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Digitize all your old film and slides with this Kodak scanner

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Product shot of a person using a Kodak Slide N Scan slide film scanner
This affordable Kodak scanner can preserve your old negatives and slides so you can enjoy them.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Memories fade, and so does film. Whether it’s old negatives or a box of dusty slides, your memories are safer in a digital format. The Kodak Slide N Scan digital slide and film scanner transforms old film negatives and slides into digital images you can save, share and enjoy — forever.

Normally, this classic media scanner would cost $189.99. But you can grab one for just $164.97 for a limited time.

Apple’s going on a serious bug hunt [The CultCast]

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The CultCast logo, with a comic version of an iPhone hunting a bug in iOS 27
Apple's about to drop the hammer on bloat and glitches.
Image: Cult of Mac

This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: Apple reportedly plans to focus on squashing bugs in iOS 27 and the rest of next year’s new operating systems. Sounds like Snow Leopard redux … and we couldn’t be happier. New features be damned!

Also on The CultCast:

  • Android devices get a delicious dose of AirDrop.
  • As usual, Apple’s Black Friday deals don’t knock us out. But plenty of other big discounts do. We discuss some of the best sales we’ve seen.
  • Griffin shows how you can give your Mac a makeover in macOS Tahoe. The new customization options look rad — and functional!
  • And finally, Griffin reviews the ViewSonic VP2788-5K, a Mac-ready, 27-inch 5K monitor with great features (and a regrettable name).

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.

Join Costco for $65, get an extra-large signup bonus

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Photo of a Costco Wholesale warehouse to illustrate a deal on a Costco membership
You can save on everything from groceries to Apple gear at Costco.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

A Costco Gold Star Membership can help you secure high-quality goods — including iPhones, Macs, Apple Watches and iPads — at bargain-basement prices. You can hop on the savings train now with a Costco membership deal that lets you join the warehouse club for less.

Right now, when you pick up a year-long Costco Gold Star Membership for only $65 you’ll also score an extra-satisfying $40 Digital Costco Shop Card*.

Want even more savings? Bump up to an Executive Gold Star Membership for $130 to earn more perks and receive an even larger $60 Digital Costco Shop Card.

Live now: Save on must-have gear with these Black Friday deals on iPhone accessories

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Photo of hand hodling iPhone 17 Pro with a Baseus Picogo Qi2 10K Portable Charger to illustrate guide to best iPhone accessories deals for Black Friday 2025
At these prices, these hot iPhone accessories must be flying off the shelves!
Image: Cult of Mac

Black Friday week sales give you an excellent chance to grab useful iPhone accessories at genuinely tempting prices. Whether you want a MagSafe power bank, a multi-port GaN charger or a set of AirTags, you can pick them up at big discounts and upgrade your setup without spending much.

With so many deals live already, it’s the perfect chance to stock up on some useful iPhone accessories for daily use.

Black Friday alert: Deals slash prices on portable SSDs from Sandisk, Samsung and Kingston

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Portable SSD Black Friday deals
Upgrade your MacBook storage with a deal on a portable SSD this Black Friday.
Image: Google Gemini

Black Friday has arrived, and with it come amazing deals on portable SSDs. If you’ve been constantly running out of space on your laptop, desktop or tablet, this is your moment.

There are deals from top brands: Sandisk, Samsung and Kingston that shouldn’t be missed.

Today in Apple history: QuickTime 5 takes the world by storm

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QuickTime 5 was being downloaded 1 million times every three days.
QuickTime 5 was being downloaded 1 million times every three days.
Photo: Apple

Nov. 28: Today in Apple history: QuickTime 5 downloads fuel web video revolution November 28, 2001: People download QuickTime 5 for Mac and PC a million times every three days, Apple says, putting the multimedia software on track to exceed 100 million downloads in its first year of distribution. The announcement comes as websites adopt the MPEG-4 format, and online video begins to take off in a big way.

