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Stay charged and safe with a 2-in-1 power bank and sanitizer

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First Health 6000mAh UV-C Power Bank
Keep your devices charged and germ-free with a 2-in-1 power bank and UVC sanitizer.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

These days, keeping our devices sanitary is almost as essential as keeping them charged. Germs are everywhere, after all, and studies show that phones, tablets, and other gadgets can contain as many microbes as toilets. So it makes sense to practice good hygiene for our devices as much as ourselves.

App Store ecosystem adds 300,000 new US jobs after pandemic boost

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App Store economy Sept. 2020
The App Store now supports 2.1 million jobs across the U.S.
Photo: Apple

The App Store ecosystem created almost 300,000 new U.S. jobs during the COVID-19 pandemic, Apple said Tuesday. It now supports more than 2.1 million people across all 50 states.

Apple pointed out that apps have become even more critical to Americans’ everyday lives as they adapt to new ways of working, learning and connecting during the coronavirus outbreak.

EE’s new iPhone plan includes unlimited Apple Arcade, Music, TV+

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EE Full Works plan for iPhone
You can sign up for a Full Works plan today.
Photo: EE

U.K. carrier EE today introduced a new cellular plan that gives iPhone users full access to some of Apple’s best subscription services.

Full Works includes Apple Arcade, Apple Music, and Apple TV+ for the length of your contract. It also offers unlimited data, the option to upgrade your handset at anytime, and 5G connectivity.

EE says it’s the first time a carrier has struck this kind of deal with Apple.

A desk with a space-saving monitor [Setups]

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MacBook Setup
This guy knows how to save desk space.
Photo: @danbarbera1

When tech YouTuber Dan Barbera built his desk, he wanted something that gave him a lot of space and flexibility. He runs his rig off a 2019 MacBook Pro, so his computer is not chained to his desk. The Autonomous SmartDesk 2 is roomy and gives him the option to sit or stand.

The most accommodating thing on the desk, though, is a 32-inch Samsung Space 4K Monitor. Designed to save space, the hyper-adjustable Samsung Space allows him to push the monitor against the wall, or tilt it all the way down onto the desk, freeing up valuable desk real estate underneath it.

Proposed Russian law could hit Apple App Store hard

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The Apple App Store could be in trouble in Russia
A proposed Russian law slashes Apple’s App Store commission, and allows rival software stores.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

If a law proposed on Tusday to the Russian State Duma gets enacted, then Apple would only be able to collect a 20% commission on software sold through the App Store. And it would force Apple to allow iPhone users to install apps from other software stores.

First-of-its-kind ALOGIC USB-C Super Dock works with Mac and Windows

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The ALOGIC 10-in-1 USB-C Super Dock works with Mac and Windows.
ALOGIC's 10-in-1 USB-C Super Dock works across virtually all Mac and Windows devices.
Photo: ALOGIC

This connectivity post is presented by ALOGIC.

Now’s the time to act if you want to invest in something new and improve the high-speed connectivity of all your devices at the same time. ALOGIC has put its first-of-its-kind 10-in-1 USB-C Super Dock on Indiegogo for funding. The beast of a hub can handle dual 4k displays, supports 100 watts of power delivery via USB-C, and works across all Mac or Windows computers, tablets and phones outfitted with that high-speed port.

Apple TV+ will tell harrowing tale of Five Days at Memorial after Hurricane Katrina

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Award-winning ‘Five Days at Memorial’ tells a tragic events
Five Days at Memorial is an award winning bestseller, and its headed for Apple TV+.
Photo: Crown/Cult of Mac

Apple TV+ will turn award-winning book Five Days at Memorial into a limited series. It’s a nonfiction story set in Memorial Medical Center in New Orleans in the immediate aftermath of the deadly Hurricane Katrina.

The project is being headed by Oscar winner John Ridley and Emmy winner Carlton Cuse.

iOS 13.7 brings contact-tracing update and other new features [Updated]

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iOS 13.7 includes COVID-19 Exposure Notifications without an app.
iOS 13.7 brings optional COVID-19 Exposure Notifications without needing any other application. But only in limited areas.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple released iOS 13.7 on Tuesday, with an update that makes it easier for public health agencies to take advantage of the recently launched COVID-19 Exposure Notifications system.

The software brings other new features, too. The update improves iCloud Drive folder sharing, and adds new Memoji stickers.

Enhance your video calls with special lenses, lighting and more

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Pictar Home-Office Kit
Make your videos look better with a bundle of 18mm wide angle lens, 3-in-1 tripod, LED light, and more.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Nowadays much of our human contact happens through a screen. From Zoom meetings to vlogs, podcasts and livestreams, the cameras on our phones and computers are the world’s window into our lives. The lenses, lighting and other gear in this kit can help improve the view.

Supposed iPhone 12 Pro glass panel makes way for new LiDAR Scanner

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We might know exactly where the iPhone 12 Pro lidar sensor will sit.
We might know exactly where the iPhone 12 Pro lidar sensor will sit.
Photo: Mr·white/Twitter

A new glass panel, supposedly destined for iPhone 12 Pro, might reveal the location of the handset’s new LiDAR Scanner.

In the image, shared Tuesday on Twitter by leaker Mr·white, an additional hole appears alongside the three camera cutouts in the top corner of the panel. Unlike all the other holes, which are left wide open, this one has a dark covering like that on the 2020 iPad Pro.

Apple Pay Express Transit now works on Metro in Washington, D.C.

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Apple-Pay-Express-Transit-London
Add your SmarTrip cards to the Wallet app today.
Photo: Apple

Apple Pay with Express Transit is now available to commuters on the Metro transit system in Washington, D.C. Riders can add existing SmarTrip cards to their Wallet on iPhone and use it anywhere SmarTrip cards are accepted.

