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Facebook boxes out Apple on AR displays

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Plessy
Plessy has been at the forefront of micro LED display development.
Photo: Plessy

Apple’s long-rumored augmented reality glasses project may have suffered a serious setback thanks to Facebook.

The social network company reportedly reached a licensing deal with Plessey, a British firm that makes displays specifically for augmented reality displays. Apple supposedly was looking into acquiring Plessey. But Facebook rushed in and struck an exclusive supply deal with the company, effectively shutting out Cupertino.

How to borrow library books on your Kindle

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kindle lending library
Read borrowed library books on your Kindle
Photo: Aliis Sinisalu/Unsplash

Kindle library books can provide hours of entertainment as you self-isolate due to the coronavirus pandemic. You likely can check out ebooks from your local library, just like a regular paper book.

In the United States, you typically can check out books using an Amazon Kindle or an iOS app. In other countries, you can use alternative e-readers or apps. By borrowing books online, you can avoid leaving your house — perfect when libraries are closed during COVID-19 lockdown — and you don’t need to leave your house to return anything, either. Returns happen automatically at the end of the borrowing period.

Let’s see how it works.

Pixelmator Pro 1.6 update makes choosing colors easier in this Mac image-editing app

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Pixelmator Pro 1.6 offers an performance boost, too.
Pixelmator Pro 1.6 replaces the Colors window with a new color picker.
Photo: Pixelmator Team

A fresh update to Pixelmator Pro, an affordable macOS alternative to Photoshop for everyday users, includes an all-new color picker intended to let users choose and manage colors more easily. Plus, version 1.6 also makes it easier to select multiple objects.

The popular Pixelmator for iPad app is also getting its own update soon.

Zoom removes controversial code that shares data with Facebook

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Zoom
Get the latest update today.
Photo: Zoom

Video conferencing app Zoom has removed controversial code that shared user data to Facebook — even when those users didn’t have a Facebook account.

Zoom insists the data collected did not include personal information, but rather anonymous information about a user’s device. It has apologized for the “oversight” and made changes to the Facebook login process to prevent it.

First British comedy on Apple TV+ makes maddening adoption process funny somehow

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trying
Apple is Trying to inject more comedy into its slate of shows.
Photo: Apple

Anyone considering adopting children may want to rethink about going through the entire process after watching the first official trailer for the new Apple TV+ series, Trying.

Created in partnership with BBC Studios, Trying follows a British couple who want to have a child together more than anything. After finding out that they’re physically incapable of conceiving a child, the two decide to adopt, setting them on a wild ride of challenges as they try to convince an adoption panel that they would make great parents.

Watch the hilarious first trailer here:

Last chance! Sweet sport band for Apple Watch hits an insane new low

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Elkson-Apple-Watch-Sport
Bag this brilliant Apple Watch band for under $11!
Photo: Elkson

Elkson’s silicone sport band for Apple Watch is a terrific alternative to Apple’s — and ideal for all the home workouts you’ll be doing during the COVID-19 outbreak. It’s attractive, comfortable, and brilliantly rugged.

It’s also a steal at its usual price of $14.99, but until March 31, you can get yours for even less. Order from the Cult of Mac Store today to pay just $10.99.

iPad magician whips up some quarantine tricks

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Simon Pierro iPad magician
Quarantine with a twist.
Screenshot: Simon Pierro/YouTube

This public service announcement is brought to you by a magician who, like you, is stuck home in quarantine and spending a lot of time on his iPad.

“Magician” and “iPad” in the same sentence means Simon Pierro. The iPad magician cooked up some new quarantine -themed tricks to show off. (He also reminds fans to stay at home to help slow the spread of COVID-19.)

Bullish analyst lays out best- and worst-case scenarios for Apple in 2020

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2020 iPhone concept
Apple's 2020 could go one of a few different ways.
Photo: PhoneArena

The next three months are going to be crucial in determining Apple’s year ahead, Wedbush analyst Dan Ives writes in his latest note to clients, as seen by Cult of Mac.

In a message sent Sunday, Ives lays out his thoughts on best- and worst-case scenarios for Apple over the next few months amid fallout from the coronavirus pandemic. The results likely will have a major impact on Apple going forward.

Dive into a DJ bootcamp featuring Ableton and Logic Pro [Deals]

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The 2020 Music Production with Ableton Live 10 & Logic Pro X Bundle
Get 56 hours of training in songwriting, recording, production and distribution using the industry-leading music software.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Being stuck at home with your computer doesn’t have to mean you’re not active. If you’ve got a copy of Ableton Live or Logic Pro, your laptop can be your platform for DJing, songwriting and producing music. With this massive bundle of lessons, you’ll get the skills to do all of the above.

Grid Autosport multiplayer beta races onto iOS, but it’s only temporary

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GRID
Take on other racers today.
Photo: Feral Interactive

A brand-new multiplayer mode just entered beta testing for hit racing simulator Grid Autosport on iOS. You can try it out if you own a recent iPhone or iPad running iOS 12.1 or later.

Don’t get too excited about multiplayer, however. Publisher Feral Interactive notes that this test is to “explore the feasibility of online multiplayer for racing games.” It won’t be a permanent fixture.

Apple’s biggest supplier experienced revenue decline even before COVID-19

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Foxconn Wisconsin
Foxconn hasn't given a reason for the decline.
Photo: Foxconn

Major Apple supplier Foxconn’s net profit plummeted 23.7% in the fourth quarter of 2019, the company has revealed.

While Foxconn has been hit hard by COVID-19, this period actually ends before the extent of the coronavirus became clear. The quarter in question ended December. The earliest known infection of coronavirus occurred on 17 November 2019 in Wuhan, China.

