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Apple Watch SE 2 is even more affordable after a $60 discount

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Apple Watch SE 2 in yellow.
The Apple Watch SE 2 is irresistible after a big $60 discount.
Photo: Apple

Want an Apple Watch but not looking to spend a lot? Amazon’s fantastic deal will save you $60 on the Apple Watch SE (2nd gen), bringing the price down to $189. This makes the Cupertino company’s budget smartwatch even more affordable.

You can get a similar $60 off the 44mm Apple Watch SE variant, which means you can grab it for as low as $219.

OLED iPad Pro won’t cost an arm and a leg

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OLED iPad mockup
Apple isn't about to price the OLED iPad Pro out of the reach of most consumers.
Photo: Cult of Mac

Early reports may have overstated the cost increase resulting from adding an OLED display to the first iPad Pro. New information indicates the price jump will be less than half of what had been previously rumored.

The high-end tablet is expected to launch in March/April.

Get a pro-grade USB mic for less than $48

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Improve your podcasts or livestreams with this $48 JLab US microphone.
Take $100 off this versatile USB mic from Lab with 4 directional modes.
Photo: Take $100 off this versatile USB mic from JLab that offers four directional modes.

Podcasters, game streamers, vloggers and all other types of content creators realize how crucial it is to invest in quality audio gear. But getting a great USB microphone can cost far less than you might think.

At just $47.99 (regularly $149), this USB microphone from JLab proves that you don’t need to break the bank to sound like a true professional.

Get to know Usher before his Super Bowl halftime show

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Usher at Apple's Super Bowl halftime show
If you didn't already know all about Usher, you will now.
Photo: Apple

Before Usher plays the Apple Music Super Bowl LVIII Halftime Show on Sunday in Las Vegas, Apple made sure everyone knows all about the R&B superstar Monday with word of a press conference coming on Thursday and a host of Usher tunes and information available now on Apple Music, including the artists “My Road to Halftime” playlist.

iPhone 16 renders bring latest leaks to life

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iPhone 16 renders bring latest leaks to life
This might be a very early image of iPhone 16 in green
Image: Majin Bu

The iPhone 16 camera bump will shrink considerably, according to new CAD renders that supposedly show the future device. The customizable Action button from the iPhone 15 Pro models will appear on entry-level iPhones as well.

In addition, simulated images based on the renders show possible color options for the upcoming handset.

iPad shipments drop 30% in year with no new tablets

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iPad Pro, iPad Air, iPad
iPad shipments plummeted in 2023, but it's not hard to figure out why. And the fix is on the way.
Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac

2023 wasn’t a good year for iPad. Shipments dropped 19.8% versus 2022, and Q4 was even worse, according to a market-research firm. This comes after Apple went over a year without releasing any iPad models.

But leaks point to multiple new iPadOS tablets coming soon.

MagMount keeps iPhone secure and easy to see behind the wheel

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MagMount for iPhone 12
Made from sturdy aluminum that keeps iPhone safe.
Photo: SwitchEasy

Use your iPhone for turn-by-turn navigation while you’re on the road? Keep it secure and easy to see with a MagSafe car mount like the handy and affordable MagMount from SwitchEasy — available now from the Cult of Mac Store.

Available in two variants, the magnetic car mount attaches to your windshield or your car’s air vents. Then, it uses strong magnets to safely hold onto your iPhone. Thanks to MagSafe compatibility, it works with iPhone 12 and newer. But even if you don’t own a MagSafe model, MagMount can work for you. Just grab an affordable MagDoka disc to get in on the magnetic fun.

EarFun’s new hi-res wireless earbuds are a steal at $50 [Review] ★★★★☆

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EarFun Air 2 True Wireless Earbuds★★★★☆
For $50, you can't go wrong with EarFun Air 2 earbuds.
Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac

Released Monday, EarFun’s new Air 2 wireless earbuds are damned good for $50, even without noise cancellation. It’s a testament to how far earbuds have come that you can get Hi-Res Audio-certified wireless buds for so little money.

That said, I wouldn’t throw away your AirPods Pro 2 buds just yet.

