| Cult of Mac

Software engineer defends Apple’s pricey Studio Display [Setups]

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Computer setup with M2 Pro MacBook Pro and Studio Display
Software engineer says his Studio Display's 60Hz refresh rate doesn't bother him (much).
Photo: OK_Cobbler_806@Reddit.com

A software engineer drives a Studio Display with an M2 Pro MacBook Pro in their enviable computer setup. And while some folks questioned the use of Apple’s pricey 5K display because of its relatively low refresh rate, the setup’s user praised the monitor highly.

Check out the advice the engineer got about setup improvements and see all their gear in the list below.

Updated OnePlus Nord earbuds add noise cancellation at low price

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Now with ANC and improved sound quality, OnePlus Nord Buds 2 cost $59 and come in white or gray colors.
Now with ANC and improved sound quality, OnePlus Nord Buds 2 cost $59 and come in white or gray colors.
Photo: OnePlus

Another week, another set of active-noise-cancelling (ANC) wireless earbuds. The latest buds vying to take a piece of the AirPods pie are the updated OnePlus Nord Buds 2. They add ANC and improved sound quality over their super-affordable predecessor.

Nord Buds made a splash with good sound quality at a bargain-basement price of $39 when they came out. Now Nord Buds 2 piles on more features and boosts quality at a still-low $59 price point.

New OnePlus mechanical keyboard plays well with Macs

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It's designed in collaboration with keyboard maker Keychron, and it looks it.
It's designed in collaboration with keyboard maker Keychron, and it looks it.
Photo: OnePlus

Best-known for its smartphones, OnePlus broadened its horizons Tuesday by rolling out the new OnePlus Featuring Keyboard 81 Pro wireless mechanical keyboard, among other products.

The keeb’s name may be off-kilter, but its design and functionality, co-engineered by well-known keyboard maker Keychron, look right on target for Mac users.

iPhone 14 Pro tops 5G speed tests in US, UK and Germany

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iPhone 14 Pro models topped or placed highly for 5G speeds in many countries.
iPhone 14 Pro models topped or placed highly for 5G speeds in many countries.
Photo: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac

A new analysis of smartphone speeds in 10 countries shows iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max are the fastest 5G mobile devices in the United States, United Kingdom and Germany.

Ookla’s study, released Monday, listed the top five fastest “popular” 5G devices by market share in each country. iPhone 14 and 13 series models appeared in many of the lists, but failed to place in some Asian markets.

Noting the performance variations by network and country, Ookla said the analysis “provides a snapshot of what you might typically expect.”

Samsung’s AirDrop clone will debut with Galaxy S20 next month

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AirDrop-hot-air-balloon
Incoming!
Photo: Marcus Dall Col/Unsplash

Samsung is developing its own AirDrop competitor that will make its debut alongside the Galaxy S20 next month, according to a new report.

Leaked Quick Share screenshots reveal the feature will let users “share instantly with people nearby.” This is separate from the AirDrop rival Google is reportedly planning for all Android devices.

iPhone 11 Pro eliminated in first round of blind camera test

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iPhone-11-vs-OnePlus
Yes, it got just 30% of the votes.
Photo: MKBHD

iPhone 11 packs Apple’s most impressive cameras to date. They’re some of the best available in any phone today. So you might be surprised to find they were just eliminated in round one of a blind camera test.

A photo taken on iPhone 11 Pro secured just 30% of the votes when up against a snap from the OnePlus 7T Pro — a handset that costs $400 less.

Cheap Androids cause problems for iPhone in India

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Apple supplier is increasing its ability to build masses of iPhones in India
Demand for Apple's iPhone is up in India.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Apple has poured a lot of money into trying to capture a big chunk of the growing smartphone market in India. But the average resident doesn’t have a lot of money to buy an iPhone.

A report by Counterpoint Research shows iPhone sales are falling in what is seen as Apple’s first decline in four years.

$1,000 iPhone X just the start of rising smartphone prices

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iPhone X laying down
I wanted a Galaxy S10, but I'm stuck with iPhone.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Apple’s bet on a $1,000 smartphone has paid off in a big way, and that’s bad news for iPhone fans.

As the iPhone X continues to be Apple’s best-selling smartphone, analysts warn that it will encourage even higher price tags year after year. You can expect this year’s iPhone lineup to be even more expensive, and you won’t save much by shopping elsewhere.