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Manufacturers think AirPods Max are a ‘niche’ product that won’t sell in volume

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AirPods Max red and black
Is the AirPods Max a product that won't sell to the masses?
Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac

It’s way too early to have a sense of how many units Apple will sell of its newly announced AirPods Max headphones. But according to a rumor from Digitimes, two of the manufacturers involved with production are “not expecting much” from the “niche” product.

The report cites sources from Compaq Manufacturing and Unitech, two companies reportedly making printed circuit boards for the new headphones. Unsurprisingly, both firms declined to give official responses with their verdicts.

Animated album covers bring a splash of cool to Apple Music

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iPhone user on Apple Music
This is a nice touch for Apple Music users.
Photo: Daniel Cañibano/Unsplash CC

Remember how cool it was the first time you used Apple’s Cover Flow feature to flip through artwork for albums you bought on iTunes? More than a decade after Apple introduced that feature, Apple Music is rolling out a cool update: animated album covers.

Apple added the feature in the beta versions of iOS 14.3 and macOS 11.1. As you might expect, the animated covers are not available across the board on day one. So far, they’re just starting to appear for certain artists — with beta users starting to find them and share them online.

Apple cracks on with building its own mobile modems

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qualcomm.modem.chip
Apple currently relies on modems designed by Qualcomm.
Photo: Qualcomm

Apple has started building its own cellular modems for use in future devices. Johny Srouji, Apple’s senior vice president of hardware technologies, made the announcement to employees Thursday during a virtual town hall meeting.

The company currently relies on Qualcomm modems, after restoring its relationship with the company following a prolonged clash over patents and royalties. However, Apple has made no bones about its desire to bring this part of its manufacturing in-house. It even bought Intel’s modem business for $1 billion in 2019, the second-largest acquisition in Apple history.

Remote-working Apple engineers use AR to guide technicians in China

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Apple augmented reality has business potential
Apple
Photo: Apple

Apple engineers used remote control robots and iPads equipped with custom augmented reality software to guide technicians in overseas factories, due to the coronavirus lockdown.

Usually Apple engineers make frequent visits to places like China, where Apple carries out manufacturing. However, this year’s coronavirus lockdown has made this impossible — leading to Apple having to make some tech-savvy adjustments.

Desk space and a monster monitor are keys to this magician’s productivity [Setups]

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MacBook Pro Setup
A big desk, an enormous screen, and a minimalist philosophy make for a productive setup.
Photo: Allan Hagen

Allan Hagen is a New York-based professional magician and amateur photographer with a serious setup. His favorite part of the setup is the big, stunning Antoccino Desk by RH Modern, which helps him concentrate.

“A big desk with a fairly minimalist setup really lends itself to focusing on the tasks at hand,” he said.

Mystery-thriller The Last Thing He Told Me heads to Apple TV+

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‘The Last Thing He Told Me’ is making the jump from book to Apple TV+.
The Last Thing He Told Me hasn’t reached readers’ hands but an Apple TV+ adaptation is already in the works.
Photo: Simon & Schuster

Julia Roberts is the latest star putting in an appearance on Apple TV+. She’ll reportedly take the lead in an adaptation of the mystery-thriller The Last Thing He Told Me.

Update November 12, 2021: Jennifer Garner has replaced Julia Roberts as the lead in this upcoming series.

Charge up to 3 devices at once with this innovative dock

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Naztech 2-in-1 Charging Dock
Naztech's 2-in-1 charging station combines a dock with a power bank and can charge three devices simultaneously.
Photo: Naztech

Whether you’re cobbling together your own multiple-device remote work setup or just want to rest assured your iPhone 8 or beyond can wirelessly charge to full battery (even when you’re away from a power outlet), this Naztech 2-in-1 Charging Dock fits the bill. It offers the best of both worlds: a wireless power bank that ensures you’re always connected, and a charging dock you can perch anywhere you like.

macOS Big Sur 11.1 is almost ready [UPDATED]

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macOS Big Sur 11.1 Release Candidate is what Apple used to call a ‘Golden Master.’
The macOS Big Sur 11.1 Release Candidate is likely the last step before a public release.
Photo: Cult of Mac

Update: The wait for macOS Big Sur 11.1 is over. It and operating system updates for quite a few other Apple computers launched Monday.


Apple seeded a macOS Big Sur 11.1 Release Candidate to developers on Thursday. That’s good news for those who hold off upgrading their Mac to each new big new macOS release until after it gets its first major revision.

In addition, there are second release candidates for iOS 14.3 and iPadOS 14.3 available.

Fortunes missed: The Apple investors who sold their shares on IPO day

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Money on Unsplash
Apple shares have increased in value 1,000x times since December 1980.
Photo: Pepi Stojanovski/Unsplash

Sometimes, when Apple passes a major financial milestone, I’ll have a pang of regret at not having invested all the money I could lay my hands on on Apple back in the mid-1990s.

But that’s far from the worst missed opportunity involving Apple investment. A new article for Fast Company tells the story of seven early investors who sold their AAPL holdings on the day of the company’s IPO in December 1980.

AirPods Max first impressions: Impressive build, ridiculous case

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AirPods Max first impressions: $549? Almost too cheap (apparently).
$549? Almost too cheap (apparently).
Photo: Marques Brownlee

The “first impressions” reviews of the AirPods Max are out, and, well, they’re pretty darn good.

