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Disney+ price jumps 15%; password sharing crackdown imminent [Updated]

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Disney+ logo
The price for watching Star Wars, Marvel, Pixar and more goes up soon.
Photo: The Walt Disney Company

The cost of streaming Disney+, Hulu and ESPN+ goes up this autumn. The three streaming video services are ready to watch on Mac, iPad, iPhone or Apple TV. It’ll just cost a bit more in a few months.

The new prices could be important to those currently getting these services free or cheaply by sharing passwords. Disney CEO Bob Iger warned that a crackdown on the practice starts soon.

Here’s the argument for stacked Studio Displays [Setups]

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stacked Studio Display setup
Stacking Studio Displays might seem odd to many folks, but this user loves it.
Photo: [email protected]

We’ve seen quite a few instances of stacked external displays in setups, but today’s M2 MacBook Pro rig might be the first time we’ve seen Studio Displays mounted that way. With all the questions commenters asked about the workstation, the user ended up laying out quite a few points about why it works great.

macOS Sequoia removes handy shortcut to bypass Gatekeeper security

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macOS Sequoia features
macOS Sequoia further tightens the grip on non-notarized Mac apps.
Photo: Apple

Apple will make bypassing Gatekeeper’s runtime protection harder in macOS Sequoia by doing away with a handy shortcut that allows Mac users to avoid security restrictions for software that doesn’t come from the App Store.

The company announced this change Tuesday following the release of macOS Sequoia public beta 3.

How to turn your iPhone into a smart display with StandBy

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The Smart Display You Already Own
Turn your iPhone into a smart display on your desk.
Image: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

StandBy mode is a headline iOS 17 feature that turns your iPhone into a smart display on your nightstand, at your desk or in the kitchen. It’s an attractive way to put your phone to work as a small information board or digital clock when you’re not using it.

Of course, it works best if you have a phone with an always-on display like the iPhone 14 or 15 Pro. However, it works on any iPhone with MagSafe running iOS 17. Best of all, StandBy remembers different preferences for different rooms, so you can set it up as a bedside clock in the bedroom, a digital photo frame in the living room, or a music controller in the kitchen. Here’s everything you can do with StandBy on your iPhone.

NFL Retro Bowl ’25 plus 2 more titles rush Apple Arcade

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New Apple Arcade games in September - NFL Retro Bowl '25
Are you ready for some seriously retro football?
Photo: Apple Arcade

Apple is set to bolster Apple Arcade gaming with three exciting new titles in September. NFL Retro Bowl ’25 headlines the additions. It’s an exclusive collaboration between the National Football League and the creators of the popular App Store game Retro Bowl.

Why Apple’s dodgy deal with Google should have ended years ago

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Apple Google privacy meme
Google can no longer pay Apple to weaken iPhone's privacy protections.
Graphic: Imgflip

Apple should never have entered into the deal that had Google paying billions every year to be the default search engine for iPhone, Mac, and iPad. And it’s shameful that it’ll take a court order to finally make Apple do the right thing.

A company that claims to carefully protect the privacy of its users shouldn’t be part of an arrangement that steered those users toward Google, whose business is built on privacy violation. Interestingly, some users may find that certain websites require specific browser settings to function correctly, such as ensuring you enable JavaScript on iPhone for a smoother browsing experience.

NBA legend learns to heed Apple Watch heart warnings

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Apple Watch AFib warnings
Even if you have no symptoms, dib't ignore Apple Watch AFib notifications.
Photo: Apple

San Antonio Spurs legend and NBA commentator Sean Elliott recently experienced a health scare highlighting Apple Watch’s potentially life-saving capabilities. Elliott, known his role in the Spurs’ first championship, found himself at the center of a different kind of heart-pounding drama, according to a report.

“My watch kept telling me you’re in Atrial Fibrillation. It just kept telling me over and over again, and I said, ‘there’s no way, I feel fine,'” Elliott recounted in an interview. Despite feeling no symptoms, the persistent warnings from his smartwatch eventually prompted him to seek medical attention. And it’s a good thing he did.

Use your AI-generated virtual twin to create videos quickly and easily

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A photo shows AI video generator X-Me on an iPhone, with a MacBook in the background.
Your AI-generated avatar can stand in for you during video shoots.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

When you’re gearing up to launch your startup or build your brand online, creating standout video content for webinars, product promos or social media is a game-changer. But let’s be real — it can be a major time sink and you might not have all the specialized skills. That’s where AI avatar generator X-Me comes into play.

