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ConnectionOpen is like Skype for musicians

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ConnectionOpen Marshall amp and guitar player
ConnectionOpen lets musicians collaborate over the internet.
Photo: Daniel Chekalov/Unsplash

If you sit in front of an iPad typing up Apple-related how-tos all day long, then working from home is no problem. In fact, it’s simply the next step up from “working from bed.” But for some professions, like musicians, working from home is difficult if not impossible. You might have a home studio, but you still need to get the band together to record them.

Or do you? ConnectionOpen is an app that lets musicians play together over the internet. The wild thing is, it’s a standard plugin for Logic, Ableton, Pro Tools and other audio-editing apps. And now, it’s also available for the iPad.

Essential accessories make working from home more comfortable, productive

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New to working from home? These essential work-from-home accessories will help you get the most out of COVID-19 isolation.
New to working from home? Here's how you can get the most out of it.
Photo: Hello I'm Nik/Unsplash CC

COVID-19 lockdowns mean more and more people will find themselves working from home. While everyone agrees that staying away from the office is the right thing to do, working from home nonetheless comes with certain challenges. These work-from-home accessories can help.

If you want to thrive in this new environment, you should consider investing in some or all of these items. They will make you more productive, and more comfortable, as you wait out the coronavirus pandemic. And, yes, I assume you already own a computer you can work on. (If not, those new iPad Pros look pretty hot.)

iPhone and AirPods shipping times improve as China restarts manufacturing

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They AirPods Pro fit in their case like nothing ever happened.
AirPods Pro supplies are starting to catch up with demand.
Photo: Cult of Mac

Apple’s supply issues for two crucial products appear to finally be getting better, based on tracking data by Loop Ventures.

Both the iPhone and AirPods are starting to ship out to customers sooner than in previous weeks as suppliers in China finally get back up to full speed. The only thing that’s unclear is whether the improved shipping times are due to China getting back to work, or because customers in the U.S. are hunkering down.

Top 5 Apple mobile device management platforms for 2020

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Hexnode top 5 Apple MDMs: Mobile device management is a crucial element of IT security.
Mobile device management is a crucial element of IT security.
Image: Hexnode

This top 5 Apple MDM platforms post is presented by Hexnode.

With the surge in recent years of employees working via smartphones, tablets and laptops from all over the place, it’s no surprise mobile device management, aka MDM, has become a crucial tool for organizations large and small. Then add in the near-ubiquity of cloud computing and software-as-a-service (SaaS) apps, plus companies letting employees use their own devices (BYOD). It all equals MDM becoming an unavoidable part of IT security. Ignore it at your own risk.

Apple seeds iOS 13.4 golden master to developers

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iPad
iPadOS 13.4 is a gamechanger.
Photo: Apple

Registered Apple developers can already get the finalized version of iOS 13.4 and iPadOS 13.4 ahead of its public debut on March 24.

Apple released the Golden Master builds iOS 13.4, iPadOS 13.4, watchOS 6.2, macOS Catalina 10.15.4, and tvOS 13.4 on its developer today, bringing a host of new features to iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Apple TV and Mac.

Logitech Combo Touch is a Magic Keyboard alternative for other iPads

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Logitech-Combo-Touch-iPad
Who needs a new iPad Pro?
Photo: Logitech

Apple’s brilliant new Magic Keyboard is going to make working on iPad Pro better than ever before — but what if you don’t own an iPad Pro? Logitech has you covered with its new Combo Touch keyboard case.

Just like the Magic Keyboard, the Combo Touch boasts real, backlit keys and a built-in trackpad. Unlike the Magic Keyboard, it also offers functions keys, and it’s pretty affordable at just $149.

LiDAR scanner makes 2020 iPad Pro an augmented reality powerhouse

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Look inside the LiDAR scanner in the 2020 iPad Pro
The innovative LiDAR scanner in the 2020 iPad Pro is fast and accurate.
Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac

The 2020 iPad Pro is the first Apple computer with LiDAR. This innovation enables the tablet to make an accurate 3D map of its location. Combine it with software improvements and this tablet is, in Apple’s words, “the world’s best device for augmented reality.”

And the LiDAR scanner might be usable for other purposes, as well.

Pixar pioneers win this year’s $1 million Turing Award

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Toy Story
Toy Story would never have existed without this dynamic duo.
Photo: Pixar

Ed Catmull and Dr. Pat Hanrahan, who created the 3D computer graphic breakthroughs that led to Pixar, have been awarded this year’s Turing Award, it was announced Wednesday.

The award, which is often called the Nobel Prize of computing, carries a $1 million prize.

5 reasons why iPad Pro’s new Magic Keyboard blows our minds

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iPad-Pro-Magic-Trackpad
Everything we wanted the Smart Keyboard to be.
Photo: Apple

Apple’s exciting new Magic Keyboard is going to make working on iPad Pro better than ever when the accessory debuts in May. It’s a huge improvement over the Smart Keyboard Folio in so many ways.

Prices start at $299, which makes the Magic Keyboard an expensive upgrade. For many iPad Pro users, however, it will be well worth it. Here are five reasons why the Magic Keyboard with trackpad blows our minds.

