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Elago iPhone 12 stand makes Apple MagSafe charger even better [Review]

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Elago MS1 Charging Stand for MagSafe review
The Elago MS1 stand holds your iPhone 12 up while it’s charging on Apple’s MagSafe puck.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple’s new MagSafe iPhone 12 charger has limitations. But the Elago MS1 Charging Stand wraps around Apple’s simple puck and makes it better.

I tested this useful accessory on my desk and at my bedside. Here’s why I like it.

Cut down on desk clutter with this minimalist wireless charger

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These wireless charging docks will keep all of your devices powered up
These spiffy wireless charging docks will keep all of your devices powered up.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

If you’re going to be spending so much time at your desk doing remote work, you might as well set yourself up for success. One pro move is eliminating as much needless clutter as you can — and this Wireless Charging Dock for iPhone is a beautiful option.

It not only looks stylish and sleek, it keeps your phone effortlessly charged so you’re ready to use it at all times. And it comes in multiple configurations that can charge an Apple Watch and other devices, too.

5 ways Apple car could change the way we think about automobiles

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Could Apple reinvent the car as we know it?
Could Apple reinvent the car as we know it?
Photo: Austrian National Library/Unsplash CC

Apple’s rumored electric vehicle could be just a nice luxury item that appeals to Apple fans with a lot of disposable income, similar to the HomePod or AirPods Max — but far more expensive. Or it could alter the automotive experience in a far more profound, Apple-esque manner.

I’d bet on the latter option. Apple doesn’t do things by halves. Steve Jobs famously stated that he wanted to build a personal computer that would put a ding in the universe. The iPhone, Apple Stores, the Apple Watch, iTunes and the App Store — those all changed the way that we use technology on a regular basis. They solved a bigger problem than just giving us a nice, Apple-branded version of an existing product to play with.

If Apple makes a car, it will likely remake the way we think about cars. Here are five ways Cupertino could do that.

Apple Maps will let drivers report accidents, speed traps and other hazards

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Apple Maps adds accident reporting in iOS 14.5
Apple Maps in iOS 14.5 will let users report hazards to fellow motorists.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple Maps will start collecting crowd-sourced accident reports when iOS 14.5 is released. The beta version already lets users test sharing the locations of accidents, speed traps and other hazards.

This is hardly cutting edge, of course. Google Waze has included the feature for years.

Health care exec cures cable outbreak threatening healthy work and play station [Setups]

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Dr. Edward Wang's setup features an ultra-wide monitor.
Edward Wang's setup features an ultra-wide monitor. (Note the eye-strain-reducing BenQ Screen Bar lighting atop the monitor.)
Photo: Edward Wang

Basking Ridge, New Jersey-based Edward Wang, Ph.D., is an executive director with Quest Diagnostics. He took some serious time and effort making his setup a clean and powerful tool for health care work and audiovisual play. Once he diagnosed and treated a cable-management malady stemming from several separate pieces of computer and audio equipment, his setup delighted him.

Drive safer with one of these discount iPhone car mounts

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These car mounts on sale will keep you and your iPhone safe
Keep your eyes on the road and your hands upon the wheel.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Road trips are definitely surging in popularity as COVID-19 strangles air travel. But before you pack your favorite snacks and plan your sightseeing journey, you should be sure you have everything you need to stay safe on the road.

Your iPhone will most certainly be your command center when you pop your vehicle in drive, and any of these 10 car mounts can put it right where it needs to be. They all offer surefire ways to keep your iPhone in view without looking away from the road — and they’re all on sale.

Plus, you can keep your phone conveniently charged at all times, so you can stay connected while barreling down the highway.

There should never be another iPhone mini

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iPhone 12 mini
The iPhone 12 mini is a great little device ... that almost no one wants.
Photo: Lyle Kahney/Cult of Mac

iPhone 12 mini is the worst selling of the new iOS handsets by a wide margin. Apple should be embarrassed because there was plenty of evidence before the launch that sales would be poor. Take note: Another super-small iPhone would just compound the mistake.

