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Summer Sale’s hot deals include Windows 10 Pro for $16

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Use promo code CULT at CdkeySales.com to score major savings on Microsoft software.
Use promo code CULT at CdkeySales.com to score sizzling savings on Microsoft software.
Photo: CdkeySales.com

Summer brings the heat, but it’s not all sunburns. Sometimes it’s hot deals on crucial productivity software from Microsoft. It’s best to update yours to keep it working smoothly and to sidestep new security threats. So it’s a good thing you can nab the latest versions of Windows, Microsoft Office and other great software at super-low summer prices.

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Ready to stop paying full price like a sucker? Check out the selection at software activation keys provider CdkeySales.com. You’ll find low prices on Windows, Office and more. And if you want the biggest savings, enter promo code CULT at CdkeySales.com. That cuts an additional 30% off the site’s low prices on software keys. And better yet, when you buy Windows 10 you get a free upgrade to Windows 11.

Last chance sale: Write your script or novel with award-winning Scrivener writing app

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Write your script or novel with the award-winning Scrivener writing app, less than $30 today.
Get half off this award-winning writing app loved by professional authors.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

We all have a great novel or screenplay idea just waiting to come out. The key to making that idea a reality lies in your writing process and the tools you use. Turns out, professional writers have a secret weapon: the award-winning Scrivener 3 writing app.

Thankfully, it’s on sale right now with an impressive 50% discount, making it just $29.99 — the best price you’ll find anywhere on the web.

Foundation’s season 2 opener will floor you [Apple TV+ recap] ★★★★

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Episode 1. Lee Pace in ★★★★
Lee Pace continues his hot streak as Brother Day in Foundation.
Photo: Apple TV+

TV+ ReviewEpic sci-fi series Foundation, based on the work of Isaac Asimov, returns to Apple TV+ for a second season this week and blows expectations clean into the next galaxy.

The expensive, expansive show overcome opening night jitters in season one to become one of the more watchable and exciting things on Apple TV+, thanks in no small part to a game cast, tense set pieces, fleet drama and exquisite effects.

Apple TV+ needed its own Battlestar Galactica or Mandalorian, and Foundation more than met the challenge. Will it be able to repeat the successes of its first season?

Nod your head at the emoji coming in 2024

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Proposed Emoji 15.1 additions
You’ll almost certainly be able to add these to your IMs in 2024.
Image: Emojipedia

The list of new emoji up for approval includes a phoenix, a breaking chain, a lime, a person nodding or shaking their head, plus a handful more.

These are being proposed to the Unicode Consortium in September, but are very unlikely to appear on iPhone and other computers before 2024.

Sweet deals on Mac, iPad and Apple accessories linger on after Prime Day

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The new MacBook Air features a spacious, high-resolution 15.3-inch Liquid Retina display — 25 percent larger than the 13-inch MacBook Air with M2.
The 15-inch MacBook Air is new but you can still find a discount on it, and other Apple products, in after-Prime Day sales.
Photo: Apple

Although Amazon’s Prime Day is over, you have not missed your chance to save money on iPad, MacBook or AirPods. These Apple products are still on sale with enticing discounts.

But don’t wait — these deals could disappear at any time.

Last chance: Get 30% off all SwitchEasy iPad cases

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SwitchEasy's origami case for iPad provides multiple positions.
SwitchEasy's origami case for iPad provides multiple positions.
Photo: SwitchEasy

Attention iPad owners: This is your last day to slash 30% off a fantastic variety of iPad cases in the Cult of Mac Store.

SwitchEasy’s sleek and protective cases cover any iPad you might own. See key highlights below and check out the SwitchEasy Flash Sale, which ends at 11:59 p.m. Pacific on July 13.

Setapp gives you more than 240 Mac apps for just $84.99 per year

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No more searching for apps with this subscription that gives you 240+ for $84.99.
Gain access to more than 240 great Mac apps, with no ads or in-apps purchases.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Instead of searching for new Mac apps, why not spring for a subscription that gives you instant access to more than 240 of them? Setapp is a collection of more than 240 apps for basic tasks like finances, creativity and more.

