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Apple and Google’s contract-tracing system to ban Location Services access

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contact.tracing.workflow.2
New guidelines are meant to help developers create easy-to-understand contact tracing apps.
Photo: Apple/Google

Apple and Google released additional details about their coronavirus contact-tracing system Monday, informing public health officials that they will not be able to use Location Services to track people. The companies also said they will limit use of the contact-tracing API to one per country.

Both companies also showed off what an app might look like on people’s smartphones — and shared sample pieces of code local governments could use in their own mobile apps.

Adhesive sensor might spot coronavirus symptoms using an iPad

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Monitoring for COVID-19 symptoms this device is iPad-ready to collect data.
Photo: Northwestern University

An adhesive sensor much like a Band-Aid has been developed by Northwestern University to monitor for early signs of COVID-19 infection when connected wirelessly to an iPad.

Announced Monday, the device sticks to the throat and looks for coughing and various onset symptoms of COVID-19 to aid treatment of patients with the deadly virus.

Snag a 2019 MacBook Air refurb for under $730 today only

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The MacBook Air, good enough for most people.
Apple's most popular notebook at at an incredible price.
Photo: Apple

Why buy Apple’s new 13-inch MacBook Pro when you can bag yourself a MacBook Air refurb for almost half the price? Woot is blowing out 2019 models — refurbished by Apple — for just $729.99 today only.

Claim yours before they’re all gone!

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

Apple to reopen first retail store in Europe May 5 since pandemic shutdown

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Vienna becomes first Apple store to reopen in Europe following COVID-19 pandemic.
Photo: Eric Weber for Cult of Mac

Apple will reopen its store in Vienna, Austria, on Tuesday, as its retail operations slowly emerge from a worldwide shutdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Vienna store is Apple’s first outside of China and South Korea to reopen after the company shuttered its brick-and-mortar locations in March.

According to Austria’s Heute newspaper, the only store in Austria will reopen with additional security precautions, including social distance and adjusted opening hours. Customers will be required to wear a protective mask and will be checked for a fever.

Defeat distractions with noise-canceling Bluetooth headphones [Deals]

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BesDio Noise-Cancelling Bluetooth Headphones
Top notch noise cancellation, 30 hour battery life, and total comfort make these the perfect headphones for dodging distractions.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Remote work means lots of potential distractions, even if it’s from the comfort of home. Family, neighbors, the TV in another room — there are plenty of ways to lose focus. So during the COVID-19 lockdown, noise-canceling headphones are an essential way to keep distractions at bay.

Save hundreds on iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro refurbs today only

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iPhone 11 Pro
Bag yours before they're all gone!
Photo: Apple

Now’s your chance to finally bag Apple’s newest iPhone lineup at a big discount. Woot is offering refurbished iPhone 11, 11 Pro, and 11 Pro Max units at hundreds of dollars off the usual selling price for one day only.

Bag yours now for as little as $599.99.

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

Jaw-dropping AR demo shows off the future of copy and paste

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Not excited about augmented reality? You will be!
Not excited about augmented reality? You will be!
Photo: Cyril Diagne

An amazing new augmented reality demo shows how the future of cut, copy and paste might work.

Created by Cyril Diagne, a 34-year-old artist, designer and programmer currently in residence at the Google Arts & Culture Lab in Paris, the demo shows images of objects being dragged from the real world and dropped into Photoshop on a Mac. That’s an AR application that any designer could get on board with!

Tim Cook tells grads to ‘build a better future’ in virtual commencement speech

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Tim Cook called for Ohio State University grads to embrace hope in a fearful time during his virtual commencement address.
Tim Cook called for Ohio State University grads to embrace hope in a fearful time.
Photo: Ohio State University

In a virtual commencement address to Ohio State University grads Sunday, Apple CEO Tim Cook talked about challenges the world faces in the time of COVID-19 and implored the outgoing students to “build a better future than the one you thought was certain.”

Cook, by now a seasoned commencement speaker, also discussed what he’s been doing during the coronavirus lockdown and mentioned his experiences working with Steve Jobs. You can check out his full commencement speech below.

Translate your thoughts and ideas into readable diagrams [Deals]

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MindMaster MindMapping Software- Lifetime Subscription
Develop and outline your ideas in coherent, readable diagrams and presentations.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Human beings do our best reasoning when we put our thoughts and ideas into forms that are easy to see and interact with. Notepads are great, but this is the computer age, so the mind-mapping tools available to us are better than ever.

