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MacBook Air and Pro lineup could finally soon be free of hated butterfly keyboard

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Taking it out on your problematic MacBook butterfly keyboard will only make things worse.
Apple will introduce new MacBook Air and Pro laptops with scissor switch keyboard, analyst claims.
Photo illustration: Graham Bower/Cult of Mac

The world might finally wave goodbye to Apple’s controversial and much-hated MacBook butterfly keyboards by summer, according to a new report, published Thursday, by respected Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

In his latest research note, Kuo writes that Apple will launch new MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models featuring the scissor switch keyboard design. Apple laid the groundwork for the return of the scissor switch Magic Keyboard when it ditched the butterfly keyboard for its 16-inch MacBook Pro upgrade late last year.

White House wants Apple and other tech giants to help out during coronavirus outbreak

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Should Apple take over the White House?
Here's how the government wants Apple and others to help out.
Photo: MattCC716/Flickr

Apple and other tech giants this week participated in a White House conference call discussing with the Trump administration their role in grappling with the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak.

The conference call took place Wednesday, hosted by US Chief Technology Officer Michael Kratsios. In addition to Apple, other attendees included representatives from Facebook, Google, Microsoft, Amazon, IBM, and Twitter. Kratios’ focus was on getting these companies to remove fake news relating to the outbreak. But it wants them to help out elsewhere, too.

Apple signs open letter opposing LGBTQ discrimination bills

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Apple employees in Pride parade
Apple employees marching in San Francisco's Pride parade.
Photo: Apple

Apple is one of 40 companies to sign an open letter published Wednesday by the Human Rights Campaign. The letter protests U.S. bills that will target the LGBTQ community — in particular trans people.

One such bill is the Vulnerable Child Compassion and Protection Act. This was passed last week by the Alabama Senate in Tim Cook’s home state. It would make it a felony for doctors to prescribe puberty-blockers or hormones to minors. Companies signing the letter say that legislation such as this does not reflect their values.

Make some noise for official Apple TV+ Beastie Boys Story trailer

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Beastie Boys Story 1
You've got to fight for your right to Apple TV+.
Photo: Apple TV+

Ahead of its debut on Apple TV+ April 24, Apple has dropped the official trailer for Beastie Boys Story, its upcoming feature length documentary on the pioneering American hip hop group.

Beastie Boys Story is directed by Spike Jonze, the music video, feature film and documentary director who first worked with the band on the music video for Sabotage.

Apple to limit public trying on Apple Watch & AirPods at stores to stop coronavirus spread

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Elago-Wrist-Fit-Apple-Watch
Want to try on an Apple Watch or AirPods at an Apple Store? It might now be at your own risk.
Photo: Elago

Apple has told its retail store employees worldwide not to recommend customers physically try on an Apple Watch or in-ear AirPods, in an effort to cut down on the spread of coronavirus.

Customers can still ask to try on ‌the products, but employees have been told not to offer the opportunity, according to a published report Wednesday.

Magrig hopes to bring MagSafe to modern MacBooks and iPads

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Magrig Adapter is MagSafe for Thunderbolt 3 and USB-C
Add MagSafe-like capabilities to your Thunderbolt 3 MacBook with Magrig Adapter.
Photo: Magrig

Magrig Adapter lets USB-C and Thunderbolt 3 cables easily disconnect if they get yanked on. It’s a revival of MagSafe, which Apple used to build into MacBooks.

There are competing options, but most of these can only transfer power. Magrig, on the other hand, promises up to 40Gbps data transfers as well as 100W of power.

Apple closes all 17 stores in Italy [Updated]

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milan
Apple is closed for business in Italy.
Photo: Apple

Apple is set to shutter all of its stores in Italy beginning Thursday until further notice as the country goes into total lockdown due to concerns over the coronavirus outbreak.

All 17 stores in Italy have updated their webpages showing that doors will close early Wednesday and the company isn’t saying when they will be reopened.

Virus outbreak postpones National Association of Broadcasters convention in April

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The National Association of Broadcasters convention scheduled for April in Las Vegas has been postponed.
The National Association of Broadcasters convention scheduled for April in Las Vegas has been postponed.
Photo: Brad Gibson / Cult of Mac

The COVID-19 coronavirus claimed another planned convention Wednesday with the postponement of the National Association of Broadcasters convention, scheduled for late April in Las Vegas.

Dozens of the show’s exhibitors create a variety of products that work with Apple equipment, including Blackmagic Designs, Avid, Adobe, Padcaster, Microsoft, Boris FX, Panasonic, Canon, and Sony.

