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David Snow - page 55

Apple’s new Personal Voice feature rings clear in ‘The Lost Voice’ video

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Tristram Ingham 'The Lost Voice' video
Disability advocate Tristram Ingham prepares to record Apple’s “The Lost Voice" video.
Photo: Apple

The new Personal Voice feature in iOS 17, iPadOS 17 and macOS Sonoma can restore a person’s voice even after they lose it for any reason.

Apple demonstrated that quite well Thursday in an article and video featuring a disability advocate suffering facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD).

Tiny fan makes MacBook Air perform like MacBook Pro

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Frore Systems AirJet cooling chip fits MacBook Air
A Frore Systems cooling chip can boost MacBook Air performance.
Photo: Frore Systems

MacBook Air performs well without a MacBook Pro’s cooling fan, but now a tiny cooling chip can bridge the difference between the two laptops, according to a new report.

The thin membrane-based AirJet chip fits in Apple’s lightest laptop and boosts its performance when needed. Too bad you can’t just buy it and install it.

Try one of Elago’s stylish steel bands for Apple Watch

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Elago's new stainless steel bands for Apple Watch come in three colors.
Elago's new stainless steel bands for Apple Watch come in three colors.
Photo: Elago

There are few things more classic than a stainless steel watch band. It’s durable yet stylish, rugged yet elegant, and appropriate for work or play. You can wear it with a T-shirt or a tuxedo. And that goes for your grandfather’s Rolex as much as it goes for your Apple Watch.

Lucky for you, Elago’s stainless steel watch bands for Apple Watch in three colors to the Cult of Mac Store. And they’re affordable, too.

Robert De Niro jabs Apple over deleted anti-Trump comments

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Robert De Niro, 2023 Gotham Awards
De Niro wasn't happy Apple deleted his anti-Trump comments.
Photo: Gotham Film & Media Institute, YouTube

Actor Robert De Niro slammed Apple this week over anti-Donald Trump comments deleted from his speech at the Gotham Awards Monday evening.

The legendary actor noticed the commentary missing from the teleprompter as he began to introduce the Gotham Historical Icon and Creator Tribute to Martin Scorsese’s Killers Of The Flower Moon, produced by Apple (and starring De Niro). So he took out his smartphone and read them anyway.

AI generates weird and wonderful wallpaper for Mac [Awesome Apps]

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Gemoo AI Wallpaper Generator
Type in a descriptive prompt and get that wallpaper on your Mac desktop.
Photo: Gemoo
Awesome Apps

Sick of the same old desktop wallpaper on your Mac? Developer Gemoo recently released a free AI Wallpaper Generator app that lets you replace your screen’s background visual with pretty much whatever you can think of in terms of a prompt, and with your choice of artistic style.

With 10 wallpaper prompts per day on the free version, it’s fun to play with. And if you need more, you can get the Pro version — once Gemoo settles on a pricing plan for it.

Flexible device and display mounts make this home office [Setups]

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MacBook Pro setup with mounted devices and displays
Everything in this setup but the keyboard, wrist rest, mouse and desk mat is mounted.
Photo: [email protected]

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: If you’re not elevating your laptop, iPad and displays on mounts and arms, you’re limiting your computer setup. Today’s feature MacBook Pro and iPad setup illustrates the point well by putting those devices and dual displays on four separate mounts, some with moveable arms.

That makes all of those devices more flexible, and much easier to move around than they would be on stationary stands. It also frees up space on the desk.

Solid standing desk doesn’t break the bank [Review] ★★★★☆

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Fezibo All-in-One Standing Desk★★★★☆
This Fezibo standing desk gets the job done nicely -- and on the cheap.
Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac

When I moved to a new place recently, I decided to get serious about an expanded and ergonomically healthy computer setup — including a solid and surprisingly affordable electric standing desk from Fezibo.

Better-known standing desks often go for $600 or more, but my spacious, handsome and practical desk cost me just $261. And so far it’s reliable, with just a couple of small caveats.

Bag bargains on Macs, iPads and Studio Displays while you can

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Woot! Apple sale
Discounted iMacs are on the gift list this season at bargain site Woot!
Photo: Apple

Amazon bargain site Woot! would never miss out on giving you discounted gift options on Apple gear for the holidays, and so it offers a sale right on the heels of Cyber Monday.

iMacs, Mac minis, MacBooks, iPads, Studio Displays — the list of 18 items at up to 51% off is well worth a look. Sale goes through December 5, but these deals likely will sell out early.

