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Siri Remote case holds an AirTag so you can’t lose your clicker

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Pair your Siri Remote with an AirTag
Before your Siri Remote goes missing, make sure you can track it.
Photo: Elago

Forever losing your Siri Remote for Apple TV? You should probably do something about that — like wrapping yours in one of these protective silicone cases from Elago that also can house an AirTag.

Priced at less $15, the R5 case keeps your sleek and slender remote in tip-top condition, and allows it to be easily tracked when it inevitably goes missing. It also makes your 2020/2021 Apple TV remote more comfortable to hold onto.

Bag yours today from the Cult of Mac Store.

More Vision Pro headsets sold on launch weekend than you might expect

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Apple Vision Pro applications
Apple wants Vision Pro to be for work as well as play.
Photo: Apple

Apple quickly ran through its launch-day inventory of Vision Pro headsets Friday, but customers continued to place preorders for units to be delivered later. The weekend total could have reached 180,000 units, according to a report from a trusted analyst.

Wait times for the device to be delivered now stretch out to March, but questions remain about long-term demand.

Why I’m going ‘nearly nude’ with my iPhone 15 Pro Max

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iPhone 15 Pro Max with no case, held aloft defiantly
iPhone case? I don't need no stinkin' case.
Photo: Lyle Kahney/Cult of Mac

After several months with my iPhone 15 Pro Max, I’m stripping off its case and going “nearly nude.”

Yes, there’s a chance I’ll drop it and incur a hefty repair bill. (If so, AppleCare+ will ease the sting.) But the unbridled joy of the naked iPhone in my hand — and the lurid thrill of leering at its sleek natural titanium finish — make it worth the risk.

Leak reveals alleged 12.9-inch iPad Air design

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iPad Air 6
An iPad Air with a bigger display could arrive in Q1 2024.
Photo: Apple

Rumors indicate Apple is working on a 12.9-inch iPad Air due to launch later this year. A new leak shows off alleged design renders of the upcoming tablet.

The CAD renders show that the 12.9-inch iPad Air will resemble its 10.9-inch sibling. However, it apparently will feature a redesigned rear camera module.

Google admits Chrome Incognito mode does almost nothing

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The Google Chrome logo with the caption:
Google is finally having to make it clear that Chrome's Incognito mode does almost nothing.
Image: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The description of Chrome’s Incognito mode will soon be changed to make it clear that Google tracks people who use the web browser. It also will warn users that websites can gather data about them as well.

This means the only people blocked from knowing your browsing history when using Incognito mode are family/friends who use the same computer.

Will Apple Vision Pro be a hit? [The CultCast]

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Apple Vision Pro demo The CultCast episode 630
Will Vision Pro leave us all saying, "Whuuuuut?!?" in amazement? We're about to find out.
Image: Cult of Mac

This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: Apple Vision Pro preorder week brings interesting new details about the mixed-reality headset. Will it be a sellout success? An amazing entertainment device? A $3,499 pain in the neck?

Maybe all of the above! We go over the last-minute pros and cons.

Also on The CultCast:

  • Apple Watch drops a key health feature, but the patent fight’s not over yet.
  • Cupertino’s compliance with “anti-steering” mandates won’t please anybody, especially developers like Epic Games.
  • Got an old iPhone gathering dust somewhere? We’ve got some DIY projects for you.

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.

Apple offers to open iPhone tap-to-pay to other payment systems in the EU

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Apple Pay Tap-to-Pay
Those in the EU 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 are coming to an end. Apple is open to allowing rivals to use the iPhone wireless tap-to-pay system. But only in the European Union.

The change is the result of antitrust charges brought by the EU.

Become a cybersecurity expert with this $33 bundle

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Learn a new skill in 2024 with this $33 cyber security training bundle.
Gain ethical hacking knowledge with more than 130 hours of content in this certification bundle.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Cybersecurity is a field with undeniable demand. The reason is obvious: Most businesses and companies rely heavily on digital means to conduct daily operations, facilitate communication and much more. To acquire the expertise needed to work in the cybersecurity field, consider an affordable start with some well-sourced e-learning.

You can gain critical skills with this comprehensive cybersecurity and ethical hacking training bundle. The courses in this bundle will help you prepare for certifications. And the whole thing is on sale now for only $32.97 (regularly $130).

Forgotten iPhone passcodes are no problem with this $39.99 app

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Unlock your iOS device with this $39.99 app.
MobiUnlock unlocks iOS devices in a snap.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Whether it’s an old iPhone you need to get back into or your passcode just slipped your mind, there’s more than one way to get into your iOS devices. MobiUnlock is an iOS unlocking tool that works for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch to bypass your passcodes and get you back inside, no hacking needed.

New video makes Vision Pro look fun, conveniently skips the work part

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Screenshot of Apple's 'guided tour' of Vision Pro.
Apple's guided tour makes Vision Pro look amazing, but suspiciously skips over any serious work.
Photo: Apple

Check out Apple’s new video for the Vision Pro: It’ll definitely give you FOMO. Labeled a “guided tour,” the 10-minute video shows a newbie user testing the AR/VR headset for the first time.

