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Dress up your wrist with a classy calfskin leather Apple Watch band

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There's nothing like a classic leather Apple Watch band.
There's nothing like a classic leather Apple Watch band.
Photo: Speidel

Nothing beats the classic style and comfort of a premium leather Apple Watch band. And calfskin leather typically makes for an especially supple version of the classic strap.

If you’re looking to upgrade the look and feel of your wrist, check out the Speidel Sport Calf Skin Leather Apple Watch Band. You can get a good price on it in the Cult of Mac Store.

EU’s Digital Markets Act takes step toward forcing huge changes to iPhone

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European Union
The European Union takes another step toward tough regulations on tech giants like Apple.
Photo: Freestocks.org

The European Parliament passed the landmark Digital Markets Act on Tuesday. The legislation aims to outlaw many common practices of Big Tech companies, especially Apple, Google and Amazon.

For iPhone users, the DMA would force Apple to allow rival app stores and sideloaded applications. And these are only two of many significant changes in the act.

There are still further steps the the EU government must go through before the DMA goes into effect, but that’s expected to happen before the end of 2022.

Next Apple Watch might tell when you’re running a fever

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You can get big discounts on Apple Watch 7 and SE at Amazon.
This year's Apple Watch upgrade might put a temperature monitor on your wrist.
Photo: Apple

The upcoming Apple Watch Series 8 could feature a body temperature sensor that will allow the wearable to detect when you are running a fever.

Both the regular Apple Watch Series 8 and the rumored rugged variant aimed at hardcore athletes should feature the new sensor.

M1 Max MacBook pairs nicely with 40-inch ultra-wide display [Setups]

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No scaling issues seen here.
No scaling issues seen here.
Photo: [email protected]

Curved ultra-wide displays are all the rage lately, and it’s no wonder why. What a fantastic amount of real estate. But it can be worrisome buying one if you’re not sure how it will look with your Mac’s resolution and scaling options.

Today’s featured computer setup pairs a beast of a 16-inch M1 Max MacBook with a brilliant 40-inch LG 5K UltraWide curved display. Let’s look at how well it’s working and what some of the issues can be.

Top TweetDeck for Mac alternatives to ease power users’ pain

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TweetDeck for Mac alternatives worth trying out
These TweetDeck for Mac alternatives are worth checking out.
Photo: Rajesh

With Twitter killing off TweetDeck for Mac today, users who didn’t plan ahead might be scrambling for options to manage their feeds.

While TweetDeck will continue to function on the web, many power users prefer a native Mac app. Luckily, you can find several worthy TweetDeck alternatives for Mac users that will help you get a handle on your Twitter obsession.

Apple really wants you to buy an Apple TV

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The current Siri Remote was an improvement on its predecessor.
Get a $50 gift card when you buy an Apple TV.
Photo: Apple

Apple is bundling a $50 gift card if you purchase an Apple TV 4K or Apple TV HD in the United States. The offer is exclusively available through its online store.

Before making this promotion live, Apple took down its online store for a few hours earlier in the day.

Catch the light with Laut Holo Apple accessory cases

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The cases' hard plastic materials catch iridescent light.
The cases' hard plastic materials catch iridescent light.
Photo: Laut

An Apple accessory case is a case is a case is a case — except when it’s both protective and catches all the colors of the rainbow. That’s what Laut’s Holo cases for AirPods Pro, AirPods 3 and iPhone 13 do as they reflect iridescent light.

Check out the Laut Holo Collection in the Cult of Mac Store and get a great deal on a stylish and protective case.

Xfinity Stream app for Apple TV makes cable box (mostly) superfluous

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Xfinity Stream app for Apple TV makes cable box (mostly) superfluous
Your Apple TV can be your cable box with the new Xfinity Stream app.
Photo: Comcast/Apple

An Apple TV can now be used to watch all of Comcast’s live, on demand and DVR programming. The cable behemoth’s subscribers just need to install the newly-released Xfinity Stream app on Apple’s streaming box.

Thursday’s release makes it simple for Apple TV users to add Xfinity access to additional rooms. No traditional cable box necessary.

Startup’s bankruptcy may put an end to Apple Store ‘Delivery with Setup’ option

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At first Enjoy withdrew to assess its business priorities, but now it has filed for bankruptcy.
At first Enjoy withdrew to assess its business priorities, but now it has filed for bankruptcy.
Photo: Apple/Enjoy

Apple Store’s “Delivery with Setup” option appears to be done for. Its key partner, startup Enjoy, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy Thursday. That’s according to a Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filing.

This comes less than a year after the startup raised more than $250 million in growth capital and became a publicly traded company.

‘Severe’ thermal throttling in Apple M2 chip raises questions about MacBook Air performance

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'Severe' thermal throttling in Apple M2 chip raises questions about MacBook Air performance
The M2 MacBook Pro can get hot, hot, hot. What does that mean for the M2 MacBook Air, which has no fan?
Graphic: Apple

The just-released MacBook Pro running Apple’s new M2 processor offers generally good performance, but its single fan can’t stop it from experiencing ‘severe’ thermal throttling under certain conditions, according to tests done on the device.

