If you want to do your downloads with all the security of a virtual private network and none of the slowdown, Offcloud might just be the solution. It’s a browser-based download manager that lets you grab files on sites like BitTorrent, back up your own data, and sync everything to your existing drive.
You can tap all those features for less than $40 through December 25 — and that’s just for starters.
Maccy is a fantastic macOS copy-paste manager that supercharges your clipboard history. It allows you to copy … and copy … and copy again, and still paste the first thing you copied. Of course, it works with cut-and-paste too. It’s super well-designed and very easy to use. With a simple keyboard shortcut, you can bring up a small menu to instantly paste something you cut or copied hours ago.
It’s a fantastic utility that will quickly become a must-have on every Mac you use. You can buy Maccy for just $9.99 on the Mac App Store, or build it from its open-source code yourself.
Content creators, small business owners, authors and others often need voiceovers but simply can’t pay a professional what they’re worth. But very affordable text-to-speech software Speechnow. lets anyone generate reliable voiceovers at minimal cost.
Through December 25, you can get a lifetime subscription to Speechnow for only $19.97 (regularly $299). Plus, since it’s digital, it requires no shipping. And that makes it the perfect last-minute gift for any content creator.
December 20, 1996: Apple Computer buys NeXT, the company Steve Jobs founded after leaving Cupertino a decade earlier.
The deal costs Apple $429 million. It’s a massive price to pay for the failing NeXT, a computer company that already saw its hardware division crash and burn. But the price is worth it when you consider what Apple gets as part of the deal: the return of Steve Jobs.
If you’re in the market for Apple earbuds, second-gen AirPods Pro with a USB-C case are the earbuds to beat. And this hot new AirPods Pro sale slashes the $249 list price down to just $199.99 … and it comes with AppleCare+!
Plus, if you order by 11:59 a.m. Pacific on Wednesday, December 20, you can take delivery by Christmas.
The only (potential) drawback is that this AirPods Pro deal is for Costco members only. But never fear: If you’re not already a member, Cult of Mac Deals offers a great deal on a Costco membership that will let you save money on Apple gear every day of the year.
iPhone users can now install iOS 17.2.1. And macOS Sonoma 14.2.1 is out as well. These are minor bug fix updates, though. The changes are so small Apple didn’t bother to describe them.
These are the only updates introduced Tuesday. There’s no iPadOS version, nor one for Apple Watch. And no new betas, either.
December 19, 2007: Apple settles a lawsuit with reporter Nick Ciarelli, resulting in the shuttering of Think Secret, his masssively popular Apple rumors website. Writing under the screen name Nick de Plume, the Harvard University student had broken a number of Apple stories on the site, which he launched in the late 1990s.
The terms of Ciarelli’s settlement with Apple remain secret. In a statement, he says he will “be able to move forward with my college studies and broader journalistic pursuits.”
Apple News+ subscribers now get access to The Athletic‘s sports journalism and will see Wirecutter‘s in-depth product ratings in the feed early in 2024, Apple said Tuesday.
“Like so many lifelong sports fans, I am a devoted reader of The Athletic and their fantastic sports reporting and local coverage,” said Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior vice president of Services.
“We’re so proud to now bring sports fans The Athletic in Apple News+ — which millions of News+ subscribers are going to love,” he added.
The Headway app serves up daily 15-minute book summaries that deliver a wealth of insights from nonfiction bestsellers. It’s a fast, easy and fun way to learn from thought leaders.
And now, you can save 83% off a lifetime subscription to the premium version of the Headway app. And since Headway doesn’t require shipping, it makes for a perfect, thoughtful gift!
You don’t need expensive graphic design software, or pricey monthly subscriptions, to crank out images that look like a million bucks. Plasfy makes creating professional and effective graphics and designs possible with just a few clicks.
And right now, a Plasfy lifetime subscription is on sale for just $39.99.
UPDATE: Sold out. Sorry!
In this one-day extended Apple Watch Ultra sale, you can take home Apple’s beefiest watch for as low as $509.99 $529.99. While up from the lowest price ever, it’s still one of the best prices we’ve ever seen on an Ultra, and a great deal for sure … although there are a few caveats.
December 18, 2006: Apple fans mourn the death of the iPhone before it even launches.
