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Paired-HomePod-mini fan gets earful about cable management [Setups]

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Paired HomePod mini setup draws cable-management flak
A setup with a nice desk and paired HomePod mini speakers drew some cable-management flak.
Photo: Aaron Bielert

On social media, crowing about the beautiful computer setup you finally finished putting together can be a risky gambit. Because, you know, people. They might just gleefully and repeatedly point out small flaws in your masterpiece as if they’re the main thing. Picky, picky, picky.

Tom Hiddleston is latest A-lister to sign up for an Apple TV+ show

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Tom Hiddleston
Another Marvel alumni joining Apple TV+.
Photo: Gage Skidmore/Wikipedia CC

Tom Hiddleston has signed on to star with actor Claire Danes in The Essex Serpent for Apple TV+. The drama series is based on a book about Victorian repression, science and faith, and fear of the unknown, which sold upward of 200,000 copies.

The Essex Serpent was originally due to star Keira Knightley in the lead. However, she dropped out of the project as the result of COVID-related scheduling issues. Knightley was replaced by Danes.

This highly rated portable monitor is perfect for work and entertainment

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monitor
Connect this convenient portable monitor to your iPhone, Mac or iPad.
Photo: Uperfect

With the rise of premium streaming services like Apple TV+, HBO Max and Disney+, it’s no surprise that people spend more time watching video. And then there’s the sheer amount of work we do with our computers, tablets and phones.

All told, it’s the perfect time to invest in a second monitor that can connect to your Mac, iPad, iPhone and other devices. The Uperfect 15.6-inch Portable Monitor is the ideal pick to give you some streaming flexibility. It will let you watch content, do work or play games on a larger screen, wherever you want.

Save $44 on a brand-new HomePod before they’re gone for good

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HomePod speaker
Enjoy $44.25 off the usual price.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Apple has discontinued the original HomePod — easily the best-sounding smart speaker money can buy. But it’s not quite gone yet. Bag your brand-new model today for just $254.75, a generous $44.25 off the usual price.

You get a phenomenal audio experience, AirPlay 2 for easy streaming, and built-in Siri.

This post contains affiliate links. Cult of Mac may earn a commission when you use our links to buy items.

Crash Bandicoot: On the Run brings brand-new adventure to mobile

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Crash Bandicoot: On the Run
Download it now from the App Store.
Photo: King

Fans of Crash Bandicoot can now get their fix on the go with Crash Bandicoot: On the Run, a brand-new game from Activision and King.

The free-to-play runner features stacks of original Crash content — including new characters and an awesome soundtrack — as well as material you’ll recognize from previous entries in the series.

There are 50 bosses to take on across 12 different lands, and a bunch of skins to collect. Get the game on iPhone and iPad today.

Apple betas offer clues about new hardware coming soon

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iMac 2021
Is this the face of the new iMacs?
Photo: Jon Prosser/FrontPageTech

Apple’s new betas are, by definition, a glimpse at the future when it comes to Apple’s upcoming releases — and the latest crop is no different. From new iMacs to a possible controller redesign for Apple TV, here are some of the hardware breadcrumbs they drop about future Apple plans.

iWork 11 gives you maximum control of how your docs look

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iWork 11 is out for iPad, iPhone and Mac
iWork 11 adds new tools that make precisely arranging objects a breeze.
Photo: Cult of Mac

Apple took Pages, Numbers and Keynote to 11 on Tuesday. Version 11 of all three iWork productivity applications debuted for macOS, iPad and iPhone.

The highlight of the iOS/iPadOS versions are precise controls for sizing and arranging objects. The macOS version got an updated media browser. Both received a range of other enhancements as well.

11 deals on AirPods Pro alternatives to fill the void left by phantom Apple event

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AirPods
Take your pick of some of the best AirPods Pro alternatives out there.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Like most Apple fans, you’re probably disappointed that the rumored March 23 date for Apple’s upcoming event might have been a ploy to uncover leakers within the company. If you were eagerly awaiting big news about new products and redesigns, it looks like you’ll be waiting until April.

