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Fix is on the way for Apple Watch battery woes

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Apple Watch Series 3
If a recent watchOS update cut your Apple Watch battery life, there's good news.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Many Apple Watch wearers suffered from shortened battery lives after upgrading to watchOS 10, but the problem will be taken care of soon with a software patch, according to an internal Apple document.

While not affecting everyone with an Apple Watch, this a clearly a significant problem, considering the number of complaints about it online.

A gift for techies: This ChatGPT and Python programming bundle costs less than $30

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Tech lovers can learn ChatGPT and Python from this $30 training bundle.
Get ahead of Black Friday with this $30 ChatGPT and Python training bundle.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

The holidays are approaching faster than ever, but you can get a head start on shopping for the techies in your life. Gift them lifelong knowledge with this ChatGPT and Python bundle, which can show them how to maximize their potential with these tools.

Now through November 9, you can grab this bundle for only $29.97 (regularly $154).

Brie Larson’s Lessons in Chemistry schools other streaming shows

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Get ready to learn about the patriarchy, viewers.
Brie Larson as a frustrated scientist with a love of cooking in "Lessons in Chemistry."
Photo: Apple TV+

New Apple TV+ series Lessons in Chemistry continues to be one of the top 10 most popular shows on any streaming service, according to a market analysis. The romance drama starring Brie Larson has pulled in big audiences since it debuted in October.

Season one is ongoing, with new episodes debuting every week on Apple’s streaming service.

iPad shipment decline is partially Apple’s fault

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Chicago-based artist Belinda Kuo mainly uses an iPad Air, Apple Pencil and the Procreate app in her work.
Many people are holding onto the iPads they bought during the pandemic because Apple isn't releasing any new ones.
Photo: Apple

iPad and the whole tablet market had a bad September quarter. But the slowdown in Apple’s shipments in the product category is partially self inflicted.

Nevertheless, iPad shipments are up considerably over what they were before the pandemic.

Gift lifetime language learning this holiday season with Rosetta Stone, now under $160

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Gift Rosetta Stone this holiday season for only $159.97 .
Pre-Black Friday savings! Rosetta Stone is now under $160.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Be heard in one of 25 languages

Your parents probably knew best, but there is at least one rule that doesn’t really apply once you leave the nest. Talking to strangers is perfectly acceptable, especially on vacation — and especially if you know the language.

Apple extends its product return window for the holidays

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Apple's Online Store in the US
Apple Store's extended return period for the holidays is now live.
Photo: Apple

Apple’s extended return window is now live in the US, Japan, Turkey, and several other countries. Under this policy, customers get a longer duration to return Apple products.

Typically, Apple provides a 14-day return period for its devices in most markets worldwide.

Fake news clips launch For All Mankind season 4

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For All Mankind season 4 fake news clips
Before you blast off with "For All Mankind," don't forget to catch up on the fake news.
Photo: Apple

If you’re fan of alternative-history drama series For All Mankind — in which the space race never ended — Apple TV+ has a treat for you. It’s 15 minutes of fake news clips showing you relevant (fictional) events between season 3 and season 4.

Consider it a teaser that gets you ready for the next 10 episodes, debuting November 10.

Apple opens its 56th retail store in China

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This is Apple's first store in the city of Wenzhou.
This is Apple's first store in the city of Wenzhou.
Photo: Apple

Apple previewed its 56th retail location in China Thursday, saying Apple MixC Wenzhou will open to customers on Saturday as the company’s first in that city of more than 9 million people, and its fourth in Zhejiang province.

The iPhone giant also emphasized the new store’s accessibility and sustainable design incorporating plan-based materials.

Need to switch computers? These new KVM switches make it easy.

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The built-in cables make the KVM switch look a little complicated, but you can handle it.
The built-in cables make the KVM switch look a little complicated, but you can handle it.
Photo: StarTech.com

In Cult of Mac‘s Setups coverage, we often come across users wondering on social media about how to easily switch between personal and work computers using the same display, keyboard and other peripherals. A solid solution is a KVM switch, and StarTech rolled out five new ones recently.

