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Retired DJ and TV writer rocks head-spinning gear list [Setups]

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Three setups in one makes for hot fun in the Arizona sun.
Three setups in one makes for hot fun in the Arizona sun.
Photo: Tyler Botha

Arizona-based Tyler Botha, aka theallseeingeye on Reddit, is a TV-focused copywriter for a San Francisco startup and a retired pro DJ. The setup and epic gear list he sent to our attention does triple duty with a capable “WFH Desk,” a powerful “Gaming Corner” and a remarkably complete “DJ Desk.”

Talk about “complete.” Botha’s gear list, represented in the links below, is probably the longest one ever published in a Cult of Mac Setups article. You don’t have to be a DJ to appreciate it, but it helps.

Mysterious ‘homeOS’ platform leaks in Apple job listing [Updated]

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HomePod mini lives up to its name
Apple could ramp up its focus on smart home devices.
Photo: Apple

There’s macOS, iOS, iPadOS, watchOS and tvOS. How about homeOS, signaling a ramping up of Apple’s smart home ambitions?

That is one take-home from a new Apple Music job posting spotted online. It references a hitherto-unannounced mobile operating system called “homeOS.” While Apple rolled out its HomeKit smart home platform in 2014, it has — to date — been a part of iOS/iPadOS, rather than its own fully fledged operating system. That could change soon.

Apple won’t buy a Hollywood studio because it’s ‘afraid of shareholder blowback’

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Your free Apple TV+ trial just got even sweeter.
Apple's not big into buying other properties.
Photo: Apple

Tim Cook is “afraid of [the] shareholder blowback” that might come with buying a Hollywood studio, claims one executive, quoted in a new story from the Hollywood Reporter.

The article, published Wednesday, suggests that Apple missed out on buying MGM Studios because it wasn’t bold enough to do so. Amazon recently snapped up MGM, home of the James Bond movies, for a massive $8.45 billion. Apple was supposedly in the bidding at some point, but didn’t wind up going through with it.

Because Tim Cook’s chicken. Or something.

No turning back: Apple stops users downgrading if they’re already running iOS 14.6

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iOS 14 widgets changed the way I use my iPhone.
There's no turning back if you've already upgraded.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple has stopped signing iOS 14.5.1 following the release of iOS 14.6 a couple of weeks ago. That means that, if you’ve already upgraded to the latest version of Apple’s mobile operating system, there’s no going back again. (Although, to be fair, why would you want to?)

Apple stops signing firmware quickly after introducing newer, more up-to-date versions. “Signing” is the process of confirming that code is legitimate and has not been altered or corrupted. This allows downloaders to know their software updates are coming through official Apple channels.

Apple has a pair of intriguing HomePod devices in the works

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HomePod speaker
Apple's not given up on HomePod it seems.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

A proposed HomePod speaker with a built-in screen, and another device combining HomePod, FaceTime camera, and Apple TV, remain in “early development” at Apple, a Bloomberg report Friday states.

The report, which also includes details of Apple’s AirPods roadmap, describes the pair of devices as being part of Apple’s “broader home, audio and accessories strategy.” Unfortunately, there’s no word on when either might arrive.

Get ready for lossless Apple Music with Belkin Soundform Connect [Review]

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Belkin Soundform Connect review: AirPlay 2 adapter for legacy speakers
The Belkin Soundform Connect brings the high-quality audio of AirPlay 2 to legacy speakers or soundbars.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The Belkin Soundform Connect could be just what you need to connect your speakers to Apple Music’s upcoming high-quality lossless audio. The wireless adapter allows iPhone and Mac users communicate with any speaker over AirPlay 2 using Wi-Fi rather than Bluetooth.

I ran some tests, and I’m impressed with the usefulness of this tiny accessory.

Rome’s Apple Via del Corso may be the most jaw-dropping Apple Store yet

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Apple Store Rome
Peek inside Rome's gorgeous new Apple Via del Corso store.
Photo: Apple

As impressive as the sleekly minimalist, modernist Apple Stores are when they’re built from the ground up, there’s something dazzling about the company’s retail outlets that take over and restore classic buildings.

That second category certainly applies to Apple Via del Corso, which opens Thursday in the historic city of Rome. The 17th Apple Store in Italy, the new (well, old) structure is described by Apple as one of its “most significant restoration projects.”

That may be understating its appeal, too. Judging by the images, this could be the most spectacular Apple Store yet.

Netflix could offer new gaming subscription like Apple Arcade

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Netflix could get into gaming
A Netflix for games? Yes, please!
Image: Netflix/Cult of Mac

Netflix is exploring an expansion into online gaming with a brand-new service much like Apple Arcade, according to new reports.

The service could see subscribers paying a monthly fee for unlimited access to a catalog of titles. However, sources familiar with the situation say that plans are “very much in flux” as things stand.

New iOS and macOS versions add Apple Card Family, podcast subscriptions

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MacBook, iPad, Apple Watch, Apple TV
If you have multiple Apple devices, you’re in for a busy day. iOS 14.6, macOS 11.4, iPadOS 14.6, watchOS 7.5 and tvOS 14.6 are all ready to be installed.
Photo: Apple

Apple just released software updates with new features for iPhone, Mac, iPad and Apple TV. Most notably, macOS Big Sur 11.4 includes support for Apple Podcasts subscriptions, while iOS 14.6 adds support Apple Card Family. Plus, iPadOS 14.6, watchOS 7.5 and tvOS 14.6 debuted Monday.

All these features were pre-announced.

Apple details plans for WWDC 2021

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Apple’s all-online Worldwide Developers Conference kicks off June 7 with keynote address at 10 a.m. PST.
Set your alarms! The WWDC 2021 keynote kicks off at 10 a.m. PST.
Image: Apple

Apple’s annual Worldwide Developers Conference is scheduled for June 7, and on Monday the iPhone-maker revealed that the all-important keynote address for WWDC 2021 will be held at 10 a.m. PDT on that day. This is almost certainly when they wraps will come off the next major upgrades for iOS, macOS and the company’s other operating systems.

New hardware is possible but far from certain.