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Hands-On With the New 4K 23.7-Inch LG UltraFine Display

Wednesday May 22, 2019 3:06 pm PDT by Juli Clover
Apple this week began stocking a new 4K 23.7-inch LG UltraFine Display, which replaces the original 21.5-inch 4K LG UltraFine Display that was pulled from retail stores and the online Apple Store earlier this year.

We picked up one of the new 23.7-inch UltraFine Displays and thought we'd check it out to see if it's worth the $700 price point.

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The new 4K display looks quite similar to the prior-generation 4K and 5K UltraFine displays with a black plastic body with relatively thick bezels and a black aluminum stand. Like prior models, it can be VESA mounted if you prefer.

It's larger than the original 4K UltraFine display as it measures in at 23.7 inches instead of 21.5 inches, but it features a 3840 x 2160 resolution rather than a 4096 x 2304 resolution like the first model. That's still considered Ultra HD, though, and qualifies as 4K.


Though this display has a 4K resolution, it's not meant to be used at the full 3840 x 1260 resolution given its 23.7-inch display size because everything on the display would be super small. Instead, it's meant to provide retina clarity when downscaled to a more reasonable resolution like 1920 x 1080 or 2560 x 1440, which is what we have it set to.

Along with the larger display size, the new UltraFine Display features two Thunderbolt 3 ports instead of a single Thunderbolt 3 port, which means you can daisy chain two of these monitors together. We didn't have a second on hand, but used daisy chaining with a different 4K LG display, which worked well.


You can also connect other Thunderbolt 3-enabled accessories directly to the display if preferred, and there are also three additional USB-C ports. Both a Thunderbolt 3 and USB-C cable are included. There's no webcam, but there are built-in stereo speakers available, much like the prior version of the LG UltraFine displays available from Apple.

The display is crisp and vivid, rivaling the Retina display on Apple's Macs, and we liked the high gloss finish despite the fact that it tends to add more glare. With 500 nits brightness, it's fairly bright, and because it has P3 wide color support, all the colors are rich and true to life.

All in all, we came away with a positive impression of this display. Since you can daisy chain two of them together, it might be nice to have two of them if you can given the smaller size and the $700 price point, which is half of the price of the 5K UltraFine display.

With the 4K LG UltraFine Display having been replaced, Apple may also have a replacement for the 5K UltraFine monitor on the horizon. The 5K monitor is sold out on Apple's site right now, though the listing for it hasn't been removed entirely.

Apple is also planning to get back into displays with rumors suggesting a 31.6-inch 6K display is in the works and set to be released alongside a new Mac Pro that's coming this year. Unfortunately, Apple's 6K display is rumored to be super pricey, so it may be out of range for a lot of Mac users who will instead need to rely on other options like the UltraFine displays from LG.

Related Roundup: Apple Display 6K
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Apple Updates WWDC App With Customizable Icons, Hidden Session Info and iMessage Stickers Ahead of 2019 Event

Wednesday May 22, 2019 10:49 am PDT by Juli Clover
Ahead of the 2019 Worldwide Developers Conference, which kicks off on Monday, June 3 with a keynote event, Apple has updated its official WWDC app for iOS devices.

There have been no design changes to the app aside from a new neon icon that better matches the darker theme of the 2019 conference, but according to Apple's release notes, the update adds a new profile area for managing notifications, virtual queuing for labs, and app icon selection. App icon selection means you can change the color of the Apple logo on the icon in the Settings section of the app.


You'll also see new WWDC-themed iMessage stickers in the Messages app following the update.


The new update introduces placeholder titles for upcoming sessions and labs, with official names hidden because many of these sessions are based on features that have not yet been announced.


For developers who are on-site and attending WWDC, the app offers up on-site tools like maps and start times for labs, sessions, and events. For those unable to attend, it will include live video streams of the keynote, labs, and sessions.


Apple is also offering a tvOS app for the fourth and fifth-generation Apple TV so developers can also watch WWDC sessions on their television sets.

