Start with a new 16-inch M2 MacBook Pro, a CalDigit Thunderbolt 4 dock and a huge Samsung display, and go from there. Photo: [email protected]
Perhaps you’ve heard an expression often used in sports commentary — “so-and-so is running a clinic on this,” meaning showing anyone and everyone how it’s done.
Today’s featured computer setup comes from an Apple administrator who clearly knows how it’s done, if “it” is setting up a rock-solid and highly functional workstation.
★★★★☆
This router has a few tricks up its sleeve. It has an AT&T SIM card — but best of all, it didn’t come from AT&T. Photo: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac
EZ Internet Solutions is a rural internet service provider that can give you a solid cellular internet connection that’s truly unlimited — no data cap, no speed throttling. If you live in a spot without any internet infrastructure, but you do have a cell connection, it is a solid option you should consider.
EZ Internet Solutions offers cellular home internet in places AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile don’t. Contrast that with HughesNet, a popular satellite internet provider, which charges an arm and a leg only to give you a fraction of the speed.
I truly live in the middle of nowhere, and yet I’ve been using EZ Internet to live stream a video podcast every week for months without a hitch.
Don't miss your chance at a 4K dual-cam drone for under $80. Photo: StackCommerce
If you want to see just how far drone technology has come, here’s a shining example that went on sale just in time for the holidays. The Ninja Dragons Blade X is a dual-camera 4K drone that hits all the marks whether you’re flying for fun or looking for Hollywood-quality aerial footage — and it’s only $80 for a limited time.
Foxconn is Apple's biggest contract manufacturer. Photo: Puddingworld, CC BY-SA 4.0/Wikimedia Commons
The Chinese government began multiple investigations into Foxconn, the Taiwanese company that assembles the iPhone, MacBooks and other Apple devices in China.
There are suspicions that the investigations are politically motivated: Foxconn founder Terry Gou is running for president of Taiwan.
This week’s Awesome Apps: NetNewsWire, LivePod and Dungeon Hunter 6. Photo: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac
In this week’s Awesome Apps roundup, we have a major update to Dungeon Hunter, a beloved RPG game; an RSS reader that can keep track of pretty much everything online; and a handy app for seeing what’s playing next in Apple Music.
Gift this AI assistant resume writer to yourself or a friend for only $29.97. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
If you know someone on the job hunt or are in this process yourself, it may be a smart idea to gift them and yourself Resoume, an AI-powered resume, portfolio and cover letter builder. Through October 23rd, you can get a lifetime subscription for only $29.97 (reg. $180).
Apple's next HomePod could pack a LCD screen on top. Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac
Alleged photos of a HomePod prototype with an LCD screen on top have surfaced online. They showcase the smart speaker with a big touch-based LCD panel on top.
Apple’s current-gen HomePod has a small touch surface on top for controlling music playback and volume.
★★★★★
Jesse Plemons and Robert De Niro match wits in Martin Scorsese's Killers of the Flower Moon Photo: Apple TV+
As far back as I could remember, Martin Scorsese has been synonymous with the movies. Now Apple TV+ has financed his latest work, an adaptation of David Grann’s true crime novel The Killers of the Flower Moon about the death of a native American community and the birth of the FBI to the tune of $200 million.
Killers of the Flower Moon will go down as one of the director’s boldest and most furious statements in a career full of them.
This cooking show comes with some broiling-hot commentary. Photo: Apple
Brie Larson as a frustrated scientist with a love of cooking is a recipe for a hit series on Apple TV+. After premiering earlier this month, Lessons in Chemistry is already the second most popular series or film on streaming, according to a market analysis.
New episodes debut every week on Apple’s streaming service.
This AI course bundle is only $49.97 through October 23rd. Photo: Cult of Mac deals
AI-driven technology can be super helpful and time-saving. Those who know how to develop and manage it are in high demand worldwide, and with this bundle, you and whoever you gift it to could harness the power of AI to boost productivity.
Learn the ropes of IT and cybersecurity through this bundle, now just $60 through October 23rd. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
If you or someone you know has an interest in IT, the field of cybersecurity is something to consider. Since our world has become increasingly digital, it makes sense that the demand for cybersecurity professionals and IT experts is soaring. In fact, videos about cybersecurity have over 1.2 billion views on TikTok alone (per ExplodingTopics.com).
