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How much (actual) crap would you go through to get back a lost Apple Watch?

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This is not the outhouse in question, but you get the idea.
This is not the outhouse in question, but you get the idea.
Photo: Photo by Максим Косяков@Pexels.com

Like many people, you probably love your Apple Watch. But would you lower yourself down through a toilet into the business end of an outhouse to get it back? That’s what a Michigan woman did.

The good news is she found the watch. The bad news is she got stuck in the crap and had to be rescued.

Why an Apple-made 5G iPhone modem remains only a dream

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An Apple 5G modem might look like this
Apple has poured billions into making its own 5G chip, and so far has nothing to show for it. Here's why.
Artists concept: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple’s five-year effort to make a 5G modem for the iPhone has so far accomplished little besides spending billions of dollars, according to a new report. The reasons for the failure are myriad but mostly come down to executives underestimating the complexity of the project.

That’s left iPhone-maker dependent on Qualcomm for modems, a company Apple has a very rocky relationship with.

Burn through books with these inspiring 15-minute text and audio summaries

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Spend your next flight learning with Headway's inspiring book summaries, now only $59.97.
Get today's bestsellers summarized for easy travel reading or listening, now less than $60 for life.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Libraries are full of inspiration, but the internet? It’s mostly full of distractions. Unfortunately, one is a lot more convenient than the other. Luckily, there’s now an app that can help you carve out time for a little brain food, and it’s now priced down just in time to save you from mindless scrolling over those long holiday flights.

Until September 24, you can get Headway Premium for only $59.97 with no coupon required. With this lifetime subscription, you can learn something new every time you go on your iPhone. Or finally take that deep dive into a topic you’ve been interested in for ages.

Best screen protectors for iPhone 15

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Best iPhone 15 screen protectors
These are the best screen protectors you can buy right now for iPhone 15.
Image: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

If you’re getting a new iPhone, the very first thing you should do right out of the box is slap a screen protector on it. Even though Apple calls the iPhone 15 lineup’s Ceramic Shield glass screens the toughest ever, they can and will shatter when dropped.

Plus, no matter how much you baby your new smartphone, it’s going to rub up against dirt and debris in your pocket or while rolling around in your bag. That can lead to unsightly scratches.

Keep your iPhone 15‘s screen in superb shape with a quality screen protector. Here are the best options you can buy right now.

Never pay full price for airfare again

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Save on fall travel and beyond with this $70 Dollar Flight Club subscription.
Join Dollar Flight Club for under $70 and save on airfare for life.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Travelers looking to take to the skies this fall and winter will want to be conscious of their budgeting because airline costs have gone through the roof. To help ease the costs of holiday trips and other necessary ventures out into the world, consider Dollar Flight Club.

Now through September 24, you can get a DFC Premium Plus+ lifetime subscription for only $69.97 (regularly $1690). With this platform, you can take your cheapest vacation or family visit yet.

Making the endlessly inventive Snoopy watch face for Apple Watch

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Lift your arm to look at your Apple Watch, and you'll see a face like this turn into an animation. And there are tons of them.
Lift your arm to look at your Apple Watch, and you'll see a face like this turn into an animation. And there are tons of them.
Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac

If you love Charlie Brown’s dog Snoopy, as generations of Peanuts fans and product marketers do, you better get the new Snoopy Apple Watch face now available in watchOS 10.

After all, a ton of work went into making its endlessly inventive animations, according to a new report.

Ultra 2 reviews: Small upgrades strengthen ‘ultimate’ Apple Watch

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Apple Watch Ultra 2 debuted with modest but welcome upgrades.
Apple Watch Ultra 2 debuted with modest but welcome upgrades.
Photo: Apple

Apple Watch Ultra 2 reviews are out, and they’re positive. Modest upgrades like a brighter display, double-tap gesturing and a faster processor might not make current Ultra owners shell out for the new one, but it’s highly recommended to anyone else who wants the best rugged smartwatch. For more details on the Ultra’s features, click here to explore.

