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Stunning view comes with top display and killer KEF sound [Setups]

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David David Heinemeier Hansson's Mac mini setup with Pro Display XDR and KEF speakers.
Hansson's setup in Malibu, CA, features a Mac mini mounted behind a Pro Display XDR and a phenomenal set of KEF speakers.
Photo: [email protected]

Developer David Heinemeier Hansson, known for creating the Ruby on Rails web development framework, showcased his rather stunning Mac mini computer setup this week on X (formerly Twitter).

The extraordinary 6K graphics of his Studio Display XDR and the articulate sound of his highly recommended KEF speakers complement the ocean views through the glass walls of his California office.

New Keychron mechanical gaming keyboard supercharges customization

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Keychron Q1 HE mechanical keyboard
Special switches make the new keyboard super responsive and customizable.
Photo: Keychron

Keychron launched a crowdfunding campaign December 5 for its new Q1 HE, calling it the first 75% layout wireless QMK custom keyboard with Hall Effect Gateron 2.0 magnetic switches, the company said.

The company noted the switch provides advantages to gamers with its extreme responsiveness and expanded customizability.

iOS 17.3 beta 1: All the features and changes

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Stolen Device Protection in iOS 17.3 beta
Your iPhone can better protect itself from data thieves with a new iOS 17.3 feature.
Image: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The first beta of iOS 17.3 is now available. It comes a couple of days after Apple released the stable iOS 17.2 update with plenty of new features to the public.

iOS 17.3 beta 1 does not pack many changes but brings an important new security feature to iPhones. Below are all the changes we have spotted in iOS 17.3 beta 1.

Macintosh buying guide: Choose the best Mac and accessories

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Mac buying guide: Choose the best model and accessories
We'll help you pick the perfect Mac.
Image: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

When you buy a new Mac, you will spend a decent stack of cash. So, whether you’re shopping for yourself or someone else, ensuring you choose the best Mac is key. While every modern Mac can handle casual computing with ease, some are a much better fit for certain use cases.

In our Mac buying guide, we’ll look at all of the models offered by Apple today, as well as some of the best Mac accessories you can get to go with them.

Foodies love this 8-piece Japanese knife set

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This Japanese knife set is the perfect gift for the chef in your life, now under $130 with guaranteed Christmas delivery.
Home cooks will love this Japanese chef’s knife set.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Want to indulge the chef in your life with an updated set of tools? This Seido knife set — featuring eight expertly honed, made-in-Japan blades — is now discounted to only $129.97 (regularly $429), with free shipping until December 17.

This isn’t just a regular knife set, either. These blades could unlock a whole new world of culinary possibilities. They will upgrade the kitchen arsenal for home cooks and professional chefs alike.

How to switch back to the old notification sounds on iPhone [Updated]

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Did You Hear That?
Yes, the sounds in iOS 17 are a bit different. Here's how to get the old sounds back.
Image: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

In iOS 17, many of the default sounds for notifications, alarms and timers have been changed — but how do you get back the old sounds if you don’t like the new ones?

A lot of people get deeply attached to the sound effects. If you want the old noises back, you can change (most of them) back manually. I’ll show you how.

Update: The new iOS 17.2 makes a nice change to alerts in third-party apps. Read on for more details.

Apple Self Service Repair program expands to iPhone 15 and M2 Macs

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Self repair components and tools for iPhone with the necessary tools from Apple.
Fixing your iPhone 15 or M2 Mac just got easier.
Photo: Apple

Apple Self Service Repair program is expanding to include the iPhone 15 and additional M2 Macs. The company is also making its repair program available in 24 new European countries.

With the latest additions, Apple’s Service Service Repair now supports 35 products and is available in 33 countries.

Apple reportedly offers to open iPhone NFC to other payment systems

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Apple Pay Tap-to-Pay
We may soon be making "tap and go" payments with something besides Apple Pay.
Photo: Apple

The days of the iPhone’s NFC capabilities being limited to just Apple Pay could be coming to an end. Apple is reportedly open to allowing other systems to use the wireless payment system.

It’s the company’s solution to European Union objections to the iPhone’s NFC limitation.

