Charge and transfer data quickly and safely with this high-throughput, breakaway USB-C cable. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
Charging up can be a hassle for a number of reasons. First, it takes up valuable time. Additionally, when it comes to using USB-C, it’s also a risk — if you trip over the cable, it could mean a crashing end for your phone or laptop.
The Apple TV+ comedy Mythic Quest airs a quarantine-themed episode next week. Photo: Apple TV+
The characters of Mythic Quest: Raven’s Banquet are quarantined at home like the rest of us, and it’s not going well. Their dysfunctional video chats are the subject of a special episode of this Apple TV+ show.
It’ll hit Apple’s streaming video service a week from today. But you can watch the trailer now:
Mifa’s wonderful Classic Leather band for Apple Watch proves luxury leather doesn’t have to be expensive. Bag yours today for just $20, thanks to a $5 discount from the Cult of Mac Store.
Or, opt for Mifa’s stunning Sparkle Bracelet and save $4. These discounts end later today, so enjoy them while you can.
Betty Gabriel and Chris Evans anchor uniformly strong crime drama Defending Jacob. Photo: Apple TV+
Apple TV+ crime drama Defending Jacob nears its climax in Episode 6. The writers crank up the tension and the danger in ways that finally take the series out of the ordinary and into the more obviously fictional and generic.
Thankfully, director Morten Tyldum knows how to handle a flagrant crime show incident without it seeming more overblown than the series can handle. (Spoiler alert: Some key plot details will follow.)
Apple could be caught in the middle of the trade war between the U.S. and China. Illustration: Cult of Mac
The Trump administration on Friday announced a new rule aimed at blocking Huawei from getting the processors it needs to make phones, networking equipment and more. The Chinese government reportedly threatened to retaliate against Apple and other American companies.
Organizer Paweł Piotrowski during the Newton conference. Photo: Paweł Piotrowski
A recent online conference dedicated to Apple’s much-maligned Newton drew dozens of fans from around the world — including Steve Wozniak and other Apple alumni.
After the 2020 Worldwide Online Newton Conference — the first gathering dedicated to the groundbreaking PDA in a decade — event organizer and Newton superfan Paweł Piotrowski marveled at the lasting impact of the handheld, which Apple discontinued almost 25 years ago.
“It is unbelievable that this old technology still connects people who make friendships because of their shared love of a small green device,” Piotrowski, who works as a college lecturer and live-stream technician in Edinburgh, Scotland, told Cult of Mac. “I’m glad this conference was able to build on that.”
Massive discounts are back on the terrific 10.2-inch iPad. You can save up to $99.01 on many models for a limited time only. Prices now start at just $249.99 — down from $329. Order yours before they sell out.
Facebook has a new acquisition under its belt. Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac
Most of the world might be tightening its belt as the economy stumbles thanks to the coronavirus pandemic, but don’t count Facebook among them! According to a report first published Friday by Axios, the social media giant is buying GIF-making and sharing website Giphy for an enormous $400 million.
Over-ear Apple headphones sound like music to our ears. Image: The CultCast
This week on The CultCast: Details leak on AirPods Studio, Apple’s super-secret, over-ear pro headphones. Plus: Cupertino is opening for business as Apple gets ready to get back to work. And we wrap up with a high-tech “oregano” grinder, mini at-home beer tap, and an electric bike cruiser styled like a vintage moped, in an all-new Under Review!
Our thanks to Squarespace for supporting this episode. Easily create a beautiful website all by yourself, at Squarespace.com/cultcast. Use offer code CultCast at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain.
Solve puzzles and help a mysterious cast of characters in Winding Worlds. Photo: KO_OP/Apple
Winding Worlds promises to be a “world-wiggling puzzle journey.”
The latest addition to Apple Arcade is in the same genre as the classic Monument Valley, where players solve puzzles to work their way through a story. KO_OP describes its creation as “a heartwarming tale of grief, love, truth, and acceptance.”
Show off your Apple Watch setup. Image: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac
Did you know that it’s possible to capture Apple Watch screenshots after a simple settings change? Find out how in today’s pro tip and it’ll be easier than ever to share snaps of your favorite Apple Watch apps and watch face setups.
