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Apple car could follow iPhone’s successful manufacturing model

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What route will Apple take to produce an electric vehicle?
What route will Apple take to produce an electric vehicle?
Photo: carlos aranda/Unsplash CC

After talks with potential automotive partners stalled, Cupertino could stick with its key iPhone manufacturer to produce an Apple car, a Thursday report from Bloomberg suggests.

This would mark a big change in Apple’s strategy for breaking into the auto industry. The company previously looked to hook up with an established automaker — albeit seemingly with Apple receiving top billing.

Check out Apple’s sleek MagSafe power bank that might never launch

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An Apple MagSafe power bank render from ‘Front Page Tech’
The Apple MagSafe power bank might look something like this. If it ever gets launched.
Screenshot: Jon Prosser/Front Page Tech

Two different leakers claim to give the world very early looks at Apple’s MagSafe power bank for on-the-go charging. This will allegedly attach to an iPhone with magnets so it can wireless juice up the handset.

But there are questions whether Apple can fix problems with development and actually release the product.

This 41-hour bundle provides the ultimate Python training, and it’s just $35

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Python
You can learn one of the most essential programming languages in any industry.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

If you want to learn how to program, but are confused about where to begin, you’re not alone. After all, there are about 700 different programming languages to choose from.

But some stand apart from the rest. Like, for instance, Python, which is used in just about every industry and scientific field you can imagine, including data science, machine learning, game development and more. You can learn this essential coding language with the 2021 Premium Python Certification Bootcamp Bundle. It includes 41 hours of courses to teach you everything you need to know, from beginner to advanced lessons.

New image might show redesigned AirPods 3

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AirPods 3 might borrow some features of AirPods Pro.
New AirPods could replace 2019’s AirPods 2 in Apple’s lineup.
Graphic: Cult of Mac

Real-world images of the third-generation AirPods allegedly leaked out Wednesday. These could give an early look at the in-ear headphones that might launch before the end of March.

The pics supposedly show that AirPods 3 won’t borrow a major feature of AirPods Pro.

Average iPhone game takes up 76% more space than it did 5 years ago

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Roblox
This was last year's top game -- weighing in at 222MB.
Photo: Roblox

Games in the App Store are getting bigger. An average of 76% bigger over the past five years to be precise. That’s according to a new report from app analytics platform Sensor Tower.

The firm recently analyzed the average file size of the top 100 revenue-generating mobile games on the U.S. App Store for each year since 2016. This includes only the file size of the original download, and not any additional content.

Artist uses vintage Mac to re-create Flatiron Building, one pixel at a time

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Wahyu Ichwandardi image
Imagine the hours it took to draw this.
Photo: Wahyu Ichwandardi

Using a 1984-era Macintosh 128K and various retro tools, Pinot W. Ichwandardi painstakingly crafted a beautiful pixel art drawing of one of New York City’s most stunning skyscrapers.

Ichwandardi created his stunning image of the Flatiron Building one pixel at a time, a process he calls “pixel knitting” due to its time-intensive nature. But the incredibly detailed artwork isn’t even the point.

“The most rewarding thing from it is the process,” the 50-year-old designer told Cult of Mac.

It just goes to show that even a Mac that’s nearly 40 years old can still be used to make amazing pieces artwork. And you can buy a print of Ichwandardi’s Flatiron Building art — printed on a vintage dot-matrix printer, naturally!

Master Adobe’s suite of tools for $34 with this 12-course bundle

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Adobe
This Adobe Creative Cloud bundle packs 80-plus hours of content that shows you how to use the in-demand software.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

There are a lot of reasons why you should learn to use Adobe Creative Cloud, even if you’re not a pro designer. Anyone can use this complex set of tools — which includes big names like Photoshop and Illustrator — to develop professional assets that can be leveraged across a wide range of mediums, from websites and videos to print.

Unfortunately, for beginners, Creative Cloud is not exactly intuitive to use. But advanced Adobe skills are just a click away … and this highly sought-after knowledge is affordable! The Complete All-in-One Adobe Creative Cloud Max Suite Certification Course Bundle includes 12 courses that show you how to use the most in-demand Adobe tools, whether you’re brand-new to the software suite or already familiar with a few of the products.

