Top stories - page 9

Come to grips with AI, ChatGPT and Python for less than $30

By

Score Cyber Week savings on a bundle that covers AI, ChatGPT and Python, now under $30.
This 14-course bundle comes packed with insight on the hottest tech trends, all for only $29.97.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Interested in computer programming and artificial intelligence? We’ve got a big discount on a package of courses that will teach you all about the hottest tech fields: The 2023 Ultimate AI, ChatGPT and Python Programming Bundle

Through December 3, you can get the bundle for only $29.97 (regularly $154). This timely discount makes it an ideal opportunity to make a proactive move and get up to speed on the latest tech innovations.

What’s next for Apple Card? [The CultCast]

By

Apple Card on an iPhone. CultCast episode 623.
Changes could be coming to Apple Card.
Image: Cult of Mac

This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: It sounds like Apple’s partnership with Goldman Sachs is on the rocks. What does that mean for the future of Apple Card?

Also on The CultCast:

  • The latest iOS 17.2 beta reveals some interesting new features.
  • Apple’s deal with Arm is pretty sweet … and pretty annoying for Arm!
  • Those panicky headlines about NameDrop you’ve been seeing that paint the iOS 17 feature as danger to children? Ignore them.
  • Apple seems pretty committed to Vision Pro: Multiple lower-priced versions of the headset are reportedly in the works.

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.

Monarch: Legacy of Monsters episode 4 references you might have missed [Apple TV+ recap]

By

'Monarch: Legacy of Monsters' Episode 4 -- Frost Vark Titan
It’s the Frost Vark Titan! Run!!
Photo: Apple TV+

TV+ Review The fourth episode of Monarch: Legacy of Monsters is out, and anyone who’s been dissatisfied about the amount of screen time kaijus got before will have nothing to complain about.

Read on if you’re ready for Godzilla-size spoilers about the latest episode, plus some speculation about the show’s future.

3 reasons you shouldn’t close your open iPhone apps

By

Should You Quit Your Apps?
Betteridge's law of headlines says no.
Image: CollegeDegrees360/Wikimedia Commons/D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

It’s good to know how to close apps on iPhone for those times when an app is acting buggy or becomes unresponsive. It’s really easy — just swipe up to see your running apps and swipe up again to close them.

Does this mean you should you quit open apps? No, not at all. Despite what you may have heard, quitting apps on iOS makes things worse, not better. It’s a myth that quitting apps will save battery life, make your iPhone run faster or free up memory. Overall, it makes things worse.

Here are three reasons why.

Today in Apple history: QuickTime brings video to the masses

By

QuickTime brought multimedia to Macs -- and the masses.
QuickTime brought multimedia to Macs -- and the masses.
Photo illustration: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

December 2: Today in Apple history: QuickTime brings video to the masses December 2, 1991: Apple ships its first public version of QuickTime, bringing video to Mac users running System 7.

Containing codecs for graphics, animation and video, QuickTime confirms Apple’s status as a leading multimedia tech company. The software also starts us all off on the path to playing video on our computers. This fundamental transformation of Macs into media machines eventually leads to iTunes Movies, YouTube and more.

Space soap opera For All Mankind hits stride in ‘House Divided’ episode [Apple TV+ recap] ★★★

By

For All Mankind, season 4, episode 4, Ed Baldwin sees Svetlana off.★★★
Ed got what might be a first and only kiss from Svetlana, headed for trial in India.
Photo: Apple TV+

Not much happens Friday on alt-history space soap opera For All Mankind season 4’s fourth episode, “House Divided.” Let’s see. Two Russians have a shoving match on Mars, almost killing one and nearly causing the return of the Cold War. The former head of NASA goes to work for the Soviets and immediately impresses her frighteningly KGB-connected boss. And longtime space heroes Danielle Poole and Ed Baldwin suffer a major falling out that could threaten peace in Happy Valley, Mars.

