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Leak shows iPhone 16 Pro’s battery with a metal shell

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iPhone 16 Pro rendered image
iPhone 16 Pro's battery could use a metal backplate.
Graphic: Rajesh

If leaked images prove correct, Apple will adopt a new design for the iPhone 16 Pro’s battery featuring a metal shell on top. This could help with heat dissipation.

Like current iPhones, the purported iPhone 16 Pro battery has an L-shaped design. However, it has a capacity of 3,355mAh. For comparison, the iPhone 15 Pro uses a 3,274mAh capacity cell.

Snag up to 48% off Samsung displays in Black Friday deal

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Samsung G9 ultra-wide display
Here's your chance to add a 49-inch curved ultra-wide display to your computer setups, or any of dozens of other choices.
Photo: Samsung

If your computer setup could use a new external display, don’t sleep on Amazon’s Black Friday bargains on Samsung monitors. You can nab steep discounts of up to nearly half off regular prices on a few items, with more like a third off on many others.

And the selection is as wide as some of those ultra-wide displays! If you want to spend less, you can skip 4K-resolution screen and find choices with 1080p resolution.

Fallen New England Patriots won’t go away in The Dynasty trailer

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New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick
A smile on Bill Belichick's face is a rarity, but he can almost manage it immediately after a Super Bowl victory.
Photo: Apple TV+

Everybody loves a winner — except when they don’t. The NFL’s New England Patriots saw so much success over two decades, with six Super Bowl wins, they gained a lot of fans as well as haters.

But even if you despise the Pats, who are having another post-dynasty bad year, you might want to consider watching the upcoming 10-part documentary series The Dynasty: New England Patriots. The teaser trailer Apple TV+ dropped last week takes a decidedly defeated tone after the opening scenes wallow in the thrill of victory.

The series, which promises “unprecedented access” to the team, debuts February 16 on Apple TV+. If it sparks riots in Boston, we’ll know it touched a nerve.

Super-cool vertical Mac mini stand does it all [Setups]

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M1 Mac mini setup features vertical stand with SSD enclosure and 5-in-1 USB-C hub.
The unobtrusive vertical stand holding up the Mac mini at right does a lot.
Photo: [email protected]

Mac mini, Apple’s small-but-mighty desktop machine, does a lot of things well — especially the M1 and newer models. They make bigger desktop computers unnecessary for people who don’t need truly massive computing power.

And today’s featured M2 Mac mini user found a way to greatly expand his computer’s capabilities with a vertical stand that also saves space on the desk.

Buy 2, get a third one free: SwitchEasy magnetic wall mounts for iPhone

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SwitchEasy's MagEasy magnetic wall mount lets you easily stick your iPhone practically anywhere.
SwitchEasy's MagEasy magnetic wall mount lets you easily stick your iPhone practically anywhere.
Photo: SwitchEasy

Following a recipe in the kitchen? Assembling furniture via online instructions? Taking a hands-free call in the tub? Sometimes you need to put your iPhone where you can see it, or talk via speaker, without holding it — and that’s when a magnetic wall mount comes in handy.

SwitchEasy sells two such mounts in the Cult of Mac Store, and through December 1 you can get a third one free when you buy two of the handy devices.

Get $50 worth of data for just $18.97 with this international eSIM

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Secure a mobile dat a plan for $19 with this Black Friday deal.
Get an aloSIM eSIM for just $19 with this pre-Black Friday deal.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

International travel data can be quite expensive if you stick with your normal carrier. eSIM plans are often more affordable, and that’s especially true during a limited-time sale.

After a Black Friday price drop, you can get an aloSIM lifetime eSIM for just $18.97 — and it comes with a $50 credit toward data plan(s) of your choice. However, this deal lasts through November 27 only.

Best USB-C hubs for iPhone 15

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These are the best USB-C hubs you can buy for iPhone 15, iPad, Mac, and MacBook.
Bag yours from as little as $6.
Image: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

Apple’s decision to finally ditch Lightning in favor of USB-C on iPhone 15 means that you now have infinitely greater flexibility when it comes to connectivity. Whether you want to hook up storage drives, an external display, or even an Ethernet cable, you can do it all with USB-C.

But there is a catch. First, you’ll need a suitable USB-C hub or adapter that lets you connect all the peripherals you want to use through one port. Here are the best USB-C hubs you can buy today for iPhone 15.