The Worldwide Developers Conference starts on June 3 with a keynote that will take place at 10:00 a.m. Apple will live stream the keynote on both its website and on the Apple TV, and MacRumors will also provide live coverage on MacRumors.com and through the MacRumorsLive Twitter account.

Apple's WWDC app can be downloaded from the App Store for free. [Direct Link]

Related Roundup: WWDC 2019
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Apple Releases macOS Mojave 10.14.5 Supplemental Update for 2018 and 2019 15-Inch MacBook Pro

Wednesday May 22, 2019 10:29 am PDT by Juli Clover
Apple today quietly released an updated version of macOS Mojave 10.14.5, which is designed for 15-inch MacBook Pro models that feature a T2 security chip, aka the 2018 and 2019 machines.

The new version of the software can be downloaded through the "Software Update" section of System Preferences on all compatible Macs.


According to Apple's release notes, the new software addresses a "firmware issue" impacting Macs with a T2 chip. Apple provided no additional detail, so we don't know what the specific firmware issue might be, but we may get more information when the security notes become available.
The MacBook Pro Supplemental Update addresses a firmware issue affecting 15-inch MacBook Pro computers with T2 Security Chip, and is recommended for all users.

For detailed information about the security content of this update, please visit: https://support.apple.com/kb/HT201222
Apple released the macOS Mojave 10.14.5 update on May 13, adding AirPlay 2 support for sharing music, photos, videos, and more from the Mac to AirPlay 2-enabled smart TVs from companies like Samsung, Vizio, LG, and Sony.

Minor Apple News+ interface changes were included, allowing users to follow a magazine directly from the catalog browsing view, and there were improvements to audio latency on 2018 machines.

Related Roundup: MacBook Pro
Buyer's Guide: MacBook Pro (Buy Now)
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Apple Sends Out Media Invites for WWDC Keynote on June 3

Wednesday May 22, 2019 9:12 am PDT by Juli Clover
Apple today sent out media invites for the keynote event of its 30th annual Worldwide Developers Conference, which takes place at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time at the McEnery Convention Center in San Jose, California.

The WWDC keynote will provide a first look at new software that Apple is debuting in 2019, including iOS 13, macOS 10.15, watchOS 6, and tvOS 13.

Image via Neil Cybart

Rumors have suggested Apple is considering using the event to unveil the new high-end high-throughput Mac Pro that's in development, though Apple could still opt to delay its introduction until a later date. It's not clear if other hardware will be unveiled at the event.

There are some major changes coming in the new software that's set to be announced, including dark mode for iOS, a new volume HUD, updates to several apps, and more, all of which is highlighted in our iOS 13 roundup.

watchOS 6 will bring a dedicated App Store for the Apple Watch, new watch faces, new health-related apps and more, while macOS 10.15 will further Apple's "Marzipan" cross-platform app project, split up iTunes, and bring software for using an iPad as a second display among other features.

Apple in March announced that this year's WWDC event is once again set to be held at the McEnery Convention Center in San Jose, California, the third year that it's taken place outside of San Francisco.

WWDC tickets, which were priced at $1,599, were distributed to developers by random selection back in March. Apple also provided 350 scholarships to students and STEM organization members, which include a free ticket to WWDC as well as free lodging at San Jose State University.

Approximately 5,000 developers attend the Worldwide Developers Conference to interface with hundreds of Apple engineers who are available to answer questions and host development sessions. Developers who are not able to attend the event will be able to watch the sessions through Apple's WWDC 2019 website or the WWDC app for iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV.

Related Roundup: WWDC 2019
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Apple Pledges to Be 'Clearer and More Upfront' With iPhone Users About Battery Health and Performance in UK

Wednesday May 22, 2019 7:38 am PDT by Joe Rossignol
The UK's competition watchdog today announced that Apple has formally agreed to be "clearer and more upfront with iPhone users" about battery health and performance to ensure compliance with consumer law, as the BBC reports.


In a pledge submitted to the Competition and Markets Authority or CMA, Apple committed to several actions it has already taken, including providing consumers with "clear and comprehensible information" about lithium-ion batteries, unexpected shutdowns, and performance management in iOS and on its website.

