David Snow - page 50

Amazing mod turns Apple Watch into mechanical timepiece

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What's old is new again? What's new is old again? Something like that. It's a mechanical Apple Watch.
What's old is new again? What's new is old again? Something like that. It's a mechanical Apple Watch.
Photo: NanoRobotGeek

I always had a thing for mechanical watches’ intricate machinery. But I gave up my Swiss timepiece for Apple Watch’s amazingly smart functionality.

And now someone has gone to the trouble of marrying the two on video. He replaced a nearly defunct Apple Watch’s circuitry with watch-movement technology first established more than 200 years ago.

And the end result is a gorgeous watch, if you dare try this sort of recycling project yourself.

MacBook Pro rig rides high Down Under [Setups]

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A 13-inch M1 MacBook Pro with a view drives a setup in Sydney, Australia.
A 13-inch M1 MacBook Pro with a view drives a setup in Sydney, Australia.
Photo: [email protected]

There’s nothing like working with windows — floor-to-ceiling ones with epic views of a world-class city, that is, not Microsoft’s OS software.

In today’s featured computer setup, a MacBook Pro and a Surface 8 laptop vie over a nice Dell 4K display overlooking Sydney, Australia.

In search of the perfect podcast? Now it’s easier to find.

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Nine new subcategories of Podcasts with their own popularity charts help you narrow down the search.
Nine new subcategories of Podcasts with their own popularity charts help you narrow down the search.
Photo: Apple

If you feel lost in a sea of podcasts without a paddle, Apple offered some new rowing implements Tuesday. After all, navigating podcasts can feel as hopeless as floundering among streaming TV shows and movies.

The company said Apple Podcasts will elevate nine “new and noteworthy” subcategories for browsing, plus related popularity charts and the new Podcasts by Language browsing tool.

Never lose your Apple TV remote again

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A place for everything and everything in its place -- including your Apple TV remote.
A place for everything and everything in its place -- including your Apple TV remote.
Photo: Elago

Always wondering where you left the Apple TV remote? Maybe you should always put it in the same place when you’re done with it. And Elago makes that easy with its updated magnetic Metal Plate R1.

Just stick it to a surface on or near your TV and your R1 remote sticks to it. And viola, once you get in the habit of putting it back there, your remote is always where it’s supposed to be.

New QuietType mechanical keyboard cuts down on the clackity-clack

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"Silent" may be a stretch, but Kensington's new full-sized mechanical keyboard cuts down on the keystroke noise.
Photo: Kensington

Kensington unveiled a new “silent” mechanical keyboard for business and home use Tuesday. It’s the new MK7500F QuietType Pro Silent Wireless Mechanical Keyboard with Meeting Controls.

“Ideal for use in noise-sensitive home or office work environments, the MK7500F delivers a combination of beauty, durability and functionality, to provide professionals with a premium, quiet typing experience,” the company said.

Monster 65-inch display dominates dual-station home office [Setups]

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A roving laptop station holds an iPad Pro.
A roving laptop station holds and iPad Pro plus Magic Keyboard and Magic Trackpad.
Photo: [email protected]

Today’s featured computer setup sports something we don’t see often — multiple stations for different uses. And its colossal 65-inch smart TV, used as a computer display as well as a home theater screen, is pretty unusual, too.

Check it out and peruse the gear list below.

Last chance for Father’s Day deals on Apple accessories

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Laut's Zentry AirPods Pro case is tough and it looks cool.
Laut's Zentry AirPods Pro case is tough and it looks cool.
Photo: Laut

It’s not too late to snag deals on Apple accessories for your dad — or for yourself — in the Cult of Mac Store’s Father’s Day Sale, which runs through Monday. You can find discounts of up to 15% off on 140 products from Elkson, Just Mobile, Laut, Mifa, Rilee & Lo and Speidel. It’s quite a selection.

See some highlights below and others here, and check out the whole Father’s Day Savings Collection!

With this card, you can always find your wallet

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AirCard is a Find My tracker, an RFID blocker and a digital business card (NFC).
AirCard is a Find My tracker, an RFID blocker and a digital business card (NFC).
Photo: Rolling Square

Using Apple’s Find My network, the new AirCard from Swiss company Rolling Square can slip into your wallet like a credit card and help keep track of it. But it’s not just a tracker.

“AirCard is the first card-sized tracker in the world with a digital business card,” the company said. Its Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign has far-surpassed its goal with six days to go, so it’s likely the cards will ship.

Snag up to 15% off Apple accessories for Father’s Day [still available!]