Verizon’s new Yahoo Mobile phone service boasts $40 unlimited data

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Yahoo Mobile on iPhone 11
Verizon offers a cheaper unlimited data plan for iPhone via its Yahoo Mobile service.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

A phone service Verizon launched today offers iPhone and Androids unlimited data for $39.99, including tethering. That’s significantly less than the cost of this carrier’s regular unlimited plan.

But, of course, there are limitations in the new service, dubbed Yahoo Mobile.

How to work from home without losing your mind

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Telecommuting tips: Who wants to go to an office when they can work from home like this?
Who wants to go to an office when they can work like this?
Photo: Nathan Riley/Unsplash

Thanks to the rapidly spreading COVID-19 virus, lots of people are being told to work from home. And that’s good, work-wise, because working from home can be relaxing, highly productive and, of course, very convenient. But depending on your family situation, your home layout and your guilty stress from feeling like you’re not doing enough, it also can be a nightmare.

Most of the Cult of Mac team works from home, so I asked for their top telecommuting tips. Here they are.

Uma Thurman to star in Apple TV+ drama Suspicion

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Apple TV+ snags another star, signing Uma Thurman for new thriller Suspicion.
Apple TV+ snags another star, signing Uma Thurman for new thriller Suspicion.
Photo: Thor Siebrands/Wikimedia CC

Oscar-nominated actress Uma Thurman will join the Apple TV+ family as the star of a new thriller called Suspicion.

The drama series, which does not have a release date, is based on an award-winning series in Israel called False Flag, the rights of which Apple purchased last year.

Castlevania: Symphony of the Night is as bloody brilliant as ever on iOS [Review]

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Castlevania- Symphony of the Night
The classic PlayStation vampire game finally arrives on the iPhone.
Photo: Konami

Classic video game Castlevania: Symphony of the Night landed in the App Store last week and, boy, is it great!

The 23-year-old side-scroller pits Dracula’s half-son Alucard against the evil count himself. The game, widely regarded as one of the best video games of all time, has made its way onto various games platforms over the years. Now you can finally play it on your iPhone. Frankly, that’s the best news I’ve heard in ages.

Game over for E3 2020: COVID-19 takes out gaming’s biggest event

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E3-2020
Another one bites the dust.
Photo: ESA

E3 2020 is the latest major event to be scrapped amid the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak. The game industry’s biggest trade show was scheduled to kick off in Los Angeles on June 9. It will no longer go ahead this year.

Amazon’s AWS Summit in San Francisco has also been canceled. The announcements come as the World Health Organization (WHO) declares coronavirus a global pandemic.

Logitech’s new 3-in-1 charging dock is a triple play for Apple fans

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Logitech Powered Wireless Charging 3-in-1 Dock
Juice three devices at once with this charging stand.
Photo: Logitech

Logitech says its new charging station, the Powered Wireless Charging 3-in-1 Dock, is “one wireless charger to charge all your Apple devices.” If you’ve got an iPhone 8 or newer, an Apple Watch and AirPods with a wireless charging case, the funky-looking stand should do the trick.

The Qi-certified charger packs some advanced charging capabilities that should make juicing up your Apple gear fast and safe.

New Apple Store protocols attempt to reduce spread of coronavirus

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South Korea2
Apple is doing its part to avoid spread of COVID-19 coronavirus.
Photo: Apple

Apple is reportedly introducing new measures at Apple Stores designed to help avoid the spread of the novel COVID-19 coronavirus.

According to a report by Apple Insider, Apple Stores will be limiting the number of customers who can enter its retail stores at any one time. It is also reducing customer seating by half, and introducing “social distancing” protocols in which employees are asked to stay three feet away from customers and each other.

Clean your Mac to get it running like new with this app [Deals]

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CleanMyMac X- Junk Cleaner for Mac
Make your Mac run like new with a highly rated app that removes junk files and malware to boost performance.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Like everything else, Macs get cluttered over time. With our houses and cars, clutter can cause trouble finding stuff or embarrassment when a visitor drops by. With our computers, it costs performance, so it’s extra-useful to keep a clean machine.

Lawmakers want Apple to halt menstruation apps which share user data

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Calendar
Some tracking apps may share user data without users' knowledge.
Photo: Rob LeFebvre/Cult of Mac

Democrat lawmakers want Apple and other tech giants to rethink their stance on menstruation-tracking apps.

In a letter sent Tuesday to Apple, Google, and Samsung, New Jersey senator Bob Menendez and representatives Bonnie Coleman and Mikie Sherrill voiced their concern about menstruation- and fertility-tracking apps which share user health data without permission.