And by the way, geriatric Ed — the show wants us to believe Joel Kinnaman’s characters is now in his 70s — finally does get the tender smooch from a young cosmonaut threatened in episode 3. Alas, poor Miles Dale, despite sparks flying on Mars, doesn’t quite get to make out with his burgeoning love interest.

Create perfect AI voiceovers for your content with Micmonster

By

Use Micmonster's AI to create unique voiceovers for your projects, now just $50 during Cyber Week.
A lifetime subscription to this suite of AI-powered voiceover tools costs just $49.97 during Cyber Week!
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Professional voiceovers give any project a sheen of polish, but not everyone can afford a professional voiceover artist. Fortunately, there’s an innovative tool that can provide unique, customized voiceovers with help from AI: Micmonster!

And during Cyber Week, you can get a lifetime subscription to this AI-powered voiceover tool kit for only $49.97 (regularly $119).

Today in Apple history: Too little, too late for Apple III

By

Apple relaunched the ill-fated Apple III, hoping to fix the computer's big problems.
Apple relaunched its ill-fated Apple III, hoping to address some serious problems with the original model.
Photo: Alker33/YouTube

December 1: Today in Apple history: Apple III relaunch December 1, 1981: After the disastrous rollout of the “next-gen” Apple III the previous year, Apple corrects the computer’s most glaring hardware faults and relaunches it.

Unfortunately, the damage has already been done. Apple experiences its first “flop” product with the Apple II‘s doomed successor.

Get a pair of Linksys mesh Wi-Fi 5 routers for less than $90

By

Save $210 on this pair of advanced and refurbished Linksys dual-band Wi-Fi routers.
Snap up a two-pack of refurbished Linksys Velop Wi-Fi routers for only $89.97.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Is your home internet up to speed? If not, your Wi-Fi router could be to blame. Ensure you’re not lacking in that department by securing Cyber Week savings on a HomeKit-compatible mesh Wi-Fi setup from Linksys.

Normally sold for $299, a two-pack of refurbished Linksys Velop dual-band Wi-Fi 5 routers is currently available for only $89.97. Score two Linksys Velop Whole Home Series routers for less, and you should notice an immediate improvement in your devices’ performance.

Become an IT expert for less than $20 with this top-rated CompTIA bundle

By

Become a CompTIA and IT pro with this training bundle, now less than $20 through Cyber Week.
Become an in-demand tech professional with this CompTIA and IT training bundle, now just $19.97.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

IT skills are in high demand, and you will be too — if you learn (or stay on top of) the latest industry developments. So, whether you want to get an exciting new high-paying job in tech, or boost your resume so you can land your first such position, the knowledge in this all-inclusive CompTIA and IT lifetime training bundle might just be the key to making it happen.

Even better, instead of paying for expensive college classes, this lifetime training bundle is heavily discounted during our extended Cyber Monday sale. Through December 3, you can score these training courses for just $19.97 (regularly $120)! 

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

By

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).

Today in Apple history: Fans queue up as Apple opens Tokyo store, its first outside US

By

Apple's store in Tokyo's swanky Ginza shopping district.
Apple's first non-U.S. Apple Store was located in Tokyo.
Photo: Héctor García/Kirai CC

November 30: Today in Apple history: Apple opens first store outside U.S. in Tokyo's trendy Ginza shopping district November 30, 2003: Apple expands its retail chain outside the United States for the first time, opening an Apple Store in Tokyo’s trendy Ginza shopping district.

On opening day, thousands of Apple fans — possibly the biggest queue in Apple history — line up around the block in the rain to gain early access to the store, which offers five full floors of Apple product goodness.

Apple CEO Steve Jobs does not show up for the opening of the 73rd Apple Store. However, shoppers hear a welcoming speech from Eiko Harada, president of Apple Japan.

