Top stories - page 19

Get Microsoft Office Home & Business for Mac for just $30

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Slash more than 80% off the cost of Microsoft Office Home & Business for Mac.
Slash more than 80% off the cost of Microsoft Office Home & Business for Mac.
Photo: Andrew Neel/Unsplash License

More than 1 billion people have used Microsoft Office, the productivity suite that many Americans grew up utilizing in classrooms and continue to count on as professionals. Now a big discount on a lifetime license to MS Office for Mac makes the software extremely affordable.

During our Fall Deal Days event, we’re dropping the cost of a lifetime license to Microsoft Office Home & Business for Mac 2021 to just $29.97 (regularly $219). There’s no coupon necessary, but this amazing deal on the world’s most popular software suite ends October 15.

Save on Apple gear and more with a $15 Sam’s Club membership

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Become a Sam's Club member for just $15.
The savings start the moment you join Sam's Club.
Image: Cult of Mac Deals

Whether you need party supplies, household essentials or great gifts for someone on your list — like discounted iPads, Apple Watches and other electronics — a Sam’s Club membership is the key to unlocking incredible deals this holiday season.

To save on everything from Apple gear to Zatarain’s Seasoned Fish-Fri, don’t miss this low price on a Sam’s Club membership. Our limited-time offer lets you pay just $15 (regularly $50) for a one-year ticket to shopping bliss at Sam’s Club.

Speed up Haptic Touch with this hidden iPhone setting in iOS 17 [Pro Tip]

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Make your phone snappier
Speed up this common gesture on your iPhone.
Image: Apple/D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

Pro tip bug This hidden setting in iOS 17 will speed up Haptic Touch, the fantastic feature that lets you preview links and bring up option menus on your iPhone.

If you use Haptic Touch all the time like I do, changing this setting will make your iPhone feel supercharged. It brings up handy shortcuts — hidden actions, content previews and contextual menus in a flash, saving you precious time as you tap around your screen.

Alternatively, if you find Haptic Touch annoying and trigger it accidentally all the time, you can slow down the time needed to activate the gesture. That way, a tap won’t be mistaken for a tap-and-hold.

Today in Apple history: The elusive Macintosh Color Classic II ships

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The Macintosh Color Classic II never shipped in the U.S., which makes it hard to find today.
The Color Classic II never shipped in the U.S., which makes it hard to find today.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

October 10: Today in Apple history: The elusive Macintosh Color Classic II ships October 10, 1993: Apple ships its Macintosh Color Classic II, the last of the 9-inch compact Macs.

Also known as the Performa 275, the Color Classic II will eventually become something of a collector’s item, since Apple released it only in Canada, Asia and Europe.

Best Prime Big Deal Days sales on Apple gear and accessories [Updated]

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Best deal on Apple gear and accessories for Amazon Prime Big Deal Days.
These are the Prime Big Deal Days you don't want to miss.
Image: Rajesh Pandey/Cult of Mac

Did you miss buying your favorite Apple gear or accessory during Prime Day earlier in the year? Worry not, as Amazon is back with its Prime Big Deal Days, offering hefty discounts on a hoard of Apple products and accessories.

There are great deals on MacBooks, AirPods, Apple Watches, iPads and other Apple accessories that make your favorite products much more affordable.

Lift your iPhone way, way up with this very portable stand [Review] ★★★★★

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Moft Snap Phone Tripod Stand review★★★★★
Moft Snap Phone Tripod Stand does a better job of bringing an iPhone to eye level than any rival I've seen.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Anyone who watches video on their iPhone can see the advantage of a portable stand. The Moft Snap Phone Tripod Stand does more than prop up the screen — it lifts your handset up 4.5 inches so the screen is closer to eye level.

It’s not bulky at all, and it magnetically attaches to the iPhone so it can be carried anywhere.

I tested the stand out for myself. Here’s why I love it.

Limited-time price drop: Get a 6-in-1 charging cable for less than $17

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Don't miss this 6-in-1 charging cable for just $20.
USB-C, Lightning, USB-A, micro-USB ... this 5-foot cable can make all the connections.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Is Apple’s switch to USB-C from Lightning driving you a bit bonkers searching for the exact right cable? The inCharge X Max — a six-in-one cable with swappable tips that can handle USB-C, Lightning and more — can ease the transition.

It’s 5 feet long, tough as nails and serves up just about any combination of connections that you could need. And for a limited time, it costs just $16.97, thanks to an exclusive price drop.

Don’t miss out on 90 hours of expert Python training for $23.97

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Start your coding career with this Python boot camp for under $25.
Pay less than $24 for a complete master class in Python coding.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

It’s hard to believe that 20 years ago, few people had heard of Python, even in the programming world. Now it’s hard to imagine any major software project being done without it.

