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Joyful AirPods Pro ad will make you want to ‘Jump’

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AirPods
Apple's new AirPods ad is full of pep.
Photo: Apple

Apple shows off the untethered joyfulness and Active Noise Cancellation/Transparency features of its AirPods Pro in a new ad, titled “Jump,” which Apple debuted over the weekend.

The ad depicts an AirPods Pro user breaking social distancing rules as he moves through a vibrant city, playing jump-rope and otherwise pulling off some impressive acrobatic moves. It’s a fun two-minute ad set to the 2020 song “Fallin’ Apart” by Young Franco.

7 deals on storage and backup solutions to protect your data

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Storahe
These storage and backup solutions are perfect for your iPhone and MacBook.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Your MacBook probably contains all your most important files, from critical work documents to photos from significant moments in your life. Unfortunately, all it takes is one glass of water or unstable perch to destroy your computer — and all your data and files, too. While it’s hard to fix a damaged computer, it’s easy to ensure you always have a backup copy of your most important files on hand.

These storage and backup solutions are just what you need to keep your data safe in case of a disaster. Many come with lifetime subscriptions that lock in deep discounts forever.

Days of explosive growth for AirPods may already be over

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AirPods Pro with black background discounts
AirPods have been a massive winner for Apple since 2016.
Photo: Apple

The massive growth days of the AirPods may already be over, according to renowned Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

In a new note to clients seen by Cult of Mac, Kuo said he anticipates a year-over-year decline in AirPods shipments in 2021. If true, this would be the first year in AirPods history that sales didn’t experience explosive growth.

Beats Solo3 headphones offer premium audio quality, and they’re on sale

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Beats Solo3
Treat your ears to some solid headphones.
Photo: Beats

If you’re an audio enthusiast, you know that some headphones don’t fare well with age. When you factor in hours of listening time and the advent of the latest and greatest features on newer models, your tried-and-true pair might not have the same allure they did before.

That’s not the case with Beats Solo3 Wireless On-Ear Headphones. These award-winning headphones have stood the test of time well, with fast charging, exceptionally long battery life and Apple’s proprietary W1 chip.

Goodbye, iMac Pro … and good riddance! [Cult of Mac Magazine 392]

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Goodbye, iMac Pro ... and good riddance.
Farewell ... and don't let the door bang you on the bezel on your way out.
Cover: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac

The iMac Pro was sleek and fast and capable and ultimately … uninspired.

That’s Cult of Mac writer Luke Dormehl’s take on Apple’s recently expired pro all-in-one. He serves up a compelling “Dear John” letter to a weird period in Mac history. And it doubles as a lovingly hopeful look at what the future holds.

If you want to peer even deeper into the Cupertino crystal ball, we’ve got a hot mess of new rumors and leaks this week as we speed toward a probable Apple event on March 23. Catch up with this week’s free issue of Cult of Mac Magazine. Download it to enjoy on iPhone or iPad, or get the stories below in your browser.

When the music stops: Apple discontinues full-size HomePod

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The HomePod -- a beautiful body with the brain of an idiot.
The originally HomePod is going away but the HomePod mini is going strong.
Photo: Charlie Sorrel/Cult of Mac

The $299 version of Apple’s HomePod smart speaker has been discontinued. The company is already selling out of its remaining supply.

But that doesn’t mean Apple is getting out of the smart speaker business — it’s pleased with the launch of the more affordable HomePod mini.

HBO Max’s cheaper ad-supported tier won’t include first-run films [Updated]

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HBO Max’s free tier won’t include first-run films
The upcoming HBO Max free-with-ads version can be watched on every type of Apple computer.
Photo: WarnerMedia

You might want to put the HBO Max app on your iPhone after all. WarnerMedia said Friday there’ll be a more affordable version of the streaming service starting in June. But it’ll require watching ads.

And don’t expect to watch movies the same day as they appear in the theaters on the ad-supported version.

Apple TV+ nabs The Jet docuseries about an epic ‘90s Pepsi ad

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‘The Jet’ on Apple TV+ will hark back to the crazy days of the 1980s.
‘The Jet’ on Apple TV+ will be about an ad, a Harrier fighter plane and 7 million Pepsi Points.
Screenshot: Pepsi

The team that created McMillion$ is making a new documentary series for Apple TV+ about an outrageous Pepsi ad from the 1990s that seemingly promised a Harrier combat jet as the ultimate grand prize in a contest. The Jet will cover someone’s attempt to collect enough points in the “Drink Pepsi, Get Stuff” contest to win the aircraft.

How to mix up activities for a more effective Apple Watch workout

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Why choose one activity type when you can do loads?
Why choose one activity type when you can do loads?
Photo: Graham Bower/Cult of Mac

Which workout type do you fancy today? Running, swimming, cycling, yoga…? There are so many different Apple Watch workouts, it can be hard to choose. The good news is, you don’t have to.

Thanks to a hidden feature in the Workout app, you can log multiple activity types in a single session. Want to log a triathlon? No problem. Like to do a cooldown at the end of an intense HIIT session? It supports that too.

Here’s everything you need to know about how to use this little-known Apple Watch feature — and why you definitely should.

iPhone might get in-screen Touch ID this year

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Touch ID might be back in the iPhone 13
The iPhone 13 could be Apple’s first with an in-display Touch ID scanner.
Concept image: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

A growing number of voices predict that the next-generation iPhone will come with a fingerprint scanner built into its screen. If true, it will mark the welcome return of Touch ID to Apple’s premium models after several long years.