Cristiano Ronaldo bought his teammates iMacs after getting red-carded

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Ronaldo
To be fair, he can probably afford it.
Photo: Антон Зайцев/Wikipedia CC

World renowned soccer player Cristiano Ronaldo bought the entire Juventus squad iMacs after getting a red card in a 2018 Champions League match against Valencia.

The Portuguese superstar player was reduced to tears after being sent off for pulling the hair of defender Jeison Murillo. Although Juventus won the match 2-0, club rules stipulated by boss Massimiliano Allegri meant Ronaldo had to buy gifts for the rest of his team. Eventually he settled on iMacs.

Apple leaks new Logic Pro X Live Loops feature

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Logic Pro X Live Loops
This screenshot shows an as-yet unreleased version of Logic Pro X.
Photo: Apple

Sometime before this past weekend, Apple posted a screenshot of what is presumably an upcoming new version of Logic Pro X, its pro music-creation app, onto its education page. It shows a brand new feature, previously only seen in the iOS version of GarageBand: Live Loops. Live Loops is a way to trigger music clips live, on-the-fly, so you can create music like a DJ.

And the Logic version looks great. And more importantly, it finally adds Apple’s take on the Session View from Logic’s biggest rival, Ableton Live.

COVID-19 won’t delay 2020 iPhone, but future products could suffer

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iPhone XS box gold
iPhone might be okay for now, but Apple isn't out of the woods yet.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic won’t stop Apple from launching its 2020 iPhone lineup on schedule, according to a new report published Monday — but it could cause “disruptions” for future Apple products.

Cupertino’s largest manufacturing partner, Foxconn, is slowly recovering after the coronavirus outbreak last month caused huge labor shortages and factory closures. But Bloomberg warns Apple isn’t out of the woods yet.

U.S. government tracks phone location data to monitor spread of COVID-19

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covid.19.coronavirus.graphic1
Other governments around the world are using similar approaches.
Photo: U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

U.S. government officials are using location data from millions of cellphone users around the country to track movement during the coronavirus pandemic, according to The Wall Street Journal.

The weekend report says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, along with state and local governments, have begun receiving reports concerning areas of “geographic interest” in the country. This could cover as many as 500 cities around the United States.

Apple Watch needs a Sick Mode [Opinion]

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Apple Watch Sick Mode
The next time you get ill, your Apple Watch should help you get better.
Photo: Cult of Mac

When you‘ve caught a bad cold, the flu or a global pandemic, it’s no help that your Apple Watch keeps urging you to go for a run. That’s why this wearable needs a sick mode.

When it comes out this autumn, watchOS 7 should include a mode that gives good advice for people ill enough to need bed rest rather than a trip to the gym.

Compact wireless charger juices all your Apple devices at once [Review]

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Native Union Drop XL Wireless Charger (Watch Edition)
The Native Union Drop XL wireless iPhone charger also has a Apple Watch Edition.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Anyone packing iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods doesn’t have to deal with charging them separately. The Native Union Drop XL Wireless Charger (Watch Edition) can handle all three of these at once. And it won‘t take up much room on your nightstand.

I tested this multidevice wireless charger from a top-notch brand in my daily use to see if it lived up to its promises.

Stay sanitary with a Roomba for bacteria [Deals]

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Rockubot
This robot uses UVC-light and ultrasonic waves to kill 99.9% of bacteria, germs and viruses.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Did you know that ultraviolet light can kill germs? It can, and that’s good news, because it means there are better ways of sanitizing your home than constantly spraying and wiping it down with chemicals. With this tool, keeping a sanitary space is as simple as powering up a little Roomba-style robot.

2020 iPad Pro teardown reveals the secrets of its LiDAR scanner

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2020 iPad Pro has dual cameras and a LiDAR scanner.
Open the 2020 iPad Pro, and in one corner you’ll find a pair of camera lenses and a LiDAR scanner.
Photo: iFixit

A LiDAR scanner is the highlight of the 2020 iPad Pro. So iFixit disassembled this just-released tablet to see how this 3D sensor works. And the company demonstrates why this scanner is not meant to be as accurate as Face ID.

This Apple Watch bumper case solves a very specific problem [Review]

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The Elkson Apple Watch bumper case solved a problem that drove me crazy, and it looks good too!
Elkson's Apple Watch Case solves a problem that drove me crazy, and it looks good too!
Photo: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac

For the longest time, I had a particular problem with my Apple Watch. When I rode my bicycle, the watch’s Digital Crown would rub against my wrist, playing havoc with the sound coming through my AirPods. Suddenly it would get very loud, or very low. It drove me crazy.

I tried everything I could think of, including wearing my watch backward so the Digital Crown was reversed, or on the inside of my wrist. Nothing worked, so I disabled Now Playing on my Watch, which I missed because it’s great for controlling music when doing something like riding a bike.

Then I came across Elkson’s Quattro Series Bumper Case for Apple Watch. This inexpensive cover surrounds the Digital Crown and prevents it from spinning when I ride my bike. Problem solved.

Master these iPad trackpad gestures immediately [Cult of Mac Magazine 342]

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Master these 6 iPad trackpad gestures now.
These handy gestures will change the way you use your iPad.
Cover: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac

If you use (or plan to use) a trackpad with your iPad, you definitely need to know these six handy gestures. From the three-finger swipe to the slammer, they will transform the way you use your tablet.

Get the lowdown on those essential iPad gestures, plus the rest of what’s new in iPadOS 13.4, iOS 13.5 and macOS Catalina 10.13.4, in this week’s free issue of Cult of Mac Magazine. Download it for easy reading on your iPad or iPhone. You’ll also get the rest of the week’s top Apple news, reviews and how-tos.