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You can now preorder iPhone SE 3, iPad Air 5 and iPhone 13 in green

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iPad Air 5
Secure yours before delivery dates start slipping.
Photo: Apple

The Apple Store is live again after several hours of downtime on Friday morning, and that can only mean one thing. It’s time to place your preorders for the third-generation iPhone SE, the fifth-generation iPad Air, and iPhone 13 in green.

All three devices are scheduled to make their official debuts one week from today — on Friday, March 18. But initial stock is likely to sell out fast, so if you want one on launch day, you’d better secure your preorder quickly.

Activision is ready to build Call of Duty: Warzone for iPhone and iPad

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Call of Duty: Warzone coming to mobile
But it could take years.
Image: Activision

Call of Duty: Warzone, the immensely popular battle royale game, is coming to mobile devices. Activision this week confirmed it is looking for engineers, designers, and more to help bring the “all-new, AAA mobile experience” to life.

Call of Duty Mobile already has its own battle royale mode, and while it may be fun for short play sessions on the go, it pales in comparison to its full-scale counterpart on PC and console.

Putin threatens companies like Apple that quit Russia

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Putin threatens to nationalize assets left in Russia by companies like Apple
Any Apple computers left in Russia could become the property of the Russian government.
Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac

Russia is considering nationalizing the assets of companies like Apple that pulled out of the country in the wake of the invasion of Ukraine. Vladimir Putin, Russia’s leader, reportedly endorsed the plan on Thursday. The Mac-maker is just one of hundreds of companies that could be affected, but it’s a prominent one.

It’s not known how much inventory Apple left behind after it pulled out of Russia on March 1.

Power up your Mar10 Day by learning to make your own video games

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Become the dev behind the next Mario 64 with this bundle.
The next great game is just waiting to be created.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Super Mario 64 is a classic that defined 3D platformers and 3D games as a whole. What better day to celebrate it than March 10? It’s Mario Day!

And what better thing to do on Mar10 Day than start down your own path to redefining gaming with the 2022 Complete Game Developer Bundle. This game dev bundle is on sale for only $29 (regularly $2,000). And that’s a deal you can say “wahoo” to.

Apple stops trying to kill USB-A, HDMI and SD

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Apple gives up trying to kill USB-A, HDMI and SD
Even Apple’s newest Mac Studio desktop has USB-A and HDMI. And there’s an SD card reader on the front.
Photo: Apple

For years, Apple seemingly worked to finish off the old USB-A and HDMI formats, as well as the SD card reader. It quit building them into most of its products, replacing them all with smaller USB-C ports. But that campaign appears to have stopped… at least for now.

You need look no farther than the newly announced Mac Studio for proof. It has USB-A, HDMI and an SD card reader.

It’s a sign that Apple is in a tough spot. There are good reasons to kill all of these. And an overwhelming reason to keep them. Let’s discuss.

Apple’s fancy black-and-silver Mac accessories can now be purchased separately

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Apple's new black-and-silver peripherals dress up your desktop whether or not you buy them with the new Mac Studio or Studio Display.
Apple's new black-and-silver peripherals dress up your desktop whether or not you buy them with the new Mac Studio or Studio Display.
Photo: Apple

Along with the new Mac Studio desktop computer and Studio Display Apple rolled out on Tuesday, it launched swanky black-and-silver peripherals — Magic Keyboard, Magic Trackpad and Magic Mouse — that go well with the new gear.

They’re similar to options you can choose if you buy a pricey new Mac Pro. But now you can purchase them separately.

Do you have to pay a bit more than you would for the normal options sold a la carte? Yes. But of course you do.

MacPaw Foundation steps up support for Ukraine and needs your help

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MacPaw steps up efforts to help Ukraine
Whatever you can donate will make a difference.
Image: MacPaw

Our friends at MacPaw are stepping up efforts to help provide humanitarian support in Ukraine. While the horrifying Russian invasion continues, the MacPaw Development Foundation is working with partners on the ground to transport, store, and deliver as much aid as it possibly can, as quick as it possibly can.

It is hoping to raise more funds to speed up the process and provide even more — and it needs your help.

How Apple Studio Display stacks up against Pro Display XDR and others

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The Studio Display, Pro Display XDR, iMac 24″ and 16″ MacBook Pro.
From left to right: The 16″ MacBook Pro, the 24″ iMac, the Studio Display and Pro Display XDR.
Photo: Apple

We have been blessed to live in interesting times. For the first time since 2010, we have not just one, but two external monitors from Apple.

How does Apple’s latest offering — the Studio Display, introduced during Tuesday’s “Peek Performance” event — stack up against the high-end Pro Display XDR, the outgoing LG UltraFine 5K and the displays of other Macs?

