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Apple over-ear headphones with interchangeable parts coming ‘later this year’

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Beats-Studio3-sand-dune
But COVID-19 could spoil that plan.
Photo: Apple

Apple will deliver its new over-ear headphones, with interchangeable ear pads and other parts, “later this year,” claims a Thursday report from Bloomberg.

The company is said to be working on at least two variations of the product, including one “premium version” and another focused on fitness with a lighter design. Like AirPods Pro, they will be wireless with active noise-cancellation.

Amazon temporarily closes distribution centers in France over coronavirus

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$1 trillion
The spotlight is on Amazon during lockdown.
Photo: Roberto Baldwin/The Next Web

Amazon has shuttered all six of its distribution centers in France, delaying orders from being delivered in the country.

The decision came one day after a French court ruled that Amazon has not done enough in the country to protect its workers during the coronavirus pandemic. The complaint was originally brought by a French workers’ union.

Chinese carrier reveals RAM and battery spec of 2020 iPhone SE

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iphone.se.image.1
Apple announced its new handsets yesterday.
Photo: Apple

Apple’s technical specification webpage spills many of the details about the new iPhone SE, announced Wednesday. But there are some details that Apple hasn’t shared — with two of them being the RAM and battery capacity for its new device.

Thanks to a listing on China Telecom’s website, however, we may have some answers.

This is the end: Apple stops signing iOS 13.4 after the release of iOS 13.4.1

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Stop the madness
There's no going back... iOS 13.4.1 has changed things.
Photo: Charlie Sorrel/Cult of Mac

Apple has stopped signing iOS 13.4 following the release of iOS 13.4.1 last week. This means that, if you’ve upgraded to the latest version of iOS, it’s no longer possible to downgrade again.

iOS 13.4.1 most significant improvement was patching a problem with FaceTime that broke compatibility with older iPhones and iPads. News of the bug came to light shortly after the release of iOS and iPadOS 13.4 on March 24. Thanks to the upgrade, that is no longer a problem.

How Apple made the 2020 iPhone SE so cheap

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2020 iPhone SE supports all Apple services.
The 2020 iPhone SE isn’t stripped to the bone, but Apple cut some corners to get its low price.
Photo: Apple

The 2020 iPhone SE costs just $399. That makes it one of the cheapest iOS handsets ever, equaled only by the original model. But to get this price, Apple had to make some compromises. It’s important to be aware of what they are.

New Logitech keyboard case brings trackpad to regular iPads

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Logitech-Combo-Touch-iPad
Logitech Combo Touch is like the Magic Keyboard for regular iPads.
Photo: Logitech

Logitech Combo Touch adds both a keyboard and a trackpad to inexpensive iPad models, because it’s not just Apple’s professional-grade models that can use mice and trackpads. Plus, there’s a flexible kickstand, and the keyboard is removable.

In addition, the Logitech Slim Folio Pro, a more basic keyboard case for the 2020 iPad Pro, is also available now on the Apple Store.

Why the 2020 iPhone SE is the perfect iPhone for a rotten time

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Pandemic iPhone: The 2020 iPhone SE seems perfect for the times.
The 2020 iPhone SE seems perfect for the times.
Image: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

Talk about good timing. Apple unleashed its new budget-priced iPhone SE successor Wednesday, smack in the middle of a worldwide health crisis that’s wreaking havoc on health care, economies and behavioral norms.

With flagship-level specs packed into a familiar design — and priced at just $399 — the 2020 iPhone SE is the perfect iPhone for the current pandemic. It delivers tons of features we can all use during this rotten time, with a price tag that’s totally appropriate.

AirPods Pro replacement ear tips finally for sale on Apple.com

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Demand could far exceed supply for AirPods this holidays
Getting AirPods Pro replacement ear tips is now as simple as visiting the Apple Store.
Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

Getting replacement ear tips for AirPods Pro just got whole lot easier. On Wednesday, these went up for sale on the Apple Store, and can be ordered like any other product.

That’s far easier than getting these used to be.

3D Touch is dead. Long live Haptic Touch

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3Dtouch
Au revoir 3D Touch.
Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

3D Touch, the pressure-sensitive screen tech ushered in by Apple, has officially met its end.

Introduced as one of the major new features on the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus, Apple said 3D Touch was going to take multi-touch into a whole new dimension. Jony Ive waxed poetic about the new peek and pop gestures 3D Touch would enable in an Apple video explaining the feature. With the unveiling of the iPhone SE this morning, 3D Touch is as good as dead and we can’t say we’re really going to miss it.

Service Station app customizes your Mac’s right-click menu

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Service Station
Service Station should be on every Mac.
Photo: Knurling Group

Service Station is the Mac app I didn’t know I was waiting for. It lets you customize the Finder’s right-click contextual menu to put essential functions just a click away. It’s also from the Mac App Store, and uses the official Finder Extension framework, so you don’t need to worry about running some weird hack on your machine.

Unfortunately, it only runs on macOS 10.14.4 or later, so I can’t use it on my old iMac. (That’s a sad-face emoji right there.)

Flick on your iPad’s keyboard to type numbers and symbols

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wooden hand on yellow background keyboard flicks
Flick your keyboard.
Photo: Charles Deluvio/Unsplash

One of the disadvantages of smaller iPads’ software keyboard is the lack of a numbers row. The 13-inch iPad displays a full keyboard with a numbers row and separate Caps Lock and Tab keys. But to type numbers on smaller iPads — the 10.5- and 11-inch models, and the mini — you first hit the symbol/number shift key to convert the top row of letter into numbers.

