Add wireless CarPlay to your vehicle for less than $80

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Get full Apple CarPlay functionality with this 7” display, now under $90.
Navigate, take calls, listen to music and more with this inexpensive CarPlay-compatible touchscreen.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Want a major car upgrade without buying a new vehicle? You can add a 7-inch dashboard display that works with Apple’s CarPlay and Android Auto for just $78.97 (regularly $139). That’s a great deal on an after-market wireless CarPlay display with a vivid touchscreen.

Designed to put your smartphone’s features and apps front and center in any car, this wireless car display makes road trips easier, safer and more fun. It’s incredibly easy to set up and widely compatible with various automobiles.

Sneak peek shows ‘one-of-a-kind’ Apple Store in Shanghai

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Apple Jing’an in Shanghai
A plaza with a nearby temple encircles the dramatic new Apple Store in Shanghai.
Photo: Apple

Apple previewed its unusual new retail location in Shanghai Monday. Apple Jing’an, located near Jing’an Temple and Jing’an Park, opens Thursday. Encircled by a plaza, Apple Jing’an store in Shanghai will be a community gathering place and “a one-of-a-kind shopping destination,” the iPhone giant said.

Wait for OLED iPad Pro might stretch into April

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Wait for OLED iPad Pro might stretch into April
An OLED screen should make the 2024 iPad Pro the best-looking ever ... when it finally arrives.
Image: Apple/Cult of Mac

Apple is reportedly still working on the version of iPadOS needed for the first iPad Pro with a OLED screen. The software development process might delay the launch until well into April.

Previous leaks previously pointed at a March debut, and that’s still possible. But those eager for Apple’s next premium tablet should also be prepared to wait as much as another month.

Fraggles get frantic in Back to the Rock season 2 trailer

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Back to the Rock season 2 trailer
A big dust storm messes things up in Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock season 2 trailer.
Image: Apple TV+

Jim Henson’s Fraggles learn to adapt to change and stick together after a dust storm in the season 2 trailer for Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock.

The Emmy Award-winning kids musical comedy series returns to Apple TV+ March 29. Season two cast includes the return of Daveed Diggs plus new guest stars Ariana DeBose, Brett Goldstein, Catherine O’Hara, Adam Lambert and K-pop group aespa.

Pro Display XDR completes powerful MacBook Pro rig [Setups]

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Pro Display XDR setup
The third, final and best display here is Apple's stellar Pro Display XDR.
Photo: nachoal@reddit.com

In the computer setup arms race over bigger and better external displays, one monitor reigns supreme (with a price tag to match) — Apple’s phenomenal Pro Display XDR. Today’s M3 Max MacBook Pro rig just added one to its two other displays, including the oddly square LG DualUp.

Look through visionOS App Store when considering Apple AR headset

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Look through visionOS App Store when considering Apple AR headset
You no longer have to own Vision Pro to see what's on the visionOS App Store.
Screenshot:

Apple made the visionOS App Store available for anyone to look through. The change will give anyone thinking about buying the Vision Pro AR headset a preview at what software is available.

Previously, the list of available app was only viewable by those who already owned the cutting-edge computer that launched in the United States in February.

EarFun’s first over-ear headphones claim hi-res sound, 80-hour playback

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EarFun Wave Pro headphones on laptop user
Paying $80 for hi-res over-ear ANC headphones with 80-hour battery life seems like a steal. But for a short time you can pay just $56.
Photo: EarFun

Known for high-quality earbuds that don’t break the bank, EarFun released a set of over-ear cans Monday for the first time — Earfun Wave Pro Hi-Res ANC Wireless Headphones.

Introduced at CES 2024, the new noise-canceling EarFun Wave Pro cans claim high-resolution audio, hybrid active noise cancellation (ANC) and a stalwart 80 hours of playback. And all that comes at a cost of just $80. Actually, even less for early-bird buyers.

