Xbox

His sister works for Apple. Brace for jealousy. [Setups]

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Mac Studio setup with 5K Studio Display and 4K Samsung monitor
What do you do if one display is 5K resolution and one is 4K resolution?
Photo: scribblesandthoughts@Reddit.com

When someone asked a marketing director in the United Kingdom how much money he makes, the man laughed and said, “Not enough to justify the contents of this picture” of his computer setup.

Hey, we get it. But then we suffered immediate pangs of envy when he went on to say, “My sister works for Apple so got a sick deal on a refurbed [Mac] Studio and new Studio Display.”

Yeah, good for you, pal. No, really. We mean it!

You won’t see a vertical display more nuts than this one [Setups]

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Mac Pro setup with 55-inch curved Samsung display in portrait mode
Can you imagine working on that screen?
Photo: Born4One@Reddit.com

Curved ultra-wide gaming displays have been making their way into Mac setups for quite some time now. But some people want to experiment, maybe push the envelope a bit, so they mount them on top of other displays or sometimes in portrait mode (vertical). But today’s Mac Pro setup takes the cake in that regard.

The user nixed a Studio Display with a high-quality external webam in favor of a truly massive, 55-inch curved ultra-wide Samsung gaming display — mounted vertically. It towers over everything with a pronounced stoop.

Old and new MacBook Pros work in harmony [Setups]

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This setup features an M2 MacBook Pro, but it still uses a 2015 Retina model, too.
This setup features an M2 MacBook Pro, but it still uses a 2015 Retina model, too.
Photo: izzyontheweb@Reddit.com

Who says an 8-year-old MacBook Pro is too old? Today’s featured setup relies on a new M2 MacBook Pro for most of the real work, but a 2015 Retina model still contributes regularly.

“Used it for school but recently graduated in May, only use for it now is YouTube/visuals until it dies,” graphic designer and Redditor izzyontheweb said. “Could you believe it’s a 2015 model and still works amazing?”

Huge OLED TV makes ‘perfect’ display (for some) [Setups]

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That's a 42-inch OLED HD TV for a monitor.
That's a 42-inch OLED HD TV for a monitor.
Photo: FrankyHi5@Reddit.com

New computer displays tend to get not just better over time, but bigger — within reason. Unlike TVs, they’re designed to be viewed from just a few feet away at most. But increasingly, we see people using smart TVs as external monitors to get that extra size into their desktop setups.

Today’s featured setup sports an M2 MacBook Pro driving a 42-inch LG OLED smart TV that the user describes as “perfect.”

New mount charges iPhone while it’s clipped to Xbox game controller

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New mount charges iPhone while its clipped to Xbox game controller
You know you can easily play games on iPhone with an external controller, right? And a new clip-on mount from PowerA charges your iPhone while you play.
Photo: PowerA

The PowerA Moga Play & Charge Gaming Clip for Xbox Wireless Controllers is more than a way to attach an iPhone to a Microsoft game controller. It also includes a battery to keep the handset charged up during lengthy gaming sessions.

Not leaving PlayStation fans out, PowerA will also soon release the Moga Mobile Gaming Clip for DualSense and DualShock 4 Wireless Controllers.

Get the most out of your Xbox with this Game Pass Ultimate deal, now just $8.99

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Get the most out of your Xbox with this Game Pass Ultimate deal, now just $8.99.
Game like you mean it with a cut-rate Xbox Game Pass Ultimate sub.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

The twilight of games as physical media is truly upon us. Apologies to those who like the smooth feel of those fragile little discs, but this is a good thing. You may be paying a little more for your console’s subscription plan, but in return, you get access to perks that include a virtual warehouse worth of games.

With a two-month subscription to Xbox’s Game Pass Ultimate, you can access hundreds of games (including some true classics) for just $8.99.

Old Cinema and Thunderbolt displays handle new gear and gaming [Setups]

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With the right adapter you can use a new Xbox with an old Cinema Display (on the right).
With the right adapter you can use a new Xbox with an old Cinema Display (on the right).
Photo: thatvirtualboy@Reddit.com

So many people love Apple gear because the Cupertino tech giant gets a lot right with its hardware. That certainly includes monitors, and not just the phenomenal Pro Display XDR and new Studio Display. We see a fair number of new computer setups relying on classic Apple screens like Cinema Display and Thunderbolt Display.

Today’s featured MacBook Pro and Xbox setup is a good example. Even with a modern gaming console — and given the right adapter — a display from a dozen years ago is still keeping it real.

Apple Music finally launches on Xbox

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First-time Apple Music subscribers get just a 1-month free trial now (unless they bought an Apple device).
Xbox gamers can now enjoy Apple Music while playing.
Photo: Apple

Apple Music is now available on recent versions of Microsoft’s Xbox gaming console. That includes playing songs while gaming.