Apple added that if a future iOS update materially changes the impact of performance management when installed on an iPhone, it will notify consumers "in a clear manner" of those changes in the release notes for the update.

The CMA raised concerns with Apple last year after the iPhone slowdown controversy of late 2017, when it was discovered that Apple introduced a performance management system in iOS 10.2.1 that could slow down iPhones with aging batteries, while only mentioning bug fixes and improvements in the release notes.

Apple eventually apologized over its lack of communication and took several steps to address the situation, including introducing an option to disable the performance management, temporarily lowering the price of iPhone replacement batteries, and adding a new Battery Health menu in iOS 11.3.

The CMA acknowledges that, since it raised its concerns, Apple has "already started to be more up front with iPhone users," but notes that today's announcement "locks the firm into formal commitments." In the event Apple were to breach any of the commitments made, the CMA may take action through the courts.

Tags: United Kingdom, iPhone Slowdown
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FTC Wins Antitrust Lawsuit Against Qualcomm [Updated]

Wednesday May 22, 2019 5:21 am PDT by Joe Rossignol
The FTC today won its antitrust lawsuit against Qualcomm over the chipmaker's anticompetitive business practices.


As first reported by legal expert Florian Mueller on his blog FOSS Patents, U.S. District Judge Lucy Koh has ruled that Qualcomm's so-called "no license, no chips" model, under which the chipmaker has refused to provide chips to companies without a patent license, violates federal antitrust laws.

The ruling has significant implications for Apple, as Koh ordered that Qualcomm must negotiate or renegotiate license terms with its customers in good faith without threatening to cut off access to its cellular modem chips or related software and technical support, according to Mueller.

Qualcomm also must make patent licenses available to rival cellular modem suppliers on fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory or "FRAND" terms, and may not enter exclusive agreements for the supply of modem chips.

Apple sued Qualcomm in early 2017 over these anticompetitive business practices, and unpaid royalty rebates, but the two companies announced an agreement to end all ongoing litigation worldwide last month. The settlement includes a six-year licensing agreement and a multiyear chipset supply agreement.

It's unclear if Apple had any hint that the FTC was likely to win its antitrust case and if that had any implications on its settlement with Qualcomm.

While it appears that Intel will remain the sole supplier of LTE modems in 2019 iPhones, Qualcomm is expected to supply Apple with its industry-leading 5G modems for 2020 iPhones now that the companies have settled, so Koh's ruling could lead to a fairer agreement between Apple and Qualcomm moving forward.

Farther down the road, multiple reports have indicated that Apple is designing its own cellular modems that would allow it to drop Qualcomm for good, although they might not appear in iPhones until as late as 2025.

Qualcomm will likely appeal the ruling, but Mueller believes the chipmaker faces an uphill battle given "such a rich and powerful body of evidence" regarding its anticompetitive business practices. Mueller has excellent, in-depth coverage of Koh's ruling on his blog FOSS Patents that is well worth a read.


Update: Qualcomm has announced that it will immediately seek a stay of the ruling and an expedited appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit.

"We strongly disagree with the judge's conclusions, her interpretation of the facts and her application of the law," said Don Rosenberg, general counsel of Qualcomm, in a statement shared by the Washington Post's Hamza Shaban.

Update 2: The ruling will not affect last month's settlement between Apple and Qualcomm, according to Bloomberg. "There are no provisions in the deal between Apple and Qualcomm that allowed for a reversal or change in the event the FTC won its case against the chipmaker," the report claims, citing a source.

Koh's complete ruling is embedded ahead.

➜ Click here to read rest of article...

Tags: lawsuit, FTC, Qualcomm
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Seven Safari Tricks on iOS You Might Not Know

Tuesday May 21, 2019 1:57 pm PDT by Juli Clover
Safari on iOS has a surprising number of hidden tricks, letting you manipulate tabs, conduct page-specific searches, and more, and not all of these features are immediately obvious due to the gestures involved.

We've rounded up some useful must-know Safari tips that you might not be aware of or may have forgotten, so make sure to check out our video because we bet there's something here that's going to be new to you.

Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos.

  • Close All Tabs - Have hundreds of tabs open in Safari on your iPhone? You can close them all at once. Just long press right on the "Done" button in the tab view (which you can get to by pressing the little icon that looks like two squares) and you'll see an option to close all tabs.

  • Open Recently Closed Tabs - Accidentally closed a tab you didn't want to close? In the tab view, long press on the "+" button and it will bring up a list of tabs that you've closed recently so you can open it right back up.

  • Search Your Open Tabs - With tons of tabs, you might need to do some hunting around to find the specific tab you're looking for, but luckily, a built-in tab search feature makes this easier. Just scroll to the top of your tabs view (or tap the top of the screen to jump to the top) and you'll see a search bar for searching tabs.

  • Close Filtered Tabs - If you want to close some of your tabs while leaving the rest open, the search feature doubles as a filter. After doing a search in your tabs, long press on the "Cancel" button next to the search interface and you'll see an option to close only the tabs that match your search.

  • Find Text on Page - You know how you can use the Command + F feature on a Mac to find something specific on a page? There's a find feature in iOS too. With a website open, type in a search phrase in the search bar at the top and then scroll down to "On This Page" to search for that term on the website. Alternatively, you can open up the Share Sheet and locate the "Find on Page" button.

  • Close Tabs on Other Devices - If you have multiple devices and use iCloud along with the feature that syncs Safari information, you can close tabs on your Mac or your iPad right from your iPhone. To do it, open up the tab view (again, the little icon with two squares), scroll all the way to the bottom of your open tabs, and then you'll see an interface that lists open tabs on other devices.

  • Handoff Websites - If you're looking at a website on your iPhone and then want to open it up on your Mac, you can use Handoff, which is available on most modern Mac machines and iPhones. On the Mac, you'll see a little Safari icon on your dock with a small iPhone icon, just click on that and whatever you're looking at on your iPhone can be opened up right on your Mac. You can also open websites from device to device using the same cloud tab interface used for closing tabs on other devices.
Have other useful Safari tips that we didn't share here? Let us know in the comments and we may include them in a future tips and tricks video.

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Apple Named Cannes Lions' 2019 Creative Marketer of the Year

Tuesday May 21, 2019 12:58 pm PDT by Juli Clover
Cannes Lions today announced that Apple has been named the Creative Marketer of the Year, marking the first time the Cupertino company has won the award.

Apple was named the Creative Marketer of the Year to honor its "world class creative communications and marketing initiatives."


Simon Cook, Managing Director of Cannes Lions, said that Apple is "highly deserving" of the Creative Marketer of the Year Award.
"The company's marketing and communications consistently showcases creative excellence. Apple Inc. has created a culture that drives marketing strategies that ensure that its customers are true ambassadors for Apple brands."
Apple's VP of Marketing Communications, Tor Myhren, said that Apple is "humbled" to receive the award, which will be collected by Myhren at the final Awards Show of the Cannes Festival on Friday, June 21.
"We are humbled to receive this prestigious award. Apple has always believed creative, passionate people can change the world for the better. We make tools for those people, and we make marketing for those people."
Apple in 2018 won the Entertainment Lion for Music Grand Prix for its "Welcome Home" HomePod ad directed by Spike Jonze and starring FKA Twigs, and the Brand Experience & Activation Lion Grand Prix for its "Today at Apple" retail store experience.


Other companies that have won the award in the past include Google, Burger King, Samsung, Heineken, McDonald's, Coca-Cola, Mars, IKEA, and Unilever.

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Apple's Online Store Now Offering New 4K 23.7-Inch LG UltraFine Display

Tuesday May 21, 2019 12:23 pm PDT by Juli Clover
The Apple online store and Apple retail stores in the United States are now offering a new 4K 23.7-inch LG UltraFine Display, which replaces the previously available 4K and 5K displays from LG.

Priced at $700, the new display was discovered in an Apple retail store yesterday before making its way online today.