Let’s dive in.

Brilliant BentoStack keeps essential accessories neatly organized on the go

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Function101 BentoStack
An awesome travel companion.
Photo: Function101

Don’t you just hate it when your charging cables, adapters, and other accessories get lost or tangled in the bottom of your bag when you’re on the go? BentoStack solves that problem by keeping everything nearly organized.

The device features several compartments for all the small accessories you need while traveling — including wireless headphones, Apple Watch bands, and Apple Pencil — as well as a lid that doubles as an iPhone stand.

iPhone SE 3 matches iPhone 13 in early benchmark tests

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iPhone SE 3 benchmark tests
Small but mighty.
Photo: Apple

Apple’s new third-generation iPhone SE, which starts at just $429, is just as impressive as iPhone 13 in early benchmark tests.

That won’t be too surprising to most, given that both handsets feature Apple’s latest A15 Bionic processor and the same 4GB of RAM. But it all but confirms that the chipset isn’t held back at all — despite iPhone SE’s smaller battery.

Celebrate Mario Day with a DIY retro game console

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Love Mario? Create the next Mario-inspired game.
Build your own game console and make your own games with this cool kit.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

It’s Mario Day! Many of us have Nintendo’s jumping, mushroom-demolishing, Italian plumber to thank for our love of gaming — and for inspiring an interest in technology.

So, why not celebrate Mario Day by indulging your technical maker side? The ByteBoi is an open-source retro game console that you can assemble and code yourself to create the next great Mario-inspired game.

The Mac is back, with its best lineup in years

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The Mac lineup has never looked better.
The Mac was neglected today, but there's still some exciting stuff in the works.
Photo: Apple

In 2010, Steve Jobs proudly proclaimed Apple had become a “mobile device company.” Tim Cook went further, dismissing anything that wasn’t a mobile device as a “hobby project.” It sounded like the Mac’s days were numbered. At Cult of Mac, we even ran a story on how to replace your Mac with an iPad.

How things have changed. With Tuesday’s launch of the Mac Studio, Apple completed the best Mac lineup we’ve seen in more than a decade. The new M1 Ultra chip offers unprecedented desktop performance. And longtime Mac fans will welcome the return of Apple’s Studio Display monitors.

The Mac is most definitely back. So what happened? Why did Cupertino fall out of love with the Mac, and what prompted the change of heart?

Apple plans even better ‘Studio Display Pro’ with mini-LED and ProMotion

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Apple Studio Display
But iMac Pro may not make a comeback after all.
Photo: Apple

Apple is developing a more impressive version of its new Studio Display that will boast a mini-LED screen and ProMotion technology, according to one analyst. “Studio Display Pro” is reportedly set to make its debut this June.

There is some bad news for iMac fans, however. The rumored iMac Pro upgrade Apple was said to be planning for 2022 may not come at all now that the new Mac Studio and Studio Display have landed.

Apple’s next Mac mini could be powered by new ‘M2’ and ‘M2 Pro’ chips

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Mac shipments skyrocket as pandemic drags on
The M2 chip will be based on A15 Bionic, sources say.
Photo: Apple

Apple’s next-generation Mac mini will be its first machine to offer new “M2” and “M2 Pro” chips, according to a new report. The new compact desktop, which is said to be codenamed “J473” internally, is expected to launch in 2022.

Sources say Apple originally planned to make Mac mini significantly more powerful by adding its beefy M1 Pro and M1 Max chipsets. But those plans were supposedly scrapped in favor of the all-new Mac Studio.

Wait times for Mac Studio stretch into April

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Colleen Novielli, the Mac product line manager, details the new Mac Studio.
The Mac Studio was recently unveiled and wait times are already into April. And into May in some cases.
Photo: Apple

The launch date for the Mac Studio is March 18, but preorders placed today won’t arrive until well after that. The wait for the version with the M1 Ultra processor is six weeks or more.

Just because the new desktop is already backordered doesn’t automatically mean there’s huge demand. But it’s not a bad sign, either.

Enter to win American-made Apple accessories from Raptic [Cult of Mac giveaway]

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Link+Lock AirTag Case
A built-in combination lock takes AirTag tracking to a higher level of security.
Photo: Raptic

If you own an iPhone 13 Pro and an AirTag, you should definitely enter the latest Cult of Mac giveaway. The $80 bundles we’re giving away to five lucky winners feature a pair of protective accessories from Raptic.

The bundle includes the Terrain iPhone 13 Pro Case (which offers 10-foot drop protection) and the Link + Lock AirTag case (with a built-in combination lock for extra security).

