| Cult of Mac

Killer streaming gear used for anything but streaming [Setups]

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This is a well-lit setup for video calls.
This is a well-lit setup for video calls.
Photo: hoppsen1@Reddit.com

When you look at the gear in today’s setup you might say, what is this, an ad for Elgato? The workstation is rife with Elgato devices widely used by streamers for video-production workflows, like its popular Facecam, Wave:3 microphone and Stream Deck.

But the MacBook Pro setup isn’t used for streaming at all.

The software engineer who occupies the well-appointed workstation finds perfectly productive things to do with all that Elgato gear, other than streaming.

Console gamers can get the party going with BenQ’s new 4LED projector

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Into social gaming? This little number should help.
Into social gaming? This little number should help.
Photo: BenQ

BenQ unveiled its new TH690ST short-throw 4LED projector Friday, calling it “the world’s first 4LED video party projector with preset game modes for bringing big entertainment to any gathering.”

You connect it to any gaming console or other video source with an HDMI cable to get the party started. Oh, and don’t forget to have a wall to project on.

Amazon tries invite-based PS5 and Xbox orders amid supply chain woes

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The very first product availably only by invitation will be the Sony PlayStation 5 console.
The very first product availably only by invitation will be the Sony PlayStation 5 console.
Photo: Amazon

As COVID-19 lockdowns complicate technology products’ ongoing supply-chain issues and consumers compete to find scarce products, Amazon is trying something new.

The behemoth hopes its new invitation-based ordering option will help keep robot traffic from causing inventory shortages, as well as price gouging, for in-demand items.

The new system launches for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X orders. Then it will expand to other products. If it works well, it could end up helping consumers lay hands on hard-to-get Apple hardware, too.

Elgato’s new video capture card handles variable refresh rates

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If you're looking to capture smooth gameplay footage, Elgato's new card might be for you.
If you're looking to capture smooth gameplay footage, Elgato's new card might be for you.
Photo: Elgato

Recently acquired by gaming maven Corsair, Elgato rolled out a new USB-C-based capture card on Wednesday called the HD60 X. It’s an upgrade to the HD60 S+ capture card, popular with gamers and content creators. The new one’s biggest addition is the ability to smoothly capture and record video footage with variable refresh rates.

And it works with M1 Macs, Windows machines and popular streaming tools and gaming consoles.

Apple hints at Apple Music for ‘gaming consoles’ after PS5 leak

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Apple Music for gaming consoles
Is a rollout imminent?
Photo: Apple/Sony

Apple’s website has been updating to include a reference to Apple Music for “gaming consoles.” It comes less than a week after the service was first spotted (but unavailable to download) on PlayStation 5.

The reference all but confirms Cupertino is indeed working to bring Apple Music to the latest game systems from Microsoft and Sony, alongside Apple TV, which is already available on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S, and Xbox Series X.

M1 Max chip could deliver even greater graphics than PlayStation 5

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Spider-Man: Miles Morales on PlayStation 5
Spider-Man: Miles Morales on PlayStation 5.
Photo: Marvel

MacBook Pro’s mind-blowing M1 Max chip could deliver even greater graphics than Sony’s newest PlayStation 5 console, according to early estimates. It has even more raw GPU power, at least on paper, with up to 32 graphics cores.

Apple already promised that it would offer “similar performance” to a “high-performance discrete GPU” in competing laptops. But whether Mac users actually get similar gaming experiences is another matter.

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.

Apple works to bring Xbox Series X controller support to iOS and Mac

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Xbox Series X controller
An update is on the way.
Photo: Microsoft

Apple is working with Microsoft to make new Xbox Series X controllers compatible with iPhone, iPad, Mac and more.

Support for Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and other controllers is already baked into the latest versions of iOS. It’s not yet clear if Apple will add support for the PlayStation 5’s new DualSense controller, too.