After Linksys begins selling new handsets, Cupertino watchers must come to grips with the fact that Apple’s rumored smartphone probably won’t be called the iPhone after all. Why? Because Linksys’ parent company, Cisco Systems, owns the iPhone trademark, despite Apple previously having made the iMac, iBook, iPod and iTunes.
The brilliant Bucardo Sport band for Apple Watch is your perfect companion for any type of workout. Made from a lightweight and breathable fabric, it’s as comfortable as a sweatband.
It’s built for anything and remains ultra-comfy at all times.
The internet is a dangerous place. But you don’t have to take chances with hackers and other bad actors. You can secure your iPhone, Mac and more — up to five devices total — with a lifetime license to KeepSolid’s MonoDefense Security Suite.
This multi-app software suite is on sale for just $119.97 (regularly $399) for a limited time.
Apple reportedly plans to launch a redesigned Apple Watch next year capable of detecting hypertension and sleep apnea.
Like the temperature sensor on recent Apple Watches, the next-gen model won’t provide exact blood pressure readings. Instead, it will only show if the blood pressure is elevated compared to the baseline reading. If the watch detects hypertension (or sleep apnea), it might recommend a doctor’s visit.
December 17, 2009: Apple finally triumphs over longtime rival Microsoft … on mobile operating systems market share. New data shows that iPhone OS surpasses Windows Mobile in the United States for the first time.
With roughly 36 million Americans owning smartphones, a quarter of them run Apple’s mobile operating system, according to figures released by research firm Comscore.
The Kodak Slide N Scan film scanner can safely digitize negatives and slides. And ahead of the holidays, it’s on sale for only $169.97 (regularly $224) with code KODAK.
It’s perfect for turning a box of old negatives into a pristine collection of digital images.
This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: After a quick spin through the news of the week, we get down to business with our second round of picks for the best and worst tech and entertainment of 2023.
Also on The CultCast:
Listen to this week’s episode of The CultCast in the Podcasts app or your favorite podcast app. (Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review if you like it!) Or watch the video live stream, embedded below.
Monarch: Legacy of Monsters episode 6 review has Godzilla popping up all over. Plus love and more betrayal.
Read on for kaiju-size spoilers about the latest episode, plus some speculation about the show’s future.
December 16, 1994: Apple Computer inks a licensing deal with Power Computing, allowing the company to produce Macintosh-compatible computers.
With falling market share, and longtime rival Microsoft steaming ahead thanks to its software-licensing strategy, Apple executives think the only way to compete is for the company to hand over its operating system for third-party Macs. Of course, it doesn’t turn out exactly like that…
Keeping your iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods fully charged at all times can prove daunting, especially when you’re on the road. But you can keep all your Apple gear ready for action with this charging station for multiple devices. The MagStack is a great travel charger — and it’s on sale now!
You can streamline your charging experience, whether at home or away, with the MagStack. This Apple-compatible 3-in-1 charging station is foldable and wireless, and for a limited time, you can get one for only $47.99 (regularly $74).
iOS 17 brought dozens of great features and changes, but the latest 17.2 update adds even more.
The headline feature is the new Journal app — other new tweaks come to iMessage stickers, NameDrop and Apple Music. If you have a new iPhone 15 Pro, you can record Spatial Videos and use the Translate app directly from the Action button. You can also customize more notification sounds and StandBy.
Here are the ten best features in 17.2.
If you want to have a better day, getting a good night’s sleep is crucial. That’s easier said than done for many of us, but there’s a hi-tech solution that’s on sale just in time for the holidays.
With Bluetooth technology and a form-fitting design, the Shut-Eye Wireless 3D Sleep Mask can calm restless sleepers in more than one way. And it’s now available for only $19.97 (regularly $49) through December 17.
Want to keep your beautiful iPhone 15 looking fresh? You need to enter this week’s giveaway. Two lucky winners will land an iPhone 15 bundle from MagEasy consisting of a shock-absorbent iPhone case and an ultra-tough screen protector.
December 15, 2003: Almost eight months after launching the iTunes Music Store, Apple celebrates its 25 millionth download.
The song in question? Appropriately enough for this time of year, a Frank Sinatra cover* of the Christmas classic “Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!”