New doc takes closer look at John Lennon’s killer [Apple TV+ trailer]

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Trailer for
Lots of information from various sources plus exclusive interviews shed light on the music icon's murder.
Photo: Apple TV+

Exclusive interviews with eyewitnesses to John Lennon’s murder, unseen crime-scene photos and discussions with experts — including the psychiatrist who first assessed confessed murderer Mark David Chapman — shed light on the music icon’s killing, according to a new trailer Apple TV+ dropped Tuesday for the documentary series John Lennon: Murder Without A Trial.

The three-part series, narrated by Emmy Award-winning actor Kiefer Sutherland, debuts on Apple TV+ December 6.

Peruse Apple Books’ top titles of 2023 and learn more about your own favorites

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Apple Books Year in Review
Apple Books' new Year in Review feature offers insights into what you read.
Photo: Apple

There’s nothing like cracking open the ol’ iPad to the next page of the book you can’t put down — thanks to Apple Books. And now you can find your next great read from the service’s most-popular books of 2023 and enjoy a Year in Review with insights into the books and authors you enjoyed, Apple said Tuesday.

Belkin extends top Cyber Monday deals on Apple accessories all week

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Belkin BoostCharge Pro charging pad with MagSafe
Belkin's BoostCharge Pro charging pad with MagSafe is an elegant (and portable) charging solution.
Photo: Belkin

Belkin, a big name in Apple accessories, is extending Cyber Monday deals on some of its best-selling products through Sunday, December 3, on Amazon.com (but note that some deals end Saturday. The company’s Amazon storefront showcases a diverse selection of tech accessories at discounts of up to 50% off.

So whether you need something for yourself or for someone on your holiday shopping list, check out Belkin’s sale. Everyone needs things like MagSafe chargers and iPhone mounts!

6-display rig rocks Sonos home-theater sound [Setups]

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5-display Mac Studio and MacBook Pro setup with Sonos home-theater sound.
This expansive Mac Studio and MacBook Pro setup provides an audio-visual feast.
Photo: [email protected]

Some home computer setups go extra-large on visuals, others pump up quality sound — and some go nuts with both in equal measure.

Today’s featured Mac Studio and MacBook Pro setup features not only six exceptional displays — including Apple’s vaunted, $5,000 Pro Display XDR — it also adds a bonus sound system to its complete Sonos home-theater audio array.

Podurama app uses AI to make podcasts better than ever

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It's hard to find great podcasts, but not if you use the Podurama app.
It's hard to find great podcasts, but not if you use the Podurama app.
Image: Podurama

The world of podcasts is wide and deep, so finding great ones in the wilds of the internet can be daunting. But with the AI-powered Podurama app, you can find and organize podcasts to your heart’s content — and sync them for listening on various devices.

SPONSORED
This post is brought to you by Podurama.
Better yet, you can use Podurama for free. And if you want all the features, you can buy the lifetime premium version for half off right now!

Last call for 30% off great Laut accessories for iPad, iPhone, Apple Watch and more

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It comes in a nice array of colors.
It comes in a nice array of colors.
Photo: Laut

It’s that time of year when Black Friday and Cyber Monday seem to stretch for days and days. The Cult of Mac Store is offering 30% off a range of wonderful Laut accessories for Apple products through the end of the day Monday.

You can pick up a protective and colorful folio for your iPad, a luxurious steel mesh Apple Watch band, an iPhone 14 camera lens protector or a bike saddle mount for AirTag at great prices. See the whole Laut collection and some highlights below.

Score up to 40% off Ultimate Ear’s killer portable speakers

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The UE Boom 3 and Megaboom 3 color names -- Sunset, Lagoon and Night -- could be more straightforward but whatever.
The colorful names -- Sunset, Lagoon and Night -- could be more straightforward but whatever.
Photo: Ultimate Ears

Here’s a genuine killer deal on some killer products. Save up to 40% on Ultimate Ears portable speakers, many offered at $50 off the regular prices. The company said these are the best prices of the year. We’ve reviewed a lot of these speakers and rank them among the best you can get.

Just use code BLACKFRIDAY at checkout.

For All Mankind bets big on outlandish Russian plot line [Apple TV+ recap] ★★★☆☆

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For All Mankind, season 4, episode 3, Russian space agency★★★☆☆
After enduring torture during a coup attempt, a battered and dazed Margo Madison is offered work at the Russian space agency.
Photo: Apple TV+

TV+ Review Sure enough, last week’s hints of looming unrest blossom this week in a full-scale coup against Mikhail Gorbachev in alt-history drama series For All Mankind, season 4, episode 3, “The Bear Hug.” And who’s in the middle of it all? Why, the former head of NASA, of course — Margo Madison.

In the span of one episode — released Wednesday instead of Friday for the long Thanksgiving holiday weekend — she gets horribly tortured and finds herself in a big new space-agency job. But it ain’t NASA this time. I’d say you can’t make this stuff up, but someone did. Meanwhile, another coup unfolds at private space-exploration company Helios Aerospace.

