Powerful new desktop speakers put on light show, charge gadgets

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Edifier QR65 active speakers
Edifier's new desktop speakers put on a light show and charge gadgets.
Photo: Edifier

Edifier’s new QR65 Active Monitor Speakers pack 70 watts of power with hi-res audio certification, put on a light show and act as a fast gallium nitride (GaN) charger for your other gadgets, too.

And the value-oriented Chinese audio brand brings all that and more across for $369 per pair.

How to tag photos on iPhone with people and pets

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Tag Your Friends And Family
Despite what my hairline would imply, Craig Federighi is not family. Just friend.
Image: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

You can quickly tag photos on your iPhone with the names of your friends, family members and pets so you can easily find pictures of them later on. The Photos app will detect pictures of people automatically — you just need to give them a name.

If you want to fine-tune the results, I’ll show you how to do that. And now in iOS 17, you can even tag pets (cats and dogs) in your photos.

Get up to half off great Soundcore headphones and earbuds

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Half off Soundcore earbuds and headphones, like Q45 ANC over-ear headphones with carrying case
These cans for $100? That's a good deal.
Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac

It’s that time of year again, when Amazon puts on its Big Spring Sale. And this year’s edition gets you between 20% and 51% off a great selection of 22 Soundcore headphones and earbuds. That’s up to about half off Soundcore headphones and earbuds.

It’ll be tough to find better deals on the Anker subsidiary’s excellent audio products, which are packed with value even at regular prices.

Bluetti’s tough new portable power station resists dust and rain

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Bluetti AC240 power station
The new AC240 power station resists dust and water.
Photo: Bluetti

Power products provider Bluetti hopes to keep your outdoor adventures going in all conditions with its latest innovation, the Bluetti AC240 Weatherproof Portable Power Station. It features an IP65 rating for water and dust resistance, a big help for campers, first responders and others caught in the elements.

SPONSORED
This post is brought to you by Bluetti.

Scheduled for launch on April 2, the powerhouse also provides increased power, quicker charging, innovative parallel connection and other improvements over its predecessor.

Smackdown: Magic Mouse vs. Logitech MX Master 3 [Setups]

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Magic Mouse vs. Logitech MX Master 3
This Mac Studio setup with dual Studio Displays sparked a mouse fight.
Photo: FaithlessnessDry387@Reddit.com

Sometimes a setup post on social media can express a common problem or disagreement quite well. Today’s Mac Studio and dual-Studio Display rig is pretty good example, showing the divide between users of Magic Mouse and one of its top competitors — Logitech MX Master 3 (and 3S) wireless mouse. So Magic Mouse vs. Logitech MX Master 3 is on.

Commenters split themselves into pro Magic Mouse and pro Logitech MX camps. And a bunch of them sought middle ground, finding things to like — or hate — about both mice.

Today in Apple history: PowerCD paves the way toward a lucrative future

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The PowerCD Apple CD player offered a glimpse of the company's post-desktop game plan.
This CD player offered a glimpse of Apple's post-desktop game plan.
Photo: Jonathan Zufi

March 22: Today in Apple history: PowerCD launch March 22, 1993: Apple launches the PowerCD, the first device from the company that doesn’t require a computer to work.

A portable CD player that also works as an external CD drive for Macs, it offers a glimpse of the extremely lucrative path Apple will follow a decade later. However, the PowerCD itself will ultimately fail in the marketplace.

CdkeySales March Madness Sale: $17 for Windows 10 Pro, $22 for 11 Pro

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CdkeySales March Madness Windows logo
Enter CULT at CdkeySales.com to score major March Madness savings on Microsoft software.
Photo: CdkeySales.com

The CdkeySales March Madness Sale is upon us. While dozens of college basketball teams battle, you can score amazing deals on Microsoft software. Tons of slam-dunk bargains await on Microsoft productivity software like Windows and Office. That includes a winning Windows 10 Pro deal — just $17.05, with a free upgrade included!

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This post is brought to you by CdkeySales.
You can find surprisingly 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 software keys. And what’s more, if you buy Windows 10, you get a free upgrade to Windows 11.

Hackers can exploit flaw in Apple M-series processors

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Hackers can exploit flaw in Apple M series processors
A vulnerability in M series processors could lead to unauthorized access of encrypted data.
Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac

Security researchers have found a serious exploit in all Apple M-series processors. The hard-wired flaw could potentially could be used by hackers to get user credit card information or read encrypted messages.