Promote mindfulness and creativity with Groodles art therapy app

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Use art therapy from Groodles to promote relaxation and emotional expression, now $39.99.
Add art therapy to your emotional health regimen with Groodles, on sale for less than $40 for life.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Art therapy can be a powerful tool for your emotional well-being, yet it can be difficult to find accessible tools to use it to its maximum potential. Groodles changes that by putting an art therapy app on your iPhone or iPad.

Named one of AppAdvice’s top apps of January 2024, Groodles is designed for all ages and to be as accessible as possible. Children and adults alike can benefit from Groodles and its promotion of art therapy for self-expression and stress relief. Right now, lifetime access costs just $39.99 (regularly $149).

iOS 18’s generative AI features might use Google Gemini

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iOS 18 with Gemini logo
Google could power many of iOS 18's AI features.
Concept logo/Graphics: Kevin Kall/Google

Apple could use Google Gemini to power the generative AI features reportedly coming this year in iOS 18. Apple and Google are reportedly in “active negotiations” about the possibility, but have not yet finalized a deal. If it happens, it would be the first time in years that the two tech giants have collaborated so closely.

Apple also held talks with OpenAI and considered using ChatGPT, according to Bloomberg’s report.

Smartwatch curious? Try this affordable Apple Watch alternative for fitness fans.

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You're just in time to get this Apple Watch alternative for its early Black Friday Price.
You can get the MagPro activity-tracking smartwatch for less than $40.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

If even the $249 price of the entry-level Apple Watch SE is too high to make you try a smartwatch, take a look at the MagPro instead. This activity-tracking smartwatch packs a lot of fun features into a sleek, modern design.

Purchase the MagPro Smartwatch with a gray, black, tan or teal band for $39.99. No code is needed, but stock is limited. Once we run out, it’s gone for good!

Today in Apple history: Microsoft gets sued for ripping off Mac OS

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Windows used a number of elements of the Mac UI
Windows 2.0 borrowed several elements from the Mac user interface.
Photo illustration: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

March 17: Today in Apple history: Apple sues Microsoft for ripping off Mac OS March 17, 1988: Apple sues Microsoft for allegedly stealing 189 different elements of its Macintosh operating system to create Windows 2.0.

The incident, which causes a deep rift between Apple and one of its top developers, paves the way for an epic battle between the two companies that will rage for years.

Get ready for ‘the biggest AirPods launch to date’

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Apple needs to take the frustration out of AirPods firmware updates
With ANC, AirPods 4 might be a significant jump up from its predecessor.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple suppliers are reportedly preparing for “the biggest AirPods launch to date.” The company is supposedly planning to produce between 20 million and 25 million units of AirPods 4, a significant jump from previous models.

Apple could launch the AirPods 4 in two flavors later this year: one with ANC and another without. Alongside updated internals, the new earbuds purportedly will sport a sleeker new design.

Use your iPhone to instantly identify plants with this AI-powered app

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Identify any plant in seconds with Plantum for iPhone, now $14.97.
For a limited time, this plant ID app for iPhone costs just $14.97 for life.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

If you love gardening or you’re just curious about nature, Plantum is a must-have addition to your iPhone. The plant ID app serves as a sort of pocket botanist, enabling instant plant identification by photo for all kinds of flora.

For a limited time, you can get lifetime access to this AI-powered app for only $14.97.

7 reasons to become James Bond and battle Spectre in Cypher 007 stealth adventure game

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'Cypher 007' hits Apple Arcade later in September
Cypher 007 is more about sneaking past your enemies than shooting them.
Image: Tilting Point LLC/Apple Arcade

Blofeld, the criminal mastermind and head of Spectre, is once again scheming to defeat James Bond in Cypher 007 from Tilting Point LLC.

I’m a fan of RPGs so I loaded the action game on my iPhone. It’s also playable on a range of other Apple devices.

