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iPhone XR ads find smart ways of selling privacy and battery life

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iPhone XR 1
Apple's latest ads are pretty darn great.
Photo: Apple

Apple’s latest iPhone XR ads focus on the superior battery life and privacy features of its more affordable (kind of!) iPhone.

Titled “Up Late” and “Inside Joke,” the two ads are just half a minute each. However, they do a good job of making their reasonably dry point in an entertaining, and human manner. Check them out below:

Pro-level keyboard case nearly turns iPad Pro into a touchscreen MacBook [Review]

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Brydge Pro review
Make your iPad Pro into a tablet/laptop with the Brydge Pro.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Since the 12.9-inch iPad Pro is faster than the 13-inch MacBook Pro, the tablet is serious competition for Apple’s notebooks. Its design offers many advantages over a notebook, but most people demand a physical keyboard for their primary computer. Of all the options for this, the Brydge Pro comes the closest to transforming a 2018 iPad Pro into a convertible touchscreen MacBook.

Read our hands-on review to see how well this premium keyboard case performs in the real world.

2020 iPhone should get a boost from TSMC’s cutting-edge 5nm processors

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Gather_Round_A12Bionic 2
The Apple A12 Bionic processor is powerful but the the A13 is coming soon and the A14 is already on the horizon.
Photo: Apple

The company that makes all Apple’s chips is nearly ready to make 5 nanometer processors, down from the 7nm ones it’s manufacturing now. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company’s innovation reportedly will bring notable performance gains to next year’s iPhone and iPad.

The 2021 models should get a boost as well. And it’s even possible these chips will appear in future Macs.

Score a smart cable that charges devices safely [Deals]

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This Lightning cable upgrade offers extra reach, overcharge protection, high speed charging and more.
This Lightning cable upgrade offers extra reach, overcharge protection, high speed charging and more.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

The standard Lightning cable comes with a number of shortcomings. It’s short in length, vulnerable to nicks or fraying, and can’t keep track of what its charging or when it’s done. This extra long smart cable offers an upgrade on all those fronts.

Breakout! Inside an Apple escape room [Cult of Mac Magazine No. 296]

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An unusual Apple-themed escape room is set to inject some fun into this year's AltConf during WWDC.
An unusual Apple-themed escape room is set to inject some fun into this year's AltConf during WWDC.
Cover: Martin Cortinas/Cult of Mac

Imagine yourself in a nightmare scenario. You’re tasked with making an Apple keynote run smoothly, but Murphy’s law is in full effect. Everything that can go wrong does. Tim Cook is not pleased. And you must wield your Apple knowledge to make things right.

That’s what you’ll experience if you dare to go “Backstage at the Keynote” during WWDC 2019. Find out all about this unusual Apple-themed escape room, which should spice things up at AltConf next month, in this week’s free issue of Cult of Mac Magazine for iOS.

Or read on to get the rest of the week’s best Apple news, reviews and how-tos in your browser, including our scoop on what’s up with that mysterious rainbow stage spotted inside Apple Park.

Special tool rescues lost AirPods from train tracks

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lost AirPods
Not everyone has the ears for AirPods
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

An AirPod falling out of your ear is not a question of if, but when.

The when for many unlucky souls in the San Francisco Bay Area offers the rest of us a warning to not wear wireless earbuds anywhere near train or subway tracks. Still, when one falls on the tracks, it isn’t the end of the world. Or even sometimes the AirPod itself.

iPhone might escape Trump’s tariffs, but Apple will suffer

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iPad and iPhone tariffs aren't happening. Yet.
You still don’t have to pay extra taxes for buying an iPad or iPhone made in China, but that could change.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

No Apple products are included in the additional tariffs on Chinese products that went into effect this morning but Apple is still feeling some pain. The company’s shares have dropped significantly as trade tensions heated up between the U.S. and China.

And future import taxes on iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch are likely, according to Pres. Trump.

Save 25 percent with exclusive offer on AluBase Wireless charger [Watch Store]

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You know you want this Just Mobile AluBase Wireless Charger and maybe a Gum Slim Hybrid Battery, too.
You know you want this sweet new wireless charger.
Photo: Just Mobile

If you’ve been waiting for a deal on a great wireless charger, your patience has paid off! Our friends at Just Mobile have set up an exclusive offer for Cult of Mac Watch Store customers on the AluBase Wireless charger.

You’ll save 25 percent on the AluBase with this special pricing. Normally $39.95, you can get the AluBase Wireless for $30. Add the optional fast charge power adapter for just $5 more. But don’t delay too long! This deal is only good while supplies last. Read on to learn more about AluBase Wireless.

New USB-C hub gives iPad Pro the ports it needs

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Hyper's iPad Pro USB-C hub boasts no less than 6 ports.
Hyper's iPad Pro USB-C hub boasts no less than 6 ports.
Photo: Hyper

A six-port USB-C hub from Hyper was specially designed to clip to the side of the 2018 iPad Pro. It allows every type of wired accessory supported by Apple’s newest pro tablet to be accessed.

After a successful Kickstarter campaign, the HyperDrive 6-in-1 USB-C Hub launched today.

Editor’s Note: Be sure to read our hands-on HyperDrive iPad Pro review to learn more about this brilliant add-on.

