There’s a good chance you could use something new to think about. Well, here are some great new gear and gadgets that make the future seem a little less bleak. We’ve got access to an artificial intelligence-powered streaming music station, a bundle of top-shelf Mac apps, a trio of MFi-certified Lightning cables, and a tool (maybe more valuable than before) that lets you lock your camera and mic. Read on for more details:

This week on The CultCast: Early reviews show the new MacBook Pro is a video-editing powerhouse; Apple’s massive interest in augmented reality; rumors of a jet white iPhone; AirPods to finally start shipping; new dongle discounts; and, is Apple still developing an electric car?

This episode is supported by CultCloth, the best way to keep your iPhone 7, Apple Watch, Mac and iPad sparkling clean. Check them out at CultCloth.co and for a limited time save 20 percent with code JetBlack.

The new MacBook Pro with Touch Bar might be Apple’s fastest-selling Pro machine to date, but a lot of fans are far from happy with it.

It’s thinner and lighter than its predecessors, and it boasts the fastest storage we’ve ever seen on a Mac. But it’s also a lot more expensive, and it’s missing traditional USB-A ports that the vast majority of us still rely on every day. The SD card slot is gone, too.

But, does it really deserve all this criticism? Join us in this week’s Friday Night Fight as we debate the new MacBook Pro and whether Apple messed up this year’s refresh.

Another week, another awesome deal roundup, and this time we’re all about tech! From GoPro cameras to the new Xbox One S, the web is going wild with deals on today’s hottest electronics. Amazon is even getting in on it with huge price cuts on its Echo and Kindle products.

Ryan Verbeek is fashionable enough as he moves about Holland’s oldest city, but he says his style is not likely to draw much attention. His friends and more than 51,000 followers on Instagram beg to differ and are always curious about one detail — the band Verbeek is wearing with his Apple Watch.

The 17-year-old student has a collection of nearly 40 bands that he routinely switches out depending on his mood or wardrobe. His enthusiasm has gained him Instagram fame, free bands from companies hoping he will model them for his social media account, and a deal to collaborate with a French company to design a couple of bands.

The Spotify app is killing your Mac’s solid-state storage drive, and you need to update now to prevent it.

For the past five months, a bug has caused the app to write massive amounts of data to SSDs, potentially knocking years off their lifespan.

How can you make a great computer even better? One way is to get a bundle of diverse productivity apps like this one. It’s packed with nine awesome apps like PDF Expert 2.0, Call Recorder for Facetime, MainMenu Pro 3, TripMode, and more. And right now you can get the whole thing for $19.99, a massive 92 percent off the usual price.

Read on for more details:

Apple display maker Japan Display is set to receive yet another bailout, in the vicinity of $703 million, from the Japanese government-backed fund that is it’s larger shareholder, claims a new report.

The money will help Japan Display catch up its OLED manufacturing capabilities, which have been lagging behind its rival display makers.

At yesterday’s DealBook Conference in New York City, PepsiCo CEO Indra Nooyi related the advice Steve Jobs gave her when she took over as CEO.

That advice? That sometimes the best way to get what you want is to throw tantrums.

Apple’s launch of the new MacBook Pros prompted a surprisingly virulent backlash — one that can be explained by “catastrophe theory” in mathematics.

Normally, reaction to Apple’s new products is remarkably consistent. Apple loyalists are pleased, the wider public approves and the tech press cynically dismisses the new products (because they hold Apple to a higher standard than the rest of the industry).

This time, it was different. There was a very loud and very negative reaction. The negativity came not from the tech press, but from the most loyal and ardent Mac enthusiasts. The very people who evangelize Apple products and who are deeply invested in the whole ecosystem were the ones most vocally expressing disappointment, frustration and outright anger.  

So what exactly happened? What was so bad about these new machines to provoke this reaction?

As best as I can tell, the answer is nothing at all.

Dinosaurs are coming for your emoji.

The Unicode Consortium submitted its proposed shortlist of 51 emojis for acceptance in Unicode 10 today. Among the new faces are a T-Rex and sauropod that could come to keyboards in 2017.

If you’ve got high-end wired headphones and want to make them wireless, AirMode might do the trick. The short cable comes with standard audio connectors on either end that replace the detachable cords found on many headphones.

Packed with features and reasonably priced, AirMode could be the perfect Bluetooth dongle for retrofitting your gear for Apple’s wireless future.

PayPal is making it super-easy to send friends money, thanks to new Siri support introduced in the company’s iOS app today.

Now you can use voice commands to tell Siri how much money to send, and who to send it to. All you have to do is set up the PayPal app to give Siri access. Here’s how to do it:

As often happens, the best Apple deals we’re seeing this week are on refurbs and older-generation devices.

If you don’t demand the latest/greatest, you can definitely score a bargain on an iPad Air, Apple Watch and other Apple gear in this week’s roundup of best Apple deals.

Apple still hasn’t officially told us when its AirPods will finally become available, but according to one customer, some stores will begin receiving stock next week.

AirPods were originally scheduled to make their debut in October, but since Apple announced a delay, the company has kept quiet about when the wireless headphones will go on sale.

Whether or not the company you work for is based on Mac or PC, chances are they’re using at least part of the Microsoft Office suite. That means that being certified in MS Office makes you that much more qualified for any gig you’re trying to get. The Microsoft Office 2016 Certification Training Bundle offers a comprehensive background in this ubiquitous productivity suite that usually goes for $1,000, but right now you can get the whole bundle for just $39 at Cult of Mac Deals.

The U.S. presidential election left people around the world anxious about the future, but Apple CEO Tim Cook rallied employees yesterday saying we all have to keep moving forward.

In an email to employees, Cook told employees that “Apple’s North Star hasn’t changed.” The Apple CEO invoked the late Martin Luther King Jr. in his note, saying, “We only do great work and improve the world by moving forward.”

Check out the full email:

Trump may be the new president, but with Christmas right around the corner, it’s not all doom and gloom. To get us in the mood and help you find the perfect present for that special someone, Apple today published its 2016 Holiday Gift Guide.

Apple has started selling refurbished models of the 9.7-inch iPad Pro, eight months after the device made its official debut.

Prices start at $509 for a 32GB Wi-Fi model — $90 less than the price of a brand new device — while more expensive options can save you up to $140.

Apple is making it easier to purchase Apple TV apps by giving users the ability to download them remotely from iOS, macOS, and Windows.

Developers can now create iTunes links for these devices that take customers directly to the product page for their tvOS app.

Best List: CalypsoTimeless Cuvette Charging Stand for Apple Watch

When a high-tech accessory doubles as something else I’m always intrigued. In this instance, I’m looking at a charging stand that not only powers up my Apple Watch, but is a great art piece independent of its charging capabilities.

The new MacBook Pro isn’t even in our sweaty palms yet, and already it’s not only broken Apple’s previous pro notebook records, but also generated more revenue than any other notebook released in 2016.

Computers are powerful tools for productivity, but also for distractions. Ironically, computers might also provide a solution for distraction. Brain.fm is a music streaming service that provides a soundtrack tuned to help you focus, relax, or get to sleep. What’s interesting is that all the music is composed by a computer, according to research into how the brain works. It’s like having an AI DJ at home, and right now you can get a lifetime subscription for just $39 at Cult of Mac Deals.

Apple released its second iOS 10.2 beta this week, and while we all got excited for brand new emojis and the TV app, we missed an awesome new feature that’s even more important: Emergency SOS.

Adopted from Apple Watch, Emergency SOS lets you discreetly contact the police in an emergency.

iOS grew 5.2 percent in U.S. marketshare in the third quarter of 2016, thanks to strong demand for the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus.