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First 14-inch MacBook Pro with mini LED moves closer to release

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First 14-inch MacBook Pro with mini LED moves closer to release
There’s a to of hope that the 14-inch MacBook Pro will have slim screen bezels.
Photo: Apple

Apple reportedly plans to shake up the design of the MacBook Pro later in 2021. Sources in the company’s Asian supply chain assert that a 14-inch model is on the way, a first for Apple.

Just as importantly, it and an improved 16-inch MacBook Pro supposedly will be the first macOS notebooks with a mini-LED display, improving the look of the screen.

Designer’s sublime space feeds his creative process [Setups]

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Arun Venkatesan's setup is a light and airy marriage of form and function.
Arun Venkatesan's setup is a light and airy marriage of form and function.
Photo: Arun Venkatesan

San Francisco-based designer Arun Venkatesan is about to take delivery on a 2020 MacBook Air with an M1 chip to replace the 2013 MacBook Air he uses in tandem with his 2018 MacBook Pro. But the new Mac isn’t really what he’s excited about.

He thinks less about having the latest technology and more about how his tools fit into his design philosophy, which he wrote about at length here. Form and function meet in his elegant and minimal setup.

Save hundreds on iPad Pro refurbs today only

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iPad Pro with Smart Keyboard
Bag yours before they're all gone!
Photo: Apple

Looking for an iPad upgrade? Check out Woot’s impressive one-day sale on iPad Pro refurbs.

Prices start at just $399.99 for a 12.9-inch model (2015) with 32GB of storage, while a newer, faster 2020 model can be yours from $699.99. Bag one now before they’re all gone!

This post contains affiliate links. Cult of Mac may earn a commission when you use our links to buy items.

Easily edit photos like a pro with this AI-powered app

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Photo editor
This AI-powered Mac app makes editing images a snap.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Artificial intelligence is changing the way we work. The apps we use daily can do everything from customizing smarter workflows to predicting the phrases we write. They can suggest an appropriate contact and auto-scheduling meetings based on conversations with co-workers.

In fact, more and more laborious processes are getting a boost from AI — and photo editing is no exception. Movavi Picverse Photo Editor for Mac & Windows allows you to edit professional-quality photos using AI, with features like auto-enhance, background removal, restoration and more. And you can get a lifetime license at a big discount.

Bag a bargain MacBook refurb for as little as $329.99 today only

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MacBook Pro refurbs
Sale ends today — don't miss out!
Photo: Apple

Woot’s spectacular sale on MacBook refurbs is back! There are a whole host of models to choose from, with prices starting at a mere $329.99 today only.

Don’t miss out!

This post contains affiliate links. Cult of Mac may earn a commission when you use our links to buy items.

A superstar opens up in Billie Eilish: The World’s a Little Blurry [Apple TV+ review]

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Billie Eilish: The World’s A Little Blurry
She's young, she's human, get used to it.
Photo: Apple TV+

With Billie Eilish: The World’s a Little Blurry, the young pop star gets a showcase and a bio-doc, which means she’s gotten so hugely popular that people demanded to know more about her.

The good news is, Eilish is a humble and interesting subject. The bad news: Being a depressed teenager with high-tension demands placed upon you isn’t the easiest thing in the world.

macOS Big Sur 11.2.2 prevents USB hubs from damaging MacBooks

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macOS Big Sur 11.2.2 was released Thursday, February 25.
A MacBook Pro or MacBook Air might be damaged by a USB-C hub. Get macOS Big Sur 11.2.2 to make sure it doesn’t happen.
Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac

Apple on Thursday released a critical macOS update that might save your MacBook from being damaged by a misbehaving USB-C hub or dock. The problem is severe enough that macOS Big Sur 11.2.2 was rushed out solely to fix this problem.

This new version might not be available for all users, as it affects only certain models.

Mac to the future: Apple’s new designs embrace the past like never before

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The rainbow Apple logo on the back of a modern iMac.
Apple's going back to the past.
Photo: ColorWare

Something weird is brewing in Apple land. The company, which for years wasn’t big on embracing its past, has gone retro.

While the innovations — ranging from the first 5G iPhones to the exciting new Macs powered by Apple’s proprietary processors — keep coming, Cupertino is reportedly revisiting some of its past designs for its next generation of products.

And you know what? I like it.

Want an M1 MacBook Pro? Sell your old model for fast upgrade cash

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abstract-MacBook
It's easier than you think.
Photo: Dmitry Chernyshov

It’s a great time to pick up a new M1 MacBook Pro, with retailers like Amazon now slashing up to $100 off brand-new models, and Apple itself offering bigger discounts on refurbished units. And Cult of Mac can help make yours even more affordable.

We pay great prices for used Apple computers (and other Apple devices) — and we make the whole process quick and simple. We also cough up real cash that you can spend anywhere you like.

Master data analysis with one of these top-rated Microsoft Excel courses

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Master excel
Adding this skill to your resume will help you climb the career ladder.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

If you’re contemplating a career transition or looking for ways to make yourself more competitive in your current role, you’ve probably noticed this trend in the past few years: More and more employers are looking for applicants who are proficient in working with data. In fact, nearly 70% of business leaders in the United States prefer job applicants with data skills as of 2021.

One way you can meet that demand and open up more career opportunities for yourself is to master Microsoft Excel. And any of these four courses is the perfect way to start your journey toward becoming a master of data manipulation and analysis.