Apple ‘slashes’ orders for iPhone 12 mini

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iPhone 12 mini held up
Tiny in size. Tiny in demand. (At least by iPhone standards.)
Photo: Apple

The iPhone 12 mini is looking more and more like the runt of the iPhone 12 litter — and not just because of its diminutive size.

While the iPhone 12 series reportedly has been a massive hit for Apple overall, the iPhone 12 mini hasn’t been along for the ride. On Wednesday, Nikkei Asia reported that Apple is “slashing its planned production of the iPhone 12 mini for the first half of this year.”

Apple reportedly pushes back production of redesigned MacBook Pro

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13-inch MacBook Pro with M1 boasts amazing speed and battery life.
MacBook Pro is reported to get a big redesign this year.
Screenshot: Apple

Apple delayed plans to start mass-producing its next-gen MacBook Pro until this fall, according to a new report from Nikkei Asia. Originally, Cupertino was expected to start building the new laptops in May or June.

This MacBook Pro is widely expected to boast a new form factor and come in both 14- and 16-inch screen sizes. It is also anticipated to kill off the LED Touch Bar in favor of a row of physical keys, bring back the MagSafe charger, feature a built-in SD card reader and HDMI port, and sport a fancy mini-LED display.

In other words, it sounds like it’ll be worth the wait. But you will likely be waiting.

Apple invests $1 billion in next-generation chip design center

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Apple engineers
The next generation of Apple chips incoming.
Photo: Apple

Apple is investing upward of 1 billion euros ($1.19 billion) in building a European Center for Chip Design in Munich, Germany. This will be used, in Apple’s (translated) words, for developing processes involving “5G and the wireless technologies of the future.”

Munich is already the location of Apple’s biggest development center in Europe. It is home to close to 1,500 engineers from 40 countries. The new initiative will see them joined by hundreds more employees.

Apple Podcasts changing wording for free podcasts from ‘Subscribe’ to ‘Follow’

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Apple Podcasts could get a premium tier.
Change is intended to avoid user confusion.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple is making a minor change to its Apple Podcasts app with iOS 14.5, ditching the “Subscribe” label to one that says “Follow.”

This change reflects language used commonly on social media platforms. Moreover, “Follow” suggests that the podcast is free, while “Subscribe” implies a paid subscription. Especially as Apple moves increasingly into paid subscriptions, this wording alteration is intended to avoid confusion.

Peanuts Easter Beagle about to deliver colorful fun to Apple TV+

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‘Peanuts’ Easter Beagle about to deliver colorful fun to Apple TV+
Apple TV+ is bringing back the charming It’s the Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown, which has been on a shelf since 2014.
Photo: Apple

It’s the Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown will have its Apple TV+ debut on March 26, slightly more than a week before Easter itself. It’s the return of a Peanuts classic from a long hiatus.

In 2020, Apple’s streaming service became the new home of all the Peanuts holiday specials, including this one. And more are being created.

Stylish smart sunglasses offer built-in Bluetooth speakers [Review]

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Flows Bandwidth Bluetooth audio sunglasses review
Flows Bandwidth Bluetooth audio sunglasses pair well with an iPhone.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Flows Bandwidth’s Bluetooth audio sunglasses let you listen to podcasts or take calls without blocking out the world around you. Despite speakers built into the stems, the men’s or women’s versions look like any other sunglasses. But they keep you entertained on the go.

I’ve worn these smart glasses for weeks. Here’s why I like them.

Pint-size Sonos Roam speaker goes anywhere your iPhone does

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Pint-size Sonos Roam speaker goes anywhere your iPhone does
Sonos Roam connects to your Apple devices over more than Bluetooth.
Photo: Sonos

The Sonos Roam is a new high-end smart speaker with support for Apple AirPlay 2, so it plays nicely with iPhone or other Apple computers.

The tubular accessory weights in just under a pound, but Sonos says, “precision-engineered acoustics deliver the clarity, depth, and fullness you would expect from a much larger speaker.”