Russo brothers’ victory lap turns sour with excruciating Cherry [Apple TV+ review]

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Tom Holland in Cherry
Even Spider-Man can't save this disaster.
Photo: Apple TV+

After years of shepherding the Marvel Cinematic Universe to its first major climax, directors Joe and Anthony Russo decided to make one of the proverbial “one for us” movies — as in “one for them, one for us.”

It’s a classic Hollywood strategy, where filmmakers follow up a moneymaking blockbuster with a personal project that’s more like an indie flick. The trouble with the Russo brothers “one for us” movie — a drama called Cherry, comes to Apple TV+ today — is that the “us” in this case possess no style, no ideology, no ideas and no ambition. Cherry is a total waste of $10 million and 2-and-a-half hours of screen time.

Guitar-wielding student marshals nifty light show [Setups]

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Nanoleaf Shapes give you interesting lighting options.
Nanoleaf Shapes give you interesting lighting options.
Photo: arnaki_gkioulmpasi@reddit

If one thing catches your eye first about Redditor arnaki_gkioulmpasi’s setup, it’s probably the interesting light show on the wall behind it. That array is made up of Nanoleaf Shapes that can be arranged any which way.

Those cool-looking lights, along with a Yeelight Screen Light Bar Pro atop the Dell 32-inch curved 4K monitor and a standing lamp next to the desk, keep eyestrain to a minimum.

Apple Car could drive Apple to $3 trillion market cap

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Apple Car
Could this be what pushes Apple to its next financial milestone?
Photo: Torsten Dettlaff/Pexels CC

The arrival of the Apple car could push Apple’s market capitalization to an almost unimaginable $3 trillion, analysts at Citigroup and Wedbush claim.

Since Apple is currently worth $2.05 trillion, that would mean a surge of approximately 50% on its present value. Apple is already the most valuable public company in the world.

Working from home? These 11 essential upgrades will save your sanity.

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Any of these 11 heavily discounted products will have a profound impact on your WFH experience
Any of these 11 products will have a profound impact on your WFH experience.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

In theory, you only need a laptop and a table to work from home. But as the months pass, a subpar setup will take its toll on your productivity — and your body. A few choice upgrades can make all the difference.

From dedicated desks to ergonomic mice, here are 11 products that can improve your WFH experience — now on sale for up to 39% off MSRP.

Latest Apple Pay offer grants discounts on groceries and meal boxes

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Apple Pay
You've got until next week to take advantage of the offer.
Photo: Apple

Apple has teamed up with grocery and meal deal services Instacart, HelloFresh, and Daily Harvest for its latest Apple Pay offer.

Running from now through March 17, users can receive two free months of Instacart Express membership, plus $5 off their first order, along with reductions on HelloFresh, and Daily Harvest. Check out more details below.

HoverBar Duo cleverly combines tablet desktop stand with shelf clamp [Review]

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Twelve South HoverBar Duo review
The Twelve South HoverBar Duo securely holds an iPad on a desk, or it can be clamped to a shelf.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

With Twelve South’s HoverBar Duo, it’s not necessary to choose between an iPad stand that sits on a desk and one that clamps to a shelf — this accessory does both. And it has a two-piece articulated arm to give a wide range of positioning options. Plus it clamps tightly onto a tablets of many sizes.

I put this stand through its paces, and here’s how it stood up to real-world use.

Practice your golf swing all year with this at-home golf simulator

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golf simulator
Get ready to perfect your swing anytime, anywhere.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

In many places, the weather’s still cold and unpleasant. Whether you’re experiencing gray days, rain or snow, it can be extra tough to motivate yourself to go outside and get some exercise in (even though you know it’s good for you). You can skip the winter weather with the PhiGolf: Mobile & Home Smart Golf Simulator with Swing Stick.

It eliminates all the typical excuses that keep you off the golf course (and glued to your couch). And with a golf experience that so closely resembles the real thing, you’ll find yourself practicing your swing year-round.

Apple accuses former employee of leaking trade secrets to the press

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Apple Glass concept from the Hacker 34.
VR glasses is one of the secret projects that a former Apple employee might have leaked to the press.
Concept: the Hacker 34

Apple filed a lawsuit against Simon Lancaster on Thursday, accusing the former employee of leaking company secrets to the media.

He worked at Apple as a materials engineer for over 11 years, helping to design upcoming products. That gave him access to information not publicly available. Apple alleges he traded that info for personal gain.

Ron Howard’s Imagine Entertainment signs first-look deal with Apple TV+

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Imagine Entertainment signs first-look deal with Apple TV+
Ron Howard and Brian Grazer might make films for Apple TV+.
Photo: Ron Howard and Brian Grazer

Apple TV+ now has a first-look deal with Imagine Entertainment, who produced films like A Beautiful Mind and Apollo 13. The agreement could bring movies from this long-running production company helmed by Ron Howard and Brian Grazer to Apple’s streaming video service.

Apple’s custom 5G modem might make 2023 iPhone faster than ever

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An Apple 5G modem might look like this
An Apple 5G modem is allegedly in development, and could be in iPhones in a few years.
Artists concept: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple’s move away from Qualcomm modems could begin in 2023. Analysts predict that all the iPhone models released in that year will use 5G modems Apple designed itself.

This is another example of Apple developing critical components for its products in-house rather than depending on an outside company.

Game developer plays with wide and tall screens [Setups]

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A game developer makes good use of wide and tall monitors.
A game developer makes good use of wide and tall monitors.
Photo: linden_park@Reddit

UK-based Redditor linden_park just updated their setup while working in the early development phase of a new life simulator game set in space among multiple planets and space stations. Covering all that intergalactic territory, it helps to have both wide and tall screens.