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Top stories - page 262

Sound designer’s setup powers a home office and AV wonderland [Setups]

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Widescreen monitor
When you have more gear than you use, it's time to break it down to basic needs.
Photo: Gareth Owen

Gareth Owen is a London-based professional sound designer whose job involves extensive CAD and acoustic modeling, but he also does sound effects work and multitrack mixing.

So he built a setup that functions as both his home office and a basic home studio.

That big film shoot grows perilously near in Losing Alice [Apple TV+ review]

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Writer Sophie, played by Lihi Kornowski, is ready to take whatever she can in Apple TV+ thriller
Writer Sophie is ready to take whatever she can in Losing Alice.
Photo: Apple TV+

On this week’s episode of Apple TV+’s behind-the-scenes filmmaking drama Losing Alice, rehearsals have begun, locations are found, and parts are cast. Now all that remains is for the relationship between writer, director and star not to devolve into shrieking sexual hysterics.

Easier said than done.

Speakly makes learning new languages quick, easy and fun

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This language learning app has 4.8:5 stars in the Apple App Store
Get a lifetime subscription to a highly reviewed app that will let you learn eight languages quickly.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Learning a new language doesn’t need to be tedious and time-consuming. The Speakly language app uses a proven methodology that combines science and computational algorithms to teach you the 4,000 most statistically relevant words of your target tongue in order of their importance.

And while that might sound intense, the app actually makes language learning fun and engaging.

The Snoopy Show will charm children and de-stress adults [Apple TV+ review]

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Snoopy and Woodstock return forThe Snoopy Show
Snoopy and Woodstock return for more low-key laughs in The Snoopy Show.
Photo: Apple TV+

Everyone’s favorite beagle flies back into action for a new series of misadventures on Apple TV+. Charles Schulz’s beloved gang of misfits are here to provide support on The Snoopy Show, based on the Peanuts comics.

The new animated series premieres Friday, bringing some stress-busting, family-friendly entertainment to Apple’s streaming service.

Kia and Apple build up supply chain for rumored Apple car

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Help wanted
"Supply chains assemble!"
Photo: Tim Mossholder/Unsplash CC

Kia reportedly started contacting potential partners in Georgia about working on the Apple car, The Wall Street Journal says.

This is the latest development as Apple and Kia parent company Hyundai supposedly prepare to team up in a $3.6 billion deal to build a self-driving electric vehicle. Kia reportedly could manufacture as many as 100,000 Apple cars per year.

This super-slim iPhone MagSafe wallet is also a nifty stand [Review]

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Moft Snap-on Stand & Wallet for iPhone 12 Series review
The Moft Snap-on Stand & Wallet for iPhone 12 Series is svelte even holding an Apple Card and a drivers license.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Accessories that take on more than one task are the best. Like Moft’s clip-on iPhone wallet that’s also a stand. It can hold three cards, but is very slender. And it uses magnets to cling tightly to the handset.

I tested the Moft Snap-on Stand & Wallet for weeks, so I can share what it’s really like in daily use.

iOS 14.5 bypasses Face ID, unlocks iPhones with Apple Watch [Updated]

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iOS 14.5 beta 1 lets
iOS 14.5 beta 1 lets Apple Watch wearers unlock their iPhone without Face ID.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple has a solution for the hassle of unlocking an iPhone while wearing a face mask. iOS 14.5 beta 1, which was seeded to beta testers in the general public on Thursday, enables users to unlock their iPhone when their Apple Watch is nearby.

Plus, there are other new features. And this wasn’t the only fresh beta introduced. The first pre-release versions of iPadOS 14.5 and watchOS 7.4 are also available for the public and developers to begin testing.

iPadOS 14.5 finally adds emoji search [Updated]

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iPadOS 14.5 adds emoji search. Finally!
Finding just the right emoji to say what you mean gets easier in iPadOS 14.5.
Screenshot: Cult of Mac

iPhone fans were first able to search for emoji last year, and Apple is finally bringing this feature to iPads. It’s built into the iPadOS 14.5 beta 1 released to public beta testing on Thursday.

Also, those with the Apple Magic Keyboard for iPad get a horizontally-oriented boot screen.

Laut Base for iPhone makes wireless charging look marble-ous

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Laut Base wireless charger
It looks good no matter where you place it.
Photo: Laut

Most of the wireless chargers you’ll find on the market today look like boring black blocks of plastic that look out of place in a nicely decorated room. But the Laut Base wireless charger is different.

A premium aluminum casing and a marble surface allow this charging pad to look good no matter where you place it. Order yours from the Cult of Mac Store today in black or white.

iMac Pro-based setup handles whatever this animator throws at it [Setups]

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Curtis Sponsler's iMac Pro-based setup requires both processing power and huge storage capacity.
Curtis Sponsler's iMac Pro-based setup requires both processing power and huge storage capacity for animation..
Photo: Curtis Sponsler

Miami-based Curtis Sponsler has been a 3D animator and motion graphics designer for more than 30 years. These days, that work takes copious amounts of computing power and massive storage capacity.

Fortunately, his current iMac Pro-based setup handles his needs well.

The man even built his own render farm in a closet with dedicated air conditioning to store and cool his video-rendering machines.

