You don't have to ride a bike to look cool wearing this gorgeous Apple Watch band. Photo: Lululook
If you wear an Apple Watch or you’re thinking about getting one, you should enter our latest giveaway. That way you might win a super-cool and rugged new Lululook Waterproof FKM Sport Band. We’re giving away one orange band and one blue one, and anyone in the world can enter to win through February 10.
The band is designed for the handsome and tough Apple Watch Ultra 2/1, but it fits Series 9 and SE, as well (42mm/44mm/45mm/49mm).
The biggest problem with Vision Pro? It makes the real world boring. Photo: Apple
Apple has a huge problem with the Vision Pro that no one has talked about: It’s highly addictive!
The astonishing visuals that Apple’s new headset pumps directly into your eyeballs make the real world seem dull, according to Nick Bilton, a Vanity Fair reporter who got behind-the-scenes access for a cover story published Thursday.
In fact, Bilton says Vision Pro is “like a drug” that offers a “dopamine hit.” And an unnamed source in Bilton’s story likens the Vision Pro to “tech fentanyl.”
Is this an unannounced 2024 iPad Air? Well, no. Photo: Vanity Fair
Some people think the first picture of Tim Cook wearing a Vision Pro also has a surprise: an iPad that Apple hasn’t released yet. But no. The tablet looks a bit odd, but that’s not because it’s a future one with a new design.
Here are all the reasons AirTags make noise (plus how to stop it). Image: Cult of Mac/Auguras Pipiras/Unsplash
Do AirTags make noise? They don’t look like they make any sound, but yes indeed they do. They make noise for a variety of reasons, and in my experience, it can sometimes be mysterious — or irritating.
What does the setup chime mean?
Why is this AirTag I found beeping?
And how do I stop it?
I have about half a dozen AirTags, my family has about a dozen more, and we use them regularly to find lost or forgotten items.
But they can sometimes be mysterious and the sounds they make aren’t always obvious. Here are all the reasons why it’s beeping at you, and how to stop it. But be warned: it’s not a simple yes/no situation.
A new app lets you sit in a throne room a la "House of the Dragon" on HBO. Photo: Apple
A day ahead of Vision Pro’s release, Apple put a spotlight on more than 600 new “spatial” apps and games made specifically for the headset. They join more than a million Vision Pro-compatible apps Friday in the App Store.
“Apple Vision Pro is unlocking the imaginations of our worldwide developer community, and we’re inspired by the range of spatial experiences they’ve created for this exciting new platform,” said Susan Prescott, Apple’s vice president of worldwide developer relations.
Get the knowledge you need to rack up IT certifications with this $70 super-bundle. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
The Complete 2024 Microsoft Tech Certification Training Super Bundle takes you on a deep dive into the skills and subjects you need to land a job in the IT industry. While finishing this educational bundle alone won’t get you certified, it will set you up for success. Finish the courses, then ace the critical exams to earn the certifications you need.
For one low price, you get unlimited access to 11 courses with 246 hours of material, covering everything from desktop management to Microsoft Azure and Microsoft Teams. And for a limited time, it costs just $69.97.
Rule AI-powered art bots with this $30 e-learning bundle. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
Artificial intelligence tools are making their rounds in the creative world, and next up is AI-powered image generation. Just in time for you to cash in on the craze, this $29.99 e-learning bundle can help you tame these robots and get them to work for you. With a small investment of time and money, you’ll be creating AI art that turns heads.
While these (mostly free) bots typically only need a text prompt to generate content, many nuances affect how well they work at outputting images that meet your requests. So, this course bundle is the right place to start. Well, only if you want to save time and turn your Mac into a complete productivity powerhouse.
Thursday will reveal if Apple's latest earning results snap a long slowdown in revenue. Photo: Cult of Mac
Apple earning results to be announced Thursday will reveal how well the company performed financially during the all-important holiday quarter of 2023. Analysts predict that revenue stayed steady in the October-through-December timeframe compared to the same period of the previous year, but the Mac-maker will announce a jump in earnings per share.
A strong earnings report might stop a recent slide in APPL share values — the stock price dropped about 5% over the last week or so.
This hot-swappable keyboard comes with a choice of many cases. Photo: Drop/Corsair
Drop, owned by gaming powerhouse Corsair, rolled out the compact new CSTM65, a 65% mechanical keyboard, the company said Wednesday. It allows a high degree of personalization much like the larger, recently released CSTM80.
Up to 25 participants on a Webex call won't get lost on your big TV screen. Photo: Cisco
With the launch of a new Webex app designed for Apple TV 4K, you can now use Continuity Camera on your iPhone or iPad to join in Webex calls on your biggest screen with up to 25 participants, Webex owner Cisco said Wednesday.
If you didn't buy an iPad 5 when they came out, here's your chance to save big. Photo: Apple
A great sale at Best Buy brings you one of Apple’s greatest tablets, the iPad Air (5th Generation) at $150 off — no matter which configuration you want. That includes the base 64GB model with Wi-Fi only, up through the 256GB model with Wi-Fi and cellular coverage, and in a choice of five colors. See the deals below.
Give your Apple Watch a touch of class. Photo: Laut
If you’re looking for an Apple Watch band worthy of a black-tie dinner and a dip in the ocean afterward, look no further. The Laut Links Petite Apple Watch Band will suit your needs.
The pretty stainless steel band, which is seawater-resistant, comes in four colors. And it costs only $39.99.
Get the M1 MacBook Air at its all-time low price. Photo: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac
Macs are expensive, but their performance and build quality help justify their steep price tag. But what if you are on a tight budget? Amazon has a deal just for you, knocking a whopping $249.01 off the M1 MacBook Air.