You’ll see lots of moments where the newbie gasps with Steve Jobs’ famous childlike wonder. But while Vision Pro looks amazing for consuming media, the video suspiciously skips over work you might do with Apple’s new spatial computer. It’s mentioned, but briefly: Here’s your workspace, now let’s watch Godzilla!

Apple Vision Pro with max storage and accessories costs $6,257

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Apple Vision Pro with max storage and accessories costs $6,257
$3,499 is only the starting price for Apple Vision Pro.
Image: Apple/Cult of Mac

There were gasps when Apple first revealed that the Vision Pro headset costs $3,499, but shoppers who load the spatial-computing device up with additional storage and Apple’s recommended add-ons pay almost twice as much.

But to put that price in perspective, an earlier ground-breaking Apple product — one that changed computers forever — cost even more than that when it launched decades ago.

Making Apple Vision Pro video will mesmerize you

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The Making Apple Vision Pro title card
You won't see a more fascinating 1-minute, 21-second video today!
Image: Apple

Even if you have zero interest in buying a $3,499 mixed-reality headset, you should stop right now and watch the new Making Apple Vision Pro video. It’s an absolutely mesmerizing video that shows the elaborate manufacturing process for Apple’s upcoming “spatial computing” device.

It takes just over a minute to watch, and it’s truly stunning!

Apple Vision Pro weight doesn’t sound like a neck-breaker

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How much does Apple Vision Pro weigh? The mystery has been solved. Stock image of a scale.
The mystery has been solved.
Photo: Graphic Node/Unsplash License

How much does Apple Vision Pro weigh? That was one of the great mysteries about the $3,499 mixed-reality headset before Apple published the Vision Pro technical specifications Friday.

The answer? Between 21.2 and 22.9 ounces. That’s 1.325 to 1.431 pounds, or 600 to 650 grams. (The “weight varies depending on Light Seal and head band configuration,” Apple says.)

‘Small’ MacBook Pro rig punches well above its weight [Setups]

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MacBook Pro setup
Despite appearances, there's really a lot going on here.
Photo: [email protected]

Isn’t it great when someone on social media humbly displays a well put-together and complete computer setup that makes yours look like random debris? Well, at least it’s a good learning opportunity. And today’s MacBook Pro setup is an exceptional example, as it doesn’t look like “all that” — even though it is.

At a glance you might not guess that it packs about two dozen components, and the user is happy to explain how he uses most of them.

Last chance to win a colorful and durable Pitaka iPhone 15 case [Cult of Mac giveaway]

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Pitaka's new Moonrise case for iPhone 15 is a cool blue spin on the company's Sunset Moment case, which sold out last year.
Pitaka's new Moonrise case for iPhone 15 is a cool blue spin on the company's Sunset Moment case, which sold out last year.
Photo: Pitaka

Cult of Mac joined forces with Pitaka again for another unmissable giveaway. Four fortunate winners will receive one of two iPhone cases: either a gorgeous orange-and brown Sunset case — inspired by Jack Kerouac’s Beat Generation novel On the Road, and previously sold out — or a blue-tinged variant called the Moonrise case. (That one’s color scheme pays tribute to “the ‘blue hour’ between sunset and moonrise,” according to Pitaka.)

Each case retails for $69.99, and winners will receive one or the other at random. Don’t miss your shot at landing one of these sought-after iPhone cases!

Charging stand turns Apple Watch into tiny retro computer

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There's no denying Elago's W9 Stand for Apple Watch is pretty cute.
There's no denying Elago's W9 Stand for Apple Watch is pretty cute.
Photo: Elago

Apple Watch is a serious tool, but that doesn’t mean all its accessories need to be straight-faced. Elago excels at making lighthearted and charming retro-style accessories for Apple products, and its W9 Stand for Apple Watch is no different. It makes your wearable look like an old-school Mac.

Compatible with all Apple Watch series, from Ultra down through the smaller sizes, the W9 stand is available now in the Cult of Mac Store.

Learn a new language or two with big savings on Rosetta Stone, now less than $150

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Enjoy lifetime access to Rosetta Stone for under $150 during Cyber Week.
Master a new language with Cyber Week savings on Rosetta Stone, now only $150.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Learning a new language is a great way to keep your mind sharp, widen your intellectual horizons and build new career skills. However, it can be tricky without the proper teacher or platform. Luckily, Cult of Mac readers can enjoy big savings on Rosetta Stone, a proven method for language learning.

Through January 21 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific, you can snag a lifetime subscription for only $149.97 (regularly $399) with coupon code ROSETTA.

