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Leaked Beats Studio Buds+ come in delightfully ’90s transparent casing

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Transparent plastic is a new look for Beats.
Transparent plastic is a new look for Beats.
Photo: Amazon/Beats

Before Apple subsidiary Beats could get the word out, a listing appeared briefly on Amazon.com Tuesday showing upgraded Beats Studio Buds+ coming out May 18.

They take the same shape as existing Beats Studio Buds, but they feature a cool new transparent design option, upgraded performance and a slightly higher price of $169.95.

This 8-piece Japanese Master Chef knife set makes a sharp gift for Mom

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This eight-piece Japanese Master Chef knife set is perfect for the chef-mom in your life.
Help your mom cook like a pro with this impressive gift box of Japanese chef's knives.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Mother’s Day is right around the corner, and if your mom is typically the one who handles meal prep and loves cheffing up new dishes, she deserves the best tools. A high-quality, pro-level knife set can majorly impact at-home cooking, reducing the effort required and resulting in consistent, seamless cutting and chopping.

Fortunately, you still have time to access savings on this eight-piece Seido Japanese Master Chef’s knife set with a gift box. Typically $429, this package is now only $89.97 through May 14. But if you want this gift delivered by Mother’s Day, order by May 3 to ensure on-time delivery.

iPhone 15 Pro could support Thunderbolt over USB-C

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iPhone 15 already in trial production
iPhone 15's USB-C port could be a lot faster than a regular USB port.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac/Pixabay/Pexels

Apple will seemingly equip the USB-C port on the iPhone 15 Pro lineup with Thunderbolt 3 capabilities. This opens the door to connecting high-bandwidth storage devices and other accessories to the upcoming iPhone.

Apple already includes a Thunderbolt 3 port as standard across its iPad Air and iPad Pro lineups. This allows the tablets to drive external monitors with up to 6K resolution.

Astropad Studio direct wireless connection makes iPad an even better Mac drawing tablet

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Astropad Studio
Astropad Studio can now mirror macOS drawing apps on an iPad through a fast, peer-to-peer wireless connection.
Photo: Astropad

Astropad Studio now has peer-to-peer networking, reducing the latency between the iPad and Mac. That improves the usability of this software that lets artists mirror their favorite professional drawing or painting apps on the tablet.

Cutting the router out of the conection reduces latency by up to 46%, according to Astropad.

Our Schmigadoon! heroes find success in Schmicago [Apple TV+ recap] ★★★

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Cecily Strong in ★★★
Cecily Strong makes a strong showing this week on Schmigadoon!
Photo: Apple TV+

TV+ ReviewApple TV+ musical comedy Schmigadoon! finds love in all the wrong places this week. Melissa goes from nobody to somebody, and Josh finds his calling as a spiritual leader, which is the last thing they need right now.

In their quest to make things right in Schmicago, they tangle things up worse than ever — and they clearly don’t have a clean exit strategy. The episode, entitled “Famous as Hell,” is a rousing chapter of the Schmigadoon! saga.

These award-winning translation earbuds make an incredible Mother’s Day gift

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A woman wearing Mymanu Clik S translation earbuds.
Your mom will love these amazing translation earbuds.
Photo: Mymanu

What if you could speak to anyone, anywhere, regardless of language barriers? For the mom who loves to travel (or just chat with everybody), we’ve found the ultimate gift: the Mymanu Clik S translation earbuds.

Like magic, these comfortable earbuds will translate conversations in an astounding 37 languages, taking travel experiences to a whole new level. Even better, you can grab these earbuds at a special price of only $109.97 (regularly $157). While this sale lasts until May 14, you’ll have to order by May 3 to ensure Mom receives them in time for Mother’s Day. 

Rose Byrne and Seth Rogen are hilarious disasters in trailer for Apple TV+ comedy Platonic

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Rose Byrne and Seth Rogen are hilarious disasters in Apple TV+ comedy 'Platonic' trailer
New comedy series Platonic starring Rose Byrne and Seth Rogen premieres on Apple TV+ in May.
Photo: Apple TV+

Rose Byrne and Seth Rogen play a pair of friends having dual midlife crises in Platonic, a comedy series coming to Apple TV+ in May.

The Platonic trailer, released Wednesday, shows just how funny but destructive their friendship can be.

Ted Lasso takes a stab at Total Football [Apple TV+ recap] ★★★

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Brett Goldstein, Jason Sudeikis and Brendan Hunt in ★★★
Ted has a plan!
Photo: Apple TV+

TV+ Review Ted Lasso, the Apple TV+ show dipped in positivity and marinated in feculence, sketches a few days in a few of its characters’ lives this week.

