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Pixelmator for Mac update adds Magnetic Selection, Retouch brushes extension for Apple Photos app, more

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The team behind Pixelmator has today released yet another free update to its Mac photo editor, Pixelmator version 3.5 ($29.99 in the Mac App Store). Alongside the usual round of performance improvements and bug fixes, the app includes a few handy new end-user features. There’s a smarter Auto Selection tool and a brand new Magnetic Selection tool to accurately and quickly cutout objects from a scene in a photograph. There’s also a brand new Retouch extension for the native OS X Photos app, integrating refined brush-style edits into iCloud Photo Library. Video demo after the break …


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Apple invents ‘universal magnetic adapter’ to bring MagSafe to everything w/ a single port

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Yesterday we detailed an Apple patent showing work on a stackable Smart Connector plug of sorts. Today we get a look at a similar invention aimed at making the I/O on future devices more versatile with Apple’s invention of a “Universal Magnetic Adapter” that could allow for more future-proof devices using only a single port. As pictured in the drawing accompanying the patent above, the technology allows for a single port that uses magnetic inserts as adapters for your various devices. Or in other words, MagSafe for everything using a single port and adapters for the various connectors.

In its patent, Apple describes the problem with the current mess of adapters and cables users have to deal:


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Apple Watch Magnetic Charging Dock now available to buy for $79, watch a full hands-on video

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Apple’s new official dock for Apple Watch, the Apple Watch Magnetic Charging Dock, is now available to buy in Apple Stores and online. This particular image is from the Berlin store in Germany. In the US, the first-party Apple Watch dock costs $79. The Apple store website says the product will be available in US retail for in-store pickup starting this Friday, the 20th November.

As indicated by the leaked photos from last night, the dock allows the watch to either lay flat or sit upright in Nightstand mode thanks to the magnetic attachment. The charger itself is integrated into the unit, so you will still have the charger that comes bundled with the Apple Watch available as a spare if you buy the dock. The dock also comes with a 2 metre Lightning cable, longer than typical Lightning cables Apple provides.

A reader got their hands on one and has already compiled a full hands on video with Apple’s new dock which you can see after the break …


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Review: Belkin’s Charge Dock, the first w/ an integrated Apple Watch charger

After Apple announced plans back in July to let accessory manufacturers produce Apple Watch docks that integrate its magnetic charging connector, today the first product to take advantage arrives with Belkin’s new Charge Dock for Apple Watch – which also includes an integrated lightning connector for simultaneously docking an iPhone. We’ve been testing the product ahead of its release… 
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Developer of first Apple Watch battery strap demos faster charging using hidden port (Video)

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Early this month I reported that accessory makers were planning on tapping into the Apple Watch’s hidden port for battery straps and faster charging. Not only would that allow companies to avoid having to design a solution with the magnetic, inductive charging system Apple is using, it also meant they wouldn’t have to workaround the sensors on the back of the watch.

Now, the company that first announced plans to use the hidden port, Reserve Strap, has posted a video showing faster charging using the port vs Apple’s charger:
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CES 2014: Hyper launches Expand battery packs w/ magnetic interchangeable batteries

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Hyper, the company behind many battery packs, Wi-Fi enabled storage solutions, and external MacBook battery packs, is today launching another unique battery solution that caught our eye. The new HyperJuice Expand is a three USB port battery pack that will let you charge up to two iPads and an iPhone at once, but the really interesting part is the new patented solution for magnetically attached battery packs of various sizes. 
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Logitech acquires creators of TidyTilt Kickstarter project that raised over $200k

Logitech today announced that it acquired smartphone accessory startup TT Design Labs, a company that first received media attention for its ‘TidyTilt’ magnetic earbud holder and kickstand that raised over $200,000 through a Kickstarter campaign. As part of the deal, the two co-founders of TT Design Labs will be joining the Logitech team, while two of the company’s products will soon be relaunched and evolved under the Logitech brand.

The company will be launching the Logitech TidyTilt earphone holder and the Logitech JustMount in the coming weeks and is already accepting preorders through its website. JustMount is a magnetic cube designed to work with TidyTilt to hold up an iPhone vertically and store earbuds, keys, and more.

Perhaps the most interesting aspect of this deal is the fact that Logitech is keeping an eye on innovation that’s happening in the Kickstarter and crowd-funding space. Not only did Logitech tell us that it’s “excited to tap into this pool of innovation and talent” in the crowd-sourced funding area, it wouldn’t rule out the possibility of going the crowd-funding route for introducing its own future products.

“The big winners with today’s announcement are smartphone users,” said Derek Tarnow, co-founder of TT Design Labs. “In Logitech, we’ve found a true partner that shares our focus on creating great products designed to improve people’s experiences with the technology they love. We’re very excited to be working with Logitech.”

We reviewed and quite enjoyed the first iteration of the TidyTilt last year (the latest version includes a full case).