Master digital marketing and SEO for less than $40

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Get access to expert SEO and digital marketing courses for less than $40.
Stay on top of the latest SEO and marketing trends with Education Cloud Plus.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

If you want to succeed at digital marketing, you need to master social media, search engine optimization and stay on top of other technical aspects of modern communication. You can spend tons of money on that type of training, or tons of hours trying to learn online. But Education Cloud Plus, a bundle of marketing courses from Squirrly, can show you the ropes and keep you current for one low price.

For a limited time, you can get more than 40 courses on SEO and digital marketing for less than $40 (regularly $399). It’s a fast, easy and affordable way to learn the skills and tricks that professional marketers utilize to succeed.

Vision Pro teardown gives a look inside Apple’s $3,499 headset

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Vision Pro teardown
Vision Pro gets the teardown treatment.
Photo: iFixit

An Apple Vision Pro teardown shows the complicated combination of screens, cameras and other high-end components inside the $3,499 headset. The hardware required just to produce the creepy (and much-maligned) EyeSight feature is somewhat staggering.

Like other Apple products, getting inside the Vision Pro is not easy. You will need a heat gun, a prying tool, multiple screwdrivers and lots of patience.

This AI content generator can save you time and money

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This $100 AI content generator could save you time and money.
Save time generating long-form content with this half-price AI writer.
Image: Cult of Mac Deals

Good writing takes a lot of time, and hiring a freelancer can bust your budget. But that doesn’t mean you’re out of options. With AI content generator Wordplay, you can produce long-form written content for your website in seconds. And a lifetime subscription is now only $89.97 (regularly $199).

Apple Vision Pro unboxing and first impressions

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Unboxing Vision Pro
Unboxing the Vision Pro.
Photo: Lyle Kahney/Cult of Mac

Steve Jobs designed the Apple unboxing experience as a careful process of introducing the customer to an unfamiliar product. And the Vision Pro unboxing is no different.

You don’t just rip the product from its box like a kid at Christmas! You carefully unpack it, examining each component as you go. The idea is to gradually show the customer the parts of the product and give them an idea of how they work together. An Apple unboxing is a very carefully thought-out process and ritual.

And, as you’d expect, the Vision Pro unboxing proceeds just as Apple intended. The new spatial computing headset is sleek, premium and very luxurious. This is no Fisher-Price View-Master.

And as for Vision Pro first impressions after using the headset for a few hours? I was originally skeptical of AR headsets after using a Meta Quest 3 and not liking it much at all. But I’m now a zealous convert. I may never take this thing off!

Vision Pro reviews: The good, the bad, the ugly, the insane! [The CultCast]

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Apple Vision Pro reviews on The CultCast episode 632. In the image, a man wears one of the new headsets.
The reviews are in!
Photo: Apple

This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: A new round of Apple Vision Pro reviews gives us greater insight into what to expect from the high-priced headset. Is it utterly mind-blowing? Clunky and weird? So addictive that we’re doomed to a flat life in the boring 2D world when we take it off? Some might compare the experience to a sci-fi vision, much like James Cameron’s addictive Apple Vision Pro experience.

Sounds like all of the above!

Also on The CultCast:

  • A rundown of new features coming soon to iOS 17.
  • A respected analyst says iPhone can’t compete without these two key features … but at least one of them is nowhere in sight!
  • Is that an unreleased iPad in a Vision Pro cover story?
  • We’re giving away two rugged and waterproof Apple Watch bands from Lululook for all you sporty types.

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.

Why you absolutely should get an Apple Vision Pro demo

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A fat old guy getting a demo of Apple Vision Pro at an Apple retail store.
The store demo of Apple Vision Pro is wonderful. I urge you to get one.
Photo: Lyle Kahney/Cult of Mac

SAN FRANCISCO — I demoed the Vision Pro at the Apple Store here on Chestnut Street. It’s the most impressive tech product I’ve ever seen. It makes the iPhone seem like a primitive stone tablet. It’s amazingly intuitive, works literally like magic, and is incredibly emotional. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever experienced.

You don’t have to buy a Vision Pro, but you absolutely must go to a store and get a free demo. We put together a video (below) that will show you what to expect from your Vision Pro demo.

