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Connect to your digital creativity with the ultimate Mac controller

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TourBox
Optimize your creative computing with a highly customizable controller.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

If you work as a digital creative, you know full well how small inefficiencies add up to lots of wasted time. Every extra keystroke or trip across the screen is a drag on your workflow. This powerful but intuitive controller takes the pain out of repetitive tasks and gives you new ways to speed through your creative endeavors.

The TourBox controller quickly feels like a natural extension of your hand. It works with Macs and PCs, and it’s great for navigating advanced software like Photoshop, Illustrator, Final Cut Pro, Premier and Capture One.

iPhone batteries could shrink again in 2021, but without battery life cuts

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iPhone 12 battery teardown
iPhone 13 could be first with new "soft board" battery tech.
Photo: iFixit

Apple will reportedly shrink iPhone batteries again in 2021 to make room for new technologies. But that doesn’t necessarily mean we’ll have to get used to charging more frequently.

Reliable TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo expects Apple to adopt new “soft board” battery technology for iPhone 13. It could allow more power to be squeezed into a smaller space.

First iOS 14.3 beta brings Apple ProRAW image format and more

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iPhone 12 Pro series include cameras tat support ProRAW
iOS 14.3 will bring the ProRAW format to the iPhone 12 Pro cameras.
Photo: Apple

When Apple unveiled the iPhone 12 Pro series in October, it promised a software update for these handsets with support for the new ProRAW format. That update will be iOS 14.3, as this feature is included in the first beta of this upcoming operating system update seeded to developers on Thursday. There are also mentions of AirTags and Apple Studio headphones.

In addition, Apple begin testing the first betas of iPadOS 14.3, watchOS 7.2 and tvOS 14.3.

macOS Big Sur does not pave the way for a touchscreen Mac

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macOS Big Sur offers a lot, but not a touchscreen Mac.
macOS Big Sur isn’t the first step toward a touchscreen Mac.
Photo: Apple

Apple’s head of software development threw cold water on speculation that macOS Big Sur was designed with a touchscreen Mac in mind.

Instead, Craig Federighi says the latest Mac operating system is more similar to iOS and iPadOS so it’s easier for users to switch between an Apple laptop, phone or tablet. Designers weren’t thinking about a touch-based Mac.

Apple fixes frustrating delays in macOS Big Sur downloads [Update: Maybe not!]

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Get your macOS Big Sur download now.
Here’s why you couldn’t download macOS Big Sur earlier.
Photo: Cult of Mac

Anyone who struggled to download the just-released macOS Big Sur might not be surprised to learn that Apple’s backend systems experienced major problems Thursday. By early afternoon, Apple said it fixed the problem. However, glitches lingered, as Apple admitted late in the afternoon.

“At present, you may see this error message appear when attempting to download macOS Big Sur,” Apple Support said on Twitter. “Apple is aware of this behavior and is currently investigating. Try waiting a while and attempting the download again.”

M1 processor is so good it surprises even Apple

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Apple SVP Craig Federighi was blown away by the M1 processor.
Apple’s Craig Federighi says his company’s new M1 processor exceeds his expectaions.
Screenshot: Apple

The capabilities of Apple’s new M1 processor surprised even the people who designed it. The new chip was created to get Macs away from Intel, and Apple executives are gushing about it. Craig Federighi, SVP of software engineering, said the M1 is outperforming the company’s own expectations.

macOS Big Sur arrives, ushering in huge changes for Macs

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macOS Big Sur public release ushers in huge design changes
The wait is over. You can install macOS Big Sur today.
Photo: Apple

Apple released the final version of macOS Big Sur on Thursday. The new operating system offers the biggest design overhaul to the Mac user interface in nearly two decades. Plus, it brings big improvements to Apple’s bundled applications like Messages, Maps and Safari.

Becoming You will make you marvel at human development [Apple TV+ review]

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Becoming You is sensational, no matter your age
Becoming You is sensational, no matter your age
Photo: Apple TV+

New Apple TV+ documentary series Becoming You is the kind of admirably human show that seems designed to rack up grateful viewers.

Tackling the earliest development of the human brain in more than a hundred children the world over, the docuseries makes a calculated plea for empathy and togetherness — and a convincing one at that.

First HomePod mini reviews: Superior audio that’s better late than never

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First HomePod mini reviews: Better late than never
Early reviews say the HomePod mini punches above its weight.
Photo: Apple

The first HomePod mini reviews almost universally praise the tiny smart speaker for outstanding audio quality. A wave of superlatives like “impressively powerful,” and even “startling” make HomePod mini sound like a total champ.

Across the board, the reviewers say Apple’s new $99 smart speaker offers stiff competition to other devices in that price range. And beyond audio, they deliver surprisingly positive assessments of the HomePod mini’s design and features. Even Siri earns accolades!

How to optimize your swimming stroke with Apple Watch

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Do you know how Apple Watch counts your swim strokes?
Do you know how Apple Watch counts your swim strokes?
Photo: Graham Bower/Cult of Mac

Apple Watch is a great swimming companion, offering highly accurate length counts, pace measurements and stroke recognition. But the benefits to swimmers don’t stop there.

You’ll find plenty more useful swim stats in the Fitness app on your iPhone. Strokes Per 25/50/100 is especially valuable because it tracks your swim efficiency, which is key if you want to go faster, further or just look more cool in the pool.

