This well-equipped setup features an Audio-Technica microphone with shock mount on an Elgato arm. Photo: [email protected]
If you want to sound good on video calls or podcasts, you need a good mic like the Audio-Technica AT2020USB+ Microphone with shock mount in today’s MacBook Pro setup. And the user can move it around easily enough because he places it on a low-profile Elgato microphone arm.
For the absolute best deal, you have to get the pink ones. But other colors are marked down, too. Photo: Apple
Apple’s vaunted AirPods Max noise-canceling over-ear headphones list for a wallet-bruising $549. They’re sometimes discounted a bit, but not usually like today’s deal on Amazon: $382.70, or 30% off. But it looks like you have to get the pink ones to grab the best deal. Or you could find lesser discounts on other colors, or even opt for the still-deeply-discounted Beats Studio Pro.
Any devices you use online can benefit from a VPN, including Macs and iPhones. Photo: Dan Nelson/Unsplash License
VPNs are beneficial for gamers and streaming viewers, but they also enhance security and ensure privacy while you’re online, making them useful for all internet users.
Below we look at whether Mac users need to use a VPN device. We also provide information for those questioning VPN safety and wanting to how to choose a service that improves online security and privacy. One big question many users have is whether a free service offers the kind of protection you’re looking for while online. According to software reviews expert Aleksander Stevanovic, free VPNs don’t necessarily enhance security but might actually compromise your system. So, should you use a paid alternative? Let’s find out.
Upgrade your home office set up with these PC devices, starting at $185. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
PC deals alert! While we’re firmly on Team Apple, it’s hard to suggest that PCs don’t hold their own, especially in terms of processing power versus price. Whether you’re an Apple fan who relies on a PC to play games more effortlessly or a professional who wants to ensure their work device is compatible with PCs at the office, we have a few PC deals that might give your Mac a run for its money.
Sunny is an Apple TV+ mystery/thriller/dark comedy Photo: Apple TV+
Sunny, a mystery thriller with a darkly comic bent starring Rashida Jones and a robot, quickly became one of the most popular shows on streaming after premiering on Apple TV+ earlier in July.
But it’s not even the most-watched Apple series. That honor belongs to the crime drama Presumed Innocent, which has drawn a big audience for weeks.
The BSOD is often the first indication that a Windows user is about to have a very bad day. Screenshot: Microsoft
A faulty Windows security update crashed Windows computers across the world on Friday. Any PC that installed the update got hit with the infamous Windows Blue Screen of Death, leading to planes being grounded, disruptions at banks, stores that can’t make transactions, and many more problems.
As a macOS user, there’s no reason for you to feel left out. You can install the BSOD as a wallpaper on your Mac and pretend to join in.
Versions of the Eve Weather station have you covered for HomeKit use, with or without a hub. Photo: Eve Systems
A new version of the Eve Weather Connected Weather Station supports the Matter home-automation standard even as the company maintains a HomeKit-only version for those without a Matter hub, Eve Systems said Thursday. Eve Weather keeps you informed of conditions outside and can interact with HomeKit and other platforms to set automations. That could include adjusting the thermostat and turning on lights, or even telling Siri to do so.
"Boundless" premieres with Hot Air Balloons,” transporting viewers to Cappadocia, Türkiye. Photo: Apple
Apple unveiled a slate of new Immersive Videos for Vision Pro in the form of series and films Thursday. So users of the AR/VR headset are in for some new audio-visual treats. And some are available now.
“Apple Immersive Video is a groundbreaking leap forward for storytelling, offering Apple Vision Pro users remarkable experiences with an unparalleled sense of realism and immersion,” said Tor Myhren, Apple’s vice president of Marketing Communications.
The user has lots of external displays. But he considers the overarching desk lamp crucial. Photo: [email protected]
The computer setup we feature today sports a powerful Mac Studio desktop computer and an impressive phalanx of external displays, yet commenters’ attention focused mainly on the monitor light. It’s actually an EppieBasic LED Desk Lamp rather than a typical monitor light bar, but it serves the same purposes. The user obliged commenters and explained why he loves it.
