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Satechi’s portable USB-C hub sports 9 ports and hideaway cable

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Satechi's portable USB-C hub is designed for home or travel.
Make up for the lack of ports in your MacBook or iPad with a Satechi 9-in-1 USB-C hub.
Photo: Satechi

The latest USB-C multiport hub from Satechi is designed with portability in mind. It packs in nine frequently used  ports so it’s not too tiny. But designers built in a slot to hold a short travel-ready connection cable to cut down excess bulk.

Apple laptops and tablets lack a variety of ports, but adapters like this one make for easier presentations, data transfers or network connections.

App Store faces barrage of antitrust charges in Europe

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App Store faces barrage of antitrust charges
Government agencies in the EU and UK are looking into whether the iPhone App Store violates their antitrust laws.
Photo: Sora Shimazaki/Pexels CC

Spotify’s accusation to the European Union that Apple uses its control of the App Store to squeeze out competition reportedly will soon result in antitrust charges being filed against the iPhone-maker. This comes on the same day the UK begins an investigation of the App Store.

The two antitrust agencies could force Apple to lower the commissions it charges software developers. Or even require rival iPhone app stores.

Apple TV 3 loses YouTube support, but there is a workaround

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Apple TV Siri Remote
Sad times for third-gen. Apple TV owners.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

YouTube is now officially dead on the third-generation Apple TV. Users who attempt to watch the app will be greeted by an error message that confirms Apple’s aging hardware is no longer supported.

That’s hardly surprising given that the third-generation Apple TV is close to a decade old now. But there is a workaround (sort of) for those who still want to watch their favorite YouTube channels on the big screen.

How to transfer iCloud Photos to Google Photos

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How to transfer iCloud Photos to Google Photos
Copying images and videos from iCloud Photos to Google Photos is surprisingly easy.
Graphic: Cult of Mac

Apple now makes it easy to copy the pictures and videos you have stored in iCloud Photos over to Google Photos. The process is straightforward, but there are a few hoops to jump through.

Here’s what you need to know.

Billie Eilish doc attracts coveted young viewers to Apple TV+

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New documentary
Sounds like the Billie Eilish doc brought a coveted crowd to Cupertino's streaming service.
Photo: Apple TV+

How do you get the kids to tune into your underachieving streaming service? Buy a documentary about one of the hottest young singer/songwriters in the world.

That’s what Apple TV+ did when it snapped up the rights to new doc Billie Eilish: The World’s a Little Blurry — and the strategy apparently worked. As per usual, Cupertino won’t reveal the actual number of people who watched the film since its premiere last week. However, an insider report says the music doc brought a ton of new, young viewers to Apple TV+.

Business and tech guru gears up for podcasting [Setups]

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Ben Thompson's setup is wired for great sound.
Ben Thompson's setup is wired for great sound.
Photo: Ben Thompson

We noticed business and technology author and noted Mac guy Ben Thompson volunteered a pic of his setup on Twitter when tech and politics writer Casey Newton posted a shot of an immaculate setup, wondering if he has “remotely what it takes to put something like this together.”

Well, Taiwan-based Thompson certainly has what it takes to put together a great setup — even if it’s more lived in and not quite as photo-ready as the one Newton posted.

Play iPhone games with keyboard and mouse with new KeyMander 2 Mobile

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IOGear KeyMander 2 Mobile debuts in mid-March.
Hook your iPhone, iPad or Apple TV to a keyboard and mouse for gaming with the KeyMander 2 Mobile from IOGear.
Photo: IOGear

The IOGear KeyMander 2 Mobile is for iPhone users that prefer gaming with a keyboard and mouse instead of a touchscreen or controller. It works with Apple Arcade, Google Stadia and App Store games. Even ones that don’t offer native support for desktop-type input devices.

Beyond iPhone, it also works with iPad and Apple TV.