The upcoming MacBook Air also uses an M2 chip and doesn’t have a fan at all. How much thermal throttling it will experience is not yet knownn, but it could be signficant.

Bowers & Wilkins overhauls flagship ANC headphones and plans whole new level

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The new Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 feature improvements across the board, the company said.
The new Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 feature improvements across the board, the company said.
Photo: Bowers & Wilkins

Bowers & Wilkins is often cited for the great sound quality of its Px7 noise-canceling over-ear headphones, released in 2019, and a worthy rival to AirPods Max. Now the British audio specialists have overhauled the model with release of the Px7 S2 — but without a price increase.

And what’s more, the company said a new flagship model, the “luxurious” Px8, is coming soon.

New CarPlay feature could let you pay for fuel right from the dashboard

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CarPlay may not take over the whole dashboard with iOS 16, but it may let you pay for fuel from the infotainment center.
CarPlay may not take over the whole dashboard with iOS 16, but it may let you pay for fuel from the infotainment center.
Photo: Apple

Apple previewed the next generation of CarPlay at WWDC22, but most of those new features are a ways from becoming reality. However, the arrival of iOS 16 later this year could see new CarPlay apps for “fuel and driving tasks,” including a way to pay for fuel right from the vehicle’s infotainment center.

CleanMyMac X update better monitors your Mac’s health

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MacPaw CleanMyMac X update better monitors your Mac's health
CleanMyMac X adds monitors for the processor, HD, RAM and more.
Photo: MacPaw

MacPaw’s CleanMyMac X now includes five new ways to track the health of Mac computers. They monitor the CPU, RAM, storage, battery and more. The software already blocks malware and ensures other third-party apps are always up to date.

MacPaw also announced that its raffle to raise money for Ukrainian aid brought in far more than expected.

South Korean App Store developers can now ditch Apple’s payment system

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App Store will accept alternative payment systems
But it might not be beneficial to use an alternative payment system.
Image: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

Apple now allows App Store developers in South Korea to use third-party payment systems. The option is limited to apps distributed in the country.

The Cupertino giant is allowing alternative payment processors in the South Korean App Store to comply with the amended Telecommunications Business Act.

Apple Card subscribers earn 4% cash back at Petco, Ray-Ban, Yeti and more

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Use Apple Card and Apple Pay to get 4% back at select retailers
Double your Apple Card cash back with select retailers in July.
Photo: Apple

Use an Apple Card at certain online retailers and service providers between now and the end of July to earn 4% cash back. It’s a summertime promotion, and the companies involved offer sunglasses, movie tickets, coolers, hotel rooms, etc.

Apple Pay and the Mac-maker’s credit card regularly offer at least 2% cash back for online purchases but some special deals bring larger percentages. Like this one.

Win a 4-in-1 MagSafe charging stand with built-in nightlight [Cult of Mac giveaways]

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SwitchEasy MagPower 4-in-1 Magnetic Wireless Charging Stand: It's the perfect addition for your bedside table or desk.
It's the perfect addition for your bedside table or desk.
Photo: Adel Neal/Cult of Mac

This week’s giveaway is a sturdy, MagSafe-compatible, multi-device wireless charger that includes a convenient nightlight. The SwitchEasy MagPower 4-in-1 Magnetic Wireless Charging Stand has everything you need to charge your iPhone (series 12 and upward), AirPods (wireless charging case), Apple Watch and one USB device simultaneously.

But what makes this charging stand different is the clever addition of a built-in nightlight. With a simple tap of the base, it lights up (with three brightness settings). It gives you enough light to find your devices, but with no glare in your eyes, because the light is directed away from the stand on the chrome arm.

As iPhone turns 15, old prototypes could fetch $500,000 each

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Half a million for an
Half a million for an "old-ass iPhone," as Miani put it? Really?
Photo: Luke Miani

Apple iPhone turns 15 years old today. To mark the occasion, YouTuber Luke Miani showed off a handful of iPhone prototypes. They feature pre-release software and somewhat unfamiliar designs.

To give you an idea of how rare these handsets are, two of them are valued at $500,000 apiece.

Leather rally Apple Watch bands make a racy statement

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If you're wearing that strap, you probably drive a fast car.
If you're wearing that strap, you probably drive a fast car.
Photo: BluShark

Evoking nostalgia for 1960s and 1970s motorsports with their distinctive perforations, leather rally watch bands pair beautifully with rugged chronograph watches and smartwatches alike.

BluShark’s trio of leather rally Apple Watch bands, for example, make quite the racy statement.

Your car may not be all that fast, but if you want to feel like Steve McQueen getting behind the wheel, check out BluShark’s leather rally Apple Watch band collection in the Cult of Mac Store.

Apple is slowly catching up with demand for 2021 MacBook Pro

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Apple pushes February MacBook Pro orders back to June
You won't need a calendar to track your 2021 MacBook Pro order. It might help, though.
Photo: Cult of Mac

Wait times for Apple’s hottest MacBooks are shorter than they were this spring. It’s now possible to get some versions of the 2021 MacBook Pro delivered in less than a month.

And the COVID outbreak in China that caused the delays is apparently over.