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Apple rolls out App Store, Apple Music, iCloud, more in 20+ new countries

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International App Store
Apple's focusing on growing its services business more than ever.
Photo: Apple

Apple announced Tuesday that it is launching a whole host of its services in dozens more countries around the world.

Starting today, the App Store, Apple Arcade, Apple Podcasts, and iCloud are available in 20 additional countries. Apple Music, meanwhile, has picked up an additional 52 (!) international markets.

Sony 4K smart TVs with AirPlay 2 and HomeKit hit store shelves

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Sony X950
The Sony X950 is part of the new 2020 range. All models support Apple's AirPlay 2 & HomeKit.

Sony on Monday launched more than a half dozen smart TV models with 4K HDR LED displays in sizes from 43 inches to 85 inches. They include Airplay 2 and HomeKit, Apple’s wireless audio streaming and home automation technologies.

Sony plans to release more smart TVs throughout the year, including some 8K models. These will also have Apple’s tech.

A $700 curved monitor is only the start of this awesome WFH setup [Setups]

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LG curved monitor dominates this wfh setup
An LG curved monitor dominates this photographer's WFH setup.
Photo: @lioralon

An amazing 34-inch curved monitor dominates the desk of Lior Alon, a photographer from Israel. In addition to the sweet screen, she also uses a high-end Logitech mouse and, of course, Apple’s Magic Keyboard and Magic Trackpad 2 — the staple of any great setup.

To finish it off, a pair of super-high-def monitor speakers from Adam Audio and a Steinberg USB interface give her studio-quality sound.

2020 iPad Pro floats like a hummingbird in new Apple video

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Apple mixes up a Muhammad Ali quote in ad for Apple Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro
The Apple Magic Keyboard makes the iPad Pro seem to float, much to the amazement of a passing hummingbird
Screenshot: Apple

The latest video from Apple shows off the best trick of the Apple’s Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro: it apparently makes the tablet float. A passing hummingbird stops by to see how the magic happens.

Watch it now:

AirPods Pro update might not happen till 2021

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Ear tip fit test airpods pro
There might be no new AirPods Pro until next year.
Photo: Charlie Sorrel/Cult of Mac

Sources in Apple’s supply chain reportedly indicate that that the next AirPods Pro won‘t be out until later this year, or perhaps 2021. This contradicts other reports that the company could introduce new wireless earbuds as early as next month.

How to share Mac screen without iMessage

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a screen
Unlike the Mac, this screen is difficult to share.
Photo: JD X/Unsplash

Are you the tech-support person for your family and friends? Are you the go-to nerd for fixing up iPhones, Macs and maybe even TVs 1? These days, you can’t just pay a visit to your parents to sort things out, so you’ll have to do it remotely. And if you’re all using Macs, that means screen sharing. You can do this very easily via iMessage — it’s as simple as starting a FaceTime call.

But what if your friend/parent/sibling in need doesn’t use iMessage? Don’t worry — all you need is their Apple ID.

TikTok, Zoom and Disney+ dominate the App Store during first quarter 2020

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apple-music
Which apps have been ruling the App Store during lockdown?
Photo: Apple

TikTok, Zoom and Disney+ have the slightly dubious-sounding honor of being named the three most popular iOS apps in the United States during the age of coronavirus, a new report from app analytics platform Sensor Tower suggests.

The report, which covers the first three months of 2020, sheds light on the way our app habits are changing during the COVID-19 pandemic. In short? We’re downloading a whole lot more apps than usual. That makes the App Store one of the few businesses that’s actually thriving during an incredibly difficult time.

Magic Keyboard review roundup: iPad Pro’s best keyboard yet

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iPad-Pro-Magic-Trackpad
The iPad Pro accessory we've been dreaming of.
Photo: Apple

iPad Pro’s exciting new Magic Keyboard, available to order now from $299, has already made its way into the hands of some reviewers. As you might have guessed, they all have great things to say about it.

Its excellent typing experience, unparalleled trackpad, and ease of use make the new Magic Keyboard one of the best iPad accessories to date, though it’s not quite perfect. Here’s what you need to know before you get yours.

Apple AI experts work to solve big speech-translation problems

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Translation Unsplash
Machine translation isn't easy. But Apple's working to solve it.
Photo: Romain Vignes/Unsplash

Apple is seemingly looking to step up its work in speech translation, showing one more way that Cupertino is looking to incorporate cutting-edge approaches to artificial intelligence into what it does.

In a recent paper, published to the pre-print server arXiv, two Apple research scientists describe the challenges in the field, carrying out a fundamental survey of the problems with current speech translation.

No, they don’t have a magical solution. But the fact that Apple gave them such a task suggests the company takes seriously the need to hone its tools in this area.