In particular, Apple’s movie trailer website proves a massive success. Millions of people download previews of upcoming blockbusters like Spider-Man and Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones. Online trailer releases for films like The Lord of the Rings become buzz-worthy events.

In a pre-YouTube world, Apple has everything to gain!

Restore your sanity by blocking jerks from calling, texting and emailing

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Block A Number on iPhone
Here are all the details on how to block a number on iPhone.
Image: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

Spam calls and text messages seem absolutely relentless these days — you’ll want to know how to block a number on your iPhone to keep your sanity. Luckily, it’s easy. There are a variety of ways you can stop unwanted calls. You can block an incoming phone call or text message. And you can send unknown callers directly to Live Voicemail.

If you’re blocking a person in your contacts list, it doesn’t matter which app you block them from — Messages, Phone, Contacts, Mail, Settings — they will be blocked everywhere.

Here’s how to block calls from unknown numbers on iPhone and keep spammers at bay.

Live now: Best Black Friday 2025 Apple Watch deals — Series 11, SE 3, Ultra 3 and more extreme price drops

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Chromo color processed (light blue on pink background) of Apple Watch Series 11 to illustrate post on Black Friday week 2025 deals
Every model of Apple Watch is on sale for Black Friday week, but some are better deals than others.
Image: Cult of Mac

Apple Watch Black Friday 2025 deals are live, featuring significant price drops on entry-level models and premium variations.

The best deal so far is the newest Apple Watch Series 11, which has dropped to its lowest price to date — just $339 (regularly $399). Another great buy is the entry-level Apple Watch SE 3, on sale from just $199 (save $50 or 20% off). This is a superb starter watch and perfect for kids (and you can use it to track the little darlings). And even the Apple Watch Ultra 3 is on sale (although not by much).

Plus, if you want to save even more, you might be able to grab a previous year’s model before the clearance sales in effect decimate the inventory forever.

Live now: Best Black Friday MacBook deals 2025 are selling fast

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Stylized photo of a MacBook Air on a yellow background to illustrate MacBook Black Friday deals 2025
There's no better time to buy a new laptop.
Image: Cult of Mac

This Black Friday week, you can find stellar discounts on a new MacBook. With Intel Macs aging out, there’s no better time to upgrade to the latest models that run on far-superior Apple silicon processors.

Whether you’re looking at the base MacBook Air or a specced-out MacBook Pro, you can rack up hundreds of dollars in savings by upgrading this week. 

Take a look at these Black Friday deals on MacBooks and get ready to make your next big move. 

Live now: Best Black Friday AirPods deals 2025 — lowest prices ever unlocked!

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Best Black Friday AirPods deals 2025 -- lowest prices ever unlocked!
Every AirPods model is currently marked down ahead of Black Friday.
Image: Cult of Mac

These excellent Black Friday week deals on all AirPods models make Apple’s lineup of trend-setting headphones more affordable than ever.

Whether you want Apple’s entry-level earbuds (AirPods 4, with or without active noise cancellation), the amazingly versatile AirPods Pro 3 or the luxurious over-ear AirPods Max headphones, you can be sure that the latest models will work like a charm with all your Apple devices.

They’re even better when you can snag them at a discount — and most of these Black Friday deals drop AirPods to their lowest prices yet!

Live now: Best Black Friday 2025 Apple accessories deals — docks, SSDs, power banks, Apple Pencil and more

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Composite image showing several products (mouse, SSD, power bank, etc.) included in roundup of best Apple accessories Black Friday deals 2025
These powerhouse accessories make any Apple setup stronger.
Image: Cult of Mac

Black Friday isn’t just a great time to upgrade to an Apple silicon MacBook or snag an outstanding deal on an iPad. It’s also one of the best times to grab accessories for your Apple devices at deep discounts.

Check out the best deals on Apple accessories for Black Friday 2025.