Apple rolls out iOS 12.3 beta 6 for developers and the public [Updated]

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Apple TV app
The new TV app in iOS 12.3.
Photo: Buster Hein/Cult of Mac

Apple today rolled out its sixth iOS 12.3 beta for registered developers. It comes just days after testers got their hands on a fifth release.

It’s unlikely we’ll see any significant changes in this update. But there’s lots to look forward to in iOS 12.3 — including a revamped TV app with support for Channels.

Update: A version of this latest beta for the public was just released as well.

Mac’s new Music app won’t be ported from iOS

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iTunes on Mac
iTunes ain’t dead yet.
Photo: Apple

The Mac’s next-generation Music app will be based on iTunes, not ported over from iOS.

Some sources previously stated that the app would be made using Marzipan, which lets developers easily port iPad apps to the desktop. But new information reveals that won’t be the case.

Pay tribute to mom with these Apple Watch gift ideas [Watch Store]

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Rilee & Lo spices up your Apple Watch with sexy, sleek stainless steel watch bands.
A stainless steel stretch-link band for just $40?
Photo: Rilee & Lo

Mother’s Day is on Sunday, so how about gifting a little something for her Apple Watch?

Cult of Mac has rounded up a beautiful collection of Apple Watch bands, chargers and stands specifically picked for Mom in our Mother’s Day Gift Guide.

If you mother is a nerd, a Luddite, a traveler or style maven, we’ve got the goods for her. There’s a unique gift for every Apple Watch-loving momma out there.

Production begins on iPhone 11’s A13 processor

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iPhone XS teardown
It’s a safe assumption that the A13 processor will be faster than the A12 one in the iPhone XS.
Photo: iFixit

One of the most vital components of the 2019 iPhone is already being fabricated. The A13 chip is now in trial production by TSMC, the Taiwanese company that has produced every iPhone and iPad chip for years.

WhatsApp will soon stop working on iOS 7

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WhatsApp
You’ll need a new iPhone if you can’t update to iOS 8 or later.
Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

If you’re still rocking an older iPhone running iOS 7, you’re going to need to upgrade if you want to continue using WhatsApp.

The world’s biggest messaging service will soon stop working on iOS 7 devices. Other aging operating systems are going to get left out in the cold, too.

Military-grade iPad Pro case also protects your Smart Keyboard

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UAG iPad pro 2
The new Scout series offers military-grade drop protection.
Photo: UAG

If one of your prerequisites for an iPad case is that it’s hard-wearing enough to take whatever life throws at it, Urban Armor Gear promises to be your hook-up.

Urban Armor Gear’s new Scout series for iPad Pro offers rugged, lightweight mobile device cases designed to fit Apple’s iPad Pro devices. What’s more, it’s compatible with Apple’s Smart Keyboard, while also offering a place to store your Apple Pencil when not in use!

DeNA is busy working on a brand new Pokémon game for mobile

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Pokémon on iPhone
And only 10 months to wait!
Photo: Cult of Mac

It’s a good time to be a fan of Pokémon right now, and next year could be even better. That’s because DeNA, the developers who teamed with Nintendo for titles like Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp and Super Mario Run, has paired up with The Pokémon Company for a new mobile game.

Coming to mobile platforms in March 2020. Color us excited!

Get a notepad designed with your desk in mind [Deals]

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This cleverly designed notepad stays out of the way and well within reach.
This cleverly designed notepad stays out of the way and well within reach.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

With all the technology at our disposal, there’s still plenty of room for a good old fashioned pad of paper. But that doesn’t mean there’s no room for the notepad to change. In fact, since our desktops are dominated by tech, it’s time for the notepad to catch up.

iOS 13 could cut off support for iPhone SE, among others

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holding iPhone with
According to a new report, iOS 13 won't support a number of popular devices.
Photo: Ian Fuchs/Cult of Mac

Last year, iOS 12 gave a stay of execution to older devices by supporting exactly the same iGadgets as iOS 11. This year, owners of aging iPhones and iPads may not be quite so lucky.

According to a new rumor, iOS 13 will not support the iPhone 5s, iPhone SE, iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. On the iPad side, it will cut off support for the iPad mini and original iPad Air.

WWDC 2019, revealed! This week on The CultCast

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CultCast 387
WWDC is right around the corner....

This week on The CultCast: WWDC 2019 is right around the corner, and a new report sheds light on everything Apple’s prepping to reveal. We discuss! Plus: The magic of Corning glass, and how making your iPhone just slightly thicker would make it indestructible. And we reveal how (and why) Jony Ive created the massive mystery rainbow stage now present at the heart of Apple Park.

Our thanks to Squarespace for supporting this episode. Easily create a beautiful website all by yourself, at Squarespace.com/cultcast. Use offer code CultCast at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain..

Apple Lisa documentary will tell the story of Cupertino’s most important ‘flop’

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Apple prototypes
In retrospect, the Lisa was pretty darn important for Apple.
Photo: CNBC

A new documentary called Before Macintosh: The Apple Lisa promises to tell the story of one of Apple’s most important flops.

Directed by computer historian (and Apple collector) David Greelish, the movie will feature interviews with key players in the machine’s development. It also will place the Lisa in its proper context — as one of the most influential computers of all time.