It’s a minor inconvenience, but if you do a lot of number entry on your iPad, then it becomes a major usability problem. The good news is that there’s an excellent workaround: keyboard flicks.

AppleCare+ for iPhone SE gets $50 price cut

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iphone-se
The iPhone SE is the cheapest new iPhone you can own.
Photo: Apple

The new iPhone SE comes with one of the lowest-ever pricetags for a new iPhone. Keeping the new device safe from accidental damage is also ridiculously cheap compared to other iPhones as Apple cut $50 off the price tag for AppleCare+ on the iPhone SE.

2020 Powerbeats Pro may have scored FCC approval

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This might be the 2020 Powerbeats Pro next to the 2019 one
2020 Powerbeats Pro look familiar in FCC filings.
Photo: Cult of Mac

Apple got approval to release a pair of “totally wireless high-performance earphones” from the Federal Communications Commission on Wednesday. But the company didn’t release this product, so exactly what they’ll offer is a mystery.

That said, information buried in the FCC filing shows these will be very similar to last year’s Powerbeats Pro. They might be the successor.

Apple introduces Mac Pro wheel kit for only $700

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mac-pro-wheels
These wheels aren't cheap.
Photo: Apple

The new iPhone SE isn’t the only new product Apple unveiled today, but unless you already have a Mac Pro and an extra $700 to spend on making it more mobile, you’re probably not interested.

Apple quietly added a new Mac Pro Wheels Kit to its online store this morning, giving owners of the 2019 Mac Pro the option to retroactively add wheels if they didn’t choose the option when the machine was originally purchased.

Slick Apple ad introduces iPhone SE’s killer features

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iphone-se
Behold, the new iPhone SE.
Photo: Apple

The new iPhone SE is finally here and boy was the wait worth it.

$399 gets you an iPhone with the same processor as the iPhone 11 and a camera that is pretty much just as good too. All of that is wrapped in a smaller body that won’t be bursting out of your pockets. Of course, Apple made an awesome new video that will get you hyped to see the iPhone SE in the flesh.

Check it out:

2020 iPhone SE vs. iPhone 8: Time to upgrade?

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iPhone-SE-vs
It's a big improvement over your iPhone 8.
Image: Cult of Mac

The 2020 iPhone SE is out and, as expected, it looks a whole lot like the iPhone 8 in terms of design. But beneath the recognizable exterior of Apple’s handsome new handset are some nifty new features and internals.

Is it worth the upgrade if you’ve been clinging onto a several-years old iPhone? Here’s our initial (as far as spec details will allow) comparison.

Surprise! Apple Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro launches early

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iPad-Pro-Magic-Trackpad
The Apple Magic Keyboard isn’t like any other iPad Pro accessory.
Photo: Apple

Apple began taking orders for the new Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro on Wednesday, about a month before the expected launch. This is Apple’s first iPad case with a built-in trackpad, and it sports an eye-catching design that leaves the tablet seemingly floating above the keyboard.

2020 iPhone SE combines a familiar face with new technology for $399

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iphone.se.image.1
The 2020 iPhone SE has finally landed after a lengthy wait.
Photo: Apple

Apple on Wednesday unveiled its long-awaited iPhone SE refresh for 2020. The latest model packs new technologies, including an A13 Bionic chip, into a form factor that’s familiar to any iPhone fan.

The new iPhone SE also offers up to 256GB of storage, Touch ID, and wireless charging. You can order yours from Friday, April 17, starting at $399. It makes its official debut on Friday, April 24.

Trump will consult Tim Cook about the best way to reopen US economy

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Apple CEO Tim Cook talked Mac Pro with President Trump
Trump and Cook speak during a previous tour of Apple's Mac Pro factory.
Screenshot: White House

Tim Cook is one of the advisers President Donald Trump will consult about the U.S. plans to reopen the economy following coronavirus lockdown.

Cook is one of a panel called the Great American Economic Revival Industry Groups that the president will consult via telephone. In total, the group consists of upward of 50 executives, think tank representatives and industry leaders.

Pokémon Go’s Remote Raid Pass lets you keep playing from home

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Pokemon GO
Coming later this month.
Photo: Niantic

Pokémon Go developer Niantic has been making changes to its game in an effort to ensure fans can continue playing while they’re stuck at home. Its latest is a brand-new Remote Raid Pass that lets you raid without leaving the couch.

It’s one of the biggest changes to Pokémon Go that we’ve seen so far. Here’s how it works.

This iOS app doesn’t let quarantine keep you from exercising [Deals]

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MoovBuddy
Relieve body pain, build strength, improve posture and more with specialized exercises created by doctors and physiotherapists.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Stuck at home, unable to go to the gym, or worried about the safety of taking a jog? That shouldn’t prevent you from getting in your daily physical activity. Exercise is key to physical and mental health, after all. And this app offers ways of staying active even while you stay put.

EU might welcome Apple and Google’s contact-tracing API to fight COVID-19

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bluetooth-tracing
Bluetooth tracing is an anonymous way to assess exposure to COVID-19.
Photo: Apple/Google

The European Union might adopt Apple and Google’s contact-tracing API to help stop the spread of COVID-19, a Reuters report published Wednesday suggests.

The article cites Chris Boos of the Pan-European Privacy Preserving Proximity Tracing initiative. Paraphrasing Boos, it notes that adopting the Apple/Google tech “will make it quicker to get systems for tracing coronavirus infections up and running.”