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Apple’s chipmaker could build up to 6 factories in Arizona

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TSMC 7nm processor
Plans have gotten more ambitious it seems.
Photo: TSMC

Apple M- and A-series chipmaker TSMC is reportedly planning to build more than just the one chipmaking factory currently announced for the United States.

According to Reuters, the company — which is the world’s leading edge semiconductor manufacturer — plans to build “several more” in the state of Arizona. TSMC’s original intentions to build a $12 billion chip factory in AZ were announced in May 2020.

Want an M1 iPad Pro? Turn you old model into fast upgrade cash today

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There’s more 2021 iPad Pro RAM than in any previous Apple tablet.
A quick way to make your 2021 iPad Pro upgrade more affordable.
Photo: Apple

Apple’s newest iPad Pro is on the way with a blazing-fast M1 chip, a Liquid Retina XDR display, and up to 16GB of RAM. Prices start at a rather steep $799, but Cult of Mac can help make yours more affordable.

Sell your old iPad to us today and we’ll cough up real cash that you can put toward a new model. We won’t leave you waiting for your money, and we typically pay more than other buyback services. Find out how much your old Apple devices are really worth in under a minute!

Researchers find no link between tech and teen mental health

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In December, Apple will offer free coding classes to teach kids and teens.
Teens spend plenty of time using tech. Is it hurting them?
Photo: Apple

A new study suggests that there is “little evidence” for the supposed link between technology and problems with mental health among teenagers.

The study, carried out by the Oxford Internet Institute, cross-referenced longitudinal viewing and usage habits with depression, behavioral problems, and even suicidal tendencies among 430,000 people between the ages of 10 and 15.

Scrivener can help you write the novel of your dreams, and it’s just $30 right now

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writing app
This award-winning app is beloved by writers everywhere.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Always dreamed of writing your own novel but don’t know where to begin? You’re not alone. Fiction writing can be intimidating, and it’s no coincidence that novice novelists often run into the same problems, like starting with a heavy exposition or lacking continuity in plot or setting.

Even if you’ve finally figured out how to flesh out your characters, there’s the actual writing part of it — that’s a whole other story.

Social audio app Clubhouse’s growth appears to stall

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Clubhouse
Clubhouse attracted a whole lot of buzz earlier this year.
Photo: Erin Kwon/Clubhouse CC

It’s not just teen-focused social media apps that face the fickle habits of their users. Clubhouse — the invite-only social audio app that pulled in enough celebrities, influencers and business professionals to make it the most buzz-worthy app of 2021 — seemingly faces the same challenge.

According to a report from Business Insider, Clubhouse is already hitting a hurdle when it comes to growth. After racking up 9.6 million installs in February, just 2.7 million people downloaded the app in March. That number fell to only 922,000 new users last month.

There’s no downgrading if you’ve already upgraded to iOS 14.5

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iOS 14.5 brings App Tracking Transparency, mask-friendly Face ID
Don't think about turning back.
Photo: Apple

Apple has stopped signing iOS 14.4.2 and iPadOS 14.4.2. That means that it’s no longer possible to downgrade if you’ve upgraded to iOS or iPadOS 14.5.

The eagerly anticipated iOS 14.5 was a big iOS update for Apple. It introduced the ability to unlock an iPhone using an Apple Watch while wearing a mask, along with the controversial App Tracking Transparency feature, new emojis and Siri voices, a Podcasts app update, and more.

Learn to hack, and use your new skills for good, with this low-priced bundle

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Hacking
This inexpensive bundle is perfect for any aspiring tech professional.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

It’s no secret that the IT/software sector offers some of the highest-paying jobs around — and there aren’t enough qualified people to fill them. But within this sector, there’s a ton of variability. So it’s a good idea to specialize and gain expertise in a particular field.

For certified ethical hackers, the payoff can be huge. As long as you have the proper training and credentials, you can make an average of $83,000 per year — with the potential to make nearly $150,000.

Tom Hanks returns to Apple TV+ in sci-fi heart-warmer Finch

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‘Greyhound’ launches on Apple TV+ on July 10.
Everyone loves to love Tom Hanks, and he’s starring in his second Apple TV+ movie.
Photo: Apple

Screen legend Tom Hanks will reportedly soon star in a second Apple TV+ movie. Finch will be the story of a man, a robot and a dog.

It follows Hanks’ Oscar-nominated Greyhound, which ended up on Apple’s streaming video service last summer when the pandemic closed theaters.

iFixit shows how to add a hole to AirTag

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Drill an AirTag hole at your own risk.
If you’re willing to risk ruining an AirTag, you can drill a hole in it.
Photo: iFixit

There’s no direct way to attach Apple’s just-released AirTag to a set of keys because the item tracker doesn’t include a hole. But iFixit x-rayed the device and found three places a brave user could drill a hole.

Apple hastily adds security patches in macOS Big Sur 11.3.1, watchOS 7.4.1

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Apple Security Jacket
There are critical security patches for Mac and Apple Watch.
Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac

Mac users can now download macOS Big Sur 11.3.1, a security-themed update to the version released a week ago. It closes security holes that Apple knows were exploited by hackers.

Monday was a busy day for updates. Apple also released watchOS 7.4.1 with one of the same security fixes. And it introduced iOS 14.5.1 and iPadOS 14.5.1 to take care of an App Tracking Transparency bug, and fix security bugs.

iOS 14.5.1 update fixes App Tracking Transparency bug

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App Tracking Transparency is iOS 14.5's controversial new privacy-related feature.
Today's update fixes a bug that kept App Tracking Transparency from working properly for some users.
Screenshot: Apple

Apple rushed out iOS 14.5.1 on Monday, an update that fixes a bug in the App Tracking Transparency feature rolled out a week ago.

“This update fixes an issue with App Tracking Transparency where some users who previously disabled Allow Apps to Request to Track in Settings may not receive prompts from apps after re-enabling it,” Apple’s release notes said. “This update also provides important security updates and is recommended for all users.”

iPadOS 14.5.1, a version of the software for iPad users, also arrived Monday.

Don’t expect next iPad mini for months

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This is a 2021 iPad mini concept, not a leaked image.
The 2021 iPad mini might look something like this.
Concept: Cult of Mac

Apple’s next small tablet isn’t coming soon, no matter what previous rumors indicated. A trusted analyst and Apple prognosticator says the 2021 iPad mini won‘t be on the market until the second half of the year.

According to unconfirmed reports, this will be a significantly redesigned device, with a larger display.

This luxurious 4-in-1 charger handles iPad, iPhone, Apple Watch and more

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charging station
Made of high-end wood and leather, this glorious charging tray is perfect for all your Apple gear.
Photo: Nytstnd

Many wireless charging stations lack something iPad users need: a place to prop up and charge their beloved tablets.

It may seem like a charging station fit for an iPad wouldn’t be as sleek and convenient as smaller models, but the opposite is true for the Nytstnd Quad Tray. Channeling sophisticated elegance with wood and cloth accents, this powerful multi-device charger will create a comfortable home for your essential personal items with a fashionable flourish. Available now for $191.99, this beautiful charger is well worth the price for an upscale charging experience.

One mammoth display to rule them all [Setups]

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Like your parents used to say, don't sit too close to the TV.
Like your parents used to say, don't sit too close to the TV.
Photo: kenneth_powers1@Reddit

These days, lots of folks rock two or three or even four large monitors in their computer setups. But some people go for one huge, mesmerizing display, like kenneth_powers1, among other Redditors — and it’s a TV set, at that.

Powers credits fellow Redditor TerronG for the inspiration to use a Samsung 43-inch TU-8000 series 4K Smart TV with his aging computer. Powers uses it with a 2013 MacBook Pro and a PC he built himself. TerronG runs a similar TU7000 series TV with a 2012 Mac mini upgraded with a newer SSD and additional RAM.

New sensor could turn 2022 Apple Watch into a doctor on your wrist

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The Blood Oxygen sensor employs LEDs, along with photodiodes on the back crystal of Apple Watch Series 6.
You might soon be wearing the equivalent of a medical laboratory.
Photo: Apple

A deal between Apple and Rockley Photonics could add new medical sensors to the Apple Watch in 2022. That might include non-invasive monitoring of blood sugar levels, body temperature and blood pressure. It might even add the ability to measure blood-alcohol levels.