Save more on excellent Apple accessories with this Black Friday code

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MagEasy Black Friday sale
You can huge Black Friday savings on Apple accessories at MagEasy, especially if you use coupon code "cultofmac."
Photo: MagEasy

SwitchEasy’s MagEasy brands makes tons of cool Apple accessories, and they’re up to 60% off for Black Friday. But you can take another 5% off is you use coupon code cultofmac at checkout!

That will make the deals you nab on cases, chargers and more for iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, AirPods and MacBooks even sweeter. The promotion goes through November 28.

Thunderbolt 4 dock helps M3 MacBook Pro share massive display and more [Setups]

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Setups with two MacBook pros and an LG smart TV
A powerful M3 MacBook and its older sibling -- an M1 Max -- play nice with a big LG smart TV via a Thunderbolt 4 dock.
Photo: [email protected]

Today’s featured setup packs two powerful MacBooks Pro — an M1 Max for work and an M3 Pro for play. To give them hassle-free equal time with peripherals, including a big, beautiful OLED smart TV serving as a display, the user employs a Thunderbolt 4 dock bristling with ports for maximum connectivity options.

A personalized AirTag dog collar keeps track of your best friend

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They're loyal and true, but sometimes they get lost. AirTag to the rescue.
They're loyal and true, but sometimes they get lost. AirTag to the rescue via a Nine Twenty Eight collar.
Photo: Nine Twenty Eight.

Never worry about losing your pet again with one of Nine Twenty Eight’s new AirTag dog collars. The family-run Canadian retailer — new to the Cult of Mac Store — designs the collars with a double-stitched slot for an AirTag, which is included with some models.

That way, you have a secure, comfortable collar for your pooch that also lets you use Apple’s AirTag tracking technology to help ensure he or she never gets lost.

Nine Twenty Eight also makes cat collars, but currently the lineup in the Cult of Mac Store is a selection of small, medium and large dog collars — and personalization is an option on the medium and large sizes!

Snag up to 48% off Samsung displays in Black Friday deal

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Samsung G9 ultra-wide display
Here's your chance to add a 49-inch curved ultra-wide display to your computer setups, or any of dozens of other choices.
Photo: Samsung

If your computer setup could use a new external display, don’t sleep on Amazon’s Black Friday bargains on Samsung monitors. You can nab steep discounts of up to nearly half off regular prices on a few items, with more like a third off on many others.

And the selection is as wide as some of those ultra-wide displays! If you want to spend less, you can skip 4K-resolution screen and find choices with 1080p resolution.

Fallen New England Patriots won’t go away in The Dynasty trailer

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New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick
A smile on Bill Belichick's face is a rarity, but he can almost manage it immediately after a Super Bowl victory.
Photo: Apple TV+

Everybody loves a winner — except when they don’t. The NFL’s New England Patriots saw so much success over two decades, with six Super Bowl wins, they gained a lot of fans as well as haters.

But even if you despise the Pats, who are having another post-dynasty bad year, you might want to consider watching the upcoming 10-part documentary series The Dynasty: New England Patriots. The teaser trailer Apple TV+ dropped last week takes a decidedly defeated tone after the opening scenes wallow in the thrill of victory.

The series, which promises “unprecedented access” to the team, debuts February 16 on Apple TV+. If it sparks riots in Boston, we’ll know it touched a nerve.

Super-cool vertical Mac mini stand does it all [Setups]

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M1 Mac mini setup features vertical stand with SSD enclosure and 5-in-1 USB-C hub.
The unobtrusive vertical stand holding up the Mac mini at right does a lot.
Photo: [email protected]

Mac mini, Apple’s small-but-mighty desktop machine, does a lot of things well — especially the M1 and newer models. They make bigger desktop computers unnecessary for people who don’t need truly massive computing power.

And today’s featured M2 Mac mini user found a way to greatly expand his computer’s capabilities with a vertical stand that also saves space on the desk.

Buy 2, get a third one free: SwitchEasy magnetic wall mounts for iPhone

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SwitchEasy's MagEasy magnetic wall mount lets you easily stick your iPhone practically anywhere.
SwitchEasy's MagEasy magnetic wall mount lets you easily stick your iPhone practically anywhere.
Photo: SwitchEasy

Following a recipe in the kitchen? Assembling furniture via online instructions? Taking a hands-free call in the tub? Sometimes you need to put your iPhone where you can see it, or talk via speaker, without holding it — and that’s when a magnetic wall mount comes in handy.

SwitchEasy sells two such mounts in the Cult of Mac Store, and through December 1 you can get a third one free when you buy two of the handy devices.