It lets  you generate AI avatars to serve as virtual spokespeople in a variety of video formats, kind of like your own little AI actor. And Right now, you can get a lifetime subscription to X-Me for only $89.99 (regularly $360).

Paying Apple to be Safari default search engine makes Google a ‘monopolist’

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Google search on iPhone
Google paying Apple to be Safari's default search engine is a big no-no.
Photo: Rajesh Pandey/Cult of Mac

A U.S. federal judge ruled Monday that Google paying Apple billions to be the default search engine on iPhone and other devices is a violation of antitrust law. He said it makes Google a monopolist.

This is the result of a court case brought by the Department of Justice against Google. Apple isn’t directly involved, though its annual income may have just dropped by $15 billion or $20 billion. Or more.

This $20 LED speaker is perfect for kids

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Waloo Mini LED Bluetooth Speaker
This pint-size Bluetooth speaker packs a wallop (and brings an LED light show to the party).
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

With a built-in LED light, the Waloo Mini LED Base Bluetooth Speaker is perfect for kids. It’s compact, sturdy and extremely affordable. And its soft LEDs sync to the rhythm of the music being played music.

That makes it perfect for pumping up playtime. But it’s also great for bedtime: Soothing lullabies can be accompanied by gentle lights to help a little one drift off to sleep. As mentioned, the price on this speaker won’t keep anyone up, either. Regularly $34, you can get the Waloo Mini LED Base Bluetooth Speaker for just $19.99.

Apple’s new Distraction Control in Safari is not an ad blocker

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Apple's new Distraction Control in Safari is not an ad blocker
While Distraction Control in Safari will be useful, don't call it an ad blocker.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple added Distraction Control to the Safari web browser in the iOS 18, iPadOS 18 and macOS Sequoia 15 betas released Monday. The new feature allows users to remove elements they find irritating or distracting from web pages.

Some have called Distraction Control an ad blocker. It’s not. Or certainly not a very good one.

How to stop Siri from randomly activating all the damn time

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An Apple Watch with Siri Activated and the caption:
Siri always interrupts at the wrong time.
Image: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

As if Siri’s unhelpful answers were not irritating enough when you actually want them, Siri often interrupts a conversation, meeting or TV show when you haven’t asked for anything at all. The good news is you make it stop — if you know how to deactivate Siri on your Apple devices.

keep reading or watch our video.

Shop iPad mini models at lowest-ever prices

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lowest prices on iPad mini 6 models
If you don't care about waiting for the next iPad mini, grab iPad mini 6 at a great price now.
Photo: Apple

If you or someone you know could use a smaller iPad, and you missed Amazon Prime Day, now’s the time to get the lowest-ever prices on iPad mini 6 at the mega retail site. My sister-in-law, for example, wishes she could grab something no bigger than her old, basic iPad, with its 9.7-inch screen. iPad mini 6’s 8.3-inch screen might just work for her.

Would you go this wide with your external display? [Setups]

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49-inch Samsung Odyssey Neo G9 monitor setup
That's a 49-inch curved Samsung monitor. It would dwarf many desks.
Photo: [email protected]

Some people prefer two or more displays in their computer setup, some go for just one — often a big one. Today’s outstanding MacBook Pro setup, run by an Apple admin no less, goes ultra-wide and then some with a 49-inch curved Samsung display. It’s massive. If you like customizing your Apple devices, you may also want to check out how to name my iPhone and personalize your setup further. It’s massive, and if you’re considering a Viewfinity option, take a look at this Samsung ultra-wide monitor setup.

Get ready for ‘kid-friendly’ Apple Watch SE

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Get ready for a 'kid-friendly' Apple Watch SE 3
Boring colors might be thing of the past with Apple Watch SE 3.
Concept graphic: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The Apple Watch SE 3 will come in a plastic casing, if a noted source of Apple insider info is correct. Skipping the usual aluminum case will allow the wearable to come in a broad array of colors, potentially making it more appealing to younger buyers.

It’ll also likely be cheaper to make, which is important for Apple’s budget wearable.

