Check Out ‘Big Library Read’, an Online Book Club
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Check Out ‘Big Library Read’, an Online Book Club

Andrew Orr ·

Big Library Read is an online book club from OverDrive. It connects readers from around the world with one eBook at a time and offers a place to share your thoughts, comments, and questions of the book with other readers.

This round’s title is Funny, You Don’t Look Autistic, a memoir written by stand-up comedian Michael McCreary who shares his experiences of living on the spectrum and dealing with trying situations as someone who doesn’t “look” autistic.

I think it’s a great idea, and be sure to download the Libby app so you can borrow books from your local library.

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Watch This Full Bruce Springsteen Set on Apple Music For The First Time

Charlotte Henry ·

Bruce Springsteen’s entire 2009 London Calling: Live In Hyde Park set is available in entirety for the first time on Apple Music. The set was filmed at the Hard Rock Calling festival. It kicks-off, naturally, with The Clash’s London Calling, before plowing through a host-of Springsteen classics. For those without an Apple Music subscription, you can now also watch the whole thing on YouTube.

Is The Event You’re Going to Canceled Yet?
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Is The Event You're Going to Canceled Yet?

Charlotte Henry ·

A large number of events, including major tech conferences, have been canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic. Given the constantly evolving situation, it can be hard to keep track of what is happening to events you were due to go to. Luckily, isitcanceledyet.com is helping to keep people as up to date as possible. Scroll through and you can check if what you were meant to attend is still going ahead.

Notability 9.3 Update Adds Presentation Mode, Single Page Mode
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Notability 9.3 Update Adds Presentation Mode, Single Page Mode

Andrew Orr ·

Handwriting app Notability got an update yesterday. Notability 9.3 adds Presentation Mode and Single Page Mode. With Presentation Mode you can view a note in full screen without toolbars and menus when connected to an external display; use laser pointer functionality, in addition to all of Notability’s drawing tools; app background goes to black to enable you to focus on the note content; Multi-Note allows you to see a private note while presenting. Meanwhile, Single Page Mode lets you flip through a note horizontally one page at a time, and it makes pages feel like slides. App Store: US$8.99

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Apple Shares Trailer for Apple TV+ Show ‘Central Park’

Andrew Orr ·

Apple has shared the first trailer for its upcoming animated music comedy Central Park. From the co-creator of Bob’s Burgers Loren Bouchard, it follows the life of a family living in Central Park. Voice cast includes Josh Gad, Leslie Odom, Jr., Kristen Bell, Kathryn Hahn, Tituss Burgess, Daveed Diggs, and Stanley Tucci. It arrives to the Apple TV app on May 29.

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Command & Conquer Remastered Collection Arrives June 5

Andrew Orr ·

Electronic Arts is releasing a Command & Conquer remastered collection on June 5. It features Tiberian Dawn and Red Alert along with their three expansion packs: Covert Ops, Counterstrike, and The Aftermath. They provide a reveal trailer on YouTube. The graphics are in a higher resolution to match modern device screens, up to 4K resolution. Some aspect of gameplay has been changed, but it’s otherwise faithful to the original games. I remember playing Red Alert and liked it, so I look forward to the remastered version It will be available for PC via Steam and Origin.

Correction: A previous version of this article stated that it would be released for PC and Mac. It will be available only for Windows.

RSS Reader ‘NetNewsWire’ Arrives on iOS
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RSS Reader ‘NetNewsWire’ Arrives on iOS

Andrew Orr ·

Introduced on July 12, 2002 NetNewsWire was the most popular RSS readers by 2005. It offered people custom feed views, downloading/opening podcasts, syncing feeds between devices, and a built-in browser. After a company acquired it in 2011 it ultimately shut down in 2015. Since then, the original developer Brent Simmons has control once again, and after releasing an updated version for macOS, NetNewsWire is now available for iOS and iPadOS. It’s free and open source. We also have an interview with Mr. Simmons where he talked about the app.

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Apple Shares Trailer for Apple TV+ Series ‘Home Before Dark’

Andrew Orr ·

Home Before Dark is an upcoming series for Apple TV+. It’s based on the true story of a nine-year old journalist.

A mystery inspired by the reporting of a real nine-year-old journalist. When a young girl and her family move back to the small town her father left behind, her pursuit of the truth leads to the unearthing of a long-buried cold case.

The series is created and executive produced by Jon M. Chu and showrunners Dana Fox & Dara Resnik; written and executive produced by Russel Friend & Garrett Lerner; and executive produced by Steve Golin for Anonymous Content, Joy Gorman Wettels, Rosemary Rodriguez and Sharlene Martin.

UK Users Can Get a Year of Disney+ for £49.99
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UK Users Can Get a Year of Disney+ for £49.99

Charlotte Henry ·

Disney+ is heading to Europe in just under a month. In an attempt to build up the excitement, the streaming service is offering a discount to those who pre-order. UK users can get a year of Disney+ for £49.99 instead of £59.99 if they sign up by March 23. In Europe, users can purchase an annual subscription for €59.99 instead of €69.99 ahead of launch day. A monthly subscription costs £5.99/€6.99 per month. Disney+ goes live on March 24. To get the deal, head over to https://preorder.disneyplus.com.