No more 5.4-inch iPhones. Ever.

Cupertino puts pedal to the metal on Apple car road tests

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The Apple Car won‘t look anything like this. At all.
Apple test cars drove more miles in 2020 than the previous year. And they were apparently more reliable.
Illustration: Cult of Mac

Apple Car on-road testing increased substantially in 2020. The number of miles driven went up 2.5 times. It’s another sign the company is getting more serious about its self-driving vehicle.

Create amazing animations in just a few clicks with this Mac app

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This app allows you to create stunning morph animations with just a few clicks
This Mac app allows you to create stunning morph animations with just a few clicks.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Whether you’re dabbling in creative pursuits or whipping up eye-catching images for your company, sometimes a simple edited photo just isn’t powerful enough to capture your audience’s attention. That’s where Morph Age: Image Morphing & Warping for Mac comes in handy. With this Mac app, you can create unique, interesting animations by altering faces, drawings and other objects in a few simple clicks.

macOS Big Sur 11.2.1 fixes pesky MacBook Pro charging bug

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macOS Big Sur public release ushers in huge design changes
Put macOS Big Sur 11.2.1 on your older MacBook Pro if it’s been having charging problems.
Photo: Apple

Apple introduced macOS Big Sur 11.2.1 to the public on Tuesday, taking care of a bug that prevented some MacBook Pro models from charging.

The update also removes security problems. Plus, Apple also released updates for macOS Catalina and Mojave to remove the same security bugs.

AirPods Pro covers protect your little buds, provide a better fit

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Elago earbuds covers for AirPods Pro
Bag a pack of 6 for just $15.99.
Photo: Elago

You’re probably already protecting your AirPods Pro charging case, but what about the beloved little buds themselves? Elago’s new earbuds covers help keep them free from grime and provide a more secure fit.

They’re ideal for running, cycling, and other workout activities. They also come in a number of cool color options — including one that glows in the dark!

D&D gaming comes to life via Mac mini and magical screen [Setups]

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A 43-inch curved monitor is the highlight of Duncan Shultz's gaming setup.
A 43-inch wide curved monitor is the highlight of Duncan Shultz's gaming setup.
Photo: Duncan Shultz

Brisbane, Australia-based defense contractor Duncan Shultz loves Dungeons & Dragons. And that’s the main action his Mac-mini-and-wide-screen setup sees, although he also admits to using it to work for a living. An Aasimar Sorcerer’s got to eat, after all.

“The wide screen is simply awesome for my uses,” Shultz told Cult of Mac. “Specifically in running online D&D games. I can have video conferencing, multiple browsers, streaming software and other tools all open and accessible.”

In addition to the aforementioned sorcerer character — goes by the name of Selinth, BTW — Schultz is a dungeon master for Curse of Strahd campaigns, one online and one in person. Online he uses the Roll20 website and in person he uses EncounterPlus for iOS and macOS.

Qualcomm’s 10 gigabit 5G modem likely to show up in future iPhones

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The next iPhone might use the speedy Snapdragon X65 5G modem
The Snapdragon X65 modem has just about everything the next 5G iPhone could need.
Graphic: Qualcomm

Qualcomm unveiled a 5G modem that potentially could increase the network speed of future iPhones. The new Snapdragon X65 promises 10 gigabit per second connections, as well as reduced battery drain.

In its announcement Tuesday, the chip maker didn’t specifically say the modem is headed for Apple products, but the iPhone 12 uses Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X55 modem for 5G. And the two companies have a multiyear chipset supply agreement.

E-GMP: A look at the Hyundai electric vehicle platform that (may have) caught Apple’s eye

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Hyundai's E-GMP platform is like a Lego base for electrical vehicles.
Hyundai's E-GMP platform is like a Lego base for electrical vehicles.
Photo: Hyundai

According to the latest news, talks between Hyundai and Apple may have stalled. Still, if things start up again, the South Korean automaker’s E-GMP platform could be key to Apple’s ambitions to build an electric vehicle.

Hyundai’s promising E-GMP platform has a lot to love.