Today in Apple history: iPad gets an eye-dazzling Retina display

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The iPad 3 Retina display was one gorgeous screen.
The iPad 3's Retina display was one gorgeous screen.
Photo: Apple

March 16: Today in Apple history: iPad gets an eye-dazzling Retina display March 16, 2012: Apple introduces the third-generation iPad, its first tablet to come with a Retina display. Marketed as simply “the new iPad,” it’s widely known as the “iPad 3.”

Boasting that beautiful screen and Apple’s then-swanky A5X chip with a quad-core graphics processor, the third-gen iPad quickly becomes a big success. Disappointingly for customers, it will only hang around until October 2012. That’s the shortest lifespan of any iOS product in history, at just seven months.

These are the best and coolest Apple Watch faces

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All The Best Apple Watch Faces
There are so many options — and several good ones.
Image: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

Out of the many dozens of options, which is the coolest Apple Watch face? Every time I see someone wearing an Apple Watch, I try to scope out which watch face they use. Nine times out of 10, they use either the Modular face or the Photo face (with a Sport band).

This is despite the Apple Watch offering dozens of watch faces, allowing for all kinds of customizability.

If you want to spice up and individualize your Apple Watch, here are the best and coolest faces. And in our latest video, I rank every watch face on a tier list.

Soundcore adds better noise-masking, longer battery life to sleep earbuds

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soundcore sleep A20 earbuds
You, too, can be well-rested with Soundcore's upgraded sleep earbuds.
Photo: Soundcore

Soundcore Sleep A20 earbuds with improved noise-masking, longer battery life and soft ear tips are coming to help you sleep through all the racket, parent company Anker said Friday — aka World Sleep Day.

You can sign up now for Super Early Bird pricing at $60 off in the Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign for the Sleep A20 earbuds, which launches April 16.

Portable power bank can charge iPhones, AirPods and Apple Watch

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Save $80 in a wireless charging solution that can power three devices simultaneously.
For less than $40, you can get a portable wireless charger that works with iPhone, AirPods and Apple Watch at the same time.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

If an iPhone, some AirPods and an Apple Watch all make it into your everyday carry, you need a three-way power bank that can charge them all at once.

For a limited time, you can score major savings on a multidevice wireless charger that can do it all. Normally sold for $119, this versatile (and very portable) power bank is discounted to just $39.99.

This might be the coolest AirPods case money can buy [Review]

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Elago-W3-AirPods-case
It looks like a tiny Macintosh!
Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

AirPods won’t win any awards for their durability. Their shiny plastic case picks up scratches faster than a hip-hop DJ’s latest vinyl. So you should protect them with a decent case. And for Apple fans, nothing can beat this AirPods that case looks like a Mac.

AirPods cases don’t come much cooler than those from Elago. This one is like carrying a tiny little Macintosh with you wherever you go. And prices start at just $11.99.

Update: Elago’s awesome W3 case, which makes your AirPods look like a tiny Macintosh, is now available for the latest (third-generation) AirPods and AirPods Pro. Read on for our full review.

HomePod mini scores a big 20% discount

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HomePod mini is one of the devices that can be a Thread 1.3.0 border router.
HomePod mini is tiny but will impress you with its sound quality.
Photo: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac

If you’ve been looking to buy a HomePod mini for a while, Best Buy’s latest deal makes the small smart speaker much more affordable. The HomePod mini discount slashes $20 off the price, dropping it to just $79.99.

If you do the math, you’ll see that’s 20%.

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Today in Apple history: iTunes tops 50 million songs downloaded

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itunes
That's worth a quick dance!
Photo: Apple

March 15: Today in Apple history: iTunes tops 50 million songs downloaded March 15, 2004: The iTunes Music Store hits a musical milestone, having sold an astonishing 50 million songs in less than a year. The achievement cements Apple’s place at the center of the rapidly changing music business — at least for the moment.

Crossing 50 million songs is a major milestone for iTunes and the emerging digital music era,” Steve Jobs says in a statement. “With over 50 million songs already downloaded and an additional 2.5 million songs being downloaded every week, it’s increasingly difficult to imagine others ever catching up with iTunes.”