Original games for adults and kids launch on Apple Arcade

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'BEAST: Bio Exo Arena Suit Team' is a shooter designed for kids and adults to enjoy.
BEAST: Bio Exo Arena Suit Team is a shooter designed for young and old to enjoy.
Photo: Oh BiBi/Apple Arcade

February brings BEAST: Bio Exo Arena Suit Team, a 3v3 online action game with animal heroes piloting powerful mechanized armor, to Apple Arcade.

Adults might prefer Words in Progress, a puzzle game, which is also newly available for iPhone, Mac and more.

Welcome Home, Franklin special gives backstory on beloved Peanuts character [Updated]

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'Snoopy Presents: Welcome Home, Franklin' on Apple TV+.
Snoopy Presents: Welcome Home, Franklin races onto Apple TV+ in February.
Photo: Apple TV+

Snoopy Presents: Welcome Home, Franklin shows how Franklin joined the Peanuts gang. The special will debut on Apple TV+ in mid-February.

Apple released the trailer on Friday so fans can take an early look.

Also this winter, Apple’s streaming service will release season two of Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock from the Jim Henson Company. The second season of Sago Mini Friends came out, too.

Juice your Apple gear at top speed with this $64.99 travel charger

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Get power for 3 devices at blinding speed with this $64.99 charger.
Take this ultra-fast, 3-device charger anywhere for under $65.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

If you’ve ever forgotten to put your phone on the charger at night (and who hasn’t?), you know how much it can throw off the entire next day. The pace of modern life doesn’t leave a lot of room for empty batteries to catch up, but now there’s a portable/travel charger that can make up for lost time: The Omnia X6i 66-watt compact wall charger.

It’s small, it packs three charging ports, and it even comes with international adapters to make your travels easier. Plus, it’s on sale for just $64.99.

Cool Vision Pro apps, concepts and experiences available on day one

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An example of an Apple Vision Pro app.
Ready to get your mind blown? Check out these Vision Pro apps and demos first.
Image: Apple

If you’re gonna spend $3,500 on a face-hugging computer, you’ll want to get your money’s worth of mind-blowing experiences. For that, you’ll need the best Vision Pro apps available on day one.

Here are some of the coolest apps, concepts and use cases we’ve seen so far:

All the Disney+ 3D movies you can watch on Vision Pro

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Disney+ 3D movies on Vision Pro
Disney+ has 42 movies in stunning 3D for you to experience on Vision Pro.
Photo: Disney

Now that Apple’s Vision Pro is out, Disney let everyone know Friday exactly which 3D films are available to watch on the headset. There are 42 different Disney+ 3D movies on Vision Pro at launch. The mix includes Star Wars and Marvel movies, as well as Disney’s celebrated animated fare.

And because of the immersive qualities of Vision Pro experiences like Environments, watching these 3D flicks could be pretty mind-blowing.

Apple eyes 8-inch folding iPad for possible 2026 launch

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AI rendering of a folding iPad.
Apple's working on a folding iPad and it could look like this rendering from Midjourney.
Render: Midjourney/Lewis Wallace

The first foldable device from Apple could be a 7-inch or 8-inch iPad, according to an unconfirmed report coming from Asia.

The potential tablet would be an iPad mini that could fold down small enough to easily slip into a pants pocket.

MacBook Pro rig rocks Sonos sound system [Setups]

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Sonos One SL speakers in MacBook Pro setup
The Sonos sound system consist of Sonos One SL speakers on the desk and a Sonos Beam soundbar behind the user's seat (not shown).
Photo: [email protected]

Sonos audio products are popular for a reason — they sound great and they’re not too far from affordable. Today’s MacBook Pro and Studio Display user thinks the monitor’s built-in speakers are good for many uses, but when they really want the big sound — for gaming, it turns out — they’re all about their Sonos One SL speakers and Sonos Beam soundbar.

Indie record labels say Apple’s Spatial Audio payment plan will hurt them

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Spatial Audio
Spatial Audio from Dolby Atmos technology creates surround-sound.
Photo: Apple

Independent record labels say Apple’s recent promise to pay 10% more for Dolby Atmos tracks in Spatial Audio will take money away from them and give it to major labels and their stars, according to a new report Friday.

“It’s literally going to take the money out of independent labels and their artists, to benefit the biggest companies in the marketplace,” said a senior executive at one of the bigger independent record companies.