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Optimize your Wi-Fi, fix bad typing habits and more [Week’s Best Deals]

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collage-2017-06-06
This week's best deals include a time saving typing assistant, a Wi-Fi optimizer, and lots more.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

It’s finally starting to get hot out there, but few things are as hot as the new deals in the Cult of Mac Store. The best of this week’s batch include a game-changing tool for mapping and optimizing Wi-Fi connections, and an app that’ll save you time by shortcutting your typing habits. There’s also a massive certification bundle covering all of Microsoft Office, and a top shelf Bluetooth speaker. Everything is discounted by 60 percent or more, read on for more details:

Shower while grooving to your favorite tunes [Week’s Best Deals]

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This week's best deals include a shower-proof Bluetooth speaker, mobile VPN protection, and more.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

We’re back for another round of the very best deals on gear and gadgets in the Cult of Mac Store. This week, we’ve got an extra huge Bluetooth shower speaker, a simple but powerful mobile VPN, a handy app for cutting down on reading times, and a set of workout-ready Bluetooth earbuds. Everything in this week’s roundup is discounted by 75 percent or more, read on for more details:

Rock out while you conquer your inbox [Week’s Best Deals]

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Get a grip on your inbox, hard drive, and more with this week's best deals.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

As the weather warms up, we’re still rounding up the hottest new deals at the Cult of Mac Store. This go-round, we’ve got a set of future-ready wireless earbuds, a swiss army knife for iOS data, a full terabyte of super secure cloud storage, and a tool that’ll help you finally reach the bottom of your inbox. Best of all, everything is discounted by more than 60 percent. Read on for more details:

Put an SNES controller back in your hands [Week’s Newest Deals]

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The SNES is back, along with some boss Bluetooth headphones, a convenient mobile phone mount, and more in this week's newest deals.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

With talk of Nintendo re-releasing the SNES, the classic console has been on a lot of minds lately. Not that it ever left — the Super Nintendo remains the epitome of gaming bliss for people of all ages.

With the SFC30 Bluetooth Controller, you can bring the familiar feel of the SNES controller to any game you run on a computer or tablet, even plug it straight into Nintendo’s NES Classic system. It’s just one of the best new deals at the Cult of Mac Store, which also include a premium set of Bluetooth headphones, a mobile mount that connects right to your car’s air vent, and a powerful platform for website building.

Woolet is the smart wallet you’ll never lose [Review]

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Woolet wallet
Never worry about losing a wallet again.
Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

If you’ve ever lost a wallet, you’ll know it’s one of the most frustrating experiences. You have to cancel your cards, order a new driver’s license, and sometimes you’ll lose precious memories — like photos that can’t be replaced. But you’ll never have to go through that again with Woolet.

Woolet is a smart wallet that connects to your smartphone over Bluetooth. Every time you leave it behind, it sends an alert to your iPhone to remind you to go back and pick it up. It looks good and has plenty of space for cards and cash.

It’s also available in a travel size that’s big enough to carry your passport.

Gorgeous keyboard brings the typewriter feel to Mac and iOS

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Penna is the retro keyboard you've been waiting for.
Penna is the retro keyboard you've been waiting for.
Photo: Eletron

Still miss the deafening clunk and iconic design of an old typewriter? You can bring it back with Penna, a gorgeous retro keyboard for Mac and iOS.

Packed with Cherry key switches for a firm click, a macro bar for frequent shortcuts, and up to six months of use on just two AA batteries, it’s the old-school keyboard made for modern machines that you’ve been waiting for.

BeatsX ears on: AirPods rivals bring the bass [Reviews]

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beatsx wireless
The BeatsX Wireless earbuds charge via Lightning.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

The long wait for Apple’s new BeatsX wireless earbuds is finally over and based on our first impressions, it was totally worth it.

We got our hands on a pair of the precious new BeatsX buds today and are mighty impressed by the big sound Apple managed to pack in such a small package. Like the AirPods, the BeatsX earbuds pack a custom W1 Bluetooth chip to pump out better performance and connectivity. Unboxing the tethered buds has been love at first sight.

