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Robokiller blocks annoying spam calls and texts, gives you sweet revenge on telemarketers

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Take $70 off this reactive call blocker and take the fight to spammers.
Infuriate telemarketers with this ingenious spam blocker.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

If telemarketers and spam texts annoy the crap out of you, you’re not alone — and you need a call blocker like Robokiller. Telemarketing is a global industry worth more than $30 billion. And that doesn’t even account for what scammers hope to trick you out of.

You can’t fight all those nasty spammers alone. But you can enlist a top-rated app that takes an active and satisfying approach: Robokiller. It doesn’t just block spam calls and texts. You’ll feel a wicked sense of satisfaction knowing that it gives spammers a taste of their own medicine.

This could be clicky music to mechanical keyboard lovers’ ears

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Cherry calls its new MX2A switches
Cherry calls its new MX2A switches "the new gold standard." And they include some actual gold.
Photo: Cherry

Some of the best-known and most commonly used switches for mechanical keyboards worldwide are getting a major redesign, German company Cherry said Thursday.

Known for its popular Cherry MX mechanical switches, it now debuts Cherry MX2A switches. And they come with the company’s new XTRFY K5V2 mechanical keyboard, but they may be everywhere soon enough.

Fast-charge iPhone and more with new power bank — for under $20

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At less than $20, this power bank is surely one of the cheapest ways to fast-charge your iPhone and more.
At less than $20, this power bank is surely one of the cheapest ways to fast-charge your iPhone and more.
Photo: Baseus

With fast chargers for iPhone and other gadgets becoming common, it’s no surprise they’re getting cheaper. But Baseus may have reached a new low with its Airpow PD 20W Fast Charging Power Bank, the company said Thursday.

It costs just $20 normally and is on sale now at just $16.

Draw more easily on iPad with screen protector and Apple Pencil tip combo

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Astropad Rock Paper Pencil includes both iPad screen protector and Apple Pencil tip.
Rock Paper Pencil might make you a better digital artist.
Photo: Astropad

Astropad’s Rock Paper Pencil is designed for digital artists who want drawing on an iPad to feel more like using a pen on paper. It achieves this effect with an unusual combination: a screen protector and an Apple Pencil tip.

Notetakers can also appreciate not having to use the slippery glass screen of an iPad.

Is your smart light bulb giving passwords to hackers?

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A research paper found TP-Link's Tapo L530E smart bulb suffers four security flaws.
A research paper found TP-Link's Tapo L530E smart bulb suffers four security flaws.
Photo: TP-Link

A popular smart light bulb from TP-Link suffers from severe security flaws that could give hackers passwords and other information, researchers said Wednesday.

A paper examined four flaws in the bestselling TP-Link Tapo L530E, which works with Apple’s HomeKit platform.

The Morning Show season 3 trailer jumps immediately to double-dealing and backstabbing

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'The Morning Show' season 3 on Apple TV+
The third season of The Morning Show starring Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon premieres globally on September 13 on Apple TV+.
Photo: Apple

A new trailer for The Morning Show‘s upcoming third season depicts a major crisis hitting the show-within-a-show — but the solution might be worse than the problem.

That solution? A gigantic cash infusion from tech executive Paul Marks, a new character played by Mad Men star Jon Hamm. He dangles the money after the UBA TV network suffers a massive hack attack. The trailer, which Apple TV+ released Thursday, gives us a better look at Hamm as he joins Morning Show stars Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon and Billy Crudup.

Apple funding helps preserve sacred tribal lands

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Young indigenous women work to preserve a scared black-oak grove at the base of El Capitan in Yosemite National Park.
Young indigenous women work to preserve a scared black-oak grove at the base of El Capitan in Yosemite National Park.
Photo: Apple

The National Parks Foundation is putting up money to help indigenous youth restore a sacred tribal spot in California’s Yosemite National Park, Apple said Thursday. The iPhone-maker helps fund the foundation through Apple Pay sales.

Apple TV+ show shoots crucial episode on iPhone

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Who killed the groom? Better have a look at the wedding videographer's footage.
Who killed the groom? Better have a look at the wedding videographer's footage.
Photo: Apple

A TV director just revealed that he and his crew “got away with” using an iPhone to shoot much of an episode of murder-mystery comedy The Afterparty on Apple TV+.