But perhaps a hot deal on top-rated Bluetooth headphones will satisfy your feelings of rejection. For your convenience, we rounded up the 11 best AirPods Pro alternatives that won’t break the bank.

You’ll never get this ninja-level PopSockets PopGrip through airport security

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The PopGrip SOG Multi-Tool attaches a handy 5-in-1 multitool and grip to your iPhone.
Never be without a bottle opener thanks to the PopGrip SOG Multi-Tool. And it’s an iPhone grip and stand, too.
Screenshot: SOG

PopGrips add a handle to the back of your iPhone, and now there’s a version that’s even more useful thanks to a built-in multitool. Slip out this stainless steel accessory to use the bottle opener, screwdriver and other functions.

PopSockets teamed with multitool-maker SOG on the design.

How to play PC games on your Mac with Steam Link

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Set up Steam Link for Mac
All your favorite PC games on your Mac for free.
Image: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

Who said a Mac is no good for gaming? It’s now possible to play the latest PC games on any machine running macOS 10.13 or higher, thanks to the brand-new Steam Link app that just hit the Mac App Store.

The free download, which weighs in at less than 30MB, puts all your favorite titles at your fingertips. We’ll show you how to set it up.

Apple leaker Jon Prosser shaves eyebrows after missing key prediction

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Apple leaker Jon Prosser shaves his eyebrows.
Jon Prosser makes good on his promise to totally destroy his eyebrows.
Screenshot: Front Page Tech

Jon Prosser’s eyebrows are officially toast.

Prosser, the serial Apple leaker with a big personality and a seemingly deep field of sources inside Cupertino, pledged to shave his eyebrows if we didn’t get an Apple event on March 23.

Well that day has come. And the Apple event didn’t. So he took a trimmer to his precious eyebrows in the most Prosser way possible — on YouTube, with a solid sense of humor (and a charity to boot).

Investigation into ‘sexist’ Apple Card concludes no discrimination

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Apple Card’s ‘elite card’ status is hitting retailers in the wallet
Investigation was triggered by 2019 complaint.
Photo: Apple

An investigation into the alleged “sexist” Apple Card has concluded with New York’s Department of Financial Services saying Tuesday that it has found no evidence of unlawful discrimination.

The investigation was launched in late 2019. Laws stop algorithms from determining treatment based on things like age, creed, race, color, sex, sexual orientation, and more.

Apple Teacher Portfolio makes it easier to incorporate apps in the classroom

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Apple teaching
Apple wants to make it easier for teachers who want to use Apple devices in the classroom.
Photo: Apple

As part of its education initiatives, Apple has launched a new “professional learning recognition badge” called Apple Teacher Portfolio that educators can earn using the Apple Teacher Learning Center.

Apple Teacher is a free professional learning program for educators who use Apple products as part of their teaching. The Apple Teacher Portfolio gives teachers 21 templates and lesson ideas and plans. These suggest how teachers can enhance lessons using apps like Keynote, GarageBand, and iMovie.

UK regulator investigates accusation of collusion between Apple and Google

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Apple Google
Google and Apple are accused of colluding with one another.
Photo: Apple/Google

The U.K.’s Competition and Markets Authority is looking into accusations of “collusion at a very senior level” against Apple and Google.

Online campaign group Marketers for an Open Web made the complaint. It says the two tech behemoths are “not competing head to head,” but rather working together when it comes to search.

The group points to documents uncovered in a U.S. Department of Justice lawsuit, including a 2018 internal email in which Apple and Google staffers discussed how they “work as if we are one company.”

Apple’s AR headset could weigh half as much as rivals’

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Apple could take on the likes of Oculus with a VR headset as early as 2022.
Ming-Chi Kuo has the inside track on Apple's AR headset.
Photo: Minh Pham/Unsplash CC

Apple’s augmented reality/mixed reality headset reportedly will weigh less than 150 grams. That’s about half the weight of current VR headsets, suggesting that Cupertino plans to make its debut AR/MR headset more streamlined than competitors. (What a surprise!)

Reliable Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo of TF International Securities made this prediction in a new note to clients, seen by Cult of Mac.

