Staff Writer - page 9

DearMob giveaway: Back up your iPhone before iOS 12 upgrade — without iTunes

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DearMob iPhone Manager offers a flexible, streamlined alternative to iTunes.
DearMob iPhone Manager offers a flexible, streamlined alternative to iTunes.
Screenshot: DearMob

This post is presented by DearMob iPhone Manager.

Apple has launched another new raft of iPhones and a shiny new mobile operating system, iOS 12. That means some cool new features, but also the pain of backing up and syncing on iTunes. That means the same old “all or nothing” approach, pressing “sync” and hoping it works. Apple is great in many ways, but giving us control over our mobile data isn’t one of them.

Get a MacBook Air for as little as $399 [Deals]

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rerun MacBook Air
Can you handle a deal this hot? Save big on a refurb MacBook Air.
Photo: MyPhonesUnlimited

MyPhones Unlimited, the company behind our successful iPhone buyback program, is offering Cult of Mac readers $50 off refurbished MacBook Airs. These laptops come in the original box with the original Apple charger. Each refurbished laptop undergoes a thorough 30-point inspection and comes with a 60-day warranty with hassle-free returns.

These lightweight Mac laptops start at just $399 with the discount. Best Buy is currently offering the very same refurbished MacBook Air for $689, so these prices are a steal. So, if you’ve been waiting for a hot deal, this is it. Use coupon code “CULT” and grab a refurbished 11-inch MacBook Air before they sell out.

Finally, a team management tool everyone will enjoy using

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This team management startup is growing fast, thanks to adaptable, intuitive design.
This team management startup is growing fast, thanks to adaptable, intuitive design.
Photo: monday.com

This post is presented by monday.com.

If you work in or around tech, you’ve encountered platforms like Slack, Asana, Trello or HipChat. The list of players in the team management space is long, and many already feature in workflows the world over. Now Israeli startup monday.com is ready to shake up the game.

Ditch costly phone plans with this international calling app

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With KeepCalling, it's easy to make affordable international calls from your smartphone, landline or even a pay phone.
With KeepCalling, it's easy to make affordable international calls from your smartphone, landline or even a pay phone.
Photo: KeepCalling

This post is presented by KeepCalling.

With cellphones, international calling got more complicated. Depending on your provider and your plan, dialing up your friend or loved one abroad could be free — or painfully pricey.

Instead of dropping coin for an international plan, you can pay as needed with an international calling app like KeepCalling. It offers a cost-effective alternative to expensive cellular plans, phone cards and online calling cards. Plus, its high-quality connections come free of extra charges and maintenance fees.

VPNs make browsing safer. Why don’t more people use them?

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HideMy.name VPN can hide your deepest, darkest secrets.
HideMyName VPN can hide your deepest, darkest secrets.
Image: HideMy.name

This post is presented by HideMy.name VPN.

For all the regulations and constraints creeping onto the internet, it remains a pretty wild place. You can still find almost any information you want (unless you’re in a blocked country). And if you’re not careful, someone else can access your personal information in a flash.

One app keeps all your cloud storage under control

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Easily manage all your cloud drives from one familiar interface.
Easily manage all your cloud drives from one familiar interface.
Photo: iMobie

This post is presented by iMobie.

These days, cloud storage is pretty much a must. It’s so common that many of us use at least two cloud services — maybe iCloud for photos and music, Google Drive for professional files, Dropbox for work stuff and so on. That means a lot of passwords to remember, and a lot of jumping between windows.

If you aren’t sleeping with buckwheat under your head, it’s time to wake up

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The Hullo buckwheat pillow is all-natural and made in the USA.
The Hullo buckwheat pillow is all-natural and made in the USA.
Photo: Hultex

This post is brought to you by Hulltex, maker of the Hullo buckwheat pillow.

I’ve been using a buckwheat pillow for a week now and there’s no turning back. My buckwheat pillow never needs to be turned over to keep cool or folded to provide better support, and it leaves my neck and back muscles totally relaxed while I sleep. You definitely have to try a buckwheat pillow.

Kase ultrathin iPhone cases and Lightning cables prove simplicity is sexy

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These Kase ultrathin iPhone X cases live up to the sleek simplicity of Apple design philosophy.
These ultrathin iPhone X cases live up to the sleek simplicity of Apple design philosophy.
Photo: Kase

This post is presented by Kase.

