No-screen pen tablets are traditional for artists, and the just-announced Astropad Slate recreates that experience with an iPad and Apple Pencil.

The software, currently in beta, supports Apple’s stylus, including support for hover.

In theory, we’d all love to learn a new language. There are tons of benefits to being multilingual, some obvious (better communication skills, the chance to meet new friends) and some less so (heightened mental health, a resume upgrade).

The problem is finding the right time and the right teacher. And no matter what kind of time you have in your day, Rosetta Stone is designed to help you learn, one word at a time. Now anyone can get lifetime access to this popular language learning system for an extra $30 off with a special fall promo code.

Citing a workforce that has become more mobile than ever before, Journey unveiled its new journey laptop sleeve that also works as a wireless charger, mouse pad, and desk mat for a mobile setup, the company said Thursday.

“The Nexa is a laptop accessory that actually does the job of four accessories – a sleeve, charger, mousepad, and desk mat,” Journey said. ““Laptop users with a NEXA in hand can enjoy better mobility when they come and go between different workspaces each day.”

Nanoleaf added a handy new portable smart lamp with brand partner Umbra and two new smart bulbs to its Essentials line, the company said Thursday.

All of the products will work through the Matter smart-home standard with HomeKit and other smart-home platforms.

Anyone planning on purchasing a used iPhone should take a look at new support document from Apple with tips on a successful buying process.

This includes a very useful inspection checklist to go through before handing over any money.

Although the well-reviewed Beats Studio Pro wireless active noise canceling (ANC) headphones just launched in July, you can now get them for half off on Amazon (49% off, to be exact). And that’s not a Prime member special, either.

So for an unknown amount of time, you can nab them for $179.95 instead of $350.

Feeling jealous that iPhone 15 users can plug a thumb drive directly into their phone? Then you need the PNY Duo Link iOS USB 3.2 Dual Flash Drive. It has both a Lightning connector and USB-A connector, which makes it compatible with iPhone, iPad and Mac. Windows, too.

With it, you can copy images or other files between devices. Or backup your iPhone when you’re on the go.

I put PNY’s drive through its paces. Here’s what I found out.

With the leaves turning colors and the wood stoves standing by for winter, it’s not too late to score great deals on Microsoft’s crucial productivity software, Windows and Office. Bargains await in the October Sale at CdkeySales.com.

Logitech unveiled its new Wave Keys ergonomic keyboards for personal and business uses Wednesday. They offer “instantly familiar typing, providing comfort at the desk in the home and office,” the company said.

“We believe that everybody deserves to feel good at the end of a day of work, so we set about designing workspace essentials that are as attractive and approachable as they are ergonomic,” said Art O’Gnimh, general manager, Logitech Core Personal Workspace. “Wave Keys has workspace wellbeing at its heart, thanks to its science-driven design with a stamp of approval from leading ergonomists.”

Whether you’re going on vacation or working from anywhere, you need to protect your gear before using networks you don’t know. Instead of yet another software subscription, the Deeper Connect Pico offers hard-wired protection that fits in your pocket.

Right now, you can get this travel-ready cybersecurity protection device and Wi-Fi adapter for just $148.99. That’s $99 off the $248 MSRP.

Apple reportedly will see a significant decline in MacBook shipments in the remaining half of 2023. This is primarily due to the lack of new models, with MacBooks powered by an Apple M3 chip not launching until 2024.

The M3 chip could debut inside the iMac as early as this year before expanding to other Macs.

Globetrotters may think they already know all the best travel hacks, but they might not know this secret: With Travel Buyers Club, you can gain access to member-exclusive prices on airfare, hotels, rental cars, theme parks and more.

Since you’re a Cult of Mac reader, you can save 60% on your first year of membership and get it for just $39.99 (regularly $99).

An authority on display technology said Wednesday that Apple will be unable to introduce a MacBook with an OLED screen for at least three years.

But iPads with OLED are expected much sooner.

Apple posted a 90-minute “Study With Me” YouTube video Wednesday showing actress Storm Reid, a college student, leading a study session with her 15-inch MacBook Air.

And while the video promotes the laptop, it really is a study session using the Pomodoro method, with study periods, breaks and music. So crack that laptop and get to work with her.

As part of Amazon Prime Big Deal Days, Function101 offers a couple of ways to save on Apple accessories, like the accessory-maker’s nifty Cable Blocks, Apple TV remote control and Desk Mat Pro.

But act fast, because the offers end Wednesday at 11:59 p.m. Pacific.

Cult of Mac reader Nick Howard sent us his clever M1 Mac mini computer setup. It’s clever because it pulls a disappearing act, with very little effort on Howard’s part, whenever it’s not in use. Almost like magic.

“I love this setup as it’s completely unobstrusive when not being used and, in use, it offers the perfect combination of screen size and display of information for me, [while] remaining minimalist,” he said.

Reading Time for iPhone and iPad lets you build a library of books, then tracks your progress as you read. It encourages reading by making everything easier and more fun.

You can easily scan books by their barcodes to add them to your library. When you start a reading session, a Live Activity will show up on your Lock Screen, in the Dynamic Island or in StandBy.

The Reading Time app keeps track of your progress with detailed stats — like your reading speed, and estimated time until you’re finished — in an organized dashboard of books.

The new Mophie 3-in-1 Extendable Stand with MagSafe features a tilting charging pad that telescopes upward from its base to help you position your iPhone for the best FaceTime calls.

And with charging spots for Apple Watch and AirPods, you can power up three devices at the same time.

Being the default search engine in the Safari web browser is apparently worth an enormous amount of money. Google reportedly pays Apple between $18 billion and $20 each year for the privilege.

But the payments might come to an end as a result of the antitrust accusations the Department of Justice brought against the search giant.

Drone footage adds style to your videos and makes the geography of your shot easier to visualize. This pair of 4K drones makes capturing drone footage easy, and right now you can get both of them for less than $110. (That’s a savings of more than $280.)

Apple will tweak the Action button’s behavior on the iPhone 15 Pro with the upcoming iOS 17.1. The change should prevent accidental keypresses from triggering the camera or flashlight.

The customizable Action button is easily one of the key highlights of the iPhone 15 Pro series.

iOS 16.7.1 launched on Tuesday to deal with a serious security problem in the older version of Apple’s iPhone operating system. It’s for iPhone users who haven’t yet made the jump to iOS 17.

There’s also an iPadOS version for tablets.

More than 1 billion people have used Microsoft Office, the productivity suite that many Americans grew up utilizing in classrooms and continue to count on as professionals. Now a big discount on a lifetime license to MS Office for Mac makes the software extremely affordable.

During our Fall Deal Days event, we’re dropping the cost of a lifetime license to Microsoft Office Home & Business for Mac 2021 to just $29.97 (regularly $219). There’s no coupon necessary, but this amazing deal on the world’s most popular software suite ends October 15.

Momax makes sophisticated and stylish Apple accessories that work flawlessly with your favorite Apple devices.

Apple is looking into innovative ways to charge iPad accessories, and that includes sending wireless power through the screen.

If the company adopts the idea and expands on it, charging a pair of AirPods would be as simple as putting the case down on an iPhone.