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Laut's sleek and protective sleeve protects your laptop.
Laut's sleek and protective sleeve protects your laptop.
Photo: Laut

If you or your dad have any need of accessories for Apple products, don’t miss the Father’s Day Sale going on now through Monday in the Cult of Mac Store. You can find discounts of up to 15% off on 140 products from Elkson, Just Mobile, Laut, Mifa, Rilee & Lo and Speidel. It’s quite a selection.

See some highlights below and check out the Father’s Day Savings collection!

Fun ‘overly complicated diagram’ lays out complex MacBook Pro rig [Setups]

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At a glance it doesn't look overly complex, but wait'll you see the diagram.
At a glance it doesn't look overly complex, but wait'll you see the diagram.
Photo: [email protected]

Getting a complex computer setup just-so can be a daunting experience for even seasoned users. Maybe somebody should create a diagram or something? Well, someone did, making a highly capable MacBook Pro-and-PC setup with external display, storage, audio and more look even more complicated than it really is.

The sleekly executed diagram delighted viewers on social media. Check it out below.

New Soundcore earbuds jack up noise cancellation, drop price

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The new Soundcore Liberty 4 NC wireless earbuds claim to reduce noise by 98.5%.
The new Soundcore Liberty 4 NC wireless earbuds claim to reduce noise by 98.5%.
Photo: Soundcore

Anker’s Soundcore brand offers competitive noise-cancelling wireless earbuds, including Liberty 4, released in fall 2022. Now it plans to roll out its “all-new best noise-cancelling earbuds,” Liberty 4 NC, for a surprisingly low $100 (with an early-bird offer to pay just $80).

And the new buds claim an impressive 60 hours of battery life, too. Top features and low pricing like that might make Apple nervous over its AirPods line of earbuds.

Tim Cook congratulates grateful Fitness+ fan

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Nate Gorby wrote to Tim Cook and tweeted his tale of life-changing fitness and weight loss.
Nate Gorby wrote to Tim Cook and tweeted his tale of life-changing fitness and weight loss.
Photo: Nate Gorby

Apple CEO Tim Cook took a moment to congratulate a man who wrote to him and tweeted an inspiring story of using Apple Watch and Fitness+ to lose more than 100 pounds over several months.

Nate Gorby told his story in his tweet, below, saying Apple’s tools changed his life. Cook’s direct reply was just one of many responses.

Say what? New ‘dialogue speaker’ clarifies voices.

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BenQ's new dialogue speaker can play music, but it's meant to make human voices especially clear.
BenQ's new dialogue speaker can play music, but it's meant to make human voices especially clear.
Photo: BenQ

BenQ, known for desktop monitors and accessories, unveiled its new treVolo U Desktop Dialogue Speaker Tuesday. Say what? A “dialogue speaker?”

Yes, and it uses special technology “designed to reinvent your digital life, offering exceptional audio for online learning, remote working, podcast and audiobook listening,” the company said.

Safeguard iPhone with this ultra-thin new screen protector

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BodyGuardz Apex screen protector
The company said the durable screen protector is 15% thinner than many others.
Photo: BodyGuardz

BodyGuardz unveiled a new smartphone screen protector called Apex recently, calling it “the industry’s only screen protector solution engineered with CrystalCore technology.” It described a process that makes the protector exceptionally thin and strong.

“Apex glass undergoes a rigorous mixing and baking process that reinforces the density of its crystalline structure, offering unrivaled protection for the latest smartphone models,” the company said.

Formidable workstation scores 2 Apple ‘hat tricks’ [Setups]

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It's pretty much all Apple here, with special appearance by other companies for recording and lighting purposes.
It's pretty much all Apple here, with special appearance by other companies for recording and lighting purposes.
Photo: [email protected]

The only reason today’s featured setup isn’t 100% Apple is that Cupertino doesn’t make its own condenser USB microphones, lighting or desks.

Literally everything else in the setup is from Apple, including a computing “hat trick” of desktop Mac, laptop Mac and Apple tablet, plus a second hat trick for peripherals, with an Apple display, Apple input devices and Apple audio.

Audio-Technica improves on a classic USB mic for content creators

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Audio-Technica added some new digital technology and onboard control features for your content-creation needs.
Audio-Technica added some new digital technology and onboard control features for your content-creation needs.
Photo: Audio-Technica

For years podcasters, streamers, musicians and other content creators have turned to certain USB microphones that bring quality without costing a fortune. Audio-Technica’s AT2020  has been one of those. Now the company offers a major upgrade on the model with its new AT2020USB-XP microphone.

Upgrades bring new digital technology and some studio-quality features to help you sound like a pro.