Season 2, episode 8 of the show benefited from the sense of iPhone “found footage” because it takes place mostly during a wedding, so they took pains to make it look like some amateur shot it.

Apple’s iPhone 15 cables could be limited to sluggish data transfers

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Apple's iPhone 15 cables could be limited to sluggish data transfers
The USB-C cable that comes with iPhone 15 might not be very fast.
Photo: Apple

USB-C cables that will ship with the iPhone 15 series allegedly will support only USB 2.0. If true, that will limit data transfers to a relatively poky 480Mbps, far below the maximum speed of the more recent USB 3.2 Gen 2.

However, other reports say the actual USB-C port in the iPhone 15 is much faster.

Snag a refurbished MacBook Pro for just $299.99

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Pick up this refurbished Apple MacBook Pro, featuring 500GB of storage, for only $299.99.
Get this professionally refurbished MacBook Pro for less than an Apple Watch.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Old Intel MacBooks aren’t very fashionable these days, but they can do one thing that the latest Apple silicon machines cannot: run Windows natively.

If you’re looking for an older Mac to run Windows, or to use as a media server or a Chromebook substitute, consider this MacBook Pro from 2011. This machine ain’t gonna break speed records, but it is good for running Windows in Boot Camp.

For a limited time, you can get a refurbished MacBook Pro with a protective case for only $299, with no coupon necessary.

Apple backs California’s Right to Repair Act

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Self repair components and tools for iPhone with the necessary tools from Apple.
Apple finally supports the Golden State's Right to Repair Act.
Photo: Apple

In a major U-turn, Apple endorsed a Right to Repair bill in California. This surprising move comes after years of the company fighting and delaying similar bills in various states.

Apple sent California state Sen. Susan Talamantes Eggman a letter Tuesday endorsing the SB-244 Right to Repair Act — with certain stipulations.

Unleash your inner DJ: Learn electronic music production with lifetime access to Noiselab

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Save $300 on lifetime access to an online music production education.
Learn everything you need to know about Ableton Live, the hottest music production software around.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

If you have aspirations for a professional career in music production, you can’t afford to delay chasing that dream, as the industry will only grow more competitive. Thanks to a limited-time offer, you can gain an unlimited online education on electronic music production for less than the price of a single standard textbook.

A lifetime subscription to the Noiselab Music Production Hub will teach you everything you need to know about one of the hottest music software packages around: Ableton Live. This educational bundle is currently available at best-on-the-web pricing of only $59.99 (regularly $360) with no coupon required. That’s more than 80% savings on a service that’s backed by experts and offers instant access to hundreds of music production lessons.

Rugged new case could be next best thing to Apple Watch Ultra

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The orange button alone suggests Apple Watch Ultra, even though it's not.
The orange button alone suggests Apple Watch Ultra, even though it's not.
Photo: Nomad

Nomad unveiled its new Rugged Case for Apple Watch Wednesday, and it might just satisfy a few folks who wish they had an Ultra rather than a standard model.

The new steel case and included Rugged Band fit Apple Watch Series 4 or newer. And the gear gives you a rugged look and plenty of protection for your wearable at a much lower price than Apple Watch Ultra, of course.

Developer gives ‘audible gasp’ using Vision Pro the first time

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Developer gives ‘audible gasp’ using Vision Pro the first time
Apple's Vision Pro labs let developers test their apps on the upcoming headset. Some devs reportedly came away impressed.
Photo: Apple

Developers who visited Apple’s special labs to test their Vision Pro apps on the upcoming headset came away impressed, according to a cheery new Apple press release. The labs, which let devs test third-party apps on the AR headset Apple plans to release next year, are reportedly not well-attended. So, Apple seems intent on drumming up interest.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, developers who went to Apple’s labs offered some very positive comments about the hardware and software.

Irish mom and hellcat kid harmonize in Flora and Son trailer

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There's the happy mum and her darling boy! Looks like somebody needs a crappy guitar.
There's the happy mum and her darling boy! Looks like somebody needs a crappy guitar.
Photo: Apple

Apple TV+ dropped a trailer Wednesday for it upcoming Irish dramedy Flora and Son, saying “never underestimate a Dublin woman with a guitar.”

