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Protect yourself online with a lifetime subscription of TigerVPN for 96% off [Deals]

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TigerVPN encryption protects your browsing from sneaky data thieves anywhere in the world.
TigerVPN encryption protects your browsing from sneaky data thieves anywhere in the world.

The web is a weird and wonderful place that’s also crawling with sneaks out to snatch your data. One of the best ways to keep those creeps at bay is to encrypt your browsing activity, and that’s exactly what TigerVPN does. Right now a lifetime subscription to TigerVPN is just $29, a whopping 96% off the regular price.

This car charger is so tiny you won’t even know it’s there

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The reVOLT and reVOLT Dual are designed to quickly charge your Apple devices in your car.
The reVOLT and reVOLT Dual are designed to quickly charge your Apple devices in your car.
Photo: SCOSCHE

While preparing to move to another city, I recently came across my very first car charger. It was the size of a brick, about as heavy, and in the middle of it was a fuse. With it, me and my ’98 Malibu were unstoppable – unless, of course, the fuse blew.

So it is with amazement and amusement I write about a product that claims to be the world’s smallest and most powerful car charger. The reVOLT and reVOLT Dual by SCOSCHE offers 12 watts of power sitting flush in your car’s power socket.

Apple is in talks to become a wireless carrier

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The iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s plus are coming on September 18th, according to German carriers.
The iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s plus are coming on September 18th, according to German carriers.
Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

The absolute worst part of buying an iPhone every year is having to deal with AT&T and Verizon in order to qualify for Apple’s latest device. That could soon be a thing of the past, though, as Apple is looking to launch its own wireless network so users wouldn’t have to deal with traditional carriers any longer.

Fertility wearable lets you know when it’s go time

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This ear piece by YONO Labs helps women record Basal Body Temperature for fertility tracking.
This ear piece by YONO Labs helps women record Basal Body Temperature for fertility tracking.
Photo: YONO Labs

There are fertility deities, dances, stones, herbs and masks. Every culture has rites and rituals that try to improve the chances of a woman getting pregnant.

Tech culture, too, tries to influence the forces of fertility with gadgets and smartphone apps to create ovulation calculators, period calendars and temperature trackers. But you still need the discipline of consistent record keeping for them to work.

The startup company, YONO Labs, has developed an ear piece that records BBT, Basal Body Temperature, and other body and hormonal symptoms while a woman sleeps. When she wakes, the device gets docked and the data gets stored in an iOS or Android app for your smartphone.

Best List: This stealth speaker is a Power Mac’s Mini-Me and more

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Each month, Lust List rounds up the gear that gives us a fever of 103. August's secret rendezvous includes a stealthy Bluetooth speaker, a smartwatch that's not made by Apple, sweet Star Wars headphones and much more.

 HiddenRadio2 Bluetooth speaker


This stealthy little speaker would look right at home next to an inky-black Mac Pro. While most Bluetooth speakers go for a rugged, sporty look — hell, this year's cutest model even comes with a pool-ready float — the HiddenRadio2 will really class up the joint.


The secret is the glossy black dome that slides up an inch when you touch the top of the HiddenRadio2. A sensor in the sleek cover lets you adjust your music's volume, jump between tracks or answer phone calls, with nary a button to be seen. It's not the loudest speaker you'll ever hear, and at just 5 inches tall and 3.5 inches wide, it's not designed to pump out the bass like bigger speakers.


Instead, it's all about subtlety, clean lines and that aforementioned class. The audio is crisp and vibrant, whether you're streaming AC/DC or a Bartok cello concerto, and the utterly clutter-free design makes the HiddenRadio2 truly remarkable. Currently on sale for $179, it comes in glossy black, platinum silver and a pricier gunmetal. It'll bring a smile to your face every time you fire it up, and I can't wait till the promised apps (for iOS and Android) arrive to give HiddenRadio2 even more subtle powers. — Lewis Wallace


Buy from: Hidden

Each month, Lust List rounds up the gear that gives us a fever of 103. August's secret rendezvous includes a stealthy Bluetooth speaker, a smartwatch that's not made by Apple, sweet Star Wars headphones and much more.

HiddenRadio2 Bluetooth speaker

This stealthy little speaker would look right at home next to an inky-black Mac Pro. While most Bluetooth speakers go for a rugged, sporty look — hell, this year's cutest model even comes with a pool-ready float — the HiddenRadio2 will really class up the joint.

The secret is the glossy black dome that slides up an inch when you touch the top of the HiddenRadio2. A sensor in the sleek cover lets you adjust your music's volume, jump between tracks or answer phone calls, with nary a button to be seen. It's not the loudest speaker you'll ever hear, and at just 5 inches tall and 3.5 inches wide, it's not designed to pump out the bass like bigger speakers.

Instead, it's all about subtlety, clean lines and that aforementioned class. The audio is crisp and vibrant, whether you're streaming AC/DC or a Bartok cello concerto, and the utterly clutter-free design makes the HiddenRadio2 truly remarkable. Currently on sale for $179, it comes in glossy black, platinum silver and a pricier gunmetal. It'll bring a smile to your face every time you fire it up, and I can't wait till the promised apps (for iOS and Android) arrive to give HiddenRadio2 even more subtle powers. — Lewis Wallace

Buy from: Hidden


Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac

Bye-bye bendgate: iPhone 6s is going to be thicker than predecessor

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iphone_6s_leak_steve_2_632x304x32_expand
The new iPhone could be Apple's biggest yet. Literally.
Photo: uSwitch/@OnLeaks

We already know that, as is usual for incremental iPhone “s” releases, the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus won’t differ too much from the iPhone 6 or 6 Plus in terms of external design.

However, according to some new CAD design renders from the usually-reliable @OnLeaks, the next-generation iPhone is set to be a little thicker than the current model handsets.