Get a full day of power from 1-hour charge with new portable power station

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The light and compact Bluetti AC180 Portable Power Station will will makes the most of your camping trips.
Lightweight and compact, the Bluetti AC180 portable power station will make your camping trips much more enjoyable.
Photo: Bluetti

Bluetti’s new, highly portable AC180 power station comes with several features that make it perfect for camping as well as home battery backup.

SPONSORED
This post is brought to you by Bluetti.

With enhancements including a 1,440-watt fast-charging rate, 1,800W of continuous AC power and a Power Lifting Mode that delivers up to 2,700W, the AC180 stands ready to deliver the power you need in a range of scenarios, from camping trips in the deepest wilderness to power outages at home. Bluetti kicks off the early bird sale on its new AC180 power generator Wednesday, with special pricing for a limited time.

Epic Foundation season 2 trailer goes supernova

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The fate of humanity hangs in the balance when
The fate of humanity hangs in the balance when "Foundation" returns to Apple TV+ July 14.
Photo: Apple TV+

Season 2 of sci-fi series Foundation explodes like a supernova on Apple TV+ July 14. That may sound a bit dramatic, but the main word that comes to mind upon watching the new trailer for the season the streaming service dropped Tuesday is … epic. And lots of stuff explodes in it.

Or let’s go with “epic saga,” the phrase Apple TV+ used to describe the hit show based on Isaac Asimov’s award-winning stories about a band of exiles defying a crumbling galactic empire.

Band and case combo makes Apple Watch pop with color

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The three color combos really catch the eye.
The three color combos really catch the eye.
Photo: Goldenerre

As June speeds toward July, are you ready for summer? You can look like you are. Just refresh your Apple Watch’s look with a Goldenerre Color Pop band and a white case.

For a fresh look, you can choose from the band’s three color combos and pair the band with the company’s white case. The bands and the case are new in the Cult of Mac Store.

Slim new battery pack keeps your MacBook going

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Baseus Blade HD power bank
The power bank can keep your laptop and other devices juiced up even when you can't find a power outlet.
Photo: Baseus

Baseus rolled out its new thin-and-compact battery pack Friday, the Baseus Blade HD Series 100W Power Bank. It provides 100 watts of power delivery from its 20,000mAh battery to keep MacBook, other laptops and various gadgets going.

Mac Studio pairs well with LG ultra-wide 5K display [Setups]

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This Mac Studio user couldn't be much happier with his LG 5K2K curved ultra-wide display.
This Mac Studio user couldn't be much happier with his LG 5K2K curved ultra-wide display.
Photo: [email protected]

In the battle over who offers the best 5K display, Apple doesn’t always win, even with Mac users. And it’s usually because of price.

Today’s featured Mac Studio setup relies on a 40-inch LG 5K2K curved ultra-wide monitor — picked over a pair of Studio Displays that would cost twice as much — and the user more-or-less said they they couldn’t be happier.

Sick of your AirPods Pro 2 case? Try this for a new look and feel. [Review] ★★★★☆

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You can get the case in black, beige or green colors.★★★★☆
You can get the case in black, beige or green colors.
Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac

Apple’s AirPods charging cases are sleek, protective — and relentlessly white. So if you’d like to add a layer of extra protection along with a better grip and a choice of colors, Totallee offers new cases for AirPods Pro (2nd generation) and AirPods 3.

The company sent me its new case for AirPods Pro 2. The simple accessory gets the job done, as advertised.

Use Home Key, fingerprints or passwords with new deadbolt smart lock

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Home Key lets you open this new deadbolt smart lock with an iPhone or Apple Watch.
Home Key lets you open this new deadbolt smart lock with an iPhone or Apple Watch.
Photo: Aqara

Aqara released its first deadbolt smart lock Friday, the Smart Lock U100. It’s fully compatible with Apple’s HomeKit and you can open it with Home Key, fingerprints, passwords or — get this — a physical key.

Snark aside (a physical if often provided with smart locks for power outages), the stout new lock integrates with the Matter home automation standard and could become a vital part of HomeKit users’ smart-home arsenals.

MacBook Pro rig enters beta mode following WWDC23 [Setups]

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You can see a StandBy Mode from the iOS 17 beta on the iPhone's display, which looks like a digital clock.
You can see a StandBy Mode from the iOS 17 beta on the iPhone's display, which looks like a digital clock.
Photo: [email protected]

This year, WWDC delivered an avalanche of new hardware as well as the usual major planned software releases — and the latter is already showing up in computer setups while the hardware hasn’t shipped yet.

Today’s featured setup may be all about its MacBook Pro, iPad and fine external monitor, but you can’t miss the brand-new, unreleased functionality showing up on another screen on display in the photograph.