Mobile menu toggle

Note Apple’s holiday shipping deadlines so your gifts get there on time

By

Ted Lasso animation
Sure, this is mustache-less Ted Lasso from a 2022 holiday animated short, but the coach looks pretty worried his gifts won't get to Kansas by Christmas.
Photo: Apple

If you’re planning on giving the gift of Apple gear to someone this holiday season, you better follow holiday shipping guidelines Apple posted on Thursday.

That way you can make sure your presents get to where they’re going by December 24, just in time for Christmas.

iPhone 15 handily beats iPhone 14 in 5G download speed tests

By

The iPhone 15 Series modem chip upgrade resulted in appropriately faster 5G downloads.
The iPhone 15 Series modem chip upgrade resulted in appropriately faster 5G downloads.
Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

iPhone 15 Series handsets released in September smoke iPhone 14 handsets by up to 54% in 5G download speeds, new tests released Wednesday showed.

Given the modem chipset upgrade in the newer models, the results aren’t surprising. But it’s always reassuring when the new gear performs as advertised.

Block all YouTube ads with the best Safari extension ever [Awesome Apps]

By

Vinegar running on iOS
No ads. Picture-in-picture. Background play. All in one extension. Perfect, no notes.
Image: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac
Awesome Apps

If you love YouTube but hate YouTube ads, Vinegar is the best Safari extension you can download. It blocks all ads on YouTube and restores many iOS-native features like playing videos in the background, picture-in-picture, and more on iPhone, iPad and Mac alike.

YouTube ads are freaking insufferable. But if you don’t want to put down the dough for YouTube Premium (currently $13.99 per month), you can pay a one-time fee of just $1.99 to buy Vinegar for all your Apple devices.

If you ever watch YouTube, Vinegar is life-changing. Get it now on the App Store for iOS, iPadOS and macOS.

How to get the latest USB-C Apple Pencil firmware update

By

Apple Pencil (USB-C) firmware update
Yes, you might need to think about updating the software on your Apple Pencil.
Image: Apple/Cult of Mac

Just about everything electronic requires firmware — Apple’s iPad stylus is no exception. With software comes updates, and there’s new one for the recently released version of the Apple Pencil with a USB-C port.

Here’s how to check what firmware version your Apple Pencil is currently running, and a suggestion on how to get the new update.

Wireless record player makes vinyl fun again

By

Enjoy analog music anywhere with the RokBlok 2.0, now under $80.
Give a vinyl fan analog listening anywhere with the RokBlok 2.0, on sale ahead of Black Friday for less than $80.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Anyone who loves vinyl records will tell you that the physicality of the medium is half the fun. Still, those precious platters aren’t exactly the most portable way to bring music to the party, to say nothing of the equipment you need to play them — until now.

The RokBlok 2.0 is a compact, self-contained record player that spins around while the record stays still, and it’s on sale now with early Black Friday pricing. Now through December 3, you can grab it for yourself or a loved one for only $79.97 (regularly $99).

Apple Music Classical expands to iPad

By

Apple Music Classical for iPad
The Apple Music Classical application now supports large tablet screens.
Photo: Apple

The Apple Music Classical app that launched for iPhone earlier this year has been updated with support for the larger screens on iPads.

The app offers access to the world’s largest classical music catalog, with more than 5 million tracks. It’s free for Apple Music subscribers. If you’re interested in Mac music, you can find more insights in Apple Music Classical listening guides. This is just one of many apple digital services expanding across devices—learn more about it on Apple Music Classical on the web.

PlayStation 5 owners get 6 months of free Apple Music subscription

By

Apple Music noted its most popular song and artists of 2022.
Offer is only applicable for new and returning users though.
Photo: Apple Music

Apple and Sony have teamed up to offer six months of Apple Music free to PlayStation 5 owners. The offer is only valid for new or qualified returning users, not existing subscribers.

Apple’s music streaming now comes with a relatively short one-month trial period. So, this promotion could be a boon for users on the fence about trying Apple Music.

This kid-friendly 3D printer cranks out tons of toys

By

This kid-friendly 3D toy printer might be the coolest gift of the holiday season, now under $330.
Score this 3D toy printer as seen on Shark Tank for less than $330 before Black Friday.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Toys make fantastic gifts, but printing unlimited toys on demand? That may just be the coolest thing anyone could ever receive. With the Toybox 3D Printer Deluxe Bundle, kids and kidults alike can make their toy dreams a reality.