New version of stellar KEF AirPlay speakers comes at lower cost

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KEF LSX II LT speakers on desk
Hey, $500 per speaker isn't even all that nuts for great ones.
Photo: KEF

Highly respected British audio brand KEF released an “LT” version of its stellar, versatile AirPlay-ready LSX II speaker line this week, keeping most key features but dropping the price by about $300 to $400.

That doesn’t make them budget speakers by any means, at $999, but nobody shops KEF for that.

Too late: Apple Vision Pro preorders sell out fast [Updated]

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Apple Vision Pro preorders sold out
Well, that was fast.
Image: Cult of Mac

Seven months after its announcement at WWDC23, Apple started accepting preorders for its Vision Pro headset Friday morning — and quickly sold out. Shipping dates for the company’s first AR headset slipped within minutes of preorders opening.

The preorder also answered some questions about the Vision Pro. Plus, if you want one, you still have a chance to get one. The $3,499 mixed-reality headset — which Apple hails as the dawn of “spatial computing” — goes on sale February 2 in Apple retail stores in the United States.

Secure iCloud alternative gives you 20TB for one-time fee of $90

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Prism Drive ad: Save on an iCloud alternative.
iCloud fees got you down? Prism Drive gives you 20TB for life, and is currently on sale for less than $90.
Image: Cult of Mac Deals

Heads up to Apple users: iCloud isn’t the only cloud storage option out there. Even though the built-in features might be a good fit for those in the Apple ecosystem, the storage caps and monthly fees can cramp your productivity and put a dent in your budget.

If you’re looking for a solid alternative, Prism Drive offers a plan that nets you a whopping 20TB of cloud storage at a one-time cost of $89.97 (regularly $1,494).

Why you should expect Apple Vision Pro to quickly sell out

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Apple Vision Pro
This can soon be yours, if you order quickly enough on Friday morning.
Photo: Apple

Friday morning ushers in Apple’s era of spatial computing when the Vision Pro goes on sale, and the cutting-edge headset is likely to sell out almost immediately.

But that won’t be a sure indication of huge demand for the new product — Apple has reportedly produced a relatively small number of the $3,499 headsets.

Seagate’s new 30TB hard drive smashes storage record

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Seagate Exos Mozaic 3+ HDD
Seagate's Exos Mozaic 3+ HDD packs a whopping 30TB of storage space.
Photo: Seagate

Seagate unveiled the world’s highest-capacity hard drive Wednesday with its Exos Mosaic 3+ HDD platform, hitting the 30TB mark for the first time, the company said. That’s enough space to store a thousand Blu-ray movies.

The company said it used several new technologies to get there, and its road map shows the arrival of even bigger storage devices in the coming years. And while businesses will certainly go for these megadrives, they will also be available to many kinds of end users and require no special hardware to read.

Messi’s World Cup trailer traces soccer legend’s rise

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Messi's World Cup documentary series
The second Lionel Messi documentary to debut on Apple TV+ airs February 21.
Photo: Apple

As the trailer Apple TV+ dropped Thursday for documentary series Messi’s World Cup: The Rise of a Legend shows, the soccer superstar is practically a deity in his home country, Argentina. And if you don’t already worship him, you might start after watching the show, which premieres February 21.

Anyone who loves the world’s most-popular sport, soccer (aka football), probably knows a thing or two about Messi. But that just makes the new four-part documentary series all the more enticing for its “exclusive, behind-the-scenes” look at the man’s five World Cup appearances and his long-awaited 2022 win with Argentina.

This rainbow Apple Watch band will dazzle you with color [Under Review]

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Juuk Ligero Rainbow Apple Watch band review: The colors on this aluminum Apple Watch band will take your breath away.
The vibrant colors on this aluminum Apple Watch band will take your breath away.
Photo: Lewis Wallace/Cult of Mac

Under Review on The CultCast: PRODUCT NAME REVIEW “Oooooooh!” my wife squealed when I pulled the Juuk Ligero Rainbow Apple Watch band out of the shipping carton. The brightly colored links in the aluminum bracelet definitely caught her eye.

Unfortunately for her, the band wouldn’t fit her smaller Apple Watch. So I got to try it.

The Rainbow Ligero looks like no other band you’ve seen. As with Juuk’s other metal Apple Watch bands, the Rainbow version’s striking looks provoke an immediate reaction. Its bold colors — red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple — shimmer on the wrist. And now it’s back in the Cult of Mac Store.

Take a peek at South Korea’s newest Apple Store

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Apple Hongdae store in Seoul, South Korea
Apple Hongdae opens on Saturday in Seoul.
Photo: Apple

Apple previewed Apple Hongdae Thursday, its seventh Apple Store in South Korea and 100th in the Asia-Pacific region, opening Saturday in a busy university neighborhood in Seoul with a daily Today at Apple Pop-Up Studio featuring hip-hop artist Beenzino.

“We couldn’t be more excited to bring our customers in Korea something special at the start of the year with the opening of the all-new Apple Hongdae,” said Deirdre O’Brien, Apple’s senior vice president of Retail.