Stardew Valley 1.4 Update Finally Available for iOS
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Stardew Valley 1.4 Update Finally Available for iOS

Andrew Orr ·

Long awaited by mobile gamers, the huge Stardew Valley 1.4 update is finally available for iOS and iPadOS. There are new 14 heart events for every spouse, a new late-game building upgrade in town, Fish Ponds for farming, over 60 new items, 24 hairstyles, 181 shirts, and other new clothing items, or create your own clothes with the Tailoring skill, sheds can be upgraded, 14 new music tracks, transfer save files on PC to mobile, and various Quality of Life improvements.

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Native Union Releases Drop XL Watch Edition Charger

Andrew Orr ·

Native Union today announced the release of its newest product, the Drop XL Watch Edition. It’s a wireless charging pad for your Apple Watch, iPhone, and AirPods, and they can all be charged at the same time. The charging puck for the Apple Watch is detachable, so you can free up the device for an additional USB-A port if needed. The design looks a lot like Apple’s failed AirPower product, and it’s covered in a slate-colored fabric. It comes with AC Power Adapter and a 6.5ft / 2m USB-C to USB-A braided cable. You can order one today for US$149.99.

New Microsoft Office App Available to Download
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New Microsoft Office App Available to Download

Andrew Orr ·

Today Microsoft announced the public release of its new Microsoft Office app for iOS. It combines Word, Excel, and PowerPoint into a single office suite. It integrates the company’s Lens technology so you can convert images you take with your smartphone into editable Word and Excel documents, scan PDFs, and capture whiteboards with automatic digital enhancements to make the content easier to read. But you can also make quick notes, sign PDFs, scan QR code’s, and transfer your files between devices. App Store: Free (Offers In-App Purchases)

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Coming March 6, Apple Shares Trailer for ‘Amazing Stories’

Andrew Orr ·

Amazing Stories is an upcoming sci-fi series for Apple TV+ by Steven Spielberg. Each episode will be a new story to “transport the audience to worlds of wonder through the lens of today’s most imaginative filmmakers, directors and writers.” It launches on March 6 and there will be 10 episodes in the first season. Stars include Josh Holloway, Sasha Alexander, Dylan O’Brien, Victoria Pedretti, and Robert Forster.

A Curved Laptop Stand is Twelve South’s Newest Product
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A Curved Laptop Stand is Twelve South’s Newest Product

Andrew Orr ·

Twelve South just announced its newest product: A metal, one-piece curved laptop stand called Curve SE. It’s a white (or black), minimalist stand that matches well with Apple’s aesthetic. It has a fixed height of 6.5-inches, which the company says is an ergonomic standard.

Desktop accessories – especially MacBook stands – are inherently home decor. They should match your room, your style, your desk and complement (not copy) your MacBook. Our latest solution, while deceptively simple, is a beautiful matte white MacBook stand we call Curve SE.

You can buy the Curve SE stand for US$59.99.

New Mophie Fast-Charge Battery Packs Available at Apple
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New Mophie Fast-Charge Battery Packs Available at Apple

Andrew Orr ·

mophie recently announced three new fast-charge battery packs available at Apple.com and certain Apple retail stores. They are: powerstation, powerstation plus, and powerstation plus XL. They all feature 18W fast charge, Lighting input, and the ability to charge multiple Apple devices at the same time.

Suggested retail prices are as follows: powerstation US$59.95; powerstation plus US$79.95; powerstation plus XL US$99.95.

https://youtu.be/a1-ibIspYbs
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New Video Shows off iPhone 11 Night Mode Capability

Andrew Orr ·

Set to “We Only Come Out At Night” by Smashing Pumpkins, Apple’s new video shows the capabilities of iPhone 11’s Night Mode feature. Whether your situation is low-light or no-light, Night Mode is a powerful camera feature that turns on automatically. Look for the Night Mode icon at the top of the camera, which looks like a crescent moon. It will turn yellow when it’s enabled. Your iPhone might take the shot instantly, or it will take several seconds. It depends on how dark your scene is.

ZAGG Introduces 10.2 iPad Keyboard Case ‘Messenger Folio’
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ZAGG Introduces 10.2 iPad Keyboard Case ‘Messenger Folio’

Andrew Orr ·

During CES 2020 ZAGG introduced three keyboard cases for the 10.2-inch iPad, and today the Messenger Folio is available for purchase. It has laptop-style keys with optimal travel, backlighting, Apple Pencil holder, a rechargeable battery that lasts up to 2 years between charges, and a built-in stand.

The Messenger Folio combines protection and productivity in a slender case that fits neatly in your bag or backpack. Laptop-style keys, a long-lasting battery, and a tab for the Apple Pencil let you get down to work, and the protective case and magnetic lock let you get back up and on the move again.

It’s available for US$59.99 with free shipping.

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New 'Shot on iPhone' Clip - 'Powder'

Charlotte Henry ·

Apple’s latest ‘Shot on iPhone’ video takes us to the slopes. Winter X Games snowboarders Red Gerard, Danny Davis, Kimmy Fasani, and Ben Ferguson feature in the clip. They enjoy fresh powder at the iconic Baldface Lodge in British Colombia. Joe Carlino directed the video. It was shot on an iPhone 11 Pro.