Ahead of Black Friday and the holiday gift-shopping craze, Cult of Mac readers can get a kid-friendly Toybox 3D printer, bundled with eight printer food colors, for only $329.97 (regularly $439). This hot deal only lasts until November 16, though.

MagSafe miracle: First Qi2 chargers arrive by Christmas

By

Apple’s MagSafe fuels new Qi2 wireless charging standard
Qi2 is MagSafe for iPhone and Android.
Photo: WPC/Cult of Mac

The Wireless Power Consortium promised Wednesday that the first chargers using the emerging Qi2 standard will be on the market in time for the holiday season.

Qi2 unifies wireless charging for iPhone and Android, bringing the advantages of Apple’s MagSafe to rival handsets.

Congress wants to know why Apple TV+ axed Jon Stewart’s show

By

The Problem with Jon Stewart
Did Apple's working relationship with China cause the cancellation of "The Problem with Jon Stewart"?
Photo: Apple TV+

Following last month’s abrupt cancellation of Apple TV+ commentary series The Problem With Jon Stewart, members of Congress sent a letter to Apple asking whether the show’s potential coverage of China played a role in the series getting the ax.

The lawmakers want to know if “the coercive tactics of a foreign power” were a factor in Apple’s decision.

Modern fashion rises from flames of WWII in The New Look drama on Apple TV+

By

Ben Mendelsohn stars as Christian Dior.
Ben Mendelsohn stars as Christian Dior in "The New Look" on Apple TV+.
Photo: Apple TV+

Legends Christian Dior and Coco Chanel launched modern fashion design amid the horrors of Nazi occupation in Paris, according to the first look Apple TV+ provided Wednesday for The New Look.

Boasting a star-studded cast, the 10-episode historical drama series premieres February 14.

Find the perfect monitor riser for your desk [Setups]

By

Mac mini setup Studio Display on monitor riser
Though most monitors come with adjustable stands, adding a monitor riser provides benefits to any computer setup.
Photo: [email protected]

Whether you call them monitor risers, desk shelves or display stands, finding the right one for your desk’s size can be a huge boon to your computer setup. Today’s featured Mac mini workstation benefits from a compact Balolo stand sitting toward the back of a small desk.

You can see that choice desk shelf and several other options below, along with all the setup’s gear, including a Studio Display and marvelous high-end headphones.

Just-launched M3 iMac already gets massive $200 discount

By

The new iMac with M3 in all seven colors
M3 iMac gets a big $200 discount within days of its launch.
Photo: Apple

Apple’s 2023 iMac with an M3 chip and a 10-core GPU is available with a massive $200 discount within days of going on sale. This is a fantastic deal on the Cupertino giant’s latest all-in-one.

Without the discount, you must shell out $1,499 for the M3 iMac. But this Amazon deal brings the more powerful M3 chip with a 10-core GPU to the same price as the entry-level variant.

Tiny new Opal Tadpole webcam offers 4K quality on the go

By

If your laptop's webcam isn't doing it for you, you might try the new Tadpole from Opal.
If your laptop's webcam isn't doing it for you, you might try the new Tadpole from Opal.
Photo: Opal

The ex-Apple and Beats folks behind the DSLR-like Opal C1 Webcam are back with a tiny new webcam claiming even better picture quality in an ultra-portable package for use with laptops and tablets — the Opal Tadpole.

And unlike the C1, which launched at $300 and dropped to $250, the Tadpole comes out of the gate at $175.

Why MacBook buyers should choose M3 Max chip over M3 Pro

By

Why MacBook buyers should choose M3 Max chip over M3 Pro
It might be worth going with the M3 Max for the huge performance gain.
Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac

Professionals looking for a more powerful MacBook will get really significantly more performance by upgrading to an M3 Max processor instead of the M3 Pro.

It’s no surprise that the Max version of one of Apple’s new chips is faster than the Pro, but many people might not be aware how very much faster it is.

Streamline your travel kit with this 3-in-1 wireless charging station

By

Pick up this 3-in-1 wireless charging station compatible with Apple products for less than $45.
Score pre-Black Friday savings on this 3-in-1 Apple-compatible wireless charging station, now only $43.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

When you’re traveling, nothing beats a single, small charging station that can power up multiple Apple devices simultaneously. Enter the MagStack 3-in-1 wireless charging station, which can juice up your iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods without cluttering up your desk or bedside table.

