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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.

Tim Cook talks national parks, Screen Time, and never holding a selfie stick in new podcast

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CEO Tim Cook photo via Fox Business
Not a big selfie stick user, apparently.
Photo: Fox Business

Apple Park’s conference rooms are named after national parks, such as Grand Canyon. Apple Park has a two-and-a-half mile running track. Tim Cook has never used a selfie stick in his life.

These are three of the revelations that come out of a new Outside podcast episode, featuring a conversation with Cook as he and host Michael Roberts take a stroll through Apple Park. Along the way, the conversation touches on Cook’s love of nature and fitness, the design of Apple Park, AR, Apple’s health contributions, and more.

Apple adapting Blake Crouch’s parallel universe thriller Dark Matter for Apple TV+

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Dark Matter cover
Coming soon to an Apple TV+ subscription near you.
Photo: Ballantine Books

Apple TV+ snapped up the rights to Blake Crouch’s excellent quantum-tinged parallel universe thriller Dark Matter. Crouch, whose Wayward Pines novels were turned into a sci-fi show of the same name, will adapt his 2016 novel for screen.

The New York Times bestseller Dark Matter follows the story of Jason Dessen, a family man and high-school physics teacher. Walking home one night, Dessen is abducted by a masked stranger and injected with a drug. When he wakes up, he finds that he’s living in a world in which he’s unmarried and has achieved astonishing professional success.