The streaming music service is already available on PlayStation and other third-party entertainment platforms.

Affordable new Xbox streaming device could mean trouble for Apple TV

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Pretty soon Xbox gaming and media streaming may not require a console.
Pretty soon Xbox gaming and media streaming may not require a console.
Photo: Microsoft

Microsoft confirmed Friday it’s developing a low-cost streaming device that would allow users to play Xbox games and stream media without needing a full console. That could directly compete with Apple TV.

Meanwhile, Apple’s product — sometimes criticized as overpriced — may see a less-expensive iteration later this year, according to analysts.

Apple’s ‘controversial’ Mighty Mouse lives on with some TLC [Setups]

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The Mighty Mouse and the Leopold mechanical keyboard in this MacBook Pro setup are both rarities.
The Mighty Mouse and the Leopold mechanical keyboard in this MacBook Pro setup are both rarities.
Photo: Rafiq_Kobayashi@Reddit.com

Here at Setups Central we love spotting people working with gear we rarely or never see. Today’s featured setup includes rarities in the form of its input devices.

One of the peripherals is a high-quality Leopold mechanical keyboard and the other is an original Apple Mighty Mouse, which first came out in 2005. It was the company’s first mouse with more than one button as well as a trackball.

The setup’s owner called the mouse “kind of controversial.” And it was.

Racy MacBook Pro and Xbox rig seeks beefier sound system [Setups]

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Those white desktop speakers might not be cutting it.
Those white desktop speakers might not be cutting it.
Photo: Winnisterr@Reddit.com

You can have a lot of good gear in your computer setup but still feel it falls short somehow. Like with today’s featured setup, you could have a recent MacBook Pro and an Xbox Series X gaming console. You could have a sweet curved gaming monitor. You might even have a kick-ass Lego Technic McLaren Formula 1 Race Car mounted on the wall.

But do you have stellar audio or just OK audio? That’s the issue our setup’s owner faces.

Xbox Cloud Gaming gets ‘major’ improvements on iPhone and iPad

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Xbox Cloud Gaming gets major improvements
Try them out now and let Microsoft know what you think.
Image: Microsoft

Microsoft this week rolled out a big Xbox Cloud Gaming update that promises “major performance improvements” on iPhone and iPad. They should allow for smoother and more responsive gameplay, the company said.

The changes have already been well-received by Cloud Gaming users, with Microsoft seeing a “significant increase” in positive feedback from players.

Should every workstation have a 3D printer? [Setups]

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The 3D printer at left helped make other parts of this computer setup.
The 3D printer at left helped make other parts of this computer setup.
Photo: RB2706@Reddit.com

You still rarely see a computer setup with a 3D printer in it. Today’s featured setup is an exception. You can see the printer against the wall on the left in the photo above.

Probably more workstations in the near future will have them. Why? Not only are they becoming more affordable, you can use them to make parts of the setup!

Experts say Apple is missing out on the cloud gaming boom

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Nvidia-GeForce-Now-MacBook-Pro
Cloud gaming is taking off in a big way, and Apple isn't part of it.
Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

Apple is missing out on another major revenue stream by ignoring cloud gaming services, according to market experts.

While rivals like Amazon, Nvidia and Microsoft are reaping the rewards of a gaming industry boom that’s only expected to get bigger, Apple is leaving money on the table. But there is a simple way it could enjoy a piece of the pie.

Going green with envy over space-gray peripherals [Setups]

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Mmm ... space gray Magic Keyboard and Magic Trackpad. What, no mouse?
Mmm ... space gray Magic Keyboard and Magic Trackpad. What, no mouse?
Photo: Hennerz_19@Reddit.com

If Apple takes something away, people tend to want it more. We see this in the persistent coveting of space gray peripherals — Magic Trackpad, Magic Keyboard, Magic Mouse 2 — that the Cupertino tech giant stopped selling separately last year after the iMac Pro’s discontinuation.

Following the space gray iMac Pro’s launch in 2018 with matching peripherals exclusive to it, owners found they could sell the dark-hued input devices for mad money. So Apple jumped on that market, charging a slight premium over the silver versions, though not forever. But space gray gear still carries a certain cache.

Microsoft was open to bringing Xbox exclusives to iPhone, Apple wouldn’t play ball

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Microsoft wanted to bring Xbox exclusive to the App Store
Halo Infinite could have hit the App Store.
Photo: Microsoft

Microsoft told Apple that it was willing to turn big Xbox exclusives into iPhone and iPad games before negotiations over bringing its Xbox Cloud Gaming service to the App Store broke down earlier this year, internal emails show.

