A new batch of iRig accessories from IK Multimedia should make life easier for podcasters and YouTubers who produce on their iPads or iPhones. The gear looks pretty sweet, and — if my experience is anything to go by — it should be well-built, and sound great, too.

Let’s take a look at the new IK Multimedia gadgets.

Anyone with an older scanner incompatible with macOS Catalina can try VueScan, third-party software that works with over 6000 scanners from 42 manufacturers.

It can save still-functional scanners from ending up on the e-waste pile.

iPhone sales in China are booming, according to the latest research note from UBS analyst Timothy Arcuri.

Investors worried that strained tensions between China and the US would cause some backlash against Apple’s brand in China, but that does appear to be the case based on the latest data from the government.

“The end” has come for Fortnite Battle Royale. A massive in-game event on Sunday sucked the entire world as we know it into a black hole. And almost 24 hours later, there is quite literally nothing.

But don’t worry; all your Fortnite unlocks and V-Bucks are safe. They will still be there when the game returns for season 11 — whenever that might be.

Apple’s newest macOS Catalina upgrade has been causing all kinds of havoc for some Mac users. One issue seems to be killing certain eGPU setups — especially for those with a Mac mini.

Apple is under fire for sending Safari browser data to China.

It is known that Safari can send information to Google Safe Browsing to protect users against online phishing and scams. But it seems Apple’s browser is also sending similar data to Tencent in China.

Few things get quite as much use as our headphones. We use them for music and podcasts on the commute or at the gym, calls at work or at home, or just to watch the YouTube video a friend randomly sends along. No matter where or why, it pays to have a set of headphones that’ll last, and that cut out distractions. We’ve got just that set, at a massive discount.

Apple will reopen its flagship retail store in Amsterdam on October 24 following months of extensive renovations.

The redesign will feature a Forum and video wall for Today at Apple events. Visitors will also get the opportunity to take part in professional filmmaking sessions to celebrate the store’s reopening.

Apple’s second-generation iPhone SE 2 will be its most affordable smartphone yet, according to one reliable analyst.

The upcoming device, which is expected to look like iPhone 8 and be powered by Apple’s new A13 Bionic chip, is expected to cost less than $400 when it goes on sale in early 2020.

This week we check the weather, take a nap, edit photos on our Macs using Apple Pencil, and enjoy Catalina’s Catalyst apps.

This week, the best deals in the Cult of Mac Store run the gamut. For starters, we’ve got an awesome iTunes alternative for iOS management, and an energy saving smart bulb with Home App integration. Additionally there’s a powerful email manager, and a comprehensive training bundle for Adobe Creative Cloud. Some are discounted by over 95%, so read on for more details:

Apple charges $1099 for an iPhone 11 Pro Max, but the components for this high-end smartphone with assembly cost less than half the selling price.

Gear4 cases can save an iPhone 11 or 11 Pro series from breaking if dropped quite long distances, but they aren’t as bulky as typical rugged cases. The lineup for all three of Apple’s latest is surprisingly attractive, given how protective they are.

I tried out several of Gear4’s offerings, and find they might be just what your new iPhone needs.

Itching to upgrade your Mac to Catalina? Time to hit the brakes, buster. Before installing macOS Catalina, it’s essential that you do a little due diligence. The new operating system brings some pretty deep changes, and you don’t want to descend into chaos. This macOS Catalina upgrade tip will help you assess the situation.

You’ll find that critical information and more in this week’s free issue of Cult of Mac Magazine. Get it now from the iOS App Store. Or hit the links below to read this week’s best Apple news, reviews and how-tos in your browser.

Just days after the release of its newest Mac operating system, Apple has started beta testing the first update, macOS Catalina 10.15.1

Currently, this offers just a few minor changes for this company’s laptops and desktops.

iOS 13.2 adds controls for Apple’s unpopular Siri data collection program. Now, users can opt in to “Siri and Dictation Analytics,” which translates to letting your iPhone or iPad upload all your Siri interactions so Cupertino can improve the virtual assistant’s accuracy.

Previously, Apple disabled this program because of its unpopularity. Now, it’s back — but under your control.

Apple TV+ could have 100 million subscribers in 3 to 4 years, according to an analyst that’s bullish on this streaming service set to launch next month.

Strong demand for a rival is bad news for Netflix.

This post is brought to you by Apple MDM service Hexnode.

Apple devices are great mobile computing machines and powerhouses for business productivity. But let’s face it, managing Apple devices is no easy feat. Whether you’re a small business or large enterprise, your IT department still ends up tussling with device configuration issues and app-management woes. Why? Because Apple’s native management tools are great on paper, but fall flat in delivering a cohesive device-management experience.

Apple is launching its own in-house studio and teaming up with Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks to create the first series that it will own full rights to.

The new limited series, titled Masters of the Air, will be a follow-up to HBO’s successful series Band of Brothers and The Pacific.

In iOS 13.2, Siri can announce your incoming messages and read them to you. This is the kind of feature that is so useful, and obvious, that it seems like it should have always been there. It’s called Announce Messages with Siri, and it does just that.

Here’s how to set it up and use it

The iPhone 11 line hasn’t even been out a month, but Apple continues to improve its camera through iOS updates.

An iOS developer exploring iOS 13.2 beta 2 said the Camera app will allow video shooters to adjust frame rates and resolution without going into the Settings app.

The Apple Arcade catalog continues to grow with five new games for iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV available today.

Inmost, an atmospheric, story-driven platformer from the creators of Stardew Valley, is one of the highlights. It helps takes the total number of Apple Arcade games for iOS and tvOS to 80.

Apple has hit a new all-time high valuation as shares rose 1.7% to hit $234.09. That gives Apple a market cap of $1.058 trillion. Talk about valuable!

It comes as investors expected top level trade talks between the US and China to result in a partial deal. At the very least, people are expected planned tariffs on products, including the iPhone, to be delayed.

Apple’s latest patches for iTunes and iCloud for Windows are out to block potential ransomware attacks.

The software previously contained a vulnerability that allowed malware to piggyback on Apple’s digital signatures and go undetected by antivirus software.

And don’t assume you’re safe if you’ve already uninstalled Apple’s apps.

Prominent Hong Kong legislator and IT entrepreneur Charles Mok has warned that Apple risks becoming an accomplice for “censorship and oppression” in China.

In an open letter to Tim Cook, Mok referenced Apple’s removal of a recent app which allowed protesters to track the whereabouts of Hong Kong police. Tim Cook has defended the app’s removal, which came after Chinese state media criticized Apple for allowing it in the App Store.