Transfer iPhone videos, music and photos to and from your Mac with MacX MediaTrans [Giveaway]

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Digiarty offers a free giveaway of MacX MediaTrans.
Digiarty Software offers a free giveaway of MacX MediaTrans.
Photo: Digiarty Software

This media transfer post is presented by Digiarty Software.

If you ever found iTunes a bit clunky or too restrictive, you might want to try an alternative for transferring media files between your Mac and your iPad and iPhone, like Digiarty Software’s MacX MediaTrans. It’s an effective option.

Currently, Digiarty is offering an exclusive MacX MediaTrans giveaway for Cult of Mac readers.

Or you can get a lifetime license with free upgrades. It’s currently available at a 62% discount, but you save less the longer you wait to buy. (The giveaway version lets you use all the MacX MediaTrans features except for the free upgrade service, which is reserved for users of the full version of the software.)

Weird series Calls brings terrifying phone convos to Apple TV+

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New audio-intensive Apple TV+ show Calls leaves a lot to the imagination.
New audio-intensive Apple TV+ show Calls leaves a lot to the imagination.
Image: Apple TV+

Calls, the new thriller coming to Apple TV+, will depend on ears instead of eyes to get hearts pounding.

The oddball series “masterfully uses only audio and minimal abstract visuals to tell bone-chilling snackable stories,” Apple said in a description of the Calls trailer posted Wednesday.

iMac 4K production slows as Apple Silicon upgrade looms

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This iMac concept reflects what a lot of people want.
It could (we hope) look a lot like this.
Concept: Daniel Bautista

Apple has reportedly slowed production of the 21.5-inch iMac ahead of a much-anticipated Apple Silicon upgrade. The company’s popular all-in-one is expected to make the shift to custom ARM chips this year.

In the meantime, certain 21.5-inch iMac 4K models powered by Intel processors could be a little more difficult to get hold of.

Apple Watch ECG on its way to Australia after government approval

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Apple Watch ECG
One of Apple Watch's best features is expanding its reach.
Photo: Apple

Apple Watch’s terrific ECG feature is one step closer to going live in Australia after receiving government approval. It comes just a month after Australia approved the device’s irregular heart rhythm notifications.

It’s not yet clear when Apple will make the feature available to Apple Watch owners.

HoverBar Duo is both iPad desk stand and clamp

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Twelve South HoverBar Duo works with any side iPad.
Attach the Twelve South HoverBar Duo to a cabinet or rest it on a desktop.
Photo: Twelve South

To use an iPad hands free around the home or office, you can get a desktop stand or one clamps to a rigid surface. The Twelve South HoverBar Duo gives you both options.

It’s not only height adjustable, but can hold a wide variety of devices, from iPad Pro to iPad mini. And iPhones too.

Learn new languages at home with up to 95% off these top-rated apps

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Language learning
Take your pick of four of the best language-learning apps out there.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

What’s one thing you can do today that your future self will thank you for? Whether for work, travel or just for fun, one of the best endeavors you can start right now is learning a new language.

And we’ve got four top-rated language apps you can choose from — with discounts of up to 95% off. Now, that’s speaking our language …

‘Feminist fables’ will Roar on Apple TV+

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‘Feminist fables’ will Roar on Apple TV+
The feminist short-story collection Roar is being made into an Apple TV+ series.
Photo: Grand Central Publishing/Cult of Mac

A star-studded collection of women will appear in Roar on Apple TV+. This anthology series of “darkly comic feminist fables” will feature Nicole Kidman, Cynthia Erivo, Merritt Wever, Alison Brie and more.

Perseverance rover tools around Mars with ’90s iMac processor for its brain

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Perseverance rover tools around Mars with '90s iMac processor for its brain
This Mars rover and the brightly colored 1998 iMac have more in common than you might think.
Photo: NASA

A rover that recently landed on the surface of Mars uses the same processor that powered the 1998 iMac. NASA built Perseverance around a chip from decades ago because reliability is more important than being cutting edge when the computer is 130 million miles away.