Microsoft was also open to releasing individual apps for each of the titles available in its streaming catalog to comply with App Store rules. It changed course when it became apparent that appeasing Apple was just too difficult.

Level up your iPhone gaming with Rotor Riot Lightning controller [Review]

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RiotPwr Rotor Riot iOS Controller RR1852 PWR Plus review
iPhone gaming is better with a hardware game controller like the RiotPwr Rotor Riot RR1852.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Playing serious games on an iPhone touchscreen can be crazy frustrating. Don’t throw your iPhone across the room — get a game controller like RiotPwr’s Rotor Riot RR1852. This mimics the design of Microsoft’s Xbox controller but with a Lightning cable and an iPhone mount.

I fully tested this updated version of the Rotor Riot Lightning-enabled game controller. And I like it a lot. And apparently so does Apple because you can find it in the Apple Store, both online and brick-and-mortar locations.

Updated Rotor Riot iPhone game controller launches at Apple Store

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Updated Rotor Riot iPhone game controller launches at Apple Store
Connect RiotPWR’s Rotor Riot iPhone game controller to your iPhone for quick and easy fun.
Photo: Apple/RiotPWR

RiotPwr is out with a new version of its iPhone game controller with a Lightning connector. This mimics the design of Microsoft’s Xbox controller, and new version adds a pair of buttons needed to play many games.

Apple likes this accessory so much it just began offering it in the Apple Store, both online and brick-and-mortar locations.

Microsoft makes using Xbox Controllers on iOS even better

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Xbox Controller with iPad
Bluetooth Low Energy and cross-platform support.
Photo: Apple/Microsoft

Microsoft is testing new firmware for Xbox Controllers that makes using them with iPhone and iPad even better. The update adds Bluetooth Low Energy support, and allows you to pair both an Xbox console and iOS device so that switching between the two is easier than ever before.

Now anyone can play Xbox games on iPhone and iPad

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Xbox Cloud Gaming for iPad and iPhone
The wait is over. iPad and iPhone users can now enjoy Xbox Cloud Gaming, which includes 100+ console-quality games.
Photo: Microsoft

Xbox Cloud Gaming is now available for any iPhone, iPad or Windows 10 user who wants it. It’s been in invite-only beta testing for months, but now all that’s required is an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription to start using the gaming service, which allows users to play 100+ console-quality games.

You, too, can achieve pleasing symmetry and soft lighting [Setups]

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A desk with a metal frame and a bunch or clips and magnets help make a great setup.
A desk with a metal frame and a bunch of clips and magnets help make a great setup.
Photo: QasimZafaraYouTube@Reddit

Quasim Zafar’s neatly laid out computer setup serves as his filming area for YouTube product reviews, his general workstation using a 2020 M1 Mac mini and his Xbox Series S gaming station where he plays Call of Duty.

But that’s only incidental to what you’ll probably love about it and want for your own setup.

Xbox cloud gaming for Safari rolls out to everyone soon

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Xbox Cloud Gaming for iPad and iPhone
A public launch is scheduled "in the next few weeks."
Photo: Microsoft

The ability to play Xbox games in Safari on your iPhone and iPad will soon be available to everyone.

Microsoft this week confirmed its new cloud streaming web app, which has been in beta testing since April, will roll out “in the next few weeks.” What’s more, it’s soon going to get even more powerful.

Netflix could offer new gaming subscription like Apple Arcade

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Netflix could get into gaming
A Netflix for games? Yes, please!
Image: Netflix/Cult of Mac

Netflix is exploring an expansion into online gaming with a brand-new service much like Apple Arcade, according to new reports.

The service could see subscribers paying a monthly fee for unlimited access to a catalog of titles. However, sources familiar with the situation say that plans are “very much in flux” as things stand.

GameSir G4 Pro is the cross-platform game controller you’re looking for [Review]

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GameSir G4 Pro review
GameSir G4 Pro game controller can be used with iPhone and Android devices. And iPad and PC too. Plus Nintendo Switch.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The GameSir G4 Pro is a wireless game controller that works with iPhone and iPad but also PC, Android and Switch. It resembles a wireless Xbox controller but with a flip-out mount for holding an iPhone.

I did quite a bit of gaming with the G4 Pro. Here’s how it stood up.

Game on! Microsoft starts Xbox Cloud for iPhone and iPad public testing

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Xbox Cloud Gaming for iPad and iPhone
iPad and iPhone users will soon begin testing Xbox Cloud Gaming, allowing them to play 100+ console-quality games.
Photo: Microsoft

Lucky beta testers will get first access to Xbox Cloud Gaming this week. This allows subscribers to play 100+ console-quality games on an iPad or iPhone.

Apple put restrictive rules on cloud-gaming services wanting to appear in the App Store. Microsoft’s solution was to create a web app for its service.