Conspiracy looms in first look at spy thriller Slow Horses season 3

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As Jackson Lamb, Gary Oldman is never looking his best.
As rumpled spy Jackson Lamb, Gary Oldman never looks his best.
Photo: Apple

Jackson Lamb and his team of misfit MI5 agents return soon for season three of espionage thriller Slow Horses. Apple TV+ offered a first look Wednesday with some photos and plot tidbits about the trouble they will get into.

The award-winning show debuts December 1 with the first two episodes of the new season. As a big fan of the show and the books it’s based on, I can’t wait.

Early Apple Watch Series 9 review roundup: New chip brings new tricks

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Apple Watch Series 9 on Wrist
Just because the outer design of Apple Watch Series 9 hasn't changed doesn't mean there aren't new features.
Screenshot: Apple

Early reviews of Apple Watch Series 9 praise its new processor that gives the wearable a nifty Double Tap gesture and improves Siri, too. The brighter display also draws kudos from reviewers.

The 2023 version can be preordered now, and starts reaching customers on Friday.

Two powerhouse MacBooks drive dual Studio Displays [Setups]

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Not everyone can say they have two late model MacBooks Pro and two Studio Displays, but the employer helped out in this case.
Not everyone can say they have two late model MacBooks Pro and two Studio Displays, but the employer helped out in this case.
Photo: [email protected]

Not many folks get to flaunt two late-model, powerhouse MacBook Pro laptops along with two Studio Displays in their computer setup — but it certainly becomes more likely when an employer contributes gear. Today’s featured setup comes from an art director in just that situation.

His Apple-all-the-way setup won much praise, but some commenters on social media had fits over a backward-facing MacBook Pro — and provided a fix for the flagrant flub.

Best cases you can buy today for iPhone 15

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These are the best cases you can buy for iPhone 15 right now.
From as little as $14.99.
Image: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

Got an iPhone 15 or 15 Pro on preorder? It’s time to start thinking about protection. No matter how badly you want to show off your handset’s pretty paint job or its tough titanium chassis, you’re going to regret not covering it up if you drop it onto a hard surface and break it within a week. But don’t worry — there are already a bunch of excellent case options to choose from.

Whether you want a sleek fit that complements iPhone 15’s slim design, extreme impact-resistance for the most damaging drops, or luxurious leather that only gets better with age, there’s an iPhone 15 case right up your alley.

We rounded up the best options you can buy right now, with prices starting from a mere $14.99.

This discount eSIM makes international data easy and affordable

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Ditch roaming charges on your iPhone with aloSIM, now only $21.97.
This $22 eSIM comes with $50 of data credits to keep your iPhone connected abroad.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

When you travel to another country, you definitely want to leave roaming charges behind. They can prove shockingly expensive, and sometimes the data you get doesn’t quite cut it.

Fortunately, you can get more reliable international data with the aloSIM eSIM. Through September 24, you can get it for life for only $21.97, and your purchase even comes with $50 of data credits.

iPhone 15 Pro vs. iPhone 15: Which one should you buy?

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iPhone 15 Pro vs. iPhone 15 comparison
Should you spend the $200 extra and get the iPhone 15 Pro this year?
Photo/Graphics: Apple/Rajesh

This year’s iPhone 15 lineup packs some big upgrades, including 48MP cameras, USB-C connectors and faster chips on both models, and a titanium frame on the Pro. But between the iPhone 15 Pro and the iPhone 15, which one should you pick?

The two iPhones might appear nearly the same at first glance, but as per usual, the Pro benefits from high-end features. It is also $200 more expensive. So, should you buy the iPhone 15 Pro over the regular iPhone 15? Find out in this comparison.

Soundcore’s new pint-size Bluetooth speakers pack a hi-res punch

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The new Soundcore Motion 300 is small enough to strap to a backpack for a hike.
The new Soundcore Motion 300 is small enough to strap to a backpack for a hike.
Photo: Soundcore

Summer’s ending, but the new Soundcore Motion 300 and Motion 100 portable high-fidelity Bluetooth speakers can still give you stereo sound for outdoor activities this fall and winter, the company said Wednesday.