The flaw exposes precious encryption keys, and it’s baked into the hardware — so it can’t easily be patched without a performance penalty. Here’s what you need to know.

Why the DOJ’s antitrust lawsuit against Apple is weak

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Flanked by colleagues, U.S. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland lays out the Justice Department's antitrust case against Apple.
Flanked by colleagues, U.S. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland lays out the Justice Department's antitrust case against Apple.
Image: Department of Justice

The Department of Justice’s monumental Apple antitrust case appears weak.

Still, the civil lawsuit, filed Thursday, represents the biggest legal challenge to Apple’s power in the company’s 47-year history. If successful, the lawsuit could force Apple to fundamentally change the way it makes products and conducts business. A similar action against Microsoft in the 1990s significantly curtailed that company’s reach and power.

But the DOJ’s lawsuit against Apple appears to be based on old and outdated information, and Apple has already — or is about to — address most of the major concerns.

Travel-friendly folding wireless charger can handle 3 Apple devices at once

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The MagStack 3-in-1 wireless charger is 35% off!
Juice up your iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods at the same time!
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Full-on Apple fans can wirelessly charge three devices with this folding charging station that’s perfect at home or on the road. It looks a bit like Apple’s pricey (and now-discontinued) MagSafe Duo — but this travel charger can handle more and costs a lot less!

The MagStack Foldable 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Station with Floating Stand packs three charging surfaces — for iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods — and it’s on sale for just $42.97. (That’s 38% off its regular price.)

Apple patches iPhone bugs with new iOS update

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Apple patches iPhone bugs with new iOS 17.4.1 update
There's a patch waiting for your iPhone's operating system.
Image: Apple/Cult of Mac

iPhone users can now install iOS 17.4.1, a “bug fix” update on the major upgrade released early this month. iPadOS 17.4.1 is also available for tablet users.

And Vision Pro got its own patch, but there are no updates out Thursday for Mac or Apple Watch.

Get up to a whopping 70% off Belkin products

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Belkin Spring Sale - BoostCharge Pro 2-in-1
BoostCharge Pro is made for MagSafe.
Photo: Belkin

One of the great Apple accessories makers is Belkin, and now through April 1 you can get up to 70% off products across its website, plus free shipping on orders over $50 in Belkin’s Spring Sale.

So whatever you need — charger, dock, case, mouse, cable and many other choices — you can get a good deal on a good product. After all, Apple trusts Belkin enough to sell dozens of its products at apple.com.

Today in Apple history: Apple TV makes its big-screen debut

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20140902_apple-tv_0061-780x520
Apple TV did not become an instant smash hit.
Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac

March 21: Today in Apple history: Apple launches the Apple TV March 21, 2007: Apple launches the Apple TV, a gleaming white set-top box with a remote control, for bringing iTunes media to the living room.

Unfortunately, the device lacks key features needed to make it a killer entertainment system. It’s something of a missed opportunity for Apple.

AirPods Pro 2 price drops to new low at just $179.99

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AirPods Pro in an open case.
With this sale, you can get AirPods Pro with the coveted USB-C case for just $179.99!
Photo: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac

AirPods Pro are the best pair of wireless earbuds you can buy for your iPhone. And a fantastic new deal knocks the AirPods Pro 2 price down to a new low of just $179.99, making them an even better buy.

With that hefty 28% discount off Apple’s retail price of $249, it’s hard to recommend any other earbuds for your iPhone, Mac or iPad. And yes, this is for the latest model with the USB-C charging case.

Apple makes it easy to find all product documentation in one place

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Apple Documentation web section
Apple's new Documentation web section offers all product manuals, specifications and downloads in one place.
Photo: Apple

Apple recently added a new “Documentation” web section that puts all product information for every product in one place. That way, you won’t have to search across multiple pages to find the product manuals, specifications or downloads you need, no matter which piece or hardware or software you need help with.

Blockbuster US antitrust lawsuit targets Apple’s ‘iPhone monopoly’

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Text saying
The Justice Department and 16 state attorneys general filed an antitrust suit against Apple.
Public domain photo: Open Grid Scheduler/Grid Engine/Modified by Cult of Mac

The Department of Justice and 16 state attorneys general filed an blockbuster antitrust lawsuit Thursday aimed at forcing Apple to open up many aspects of its ecosystem, from the App Store to Apple Watch.