The iPhone 6s will measure 7.1mm thick — 0.2mm thicker than the iPhone 6 — while the iPhone 6s Plus will be 7.mm thick, compared to the 7.1mm iPhone 6 Plus.

iPhone survives 9,300-foot plunge from airplane

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beech_bonanza_a36
Beechcraft Bonanza airplanes apparently aren't iPhone-friendly.
Photo: Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association

The iPhone may not yet sport an ultra-tough sapphire display, but don’t think Apple’s handsets are by any means delicate.

A 74-year-old Texas businessman recently expressed his amazement after his iPhone fell 9,300 feet during a flight from Houston — and miraculously survived.

Dr. Dre’s first album in 16 years will be an Apple Music exclusive

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Apple's most eagerly-anticipated exclusive yet?
Apple's most eagerly-anticipated exclusive yet?
Photo: Apple/Dr. Dre

Apple Music may have come under fire from big-name Apple commentators but you can’t say that the service hasn’t delivered when it comes to artist exclusives.

Over the weekend, Dr. Dre announced on his Beats 1 show The Pharmacy what, for long-time hip-hop fans, may be the most exciting exclusive of all: His first album since 1999’s The Chronic 2001 is debuting on Apple Music and iTunes this Friday.

Apple wants Siri to take your voicemails in iOS 10

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siri
Siri is set to become useful than ever in 2016.
Photo: Cult of Mac

Siri is looking for a way to stop you ever having to listen to your voicemails again, according to a new report.

Apple is reportedly testing a new smart voicemail feature which, among other innovations, would allow Siri to answer your calls and then transcribe the voicemails as text messages.

Cult of Mac Magazine: Welcome to the new site, plus Apple TV’s big update

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In case you hadn't noticed, Cult of Mac's got a new look!
In case you hadn't noticed, Cult of Mac's got a new look!
Cover: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

We have the technology. We can make the Cult of Mac website better than it was. Better, stronger, faster.

We can and we did (and it didn’t cost us $6 million, either). In this week’s issue of Cult of Mac Magazine for iPhone and iPad, you’ll get the scoop on our website’s redesign, plus updates on Apple TV, opinions on Apple Watch and some totally disarming selfies.

iPad Pro hopes, Woz fears Skynet, and British bar fights on The CultCast

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It all started with Stella Artois...
It all started with Stella Artois...
Photo: By Charles F. Price

This week: why we might be in for big iPad upgrades this year; our expectations for the iPhone 6C; the one feature we hope iPhone 6S will get (but probably won’t); Woz is worried about Skynet again; and… is Apple building a machine for time travel? You’ll have to press play to find out…

Our thanks to HipChat for supporting this episode. HipChat’s team communication app helps all teams work together more effectively, and gets you the information you need faster than email. Get HipChat Plus free for 90 days at hipchat.com/cultofmac.

Show notes ahead, and they’re excellent.

Why you’re stupid if you don’t use Safari on your MacBook

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The results are in: you're stupid if you don't switch to Safari on your MacBook.
The results are in: you're stupid if you don't switch to Safari on your MacBook.
Photo: BatteryBox

We’ve seen before that changing from Chrome to Safari can make a big difference on your Mac’s battery life.

But if you haven’t switched from Chrome or Firefox to Safari yet, this fact might change your mind: If you’re a MacBook user, you’re losing an average of one hour of total battery life by using anything but Safari.

Why you may run into trouble if you try to switch running apps

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It's not always easy to switch running apps.
It's not always easy to switch running apps.
Photo: Graham Bower/Cult of Mac

Using a running app to log your workouts is a great way to track your progress and stay motivated. But have you considered who actually owns the workout data you are logging?

If you ever decide to switch apps, you might be in for a surprise. While some services, like Strava, make it easy to transfer your data, with others it can be difficult or even impossible.

5 things to do with your obsolete Apple TV

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It isn't going to control itself. Well, not before The Singularity, anyway.
Even with an improved Apple TV coming this fall, your current set-top box won't be totally useless.
Photo: Apple

Editor’s note: This is a humor piece. If you are looking for legitimate uses for your old Apple TV, you might want to read this article instead: “9 practical uses for your obsolete Apple TV.”

All rumors and speculation point to a brand new model of the Apple TV – and it’s about time. It should be complete with better hardware and finally its own App Store.

You might be hoping for a software update that will bring the App Store to your current Apple TV, but it’s not likely. Apple could pretty easily claim that older models don’t have the hardware to support it. You’re probably thinking your current set-top box will soon be totally obsolete, but if that’s your mentality, fear not. Here are five things you can do with your Apple TV when it becomes old news in September.

Apple Watch demand not enough for suppliers to break even

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Are Apple Watch expectations just too high?
Are Apple Watch expectations just too high?
Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac

Apple told investors earlier this month that sales of the Apple Watch have far exceeded its own internal expectations, but some of the companies that are making parts for the new wearable are claiming that they can’t even break even because demand is so weak.

Taiwan’s Advanced Semiconductor Engineering (ASE) which makes the system-in-package case that contains Apple Watch’s array of sensors and chips, told investors during a conference call that it still hasn’t reached “break even volume” of two million units per month.

Finally, a way to make Macs and PCs play nice

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NTFS for Mac breaks down the barriers between Windows and OS X -- and you could win a copy!
Photo: Paragon Software Group

This post is brought to you by Paragon Software Group, maker of NTFS for Mac.

It’s an unfortunate truth that Macs and PCs generally don’t get along. Snickering ads aside, the discord between the platforms is a real inconvenience for anyone trying to make the jump from one to the other, or for people who work with both at the same time.

Luckily, software can help — and you can enter to win a three-in-one bundle that helps bridge the Mac-PC divide.