Electric bike sale: Score a BirdBike e-bike for less than $750

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Electric bike sale: Product shots of BirdBike e-bikes
Gift alert: The BirdBike e-bike is a two-wheeled steal ahead of the holidays!
Photos: Cult of Mac Deals

Whether you work in an urban area or just want to get around your neighborhood in a healthier and more eco-friendly way, electric bikes are a fun way to travel. You can experience the joys of an e-bike yourself — or gift an e-bike to someone special — with this great electric bike sale featuring BirdBike e-bikes.

This innovative brand has been leading the charge to a two-wheeled lifestyle for some time. And now, you can grab a BirdBike for only $749.97 (regularly $2,299) through December 17. If you need it by Christmas, order by December 14 to ensure on-time delivery!

How Apple plans to ramp up iOS security for stolen iPhones

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Stolen Device Protection in iOS 17.3 beta
Your iPhone can better protect itself from data thieves with a new iOS 17.3 feature.
Image: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The just-released iOS 17.3 beta 1 includes a surprise feature: Stolen Device Protection. The option makes it harder to reset the passcode on a stolen device if the thief already knows the current passcode. There are also new password protections.

Apple also seeded the initial betas of macOS 14.3, iPadOS 17.3, watchOS 10.3 and tvOS 17.3.

Expect cutting-edge 2nm chips in Mac and iPhone in 2025

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TSMC looks ahead to super-speedy 2nm processors
2nm processors made by TSMC will be faster while using less power than today's 5nm iPhone and Mac chips.
Image: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

TSMC is preparing to supply Apple with 2nm processors in less than two years. These next-gen chips will give Mac, iPhone and iPad even better performance, without requiring more power to operate.

The 3nm chips in the latest Apple computers are cutting-edge, but what’s at the forefront of technology is constantly moving ahead.

Best Apple Watch: Choose the right model and best accessories

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Apple Watch buying guide: Choose the best models and accessories
Gifting an Apple Watch for the holidays? We'll help you find the perfect pick.
Image: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

Apple Watch is almost an essential for any iPhone owner these days, so it makes the perfect gift for anyone who doesn’t already own one. It’s also one of the more affordable Apple devices you can buy with a range of options to choose from that start at just $249 (or even less if you shop around).

In this buying guide, we’ll help you choose the right Apple Watch for you or for someone else, help you find the best prices, and highlight some of the best Apple Watch accessories you can get.

Try App Store’s top apps and games of 2023

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App Store
Find out which apps and games users downloaded most in 2023.
Photo: Graham Bower/Cult of Mac

Apple listed App Store’s most-popular free and paid apps and games of 2023, citing year-end charts in more than 35 countries and regions.

App Store’s Today hub lists all those popular choices (also below) as well as the 2023 App Store Award Winners.

iPhone iTunes Store app no longer includes films or TV shows

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iTunes Store redirect to Apple TV app
If you want to watch video, don't bother going to the iTunes Store app any more.
Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac

The iTunes Store application in the just-released iOS 17.2 simply redirects users to the Apple TV app for accessing previously purchased films and TV series.

The iTunes app for iPhone and iPad is now exclusively for music. For video, go directly to the Apple TV app.

Try 19 can’t-miss Carterjett Apple Watch bands in every style

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Carterjett tire tread Apple Watch band in navy
Carterjett makes a rugged tire-tread Apple Watch band in various colors.
Photo: Carterjett

Got an Apple Watch? Currently, Carterjett offers 19 Apple Watch bands for sale in the Cult of Mac Store. You can find straps made of leather, silicone, nylon and carbon fiber in a variety of colors, designs and sizes. So whatever your preferences may be, you really can’t miss.

Why Google Play courtroom loss could hurt Apple, too

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iPhone owners are pickier about apps than Android users
A bad day in court for Google Play could end up being a loss for the App Store.
Image: Cult of Mac

Epic Games convinced a federal jury that the Google Play store for Android applications is an illegal monopoly. The decision might have wide repercussions.

Apple won its court battle with the game-developer over the same issue, but Google’s loss could nevertheless eventually affect the iOS App Store.

M3 Pro 14-inch MacBook Pro gets a big $200 off in pre-Christmas deal

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Late-2023 MacBook Pro with M3
Whether you can get your hands on the latest MacBook Pro with M3 chip on launch day depends on which configuration you want.
Photo: Apple

Apple’s late 2023 MacBook Pro lineup has been frequently on discount since its debut. And while Black Friday is over, the deals continue.

Amazon is knocking $200 off the 14-inch MacBook Pro with M3 Pro chip, dropping its price to an attractive $1,800.