But the way Apple Watch counts your strokes is not as simple as it seems. Whether you’re a beginner or an expert swimmer, it’s worth taking time out to understand exactly how it works.

Apple TV app now available on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5

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Apple TV app lands on PlayStation
Download it today from the PlayStation Store.
Photo: Apple

Apple TV is now available on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5. The new app gives users the ability to watch Apple TV+, third-party channels like Showtime and Starz, and content purchased from iTunes.

Its launch coincides with the PlayStation 5’s big debut in many key markets, including the United States.

The Pathless offers an open-world mythic adventure on Apple Arcade

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‘The Pathless’ launched November 12 from Apple Arcade.
With just a bow and an eagle, take on an epic quest in The Pathless on Apple Arcade.
Photo: Giant Squid/Annapurna Interactive

An archer and her eagle are the centers of The Pathless, an open-world adventure that debuted Thursday for iPad, Mac, iPhone and other platforms. Players take on the role of the Hunter, who travels a mystical island with her feathered companion and dispel a curse of darkness. There are monsters to slay and puzzles to solve.

Apple Arcade subscribers can play this new title at a considerable savings over other platforms.

Make your videos look better with a tripod and other specialty gear

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All in One AI 360 Smart Face Tracking Tripod
From face-tracking tripods to studio lighting, these video accessories will help you shine.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Whether for Zoom calls or showing off how your guitar lessons are paying off, you’re likely spending more time pointing cameras at yourself. But you and your viewers deserve better than fluorescent lights and a shaky laptop camera. We rounded up four deals on tripods that will help you capture higher-quality video and photos from anywhere.

M1 MacBook Air blows away predecessors, every other CPU in benchmarks

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MacBook Air power
Apple's fastest MacBook yet.
Photo: Apple

Early benchmark results for the new M1 MacBook Air have begun surfacing online, and boy are they impressive. Not only does Apple’s newest ultraportable blow away its predecessors, but its M1 chip outperforms every other mobile CPU on the market.

That’s even more astounding when you remember the new MacBook Air has a completely fan-less design that stays silent no matter how hard you push it.

Oprah interviews President Obama for Apple TV+ next week

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Oprah and Obama, together again.
Oprah Winfrey will sit down with President Barack Obama for her Apple TV+ interview show.
Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac

Former President Barack Obama will appear next Tuesday on an episode of The Oprah Conversation. The topic will be his new book, A Promised Land, which hits shelves that day.

While the interview by Oprah Winfrey will appear on Apple’s subscription streaming service, it will also be available free for two weeks.

Better move fast if you want one of the last Intel-based MacBook Airs

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2020-MacBook-Air
Get the 2020 MacBook Air with Intel processor while you can.
Photo: Apple

The Intel-based MacBook Air is quickly disappearing. Apple introduced the the first version of this svelte laptop with an M1 processor on Tuesday, and pulled the previous version off the Apple online store.

It isn’t unusual for a new Mac to replace on older one. But the MacBook Air just made a quantum leap to a new type of processor, and some people are likely still interested in one with an Intel processor. The supply is dwindling, though.

Get set for winter with rugged, waterproof Apple Watch bands from Nyloon

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Nyloon Apple Watch band
Bag yours from just $24.99.
Photo: Nyloon

Winter is coming. And based on what we know about 2020 so far, it’s likely to be a nasty one. Get set for the wet and miserable months by bagging a rugged, waterproof Nyloon band for Apple Watch.

Their NATO-style design makes them super-strong and ready for anything, and they’re available in a range of colorful styles. They’re also nicely priced from just $24.99.

When to expect redesigned MacBooks with speedy Apple M1 chip

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An M1 MacBook Pro might not look ike its predecessors.
An M1 MacBook Pro with 14-inch screen would give professionals more options.
Photo: Apple

The second wave of MacBooks with the just-announced Apple M1 processor will have an “all-new form factor,” according to a trusted analyst. And there’ll supposedly be a new size option.

That’s likely to please anyone who was disappointed that the first M1-based MacBook Air and MacBook Pro are nearly indistinguishable from their predecessors.

Despite some quizzical positions, Doug Unplugs is a charming kids’ show [Apple TV+ review]

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The heartwarming 'Doug Unplugs' looks like a sure-fire hit for kids.
The heartwarming Doug Unplugs looks like a sure-fire hit for kids.
Image: Apple TV+

Powered by the formidable DreamWorks Animation, Apple TV+’s newest children’s show is frequently disarming and deeply cute. Doug Unplugs, which arrives on the streaming service this Friday, is likely to be perfect for young kids, and not too much for tired parents who’ll watch it over their shoulders.

Judge dismisses Apple’s theft claims against Epic Games

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Apple's theft claim against Epic Games dismissed
Fortnite is still blocked from the App Store for now.
Photo: Epic Games

Apple’s two theft claims against Epic Games were on Tuesday dismissed by a federal judge in California.

Epic filed the counterclaims filed in September, just weeks after the game-maker sued Apple for alleged anti-competitive actions. Cupertino removed Fortnite, the hugely popular battle royale game, from the App Store after Epic gave players on iOS devices the ability to purchase in-game currency outside of Apple’s ecosystem.