Prime Day is over but the savings haven't stopped. Image: Tamanna Rumee/Unsplash License/Modified by Cult of Mac
Amazon Prime Day officially ran July 16 and 17, but it’s not over yet, as Amazon extended many big bargains on Apple products. Tons of goods from Apple and others are discounted. See our selection of the best deals on AirPods (and Apple subsidiary Beats), AirTags, Apple Watch, iPads, MacBooks, Mac mini and more below. Return to this page for updates (and beware that deals can change suddenly with supply fluctuations, so you may click through to find updated pricing or sold-out items in some cases).
UPDATE: Amazon extended a host of Prime Day deals on Apple products into Thursday and Friday and even into Saturday, so you can still shop many of the items below! Items with full strikethroughs represent deals no longer available.
Head to CdkeySales.com to score major savings on Microsoft software (and use code CULT to save an additional 30%). Photo: CdkeySales.com
This year’s CdkeySales Back to School Sale just launched, which means you and your family can score big discounts on Microsoft software and get to know your new software before classes begin. It’s your chance to nab surprisingly low prices on productivity software like Windows and Microsoft Office. That includes Windows 10 Pro for just $17.05 — and a free upgrade comes with it! Or you can cut straight to the chase and get Windows 11 Pro for only $22.71.
You will find remarkably low prices at software activation keys provider CdkeySales.com now and throughout the year. To get the most savings, enter promo code CULT. That cuts an additional 30% off the site’s low prices on genuine software keys. And don’t forget: When you buy Windows 10, you get a free upgrade to Windows 11!
This series starring Natalie Portman and Moses Ingram looks a lot weirder than expected. Photo: Apple TV+
At first glance a Baltimore crime story set in 1966, the limited series Lady in the Lake soon turns into a surreal nightmare, as shown in the trailer Apple TV+ dropped for it recently. As the streamer said in press materials, the show, starring Natalie Portman and Moses Ingram, turns into a “feverish noir thriller and an unexpected tale about the price women pay for their dreams.”
So it’s a bizarre and arresting trailer. It includes “live performances” that are like fever dreams. The seven-part series debuts with its first two episodes on Friday, July 19.
Update: The new Apple TV+ drama series Lady in the Lake is now streaming, as of Friday. Reviews look a bit mixed — with some offering high praise for Portman in her TV debut — but you should see for yourself and watch the new show here.
The dreaded BSOD struck thousands of Windows machines globally after a faulty CrowdStrike update. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Many thousands of Windows computers are showing the Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) at boot today, impacting banks, airlines, TV broadcasters, supermarkets and many more businesses worldwide, according to reports. A faulty Windows security update from CrowdStrike knocked affected PCs and servers offline, forcing them into a recovery boot loop so machines can’t start properly. Note that the outage, causing headaches for IT admins everywhere, does not affect Mac or Linux machines.
Master the must-know video editing software with this affordable bundle. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
Learning to edit video can be exciting because of all the tools available to you. However, it also can be daunting for beginners. You could trial-and error your way through the basics with apps like After Effects and Davinci Resolve, or you could get a little help from the pros with this video editing training bundle.
The 2024 Video Editing Master Class Bundle is a collection of guides for some of the biggest video editing apps around. It covers Adobe After Effects, Canva, Davinci Resolve, CapCut and Filmora. And it’s on sale right now: You can get the whole thing while it’s marked down to just $50.
Pass every major CompTIA exam with 262 hours of prep for $49.97. Photo: StackCommerce
Featuring 15 full-length video courses, the Complete 2024 CompTIA Certification Training Bundle by Idunova provides a quality IT education online. You can pick it up today for only $49.97 from Cult of Mac Deals.
The Underdogs are back, and using laughs to demonstrate using Apple computers while traveling. Image: Apple
Instead of an ordinary video demonstrating how useful MacBooks, iPads and iPhones are on a business trip, Apple presents another madcap adventure of the Underdogs.
