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Original iPad almost included landscape and portrait charging ports

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An iPad prototype shows that the awkward iPad Keyboard Dock could have been much better.
The original iPad had a single port, so Apple’s iPad Keyboard Dock had to be used with the tablet in portrait mode.
Photo: Apple

Apple tablets almost came with dual docking ports from the very beginning. New images of an early prototype iPad show it sports a charging/data port on its bottom edge and a second one on its left edge.

The final version released in 2010 only packed a single port, but this prototype shows how the initial Apple tablets could have gone in a different direction. Which is an interesting tidbit with the anniversary of the first model coming up.

Steve Jobs warned Amazon founder that iTunes would kill CD sales

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Jeff Bezos
Steve Jobs told Jeff Bezos about iTunes for Windows prior to its release.
Photo: Seattle City Council/Wikipedia CC

Over a platter of sushi, Steve Jobs once bragged to Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos that Apple had created the greatest Windows application ever built. The Apple co-founder then suggested, in a roundabout way, that the software could kill a major stream of revenue for Amazon.

Jobs was referring to iTunes for Windows, which Apple introduced in October 2003 (and which Jobs later referred to as the equivalent of “giving a glass of ice water to somebody in hell.”) Bezos got a look at iTunes for Windows before the rest of the world did. And he also endured a typically Jobsian dig about CDs and Amazon’s future.

Simplify your life with 30% off 8 great software bundles

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software
Get quality software at big savings.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

While “spring cleaning” is often taken literally, it can also be a time to declutter your computer and streamline your software.

If you’d like to translate different languages, create video and digital art projects, and consume your favorite novels, here are eight unique apps that will enrich your life with ease. And during our Semi-Annual Sale, all of these apps are now available for a limited time at 30% off their usual price with the code DOWNLOADIT.

Run Windows programs on your Mac seamlessly with this $20 tool

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crossover
CrossOver is an amazing productivity tool.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Love them or hate them, Windows computers run many applications that are, unfortunately, unavailable on your Mac unless you want to deal with an emulator. If you want to use some Windows applications from the comfort of your Mac without struggling with an emulator, then CrossOver Windows App Liberator for Mac is what your computer needs.

And for just $19.99, you can get a one-year subscription that will allow you to run Microsoft programs on your Mac as easily as native software.

Last chance! Enter to win a crystal pavé Apple Watch link band from Goldenerre [Cult of Mac giveaway]

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Giveaway: Goldenerre crystal pavé Apple Watch link band: This is your chance to win a gorgeous Apple Watch band and a coordinating stacking band.
This is your chance to win a gorgeous Apple Watch band and a coordinating stacking band.
Photo: Goldenerre

Cult of Mac is giving away a stunning Apple Watch band from our friends at Goldenerre. The crystal pavé link band is the newest piece in Goldenerre’s collection, and it comes in shiny gold, rose gold or silver.

With more than 820 brilliant crystals, the sparkle factor is off the charts with this band! And to sweeten the deal, Goldenerre is including one stacking bracelet of your choice for every winner.

Lads, if you want to win points with the lady in your life, you need to enter this giveaway!

iPhone 13 rumor roundup! [Cult of Mac Magazine 394]

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iPhone 13 rumor roundup: Here's what we know so far.
Here's what we know so far.
Cover: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac

It seems early, but we’re already deep into rumor season when it comes to this year’s iPhone. This week alone, we heard tantalizing tidbits about a massive storage upgrade, a cool black finish and more.

And that’s just for the iPhone. We’re also knee-deep in rumors about upcoming upgrades for AirPods, iMacs and Apple Watch, as well as as-yet-unconfirmed products like AirTags and Apple’s AR headset.

Get up to speed on the latest Apple rumors in this week’s issue of Cult of Mac Magazine. It’s packed with Apple news, reviews and how-tos. Download it to read on iPhone or iPad, or get the stories below in your browser.

Grow your career in IT with this CompTIA certification prep

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Get the skills you need to take your career to the next level.
Get the skills you need to take your career to the next level.
Photo: Leon/Unsplash CC

Whether you’re looking to pursue a career in information technology or are an IT professional looking to deepen your skills, you should consider CompTIA certifications. CompTIA is the perfect way to start your career in IT, with a series of certifications that reassure hiring managers during those all-important job interviews that you have the necessary skills.

The 2021 Complete CompTIA Certification Prep Super Bundle offers 16 expert-led courses in IT basics, cloud computing, networking and more.

Build your dream farm in Farm It! on Apple Arcade

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‘Farm It!’ debuted Friday on Apple Arcade
Build and decorate an ideal farm in Farm It! on Apple Arcade
Photo: Tummy Games

The just-released Farm It! manages to set itself apart from the plethora of other farming games with one big advantage. Because it’s on Apple Arcade it won‘t nag players to pay real money to buy in-game items.

Cdkeysales cyber weekly deals: Original Windows 10 OEM lifetime license just $16

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CdkeySales.com offers a 20% discount on Microsoft Windows and Office software activation keys.
CdkeySales.com offers a 20% discount on Microsoft Windows and Office software activation keys.
Photo: CdkeySales

This software keys post is presented by CdkeySales.com.

If you run a PC, isn’t it about time you brought your operating system and productivity software up to date? Thanks to the folks at CdkeySales.com, you can do it on the cheap with discounts on a variety of Microsoft Windows and Office software activation keys.

Mystery series Home Before Dark returns to Apple TV+ in June

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Home Before Dark Season Two will premiere summer 2021
Jim Sturgess and Brooklynn Prince return in a new season of Home Before Dark on Apple TV+.
Photo: Apple

The premiere season of Home Before Dark pleased critics and audiences alike, and Apple TV+ revealed on Friday that season two will play on the streaming service in summer 2021.

The show follows Hilde Lisko, who doesn’t let being a child stand in the way of being an investigative journalist.

How to fix external display issues on your M1 Mac mini

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Fix M1 Mac mini display issues
There are temporary workarounds that will do for now.
Image: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

A growing number of M1 Mac mini owners are reporting strange issues with external displays. Affected users are unable to bring their third-party screens back to life after their Mac mini has gone to sleep.

Apple is said to be aware of the issue but is yet to roll out a proper fix. However, there are some workarounds that you can use to get your display working again in the meantime. Here’s what you need to do.

Fix dangerous Safari bug with these updates for iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch

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iOS 14.4.2 iPadOS 14.4.2 and watchOS 7.3.3 are all avaiulable now.
iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch users should install new system software updates immediately.
Graphic: Cult of Mac

Apple has a fix for a serious bug in the mobile version of its Safari web browser. Hackers have reportedly already used it, which makes a high-priority of installing iOS 14.4.2, iPadOS 14.4.2 and watchOS 7.3.3. All three hit Apple servers Friday morning.

Travel the roads to solve the mystery of a perplexing Hitchhiker on Apple Arcade

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Versus Evil ’Hitchhiker’ road onto Apple Arcade on Friday
Versus Evil’s Hitchhiker is a mystery story and game in one.
Photo: Versus Evil

Hitchhiker asks players to travel the highways exploring the unknown while also confronting new dangers. It’s sort of a mystery novel in the form of a game. But unlike a book, choices you make when speaking to people you meet affect how it all comes out.

The game launched Friday on Apple Arcade.

‘Magic’ peripherals and M1 Mac mini take dual curved screens to the max [Setups]

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Dual curved displays and Apple keyboard, trackpad and mouse make the setup for Russ Hicks.
Dual curved displays and magic Apple peripherals make this setup sing.
Photo: Russ Hicks

With the recent arrival of a dual-monitor stand, Oxford, England-based Russ Hicks completed an overhaul of the setup that powers the one-man business he has run for 25 years: Genesis Marketing Services.

He specializes in printing equipment suppliers and packaging services. And his business now runs on a Mac mini M1 and dual curved screens.

Multiple sclerosis has made Hicks’ work more challenging recently, but Apple products have helped him deal with it.

Location-tracking AirTags could cost just $39

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AirTags are allegedly being released next month because AirPods Studio won’t be.
After more than a year of rumors, AirTags might soon see the light of day.
Concept: Jon Prosser

Apple’s location-tracking AirTags could retail for $39, and measure a diminutive 32mm x 32mm x 6mm, making them smaller than the rival Tile Pro item trackers.