Apple started offering 4K and 5K LG UltraFine displays alongside the 2016 MacBook Pro, but has since stopped selling both of the original models.

The new 23.7-inch display features a resolution of 3840 x 2160, which is lower than the 4096 x 2304 resolution of the prior 21.5-inch 4K display from LG, but is still considered an Ultra HD resolution.

Design wise, the updated LG UltraFine 4K display looks much like the prior 4K and 5K models with a simple black plastic body. It features P3 wide color gamut for vivid, true-to-life colors and 500 nits brightness.

It connects to a Mac through a single Thunderbolt 3 cable, offering up to 85W of charging power for notebooks. There are two Thunderbolt 3 ports, which is an improvement over the single port on the prior models.

With two Thunderbolt 3 ports, daisy-chaining other Thunderbolt 3 accessories (or a second display) over a single connection is possible. There are also three USB-C ports and built-in stereo speakers.

The new display is available today from the Apple online store and many Apple retail stores across the United States.

Related Roundup: Apple Display 6K
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Apple Debuts New 8-Core MacBook Pro With Updated Keyboard

Tuesday May 21, 2019 10:01 am PDT by Juli Clover
Apple today announced the surprise launch of new 13 and 15-inch MacBook Pro models, which are the fastest Mac notebooks ever at the top of the line. The updated machines feature Intel's 8th and 9th-generation processors, with high-end models featuring eight cores for the first time.


According to Apple, the new MacBook Pro offers two times faster performance than a quad-core MacBook Pro and 40 percent more performance than a 6-core MacBook Pro. The new 13-inch machines are using updated quad-core processors, with the 6 and 8-core options limited to the 15-inch models.

Aside from new processors, the updated MacBook Pro machines continue to feature the same design, despite rumors that Apple would introduce a 16 to 16.5-inch MacBook Pro in 2019. There are some internal updates, though.

Though not mentioned in the press release, The Loop confirms that the new machine has an updated keyboard. The new keyboard uses a new material that Apple says will cut down on the failure problems that users have seen.
Another change in the newest MacBook Pro computers is with the keyboard. While Apple says the vast majority of its customers are happy with the keyboard, they do take customer complaints seriously, and work to fix any issues.

To address the problem, Apple said they changed the material in the keyboard's butterfly mechanism that should substantially reduce problems that some users have seen.
Apple did not explain what the "new materials" in the butterfly keyboard are, but said that the update will significantly cut down on issues like double key presses and missed key presses.

According to The Verge, some existing MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models that experience keyboard failures will have their keyboards replaced with the new 2019 keyboard that Apple has developed. Unfortunately, only MacBooks with the third-generation butterfly keyboard can get the updated 2019 keyboard, which includes the 2018 MacBook Pro and the 2018 MacBook Air.

Apple is speeding up keyboard repair times in its retail stores, and extending its Keyboard Service Program to include the 2018 MacBook Pro and 2018 MacBook Air models, along with the new 2019 machines. The repair program lasts for four years after the first retail sale of a Mac machine.

The MacBook Pro continues to feature "the best Mac notebook display ever" with 500 nits of brightness, P3 wide color gamut, and True Tone technology. It is equipped with Apple's T2 security chip, Thunderbolt 3 ports, and immersive stereo speakers like prior machines.
"Whether it's college students mastering a course of study, developers building world-class apps or video editors creating feature films, we're constantly amazed at what our customers do with their MacBook Pro," said Tom Boger, Apple's senior director of Mac Product Marketing. "Now with 8-core processors for an incredible performance boost, along with its stunning Retina display, fast storage, all-day battery life and running macOS, MacBook Pro continues to be the world's best pro notebook and we can't wait to get it into our customer's hands to see what they do next."
The new MacBook Pro models are priced starting at $1,799 and $2,399, respectively, for the 13 and 15-inch models. The new machines are available today through Apple's online store and will be coming to Apple retail stores later this week. Apple has not updated the non-Touch Bar 13-inch MacBook Pro machines.