EarFun’s top new noise-canceling earbuds: Great sound, great price [Review] ★★★★

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EarFun Air Pro 4 earbuds★★★★
Once again, EarFun brings great value with its excellent new Air Pro 4 wireless noise-canceling earbuds.
Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac

EarFun launched its new flagship Air Pro 4 active noise-canceling (ANC) wireless earbuds Monday, calling them “the world’s first Auracast-supported earbuds under $100.” And the new buds run true to form for EarFun. They’re great-sounding, well-equipped earbuds that present an excellent value at a list price of $90. And EarFun Air Pro 4 present an even better value with the launch discount (see below).

iPhone 16 color leaks: Hot or not? [The CultCast]

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Color samples, with The CultCast logo and episode 658, used to illustrate post about iPhone 16 color rumors.
Pick a color, any color.
Photo: Mourizal Zativa/Unsplash License/Modified by CUlt of Mac

This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: Leaked iPhone 16 dummy units offer a possible peek at what this year’s lineup will look like. While the black titanium pro model looks pretty badass, let’s hope the other colors don’t prove accurate!

You can see the leaked iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro Max dummy units we’re talking about in the show notes below.

Also on The CultCast:

  • Apple Intelligence just arrived, and anybody can try it — if they’ve got the stomach for running a beta.
  • A brain implant lets a guy use an Apple Vision Pro with his thoughts. Astonishing!
  • There’s a new Apple podcast in town, and it’s run by a pair of Cult of Mac alums. Apple Core is a fun way to take a deep dive into Apple history.

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.

Samsung shakes up mobile team over ‘Apple design plagiarism’

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Apple Watch Ultra vs Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra
One of these was designed by Apple. The other only looks like it was.
Photo: Apple/Samsung

Add Samsung Electronics chairman Lee Jae-yong to the list of people who think his company’s new smartwatch and wireless earbuds are much too similar to Apple’s. He reportedly got angry at executives of Samsung’s mobile (MX) division for approving such copycat devices.

One company executive allegedly admitted his company’s new wearable products are “Apple design plagiarism.”

Presumed Innocent is the most popular series on streaming … again

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Jake Gyllenhaal and Renate Reinsve in Presumed Innocent, now streaming on Apple TV+.
Jake Gyllenhaal and Renate Reinsve in Presumed Innocent on Apple TV+.
Photo: Apple TV+

The Apple TV+ crime drama Presumed Innocent has been among the most watched shows on streaming since launching in mid-June, according to analysts. Season one of the series — which stars Jake Gyllenhaal as a man who might, or might not, have murdered the woman he’s having an affair with — recently wrapped up, and the opportunity to bingewatch all the episodes pushed the show to become the most viewed on any streaming platform, according to analysts.

Plus, the reimagining of Time Bandits found a big audience, and Natalie Portman’s Lady in the Lake had another strong week.

Promote your business like a pro with the 2024 Meta Marketing Bundle

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Learn to market your business like a pro in this $29.96 bundle
Learn to market your business like a pro with this $29.96 bundle.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

If your business can’t afford a marketing team, it’s up to you to become an expert. From social media to search engine optimization, you can learn digital marketing on your own with the information-packed courses in the 2024 Meta Marketing Bundle.

Whether you need to write copy for a website or stand out on Instagram, you can master it all with this four-course bundle. Normally, this beginner’s guide to marketing would cost $436, but you can get it for $29.96.

Price drop: Tired of your Apple Watch dying? Try these keychain chargers.

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Keep your Apple Watch charged all week with this keychain charger.
Here's the secret to never letting your Apple Watch die.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

You don’t need a brand-new Apple Watch if the only issue is sucky battery life. What you do need is this Apple Watch keychain charger, and a two-pack costs just $32.97. That’s a 36% discount off the regular price of $51.98, and it beats Amazon’s price on the same Apple Watch accessory.

iPad shipments surge as customers snap up Apple’s new premium tablets

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2024 iPad Pro helped turn around Apple tablet shipments in Q2 2024.
2024 iPad Pro helped turn around a long slowdown in Apple tablet shipments.
Photo: Apple

The number of iPads shipped during Q2 2024 grew sharply when compared to the same quarter of last year, according to market analysts. It’s the first year-over-year increase in Apple’s tablet shipments since 2022.

The long-awaited launch of powerful new iPad models is credited for the improvement.