Magic Keyboard heavier than iPad Pro; hands-on videos provide first look

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iPad-Pro-Magic-Keyboard
A 12.9-inch iPad Pro with Magic Keyboard is heavier than a MacBook Air.
Photo: Apple

Apple’s amazing new Magic Keyboard might be a must-have accessory for some iPad Pro owners, but it comes with one big tradeoff. The combined weight of both devices makes the package heavier than a MacBook Air.

That’s something you’ll want to bear in mind if you use an iPad Pro for its portability. If it doesn’t put you off, however, you’ll want to check out the early hands-on videos that show the Magic Keyboard in action.

Get equipped for remote digital project management [Deals]

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CoM - Remtoe Project Management
Make the most of your remote work setup with lifetime access to digital project management how-to guides, resources, eBooks, and community support.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Project managers are used to working directly with their teams. But work life is changing for everybody, so this bundle includes everything you need for doing digital project management from a distance.

Next iPad Air could boast Mini LED display and under-glass Touch ID

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iPad Air
New iPad Air could have an all-display screen.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

The new iPad Air will boast a Mini LED display and display-based Touch ID instead of Face ID, an Apple leaker claims.

Twitter user @L0vetodream, who has previously correctly shared details about forthcoming Apple devices, said that the iPad will therefore feature a full screen display with no notch. Last year’s iPad Air refresh sported a physical Home button.

Apple could be developing its own game controller for iOS, Apple TV

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Fortnite on iPad with SteelSeries Nimbus
Coming this year or next?
Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

Apple is developing its own game controller for Apple TV and iOS devices that will launch this year or next, according to claims from one tipster, published on Monday. It is said to be part of a big push to improve Apple Arcade.

The information comes from the same source who accurately predicted Apple’s plans for the 2020 iPad Pro refresh and the second-generation iPhone SE.

iPhone 12 notch may be considerably smaller than its predecessor

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iPhone notch 12
Is this the new notch?
Photo: Jon Prosser/Twitter

If you’re hoping for a smaller notch on the iPhone 12 than previous models you may be in luck, according to an image tweeted by Apple leaker Jon Prosser Sunday.

The image appears to be a CAD diagram. It shows a labeled version of what Prosser claims is the new notch for Apple’s next-gen iPhone. Compared to the ones seen on the last three generations of iPhones — dating back to the iPhone X — it looks substantially smaller.

Easily control Abode’s DIY security system with iPhone and HomeKit [Review]

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Abode Iota review
Abode Iota includes a camera, motion sensor and supports HomeKit home automation.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Abode Iota is a do-it-yourself security system that’s one of the very few with support for Apple’s HomeKit home-automation platform. That means it’s a breeze to control from your iPhone. It includes a camera, motion detector and windows/door sensor. Additional sensors can be added.

I installed the Iota Starter Kit and have extensively tested it. Read on to see whether it’s the right solution to secure your home or business.

Apple AirPower replacement might come in large and small sizes

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AirPower
Apple might be prepping a smaller wireless charger to go with the rumored multi-device version.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Apple will release a single-device wireless charging pad in addition to the larger, multi-device mat rumored to be much like the doomed AirPower, according to an unconfirmed report Sunday.

The latest rumors come a year after Apple canceled the AirPower wireless charger the company announced in 2017 without ever releasing it.

Use your newfound downtime to get skilled in Microsoft Office [Deals]

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The All-In-One Microsoft Office Professional Suite Certification Prep Bundle
Whether you're a beginner or a skilled user, you'll get an in-depth education in the full range of tools in the Microsoft Office Suite.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Whether you’re working from home or at the office, Microsoft Office Suite is probably part of the picture. Excel, Word, Outlook and the rest of the software package prove fundamental to the modern workplace. So if you find yourself with some extra time, these lessons mean you can gain some super-marketable skills.

It’s time to get certified!

Fun new GarageBand tutorial shows how to make house music in your house

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The latest Today at Apple at Home is a GarageBand Tutorial
Learn to sample sounds in a free GarageBand tutorial from Apple.
Screenshot: Apple

An Apple employee teaches the basics of the free GarageBand music-creation software in an new video tutorial from Today at Apple. It covers sampling sounds from your kitchen to make house music.

Normally, these free educational sessions are held in Apple Stores, but with these all closed during the COVID-19 crisis, they’ve gone online. There are already training videos for drawing and taking better pictures.

The new iPhone SE: Fast, fun, cheap and perfect [Cult of Mac Magazine 345]

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2020 iPhone SE: Fast, fun, cheap and perfect
Apple threads the needle with its new budget iPhone.
Cover: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac

With screaming-fast internals, key flagship-level features and a budget price tag, the new iPhone SE ticks all the boxes in these uncertain times. Apple cut a few smart corners to make the magic happen.

Read all about the 2020 iPhone SE in this week’s free issue of Cult of Mac Magazine. Grab yours today and get to reading. (Alternatively, hit the links below for the week’s top Apple news, reviews and how-tos.)