Related Roundup: MacBook Pro
Tag: Butterfly Keyboard Issues Guide
Buyer's Guide: MacBook Pro (Buy Now)
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Apple Launches New Backlight Service Program for 2016 13-Inch MacBook Pro Display to Address 'Flexgate' Issues

Tuesday May 21, 2019 10:00 am PDT by Juli Clover
Alongside the launch of new MacBook Pro models, Apple today introduced a new Backlight Service Program for the 13-inch MacBook Pro.

According to Apple, a "very small percentage" of 2016 13-inch MacBook Pro displays can exhibit vertical bright areas along the bottom of the screen or a backlight that malfunctions entirely.


Apple will repair affected devices, which includes machines sold between October 2016 and February 2018, for free. Eligible models are listed below:
  • MacBook Pro (13-­inch, 2016, Four Thunderbolt 3 Ports)
  • MacBook Pro (13-­inch, 2016, Two Thunderbolt 3 Ports)
No other MacBook Pro models are included in the repair program at this time.

There have been ongoing complaints from MacBook Pro owners about uneven backlighting, though reports have covered machines beyond the 13-inch 2016 MacBook Pro. There has been speculation that the problem is caused by a delicate and easy-to-break flex cable.

Apple says that those with affected machines should find an Apple Authorized Service Provider, make an appointment at an Apple Retail Store, or contact Apple Support to arrange a mail-in repair.

The Backlight Service Program will be available to MacBook Pro owners for four years after the first retail sale of the unit, or two years from May 21, 2019, whichever is longer. According to internal Apple repair documents, displays with a confirmed backlight issue are eligible for LCD replacement at no charge, including displays that have accidental damage.

Related Roundup: MacBook Pro
Tag: Flexgate Guide
Buyer's Guide: MacBook Pro (Buy Now)
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2018 and Newer MacBook Pro and MacBook Air Now Eligible for Apple's Keyboard Service Program

Tuesday May 21, 2019 9:59 am PDT by Joe Rossignol
Apple today extended its Keyboard Service Program to all MacBook, MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro models equipped with any generation of its butterfly mechanism keyboard, not long after apologizing over the issues.


This means 2018 MacBook Air, 2018 MacBook Pro, or just-announced 2019 MacBook Pro models that experience keyboard issues such as sticky or inconsistently responding keys now qualify for free repairs up to four years after the original purchase date worldwide, regardless of warranty status.

Eligible Models

  • MacBook (Retina, 12-­inch, Early 2015)
  • MacBook (Retina, 12­-inch, Early 2016)
  • MacBook (Retina, 12-­inch, 2017)
  • MacBook Air (Retina, 13-inch, 2018)
  • MacBook Pro (13­-inch, 2016, Two Thunderbolt 3 Ports)
  • MacBook Pro (13-­inch, 2017, Two Thunderbolt 3 Ports)
  • MacBook Pro (13-­inch, 2016, Four Thunderbolt 3 Ports)
  • MacBook Pro (13-­inch, 2017, Four Thunderbolt 3 Ports)
  • MacBook Pro (15-­inch, 2016)
  • MacBook Pro (15-­inch, 2017)
  • MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2018, Four Thunderbolt 3 Ports)
  • MacBook Pro (15-­inch, 2018)
  • MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2019, Four Thunderbolt 3 Ports)
  • MacBook Pro (15-­inch, 2019)
To address the underlying issues, Apple said it has changed the material in the 2019 MacBook Pro keyboard's butterfly mechanism to "substantially reduce problems that some users have seen," according to The Loop.

The new keyboard design on the 2019 MacBook Pro is still classified as "third generation" like the 2018 MacBook Pro and 2018 MacBook Air. Owners of the 2018 MacBook Pro and 2018 MacBook Air can have their keyboards replaced with ones that have the new materials during repair, according to The Verge.

To initiate a keyboard repair, visit the Get Support page on Apple's website to book a Genius Bar or Apple Authorized Service Provider appointment.

Related Roundups: MacBook Air, MacBook Pro
Tags: repair program, Butterfly Keyboard Issues Guide
Buyer's Guide: MacBook Air (Neutral), MacBook Pro (Buy Now)
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