The devices’ compact designs could suit home setups — especially elaborate ones that folks are proud enough of to flaunt online.

Apple TV+ kids shows score 27 Emmy nominations

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"Jane" received five Emmy nominations.
Photo: Apple TV+

Parents should take note that Apple TV+ series or specials received over two dozen nominations for this year’s Children’s & Family Emmy Awards.

Jane, Best Foot Forward, Helpsters, Slumberkins, Ghostwriter, Snoopy Presents: Lucy’s School and Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock all landed nominations for top awards.

This brilliant iPad stylus also works with iPhone [Review] ★★★★

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Zagg Pro Stylus 2 review★★★★
Zagg's new iPad stylus is just right for students and businesspeople.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The Zagg Pro Stylus 2 is ready to help you take handwritten notes on an iPad and sketch out your ideas, too. Or you can use it on your iPhone — don’t try that with Apple Pencil.

It wirelessly charges on the edge of an Apple tablet, and that’s just one of the tricks it can do.

I tested the Pro Stylus 2 with my iPad Pro and iPhone 15 and came away pleased.

New Nomad folios for iPad embrace the leather Apple nixed

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Not everyone's ready to give up their leather iPad case.
Not everyone's ready to give up their leather iPad case.
Photo: Nomad

Apple replaced leather in its accessories with a twill fabric it calls FineWoven, but for those who still want classic leather, Nomad just rolled out new leather folios for iPad.

They’re similar to Apple’s Smart Folio cases, but with animal skin.

Some workstations are literally a pain in the neck [Setups]

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Could you look from one display to the other like that?
Could you look from one display to the other like that?
Photo: [email protected]

With computer setups we often talk about placing gear properly for healthy, ergonomically correct usage to avoid problems like neck pain. But some folks viewing today’s featured MacBook Pro workstation said they suffered neck pain just looking at the photo.

That’s because the setup’s dual Studio Displays sit on a mount that spreads them out, leaving a big gap in the middle unless the displays are pulled far forward toward the user.

Amazing pre-Black Friday deal knocks 15-inch MacBook Air down by $250

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15-inch MacBook Air
15-inch MacBook Air gets a big $250 discount.
Photo: Apple

If you’re in the market for a 15-inch laptop, you need to see this MacBook Air Black Friday deal. With a sleek and svelte design, the 15-inch MacBook Air gives other Windows machines a run for their money.

At $1,299, the 15-inch MacBook Air is not cheap. And that’s why you should take advantage of Amazon’s latest deal, which knocks the laptop’s price by $250.

Tim Cook commits Apple to generative AI

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AI-generated image of Apple CEO Tim Cook sitting on an ornate golden throne.
An AI-generated image of Tim Cook is appropriate for an AI-related article.
Image: Canva

Apple’s CEO made the clearest statement yet about his company’s plans for generative AI. Tim Cook said Thursday that “we have work going on.” And he made additional comments, too.

The executive also promised that Apple’s efforts on artificial intelligence are being carried out responsibly.

5 upbeat takeaways from Apple’s earnings call

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A rainbow Apple logo looms over a cloudy sky with the sun peeking through. The words
Wall Street isn't happy right now, but Apple sees good days ahead.
Image: Cult of Mac, based on photos by Aaron Burden and Sumudu Mohottige/Unsplash License

Apple stock price dropped over 3% after it announced the results of its most recent financial quarter. But there’s good news mixed with the bad, and that shouldn’t be ignored. CEO Tim Cook and other executives stayed upbeat in a call with investors on Thursday, talking up strong iPhone sales, why Tim loves Apple silicon and more.

Here are the reasons for optimism we found in Apple’s quarterly financial results and call.

Holiday gifts for techies: The Digi Pen for iPad 10th Gen, now only $34.97

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Gift idea: Pick up this stylus pen for iPads and other tablets for only $34.97.
This versatile digital pen that works with iPads and other tablets is now under $35.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

An iPad’s best accessory: a stylus

Finding the right holiday gift for a tech-minded friend or family member can be complicated, considering the overwhelming amount of options and routinely expensive price tags. For a limited time, you can find a great gift idea for any iPad or tablet user at a surprisingly low price.