Live now: Best Black Friday 2025 Apple deals on MacBook, iPad, AirPods, Apple Watch and more

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Images of Apple products on sale during Black Friday week 2025
Apple products and accessories are heavily discounted during Black Friday week.
Image: Cult of Mac

We put together the ultimate guide to the best Black Friday 2025 deals on Apple gear — and all the accessories you could want. We’ll be updating this post throughout the week as deals come and go. 

There’s no better week to get your shopping taken care of. If you have an Apple enthusiast in your life, pick them up a great accessory for their gear. 

Find our absolute top five picks, and our other favorite deals sorted by product category, below. 

Live now: Best Black Friday 2025 iPad deals — iPad 11, M3 iPad Air, M5 iPad Pro

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Best Black Friday iPad deals 2025 — mega price drop alert!
Save an amazing 25% on a new Apple tablet. Do not miss these Black Friday iPad sales.
Image: Cult of Mac

Black Friday season is officially here, and for iPad fans, the deals are looking good. Lots of iPads are on sale for their lowest-ever prices. Whether you’re hunting for a dependable workhorse, a powerful all-rounder, or a pro-level device, the iPad deals hitting the market shouldn’t be ignored.

The budget-friendly iPad is now 21% off, making it a steal for students, casual users, or families. Meanwhile, the sleek M3 iPad Air is discounted by an amazing 25%, bringing high-performance efficiency at an even more tempting price. And for creative pros, the brand-new M5 iPad Pro is also seeing an early discount — a rare opportunity to grab cutting-edge power and graphics capabilities without paying full retail.

Control this beastly air purifier and humidifier with iPhone or Apple Watch [Review] ★★★★☆

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Turonic PH950 Air Purifier and Humidifier review★★★★☆
I finally got serious about indoor air quality and climate control.
Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac

Have you noticed clean, comfortable air is getting harder to find? Among the reasons I finally left California after many years were the increasingly common and unhealthy “smoke seasons” caused by western wildfires. So I moved back east only to discover Canadian wildfires wafting choking drafts into New England, as well as my old nemesis — humidity. So I finally got myself a serious appliance to deal with indoor air quality. This Turonic PH950 Air Purifier and Humidifier review finds it quite the beast for the tasks, with just a few caveats (no HomeKit!?). But control via app for iOS and watchOS makes it especially convenient. 

Miss your Mac’s app Launchpad? Get it back with BuhoLaunchpad (up to 70% off).

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BuhoLaunchpad Black Friday deal
Ah, that's better. BuhoLaunchpad brings back the Mac's classic Launchpad experience.
Image: Dr. Buho

If you’re using macOS 26 and mourning the loss of Launchpad, you need an alternative like BuhoLaunchpad. The newly released Mac app delivers practically the same experience that Launchpad did, effortlessly re-creating the classic app launching and organizational tool for Mac.

It’s a simple and effective solution to the Mac’s missing Launchpad in macOS Tahoe. And Cult of Mac readers can get BuhoLaunchpad at up to 70% off with the exclusive code CLMA25BL58 during Dr.Buho’s Black Friday sale.

We’ll explain how Dr.Buho’s BuhoLaunchpad stands out from other Launchpad alternatives below. And don’t miss your chance to get that Black Friday deal.

New Black Friday deal drops AirPods Max to lifetime low — don’t miss your chance to score!

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AirPods Max deal
Apple's premium over-ear headphones just hit a record low!
Photo: Floating Pixels

If you’ve always coveted a pair of Apple’s AirPods Max headphones, but always balked at the outrageous price, this Black Friday deal is for you.

You can get a new pair of Apple’s premium headphones for just $399.99 — a massive discount off the list price of $549.

Today in Apple history: Maps manager is navigated out of Apple

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maps
Yep ... we're pretty sure that's not right.
Photo: Apple

November 27: Today in Apple history: Apple fires Maps manager Richard Williamson November 27, 2012: Apple fires the manager responsible for the disastrous Apple Maps launch in iOS 6 after the glitchy software delivers embarrassingly bad data to users around the world.