If you care about protection for your devices, and also the environment, be sure and enter our giveaway. The Terrain is the only iPhone case 100% made in the USA. Which means it’s better for the environment, because it eliminates carbon emissions from international transportation.

Why M1 Ultra adds 2 pounds of heavy metal to Mac Studio

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Why M1 Ultra adds 2 pounds of heavy metal to the Mac Studio
Mac Studio with M1 Ultra weighs a third more than with an M1 Max. He’s why.
Photo: Apple

Configure the new Mac Studio with a super-fast M1 Ultra processor and the weight goes up a full 2 pounds. Weight doesn’t matter for a desktop, but people have been curious what about where all the extra comes from.

Apple has an answer. And it all comes down to heat and heavy metal.

Here’s your chance to try another affordable, compact mechanical keyboard

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You can use Cooler Master's new 65% layout mechanical keyboard with PC or Mac.
You can use Cooler Master's new 65% layout mechanical keyboard with PC or Mac.
Photo: Cooler Master

Hardcore gamers, dedicated office workers, gear geeks — can you ever have enough choice among affordable mechanical keyboards? Well, another new one entered the fray recently when peripherals maker Cooler Master released its new CK721 Gaming Keyboard.

The new keeb sports a sleek 65% layout, customizable features and compatibility with macOS, iOS, Windows and Android.

Manage and secure a diverse fleet of devices with Scalefusion

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Scalefusion MDM: How does your IT department manage all the devices your employees use, in all the places they use them?
How does your IT department manage all the devices your employees use, in all the places they use them?
Image: Scalefusion

This MDM post is brought to you by Scalefusion.

With the recent surge in employees working via smartphones, tablets and laptops from practically anywhere, it’s no surprise mobile device management, aka MDM, has become a crucial tool for organizations large and small. Then add in the growth of cloud computing and software-as-a-service (SaaS) apps, plus companies letting employees use their own devices (BYOD).

It all adds up to needing an MDM provider you can depend on. These days, you need something that serves the IT department’s needs while remaining easy for users to navigate. And it should work across operating systems and device types.

With Scalefusion, you can get up and running fast with a vast array of devices, and even expand your fleet, without having to worry about engaging multiple MDM providers.

Why iPad Air 5 is a better choice than 11-inch iPad Pro

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Why iPad Air 5 is a better choice than 11-inch iPad Pro
These two tablets are almost identical in most important ways. But one costs $200 more.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The Apple M1 processor inside the newly announced iPad Air 5 makes the tablet as powerful as the similarly sized iPad Pro. Given the price difference, the new Air is a better option for most people.

The iPad Pro has advantages. And it’s still the right device for some folks. But think hard before putting down an extra $200 that might be unnecessary. Here’s why the iPad Air 5, which Apple unveiled during Tuesday’s Peek Performance event, comes out ahead in many ways.

Bangin’ new speaker lets you take the party with you, light show included

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Transmart's new portable speaker packs 60W of power and four drivers. Plus a light show.
Transmart's new portable speaker packs 60W of power and four drivers. Plus a light show.
Photo: Tronsmart

Not every Bluetooth speaker on the market packs 60W of power, but the new Tronsmart Bang Outdoor Party Speaker does. And it brings a beat-driven light show to the party, too. The company rolled it out on Tuesday, emphasizing that the four-driver speaker is “loud and powerful.”

“The Bang delivers an audio feast with an impactful stereo sound thanks to its two tweeters and two woofers,” the company said.

Maximum mood indigo: Go crazy with the lighting [Setups]

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Feel like you're drowning or freezing to death? It could be the lighting.
Feel like you're drowning or freezing to death? It could be the lighting.
Photo: [email protected]

Ever wonder how people get crazy-cool mood lighting in and around their computer setups? You see it all the time in folks’ photos on social media sites. The hardware — computer, displays, peripherals, other gear — may be fabulous in its own right, but the lighting just takes it to another level.

Or not. Sometimes lighting ends up being too flashy — as in, on the verge of fit-inducing. And sometimes it’s just too much of one thing. Today’s featured setup shows a cool blue wash that might just drown productivity. Or maybe it’s just for off-duty hours.

Whatever your preferences, an increasing array of products can help you get your setup light show on.

Make your Mac Pro graphics pop with new AMD Radeon Pro GPU

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AMD's latest GPU can boost your Mac Pro's graphics performance.
AMD's latest GPU can boost your Mac Pro's graphics performance.
Photo: Apple

Need to add a little more graphical firepower to your Mac Pro? AMD rolled out its new Radeon Pro W6600X GPU for Mac Pro on Tuesday, now available at Apple for $700.

The new graphics processing unit is designed to boost image quality and performance for design pros and other content creators.