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Survival of the fittest at stake in Apple TV+ Physical season 2 trailer

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Rose Byrne plays fitness entrepreneur Sheila Rubin in
Rose Byrne plays fitness entrepreneur Sheila Rubin in "Physical."
Photo: Apple TV+

Apple TV+ offered up a new trailer Wednesday for season two of the darkish comedy Physical, starring Rose Byrne as a pioneering entrepreneur in the 1980s fitness boom in Los Angeles.

But Byrne’s character, Sheila Rubin, faces daunting competition as her husband continues to struggle with his political career.

Get started with Focus modes and eliminate unwanted distractions

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These are my custom Driving and Writing Home Screens.
Find out how to use Focus modes on iPhone, iPad and Mac. Your frazzled nerves will thank you.
Screenshot: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

Apple’s new Focus feature is like Do Not Disturb on steroids. It is much smarter than the Do Not Disturb of old. Since not all work or relaxation is created equal, you can set up Focus modes for specific situations to keep unwanted distractions at bay.

When you’re working, you might want email and Slack to come through, unless you’re in a meeting.

When you’re at home, you may want most notifications to come through, but not if you’re having have friends over, playing games or watching a show.

This article will cover setting up Focus modes on iOS 15. If you have the latest iPhone, a brand-new Mac or you’ve kept up with software updates, you’ll want to check out our guide for iOS 16.

If you have an old device and you want to see how Focus modes work, keep reading.

Last chance: Save 30% on Function 101 Cable Blocks

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The magnetized cable blocks click together.
The magnetized cable blocks click together.
Photo: Function101

Pretty much anyone with gear powered by electricity — like a computer setup — can tell you how pervasive a problem cable clutter can be. Dealing with cable management is nobody’s favorite task, though, so it often goes unaddressed. And yet certain products, like cable blocks, go a long way toward solving the thorny problem.

Function 101 Cable Blocks are perfect for keeping your cables neatly arranged and within reach, rather than splayed all over the place. And you can get them for 30% off today in the Cult of Mac Store. It’s the last day of the sale.

Aura Strap 2 for Apple Watch slims down, adds subscription service

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Aura Strap 2 lets you track your fat, muscle and water levels with an app and a fitness-oriented subscription service.
Aura Strap 2 lets you track your fat, muscle and water levels with an app and a fitness-oriented subscription service.
Photo: Aura Devices

Aura Devices updated its health-metrics-focused smart band for Apple Watch Wednesday by slimming it down and adding a fitness-oriented subscription service.

The second-generation Aura Strap 2 records metrics like body fat percentage, muscle density and water levels.

Discontinued iPod touch sells out in some configurations

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Apple's discontinued iPod touch is getting harder to find for sale.
Apple's discontinued iPod touch is getting harder to find for sale.
Photo: Apple

Only one day after Cupertino discontinued the iPod touch, its last dedicated portable music player, some configurations are already sold out in the Apple Store. Others remain for sale “while supplies last,” as Apple said of its fast-dwindling stock.

Traveling musician takes his Mac mini rig on the road [Setups]

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It beats paying for a MacBook Pro. Or does it?
It beats paying for a MacBook Pro. Or does it?
Photo: [email protected]

Apple products are famously not cheap. So much so that some people will go to considerable lengths to avoid shelling out for a new MacBook Pro, MacBook Air or iPad with keyboard. Today’s featured computer setup belongs to a traveling musician (famously not rich).

He takes his Mac mini on the road with him. Of course, with a Mac mini, you also need some sort of display and input devices, as in a keyboard and a mouse or trackpad. And you have to find room and set it all up wherever you lay your head.

Is it worth it? For some people, it is. We’ll explain why.

Apple now sells Mophie’s tiny but powerful new USB-C GaN chargers

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Compared to Apple's most similar charger, Mophie's 67W GaN unit is quite small.
Compared to Apple's most similar charger, Mophie's 67W GaN unit is quite small.
Photo: Mophie

Mophie’s latest ultra-compact USB-C wall chargers, containing gallium nitride (GaN), are available exclusively at Apple or Mophie’s parent company Zagg, the companies said Wednesday.

The Mophie Speedport chargers, designed to power up iPhone, iPads and Macs, come in 30W and 67W sizes.

EU may force tech giants to remove and report child sex abuse images

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The European Commission's draft law could force companies to detect, remove and report CSAM.
The European Commission's draft law could force companies to detect, remove and report CSAM.
Photo: European Commission

According to a new report, the European Commission could release a draft law this week requiring tech companies like Apple and Google to better police their platforms for illegal images of child sexual abuse, known as CSAM.

The law would require tech companies to detect, remove and report images to law enforcement.