Richard Williamson, who oversaw Apple’s mapping team, gets the ax from Eddy Cue, who assumes leadership of the project.

If you don’t have time to read, try this

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Photo of a person using the Sumizeit book summaries app on a mobile device on a cozy holiday night.
Unlock a lifetime of knowledge with Sumizeit's 15-minute book summaries.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

If you want to learn key concepts from nonfiction books you don’t have time to read, try Sumizeit’s book summaries. This new platform gives you access to a collection of thousands of 15-minute summaries for some of the most popular nonfiction books, so you can learn without the time commitment.

Sumizeit tackles topics like psychology, health, business, relationships, money and general personal growth. Each one is conveniently available in several formats: You can read the text version, play the audio, watch a short video, download the PDF or use the podcast feed.

It’s an incredibly easy way to absorb the biggest of thoughts in the shortest amount of time. And you can snag a lifetime subscription to Sumizeit for only $39.99 (regularly $99).

Best Mac apps on sale for Black Friday 2025: Don’t miss these deals on must-have software

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Black Friday deals on Mac apps
Check out these amazing Mac apps on sale for Black Friday.
Image: Google Gemini

TextSniper for MacBlack Friday week is a great time not only to pick up new Apple gear and accessories, but also to score some excellent Mac apps at deep discounts. Many popular titles get major price cuts during the sale, and you can pick them for a fraction of their usual cost.

From powerful utilities to creative apps and professional tools, check out the best Black Friday deals on Mac apps.

3 reasons you shouldn’t close your open iPhone apps

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How do you close iPhone apps?
How do you close iPhone apps? It's easy, but you really shouldn't.
Image: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

It’s good to know how to close apps on iPhone for those times when an app is acting buggy or becomes unresponsive. It’s really easy — just swipe up to see your running apps and swipe up again to close them.

But does this mean you should always quit your open apps? No, not at all.

Despite what you may have heard, quitting apps on iOS usually makes things worse, not better. It’s a myth that quitting apps will save battery life, make your iPhone run faster or free up memory. Overall, it negatively impacts your iPhone’s performance.

Here’s how to close iPhone apps — plus three reasons why you shouldn’t rush to do it.

Apple Watch Series 11 Black Friday deals — get ’em while they’re hot!

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Apple Watch Series 11 Black Friday deals — get 'em while they're hot!
There's never been a better deal on Apple Watch Series 11.
Image: ChatGPT/Cult of Mac

Black Friday has arrived early, and the savings on Apple Watch Series 11 are making headlines. The much-talked-about smartwatch is seeing its deepest discounts to date, with GPS models now starting at $339 — $60 off list price — and cellular versions dipping below $440.

Series 11 just launched in September, so it’s amazing you can already get 15% off the price.

Price drop: Make marvelous diagrams with Microsoft Visio Pro, now less than $10

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Create more cohesive data diagrams on Windows with Microsoft Visio Pro for only $29.99.
Take advantage of premade templates, starter diagrams and stencils with Microsoft Visio Professional.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Whether for flowcharts, floor plans or org charts, diagrams prove incredibly useful for illustrating how data fits together. Microsoft Visio Professional 2021 helps you build polished visualizations faster.

An incredible limited-time deal means you can grab lifetime access to this Windows app for only $9.97 (originally $249.99).

Today in Apple History: Bill Gates hails Mac as the future of computing

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Bill Gates
Bill Gates offered high praise for the Mac in 1984.
Image: Fulvio Obregon

November 26: Today in Apple history: Bill Gates praises Macintosh November 26, 1984: Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates praises Apple’s newly arrived Macintosh as the future of personal computing.

“The next generation of interesting software will be done on the Macintosh, not the IBM PC,” Gates says in a BusinessWeek cover story.

This high praise for the Mac would seem almost unthinkable coming out of Gates’ mouth just a few years later. However, the interview arrives at a time when Microsoft is best known as one of the biggest Mac developers.