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Plugable’s new universal dock makes ‘hot-desking’ easy

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The Plugable UD-3900C makes it easy to get right to work.
The Plugable UD-3900C makes it easy to get right to work.
Photo: Plugable

The new Plugable UD-3900C universal docking station is a reasonably priced means of “hot-desking” with Macs and PCs. That allows hybrid workers to easily connect and get right back on the job when they come back to the office, even if they always use a different desk.

Apple Music lands on PlayStation 5, but spatial audio support is missing

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Apple Music on PlayStation 5
Stream your favorite tracks while you game.
Photo: Sony

After weeks of speculation surrounding a new Apple Music app for PlayStation 5, the streaming service has finally landed on Sony’s newest home console, allowing subscribers to enjoy their favorite playlists while they game.

However, the app is missing one of its most impressive features. Users have discovered that spatial audio with Dolby Atmos is not available for Apple Music tracks on PlayStation 5.

Chinese students sue Apple for ditching iPhone chargers

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Original iPhone unboxing with charger
Apple no longer includes a charger or headphones with new iPhone models.
Photo: Juan Martín López CC

A group of students in China is suing Apple for no longer including chargers with its newest iPhone models. The lawsuit calls for Cupertino to cough up for charging adapters, breach of contract, and court fees.

Apple has already been fined by Brazil’s consumer protection agency since it stopped shipping power adapters with iPhone 12 last fall.

This versatile charger powers up 4 devices at once

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This powerful charging stand can charge Apple 4 devices simultaneously.
Why wrestle with a million cords?
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

If you’ve invested this past year in a fancy at-home office setup, you know cable clutter can easily build up with the number of devices you rely on. And that only makes your desk feel that much more chaotic.

Make your workspace neater, and boost your productivity, with this 4-in-1 Versatile Wireless Charger. It’s a powerful, universal wireless charger that can power up to four devices at once, while keeping all your most-relied on gear conveniently located in one spot.

Apple makes 2021 MacBook Pro’s battery much easier to replace

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2021 MacBook Pro teardown battery
All six cells can be easily removed.
Photo: iFixit

When the time comes to replace the battery inside your 2021 MacBook Pro, you can avoid the pricey repair shops. Apple has made this particular process significantly easier than it was on earlier MacBook models.

All six battery cells inside the new machines are easily accessible — with no need to remove the logic board first — and much easier to remove. The changes make for a fairly simply at-home repair for those who are brave enough.

HomePod mini’s new color options could hit US next week, Europe later

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HomePod mini breaks out in a burst of colors
Get yours in orange, yellow or blue.
Photo: Apple

HomePod mini’s new color options, which were introduced during Apple’s big MacBook Pro event on October 18, will go on sale in the U.S. next week, according to a new report. Fans in Europe will have to wait a little longer.

The new color options include orange, yellow and blue. Aside from the fresh lick of paint, however, the new smart speakers are identical to the original.

Safari 15.1 reverses controversial design changes for macOS Big Sur and Catalina

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Safari 15.1 design
Safari is back to its best.
Screenshot: Cult of Mac

After Apple finally decided to reverse its controversial Safari design changes in the latest macOS Monterey beta (when you use the “Separate” tabs option), it has made the same move for those running macOS Big Sur and Catalina.

The Safari 15.1 update released Wednesday for earlier versions of macOS brings back Safari’s old tab design. However, if you prefer the new “Compact” interface — introduced at WWDC 2021 back in June — you still have the option to use it.

Take stunning 4K photos and videos with this awesome drone, less than $75 today 

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Control this drone from your smartphone and take amazing 4k photos and videos.
This is your easy-to-use, high-def eye in the sky. (Makes a great gift, too!)
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

If you don’t own a drone yet, you’re missing out. Stunning aerial photography and tons of fun both come standard when you get into the drone game. And you might be surprised at how affordable they can be.

