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 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.
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.
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.
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.
"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.
★★★★☆
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
MagEasy makes some darned tough iPhone 15 cases. Photo: MagEasy
SwitchEasy’s extensive lineup of MagEasy iPhone 15 cases and other Apple accessories constitutes a treasure trove of cool gear. And right now you, as a Cult of Mac reader, can get an extra 5% off by using coupon code cultofmac.
That will save you even more on items already on sale.
★★★☆☆
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.
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.
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.
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.
Be ready for Apple to reveal on Thursday how much it took in during the July-through-September period. Photo: Anna
Nekrashevich/Pexels
When Apple reports the results of its most recent financial quarter later on Thursday, look for Mac and iPad to be a drag on the company’s revenue. Still, analysts are upbeat about the company’s earnings.
Investors will also be watching closely, especially considering AAPL shares are down 9% since the company last reported financial results in August.
Apple has quietly discontinued the Apple Music Voice Plan nearly two years after its release. The $5 plan was the cheapest way to subscribe to the company’s music streaming service.
Going forward, you cannot subscribe to the Apple Music Voice Plan. If you are an existing subscriber, your membership will expire at the end of your current billing cycle.
Create ATS-friendly resumes with AI Resume Builder, now just $32.97. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
We’re well into the age where HR software will look at your application before a manager ever does, so it’s more important than ever to have the proper resume. And unless you have time to tweak that resume to hit all the right keywords for each job, you’ll be spending a lot of time on paperwork.
Mark Wahlberg and Michelle Monaghan star in The Family Plan. Image: Apple TV+
In The Family Plan, Mark Wahlberg plays a father with a small secret: he used to be an assassin. His past comes back to haunt him — and his family — in a film that debuts on Apple TV+ in mid December.
With that premise, it could be a gripping drama, but the flick will be an action-comedy instead.