They also can use regional transit cards to pay for Metro trains, buses and regional transit lines.

Sources affirm plans for new iPad Air, 2 Apple Watch models this fall

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The new 2019 iPad Air, with its 10.5-inch screen, works with Apple's existing Smart Keyboard.
2020's iPad Air could be the best one yet.
Photo: Apple

Sources familiar with Apple’s plans have confirmed to Bloomberg that a new iPad Air and Apple Watch refresh are on their way this fall.

The unnamed insiders corroborate recent leaks that indicate the new iPad Air will have an edge-to-edge display, like iPad Pro. The new Apple Watch is expected to come in two very different variants.

Faster Apple TV could get ‘upgraded’ remote with Find My feature

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Apple TV Siri Remote
But it may not come until 2021.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Apple’s next-generation Apple TV could debut with an “upgraded” remote and a Find My remote feature, according to a new report from Bloomberg.

The new set-top box is also expected to be faster than previous models “for improved gaming.” But sources familiar with its development say we may not get our hands on it until next year.

Woot brings big discounts to 10.2-inch iPad, 2018 iPad Pro refurbs

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2018 iPad Pro sizes: 2018 iPad Pro sizes
Bag yours before they're all gone!
Photo: Apple

Woot’s latest blowout on Apple devices offers big discounts on 10.2-inch iPad and 2018 iPad Pro refurbs. You can bag yours for as little as $379.99, but you’ll need to act fast. This sale is good for today only.

This post contains affiliate links. Cult of Mac may earn a commission when you use our links to buy items.

A felt desk pad really ties this setup together [Setups]

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iMac Setup
In this setup, everything is in its right place.
Photo: @landonbtw

Landon Bytheway is a Salt Lake City-based content creator for Full Time Filmmaker, a crash course on everything film. And his setup is geared for creating top-quality videos.

The linchpin is a 27-inch iMac that rests on top of a Walnut Monitor Desk Stand by Grovemade. Mounted over it is a 34-inch LG Curved UlraWide that takes this rig to the next level. In fact, Bytheway’s only complaint about the setup is the kink he gets in his neck from staring upward so long.

2020 iPad might borrow the best features of the iPad Pro

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Apple Smart Keyboard Folio for the 2020 iPad Pro
The 2020 iPad could look a lot like this iPad Pro.
Photo: Apple

The 2020 iPad will resemble a smaller iPad Pro, if leaked schematics of this upcoming computer are accurate. It supposedly will offer narrow screen bezels, Face ID, a USB-C port and other features previously reserved for Apple’s high-end tablets.

Apple AirTags trackers could finally launch in October with iPhone 12

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Apple AitTags are going to have to take on Tile.
So far, leaks don’t show much about the design of Apple AirTags. Just that they’ll be round.
Concept drawing: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The long wait for AirTags comes to an end this autumn, according to an unconfirmed report. Leaks and rumors about Apple’s item-tracking tags kept circulating for literally the last year. But it seems the debut is right around the corner, at last.

Case study: How Dashlane tamed Cult of Mac’s password problem

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Dashlane Business protects you with secure password management.
Dashlane Business protects your firm with secure password management and more.
Photo: Dashlane

This password manager post is presented by Dashlane.

Cult of Mac has made no secret over the past couple of years that it favors Dashlane as its official password manager. We decided to whip up a little case study to help explain why that is.

Stolen and reused credentials are linked to 81% of hacking-related breaches businesses suffer, according to recent research. Studies show employees use the same password in an average of 13 different places. And that bad habit tends to be more prevalent in small businesses than in big ones. Even worse, when small businesses fall victim to breaches, as many as 60% of them don’t survive the attack, CyberCrime Magazine wrote last year.

That’s some pretty serious incentive to increase password security, don’t you think?

Mac malware slips through Apple notarization process

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Mac malware is real. Watch out.
Even Macs can get hit with malware. Especially when Apple notarizes it!
Graphic: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple reportedly slipped up and notarized some malware. This allows the ill-behaved software to be installed on Macs.

Preventing the spread of malware is exactly why Apple insists Mac apps to be notarized, so it’s not clear how this malicious software got Apple’s approval.

Apple brings in kinder, gentler App Store policies

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A new App Store policy makes it easy to suggest a change to the guidelines
A new App Store policy makes requesting a change to App Review Guidelines as easy as filling out a form.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple instituted new policies to make the App Store a bit friendlier for developers. On Monday, it stopped blocking “bug fix” updates because of minor violations of its rules.

Also, when an application is accused of violating the guidelines, developers have the option to suggest a change to the rules.

ARM iMac with custom Apple GPU could arrive in second half of 2021

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This iMac concept reflects what a lot of people want.
Could it look something like this?
Photo: Daniel Bautista

A brand-new iMac, powered by Apple Silicon combined with a custom Apple GPU, will land during the second half of 2021, according to a new report.

Codenamed “Lifuka,” the all-in-one is expected to use 5-nanometer chips manufactured by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company — like those destined for iPhone 12 and other Apple Silicon machines later this year.

Delayed iPhone 12 launch could take a chunk out of 2020 sales

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iPhone 12 with LiDAR scanner
Even adding 5G might not be enough to overcome a delayed release of the iPhone 12.
Photo: svetapple.sk

The next-generation iPhone won’t launch in September, and market researchers predict the delay will cut significantly into sales of the smartphone.

But, as crazy as 2020 has been so far, there are still plenty of wild cards — including a possible dark blue iPhone color option — that could affect sales numbers.