Cult of Mac

A set of origami-style lights illuminate the cozy setup of Instagram user @mrisad, an integration delivery manager. The Nanoleaf lights floating above his dual monitors evoke the control panels from some ’70s sci-fi show. And they’re integrated with HomeKit, Apple’s home-automation platform.

The heart of his rig is a beautiful pair of screens. The large main screen is a $1,000 curved, 38-inch screen from LG. The second screen is a 28-inch Asus gaming monitor. He hooked them both up to a Mac mini, and elegantly suspended them in midair by an inexpensive ($40) but fully articulated desktop stand.

To round out his setup, @mrisad has a Magic Keyboard and Trackpad from Apple, and a trio of chargers for his iPhone, iPad and AirPods. As for audio, he has a HomePod and a pair of Sennheiser noise-canceling headphones.

Using nested lists is a terrific way to organize your plans and thoughts inside the Notes app, and it’s super-simple to create them on iPhone and iPad using this quick pro tip. All you need is to get your swipe on.

Mozilla released Firefox 76 Tuesday with an improved manager to protect from password leaking and reuse. Firefox 76 now lets users know when a password is used on another website and advises when they have been used too many times.

Apple introduced a firmware update for AirPods Pro on Tuesday. There’s no word yet on what this does, but many users of these truly-wireless headphones hope it improves active noise cancellation.

Americans pay far more for 4G service than much of the world, according to a report released Tuesday by a price-comparison firm. The cost for 1 gigabyte of LTE data in the United States costs almost twice the global average. And U.S. 4G service costs more than similar offerings in a whopping 187 other countries.

Twitter will soon test a new feature designed to discourage people from using “offensive or hurtful language” in their replies, the company said Tuesday.

A proposed MacBook design change is radical while at the same time preserving the traditional clamshell design. Apple received a patent today for a notebook computer without standard hinges. Instead, it’s flexible enough to bend in the middle.

Microsoft’s insanely popular Forza racing series has finally landed on iPhone and iPad. The free-to-play Forza Street, which first debuted on Windows two years ago, is available to download now from the App Store.

The game promises gorgeous visuals, fast-paced racing action, and iconic cars any racing fan will be familiar with. There are also some sweet bonuses for those who play within the first 30 days of the game’s release.

Woot is blowing out brand-new Smart Keyboards for iPad Pro. You can bag yours for as little as $99.99, but you’ll need to act fast. This sale is good for today only, and available stock won’t last long at this price.

Apple announced Tuesday it will host its 2020 Worldwide Developers Conference virtually, beginning June 22. It will be available to view using the Apple Developer app, streamed on the Apple Developer website and free for all registered developers.

Apple did not give any details of a keynote event to announce various products, but is expected to hold one on the conferences opening day.

A French official accused Apple on Tuesday of hampering the effectiveness of the country’s COVID-19 contract-tracing platform by blocking access to data via Bluetooth.

France minister for digital technology Cedric O told BFM Business TV that Apple “could have helped us make the application work even better on the iPhone. They have not wished to do so.”

Like many other machines, computers typically get slower with age. Often, that slowness results from digital clutter that accumulates over time. CleanMyMac X targets the data that drags down Macs, giving them more space and a new lease on life.

Right now, you can get a lifetime subscription to this powerful Mac tool at a big discount.

Apple is disputing the interference of the U.S. Justice Department in a copyright suit against software maker Corellium as questions arise as to why the federal government is now involved in the case.

The Department of Justice has now intervened in the case asking Apple to delay its request for a deposition of Corellium cofounder Chris Wade, and inquiring to what evidence Apple is planning on presenting before its lawyers question Wade.

The 10.2-inch iPad might be one of the best deals in consumer tech. It packs everything you need in a decent slate, and it’s powered by iPadOS — the best tablet operating system on the planet. It’s also compatible with Apple Pencil.

What’s really great about the 10.2-inch iPad is that it’s often available at a discount. Amazon is again offering one of the biggest yet, with $79.01 off the cheapest model, reducing its price tag to just $249.99.

The UK’s National Health Service has launched its contact-tracing app — but experts quoted by the Daily Mail Tuesday claim that its non-privacy focused approach to tracking the spread of coronavirus could make it illegal.

They also claim its incompatibility with Apple and Google’s contact-tracing API may cause chaos for traveling Brits.

The stellar 16-inch MacBook Pro looks like an even better buy following Apple’s rather lackluster refresh of the 13-inch model. And you can get yours today on Amazon with up to $300 off the usual price.

Both the Core i7 and Core i9 models are available at discounted rates, with prices now starting at under $2,200.

Microsoft Outlook for iPad and iPhone now makes it easier to stop your inbox getting clogged up with massive multi-reply email threads copying in large numbers of people.

The “Ignore Conversation” feature is a handy new feature added for version 4.36.0 of the app. Here’s what you need to know.

Apple’s built-in laptop security safeguards, introduced with the 2018 MacBook Pros, are hitting independent repair shops and electronics recyclers hard, a report by Motherboard claims.

The system combines software security locks, various diagnostic requirements and Apple’s T2 security chip. Together, they mean that Macs stop working if they’re operated on by someone not using Apple’s proprietary repair tools.

All Apple Stores except one will reopen in Australia on Thursday, May 7, claim the official Apple webpages for 21 of 22 brick and mortar stores.

Australian Apple Stores, like all others outside China, have been closed since March 14. This is due to the coronavirus pandemic.

MacBook buyers, your long nightmare is over. It’s now safe to buy a new Apple laptop without having to worry that someday the butterfly keyboard will jam up, rendering your computer useless without a significant repair. Monday’s release of a redesigned 13-inch MacBook Pro means every new laptop available through the Apple Store includes the more-reliable Magic Keyboard.

Still, Apple held onto the flawed design for too long. Anybody with a MacBook that uses the older design must live in fear of potentially jammed butterfly keys for years to come.

There’s no better way to upgrade your Apple Watch than by adding some of the finest leather money can buy. That’s why you should check out these wonderful Strapa straps.

They’re beautifully made from only the finest materials, and come in a range of gorgeous color options. They’re also compatible with all generations of Apple Watch.

May 4 is Star Wars Day, and OtterBox is having a sale on iPhone cases with Jedi, droids and Sith aplenty. Plus, there are great Star Wars iOS games to play, and movies and TV shows to watch on your iPad or iPhone.

Apple TV+ executive producer and showrunner Kerry Ehrin inked a multiyear extension of her deal with Apple. Under the new pact, she will continue producing exclusive content, including The Morning Show, which should enter its second season soon.

Apple is a charter member of the Car Connectivity Consortium, which on Monday unveiled a new version of its system to enable phones to act as digital keys.

This meshes with an unconfirmed report from February that Apple plans to add this feature to iOS 14.

$299 won’t get you much in an Apple Store these days. It won’t even buy you an Escape key with your iPad Pro Magic Keyboard. But if you’re finding life a little difficult without one, there is a quick and easy way to add your own.

Today’s pro tip will show you how.