Apple Vision Pro launch likely delayed to March 2024

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Apple Vision Pro
Apple won't meet its initial Vision Pro launch target.
Photo: Apple

Apple is reportedly still working on the Vision Pro’s distribution plan and final testing. Due to this, the mixed-reality headset will launch around March 2024.

This is a couple of months later than the company’s initial target of a January launch. At the “Wonderlust” event on September 12, Apple CEO Tim Cook claimed the Vision Pro is “on track to ship early next year.”

Budget iPad is an even better deal at an amazing $100 off

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iPad 10 and iPad 9 savings
You can get the iPad 10 or the iPad 9 at $100 below the usual cost.
Photo: Cult of Mac

iPad 10 is a capable tablet for school or fun, and you can now grab one for $349. And the entry-level iPad 9 is down to a mere $229. That’s $100 off either model, a truly significant saving on what are already Apple’s lower-price tablets.

The holiday season is almost here, and those planning to gift an iPad can take advantage of these deals before they go away.

This 6-in-1 cable does USB-C, Lightning and more for just $17

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Don't wait for Black Friday to get this Apple-compatible 6-in-1 charging cable, now only $17.
This 6-in-1 charging cable charges Apple and Android, now only $17 before Black Friday.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

No matter what piece of Apple gear we’re talking about, it’s not so glamorous when its battery goes dead. Rather than packing separate charging cables for all your devices, cover all your basic charging needs with a 6-in-1 charging cable: the inCharge X Max!

Ahead of Black Friday through November 27, this nifty cable — which works with USB-C, Lightning and more — is only $16.97 (regularly $39)!

Just how hot are those new M3 MacBook Pros? [The CultCast]

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Apple's M3 Max chip sitting in front of flames. The CultCast episode 621.
Just how extreme is the MacBook Pro's thermal throttling?
Original photo: Christopher Burns

This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: Tests performed on the M3 MacBook Pros reveal the performance-crushing effects of thermal throttling and skimpy RAM. Erfon is not impressed!

Also on The CultCast:

  • Apple shocks everyone by pledging to support Rich Communication Services for better texting between iPhones and Android devices.
  • Griffin runs down some of the most interesting new features coming soon in iOS 17.2.
  • Apple reportedly plans to overhaul the iPad lineup next year, and a mammoth 12.9-inch iPad Air is apparently on the menu.
  • If the iPhone 16 gets exclusive AI features, will Siri really get smarter? We’re extremely skeptical.

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.

Monarch: Legacy of Monsters references you might have missed [Apple TV+ recap]

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'Monarch: Legacy of Monsters' on Apple TV+
TL;DR: 'Monarch: Legacy of Monsters' is awesome.
Photo: Apple TV+

TV+ ReviewMonarch: Legacy of Monsters stomped onto Apple TV+ on Friday, bringing the biggest star yet to the streaming service: Godzilla.

As a lifetime fan of kaiju films, I’m here to review the first two episodes, and also to remind viewers of MonsterVerse lore brought up in the new series. I even throw in some speculation on what’s coming in later episodes.

Craft 74 new workouts on Apple Watch with SmartGym app [Awesome Apps]

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SmartGym 7 for Apple Watch
Time to get ripped with SmartGym 7 for Apple Watch. Or at least fit.
Photo: SmartGym
Awesome Apps

The SmartGym app is already well-loved by Apple Watch users, and its recent update adds more than 70 new workouts and loads of convenient new functionality.

And it’s considered so good it’s currently up against two other finalist apps to win the App Store Award for Apple Watch App of the Year.

Pre-loved iPad comes bundled with every accessory you need for less than $220

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Score early Black Friday savings on this near-mint iPad with renewed new Beats headphones, now just $220.
A refurbished iPad and an accessory bundle featuring Beats Flex headphones makes a perfect gift.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Looking for a Black Friday sale on an iPad? For a limited time, you can score an incredible deal on a near-mint refurbished iPad bundled with all the accessories you could need — including a set of Beats wireless headphones.

Through November 26, this combo goes for only $219.97, with no coupon necessary.

Apple stops advertising on X after Elon Musk’s antisemitic post

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X and Apple logos
Apple paused advertising on the service formerly known as Twitter amid another controversy touched off by Elon Musk.
Photo: X/Apple

In the wake of Elon Musk posting his support for an antisemitic comment on X, Apple reportedly paused advertising on the social-networking service that Musk owns.

