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2020 iPad Pro gets a serious RAM upgrade

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2020 iPad Pro with Apple Pencil
Apple says the 2020 iPad Pro is well suited for 4K video editing, 3D design, and augmented reality.
Photo: Apple

Every 2020 iPad Pro reportedly includes 50% more RAM than most versions of its predecessor. This goes along with an enhanced processor.

In addition, Apple’s latest tablet also supposedly includes the U1 chip for directionally-aware AirDrop.

Update: Tests with Apple’s latest tablet confirm that it has 6GB of RAM.  However, it does not have the U1 chip.

Craig Federighi shows off awesome power of iPad trackpad

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Craig-Federighi-iPad-Pro
Craig Federighi and new iPad features? What more could you want?
Photo: Apple

Apple is bringing true trackpad support (and improved mouse support) to the iPad. Get ready to enjoy it by learning all the new gestures from Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior vice president of Software Engineering.

In a new video released by Apple Wednesday, Federighi demonstrates the improvements and shows how simple swipes can help you access Control Center, switch between apps in Slide Over, return to the Home screen, and more.

Essential accessories make working from home more comfortable, productive

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New to working from home? These essential work-from-home accessories will help you get the most out of COVID-19 isolation.
New to working from home? Here's how you can get the most out of it.
Photo: Hello I'm Nik/Unsplash CC

COVID-19 lockdowns mean more and more people will find themselves working from home. While everyone agrees that staying away from the office is the right thing to do, working from home nonetheless comes with certain challenges. These work-from-home accessories can help.

If you want to thrive in this new environment, you should consider investing in some or all of these items. They will make you more productive, and more comfortable, as you wait out the coronavirus pandemic. And, yes, I assume you already own a computer you can work on. (If not, those new iPad Pros look pretty hot.)

LiDAR scanner makes 2020 iPad Pro an augmented reality powerhouse

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Look inside the LiDAR scanner in the 2020 iPad Pro
The innovative LiDAR scanner in the 2020 iPad Pro is fast and accurate.
Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac

The 2020 iPad Pro is the first Apple computer with LiDAR. This innovation enables the tablet to make an accurate 3D map of its location. Combine it with software improvements and this tablet is, in Apple’s words, “the world’s best device for augmented reality.”

And the LiDAR scanner might be usable for other purposes, as well.

5 reasons why iPad Pro’s new Magic Keyboard blows our minds

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iPad-Pro-Magic-Trackpad
Everything we wanted the Smart Keyboard to be.
Photo: Apple

Apple’s exciting new Magic Keyboard is going to make working on iPad Pro better than ever when the accessory debuts in May. It’s a huge improvement over the Smart Keyboard Folio in so many ways.

Prices start at $299, which makes the Magic Keyboard an expensive upgrade. For many iPad Pro users, however, it will be well worth it. Here are five reasons why the Magic Keyboard with trackpad blows our minds.

iPadOS 13.4 coming next week with mouse and keyboard enhancements

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iPadOS 13.4 is headed for iPad Pro and other tablets
iPadOS 13.4 takes another big step toward making Apple tablets comparable with a MacBook.
Photo: Cult of Mac

The 2020 iPad Pro announced Wednesday launches next week with iPadOS 13.4, and many recent tablets are getting upgrades, too. iPadOS 13.4 makes significant improvements to iPad mouse functionality, and also brings progress on external keyboard support.

iOS 13.4 for iPhone is also expected to launch next week. Both versions include iCloud Drive folder sharing and other changes.

UPDATE: Developers who don’t want to wait for the next iOS and iPadOS updates can download the “golden master” versions now by joining Apple’s beta program.

Apple drops awesome ads for amazing new iPad Pro

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iPad-Pro-Magic-Keyboard
The new Magic Keyboard looks incredible.
Photo: Apple

The surprise iPad Pro refresh, unveiled on Wednesday morning, has us all reaching for a credit cards. If you’re still on the fence, Apple’s awesome new ads will convince you this is a worthwhile upgrade.