The British startup promises to “bring laboratory diagnostics to the wrist.”

8-inch folding iPhone might launch in 2023

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An iPhone concept shows a realistic folding iPhone design
If Apple makes a foldable iPhone, it might look like this concept design.
Screenshot: ConceptsiPhone

A folding iPhone is two years away, according to a trusted industry analyst. When open, the device will have an 8-inch screen, significantly bigger than the current largest iOS model, which has a 6.7-inch display.

Wait for 2021 iPad Pro stretches out months

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Wait for 2021 iPad Pro stretches out months
Demand for the 2021 iPad Pro far outstrips supply.
Photo: Apple

Order the 12.9-inch version of the 2021 iPad Pro today and it won‘t arrive before late June. And maybe not until July. Apple started taking pre-orders for the first M1-powered tablet on Friday, and anyone who didn’t move quickly could wait almost 10 weeks for the device.

The delay is apparently caused by the new mini-LED screen.

Apple Music Hi-Fi may be on the way

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Apple Music Hi-Fi will have to take on Spotify HiFi.
Apple Music Hi-Fi is only a rumor. But there’s at least one good reason to think it’s true.
Photo: Cult of Mac

Apple Music Hi-Fi, a version of the streaming music service offering higher-quality audio, could debut “in the coming weeks,” according to an unconfirmed report.

What the new streaming rate will be is unclear. But it will have to take an on improved version of archrival streaming service Spotify.

Get an easy view of hard-to-reach places with the Sinji Borescope

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Borescope
This iPhone photo accessory lets you capture incredible macro imagery, even in hard-to-reach locations.
Photo: Sinji

Macro lenses capture close-up photos that offer a completely different worldview. Just think of how a close-up of a leaf reveals an intricate system of veins. But while these popular iPhone photo accessories are ideal for creating captivating art, there are situations where you may need a close-up view of a hard-to-reach place for a less uplifting reason.

To see inside a blocked drain pipe or get a better look at a tiny, malfunctioning machine part, you’ll need a macro-powered lens with incredible reach. That’s what the Sinji Borescope delivers. Available in 2-meter5-meter and 10-meter lengths, this handy borescope is the perfect tool for when you need an impossibly close perspective.

Take control of Control Center [Cult of Mac Magazine 399]

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Take control of Control Center: Squeeze some extra utility out of your Apple gear with these Control Center tips.
Squeeze some extra utility out of your Apple gear with these Control Center tips.
Cover: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac

If you looked at Cult of Mac this week, you saw loads of news about the release of iOS 14.5 (with its controversial App Tracking Transparency feature) and about Apple’s astonishing earnings.

But did you miss all the useful tips in our Control Center Week series?

For those not familiar, Control Center is one of the most powerful and underutilized features on Apple devices. The how-tos, written by our own Killian Bell, explain how to get the most of this useful toolbox on iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch and Mac. In case you didn’t see them all — and there are a lot of them! — we rounded them up in one place.

Hit that link, or read them in this week’s free issue of Cult of Mac Magazine. Time to seize control!

Run Windows on your Mac as if it were a PC with this CrossOver discount

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CrossOver
CrossOver lets you run Windows apps on your Mac.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Have you ever seen a language app translator get frazzled? It happens often: Every language is filled with nuance, so copying and pasting a paragraph of text often results in funny mistranslations. Translating a language with algorithms is difficult, and computer languages are no different.

Last chance! Enter to win a Wonderboom 2 speaker from Ultimate Ears [Cult of Mac giveaway]

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Wonderboom 2 speaker lineup
These adventure-ready Bluetooth speakers come in fun colors.
Photo: Ultimate Ears

This week, Cult of Mac is giving away one Ultimate Ears’ fantastic Wonderboom 2 portable speakers. You have a chance to win this small-but-mighty outdoor speaker that costs $99 and is available in four colors.

If you win, you can take the Wonderboom 2 on all your outdoor adventures this summer. The road-worthy Bluetooth speaker is the size of a softball but pumps out sound the size of a giant beach ball. With 13 hours of battery life, you can rock on well into the evening. If you want the party to never end, be sure to enter this giveaway.