One of the main reasons to get an iPhone is the sleek, minimalist design. But plenty of the other necessaries — protective cases, replacement charging cables, etc. — look like afterthoughts or add-ons. Apple puts plenty of time and care into creating devices that prove pleasing to the eyes and hands, and we all pay plenty of money to enjoy them.

Anyone looking for Apple-worthy design and durability can dig this line of cases and cables from Kase.

Protect your iPhone X without concealing it

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Unlike standard TPU cases, the MNML iPhone X case stays completely transparent.
Unlike standard TPU cases, the MNML iPhone X case stays completely transparent.
Photo: MNML Case

This post is presented by MNML Cases.

You probably didn’t buy your iPhone X just for its processing power or cameras. After all, Apple products are appealing because they look and feel great, too. That’s why we’re willing to fork over some serious coin to get them. So it seems silly to then protect your precious iDevice with a case that covers it up.

Why a dedicated password manager beats your browser every time

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Dashlane password manager vs web browser: Don't rely on your web browser to keep track of your passwords.
Pro tip: Don't rely on your web browser to keep track of your passwords.
Photo: FirmBee/Pixabay CC

This post is presented by Dashlane.

Doing anything online means remembering a slew of passwords. That’s why we’re strong advocates of using a password manager like Dashlane. But why use a password manager when your web browser offers to keep track of passwords for you?

The short answer is that, in today’s age of security and privacy concerns, password management is about a lot more than convenience.

With PhoneRescue, your iPhone texts are never really lost

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PhoneRescue offers a direct line on the deleted data still tucked away in your phone.
PhoneRescue offers a direct line on the deleted data still tucked away in your phone.
Photo: iMobie

This post is presented by iMobie, maker of PhoneRescue.

Your iPhone carries a lot of information, but it’s not a locked box. Eventually, for one reason or another, you’ll go to find a text thread or photo that you’re sure you kept, except you didn’t. Well, with the right tool, almost any data that was lost can be found again.

Divide and conquer your Mac photo library

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Is your Mac photo library a mess? The PowerPhotos Mac photo app can help.
Is your Mac photo library a mess?
Photo: picjumbo.com/Pexels CC

This post is presented by Fat Cat Software, maker of PowerPhotos.

If there’s one thing photo libraries do, it’s grow. And as they increase in size, they also become harder to organize. Duplicates creep in, folders get mixed up, and the size can easily get out of control. But a Mac app called PowerPhotos offers new moves for managing your digital photo library.

Password-protect iOS file transfers with DearMob iPhone Manager

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DearMob iPhone Manager
DearMob iPhone Manager
Photo: DearMob

This post is presented by DearMob iPhone Manager.

iTunes was groundbreaking when it launched in 2002. But since then, it’s evolved very little, especially in terms of managing iOS data. Updating your iPhone means mastering a maze of syncing options and data categories. iTunes is also the very definition of a walled garden, limited to moving content around that already lives on it — you can’t just pull music straight from your folders onto your phone.

These sleek cases are like leather gloves for your MacBook

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These handmade leather sleeves are the ideal companion to any MacBook.
These handmade leather sleeves are the ideal companion to any MacBook.
Photo: Harber London

This post is presented by Harber London.

MacBooks are workhorse machines, but they’re also luxury items. The consideration that goes into their design and form is just as much a reason for owning one as their performance. So when you get a case — and you should definitely get a case — you should be aware that some are better fit for the MacBook look and feel than others.

Facebook makes logins easy, but at what cost?

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Maybe it's time to stop letting Facebook manage your logins.
Maybe it's time to stop letting Facebook manage your logins.
Photo: FirmBee/Pixabay CC

This post is brought to you by Dashlane.

With all of the news about data insecurity at Facebook, you might be thinking twice about using the social network to log in to other apps. Sure, using the Facebook Login feature makes it simple to create an account or log in to apps and websites.

Unfortunately, it also adds to the data dossier Facebook is compiling about you and your friends.

Got a broken phone? Let us fix it for less.

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Our partnership with MyPhones Unlimited offers unbeatable prices and convenience for fixing your iDevices.
Get your iPhone (or your iPad or MacBook) fixed the fast, cheap and painless way.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

When you break your iPhone, you want it fixed fast and frugally. That’s why our cheap iPhone repair service stands out. We’ll get your broken iPhone fixed up and shipped back to you in no time, at an extremely competitive price.

This one simple tool will instantly improve your online life

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The Dashlane password manager takes the pain out of passwords.
Dashlane 5 takes the pain out of passwords.
Photo: Blue Coat Photos/Flickr CC

This post is presented by Dashlane.