Both highlight iPad Pro’s increasing ability to replace a traditional computer thanks to its blazing-fast A12Z Bionic processor, brand-new Magic Keyboard, and true trackpad support.

Working from home? These apps will help you stay productive [Deals]

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WFH Apps
Scoop up four apps to make the most of your work from home time.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Working from home is the new normal. It’s probably going to be that way for a while, so we’ve rounded up four apps to help you stay productive in your new, all-too-familiar office. They include a powerful app launcher, a tool for blocking distracting websites, task managers and more.

Apple doubles SSD storage capacity for Mac mini

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Mac mini ports
Prices stay the same, but storage goes up. That's a win-win!
Photo: Apple

Apple updated its entire Mac mini line Wednesday, offering double the SSD storage capacity at the regular price.

A $799 Mac mini is available with 256GB of PCIe-based SSD storage. Meanwhile, the $1,099 Mac mini now comes with 512GB of SSD storage as standard.

New MacBook Air announced with $999 starting price, Magic Keyboard and 6K display support

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Apple_new-macbook-air-wallpaper-screen_03182020
Low price, new keyboard, two times faster.
Photo: Apple

Apple updated its MacBook Air lineup Wednesday, adding a redesigned scissor-switch Magic Keyboard, twice the storage, a reported two times faster CPU and a lower price tag starting at $999.

Apple said the new MacBook Air comes with twice the storage capacity of the previous model. The new base model starts at 256GB, with up to 80% faster graphics performance. It also supports the Apple 6K Pro Display XDR.

Surprise iPad Pro refresh brings LiDAR Scanner, Ultra Wide camera, trackpad support

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2020-iPad-Pro-trackpad
It's powered by a new A12Z Bionic chip.
Photo: Apple

Apple surprised the world Wednesday with a brand-new iPad Pro that packs a LiDAR Scanner, Ultra Wide camera and studio-quality microphones. The tablet is powered by an improved A12Z Bionic chip that makes it faster than many laptops.

Consumers can order it beginning today from the Apple Online Store, with prices starting at $799.

Cool work-from-home Mac setups show how to survive COVID-19 lockdown in style

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Instagram post on working from home
Dog and a fireplace sold separately.
Screenshot: coreyprol/Instagram

Many professionals around the world are getting their first taste of working from home as the world tries to slam the door on the spread of COVID-19. Some, like me, will make the adjustment within the first five minutes. Self-isolation is something you can get used to.

Others, though, will feel a little lost.

Inspiration is a click away, thanks to thousands of Apple users posting pictures of their work-from-home setups on Instagram.

ViDL is a great free YouTube and video downloader for Mac

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movie theater seats vidl
Download almost any video with ViDL.
Photo: Denise Jans/Unsplash

ViDL is a YouTube download app for Mac. It comes from Ole Moritz, developer of the amazing Pythonista and Editorial iOS apps. ViDL is a simple wrapper for the youtube-dl command-line tool, so if you already use that, you don’t need this. But the app is far easier to use than a command-line tools. Plus, it offers a built-in browser, in case you need to log in to a site to get access to the target videos. There’s even a ViDL Safari extension.

Some 2020 iPhone models could miss out on new 3D scanner

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2020 iPhone concept
A 2020 iPhone concept imagines what the extra 3D scanner might look like.
Photo: PhoneArena

The 2020 iPhone is widely expected to include a 3D sensor on the back, but it’s reportedly not coming to every model of this upcoming handset. Code found in a leaked version of iOS 14 points to this feature only being in the Pro models.

Self-isolation ain’t so bad with discounted iTunes movies

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Lord of the Rings in iTunes
Start downloading. This self-isolation stuff may go on for a while.
Screenshot: iTunes

While you retreat indoors to avoid exposure to the COVID-19 virus, Apple is worried you might catch cabin fever.

So to help you deal with your locked-down life, Apple is offering a sale on iTunes movies. The sale includes bundles as well as individual titles.