Plug-and-play USB-C mic is perfect for podcasters, costs just $30

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Holiday cheer sounds crystal clear with this $30 podcasting mic that's compatible with Mac and PC.
This sleek plug-and-play mic is the perfect gift for podcasters and other content creators.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

For budding vloggers, gamers or podcasters, getting the sound clear and audible is half the battle. And this plug-and-play microphone from Babbl is tailor-made for anyone who wants to sound better right out of the box.

Right on time for the holidays, you can gift yourself or a loved one a major recording upgrade for any creative pursuit. Through December 17, the Babbl mic is only $29.97 (regularly $69). Order by December 14 to ensure on-time holiday delivery!

Solve this jigsaw puzzle for a shot at $1 million prize

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Gift a loved the opportunity to win a $1 million prize with this $30 500-piece jigsaw puzzle.
This buzzy puzzle's $1 million top prize makes it a uniquely fun gift.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Feeling lucky? See if that touch applies to your gift list by giving someone a playful way to compete for an enormous payday with the 2 Million Dollar Puzzle. Each jigsaw puzzle offers prizes that range from $1 to $1 million, with two unlocking the ultimate prize.

Through December 17, the 2 Million Dollar Puzzle is on sale for only $30 with no coupon necessary.

iPhone’s collaborative playlists and AirPlay in hotel rooms on hold until 2024

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iPhone’s collaborative music playlists
Collaborative music playlists will be brilliant ... when they finally arrive.
Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac

The wait goes on for two features that Apple promised to add to iOS 17. The iPhone-maker committed itself to collaborative music playlists and AirPlay in hotel rooms but now says these won’t be available before 2024.

These are the last significant additions expected for iOS 17.

Mac, iPad, iPhone and Apple Watch get new features in OS upgrades

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MacBook, iPad, iPhone, Apple TV, Apple Watch, HomePod
All these have new operating system updates ... and most of them include new features.
Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac

If you own an Apple computer of any shape or size, odds are it just got an operating system upgrade. Monday brought the public launch of macOS Sonoma 14.2, iPadOS 17.2, iOS 17.2, watchOS 10.2 and tvOS 17.2.

And these aren’t simple bug fixes. There’s new features.

iOS 17.2 brings these amazing new features to your iPhone

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Apple Journal on iPhone 15
Apple's Journal application arrives in iOS 17.2.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Nearly two months after iOS 17‘s release, Apple released the iPhone operating system’s second major point build Monday. iOS 17.2 introduces several new features and changes, with many that Apple first demoed at WWDC23 in June.

iOS 17.2’s marquee feature is Apple’s new Journal app, though it enhances several other aspects of the OS. Find out everything new in iOS 17.2 and iPadOS 17.2 below.

Apple may pay artists more to use Dolby Atmos

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Spatial audio with head tracking
Artists might profit more from mixing tunes with Dolby Atmos.
Photo: Apple

Apple plans to offer financial incentives to artists and record labels who mix songs using surround-sound Spatial Audio technology Dolby Atmos, sources close to the matter said Monday.

Greater weighting placed on those audio streams starting in 2024 will likely mean higher royalties paid out.

Slammin’ Mac Studio is just the start of this rig’s massive upgrades [Setups]

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M2 Max Mac Studio setup with two 4K displays
This user went from a 2012 Mac mini to an M2 Max Mac Studio plus a MacBook Air.
Photo: [email protected]

A big upgrade to a computer setup is a major boost to any user. And today’s featured rig, though it may look unassuming, got a doozy of a makeover. A Mac mini dating all the way back to 2012 finally retired after a long career. And a powerful new M2 Max Mac Studio took over, with a late-model MacBook Air riding shotgun.

But that’s not all. Read more about other bonuses in the rejuvenated setup besides the laptop, and check out the full gear list below.

Killers of the Flower Moon earns 7 Golden Globe nominations for Apple TV+

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Robert De Niro and Leonardo DiCaprio in
Both Robert De Niro (left) and Leonardo DiCaprio (right) just picked up Golden Globe nominations.
Photo: Apple TV+

Martin Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon picked up seven nominations for the 81st Golden Globe Awards. That puts the Apple TV+ historical drama near the top in total noms.

And several series from Apple’s streaming service also did well, including The Morning Show and Lessons in Chemistry.