Bag iPhone 11, 11 Pro refurbs at big discounts today only

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iPhone-11-vs-11-Pro
Claims yours before they're all gone!
Photo: Apple

Woot’s latest sale offers iPhone 11 and 11 Pro refurbs at big discounts for one day only. Prices start at just $509.99 and all models are unlocked for use on any carrier. Bag yours before they’re all gone!

This post contains affiliate links. Cult of Mac may earn a commission when you use our links to buy items.

Save with this prepaid, 6-month talk, text and data plan

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phone plan
This discounted bundle includes unlimited talk and text.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

As much as you might love your iPhone, getting locked into a cellular contract can prove annoying and expensive. If you’re looking for a way to save money without sacrificing on connectivity, check out this prepaid talk, text and data plan from Tello.

Tello, a highly rated provider with a 4.6/5 star rating from TrustPilot after 7,000 reviews, offers affordable wireless phone plans without locking you into a contract (or tacking on additional fees).

Apple starts selling refurbished M1 MacBooks at big discounts

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MacBook Air M1 2020
A refurbished MacBook Air could be your key to a fresh computer without breaking your budget.
Photo: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac

Apple began selling refurbished M1 MacBooks at well below their original prices. As they’re as much as $500 below the regular price, these are outstanding options for anyone who wants a laptop with Apple’s speedy M-series processor but don’t have the cash for a new one.

There’s a wide range of used MacBook Air and MacBook Pro units currently in stock at the online Apple Store.

iOS engineer loves his triple-5K display, except when he doesn’t [Setups]

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Christian Roman's setup is built for beautiful video and audio: 5K screens, massive subwoofer, pro lighting.
Christian Roman built his setup for beautiful video and audio: three 5K screens, speakers with a massive subwoofer and pro lighting.
Photo: Christian Roman

iOS software engineer Christian Roman has a “love-hate relationship” with his impressive triple 5K display setup.

“It’s fantastic when it works,” he told Cult of Mac. “It’s a nightmare when macOS suddenly decides to stop working with triple screens.”

Fry’s Electronics is dead, and the Apple store helped kill it

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The Fry's Electronics in Burbank, California, had a retro alien invasion theme.
The alien invasion theme of the Fry's in Burbank, California, looks sadly appropriate now.
Photo: Theron Trowbridge/Flickr CC

Fry’s Electronics, a brick-and-mortar retailer and Silicon Valley institution since the mid-1980s, has shut its doors. And, while it might be hyperbolic to say Apple killed the quirky electronics superstore, Cupertino certainly hammered a nail or three in Fry’s coffin.

The chain — which stocked a sprawling selection of TVs, stereos and other electronics alongside computer components, DVDs, groceries and less-savory items — became a go-to for geeks as personal computers took off.

But even with crazy themed stores that made it the “Walt Disney World of electronics stores,” Fry’s couldn’t compete in the sleek new retail world Apple created.

This awesome charging dock will power all your Apple products at the same time

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Wireless charging station
This inexpensive, all-in-one charging station checks all the boxes.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Being more organized can make you more productive and improve your motivation. What’s one super-easy and cool way to make your workspace more organized? This four-in-one wireless charging station. And it just so happens to be on sale at a huge 26% discount right now, for just $32.88 (regular price $45).

Developers get new rules for filling out App Store privacy labels

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App Store privacy labels are new, and there have been criticism.
The purpose of the App Store privacy labels is to help users understand what data is collected and how it is used.
Photo: Apple

Developers have updated instructions for filling out the privacy “nutrition labels” shown in the App Store. There are additions and clarifications.

Apple asks developers to submit the information for these privacy labels shown to users. There’ve been questions about how accurate the devs’ responses are — including some from a Congressional committee — and the new instructions might be part of Apple’s response.

OtterBox Mobile Gaming Clip unites iPhone with Xbox controller [Review]

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OtterBox Mobile Gaming Clip review
Securely mount your iPhone on an Xbox controller with the OtterBox Mobile Gaming Clip.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Playing fast-moving games on a touchscreen is often frustrating. And while iOS supports external game controllers, combining one with an iPhone can be cumbersome. But not with the OtterBox Mobile Gaming Clip. It attaches an iPhone to an Xbox controller in a surprisingly usable setup.

I did some gaming with the phone mount to see how it stands up to real-world use. Spoiler: it performed far better than the many cheap alternatives.

This speaker charges your iPhone while blasting your favorite playlist

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wireless speaker
Are you ready to rumble in the jungle?
Photo: HyperGear

People who love hopping into their cars and going for an outdoor adventure know that few things compare to an open road and being in nature. Whether you’re taking a short hike or enjoying a long weekend camping, it’s important to have the right gear on hand to ensure you can fully relax and immerse yourself in your surroundings.

The HyperGear Quake Wireless Speaker with Built-in Power Bank is the perfect outdoor companion, and it serves two functions: It keeps your phone fully charged (just in case you need it). And it can stream your favorite playlists for fireside entertainment.

How to share lyrics from Apple Music on iOS and iPadOS 14.5

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How to share lyrics from Apple Music
Share snippets from your favorite tracks.
Image: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

iOS 14.5 and iPadOS 14.5 offer the ability to share lyrics directly from Apple Music for the first time. You can use the feature to send snippets from your favorite tracks to social media, messaging apps, and more.

We’ll show you how to use it on iPhone and iPad.