One great example is MindMaster, and right now a lifetime subscription costs just $49 at the Cult of Mac Store.

Level Lock is an ‘invisible’ HomeKit lock with Apple in its DNA

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A new invisible HomeKit lock called Level Lock works with your existing deadbolt.
Level Lock takes a stealth approach to HomeKit.
Photo: Level Home

A new “invisible” HomeKit-compatible lock means you won’t need to sacrifice fancy door hardware to get smart lock functionality. Level Lock replaces your existing deadbolt’s guts, hiding seamlessly inside your door.

It’s an innovative approach to smart lock design. That’s not too surprising, though, considering Level Home was founded by a couple of ex-Apple employees.

Truly magical: New Magic Keyboard transforms iPad Pro again [Cult of Mac Magazine 347]

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Magic Keyboard review: Truly magical iPad Pro accessory!
This week's issue will look great on your iPad Pro. Trust us.
Cover: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac

We love the new Magic Keyboard, which adds a trackpad and lets an iPad Pro float almost magically. Read the full Magic Keyboard review and find out everything we like (and a couple things that could be better).

In this week’s issue of Cult of Mac Magazine, you’ll also find an essay on all the ways a 2008 MacBook proves better than a modern Apple laptop. And a bit of trash talk about lazy new Apple TV+ comedy Trying.

Plus, we’ve got even more reviews, the week’s top Apple news, and a bunch of great how-tos and pro tips. Download the free iOS mag now or get the links below.

Boost your Mac’s media potential with 7 powerhouse apps [Deals]

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The 2020 Mac Power User Bundle
Make your Mac into a multimedia powerhouse with lifetime access to 7 highly rated apps.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Macs come with plenty of power and potential, but getting the most out of your machine means getting the right apps. Power users know this best, and that’s just who this bundle of seven great Mac apps is for.

Any Mac user can benefit from the apps included in the 2020 Mac Power User Bundle. With an 86% discount from Cult of Mac Deals, the whole thing costs just $29.99. Even better, all seven apps comes with lifetime access.

Here’s what the bundle includes:

COVID-19 could convince Apple to put pulse oximeter in Apple Watch

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Apple Watch Series 5 LTPO screen
An Apple Watch pulse oximeter could potentially warn of COVID-19 infections.
Screenshot: Apple

Apple Watch Series 6 will be able to take blood-oxygen readings, according to an unconfirmed report. Word of this upcoming feature has leaked before — and COVID-19 makes adding it a bit more urgent.

The source for this rumor also claims the 2020 Apple Watch will usher in numerous other new features as well.

Automatic Labs shuttering connected car service May 28

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Tough times, tough competition has taken its toll on Automatic Labs.
Photo: Automatic Labs

Automatic Labs is shutting down is vehicle monitoring service which worked with the iPhone beginning May 28, saying Friday its business has been adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The service provides various data via a diagnostic port on many vehicles as well as warns authorities when a car has been in an accident.

Defending Jacob delves into trust issues in stellar 4th episode [Review]

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Defending Jacob
Apple TV+'s Defending Jacob stays strong in its fourth episode.
Photo: Apple TV+

In its fourth episode, stellar Apple TV+ show Defending Jacob shows every member of the Barber family starting to crack as young Jacob moves closer to his murder trial. As the characters head toward revelations and uncomfortable conclusions, they start to stall for time in irresponsible, sometimes dangerous ways.

As the situation unfolds, their relationships with each other start to fray.

Apple Card users can skip May payment if COVID-19 cost them their job

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Apple Card is underwritten by Goldman Sachs.
You could have your Apple Card interest fee waived for May if you’re in financial trouble because of COVID-19.
Photo: Apple

Apple and Goldman Sachs might cut you some slack on your credit card bill if you lost your job during the COVID-19 pandemic. Users of the Apple Card were notified today that they can apply to skip their May payment without interest charges being added.

Pro tip: Adjust mouse and trackpad scroll speed in iPadOS

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Make using a mouse with iPad even better.
GIF: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

Apple’s default mouse and trackpad settings in iPadOS might work great with the company’s own accessories, but they can be less than ideal with third-party peripherals. Scroll speed, in particular, seems very temperamental.

Unfortunately, Apple decided it would be a good idea to hide away those scroll speed settings, so a lot of users have no idea they can be adjusted. Here’s where you can find them on iPad.