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Optimize your new iPhone experience with these expert setup tips

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iPhone Xs
Get your new iPhone set up the right way.
Photo: Apple

For many people, iPhone 12 will be radically different from previous iPhone models. Despite this, the iPhone setup process hasn’t changed much. However, while you might find yourself on familiar ground, there are still plenty of little things you really ought to do before you fire up your new phone for the first time (or pretty soon thereafter).

Let’s take a look at all the things you can do to get your iPhone set up exactly how you want it.

Servant‘s next season ramps up the missing-baby mind games

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The upcoming second season of ‘Servant’ promises to be just as disturbing as the first.
You know that’s not a real baby, right?
Photo: Apple

A missing baby is frightening enough, but the second season of Servant involves a missing baby that’s not really a baby. Or perhaps it actually is a baby. And where is it?

A trailer for this Apple TV+ show’s upcoming season dropped on Friday, though it doesn’t answer any of viewers’ questions. That’s what you’d expect from a series with M. Night Shyamalan involved.

Apple looks ahead to the 6G future

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The Next G Alliance will help develop 6G technologies.
Apple joined the Next G Alliance to have a voice is the creation of 6G cellular-wireless networking.
Photo: Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions

Apple joined an industry group devoted to fostering the development of 6G cellular wireless technologies.

With 5G still rolling out, and some people might be surprised that planning for its replacement is already beginning, but the Next G Alliance says it’s not too soon.

Gorgeous Mujjo Sleeve keeps your MacBook covered and comfortable on the move [Review]

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Mujjo Sleeve for MacBook
Made from high-quality felt and leather.
Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

The delightful Mujjo Sleeve for MacBook is a great way to protect your precious notebook when you’re on the move. It’s beautifully made from quality materials, and it won’t weigh you down like a bulky bag.

The Sleeve ensures your notebook remains free from marks and scratches, no matter how much you carry it around. It also offers space for some accessories, important documents and more.

I’ve been using one to protect my 13-inch MacBook Pro for several months now. Here’s what I think of it.

These 3 new Apple TV+ shows will blow and/or ease your mind

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‘Becoming You’ debuted on Apple TV+ on Friday, November 13.
Becoming You is a new documentary series showing how children develop.
Photo: Apple

A trio of new informative and enjoyable shows hit Apple TV+ on Friday. Mind-blowing documentary Fireball takes a look at meteors throughout history, while Becoming You explores human development. And Doug Unplugs is an animated series for small children.

Each can be watched now on Apple’s streaming video service.

First iPad with mini-LED display, AirPods 3 expected for early 2021

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iPad Air
LCD's days are numbered.
Photo: Apple

Apple will introduce its first iPad with a mini-LED display and refreshed AirPods in the first half of 2021, according to one reliable analyst.

Ming-Chi Kuo of TF International Securities predicts the iPad will be one of six Apple products that will get mini-LED screens next year. Others include iPad Pro, iMac Pro, and MacBook Pro.

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.