Learn key writing strategies to earn money on Amazon and Medium

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Amazon
These writing lessons will help you turn your words into money.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

If you have a way with words, you can earn extra income that’s not readily available to other people. If you’ve got the skills, but haven’t considered a career in professional writing, you’ll want to look at The Ultimate How to Make Money by Writing on Medium & Self-Publishing Books on Amazon Bundle.

New AirPods Max firmware update might fix mystery battery drain

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iFixit AirPods Max teardown finds much to like
An AirPods Max firmware update is now available. Here’s hoping it fixes a bad bug.
Photo: iFixit

Apple’s over-the-ears headphones got a firmware update on Tuesday. It’s not clear what’s in the new software for AirPods Max because Apple never discloses that detail, but many users are hoping it’s a fix for an irritating power drain.

Pristine Apple sneakers will transport you back to the ’90s — for a price

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These ultra-rare Apple Computer Sneakers might auction for big bucks
A pair of Apple’s first wearables might sell for a high price because they’ve never been worn.
Photo: Heritage Auctions

A couple of pieces of Apple history are on the auction block. An unworn pair Apple Computer Sneakers from the mid-1990s will be sold in the next two days. A rare Apple-branded paddle ball set from the same time is also being auctioned.

Gorgeous cases wrap your AirPods Pro in luxury leather for under $20

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Elago-AirPods-Pro-case-red
Get yours for just $23 today.
Photo: Elago

AirPods Pro aren’t the cheapest wireless buds you can buy, so the last thing you want to do is destroy them. Protect them with Elago’s gorgeous cases instead, and never worry about them getting beaten up.

Made from natural cowhide leather, they’re brilliantly robust and beautiful. They come in a number of color options, and include a clip that lets you attach them to almost anything.

They’re also a steal at just $19.99!

RodeCaster Pro powers Chicago trio’s Bums of Manarchy podcast [Setups]

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Rocky Lira works his day job and podcast production here.
Rocky Lira works his day job and podcast production here.
Photo: Rocky Lira

Rocky Lira, aka “Rocky Bandit,” and his “knucklehead” friends Eddie and Paddy went big into podcasting on a moderate budget recently. And they have the gear and the podcasts in circulation to show for it.

He and his Chicago pals started the weekly show Bums of Manarchy for fun, recording more than a dozen episodes so far. Lira got off to a fast start handling the podcast editing and production. He said he uses an M1 MacBook Pro and an older model, along with two iPad Pros and his iPhone 12 Pro — in concert with a Rode RodeCaster Pro Integrated Podcast Production Studio console.

Belkin MagSafe charger for iPhone 12 and AirPods goes up for preorders

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Belkin BoostCharge Pro 2-in-1 Wireless Charger Stand with MagSafe is a lot of name.
Easily make FaceTime calls with Belkin’s new charging stand that supports the iPhone 12 series’ MagSafe system.
Photo: Belkin

The short list of truly MagSafe-compatible accessories grew a bit on Tuesday, as the Belkin Boost↑Charge Pro 2-in-1 Wireless Charger Stand can now be preordered. This holds up an iPhone 12 for easy viewing, and includes a pad for AirPods cases that support wireless charging.

Assume every App Store review is a lie

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App Store reviews
This app can’t be a scam. Look at all those positive reviews!
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Stop using the reviews you see in the App Store to help you decide what applications to buy. They’re meaningless because so many of them are fraudulent. And these purchased fake reviews are frequently used to trick people into buying scam applications.

The problem is severe enough that Apple should take reviews completely out of the App Store if it can’t come up with a better solution.

Apple shares early details of ongoing Women’s Health Study into menstruation

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Menstruation study
Study involves participation from 10,000 users around the United States.
Photo: Apple

Apple has published the first details of an ongoing Apple Women’s Health Study, using the iPhone to carry out longitudinal research on menstruation.

The project, which involves a team from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, is based on data from 10,000 participants across the U.S. Users have been contributing their data using Apple’s Research app, starting late last year.