Disney, IBM and Lionsgate have also supposedly stopped advertising on the service formerly known as Twitter.

Get a magnetic iPhone battery pack for less than $35

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This portable iPhone wireless charger is now only $34.97 ahead of Black Friday.
Power up your iPhone quickly while on the go with the Speedy Mag wireless charger, now less than $35.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Keeping your iPhone fully charged can feel like a chore when you’re always on the go. The Speedy Mag charger makes life easier, allowing you to juice up your iPhone battery even when you’re out and about.

Ahead of Black Friday, you can grab this portable wireless iPhone charger for only $34.97 (regularly $119)!

On For All Mankind‘s Mars, the working man’s life sucks (and then he dies, probably) [Apple TV+ recap] ★★★

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Miles Dale (Toby Kebbell) in For All Mankind★★★
Miles Dale and his new Helios colleagues are psyched to work on Mars. But that doesn't last long.
Photo: Apple TV+

TV+ Review Last week’s season four opener of Apple TV+ alt-history drama series For All Mankind went necessarily big to catch everyone up and start off with a bang. So it’s not surprising episode two establishes a more practical stride, focusing on the realities of life in a working Mars colony.

Turns out life sucks for the working man up there in more ways than just an alarming chance of fatality. Life in Happy Valley, Mars, also tells a deeply unfair tale of haves and have-nots, just like on Earth.

iPad Air and iPad mini with OLED screens pegged for 2026 release

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OLED iPad mini concept
OLED iPad models might come in big and small sizes.
Image: Cult of Mac/Apple/Paul Inkles

Add iPad Air and iPad mini to the list of Apple tablets getting OLED screens. At least, that’s what an unconfirmed report coming out of Asia says. And the mini will supposedly get a boost in display size.

The top-of-the-line iPad Pro models will reportedly get the enhanced display type much sooner, though.

This 4K portable monitor is beautiful and surprisingly affordable [Review] ★★★★

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KYY K3-3 Portable Monitor -- simulated screen image★★★★
The KYY K3-3 Portable Monitor is 4K and looks much better than you might expect given its price.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The KYY K3-3 Portable Monitor adds a high-quality second screen to your Mac or iPad. Even some iPhones. It’s 15.6 inches and has a 4K resolution, so it’s designed for work and play wherever you go.

I tested the reasonably priced second screen in my home office and when working remotely to see how it stands up to real-world use. I like it more than I expected to.

Crucial dock connects new MacBook Pro to classic Cinema Display [Setups]

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Setup with MacBook Pro and Cinema Display.
The user connects a MacBook Pro and Cinema Display via dock, as the Mac mini mainly stays with the TV in the living room.
Photo: [email protected]

One thing we love about Apple is the staying power of its beautiful displays. We see the Studio Display maker’s much older Cinema Displays and Thunderbolt Displays used in modern computer setups pretty regularly.

Today’s MacBook Pro setup recently added a docking station to charge the laptop while connecting it to a classic LED Cinema Display.

Score $200 off M3 Pro MacBook Pro in this Black Friday deal

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The top two new MacBook Pro models now come in a space black aluminum finish.
The top two new MacBook Pro models now come in a space black aluminum finish.
Photo: Apple

Apple’s M3 Pro MacBook Pros are available with up to $200 off in Amazon’s pre-Black Friday deal. This drops Apple’s latest laptops down to their lowest price within days of launch.

With Amazon’s offer, you can currently get the 14-inch M3 Pro MacBook Pro for $1,849. The 16-inch variant is available with a bigger discount of $200, bringing its price down to $2,299.

Get a lifetime subscription to a speedy VPN for less than $40

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Get lifetime online security with Ivacy VPN, now only $39.99 before Black Friday.
Pre-Black Friday deal alert: Enjoy lifetime security with Ivacy VPN, now under $40.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Want a safer, more privacy-focused online experience? You can eliminate web tracking, secure your privacy, and protect your data with Ivacy VPN. It works on iOS, macOS and more, and you can use it on up to five devices with a single dirt-cheap subscription.

With this special pre-Black Friday deal, you can score lifetime access to Ivacy VPN for only $39.99 (regularly $97) — the lowest price on the web!