This remarkably portable power station resembles Apple’s MagSafe Duo. However, it proves even more useful than that now-discontinued device, which retailed for a hefty $129.

For a limited time, the MagStack is on sale for just $42.97 (regularly $74), making it surprisingly affordable. (You can save even more on a two-pack.) It even comes with the 20W power adapter you’ll need to plug into the wall!

iPhone 14 gets another year of free Emergency SOS via satellite

By

iPhone 14's Emergency SOS via Satellite comes to the rescue again.
iPhone 14's Emergency SOS via Satellite comes to the rescue again.
Photo: Apple

Apple is extending free Emergency SOS via satellite on the iPhone 14 Pro series for another year. The company initially promised two years of free access for the phones when they launched in 2022.

Emergency SOS via satellite allows the iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 series to connect to emergency services without mobile network or Wi-Fi access.

iOS 17.2 beta 3: All the features and changes

By

iOS 17.2 release notes
Time to try out iOS 17.2 beta on your iPhone!
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

A week after seeding the second iOS 17.2 beta, Apple has released the third beta of the OS. The first two beta builds were loaded with new features, and iOS 17.2 beta 3 is no different.

Below are all the changes and enhancements we have found in iOS 17.2 beta 3 so far.

Start your cybersecurity career with this $40 CompTIA superbundle

By

Take steps towards a cybersecurity career with this CompTIA bundle, now under $40.
These courses will help you prep for the CompTIA certifications you need for an IT career.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

As cybercrime becomes more prevalent, so do employment opportunities for people with the skills to battle hackers, phishers and other online baddies. The Complete 2023 CompTIA Course Super Bundle offers 13 courses that can help you earn the certifications you need to tap into this increasingly lucrative career path.

Ahead of Black Friday, you can gain lifetime access to these cybersecurity-focused courses from iducate for only $39.97 (regularly $195). Don’t delay — that’s the best price online!

Get Microsoft Office for Mac for just $49.99

By

An iMac with a screensaver that says
Microsoft Office is the go-to software suite for millions around the world. Get a lifetime license for just $49.99.
Photo: Carl Heyerdahl/Unsplash License

Owning a copy of Microsoft Office is simply essential in today’s remote and hybrid working world. Set yourself up to work from home or anywhere with a lifetime license for Microsoft Office Home & Business 2021 for Mac, on sale now for just $49.99 (list price $249.99).

For PC fans, the Windows version of MS Office is available — but the deal’s not quite as sweet.

Samsung T5 EVO portable SSD offers a whopping 8 terabytes of storage

By

Samsung T5 EVO SSD in use
There's room for years of images and videos on the new Samsung T5 EVO solid state drive.
Photo: Samsung

Samsung just launched the T5 EVO, a consumer-oriented solid state drive that provides up to 8 terabytes of storage, the most currently available in a portable SSD.

And the lower-capacity versions cost less than the equivalent Samsung T9 pro-grade drives that also hit store shelves recently.

Top apps and games: Apple names 37 App Store Award finalists

By

App Store Award finalists for iPhone apps
If you're looking for reliably good apps and games, this is a fine place to start. These are the apps for iPhone finalists (AllTrails, Duolingo and Flighty).
Photo: App Store

Apple’s App Store named its apps and games of the year for different devices/services plus other App Store Award finalists Tuesday. All told, it recognized 37 apps and games whose developers “are delivering exceptional experiences and making a profound cultural impact.”

And in a matter of weeks, we’ll find out who the winners are, the company said.

Save tunes you hear on TikTok straight to Apple Music

By

TikTok Add to Music App
If you come across a cool tune, you can add it to your library with a click.
Photo: TikTok

Even if you only hear a snippet of a tune on TikTok, now you can add the whole song directly to Apple Music or another music-streaming service.

TikTok’s new Add to Music App launched Tuesday in the United States and the United Kingdom. It works with Apple Music, Spotify, Amazon Music and other music streamers.

Store and charge Apple gear with the super-cool BentoStack

By

You can use the BentoStack to neatly store you Apple accessories (and charge them).
You can use the BentoStack to neatly store you Apple accessories (and charge them).
Photo: Function101

Ever order a bento box from a Japanese restaurant, with sushi and other foods in separate little compartments? The Function101 BentoStack Charge 8000 is like that  — except it holds Apple accessories you want to store at your desk or tote around. Plus, it charges them.

The BentoStack comes with four useful compartments that you can use as trays. And it features a rechargeable power bank.