That means new programmers need to make this versatile language one of the first things they learn, and now there’s a way to do it without breaking the bank: The Premium Python Programming Certification Bundle, which is now on sale for less than $24 through October 15.

Make iPad into HDMI monitor with Lux Orion [Awesome Apps]

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Make iPad into HDMI monitor with Lux Orion [Awesome Apps]
Make your iPad into a screen for any device that supports HDMI output with Lux Orion and an adapter.
Photo: Lux

Awesome AppsYou can make your iPad into an external screen for your Mac, a Nintendo Switch, a camera or another device. All you need is the free Lux Orion application and a relatively cheap adapter.

Lux, the maker of the brilliant Halide camera application, made Orion just for fun. But it’s very useful, too.

Hands-on with 5 powerful accessibility features in iOS 17

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Awesome Features for the Rest of Us
What’s new in iOS accessibility? You might be surprised.
Image: Antonio Cruz/Wikimedia Commons/D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

If you haven’t looked at any of Apple’s accessibility features because you’re not blind or deaf, and don’t think they would make your life easier, you might be surprised.

Apple built a handful of accessibility features into iOS 17 that let people with various disabilities use the iPhone in new and unexpected ways. However, absolutely anyone can take advantage of these tools, which prove surprisingly helpful in certain situations.

You can already get live captions to watch videos silently, lock your phone into one app to keep people from snooping around, play soothing ocean or forest sounds and more.

In iOS 17, five accessibility features take things even further. Assistive Access simplifies your phone to its bare features to make it easier to use; Live Speech and Personal Voice let you type on the keyboard to speak using your own voice; Detection Mode and Point and Speak help you get around using your iPhone camera.

Our hands-on demo will show you what these features can do for you.

These $90 translation earbuds help you communicate in 37 languages

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A woman with a shaved head wears Mymanu Clik S translation earbuds.
Expand your global communication skills with $67 savings on these translation earbuds
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

From international travel to business dealings or personal interactions that require a global reach, communication can become a challenge when you’re not able to rely on your primary language. Avoid having things lost in translation by picking up an innovative product designed to relay information in nearly 40 different languages.

During our Fall Deal Days event, the Mymanu Clik S translation earbuds are available for only $89.97 (regularly $157) with no coupon required. This 42% savings lasts through Oct 15 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific, providing a low-priced opportunity to expand your conversation reach.

Best accessories for Apple Watch

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These are the best accessories you can buy for Apple Watch, including screen protectors, charging stands, wireless earbuds, and more.
Make Apple Watch even greater.
Image: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

Got a new Apple Watch? The spending doesn’t stop there. It’s time to pick up some awesome Apple Watch accessories that will make using your device even better.

You’ll want a charging stand to enjoy Nightstand mode (and maybe even StandBy on your iPhone), a portable battery for top-ups on the go, a screen protector to keep your display free from scratches, and more. We rounded up the best options for you, so all you have to do is grab your wallet.

Hit the slopes, amuse your dog, and run a freelance biz [Awesome Apps]

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Jolly Pet dog game running on an iPad with dog looking on.
Jolly Pet is popular iPad game for canines -- and some humans too.
Photo: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac

Awesome AppsThis week’s Awesome Apps include a comprehensive skiing and snowboarding app with a ton of features, an app for running every aspect of a freelance business, a social network for photographers that isn’t Instagram, and a simple iPad game for dogs that also helps some humans with their anxiety.

Today in Apple history: Apple’s sapphire dreams shatter

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Apple is gobbling up sapphire supplies at an alarming rate of knots. Photo:
A sapphire glass screen was the most-requested possible feature for iPhone 6.
Photo: GT Advanced Technologies

8 October: Today in Apple history: Apple's sapphire dreams shatter as iPhone 6 sapphire screen is a no show October 8, 2014: Apple says it is “surprised” after GT Advanced Technologies, the supplier rumored to be manufacturing ultra-strong sapphire glass displays for the new iPhone 6, says it will file for bankruptcy.

The announcement appears to mark the end of the road for sapphire glass iPhone screens, a highly anticipated upgrade that promised to make devices more durable.

New iPad, iPad mini, iPad Air and iPad Pro models are on the way

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iPad Pro, iPad Air, iPad
All of Apple's iPad lines are up for a revamp.
Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac

Apple intends to update the entire iPad lineup in the coming months, according to information leaking out of the company. Details have come to light about models from the smallest iPad mini to the largest iPad Pro.