Pricey silver iPhones ‘kill’ bacteria and offer spiritual protection

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Caviar's silver iPhone collection
Since silver is a bacteria killer, these iPhones are less germy.
Photo: Caviar

The health experts say we can’t be too cautious in preventing the spread of a deadly coronavirus.

Caviar, the Russian brand that gold-plates and bejewels iPhones, is doing its part by turning to silver and its antibacterial properties for a line of iPhone 11 Pro cases.

For extra protection, you can pick one of four sacred cultural symbols representing health and good fortune.

iPadOS 13.4 coming next week with mouse and keyboard enhancements

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iPadOS 13.4 is headed for iPad Pro and other tablets
iPadOS 13.4 takes another big step toward making Apple tablets comparable with a MacBook.
Photo: Cult of Mac

The 2020 iPad Pro announced Wednesday launches next week with iPadOS 13.4, and many recent tablets are getting upgrades, too. iPadOS 13.4 makes significant improvements to iPad mouse functionality, and also brings progress on external keyboard support.

iOS 13.4 for iPhone is also expected to launch next week. Both versions include iCloud Drive folder sharing and other changes.

UPDATE: Developers who don’t want to wait for the next iOS and iPadOS updates can download the “golden master” versions now by joining Apple’s beta program.

Apple drops awesome ads for amazing new iPad Pro

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iPad-Pro-Magic-Keyboard
The new Magic Keyboard looks incredible.
Photo: Apple

The surprise iPad Pro refresh, unveiled on Wednesday morning, has us all reaching for a credit cards. If you’re still on the fence, Apple’s awesome new ads will convince you this is a worthwhile upgrade.

Both highlight iPad Pro’s increasing ability to replace a traditional computer thanks to its blazing-fast A12Z Bionic processor, brand-new Magic Keyboard, and true trackpad support.

Working from home? These apps will help you stay productive [Deals]

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WFH Apps
Scoop up four apps to make the most of your work from home time.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Working from home is the new normal. It’s probably going to be that way for a while, so we’ve rounded up four apps to help you stay productive in your new, all-too-familiar office. They include a powerful app launcher, a tool for blocking distracting websites, task managers and more.

Apple doubles SSD storage capacity for Mac mini

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Mac mini ports
Prices stay the same, but storage goes up. That's a win-win!
Photo: Apple

Apple updated its entire Mac mini line Wednesday, offering double the SSD storage capacity at the regular price.

A $799 Mac mini is available with 256GB of PCIe-based SSD storage. Meanwhile, the $1,099 Mac mini now comes with 512GB of SSD storage as standard.

New MacBook Air announced with $999 starting price, Magic Keyboard and 6K display support

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Apple_new-macbook-air-wallpaper-screen_03182020
Low price, new keyboard, two times faster.
Photo: Apple

Apple updated its MacBook Air lineup Wednesday, adding a redesigned scissor-switch Magic Keyboard, twice the storage, a reported two times faster CPU and a lower price tag starting at $999.

Apple said the new MacBook Air comes with twice the storage capacity of the previous model. The new base model starts at 256GB, with up to 80% faster graphics performance. It also supports the Apple 6K Pro Display XDR.

Surprise iPad Pro refresh brings LiDAR Scanner, Ultra Wide camera, trackpad support

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2020-iPad-Pro-trackpad
It's powered by a new A12Z Bionic chip.
Photo: Apple

Apple surprised the world Wednesday with a brand-new iPad Pro that packs a LiDAR Scanner, Ultra Wide camera and studio-quality microphones. The tablet is powered by an improved A12Z Bionic chip that makes it faster than many laptops.

Consumers can order it beginning today from the Apple Online Store, with prices starting at $799.

Apple recommends best apps for working and staying at home during coronavirus crisis

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tulsa.apple.store.2
Everywhere's closing right now. Fortunately, apps can help us continue to get things done.
Photo: Brad Gibson / Cult of Mac

Massive numbers of people are self-isolating or working from home at the moment. As many challenges as that can raise, it is at least easier than it would have been previously thanks to the strong ecosystem of apps which can help with just such a scenario.

With that in mind, Apple has started adding more editorial content into the App Store, offering curated suggestions to suit people stuck home as a result of coronavirus.

Movies Anywhere tests letting users loan out iTunes movies

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Movies Anywhere combines digital purchases for a range of services.
Movies Anywhere will soon let you loan your digital movies to other people with Screen Pass.
Photo: Movies Anywhere

Movies Anywhere combines films bought through iTunes, Google Play, etc. into one service. And now it’s testing a new feature called Screen Pass that enables loaning your movies to other people.

It’s only in beta, and isn’t expected to be available to everyone until May. Which is too bad, because it would be really useful right now with so many in self isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Coronavirus prompts Alto’s Adventure’s offer of free gaming for a week

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“Alto's Adventure” and “Alto's Odyssey“ are here to help while you’re self isolating.
Alto's Odyssey imagines snowboarding in the desert. And it’s currently free.
Photo: Snowman

Both Alto’s Adventure and Alto’s Odyssey are free for a week to benefit anyone quarantined by the COVID-19 epidemic. The developer, Snowman, made the move to “bring a little calm into your homes during these difficult times.”

These endless runner snowboarding games are beautifully designed. Alto’s Odyssey even won an Apple Design Award.