From the high-quality sound to the stainless steel and other luxury materials to the neat use of magnets to connect the ear pads, the consensus is that the AirPods Max are a premium product in (almost) every way.

As for that wallet-damaging $549 price tag? “Judging from materials execution alone, the AirPod Max feels like it should be more expensive if anything,” says TechCrunch‘s Matthew Panzarino. Check out some of the other initial thoughts below.

Capture incredible videos with these high-quality drones

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Capture incredible videos with these high-quality drones
These drones let you capture stunning video and still images. And they're super-affordable right now.
Photo: StackCommerce

More than ever these days, people are looking for fresh content that captures their attention. And one of the best ways of capturing an audience’s attention is with compelling video content or photography. You can put more eyes on your brand, build out your portfolio or simply start a fun new hobby with any of these four discounted drones — you’ll soar the skies and get a whole new perspective (literally).

Apple TV+ series Extrapolations will put human face on climate change

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An Inconvenient Truth
The producer of An Inconvenient Truth is making a climate change series for Apple TV+.
Photo: Lawrence Bender Productions

Apple has secured the rights to a new scripted anthology series about climate change called Extrapolations.

According to trade publication Variety, the series will reveal the “intimate, unanticipated stories of how the upcoming changes to our planet will affect love, faith, work and family on a personal and human scale.”

The series is created by Scott Z. Burns, a screenwriter, producer and director who wrote The Bourne Ultimatum and Contagion. He also produced the Academy Award-winning climate change documentary An Inconvenient Truth.

Apple TV+ could have to source 30% of content from Europe under new bill

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Apple TV+'s magical Wolfwalkers is both a shrewd pickup and a great film to entice new subscribers.
Apple could have to embrace more shows and movies made in Europe.
Image: Apple TV+

Apple could have to ensure that 30 percent of Apple TV+ content is produced in Europe in order to sell in that market, suggests new potential regulation in the works.

Under the General Scheme of the Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill, which has not yet been passed, all streaming platforms would have to abide by these rules.

This tiny charger powers Mac, iPhone and Apple Watch at once [Review]

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Minix Neo P1 review
A pair of USB-C ports and a USB-A one provide up to 66W of power for your electronics.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The Minix Neo P1 uses gallium nitride to pack three powerful USB ports into a tiny wall charger. It can provide up to 66W to an iPhone, Mac, iPad, Apple Watch or other gear. And the power adapter is made for travel, with fold-down prongs and adapters for a wide variety of countries.

I tested the Neo P1 with a variety of devices. Here’s how it stood up.

A tiny office corner becomes a tiny workspace [Setups]

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MacBook Pro Setup
This is where Larsson "vibes at night."
Photo: Andreas Larsson

Andreas Larsson is a Sweden-based security technician who converted a tiny corner of his office into a bonafide workspace. He had limited space to work with so he tried to squeeze every inch out of it. His friend, who works at an office furnishing company, custom-built a desk to span 46 inches — the entire length of his office.

Apple reveals if its own apps live up to promises of privacy

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During the WWDC 2020 keynote, Apple doubled down on its commitment to privacy.
Apple’s own applications will carry privacy labels revealing how they collect and use personal information about users.
Photo: Apple

Apple isn’t exempting itself from a new privacy rule requiring App Store software to reveal how users’ information is used. Even the applications that come pre-installed on iPhone and iPad will display their privacy info in the App Store.

Satechi’s new foldable stand lets an iPad hover over your keyboard

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Satechi Aluminum Foldable Stand launched December 9 on the Apple Store.
Combine the Satechi Aluminum Foldable Stand with a keyboard to make a mobile computer better than a laptop.
Photo: Apple/Satechi

The Apple online store just became the exclusive source of an updated version of Satechi’s foldable iPad stand. This holds a tablet at wide range of heights and viewing angles. And it makes the screen “hover” above a keyboard.

Wirelessly charge your Apple Watch with this handy keychain

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Wirelessly charge your Apple Watch with this handy keychain
This might be the ultimate stocking stuffer for Apple Watch owners.
Photo: StackCommerce

We’ve all got portable chargers for our iPhones, iPads and MacBooks, but you can’t forget about your Apple Watch. And you won’t find a smaller, more convenient charger for your Apple wearable than this Apple Watch Wireless Charger Keychain.

It’s super-portable for charging on the go, and it makes a great stocking stuffer for anybody who owns an Apple Watch.

Glass top lets you see all 16 coils inside this insane wireless charger [Review]

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Zens-Liberty-1
The Zens Liberty charges iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods simultaneously.
Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

Wireless chargers don’t get much cooler than the new Liberty from Zens. Available with a tempered glass surface that lets you see all 16 of its copper charging coils, it tops up iPhone, AirPods, and Apple Watch simultaneously.

It’s probably the only wireless charger you’ll ever need, and it does its job brilliantly. It’s like an AirPower you can actually buy.

4 perfect Apple gifts to wrap up your shopping quick

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2020 Apple product gift guide for the holidays
Get your shopping done fast with these Apple products.
Photo: Apple

If you’re still hunting down the perfect gifts for your family and friends, look no further than this gift guide filled with Apple products and accessories. From a killer deal on a MacBook Air to EarPods as a stocking stuffer, we have four products at all price ranges — so you can find the best gift for others (or yourself), on your budget.