We found a great option in this Black Drone with Dual HD 4K Camera, on sale for just $74.95 today. That’s 16% off the regular price of $89. And the savings keep on coming. With this limited-time deal, you also get $10 in store credit.

iOS 15.2 beta brings App Privacy Report to track activity of third-party apps

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Apple begins testing iOS 15.2 with new App Privacy Report
Developers can start testing iOS 15.2 beta 1, iPadOS 15.2 beta 1 and watchOS 8.3 beta 1 on Wednesday.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

iOS 15.2 beta 1 and iPadOS 15.2 beta 1 have been seeded to developers. When available to everyone, the updates will bring an App Privacy Report for tracking what third-party application are doing. It’ll show users, each app’s sensor, data and internet usage in a simple chart.

These beta releases come only two days after iOS 15.2 and the iPad equivalent were released to the general public.

Manage your smart home with Aqara’s affordable Hub E1 for HomeKit

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The Aqara E1 Hub is an inexpensive controller for your smart home.
The Aqara E1 Hub is an inexpensive controller for your smart home.
Photo: Aqara

Aqara’s affordable new USB-powered controller, the Smart Hub E1, makes it easy to control devices and sensors through Apple’s HomeKit and other smart-home systems. The company’s Zigbee-based devices, such as smart sensors, connect to the cloud through a central smart hub.

Because Aqara bridges all its devices to HomeKit, you can mix and match automations using different vendors. What’s more, you can power the Aqara Smart Hub E1 with any USB port you have, whether it’s a wall plug or a powered USB port on a console, computer or smart TV.

Kevin Durant’s Swagger looks like a dramatic slam dunk [Apple TV+ review]

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Swagger review on Apple TV+: Isaiah R. Hill, left, and O'Shea Jackson Jr. deliver the swagger.
Isaiah R. Hill, left, and O'Shea Jackson Jr. deliver the swagger.
Photo: Apple TV+

NBA star Kevin Durant turned his experiences as a young basketball player into Swagger, Apple TV+’s highly promising sports drama. The series, which premieres Friday on Apple’s streaming service, follows the trajectory of a rising basketball star as he becomes a legend with help from his community.

Powered by strong acting, kinetic directing and a compelling storyline about life both on the court and off, Swagger scores from the jump. It looks like one of Apple TV+’s strongest series to date.

New MacBook Pros prove surprisingly good at gaming

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New MacBook Pro proves surprisingly good at gaming
The 2021 MacBook Pro can run Rise of the Tomb Raider as well as a top-tier Windows laptop.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple’s M1 Pro and M1 Max processors in the new MacBook Pro offer powerful graphic performance. That’s intended for artists rendering video and other professional tasks, but tests show that it translates to excellent gaming performance.

Of course, that doesn’t remedy the lack of high-end games for Mac.

Russia might force Apple to change critical App Store payment policy

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App Store
Russia joined the voices around the world demanding Apple loosen its grip on the App Store and in-app purchases.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Add Russia to the list of countries investigating the App Store. It is reportedly looking into whether Apple’s policy forbidding iPhone developers from telling customers about alternate — and possibly cheaper — payment options is a violation of its antitrust laws.

The U.S. and other countries are asking that same question.

Apple makes progress on its 2030 carbon neutral goal

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Apple makes progress on its 2030 carbon neutral goal
One of Scandinavia’s largest solar arrays powers Apple’s Viborg data center.
Photo: Apple

As part of its goal to become completely carbon neural, Apple says that 175 of its suppliers will transition to using renewable energy, more than double the number that had previously committed to using 100% clean power.

It’s part of the Mac-maker’s plan to be carbon neutral across its supply chain and products by 2030.

Apple needs a 16-inch MacBook Air in its lineup

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Apple needs a 16-inch MacBook Air in its lineup
This isn’t something beyond man’s power to create. Apple could, and should, make a 16-inch MacBook Air.
Concept: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Some of the criticism leveled at the latest 16-inch MacBook Pro should inspire Apple to make a MacBook Air with the same size display. It would be the largest Air ever, but there seems to be a market for a very big, yet very slim, Mac notebook.

And that’s not something Apple offers in its current product lineup.

Apple News expands local coverage to select cities

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Apple News expands its local coverage to Charlotte, Miami and Washington, D.C.
Apple News expands its local coverage to Charlotte, Miami and Washington, D.C.
Photo: Apple

Apple News will now offer its “local news experience” in three additional U.S. cities: Charlotte, N.C., Miami and Washington, D.C. The service’s editors curate local news, selecting coverage of topics important to communities, Apple said.