Apple leaker Max Weinbach shared the information in a new video from EverythingApplePro. The video notes that the information comes from a “retail source,” and that, while the price is “an estimate,” it is likely that AirTags will retail for approximately this figure.

Interestingly, there’s no mention in the video of a rumored two sizes of AirTags. This is something that Apple leaker l0vetodream suggested last year. That earlier report also suggested that the AirTags keychain will be sold separately.

Want an M1 MacBook Air? Sell your old Mac for upgrade cash today

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Your old MacBook Air might be worth a pretty penny.
Your old MacBook Air might be worth a pretty penny.
Photo: Markus Spiske/Unsplash CC

Apple’s newest MacBook Air is its fastest, most impressive to date. And now is a great time to buy one, with some retailers offering the biggest discounts we’ve seen so far. What’s more, we can help make your upgrade even more affordable.

Sell your old Mac to Cult of Mac today and you’ll get a nice stack of cash to put toward a new model. We typically pay more than anyone else, and we’re fast!

Next-gen AirPods unlikely to arrive until much later this year

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AirPods 2021
A glimpse at the new AirPods?
Photo: 52audio

A new report claims that Apple’s next-gen AirPods won’t arrive until the third quarter of 2021. This backs up a recent report from renowned Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who recently said that the AirPods 3 are unlikely to launch until Q3 2021.

Prior to this, AirPods 3 had been heavily rumored as being part of Apple’s next product event — originally rumored for March, but then pushed back to April.

Protect all your online activity forever for just $40 with this premium VPN

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VPN
This advanced VPN will keep your online activity shrouded in secrecy.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

With all the people using the internet for work and entertainment, you think you’d be a near-invisible dot amongst the masses. But the truth is, your identity freely floats along with the web as you do, completing any number of transactions tacked onto an IP address specific to you.

Luckily, there is a way to make internet browsing safe and secure on any connection you choose, whether it’s public or private, forever. All you need is a lifetime subscription to KeepSolid VPN Unlimited.

For All Mankind rolls out red carpet for the Russkies [Apple TV+ review]

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U.S. astronauts like Danielle Poole (played by Krys Marshall) meet their Soviet counterparts.
U.S. astronauts like Danielle Poole (played by Krys Marshall) prep to meet their Soviet counterparts.
Photo: Apple TV+

The Russians are coming! The Russians are coming! Don’t bother they’re here … Apple TV+’s For All Mankind gears up for its historic moon handshake in typically laidback fashion in this week’s episode.

The commies are here to collaborate on a space mission meant to bring civilizations together. They’re of course mirthless, shifty cads because that’s just how Russians are written in fiction like this.

Until, of course, they get to eat red meat and drink American whiskey. Then they’re all smiles! Glad to know these jokes haven’t changed at all since the Iron Curtain went up.

iPhone 13 may boast a stunning matte black color option

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iPhone 13
The new iPhone could ditch the graphite color option for matte black.
Photo: EverythingApplePro

Apple could ditch the gray “graphite” option seen in the iPhone 12 Pro for a new matte black color with the iPhone 13, claims Apple tipster Max Weinbach.

In a video posted to the EverythingApplePro YouTube channel Friday, Weinbach shared mockups of the new premium black finish. This would be similar to the black color option available for the regular iPhone 12, but in a high-end matte finish.

It reportedly also will boast a new anti-fingerprint coating to ensure the handset looks its best at all times.

Apple Watch Explorer Edition could bring new ruggedized design

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Casio G-Shock
New Apple Watch could offer a design reminiscent of Casio's G-Shock watches.
Photo: Alexandru-Bogdan Ghita/Unsplash CC

Apple is considering whether to launch a more ruggedized Apple Watch aimed at athletes and people doing outdoor activities in extreme environments, Bloomberg reported Friday.

This device could potentially be launched as early as this year or 2022. Inside Apple, the project is referred to as the “Explorer Edition” Apple Watch. It would offer the same basic functionality as the regular Apple Watch, but with added rubberized impact-resistance and protection — similar to Casio’s G-Shock line of watches.