Bad Sisters mainstay Eve Hewson stars as that Dublin woman, a beleaguered mom trying to give her rebellious teen son a focus in life through a beat-up old acoustic guitar.

The film debuts in theaters September 22 and streams on Apple TV+ September 29.

$100 discount drops Apple Watch Ultra to all-time low price

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First Apple Watch with microLED screen could be on the way
The Apple Watch Ultra drops to a lot more affordable price.
Photo: Apple

The Apple Watch Ultra is the company’s best smartwatch yet, featuring a rugged build and excellent battery life. But it also comes with an equally ultra $800 price tag.

Amazon’s latest deal knocks $100 off the wearable, making its steep price tag a bit more affordable. Take advantage of the discount to get the Apple Watch Ultra for $700.

Why does this MacBook Pro rig need a dock with 14 ports? [Setups]

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Some setups just look nicely
Some setups just look nicely "lived in."
Photo: [email protected]

In a world where advancing computer technology often seems like an arms race, with ever-more-powerful processors and compact chargers that pump out hundreds of watts, it’s no surprise docking stations keep boosting their port arrays.

Today’s featured MacBook Pro setup almost seems like it doesn’t have enough gear to merit its Plugable dock’s whopping 14 ports. But it supports multiple external displays for M1 Macs, and that’s why the user loves it.

Beats Studio Buds+ come in 2 new cosmic colors

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The cosmic pink ones have a two-tone thing going on.
The cosmic pink ones have a two-tone thing going on.
Photo: Beats

Apple subsidiary Beats added two new color options to its recently released Beats Studio Buds+ noise-cancelling earbuds — cosmic pink and cosmic silver.

The new metallic finishes are part of a collaboration with press-on nails retailer Olive & June. They’ll become available September 7, the companies said.

Adorable puppy prosthetics star in new ‘Shot on iPhone’ video

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Adorable puppy prosthetics star in new ‘Shot on iPhone’ video
3DPets uses the Lidar scanner in an iPhone 14 Pro to make a custom prosthetic for Trip the dog.
Screenshot: Apple

The latest “Shot on iPhone” film is the heart-warming story of Trip the dog receiving a prosthetic leg. It came from a company that uses lidar built into Apple handsets to scan his body to make sure it fits.

Watch The Invincibles to see how the process works.

This $25 smart toothbrush knows when to stop cleaning

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This $25 smart toothbrush knows when to stop cleaning.
You can't put a price on a smile like that.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Keeping your teeth healthy is hard, and it’s a bit of a pain. Still, it’s more of a pain if you don’t take care of them. Luckily, a good toothbrush can make the whole process a lot easier to manage.

The AquaSonic Icon is a smart electric toothbrush with multiple cleaning modes and a built-in timer. Normally, it costs $39. But you can pick one up for 37% off right now and make your dentist happy.

iOS 17 beta 7: All the new features and changes

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iOS 17 preview
The fourth iOS 17 developer beta is here with some minor changes.
Photo: Apple

Apple continues beta testing iOS 17, with the seventh beta dropping on August 22nd. As the beta program has progressed, the company has made fewer and fewer user-facing changes to new builds.

It’s the same story with iOS 17 beta 7, which hardly packs any meaningful changes or improvements. Below is everything new in the latest iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 beta.

Podcast platform uses AI to give you recs, and it’s $40 for life

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This podcast platform uses AI to give you recs, and it's $40 for life.
Get AI-powered recommendations from this new podcast platform.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

For podcast fans, the struggle is real: There are a gazillion podcasts, and you’re stuck sifting through them all to find the good stuff. Podurama offers unique tools to help you find interesting new podcasts that aren’t just the popular ones everyone else listens to.

Right now, you can get a lifetime subscription to this AI-powered podcast recommendation service for 60% off.

Long iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 beta-testing process nears end

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iPhone with iOS 17 logo
The months-long wait for iOS 17 is almost over.
Image: Rajesh Pandey/Cult of Mac

The launch of iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 is drawing close, as the many steps of beta testing for these operating systems are almost finished. The same holds true for tvOS 17, and watchOS 10 is nearly as close. Apple likely will release them all in September.

macOS Sonoma, however, isn’t expected to debut until later.