Apple brings in record quarterly iPhone revenue

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Apple money cash
There's good news about iPhone, but less so for Mac.
Photo: Cult of Mac

The question on whether the iPhone 15 is off to a strong start has been answered. Apple just revealed that iOS handsets brought in more revenue in its most recent financial quarter than ever before.

“Today Apple is pleased to report a September quarter revenue record for iPhone and an all-time revenue record in Services,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO.

Apple accessories blowout sale: Get up to 90% off iPhone cases and more

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Woot Apple accessories sale
Here's your chance to bag great deals on Apple accessories.
Photo: Woot!

Amazon bargain site Woot! launched an Apple accessories sale with something for almost everyone — and deals as good as 90% off certain iPhone cases and 61% off an Apple Thunderbolt 3 Pro cable.

But with 49 products on sale, that’s just a taste. Act fast, the sale ends November 10 at 9:59 p.m. PT.

Stay classy with this supple Italian leather Apple Watch band

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The fine gray leather band will develop a patina over years of use.
The fine gray leather band will develop a patina over years of use.
Photo: Olpr. Leather Goods

Leather is absolutely classic for an Apple Watch band. But do you know what’s even better? Horween leather. And Olpr. Leather Goods offers a great one in a gray color that should develop a character-rich patina over time.

Check out the excellent band in the Cult of Mac Store.

MacBook sleeve streamlines daily carry with iPhone and AirPods charging [Review] ★★★

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As you can see, you have to push the other gear around if you want to use Nexa as a mouse pad.★★★
As you can see, you have to push the other gear around if you want to use Nexa as a mouse pad.
Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac

Journey recently unleashed an odd-but-useful beast — “the world’s first 4-in-1 laptop sleeve” with wireless charging, aka the Journey Nexa.

Journey Nexa Laptop Sleeve with Wireless Charging is a 4-in-1 device — MacBook sleeve, wireless charger for iPhone and AirPods, mouse pad and desk mat. But I found space limits it when you try to use it four ways at once, and it could benefit from some other improvements.

First benchmarks back up Apple claims of blazing-fast M3 chip speeds [Updated]

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Apple's M3 chip
In early benchmark testing, Apple's new M3 chip lives up to expectations for speed.
Photo: Apple

New benchmark tests support claims Apple made about the impressive speed of the new M3 chip unveiled Monday in the Scary Fast event.

Geekbench found the new entry-level M3 chip, which appears initially in a new 24-inch iMac and one of three MacBook Pro models, performs as expected compared to M1 and M2 versions.

Update: And after the initial results for M3 came in, further tests showed M3 Max is 42% faster than M2 Max, or about as fast as M2 Ultra. That means a new top-shelf MacBook Pro is as fast as the Mac Pro released earlier this year in June, which Apple said at the time was the “most powerful chip ever created for a personal computer.” That claim lasted about five months.

Work smarter with Geminos’s adjustable dual-screen monitor, now under $680

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Enjoy enhanced productivity with this stacked dual-screen monitor for only $679.97.
Save $120 on the Geminos stacked dual-screen monitor and productivity station.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Working from anywhere means you need better tools and more screen real estate. The Geminos, a stacked dual-screen monitor, not only gives you a larger display, but much more for workplace productivity.

Now, you can get it at a special price through the end of November 9th, just $619.97 (reg. $799) with code GEMINOS. This could be a great holiday gift for a fellow coworker, friend, family member or partner who’s looking to upgrade their work-from-home or office setup.

AirPods Pro 2 with USB-C are now an amazing 24% off [Still available!]

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AirPods Pro with USB-C port and charging cable
The new version of AirPods Pro 2 leaves Lightning behind in favor of USB-C. And it's on sale!
Photo: Apple

A crazy good deal on the new AirPods Pro 2 with USB-C case lets you save $60 off the retail price. And this despite the wireless earbuds being on the market for just over a month.

Apple’s new top-of-the-line wireless earbuds take advantage of all the latest new bells and whistles in iOS 17. Plus, they bring additional new features besides the port change, including additional dust resistance and the promise of high-res audio when paired with Apple Vision Pro.