Belkin’s stylish MagSafe stand quickly powers up iPhone 12 and AirPods [Review]

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Belkin Boost↑Charge Pro 2-in-1 Wireless Charger Stand with MagSafe review
Belkin Boost↑Charge Pro 2-in-1 Wireless Charger Stand makes your iPhone ready to use hands free, and it quickly juices up the handset with MagSafe.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The Belkin Boost↑Charge Pro 2-in-1 Wireless Charger Stand with MagSafe holds your iPhone 12 up so it’s ready for FaceTime calls or just checking email. And it powers up the handset twice as fast as traditional wireless chargers. Plus, it comes with a built-in AirPods charger. If you’re looking for a Belkin iPhone mount with MagSafe for Mac notebooks, there are additional options available that provide seamless integration.

I put this stylish iPhone accessory to the test. Here’s how it performed in the real world.

Apple VP of developer relations retires as the role gets more challenging

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Developer relations is getting more complex
The App Store is critical to Apple, and that makes developer relations an important role.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Ron Okamoto quietly retired after two decades as Apple’s vice president of Developer Relations. He helped oversee the tools provided to third-party iPhone and Mac application developers, and helped set policies for the App Store.

His retirement comes as governments around the world are investigating whether Apple treats fairly the third-party developers who depend on the iPhone and Mac App Stores.

This all-in-one portable power bank is on sale for 25% off

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Chargehub
Charge all your gear on the go with this all-in-one power bank.
Photo: Limitless Innovations

When you’re on the go, a traditional power bank provides the juice you need — but can mean carrying a tangle of cables to connect all your power-hungry devices. The ChargeHubGo+ All-in-One Power bank minimizes the mess. It comes with built-in cables with Lightning and USB tips, plus a wireless charging pad. And now, you can get one of these versatile power banks at 25% off with coupon code LIMITLESS25.

Lawsuit over much-maligned MacBook butterfly keyboard gets class-action status

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MacBook butterfly keyboard
A new petition accuses the MacBook 'butterfly' keyboard of failing when a single speck gets in the wrong place.
Photo: Apple

A Federal judge granted class-action status to a lawsuit accusing Apple of putting defective keyboards in various MacBook models made between 2015 and 2019. These laptops all use the butterfly keyboard design which uses a key mechanism that is allegedly prone to sticking.

Apple defends speedy App Store review process

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App Store
Apple is "surprised" to hear about the complaints.
Photo: James Yarema/Unsplash CC

Since the very start of the App Store, some developers have criticized Apple for being opaque with its decision-making. Apple, it seems, doesn’t agree with these claims.

In a response to formal complaints made to Australia’s antitrust watchdog by Epic Games and others, Apple defends its reviews process. Far from being slow and tough to deal with, Apple argues that it works quickly, and provides all the information it needs to in a swift and open manner.

Sometimes breaking a new product results in a huge upgrade [Setups]

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Lynch's nice, neat setup helps with iOS development and YouTube content creation.
Lynch's nice, neat setup helps with iOS development and YouTube content creation.
Photo: Stewart Lynch

Canadian iOS developer and YouTuber Stewart Lynch got lucky when he broke the USB-C port connector on his brand new 27-inch LG monitor the first day he had it. Huge-upgrade lucky.

Lynch, who hails from North Vancouver, British Columbia, took the stricken display, under warranty, to a repair shop.

“About a week later LG called me and said they did not have any 27-inch monitors in stock so they offered me a 38-inch upgrade at no cost,” Lynch told Cult of Mac. “I took it and sold my dual monitor arm that was holding the 27- and 24-inch monitors and went with the setup I have now.”

iPhone 13 may boast 1TB storage, LiDAR on all models

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iPhone 13 might sport a 120Hz display.
This year's iPhone could be a big update for Apple.
Concept: ConceptsiPhone

The iPhone 13 will boast a maximum storage capacity that’s double that of the iPhone 12, claim Wedbush analysts Strecker Backe and Daniel Ives in a new note to clients, seen by Cult of Mac.

Unlike the iPhone 12, which tops out at 512GB, the iPhone 13 could offer up to 1TB. That’s also 62 times the storage of the original iPhone, which topped out at 16GB.