How to find your music stats with Apple Music Replay

By

An iPhone showing the Apple Music app with Apple Replay.
Apple Music Replay is a great way to see your favorite music over the last year.
Photo: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac

Apple Music Replay is a great way to find your music stats for the past year: the most played songs, artists and albums in the last 12 months. Similar to Spotify Wrapped and the like, your annual Apple replay is a fun way to see what tracks you listened to most in 2023.

Fun fact: Apple usually publicizes Apple Music Replay in November, but it’s actually updated weekly and available throughout the year. However, it’s buried in the Apple Music app. We’ll show you how to find it.

Get a pair of MFi-certified Lightning cables for less than $35

By

This two-pack of fast charging MFI-certified lightning cables are less than $35 for Cyber Week.
You know you still need some Lightning cables!
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

When it comes to your precious Apple devices, you don’t want to just power them up with random cables. If you’re tired of unreliable connections, consider this MFi-certified Lightning cable two-pack, now available at a discounted price during Cyber Week.

Through December 3, you can grab not one but two of these fast-charging cables for only $34.97 (regularly $49).

3 Reasons to Watch: Slow Horses, the acerbic Apple TV+ spy thriller

By

Jackson Lamb is no James Bond, but Slow Horses is an excellent spy thriller nonetheless.
Image: Apple TV+

Slow Horses, the Apple TV+ spy thriller based on the Slough House novels by British novelist Mick Herron, spices up its twisty-turny plots with witty dialogue and convincing performances.

Lead character Jackson Lamb, a rumpled British spook played by Gary Oldman, runs the misfit spy shop known as Slough House. Everyone on his team (known as the “Slow Horses”) screwed up in a major way professionally, earning them their one-way ticket to Lamb’s dusty, low-rent M15 leper colony. Lamb torments them at nearly every turn with a mordant mix of skepticism and ridicule.

Here are three reasons you should watch Slow Horses the Apple TV+, which fires up its third season today.

Manage your whole family’s passwords with Enpass

By

A Cyber steal: This one-year subscription for Enpass password management is only $15.
Make sure your whole crew uses strong passwords with the Enpass Family Plan.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Who hasn’t forgotten or misplaced a password and been stuck wasting time looking for it, only to ultimately have to choose a new one? It may not be the end of the world, but it’s definitely a major frustration that could put a dent in your packed day. You can save time and boost your security with a handy little helper to manage your passwords.

With Enpass, you can store and sync your passwords across all your Apple (or non-Apple) devices. And now, you can score Cyber Week savings on a year-long subscription to Enpass’s Family Plan, now only $14.99 (regularly $47) until December 3!

Today in Apple history: Pixar IPO makes Steve Jobs a billionaire

By

Steve_Jobs_2007
The Pixar IPO is a key part of Steve Jobs' professional turnaround.
Photo: Ben Stanfield/Flickr CC

November 29: Today in Apple history: Pixar makes Steve Jobs a billionaire November 29, 1995: Capitalizing on the success of Toy Story, Pixar floats 6.9 million shares on the stock market. The IPO makes Steve Jobs, who owns upward of 80% of the animation studio, a billionaire.

After the windfall, one of the first people Jobs calls is his friend, Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison, who’s already a member of the billionaire’s club.

“Hello, Larry?” Jobs tells his friend on the phone. “I made it.”

Tap Taskio’s AI brain to create killer content, automate tasks and more, just $25 for life

By

Cyber Week alert: Lifetime access to Taskio is now under $25.
Taskio can write copy, generate images, solve problems and more, and you can get a lifetime sub for next to nothing!
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

If you haven’t taken the plunge into artificial intelligence, it’s time to get your feet wet. You might be surprised how much more efficient you can be with some AI-driven prompts when you’re trying to write some text, do research for a project or create a powerful image or graphic.

Taskio is an AI productivity tool that can give you a boost and serve as your new creative partner when it comes to content generation or even complicated problem-solving. During Cyber Week, you can score a lifetime subscription to Taskio for only $24.97.

iPad gift guide: Pick the best tablet to give your loved ones

By

iPad gift guide: Pick the best model to give your loved ones
We have expert advice on choosing the best iPad to give as a gift.
Image: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

iPad makes a spectacular gift. Apple tablets are very popular, and everyone from little Billy to Grandma will enjoy one.