The $80 Motion 300, available October 9, is a 30-watt speaker with Wireless Hi-Res Certification and 13 hours of playtime. The similar $60 Motion 100, which lacks the 300’s SmartTune EQ, will ship in November, Soundcore said.

Learn new languages for life with forever access to Babbel

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Get lifetime access to Babbel for only$169.97 to learn new languages for life.
Take up a new language with this $169.97 lifetime subscription to Babbel.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Just about any professional can benefit from knowing a second or third language, as multilingual workers can earn more. And with digital tech connecting industries and collaborators across time zones and international borders, it’s worth considering what languages would be most helpful to add to your arsenal.

Looking for a tried-and-true solution for learning a new language? Check out this Babbel lifetime subscription, which is on sale for just $169.97 (regularly $599) through September 24.

Mac sits at the top of the chart for consumer satisfaction

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24-inch iMac
Mac users are very satisfied with their iMac.
Photo: Apple

Mac users are very satisfied with their computer. Even more so than last year, according to a survey of users of all types of desktops, laptops and tablets.

Apple computers beat Windows PCs from most rivals in user satisfaction. In fact, there’s only one company that can rival Apple.

iPhone 15 Pro/Max review roundup: In high demand for a reason

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One of the best Pro model upgrades in years, some reviewers said.
One of the best Pro model upgrades in years, some reviewers said.
Photo: Apple

High demand for the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max is well-deserved, according to the first reviews, thanks to the new models’ lightweight titanium frames, immersive screens, beefed-up cameras and numerous incremental improvements,

Several reviewers noted how smartphone changes are always incremental nowadays. But the upgrades to the iPhone 15 Pro models seem like some of Apple’s best in years.

Build an army of cute ‘robots’ to conquer charging needs [Review] ★★★★☆

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The adorable little charging bots come in 30W and 65W versions and black or purple colors.★★★★☆
The adorable little charging bots come in 30W and 65W versions and black or purple colors.
Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac

If you like cute, Ugreen’s got you covered. Its new Ugreen Nexode RG fast chargers are adorable little “robots” that can charge iPhones, iPads and more. “RG” stands for “Robot GaN,” meaning they’re gallium nitride (GaN) chargers.

And they really only look like robots. They’re not going to walk your dog or rise up and destroy humanity or anything. Probably.

The company sent me a trio of the little cuties to check out. You could get several for different electrical outlets, and when they’re not plugged in, they could stand guard over your computer setup.

First iPhone 15/Plus reviews: Pro features get more affordable

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iPhone 15 in hand
iPhone 15 includes the Dynamic Island and other features that were formerly for Pro only.
Screenshot: Apple

Initial reviews of the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus praise the addition of the Dynamic Island and 48MP camera, saying they make the new handsets feel like a significant upgrade for users of older models. They also applaud the switch to USB-C and the new ultra-wideband chip.

The two iOS 17 devices reach store shelves this Friday.

Here’s what Thread networking can do for iPhone 15 Pro

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iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max are the first smartphones to include Thread mesh networking. But why?
iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max are the first smartphones to include Thread mesh networking. But why?
Photo: Apple

Thread wireless mesh networking is strongly associated with the Matter smart-home automation standard, so some people found it surprising Apple would include Thread radio technology in iPhone 15 Pro models in addition to Bluetooth and Wi-Fi wireless connectivity.

A new report surfaced theories about what Apple’s up to and what future impacts it might have.

Grab Microsoft Office for Mac or Windows for just $29.97

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Improve your digital output — MS Office is only $34.97 for Mac and Windows users.
Get Microsoft Office for life at one low price with this limited-time deal.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Being productive in 2023 means having the tools required to create digital content. Microsoft Office provides the most popular and accessible programs for writing, organizing, presenting and communicating. And despite Apple’s best efforts, MS Office continues to dominate the field.

Want lifetime access to this top-rated productivity software? For a limited time, you can get Microsoft Office for Mac or Windows on sale for just $29.97.