The group is off to Thailand to have millions of boxes produced for their most difficult client, and everything possible goes wrong. Fortunately, it’s Apple gear to the rescue.
Apple's temporary addition of hit movies recently went well. Now the streamer is talking to Hollywood studios to license more. Photo: Apple
Here’s some good news for those who loved it when Apple TV+ recently added dozens of Hollywood films to its library (temporarily): The streamer is in talks to license more titles from major studios, according to a new report. So Apple TV+ may add Hollywood movies — maybe in huge numbers — soon enough.
User-friendly and AI-integrated Afirstsoft PDF makes working with PDF files easy. And you can get a great deal on it. Photo: Afirstsoft PDF
Apple fans are just like everybody else. In a world filled with digital documents, job applications and more, we often need to deal with PDF files. But instead of spending a ton of money on big-name software, or hunting around for severely limited free apps, wouldn’t you rather try the efficient and effective Afirstsoft PDF app for Apple users?
At a quarter the annual cost of Adobe Acrobat, Afirstsoft PDF helps you view, annotate, edit, convert, scan and organize PDF files. And its artificial intelligence feature analyzes and summarizes PDF files for you in seconds. Even better, you can use it across Mac, iPhone and iPad with ease (Windows and Android, too). And you can save even more money with special discounts for new users (see below).
The completely revamped Beats Pill speaker catches the eye in black, red and gold color options. Photo: Apple
The recent return of the iconic Beats Pill portable Bluetooth speaker wasn’t just a typical product update, but a complete overhaul to help cement Beats’ identity as a premium-products subsidiary of the iPhone giant, according to a new interview with Apple executives.
“We wanted to do something special with the Pill and completely re-architect and reimagine it,” said Oliver Schusser, Apple VP of Apple Music, Apple TV+, Sports and Beats. “It wasn’t a case [of] let’s swap out one or two things. We really wanted a complete refresh. This is a completely new product inside, and outside as well.”
This inexpensive travel charger is perfect if you're still riding the Lightning. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
If you’re not yet all in on USB-C, the Waloo Portable Foldable Charging Dock is a great way to keep your iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods topped off at home or on the road. The compact multi-charger comes with two built-in Lightning connectors and an Apple Watch charging puck. It’s a little bigger than your iPhone, folds flat for easy transport, and costs a shockingly low $14.99.
Apple TV+ garnered no less than six dozen Emmy nominations. Photo: The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences/Ste Smith/Cult of Mac
The Apple TV+ streaming service earned more Emmy Award nominations than it ever has before. There were 72 noms for 16 different shows, including The Morning Show, Palm Royale, Lessons in Chemistry, Slow Horses, Loot, Hijack and many more.
“We are so thankful to the Television Academy for honoring our storytellers with a record number of Emmy nominations today,” said Jamie Erlicht, Apple’s head of Worldwide Video.
TinyPod is an Apple Watch case that turns the wearable into a pseudo iPod, scroll wheel and all. Photo: TinyPod
An innovative case that turns your Apple Watch into a pseudo iPod is now available to order for $79.99. The tinyPod is a clever case that houses your Apple Watch, turning it into a music player you carry in your pocket rather than strapped to your wrist.
Plus, since it’s an Apple Watch rather than an actual iPod, it comes with some features that Apple’s groundbreaking MP3 player never did.
No, Apple Intelligence is not trained on YouTube videos. Photo: Apple
Apple has rejected reports of training Apple Intelligence and its AI model on YouTube videos without the creators’ consent. The company says OpenELM, its open language model, does not power Apple Intelligence.
Instead, it created OpenELM as a way to contribute to the development of open source large language models.
Unlike Google Drive, with FolderFort, you only pay once, and you’re set for life. And when it comes to pricing, there’s no comparison. Google Drive charges nearly half that much per year, for one-fifth the storage. And Apple One bundles — which admittedly add in things like Apple TV+ and Apple Music — cost even more.