Samsung Rising details the battle between Galaxy and iPhone [Book review]

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Samsung Rising tells how Apple pushed Samsung to be No. 1.
How Apple pushed Samsung to be No. 1.
Photo: Samsung Rising

New book Samsung Rising tells the story of Apple’s biggest rival in the smartphone era. It chronicles Samsung’s decades-long ascent, and the fierce competition between the South Korean tech giant’s Galaxy smartphones and the iPhone.

Smartly written and reported by veteran journalist Geoffrey Cain, Samsung Rising will certainly keep your brain active and your fingers flipping pages.

Score a massive 3TB of cloud backup for life [Deals]

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Degoo 3TB
Stay secure with 3TB of super secure backup storage from Degoo, for life.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Cloud storage is an essential part of any good backup plan. But cloud storage is also expensive. So this huge discount on a massive 3TB of secure cloud storage is one of those deals you can’t refuse. Right now, you can get Degoo Premium’s Lifetime 3TB Backup Plan for $69.99, a 95% discount.

Apple Stores unlikely to reopen March 28; now closed ‘until further notice’

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Apple-Stores-closed
It's not yet clear when they will reopen.
Screenshot: Cult of Mac

Apple Stores outside of Greater China now look unlikely to reopen on March 28 after Apple on Tuesday updated its notices to read “closed until further notice.”

A banner displayed at the top of the company’s website makes it clear to visitors that its retail locations are out of action for now. Apple insists, however, that it remains “committed to providing exceptional service to our customers.”

Get 9 Mac apps to breathe new life into your machine for just $26 [Deals]

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The 2020 Mac Productivity Essentials Bundle
These nine productivity Mac apps will make it easier to work from home.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Whether your Mac is new or well into its useful life, you can breathe fresh life into it when you add the right apps. This massive bundle from Cult of Mac Deals comes with nine Mac apps, so there’s something for anyone.

The 2020 Mac Productivity Essentials Bundle comes with apps for PDFs, graphics, productivity, VPN protection and more. And you can get them all for just $26 if you use our special promo code.

Xvida’s brilliant battery pack lets you charge iPhone wirelessly anywhere

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The most convenient way to wirelessly charge on the go.
Photo: Xvida

Portable battery packs are a must-have for anyone who finds their iPhone running low on juice before the day is done. But who wants to tackle tangled cables on the go? With Xvida’s wireless charging battery, you don’t have to.

This 4,000mAh power bank packs Qi charging technology, so it can top up your iPhone — and a whole host of other devices — without wires. Bag yours today from the Cult of Mac Store.

iOS 14 leak reveals budget ‘iPhone Max’ with larger display

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iPhone
The iPhone 8 Plus could be replaced with a budget iPhone Max.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

The 4.7-inch budget iPhone supposedly coming soon will be joined by a larger version, according to information found buried in a leaked version of iOS 14.

The new model could replace the iPhone 8 Plus in Apple’s lineup.

6 things to do when you’re stuck at home in self-quarantine

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prison cell bars
Feeling locked up?
Photo: Denny Müller/Unsplash

Has the government in your city or country shut down everything due to COVID-19? Are the bars, gyms and other nonessential places closed? Are you stuck at home, cooped up with nothing but Facebook and Twitter to fan the flames of your outrage and fear?

Don’t worry. There are plenty of things to do at home. Why not take advantage of all that extra time and use it for something you enjoy?

Young photog with autism brings toy cars to life in photos shot on iPhone

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Anthony Schmidt shooting toys cars with iPhone
Anthony Schmidt, working outside his home in Washington.
Screenshot: Q14 Fox

Anthony Schmidt is that boy, the one who loves cars so much, he has collected die-cast metal toy replicas numbering in the hundreds.

But his car play changed the day he picked up his mother’s iPhone. Anthony started photographing the miniatures from a perspective that fools the eye and makes them appear full-size and sumptuous.

That perspective also is shaped through the eyes of a 12-year-old boy on the autism spectrum.