Turn your passion into a lucrative side hustle. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
Things are weird in the world, but it’s a golden age for the digital content creator. People are looking for videos to keep them entertained and informed like never before. So if you’ve got an idea, talent or creative drive, this bundle of resources will help you connect with an eager audience on one of the biggest platforms of all: YouTube.
Apple’s rumored augmented reality glasses ... coming 2021 or 2022? Photo: Martin Hajek
Apple’s widely rumored augmented reality glasses will be released sometime between March and June of 2021, according to leaker and YouTuber Jon Prosser, contradicting a report Thursday from Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo that the product is on course for its debut in 2022.
You can play with and against strangers, too. Photo: Nintendo
Mario Kart Tour version 2.1.0 has arrived in the App Store, bringing a slew of new features to Nintendo’s popular kart-racing title.
The update went live on Thursday. Its biggest new addition is the presence of a Team Races mode, allowing players to form into four separate teams for races. This adds an extra bit of zip to the game’s multiplayer mode, which went live for players everywhere in March.
New factory will be located in Arizona. Screenshot: Apple
Apple A-series chipmaker TSMC announced Friday its intentions to build and run a new semiconductor fabrication plant in the U.S.
The new plant will be built in Arizona, with “support from the U.S. federal government and the State of Arizona,” a report published Friday by Digitimes claims. It will use TSMC’s 5-nanometer process to manufacture up to 20,000 semiconductor wafers per month. The iPhone 12 is widely expected to boast 5nm chips.
New tax would hurt companies making products outside the U.S. Screenshot: White House
President Donald Trump’s on again/off again friendship with Apple could switch to “off again” if he institutes proposed taxes on American companies that produce goods outside the United States.
Intended as an incentive to boost U.S. manufacturing, this would nonetheless hurt Apple — which produces the overwhelming majority of its devices overseas, mainly in China.
The plot thickens in episode six. Photo: Apple TV+
Episode six of Defending Jacob debuted on Apple TV+ Friday, providing fans with another episode of the compelling crime drama to enjoy as the week comes to a close.
Titled “Wishful Thinking,” Apple’s preview for the episode reads as follows: “Andy and Klein explore two last-ditch efforts to prove Jacob’s innocence.”
Apple's 2020 Supplier Responsibility progress report focuses on protecting its supply chain partners in a new world of COVID-19. Photo: Apple
Apple released its 2020 Supplier Responsibility progress report Thursday detailing what steps it is taking to increase safety and protect supply chain workers worldwide in the shadow of the ever-challenging coronavirus outbreak.
Written by Sabih Khan, Apple’s senior vice president of operations, a letter accompanying the report in PDF details changes that Apple has made to protect its supply chain partners, such as strict adherence to social distancing, limiting density, and health screenings.
NextVR is no more, snapped up by Apple. Photo: NextVR
Apple acquired a startup that provides virtual-reality experiences for watching live events. The purchase of NextVR could lead to Apple building more VR capabilities into its products.
Facebook Messenger Rooms allows users to host video calls of up to 50 people free of charge. Photo: Facebook
Facebook took on Zoom and FaceTime Thursday by enabling its new video-calling service, Messenger Rooms, to make free calls between as many as 50 people.
The feature was announced last month, and is available now is the US and Canada. It’ll be rolled out globally next week, according to CEO Mark Zuckerberg.
Mophie Powerstation Wireless XL wirelessly charges an iPhone, and can itself be wirelessly charged. Photo: Zagg/Mophie
The Mophie Powerstation Wireless XL juices up iPhones with wireless charging or through a USB-C fast charge. And there are even more options to replenish this 10,000mAh power bank, as it receives power through a Lightning port, USB-C or wireless charging.
The product launched Thursday, and Apple likes it enough to add the product to its online store.
Probably the best way to spend $179. Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac
If you don’t already have an Apple Watch, now is the time to change that. Brand-new Series 3 models are now available from Amazon at their lowest prices yet. Order yours today for just $179.