If there’s one thing you would like to spend less time dealing with online, what would it be? Filling out the same name, address or credit card info for the hundredth time? Maybe remembering and entering each of your dozens of (hopefully strong) passwords?

Don’t go online in 2018 without a password manager

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You can't be too safe online. The Dashlane password manager can help.
You can't be too safe online these days.
Photo: Stokpic/Pexels CC

This post is presented by Dashlane.

So many aspects of our daily lives depend on passwords. Social media, buying stuff, banking — basically anything that we care about online is guarded by nothing more than a string of characters.

Unfortunately, people are really, really bad at passwords. Even if you’re not using “123456” or, heaven forbid, “password” as your password, it’s high time you take password security seriously. In 2018, that means using a solid password manager.

Gorilla Workout proves you don’t need the gym to get fit

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By taking the gym and equipment out of the equation, this workout app makes it easier to stay motivated.
By taking the gym and equipment out of the equation, this workout app makes it easier to stay motivated.
Photo: Heckr LLC

This post is presented by Gorilla Workout.

When most of us buy a gym membership, we imagine having the time and discipline for building muscle or losing weight. Unfortunately, most of us know things usually don’t work out that way.

Nowadays, it’s possible to get a comprehensive workout without a gym, or even any equipment. Bodyweight training has been growing in popularity for years. That’s partly because using your own weight as resistance is economical and effective. But it’s also because smartphones offer a convenient and portable “virtual coach,” thanks to a new class of workout app.

This could be the best Mac cleaner for your money

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Dr. Cleaner Mac cleaner will get the cruft out of your Mac.
Dr. Cleaner will get the cruft out of your Mac.
Photo: JÉSHOOTS/Pexels CC

This post is presented by Trendmicro, maker of Dr. Cleaner.

Spring is coming, and the urge to tidy up follows close behind. Of course, our computers can get just as cluttered as our homes. We use all kinds of cleaning supplies for tidying up our homes easily and effectively. It’s also a good idea to get the right tools for cleaning your Mac.

Stellar Phoenix Mac Data Recovery: Easily recover data you thought you lost

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Easily recover all kinds of data from damaged or corrupted drives.
Easily recover all kinds of data from damaged or corrupted drives.
Photo: Stellar Phoenix

This post is presented by Stellar Phoenix, maker of Mac Data Recovery.

Data loss can be a bitter pill to swallow, especially when you are unprepared for the eventuality and as such have no backups. Everyone relies on digital devices now, and losing data can have catastrophic implications.

DuckDuckGo expands its privacy services beyond anonymous search

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Long known for its anonymous search prowess, DuckDuckGo is going long on online privacy.
Long known for its anonymous search prowess, DuckDuckGo is going long on privacy.
Photo: Kaique Rocha/Pexels CC

This post is presented by DuckDuckGo.

The web is a creepy place. No matter what you do or where you go, countless digital eyeballs watch what you do, looking to sell your data.

DuckDuckGo is known as the search engine that doesn’t snoop on its users. Used by security- and privacy-minded people, DuckDuckGo counts some 16 billion anonymous searches since launching in 2008. The world has changed a lot in the last decade, and the web has only grown creepier. So, DuckDuckGo is expanding its services beyond search.

Keeping a healthy Mac requires strong antivirus protection

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Protect your Mac from viruses the easy way with Dr. Antivirus Mac antivirus.
Protect your Mac from viruses the easy way with Dr. Antivirus.
Photo: Tim Gouw/Pexels CC

This post is presented by Trend Micro, maker of Dr. Antivirus.

In some ways, our Macs are a lot like us. They live in a world full of bugs and viruses that can compromise their systems, slow them down, even kill them. Just like people, the best way to stay on top of health threats is to get regular checkups.

Mac FoneLab is your first aid kit for iPhone

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The Mac FoneLab iPhone Data Recovery app offers a powerful and intuitive alternative to iTunes for recovery of lost iOS data.
This Mac app offers a powerful and intuitive alternative to iTunes for recovery of lost iOS data.
Image: Aiseesoft

This post is presented by Aiseesoft, maker of Mac FoneLab iPhone Data Recovery.

New year, new phone — and the same old risks of damage or data loss. Whether you’ve shelled out more than a thousand bucks for a new iPhone X or still use one from five years ago, these devices are essential to day-to-day life. So just like keeping a first aid kit around, it pays to have the tools to recover your iPhone data if and when something goes wrong.