Apple car might never need a driver

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Apple Car
You may someday ride in an Apple Car but you’ll never drive one. You’ll program it instead.
Photo: Torsten Dettlaff/Pexels CC

No one will ever drive an Apple car, according to leaked information. Apple is reportedly planning a vehicle that’s completely autonomous. It’ll be programmed, not driven.

That would make it less like what Tesla offers and more like what Alphabet’s Waymo is developing.

Apple’s $3,000 VR headset could boast 8K display, advanced hand- and eye-tracking

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Apple VR headset: If a $3,000 price tag doesn't scream
If a $3,000 price tag doesn't scream "niche product," what does?
Photo: Hammer & Tusk/Unsplash CC

Apple’s mixed-reality headset could cost around $3,000, solidifying its status as a niche luxury item, The Information claims in a new report.

The device supposedly will boast high-resolution 8K displays and some smart eye-tracking technology. Plus, more than a dozen built-in cameras could track wearers’ hand movements.

Connect your AirPods seamlessly to your Mac with this innovative app

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AirBuddy instantly connects AirPods to your Mac
AirBuddy brings the seamless AirPods experience to your Mac.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

If you’ve been lucky enough to be able to work from home over the past year, you’ve probably started to beef up your workspace accordingly. Fancy standing desk? Check. Cable-clutter minimizing charger? Check. Multitasking lamp? Sure, why not.

You might even have upped your Zoom game with a fancy background. But you’re really missing out if you haven’t started using AirBuddy yet. This Mac app makes connecting your AirPods just as cool and easy as it is on iOS.

iOS 14’s adult-content blocker prevents searches for the word ‘Asian’

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Apple's adult block
It's likely an example of AI run amok.
Photo: Apple

iOS 14’s built-in pornographic content blocker stymies searches that include the word “Asian,” according to a computer science student.

This means searches for “Asian food” or “Asian countries” are blocked if the adult content filters are enabled. Similar blocks aren’t in place for search terms including “black,” “white,” “Arab,” “French” and other national or racial descriptors.

Tiny iPhone and iPad charger will surprise you with its power [Review]

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Aukey Minima 18W PD Charger
Aukey’s 18W USB-C power adapter has definite advantages over Apple’s offerings.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Aukey makes a USB-C charger that’s about as small at the standard 5 watt iPhone charger but provides far more power. The Minima 18W PD Charger can quickly juice up an Apple phone or tablet, as well as other devices. With it, that old 5W charger can go in a drawer where it belongs.

It’s a low-cost option, plus I tested the product with an iPhone and an iPad so you can be sure you’re getting your money’s worth.

Bag an iPhone 11, 11 Pro refurb for as little as $529.99 today only

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Analyst complains iPhone’s average selling price is slipping
Get yours before they're all gone!
Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

Woot is blowing out iPhone 11, 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max refurbs again — and this time, they’re even more affordable. Prices start at just $529.99 for unlocked devices that work on any carrier.

All units are tested and in full working order, and they’re backed by a 90-day Woot warranty. The sale runs for just one day, so claim 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.

Cut your design costs with lifetime access to vector icons for just $19

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Icon54 allows you to access 5,000 unique vector icons in 101 different categories
Icon54 packs 5,000 unique vector icons in 101 different categories.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Any entrepreneur knows the importance of great branding. But if you’re trying to run a startup or small business on a limited income, you know how expensive it can be to hire a professional designer.

That’s where this unlimited membership to Icon54 comes in handy. This deal gives you access to line and glyph vector icons, drawn by hand and approved by top designers. With it, you can feature beautiful designs on your website or app without breaking the bank.

How to pair and customize a PS5, Xbox Series X controller in iOS 14.5

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Pair PS5, Xbox controllers with iPhone and iPad
A better way to play your games on iPhone and iPad.
Photo: Microsoft/Cult of Mac

PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series S/X controllers can finally be used to play games on iPhone and iPad in Apple’s newest iOS and iPadOS 14.5 betas, seeded to developers on Monday.

We’ll show you how to set them up so that you’re ready to go as soon as iOS 14.5 rolls out to everyone.

Not just you: Apple suffers massive iCloud outage [Updated]

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if you use an iCloud service, there’s a good chance it’s down right now.
Many of Apple’s most-used online services went offline Wednesday.
Image: Cult of Mac

Apple reports that virtually all its iCloud services are down Wednesday. That includes very frequently used ones like Drive, Contacts, Keychain and Mail. And many more.

UPDATE: Apple restored all its services, though it took most of Wednesday.

This audio reading app turns anything into a personal podcast

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This app allows you to turn newsletters and articles into a podcast
This app allows you to turn newsletters and articles into a podcast.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

We all wish we had more time to sit down and read. But when even book summaries won’t cut through your massive reading list, you need to bring in the big guns.

Thankfully, there’s an app out there that’s made for all you multitaskers. This drastically discounted lifetime subscription to the Elocance Audio Reading App lets you convert all your work articles, documents and emails into an easy-to-listen-to podcast.

First macOS 11.3 beta brings tweaks to Safari and Reminders

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First macOS 11.3 beta brings tweaks to Safari and Reminders
Those in the Apple Developer Program can begin testing macOS Big Sur 11.3.
Image: Cult of Mac

A mere day after the release of a fresh macOS version, Apple went ahead and seeded to developers macOS 11.3 beta 1. The company isn’t one to sit on its hands.

The new beta includes small improvments to Safari and Reminders. And enhancements to a range of other features too. Plus bug fixes, of course.