This pocket radio is more powerful than it looks

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This mini radio is shockingly powerful.
Tune in to AM, FM and shortwave, wherever you may roam.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

The internet isn’t the only way to stay connected. A powerful AM/FM/shortwave radio can link you to music, news and sports from around the world. And it can come in handy for staying informed while you’re traveling — or keeping entertained while you’re camping

The Elite Mini AM/FM/Shortwave Radio with Digital Tuner can do all that and more. And for a limited time, it’s on sale for $24.99 (regularly $34).

iPhone 15 could finally ditch Lightning in favor of USB-C

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iPhone X with USB-C port
An iPhone with a USB-C port could finally be a reality next year
Photo: Ken Pillonel

It looks like Apple is finally preparing to make the switch to USB-C on its iPhone lineup. Based on his latest supply-chain survey, reputable analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicts Apple will ditch the Lightning connector and switch to USB-C on the iPhone 15 in 2023.

Road map shows pill and hole replacing notch on all iPhone 15 models

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A render shows the pill-and-hole display design.
A render shows the pill-and-hole display design.
Photo: 91mobiles

According to a new prediction, a pill-and-hole display design will replace the notch on all four iPhone 15 models scheduled for release next year. In the upcoming iPhone 14 series, the new design is expected only on the two Pro models.

The prognostication also looks ahead to all sensors and front cameras going under the display starting with some iPhone 16 models. The predictions come in the form of a road map of upcoming releases that display industry consultant Ross Young tweeted Tuesday.

Host unlimited websites forever with this top-rated service, less than $50 today 

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Grab top-rated web hosting for life with this one-time deal.
Never pay for monthly web hosting again with this top-rated lifetime service.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Whatever industry you work in or interests you have, everyone needs their own website. And over time, you’ll probably want to launch more than one. That means you’ll need somewhere to host them. And one of the world’s most recommended options, DoRoyal Eternal Kingdom Lifetime Website Hosting, is on sale today for just $49 (regular price $300).

Why the iPod was the signature music device of its era

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Cover of the Cult of iPod book
The cover of The Cult of iPod, my book that documented the gadget's cultural impact.
Photo: Leander Kahney/No Starch Press

The following is from the introduction to The Cult of iPod, my 2005 book about the massive impact of the tiny music player. Introduced in 2001, the iPod quickly became one of the most important gadgets of all time. It transformed Apple and it brought a lot of joy into people’s lives. All told, Apple sold about 400 million iPods before officially pulling the plug on the device Tuesday.

I hope this intro captures why I loved the iPod, as did millions of other people.

Excerpt from The Cult of iPod

Fire, the wheel, and the iPod. In the history of invention, gadgets don’t come more iconic than Apple’s digital music player. The iPod is to the 21st century what the big band was to the ’20s, the radio to the ’40s, or the juke-box to the ’50s — the signature technology that defines the musical culture of the era. And what a marvelous technology the iPod is. Inside Apple’s little white box is magic, pure magic, in the guise of music.

Modder makes the first USB-C AirPods charging case

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This AirPods charging case has a USB-C connection.
This AirPods charging case has a USB-C connection.
Photo: Ken Pillonel

The robotics engineering student who made a name for himself replacing an iPhone’s Lightning connector with USB-C is at it again. But this time he’s bringing a USB-C AirPods charging case into the world for the first time.

Ken Pillonel got $86,000 for the iPhone. No word yet on whether crazy money will come his way for the AirPods case.

R.I.P. iPod: Apple discontinues its tiny music player

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R.I.P., iPod. Apple discontinues iPod touch. It's the end of the iPod product line.
R.I.P., iPod.
Photo: Apple

It’s the end of an era — Apple has stopped making the once-iconic iPod. The little music player helped save Apple, and made the company a powerhouse in the music industry, but its day is over.

The last model is the iPod touch, which “will be available while supplies last,” Apple said Tuesday in a press release.

An illustrated history of the iPod and its massive impact [Updated]

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Steve Jobs on the cover of NewsWeek
Steve Jobs and the iPod make the cover of NewsWeek.
Photo: NewsWeek

Editor’s note: We originally published this illustrated history of the iPod to celebrate the device’s 10th anniversary on Oct. 22, 2011 (and updated it a decade later). We republished it on May 10, 2022, when Apple finally pulled the plug on the iPod.

The iPod grew out of Steve Jobs’ digital hub strategy. Life was going digital. People were plugging all kinds of devices into their computers: digital cameras, camcorders, MP3 players.

The computer was the central device, the “digital hub,” that could be used to edit photos and movies or manage a large music library. Jobs tasked Apple’s programmers with making software for editing photos, movies and managing digital music. While they were doing this, they discovered that all the early MP3 players were horrible. Jobs asked his top hardware guy, Jon Rubinstein, to see if Apple could do better.

Why you’re wrong about Apple Watch Series 7

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Have you been too hard on Apple Watch Series 7?
Have you been too hard on Apple Watch Series 7?
Photo: Graham Bower/Cult of Mac

Six months after its launch, people are still griping about Apple Watch Series 7. Even our own Lewis and Erfon recently agreed on The CultCast that Series 7 wasn’t worth the upgrade.

