tim Cook’s Apple Card application got rejected

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Tim Cook has plenty of money, so that couldn't be the reason.
Tim Cook has plenty of money, so that couldn't be the reason.
Image: Canva

Not just anyone qualifies for a new Apple Card — including Apple CEO Tim Cook, according to a new report. The Goldman Sachs underwriting system apparently rejected his application a while back.

Amid reports lately that Goldman is losing money on its deal with Apple, and the two might part ways, it almost sounded like payback. But that’s not it.

Clear space on your Mac with this 1TB external drive, just $57

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Clear space and store important files with this $57 1TB external hard drive.
Speed up your Mac by clearing space with this 1TB external hard drive, on sale for just $57 for a limited time.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

When you splurged for a new Mac, or picked up one of our amazing refurbished deals, did you opt for a model with less storage to save some cash? It’s a genius idea in theory. But now you might find yourself stuck with a full hard drive and a bogged-down computer.

You don’t need to upgrade your Mac — or pay recurring cloud storage fees — if you pick up this 1TB portable external hard drive. And right now, it costs just $56.99 (normal price: $63.99).

Apple pours $2.5 billion into fixing housing crisis in California

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Apple pours $2.5 billion into fixing housing crisis in California
The Kelsey in San Francisco is one of the developments Apple is funding in collaboration with Housing Trust Silicon Valley.
Photo: Apple

There are more than 170,000 homeless people in California, and Apple is doing its part to remedy the problem. That includes a $2.5 billion commitment to address the housing crisis in its home state.

More than 40,000 Californians currently receive housing support through the projects and programs Apple funds.

Aliens bring global war in Invasion season 2 trailer

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The show airs on Wednesdays starting August 23.
The show airs on Wednesdays starting August 23.
Photo: Apple

Apple TV+ dropped a trailer Wednesday for season 2 of its sci-fi thriller series Invasion, and it looks like full-scale global war will erupt after season 1’s slow burn led up to frightening first contact.

Season 2 debuts August 23, with new episodes coming out on Wednesdays.

Sometimes it pays to sweat the details [Setups]

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The monitors are 1080p rather than 4K or above, but it's quite a good-looking Mac mini setup.
The monitors are 1080p rather than 4K or above, but it's quite a good-looking Mac mini setup.
Photo: [email protected]

We know from social media that folks love checking out others’ computer setups. But is it really the headlining hardware they’re after, like the flashiest MacBook Pro or brilliant display? Not always. Sometimes it’s the small stuff they want.

With today’s Mac mini setup with a pair of 1080p displays, people were most curious about a standing desk, a cable-management raceway and a desk organizer. You can find everything in the gear list below.

Check out August’s Friday Night Baseball lineup on Apple TV+

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Get ready for eight games in August, plus a whole lot of supporting content on deck.
Get ready for eight games in August, plus a whole lot of supporting content on deck.
Photo: Apple

This week Apple and Major League Baseball (MLB) unveiled the August Friday Night Baseball schedule for Apple TV+ subscribers, so you know when your team is up at bat. And there’s quite a lot of other baseball content streaming. Check it out below.

Apple’s 48MP camera heads for more affordable iPhone 15 models

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iPhone 14 Pro's camera module
The amazing iPhone 14 Pro camera could be in the “standard” iPhone 15.
Photo: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac

The 48 megapixel camera that debuted in the iPhone 14 Pro models is making its way to the “standard” iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus, according to a trusted analyst.

If true, the change will appreciably improve the quality of the pictures the two lower-cost handsets can take.

Sam stokes an in-flight rebellion this week on Hijack [Apple TV+ recap] ★★★

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Idris Elba in ★★★
Sam (played by Idris Elba) rallies his fellow passengers to fight back in the penultimate episode of Hijack.
Photo: Apple TV+

TV+ ReviewHit Apple TV+ thriller Hijack nears its final destination this week. Sam Nelson’s family is in danger and he can’t do much to stop the potential devastation.

What he can do is take control of the hijacked airplane. But will the rest of the passengers help him? And will the kidnappers let down their guard long enough to allow him to do so? The episode, entitled “Comply Slowly,” is a white-knuckler.

New universal quad dock extends your laptop to 4 screens

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You can really get a
You can really get a "Mission Control" feeling with four screens.
Photo: Alogic

Alogic’s new Quad Display Universal Docking Station delivers up to dual 4K and dual 1080p output for creatives and other professionals who need ample screen real estate in their computer setups.

To be precise, that’s four screens for Windows, while Mac users can connect up to three screens. In any case, the DUCDV4, introduced Wednesday by Alogic, connects your other peripherals and powers your laptop, too.

Best travel accessories for Apple users to take on vacation

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MacBook on vacation
Here are some of the best travel accessories for MacBook, iPhone or iPad, even if you’re going way off the grid.
Photo: Tima Miroshnichenko/Pexels

Whether you vacation at the beach, in the mountains or anywhere in between, you’ll surely bring your iPhone, Apple Watch and maybe an iPad or even a MacBook with you. We have suggestions for accessories to simplify keeping your gear charged and organized. Plus some to make the trip more fun.

We’ve tested all these gadgets so we know they do what they promise.

Become fluent in American Sign Language with this $14.99 boot camp bundle

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Become fluent in sign language with this $14.99 ASL bundle.
Get two full courses in American Sign Language for only $14.99.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Ever watch a sign language interpreter and wonder how those movements come so naturally? Both hearing and non-hearing users come by it the same way: practice. The truth is that anyone can learn sign language, given the right time and the right teachers.

The American Sign Language Boot Camp Bundle addresses both of those needs, giving online learners access to engaging lessons that can be completed in just a few hours. And for only $14.99, you could not only broaden your overall communication skills, but also enhance your cultural awareness and literacy, among other things.

Apple supposedly still investigating folding iPad options

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AI rendering of a folding iPad.
Apple's working on a folding iPad and it could look like this rendering from Midjourney.
Render: Midjourney/Lewis Wallace

Apple has its eye on a folding iPad, according to a new report coming out of Asia. This might be the flexible tablet that a reliable tipster predicted was coming in 2024.

Or it could only be a sign that Apple is simply doing basic research on this policy category.