Let’s dive in!

How to charge, connect and customize Apple’s AirPods

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AirPods arrived just in time for Christmas.
Photo: Apple

Apple’s new AirPods have finally arrived after months of waiting.

Shipping estimates for the new wireless earbuds have already been pushed back to 2017, thanks to the overwhelming demand, but if you’re lucky enough to get them in your ears this week, you’ll need some tips on getting started.

Here’s everything you need to know to use AirPods:

How to fix iPhone 7 Bluetooth problems

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iPhone 7
It can be easy to solve Bluetooth issues on your iPhone.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

There are few things to complain about with iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus, but Bluetooth connectivity could be one of them.

Lots of customers have reported Bluetooth problems since upgrading to one of Apple’s latest handsets. Recent iOS 10 updates were supposed to bring a fix, but they don’t appear to have eliminated the issues for everyone. Here are three ways you can try to fix Bluetooth yourself.

$50 Bluetooth speaker … is it any good? [Review]

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Bluetooth Speaker
Want a cheap speaker that can blow your socks off? Look no further.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

The speakers in our iPhones and iPads keep getting better and better, but they’re not close to replacing Bluetooth speakers just yet. If you’ve just splashed out hard-earned dollars for a new iPhone 7 or 7 Plus, a low-priced, quality speaker may come as a welcome relief.

There are a few rare finds out there that deliver good bang for buck, and the $60 DKnight Big MagicBox is one of them.

Check out the full video review below.

iPhone 7 won’t play nicely with Android Wear watches

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Android Wear fans should avoid iPhone 7 for now.
Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

If you decided to pick up an Android Wear device instead of Apple Watch, you may have trouble using it with iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus.

Those who have upgraded to one of Apple’s latest smartphones have found they just don’t play nicely with Google’s wearable platform, despite the fact that their predecessors have no trouble connecting after being upgraded to the same iOS 10 software.

Apple AirPods might make Beats headphones look like a bargain

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EarPods aren't going wireless in 2016.
At least you won't have to deal with this anymore.
Photo: Buster Hein/Cult of Mac

The wireless future won’t be cheap if you want to listen to music on Apple’s upcoming Bluetooth earbuds.

Apple’s long-rumored AirPods could be revealed at tomorrow’s keynote for the iPhone 7 and according to one of the best Apple analysts in the game, they’re going to cost more than a set of Beats headphones.

Griffin’s new adapter fixes iPhone 7’s most hated feature

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Griffin iTrip Clip adapter
Get ready to see more adapters like this.
Photo: Griffin

Apple is set to kill the century old headphone jack when it unveils the iPhone 7 during an event on September 7th, which is bad news for your favorite pair of wired headphones, but great news for accessory makers like Griffin.

The popular iPhone accessory maker is already prepared to cure your headphone jack woes this fall with the introduction of its newest adapter that gives your old headphones new Bluetooth 4.1 powers.

Apple supplier paves way for third-party Lightning headphones

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EarPods aren't going wireless in 2016.
EarPods might get a Lightning upgrade this year.
Photo: Buster Hein/Cult of Mac

Transitioning to a future when iPhones no longer come with 3.5mm headphone port is going to be a lot easier thanks to one Apple supplier that is ready to make Lightning headphones a thing.

Cirrus Logic, which makes analog and mixed-signal integrated circuits, revealed that it has created a new headset development kit that will allow accessory makers to quickly develop Lightning-headphones that are made for iPhone and iPad.

Banging Bluetooth earbuds lose the wires without sacrificing sound [Reviews]

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nuforce
Fantastic-sounding audio without all the cable tangle.
Photo: Rob LeFebvre/Cult of Mac

Best List: NuForce BE6i by Optoma

Earbuds are essential for activities like running or working out, and they’re fantastic for those times when I don’t want to be wearing a heavy set of cans on my head.