Learn American Sign Language in 75 hours with this course

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The demand for ASL speakers is rising
The demand for ASL speakers is rising

You may have considered the benefits of learning a second language — bilingual speakers can potentially have access to a broader range of career opportunities. But, have you considered learning American Sign Language? The National Center for Health Statistics estimates that 28 million Americans (about 10% of the population) have some degree of hearing impairment — and about 2 million people within this population are classified as deaf.

However, only 10% of these 2 million people were born deaf, and the other 90% became deaf later in life. That means there’s a huge population of people you could help in various roles and connect to by learning ASL — and this Complete 2021 American Sign Language Master Class Bundle helps you master useful signs and communicate in just 75 hours.

First folding iPhone might be a fun, colorful ‘flip phone’

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The first folding iPhone might look something like this.
The first folding iPhone might look something like this.
Screenshot: Front Page Tech

Apple could have decided on the look of the first folding iPhone. Previously, the company was thought to be considering two options, but the winner is a “flip phone” design, according to a trusted Apple prognosticator.

The same source also has a hint that the folding iPhone might cost less than rival flexible phones. But it supposedly will not arrive before 2023 (and could come even later). With Apple’s focus on durability, the foldable iPhone could incorporate an advanced Liquidmetal hinge to improve longevity. Read more about Apple’s potential innovation here.

Garage-based man cave and home office relies on a killer screen [Setups]

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In this setup, an LG curved monitor is great for work as well as movies and TV.
In this setup, an LG curved monitor is great for work as well as movies and TV.
Photo: Paul O'Toole

An IT professional who specializes in Mac and iOS home implementations probably has a leg up on the next guy when it comes to building an Apple-centric home office and man cave.

Or is it a man cave and home office? We’ll let Paul O’Toole, an IT pro from Worcestershire, England, decide that. It’s his, after all. He calls it a “sitting room,” actually.

He turned his garage into an office and movie palace, thanks to an LG 34UC99 curved monitor and a pair of HomePods running with his Mac Pro.

Top Apple engineer now heads AR/VR glasses development

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A Apple VR headset is an Open secret, as demonstrated by a recent patent filing.
An illustration from a recent Apple patent filing shows a possible VR headset.
Graphic: Apple

Dan Riccio, one of Apple’s top designers, is reportedly now concentrating all his efforts on the company’s virtual-reality visor and augmented-reality glasses.

Previously, he headed Apple’s hardware engineering team. Then Cupertino revealed in January that Riccio was transitioning to a new role. But it wouldn’t say what that role will be.

This stylish smart lamp connects to Amazon Alexa to control your home

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This smart light has the features and functionality of Amazon Alexa
This smart light comes with Alexa inside.
Photo: GE Lighting

If you’re limited on space, you know the special value of multitasking furniture and organizers. Whether it’s a standing desk you can easily convert, cord organizers to keep cable clutter at bay, or other helpful space-saving goods, it certainly helps to decorate your pad with stuff that performs more than one function.

This C by GE Sol WiFi Alexa Enabled Smart Light doesn’t just brighten your space with a modern glow. It also fully connects to Amazon Alexa to give you better control of your living space.

Apple car rumors shift into overdrive [Cult of Mac Magazine 387]

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Apple car rumors shift into overdrive.
That roar you hear is the Apple car rumors redlining.
Cover: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac

After years of low idling, the Apple car rumors are really revving up. Possible deals with Kia and other automakers … whispers about secret supply-chain maneuvers … even a surprising claim that Cupertino’s first cars “will not be designed to have a driver.”

That’s the kind of Apple car news you’ll find in this week’s free issue of Cult of Mac Magazine.

You’ll also get more potential revelations about that other top-secret Apple endeavor — building a headset. Whether that will be a $3,000 niche VR model or something a little more down to earth remains to be seen.

And if that’s not enough good Apple news for one week, Snoopy is back for new adventures on Apple TV+. We’ve got reviews of The Snoopy Show as well as the latest episodes of Dickinson and Losing Alice.