The new Dungeon Hunter 6 is loads of fun and free (sort of). Image: Gameloft/Goat Games
Dungeon Hunter 6, the new installment in the long-running RPG series, offers heaps of fantasy-themed battle. It’s a mix of real-time fighting and strategy, and offers a fun look to its characters and many, many monsters.
It’s a free to play game for iPhone and iPad, with in-app purchases.
If you’re in the market for a MacBook Pro, a bunch of deals currently at B&H Photo are too good to pass up — like $1,900 off a 2021 16-inch M1 Max MacBook Pro. And other laptop deals range from a couple hundred bucks off to more than a thousand bucks off regular prices.
Remember when those MacBook models seemed beyond your financial reach? Well, all you had to do is wait a couple years. See below, and we threw in some newer M2 models, too.
This setup features an M2 MacBook Pro, but it still uses a 2015 Retina model, too. Photo: [email protected]
Who says an 8-year-old MacBook Pro is too old? Today’s featured setup relies on a new M2 MacBook Pro for most of the real work, but a 2015 Retina model still contributes regularly.
“Used it for school but recently graduated in May, only use for it now is YouTube/visuals until it dies,” graphic designer and Redditor izzyontheweb said. “Could you believe it’s a 2015 model and still works amazing?”
The new AirBox Go weighs less than most iPads, fits in almost any bag and charges three Apple devices at once. Photo: Momax
Ever find your Apple devices running on empty while you’re on the go? That’s when you need a power bank or battery pack small enough to fit easily in your bag, so you can charge up devices without a power outlet.
The Momax AirBox Go is a 3-in-1 charging station that will keep your gadgets going wherever you are. This unique Apple accessory is on sale, cutting the price drastically.
And that's a wrap for "The Problem with Jon Stewart." Photo: Apple TV+
The Apple TV+ commentary series The Problem with Jon Stewart reportedly has abruptly been canceled. The reason is supposedly creative differences between the host and Apple over covering China and AI.
The decision was made before filming of the third season could begin.
You won't find this exclusive deal anywhere else: 20TB of lifetime cloud storage for just $90. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
One thing is guaranteed: you’ll eventually run out of space on your devices. Many of us have gotten a “low storage” notification while trying to capture a special moment on our iPhones. Inventions are made out of necessity, and Prism Drive is here to deliver a cloud storage solution for your files, documents, videos, photos and audio files so you can free up space and keep moving. Now, lifetime access to Prism Drive’s 20TB cloud storage plan is only 89.97 (reg. $1,494) through October 23rd.
★★★★☆
The Samsung T9 puts terabytes of storage in your pocket. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
The Samsung T9 solid-state drive is small enough and tough enough to go almost anywhere. And it’s available in capacities up to 4 terabytes.
I put the recently launched SSD to the test with a range of Apple devices and came away pleased with the design and performance. That said, Mac users can’t take advantage of one of its best features.
Future Apple Vision headsets might be more comfortable to wear because of an FCC vote. Photo: Apple
The U.S. Federal Communications Commission voted Thursday to allow unregulated devices to use the 6 GHz band to wirelessly communicate over short ranges. Apple could use this to enable fast communication between its Vision AR headsets and other computers, like an iPhone.
Apple is one of several companies that asked the FCC to make the change back in 2019.
It's going to cost more for many to Netflix and chill. Photo: Brad Gibson / Cult of Mac
Netflix raised the price of two tiers of its streaming video service by up to $3 a month. This comes a week after subscription fees for Disney+ and Hulu went up.
The changes make Apple TV+ one of the lowest-priced streaming services.
Maintain natural eye contact while your read from a script with Elgato Prompter. Photo: Elgato
Video streamers with a lot to say know that working without a script can be challenging, and most teleprompters TV hosts use to read while maintaining eye contact are pricey. But the new Elgato Prompter brings the technology to the masses for $280, the company said Tuesday.
So you can look like a pro on your YouTube video or Zoom call. And Promter’s screen serves as an extra monitor for Mac or PC, too.
X-rays reveal the differences between high-quality Thunderbolt and USB-C cables versus cheaper options. Photo: Lumafield
Thunderbolt cables cost far more than standard USB-C ones, and a series of X-ray scans of various options reveals why. The virtual teardown shows that the Apple Thunderbolt 4 (USB‑C) Pro cable has far more features than one might expect for such a simple accessory. Cheaper ones are as bare-bones as could be expected.