Many have moaned that it lacks new features, with some even suggesting it was a last-minute rush-job on Cupertino’s part. Personally, I don’t believe a word of it. I love my Series 7 and I think the haters have got it all wrong. Here’s why.

Compact new drone packs a 48MP camera and obstacle sensing

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The DJI Mini Pro 3 can fly for 34 minutes on a standard charge.
The DJI Mini Pro 3 can fly for 34 minutes on a standard charge.
Photo: DJI

DJI launched its newest consumer drone Tuesday, the compact and lightweight Mini Pro 3. It’s just light enough so you don’t have to register it with the Federal Aviation Administration. Folded up, it fits in the palm of your hand.

And it packs features associated with bigger, pricier drones, like a 48MP camera, 4K 60fps video and obstacle sensing.

Save on flights, hotels and rental cars with this discount travel service

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Take flight with great travel deals.
Get all kinds of great travel deals with Launching Travel.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

One of the No. 1 stressors about traveling is money, and it’s not just the food at the airport terminal that comes with a sky-high price tag. However, with the right tools, you can save on every part of your travels, from flights to hotels and even the car you rent when you land.

A one-year subscription to Launching Travel will help you save on hotels, rental cars and more. And for a limited time, it’s on sale for just $29.99 (regularly $45).

Make your photos sparkle with this discount Photoshop bundle

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Save on Photoshop assets with this fantastic deal.
The Adobe Photoshop Actions asset bundle from FilterGrade will give your images a boost.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Today, we all need great images. Whether it’s for make social media posts and websites look engaging or to sell a product, the quality of your images is a direct reflection of the quality of your enterprise.

Take your images to the next level with the FilterGrade Adobe Photoshop Actions Asset Bundle for Creative Professionals. It’s on sale today for just $39 — that’s a 79% discount off the regular price of $187.

Get 20% off a magnetic iPad stand that offers unlimited viewing angles

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Mount your iPad on the stand magnetically and rotate and tilt it as much as you want.
Mount your iPad on the stand magnetically and rotate and tilt it as much as you want.
Photo: SwitchEasy

For anyone who wants to use their iPad like a desktop computer or laptop, with proper ergonomics in mind, the SwitchEasy MagMount Magnetic iPad Stand can help.

And you can get it for 20% off the regular price in the Cult of Mac Store through May 16. That’s $20 off.

Jony Ive unveils his top 12 tools for ‘making’

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Want to be like Jony Ive? Here's about $10,000 worth of tools to carry with you every day.
Want to be like Jony Ive? Here's about $10,000 worth of tools to carry with you every day.
Photo: Apple

Former Apple design chief Jony Ive recently served as a guest editor for the UK’s Financial Times. In the magazine’s “How to Spend It” issue, he lists a dozen tools he finds indispensable for “making.”

More specifically, these are his top picks “for making, for marking, for measuring, and carrying with you every day.”

But don’t break your neck craning to see if he included any Apple items, or even computing products. He didn’t.

Meet Fantastical, the king of calendar apps [Awesome Apps]

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Fantastical, the best calendar app for iPhone, iPad and Mac: You don’t have to settle for Apple’s stock calendar app.
You don’t have to settle for Apple’s stock calendar app.
Image: Cult of Mac

Awesome Apps is a new series highlighting the best apps around. We’ll be featuring our favorite apps as well as new and notable apps. Apps are transformative, and these are the best.

Years ago, I decided to ditch my paper Filofax diary for my iPhone, before quickly realizing that Apple’s built-in Calendar app didn’t fully meet my needs. Fortunately, it didn’t take long to find the perfect third-party calendar app for iOS, iPadOS and macOS.

It’s called Fantastical – let me tell you about it.

Apple’s own Calendar app might be relatively well-formed and functional – most of the time – but for anyone looking to take their personal organization to the next level, long-time favorite Fantastical from developer Flexibits is a great option. The app’s wide-ranging feature set makes it easy to add tasks, manage calendars and streamline your productivity. Let’s start with the basics, before looking at some of Fantastical’s power features.

Dual Studio Display rig comes with a light show [Setups]

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Nanoleaf Lines, behind the displays, are the primary lights in this show.
Nanoleaf Lines, behind the displays, are the primary lights in this show.
Photo: apple_tech_admin

Recently we wrote about a PC gamer converting to the Apple ecosystem, happily, with an M1 MacBook Pro-based setup. Now we have a lucky recipient of not one but two recently shipped Studio Displays, freshly arrived to replace a pair of gaming monitors.

Learn the most popular coding language in the world for only $39

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See why Python is the most popular.
Python is the coding language programmers prefer.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Learning to code is wildly useful — and it’s surprisingly fun once you get the hang of it. And one of the most well-loved languages in the world is Python.

This coding language is manageable for beginners and has a massive range of applications. Learn to write it with The Complete 2022 Python Programmer Bundle. This Python learning bundle happens to also be on sale for just $39 (regularly $1,791).