Normally, a one-year subscription would cost $119. But right now, you can get it for just $84.99.

Debugged iOS and macOS Rapid Security Response patches are ready for installation

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Apple releases debugged iOS and macOS Rapid Security Response patches
The Rapid Security Response patches that Apple released then withdrew have been fixed and re-released.
Graphic: Cult of Mac

Apple’s on again/off again Rapid Security Response patches for iOS 16.5.1, macOS Ventura 13.4.1 and iPadOS 16.5.1 are once again available. These have been cleared of the bugs that caused Apple to withdraw them after the initial release.

The updated RSR patches are critical because they close a security hole that has been exploited by hackers.

How to install the new iOS and macOS Rapid Security Response [Update]

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Apple releases debugged iOS and macOS Rapid Security Response patches
The Rapid Security Response patches that Apple released then withdrew have been fixed and re-released.
Graphic: Cult of Mac

Apple launched in mid July a trio of Rapid Security Responses to fix urgent security problems in iOS 16.5.1, macOS Ventura 13.4.1 and iPadOS 16.5.1. It was then forced to withdraw them, but they have since been debugged and re-released.

These are the latest entries in a relatively new system created to quickly fix security holes without requiring a full OS update.

macOS Sonoma brings iCloud Passwords to Google Chrome and other browsers

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macOS Keychain
Apple still won't cough up a reward.
Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

Apple is bringing iCloud’s password manager to third-party web browsers with macOS Sonoma. So far, you could only access passwords saved in iCloud from Safari on your Mac.

This will no longer be the case once macOS Sonoma lands later this year. The move will make iCloud Keychain a more compelling alternative to popular third-party password managers.

Top 5 Prime Day deals Cult of Mac readers snatched up

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A group of happy Amazon Prime Day customers celebrating their savings on Apple gear
Prime Day savings make even affordable gear that much more enticing.
AI image: Midjourney/Cult of Mac

You people apparently love your trackers. The Momax Tracking Tag — an affordable AirTag alternative that uses Apple’s Find My network — topped the list of items purchased by Cult of Mac readers during Amazon’s Prime Day event this week. And AirTags themselves didn’t come in far behind.

What else proved popular with our readers? Here’s the list — and some of these deals are still available!

Platonic season finale takes path of least persistence [Apple TV+ recap] ★★★

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Rose Byrne and Seth Rogen in ★★★
Sylvia (played by Rose Byrne) and Will (Seth Rogen) comes to grips with their friendship in the Platonic season finale.
Photo: Apple TV+

TV+ ReviewApple TV+ comedy Platonic closes its hilarious first season this week with a sentimental look at the way two people have to understand the limits of their relationship.

Sylvia and her husband Charlie find a new home that seems to signal the end of their recent troubles. But will there be a place for Will in this new version of their life? The answer probably won’t shock you, but it’s basically moving anyway.

Super bundle: Get Microsoft Office, Windows 11 Pro and 1TB cloud storage for just $79.97

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You won't find this lifetime of Microsoft Office, Windows 11 Pro and 1TB cloud storage on Amazon, but it's only $80 right here.
Here's how to get Microsoft Office, Windows 11 Pro and a 1TB cloud storage for life for $80 without using Amazon.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Upgrading your computer can be costly, even if you’re just using an emulator app to throw Windows onto your MacBook. Those OS keys usually don’t come cheap, but there’s actually a way to get Windows 11 Pro and more for a one-time payment.

Deal Days is Cult of Mac Deals’ version of Prime Day, and it’s an exclusive chance to get Windows 11 Pro, Microsoft Office 2021 and 1TB of cloud storage — all for just $79.97. This deal only runs through July 14.

Think twice before installing iOS 17 public beta

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iOS 17: Out of Focus
iOS 17 hasn’t quite come into focus yet.
Photo: Cult of Mac

Apple just gave the general public access to the latest iOS 17 beta, but before you put it on your iPhone, the Cult of Mac staff has some warnings. We’ve used the betas for weeks, and while it’s gone well for some people, it’s been a dumpster fire for others.