With the discount, the 2020 MacBook Air is available for an all-time low price of $749. If you want to buy a new Mac for cheap, do not miss this deal.
This user chose one 32-inch Dell G3223Q Gaming Monitor over two external displays. Photo: [email protected]
Trend alert: We’re seeing more computer setups cutting down from dual apple studio display setups — or sometimes a few — to one external display. This is no scientific survey, but today’s setup looks like another example of several we’ve seen popping up on social media lately where a user wants to simplify and focus in that way.
And commenters compared the choice of display that remained — a Dell 4K gaming monitor — favorably to Studio Display.
Apple Watch Series 9 too pricey? Try this $39.99 alternative. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
If you don’t want to pay hundreds of dollars for an Apple Watch, but are curious about its benefits, check out this $40 starter smartwatch. The CMax Lite Bluetooth Smartwatch is not as slick as Apple’s device, but it does some of the same things: heart rate monitoring, calorie counting, alarms, weather, calendar and more.
The CMax Lite Bluetooth packs a lot into a low-cost package. For just $39.99, you can pick up a smartwatch to use fitness tracking, maximize your connectivity and give you a little more info about what your body’s doing.
Riley Testut, creator of the original alternative app marketplace. Photo: Riley Testut
iOS developer Riley Testut, the brains behind AltStore (the original alternative App Store), has a great take on Apple’s plans to open up the App Store in the European Union
This is “everything I’ve been wanting for the past few years,” he said after Apple laid out its plans last week. “Even reading the announcement I was tearing up.”
Testut, who lives in Texas, has a vested interest in Apple loosening its grip on the App Store to comply with the EU’s Digital Markets Act. He’s the co-creator of AltStore, a hacky skunkworks project that enables sideloading of iPhone and iPad apps. Now he’s working to transition AltStore into an officially sanctioned app marketplace that complies with Apple’s new rules.
In an exclusive interview with Cult of Mac, Testut talks about the hidden upside for iPhone owners around the world; the downsides of Apple’s strict new framework and fees; and the joys of making AltStore one of the first legit third-party app marketplaces in the EU.
Testut’s take on Apple’s plans for opening up iOS is perhaps the best to date, and well worth a read.
Save $208 on this user-friendly and speedy file-sharing app for Mac. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
Sharing files using services like Dropbox and Google Drive isn’t as easy — or as aesthetically pleasing — as it could be. That’s precisely why Smmall Cloud was started. Once you get the Smmall Cloud Mac app, anytime you need to send a large file to a client, co-worker, student or friend, all you need to do is drag and drop. Yup, it’s that easy!
Right now, you can get a lifetime individual Smmall Cloud plan for just $79.99 (regularly $288). That gets you 50GB of storage, and a fast and easy way to share any files (up to 5GB each) that you stash there.
Does Apple really need a folding iPhone to be successful in 2024? Photo: KJMX
iPhone’s lack of two key features — generative AI and a foldable design — could cause a significant decline in shipments in 2024. TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo says without these advances, the iPhone will fall behind amid a “new paradigm in high-end mobile phone design.”
Kuo cites supply chain sources to back up his predictions. However, there are numerous reasons to doubt his opinion.
★★★★☆
No, NexDock isn't a laptop that runs iPadOS. It's better. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
NexDock lets you easily add a 13-inch external screen, keyboard and trackpad to your iPad or iPhone 15 and make them even more useful. Plus, there are bonus features: The all-in-one accessory recharges the Apple device, and includes a microSD card reader and an additional USB-C port.
I tested the Nex’s NexDock for this review, and found it a great fit for iPad — and a somewhat problematic one for iPhone 15, though a third-party app helps. Here’s why.
You can get a MagSafe Duo wireless charger for iPhone and Apple Watch for 38% off. Photo: Apple
Amazon bargain site Woot! is offering deep discounts, anywhere from 13% to 83% off, on dozens of Apple accessories and a few choice items like Apple Watch Ultra and AirPods Pro — but only until Wednesday at 9:59 p.m. PT.
As of Tuesday morning, one item had sold out and 52 remained, including accessories for iPhone, Apple Watch, AirTag, AirPods and more. See some highlights below.
Vision Pro is a revolutionary product. But will the revolution succeed? Screenshot: Apple
The first reviews of Apple’s Vision Pro gush compliments on the augmented-reality headset, with one reviewer calling it “mind-blowing” and another “stunning.”
However, there’s also plenty of criticism for the high price, weight and slim collection of software available when the product launches later this week.
The X55 charger and stand keeps your iPhone, AirPods and Apple Watch going. Photo: Kuxiu
Need a portable charger to juice up your iPhone, AirPods and Apple Watch pretty much anywhere? Enter our new giveaway! Through January 31, Cult of Mac and Kuxiu offer users worldwide the chance to win a sleek Kuxiu X55 3-in-1 Foldable Magnetic Wireless Charger and Stand.
The little three-way charging stand, which folds up small enough to slip into a pocket, normally retails for $79.99. It and other products are on sale now for Valentine’s Day, but wouldn’t you rather just win one? Enter the giveaway below. X55 stands will go to three lucky winners worldwide.
Take on tax season with this H&R Block bundle, which costs just $29.99. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
Tax season is almost here, but don’t let the stress get to you. If you’re worried about your state or federal filing, why not simplify the whole process with a tool from a reliable tax-prep organization? With this H&R Block tax software, you get tools to streamline your state and federal filing from start to finish.
Normally $49, it’s priced at only $29.99 for a limited time. Act now to ease your way into your big tax return (so you can spend it on a Vision Pro headset).