But there’s a wide array of models to choose from. In this guide, we go through all the options to explore their pros and cons as gifts.

Make password management easy with a lifetime Sticky Password sub, just $16

By

Celebrate Cyber Week with $183 savings on Sticky Password's cybersecurity.
Secure the premium version of this highly rated password manager for one low payment.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Remembering and updating passwords and other sensitive info quickly becomes a challenging task once you wise up and stop using the same stupid password for everything. Fortunately, you don’t need to deal with forgotten passwords again with Sticky Password.

Through Cyber Week, you can enjoy a lifetime subscription to Sticky Password’s top-rated password management and form filler for only $15.97 (regularly $199) until December 3!

Never miss a delivery with this free package-tracking app [Awesome Apps]

By

AfterShip package tracker
A package tracking app with all the features you expect, and it costs nothing.
Image: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac
Awesome Apps

AfterShip Package Tracker is a free app that does exactly what it says in the name: It tracks your packages. You can see all your orders in one place, when they will arrive, and how close they are geographically to you. Push notifications are fast and alert you when your items are on their way.

Plus, unlike just about every other package-tracking app for iOS, AfterShip Package Tracker is totally free, with no in-app purchases.

Premium iPad stylus takes on Apple Pencil with pressure sensitivity and buttons [Review] ★★★

By

Adonit Note+ 2 review★★★
Adonit Note+ 2 is actually better than Apple Pencil 2 in a couple of ways.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Adonit Note+ 2 is an iPad stylus with all the usual features as well as pressure sensitivity and a pair of programmable buttons. Plus there are writing tips in hard, medium and soft. These make it much better option for digital artists than typical styli. It actually goes head-to-head with Apple Pencil 2.

An iPad Pro is my primary computer, so I took the Note+ 2 for a hands-on test drive.

Today in Apple history: QuickTime 5 takes the world by storm

By

QuickTime 5 was being downloaded 1 million times every three days.
QuickTime 5 was being downloaded 1 million times every three days.
Photo: Apple

Nov. 28: Today in Apple history: QuickTime 5 downloads fuel web video revolution November 28, 2001: Apple says QuickTime 5 is being downloaded for Mac and PC a million times every three days, putting the multimedia software on track to exceed 100 million downloads in its first year of distribution. The announcement comes as websites adopt the MPEG-4 format, and online video begins to take off in a big way.

In particular, Apple’s movie trailer website proves a massive success. Millions of people download previews of upcoming blockbusters like Spider-Man and Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones. Online trailer releases for films like The Lord of the Rings become buzz-worthy events.

In a pre-YouTube world, Apple has everything to gain!

5 Black Friday Apple deals that are still live

By

Black Friday Apple Deals Still Live
These Black Friday Apple deals are still live!
Image: Rajesh/Cult of Mac

Black Friday and Cyber Monday provide an excellent opportunity to buy a new MacBook, iPad and other Apple products at heavily discounted prices. This year, we saw some hefty discounts on Apple gear during the shopping marathon.

But what if you missed buying the MacBook or Apple Watch you wanted? While Black Friday and Cyber Monday might be over, the deals are not all gone. Check out the five best Apple deals that are still live below.

Last chance to win a super-protective iPad case from Zugu [Cult of Mac giveaway]

By

Lather your iPad in a luxurious sheild.
Keep your iPad safe and secure at all times in a rugged Zugu case.
Photo: Zugu

The prize in this week’s giveaway is every iPad owner’s dream: an iPad case from Zugu with a built-in Apple Pencil holder. We teamed up with Zugu to give five lucky winners the chance to win one of these fantastic iPad cases.

Zugu’s cases start at $49.99, fit a wide array of iPads, and come in nine different colors. So if you win, you will be spoiled for choice.