Public betas for macOS Sonoma and iPadOS 17 are also available, and we also have comments for anyone thinking of putting those on their Mac or iPad.

A workout battle begins in Apple TV+’s Physical season 3

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‘Physical’ Season 3 on Apple TV+
The third and final season of Physical will premiere globally on Wednesday, August 2, 2023 on Apple TV+.
Photo: Apple TV+

The third season of the Apple TV+ dark comedy Physical will feature a psychological battle between Rose Byrne‘s Sheila and a new rival for premier fitness entrepreneur status played by Zooey Deschanel. The first trailer for the upcoming season gives a first look at their struggle.

In addition, Apple’s streaming service revealed Wednesday that the series will return in early August -0- and that this will be the final season of Physical.

Juuk Qrono: The best metal band I’ve used with Apple Watch [Review]

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Juuk Qrono review: This lightweight aluminum Apple Watch band is machined to perfection.
This lightweight aluminum Apple Watch band is machined to perfection.
Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

Juuk’s Qrono band for Apple Watch offers everything you could want from a metal bracelet without the nasty drawbacks. It looks terrific but won’t weigh you down. And, like all Juuk bands, it’s built to last.

Here’s why the Qrono is the only metal band I’ll wear with my Apple Watch.

Ted Lasso, Shrinking and Bad Sisters earn Emmy nominations for Apple TV+

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Ted Lasso scores a record 21 nods as the most Emmy Award-nominated comedy for the third year in a row.
You don’t win an Emmy if you don’t believe.
Photo: Apple

Apple TV+ earned dozens of 2023 Emmy nominations, with the Ted Lasso juggernaut racking up no fewer than 21 on its own.

Also gaining recognition for TV’s highest honor are comedies Shrinking and Bad Sisters, jailhouse drama Black Bird, musical spoof Schmigadoon! and current-affairs series The Problem With Jon Stewart. Plus more.

The terrorists start to get nervous this week on Hijack [Apple TV+ recap] ★★★☆☆

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Sam (played by Idris Elba in ★★★☆☆
Sam (played by Idris Elba) cooks up a new plan this week on Hijack. The terrorists probably should be fretting.
Photo: Apple TV+

TV+ ReviewHigh-flying Apple TV+ thriller Hijack deals with a new threat this week even as the last one is still being mopped up in the airplane’s aisles.

As Sam finds himself in bondage, he devises a clever new avenue of contacting the ground and gaining the upper hand without seeming to. There’s panic in Bucharest, Marsha gets a message, and the hijackers are getting jumpy on a perfectly decent installment of the new hit series.

Porsche’s new app integration drives CarPlay forward

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There goes the latest Porsche Cayenne with the new CarPlay app integration.
There goes the latest Porsche Cayenne with the new CarPlay app integration.
Photo: Porsche

Porsche just became the first carmaker to give drivers personalized control over vehicle functions from an app within CarPlay, accessible via new digital controls on the dashboard (and on iPhone).

With the My Porsche app showing up in CarPlay to control features like audio, climate and lighting in the latest Cayenne SUV, the integration may give a sense of what CarPlay could be like soon in other cars.

Can using a huge smart TV as a display harm you? [Setups]

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That 55-inch OLED smart TV may be far enough away because the desk is 40 inches deep and the user said he tends to lean back a bit.
That 55-inch OLED smart TV may be far enough away because the desk is 40 inches deep and the user said he tends to lean back a bit.
Photo: [email protected]

Increasingly, gamers and other users replace traditional computer monitors with large smart TVs or ultra-wide monitors that eclipse screens like Apple’s 27-inch Studio Display and 32-inch Pro Display XDR in size. Today’s featured M2 Max Studio Display setup sports a 55-inch Samsung 8K OLED smart TV, for example.

Everybody loves plenty of screen real estate, but ergonomically speaking, is it healthy? Today’s setup represents the debate, offering pros and cons.