Ted, Beard and Roy attempt Total Football. Sam is hounded by the political climate. Keeley needs to learn when to say when, and Jamie has a breakthrough. An otherwise very strong episode of the biggest hit on Apple TV+ is undercut by the series’ usual foibles in the episode, entitled “The Strings That Bind Us.”

Apple shows how it empowers small-business success

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With National Small Business Week upon us, Apple celebrates how it helps entrepreneurs.
With National Small Business Week upon us, Apple celebrates how it helps entrepreneurs.
Image: Apple

With National Small Business Week starting Sunday, Apple profiled three small businesses Wednesday, describing how they harness Apple products to grow.

In addition, the company will feature “Grow Your Business with Apple” Today at Apple sessions next week in select U.S. cities.

Giorgio blows it big time on The Big Door Prize [Apple TV+ recap] ★★★★☆

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Josh Segarra in ★★★★☆
Blowhard restaurateur Giorgio (played by Josh Segarra) can't get his mind off Cass.
Photo: Apple TV+

TV+ Review The Big Door Prize throws a gala this week in an emotional installment of the Apple TV+ show about a town upended by an apparently psychic machine.

Cass gives herself a huge project, and only Giorgio seems to be on her wavelength about its relative importance. Meanwhile, Dusty gets high, Father Reuben gets jealous, and Izzy goes on the warpath in a very successful episode, entitled “Giorgio.”

Mac mini drives 3 displays in wild winged formation [Setups]

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That's not a display configuration you see every day.
That's not a display configuration you see every day.

Just when you thought you’d seen every arrangement of displays known to computer setups, something comes along to surprise you. Today’s featured M2 Pro Mac mini setup puts a portrait-mode display at center and two landscape-mode displays sticking out like wings on either side of it. It’s kind of odd how rarely seen it actually is.

Another rarity is the user’s amazing assortment of audio components, including an unusually big “Schiit stack.”

14-inch MacBook Pro is cheaper than ever [Update: Not anymore!]

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2023 MacBook Pro.
Don't miss this amazing deal on the 14-inch MacBook Pro.
Photo: Apple

Update: We hope you jumped on this MacBook Pro deal as soon as we posted it, because it looks like it evaporated.

Apple’s 14-inch MacBook Pro is down to its lowest price on Amazon. You can get the machine with a discount of as much as $250.

The entry-level 14-inch MacBook Pro is listed with a $250 discount, bringing its price down to $1,749. This is the cheapest the machine has been available for since its launch earlier this year.

Apple VR/AR headset remains on course to launch at WWDC23

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Apple VR/AR headset concept created by Ahmed Chenni.
We might not be waiting much longer.
Concept: Ahmed Chenni/Freelancer.com

Production of Apple’s first VR/AR headset is in “the final sprint,” according to a new report out of Taiwan. This falls in line with earlier leaks indicating that Apple will unveil the device at its Worldwide Developers Conference in June.

The latest info even suggests the mixed-reality headset will begin shipping before the end of that month.

Want a foolproof Mother’s Day gift? Ship 2 dozen roses for less than $45.

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Want a foolproof Mother's Day? Ship 2 dozen roses for under $45.
Send Mom 24 beautiful roses on her big day for one low price.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

There’s a lot to be said for the classics, and that’s especially true for Mother’s Day. When it comes right down to it, your mom just wants to know that you care, and nothing says that like fresh flowers.

So what do you do when you’re not within driving distance of your mom, much less her local florist? You take advantage of this online deal from Rose Farmers: Get 24 long-stemmed roses, picked and delivered for only $44.99 (regularly $96). No coupon is needed to score these stunning roses for mom.

Apple shows off its second store in Shenzhen, China

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Locally sourced building materials help give a bright and airy feel to the store, which opens Friday.
Locally sourced building materials help give a bright and airy feel to the store, which opens Friday.
Photo: Apple

Apple previewed MixC Shenzhen Wednesday, showing off its second retail store to open in China’s third most-populous city after Shanghai and Beijing.

“We are very excited to open a beautiful new Apple Store in Shenzhen and deepen our connection with the local community,” said Deirdre O’Brien, Apple’s senior vice president of Retail.

“At Apple, we’re constantly innovating to deliver the best possible experience for our customers, and our incredible team members in Shenzhen can’t wait to welcome them when doors open on Friday,” she added.

iOS 17 could bring new Lock Screen features, App Library customization

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iPhone with an iOS 17 logo
iOS 17 might bring Apple Music lyrics to your iPhone's Lock Screen.
Photo: Cult of Mac
WWDC23

As WWDC23 inches closer to its scheduled date, more leaks about iOS 17 are surfacing online. A new rumor details all the Lock Screen changes Apple plans to debut in the next iOS release.