The 88-page civil suit, which accuses Apple of wielding monopoly-like power, could bring truly sweeping changes to iPhone, Mac and other Apple computers.

Record audio and HD video discreetly with this spy pen

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The iSpyPen Pro spy pen shown in three colors.
You can capture audio and video on the sly with this stealthy spy pen.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Future tech update: The bad news is we’re all still waiting for our personal jetpacks. The good news is that we live in an age where James Bond-level tech is accessible and affordable to anyone, including spy pens.

Exhibit A: The iSpyPen Pro, a sleek and professional-looking pen that doubles as a discreet recording device. Perfect for students and professionals alike, it can record meetings, lectures and presentations, ensuring you don’t miss a single detail. The best part? This spy pen is already on sale, and you can take an extra $10 off the discounted price through March 24.

Wait for OLED iPad Pro might stretch into April [Updated again]

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Wait for OLED iPad Pro might stretch into April
An OLED screen should make the 2024 iPad Pro the best-looking ever ... when it finally arrives.
Image: Apple/Cult of Mac

Apple is reportedly still working on the version of iPadOS needed for the first iPad Pro with a OLED screen. The software development process might delay the launch until well into April.

Previous leaks previously pointed at a March debut, and that’s still possible. But those eager for Apple’s next premium tablet should also be prepared to wait as much as another month.

And apparently the launch date won’t be March 26, despite a recent rumor.

Perfect your swing at home with this 5-star golf simulator

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A girls uses the TruGolf Mini golf simulator in a living room.
Play 97 world-class golf courses from the comfort of your living room.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

The future is here. And now that applies to golf — one of the oldest games still being played — thanks to high-end golf simulators that let you practice and perfect your swing from anywhere. One of the very best, the TruGolf Mini home golf simulator, is on sale now for just $199.97.

That’s a 50% discount off the regular price of $399.99.

How to use iPhone’s awesome new text-to-speech feature

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Text-to-Speech From Your Phone
Your iPhone has a text-to-speech feature built-in. You don’t need to download an app.
Image: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

In iOS 17, the iPhone got a built-in text-to-speech feature called Live Speech. You can even use Live Speech with a digital version of your own voice called Personal Voice.

Apple devised Personal Voice for users “at risk of losing their ability to speak — such as those with a recent diagnosis of ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) or other conditions that can progressively impact speaking ability.” It was the subject of a touching and heartfelt video Apple made called “The Lost Voice.”

Here’s how to set up and use Live Speech.

Stars come out to play circa 1969 in new comedy Palm Royale

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Kristen Wiig in Palm Royale on Apple TV+
Kristen Wiig stars in Palm Royale on Apple TV+.
Photo: Apple

How’s this for a comedy premise: A character played by Saturday Night Live alum Kristen Wiig strives to break into Palm Beach’s jet set in 1969. Now add a star-studded ensemble cast including Laura and Bruce Dern, Carol Burnett and Ricky Martin, and new Apple TV+ comedy Palm Royale shows real potential.

The series is now available on the Apple TV+ streaming service.

iPad Air hits all-time low price

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iPad Air 5
Forget the M2 iPad Air and get the iPad Air 5 for $150 off.
Photo: Apple

Apple’s iPad Air lineup could get a refresh soon. But if you cannot wait for the new tablet’s imminent announcement and want an iPad Air, you can score a hefty $150 off on it right now.

This fantastic deal drops the price of the M1 iPad Air to $449, making it insanely affordable.

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iPhones go for as little as $126 in refurb blowout

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iPhone SE 2 in woot's refurbished iPhone deals
In Woot's sale, you can get a compact and capable iPhone SE 2 for just $126.
Photo: the Hacker 34

“iPhone Extravaganza!” That’s what Woot is calling its latest blowout sale on refurbished iPhones. From handsets going back to iPhone X up through recent models like iPhone SE (2nd generation) and iPhone 14 Plus, Woot’s refurbished iPhone deals cover 13 items, with a choice of colors, while they last.

And as Woot said in its page’s subtitle, “Just once I would like Siri to say that I look like a million bucks.”