Still, running when wired is an exercise in frustration for me, as I usually end up flailing at some point and yanking out the headphones in my ears via the trailing cord.

These NuForce BE6i Bluetooth earbuds solve both problems: they’re fantastic-sounding, good-looking in-ear headphones without the cord issue.

Floating speaker rises above its gimmick with great sound [Reviews]

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The floating speaker part is fun, but it's the killer sound that makes it worth every penny.
The floating speaker part is fun, but it's the killer sound that makes it worth every penny.
Photo: Rob LeFebvre/Cult of Mac

Best List: Mars Bluetooth floating speaker by Crazybaby

The Mars Bluetooth speaker has a fairly reliable gimmick: the top part — which looks like a little UFO from an old sci-fi flick — floats above the bottom cylinder. It’s a cool visual trick managed by some fairly strong magnets, but it’s just that: a fun gimmick.

What’s surprising, though, is just how great this speaker sounds. It fills my house with deep bass thanks to the subwoofer abilities of that lower section of the speaker, and the UFO attachment flies proud while reproducing the rest of the sonic spectrum with highs and mids that don’t get lost in the bass response, but are also not too brittle.

Turn this floating speaker up and you’ve got a serious powerhouse Bluetooth speaker that just cries out to be admired by everyone at the party.

Don’t wake the baby! Use Bluetooth headphones with Apple TV

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Use Bluetooth headphones to watch Apple TV quietly.
Use Bluetooth headphones to watch Apple TV quietly.
Photo: Rob LeFebvre/Cult of Mac

If you’re anything like me, you knew that the new 4th-generation Apple TV supported Bluetooth devices like the Siri Remote, game controllers, and even keyboards, but you didn’t twig to the fact that it might also let you use Bluetooth headphones, too.

In point of fact, though, it does support them, letting you watch Netflix or game on your Apple TV without the sound of your activities waking the baby or a sleeping partner. How great is that?

Here’s how to set it up.

How to use a Bluetooth keyboard with Apple TV

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Apple TV with the wireless keyboard
With tvOS, your newer Apple TV can work with Bluetooth keyboards.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

With this week’s release of tvOS 9.2 for Apple TV, the fourth-generation set-top box now works with Bluetooth keyboards. While the splash screen specifically calls out Apple wireless keyboards, the truth is that you might be able pair pretty much any Bluetooth external keyboard with your new Apple TV.

Here’s how. (And here’s how to upgrade to tvOS 9.2 if you haven’t already.)

Bluetooth smartlock is beyond low-key [Reviews]

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Never lose a key or forget a combination again.
Never lose a key or forget a combination again.
Photo: Rob LeFebvre/Cult of Mac

Best List: Noke padlock

Padlocks are essential for sheds, locker rooms and bicycles, but damn do I continue to forget my combination or lose my key.

Noke (the “e” is long, for “no key”) has this problem solved for iPhone-toting folks like me with its fantastic, easy-to-use smartlock that will never ask you for a combination again. Heck, even if your iPhone is missing, you can use Noke’s special key fob that ensures you’ll never be locked out from your gym clothes (or lawnmower) again.

Bluetooth LED makes iPhone camera even flashier [Reviews]

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This portable Bluetooth flash is perfect for those who thrive on nightlife.
Photo: George Tinari/Cult of Mac

As far as smartphone cameras have come with improved low-light shooting and intelligent LED flash, there will always be some situations in which you could use just a bit more light. This is especially true for photographers who want to make smart adjustments for their photos, or people who tend to do most of their socializing at night. So it’s worth shining a light on iblazr 2, a fantastic Bluetooth LED flash.

This successor to Concepter’s original iblazr isn’t just your ordinary wireless LED flash. It’s equipped with tons of features that let me fine-tune the way I want my photo to come out. The most important feature for me is that it works with the native camera apps on iOS and Android. In fact, according to Concepter’s website, it’s the only wireless LED flash that does.