The tweaks include changing the Lock Screen font size, sharing custom Lock Screen designs with other iPhone users, and more.

Apple Health app might finally come to iPad

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Apple's Health app would be much more accessible on the larger screen of an iPad.
Apple's Health app would be much more accessible on the larger screen of an iPad.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple is reportedly about to fill a glaring hole in the collection of software that comes bundled on iPads. A version of Apple’s Health app for tablets will, at long last, launch in autumn 2023, according to a reliable source.

It’s a feature many iPad users have wanted for years.

Apple preps an AI-powered personal wellness coach

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Apple preps an AI-powered personal wellness coach
You won't need this guy if a AI on your Apple Watch can do the same job.
Photo: Cliff Booth/Pexels

Apple reportedly wants to use the power of artificial intelligence to create a virtual coach integrated into Apple Watch.

In addition, Apple’s Health app allegedly will get new features for those with vision problems, and to help users track their moods.

ID and care for more than 14,000 plant types with this $20 app

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ID and treat more than 14,000 plant types with this $20 app.
Use the AI-powered plant-identification app that earns rave reviews from users.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Artificial intelligence can do a lot of things, but we rarely turn to it when we’re trying to commune with nature. That might change thanks to apps like NatureID, which uses state-of-the-art AI to recognize and provide care tips for the plants in your home and beyond.

Just in time for spring and summer gardening, you can grab a NatureID lifetime subscription for only $19.99 (regularly $59).

New DJI Mavic 3 Pro drone adds a third camera

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The new drone's third medium telephoto lens opens up lots of possibilities.
The new drone's third medium telephoto lens opens up lots of possibilities.

DJI said Tuesday its new flagship consumer drone, the DJI Mavic 3 Pro, features the company’s first triple-camera setup, adding a 70mm medium-telephoto lens to previous configurations.

“The additional 70mm 48MP medium telephoto lens gives beginner and professional content creators alike increased creative options when shooting aerial images and video,” B&H Photo Video said in a press release about the news.

Every display should have this iPhone MagSafe mount [Review] ★★★★★

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Belkin Display Mount mounted on a display★★★★★
The pictures in this article aren’t very good because I couldn’t use the iPhone 12 Pro (pictured) to take the picture.
Photo: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

The Belkin iPhone Mount with MagSafe for Mac Desktops and Displays, despite what its lengthy product name may imply, is a simple and straightforward product that does one thing remarkably well. It mounts your iPhone to a desktop display with MagSafe.

It’s straightforward to set up; it’s easy to plop your phone on and pull it off; it’s well made and feels nice in the hand. It’s great for Continuity Camera. The Belkin iPhone Mount with… no, I’m not writing all that out again. The Belkin iPhone display thing is an easy recommendation.

Simple security hack keeps your iCloud account safe from iPhone thieves

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Can’t touch this (iCloud account)
Is this what the prolific Mr. Hammer was singing about? No.
Image: Jonathan Cutrer/Flickr/D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

Taking a moment to add an extra passcode to your iCloud account might save your skin if your iPhone is ever stolen by a shady character who’s eyeing you like a hawk. By default, your iPhone passcode is all someone needs to lock you out of your devices and wreak financial havoc on your life. And it’s not that difficult to capture your passcode if you tap into your phone in a public place.

In fact, a recent spate of coordinated scams have played out like this: A spy watches for anyone entering their iPhone passcode in a bar or other public place. Then, the device is yoinked out of the victim’s hands. And before they can do anything, they find themselves locked out of their own iCloud account. Soon, the criminals who stole the iPhone proceed to make unauthorized purchases, empty bank accounts and generally wreak havoc on the victim’s finances and personal life.

Luckily, setting up a second passcode just for iCloud can protect you from this type of criminal operation. I’ll show you how to keep these thieves at bay — and offer some additional advice for keeping your account secure.

Anker’s newest power bank is a steal right now

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At just over $22 for a limited time, this power bank is a good deal.
At just over $22 for a limited time, this power bank is a good deal.

Anker unveiled its newest and lowest-priced magnetic power bank Monday. And a 30% off launch discount makes the new 321 MagGo Battery PowerCore 5K an even better deal. See below for details.

Update: This deal has expired. Nevertheless, the power bank is only $31.99, which is a third of the cost of Apple’s own version.