Included on the list are tablets that haven’t been updated in a couple of years.

Here’s what to expect.

Get lifetime access to 1,000-plus career-building courses for $32.97

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Train for the job you want with 1000+ tech courses for $32.97 (reg. $99).
Want to learn coding, marketing, music, investing or something else entirely? Get a lifetime pass to a bigger brain with StackSkills Unlimited.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Here’s a news flash for anyone who got a little too comfortable after high school: It’s not smart to stop learning. That’s especially true in this accelerated stage of the information age, where new tech skills are increasingly in demand.

The good news is that it’s easier than ever to catch up to the needs of today’s job market thanks to resources like StackSkills. This vast platform for online education can help anyone chart the path to a new career. And lifetime subscriptions cost just $32.97 (regularly $99) through October 15.

Macs get ready to heat up as iPhone 15 cools down [The CultCast]

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CultCast 615- MacBook Pro rumors.
Are we really going to see new MacBooks before the year ends?
Image: Cult of Mac

This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: The latest MacBook rumor sounds enticing, but will it come true? It’s time to speculate. Meanwhile, the real fire talk is all about that big, toasty iPhone 15 Pro Max. Apple’s iOS 17 update fixes the overheating problem. (Frankly, “Thermalgate” seems about as overblown as “Printgate.”)

Also on The CultCast:

  • Did Apple screw up the iPhone 15 Pro’s Action button? We debate our fearless leader Leander Kahney’s controversial stance on the subject.
  • Apple’s got a secret plan to own its microLED display chain.
  • If you don’t like macOS Sonoma’s brilliant one-click desktop reveal, we’ll tell you how to turn it off. (We’ll try not to think less of you if you do.)
  • On the 12th anniversary of Steve Jobs’ death, we ponder the state of Apple’s leadership and vision.

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.

Today in Apple history: iPhone 4s opens for Siri-ous preorders

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iPhone 4s
The iPhone 4s was the last iPhone that Steve Jobs directly worked on.
Photo: Apple

October 7: Today in Apple history: iPhone 4s preorders begin and they are Siri-ous October 7, 2011: Two days after the death of Steve Jobs, Apple opens preorders for its next-gen iPhone 4s.

The last iPhone that Jobs worked on directly, the 4s boasts a speedier A5 chip, improved 8-megapixel camera with 1080p HD video recording, and — most significantly — Apple’s new AI virtual assistant, Siri.

Get productive with Windows 11 Pro for less than $30

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Get productive with Windows 11 Pro for less than $30 this fall.
The regular price for Windows 11 Pro is $199, but you're not gonna pay that, right?
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Your computer is only as good as its operating system — and for millions of PC users, that means Windows. Now there’s no reason to go without the latest version of Microsoft’s OS (even on used devices), thanks to a special fall promo price of $29.97 on Windows 11 Pro.

Note: This deal, which lets you install Windows 11 Pro on up to three computers, is only good through October 15.

Top 7 Macs that Apple should make

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The Mac lineup has never looked better.
Apple makes a lot of Macs, but they still leave some stones unturned.
Photo: Apple

The transition from Intel processors to Apple silicon changed every Mac for the better … almost. But there are a few niches in the lineup that have yet to be filled.

While Apple’s computers are best-in-class, there are a few categories the company does not currently compete in. These are the top seven Macs that Apple doesn’t make.

Exclusive deal: Host unlimited websites for life for less than $40

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Enjoy reliable cloud web hosting for life for less than $40 with this exclusive deal.
Score this limited-time deal for unlimited website hosting.
Photo: Cult of MAc Deals

If you run any sort of business, you need an online presence, and that means you need web hosting. But, subscribing to cloud hosting can become expensive, especially with monthly or annual subscriptions that lock you into indefinite payments.

Fortunately, you can pay once and forget ever paying again with lifetime access to iBrave cloud web hosting. Usually priced at $539, you can now grab it for only $39.97. You’ll have to act fast, though, since this exclusive price drop only lasts through October 15.

The ultimate in pet entertainment: Jolly Dog [Awesome Apps]

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Jolly Pet dog game running on an iPad with dog looking on.
Jolly Pet is popular iPad game for canines -- and some humans too.
Photo: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac

Awesome AppsJolly Dog, an iPad game for dogs, is rapidly climbing the App Store charts, thanks to viral gameplay clips on social media.

Originally released in 2016, the app currently ranks No. 27 on the top free iPad apps in the United States, according to App Figures, a market research firm that provides app analytics.

I couldn’t get our dog interested in it, but plenty of pet owners say it provides lots of gameplay fun — and not just for their furry friends. Some humans enjoy playing it, too.