Style your Apple Watch with a unique wooden band

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Change up your Apple Watch with this earthy wood band.
Make a fashion statement with a wood band for your Apple Watch.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

If you’re lucky enough to own the latest and greatest Apple Watch Series 7 (or any other Apple Watch for that matter), you know it’s the quintessential smartwatch/fitness tracker hybrid.

Such an amazing watch deserves nothing but the best styling. TruWood’s wooden Apple Watch bands give your high-tech wearable a distinctive look. The Everyday band goes all-in on the wood look, while the Classic model pairs wood with stainless steel. Either way, you get a totally unique look for your Apple Watch.

Anker rolls out 6 ‘MagGo’ charging accessories for iPhone 12 and 13 series

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Anker launched six new chargers for iPhone 12 and 13.
Anker launched six new chargers for iPhone 12 and 13.
Photo: Anker

Anker launched six new charging accessories for the iPhone 12 and 13 series Monday with its new “MagGo” lineup: three desktop chargers, a car charger, a battery and a phone grip.

We wrote about a new Anker 3-in-1 charger just yesterday. Now, Anker builds out its raft of iPhone 13 accessories with a new collection of MagSafe gear to keep your handset charged up at home or on the go.

Photoshop and Illustrator for iPad add powerful features artists crave

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Photoshop and Illustrator for iPad add powerful features artists crave
Copy a raw image off your camera and open it in Photoshop 3.0 for iPad.
Graphic: Adobe

The just-released version of Photoshop on iPad lets users work with raw photos, making adjustments to images right out of the camera. And the new Illustrator on iPad adds a Vectorize feature, converting any image into a crisp, vector graphic.

The announcements came out of the Adobe Max conference, which kicks off Tuesday.

Large-screen iPhone SE might be pushed back to 2024

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Replacing iPhone notch with holepunch camera makes no damn sense
We might be waiting until 2024 for an iPhone SE with an edge-to-edge display and hole-punch camera.
Artists concept: Cult of Mac

The first iPhone SE with an edge-to-edge display won’t launch until 2024, according to a new report. And the third-generation model in the budget line, expected in 2022, supposedly will come with an unexpected name.

Learn to take expert iPhone photos with this training bundle

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This masterclass shows you how to take incredible photos on your iPhone.
This master class shows you how to take incredible photos on your iPhone.
Photo: Anna Vi/Unsplash CC

Compelling digital content and beautiful photos are more in demand than ever before. One prime example: With roughly 1 billion monthly active users, Instagram is one of the most popular platforms around, not only as a social networking app but also as an e-commerce marketplace.

To stand out, you need stellar photos. The Complete 2022 Photography Master Class Bundle includes nine different courses and 25-plus hours of content that will coach you on how to capture the world you see around you. Its powerful lessons range from portrait and wedding photography to editing iPhone photos to perfection.

iOS 15.1 adds SharePlay, iPhone 13 Pro camera options and more

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Don’t install the iOS 15.1 beta if you plan to get an iPhone 13 ASAP
Apple released iOS 15.1 and iPadOS 15.1 on Monday.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple rolled out iOS 15.1 and iPadOS 15.1 on Monday with the anticipated inclusion of SharePlay, a feature missing from the recent iOS 15 release. Today’s update also brings camera improvements for iPhone 13 Pro models, enables adding COVID-19 vaccination records to Wallet, and includes a bunch of other features.

If you’re in the upgrading mood, you can download iOS 15.1 and iPadOS 15.1 now. (Note for Mac owners: macOS Monterey is now available as well.)

Win a sleek Satechi Trio Wireless Charging Pad [Cult of Mac giveaway]

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Trio wireless charging pad
This sleek charging pad will charge three devices at once.
Photo: Satechi

iPhones and Apple Watches and AirPods, oh my. If you own these three devices, you should enter our latest giveaway. Cult of Mac is giving away four Trio Wireless Charging Pads from Satechi.

This $119.99 charging pad will juice up three of your most-used Apple products at once. The Trio Wireless Charging Pad’s sleek designer look means you can easily place it anywhere without taking up too much space. If you are getting weighed down by charging bricks and cables, embrace your minimalist self and be sure to enter this giveaway.