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Last chance: Get Microsoft Office for Mac, just $29.97 for life

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Purchase Microsoft Office at only $29.97 during our version of Prime Day.
Take advantage of a pre-Prime Day price drop on Microsoft Office for Mac or Windows.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Whether you’re Team Mac or Team Windows, the highly rated Microsoft Office productivity suite can benefit you. Lifetime access to programs such as Excel, PowerPoint and Word typically set you back a few hundred dollars. However, we’ve got one last chance for a sensational discount.

Until midnight tonight, you can purchase Microsoft Office Home & Business for Mac 2021 or Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows for only $29.97 (regularly $219) apiece.

The most confusing and misused emoji will melt your brain

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We have a winner: survey finds Woman Tipping Hand is most-confusing emoji.
We have a winner: Survey finds Woman Tipping Hand is the most-confusing emoji.
Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac

Ever find yourself perplexed by the intended meaning of an emoji in a message? A recent survey suggests you’re not alone. Even on World Emoji Day (July 17), a lot of the little graphics have people scratching their heads and even offending each other.

Ukraine-based language-learning platform Preply sought to understand which emoji cause the most confusion and misuse — unintentionally or intentionally — among Americans. You can see the main findings below, including insights on the least used emoji that rarely make an appearance in conversations.

Brilliant new Clarity Pro Touch display packs great features [Review] ★★★★☆

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Alogic Clarity Pro Touch display★★★★☆
With Alogic's new Clarity Pro Touch display, you get a brilliant touchscreen with retractable 8MP webcam.
Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac

If you’re among the many folks who balk at the high price of Apple’s excellent Studio Display, intriguing new alternatives just arrived. Alogic recently unveiled its new 27-inch Clarity Pro and Clarity Pro Touch 4K displays, building up the line after releasing the original Clarity display last year.

I gave the Clarity Pro Touch a go and found it beautiful to look at and highly functional, as well. Priced at hundreds less than Apple’s Studio Display, either of the new Clarity displays should make a tempting alternative.

Save $100 on Apple’s most powerful iPad ever

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iPad Pro 2022 Back View
Apple's latest is labeled "iPad Pro," the only visible difference between it and the 2021 model.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple’s 2022 iPad Pro lineup is the perfect laptop replacement for many. And if you are looking to buy the M2 iPad Pro, you can save up to $100 on it.

Amazon is offering up to $70 off on the 11-inch iPad Pro and up to $100 off on the 12.9-inch model. The discount varies depending on the storage and connectivity configuration you opt for.

Before and after photos show MacBook Pro rig’s subtle evolution [Setups]

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See if you can spot the differences between the setup in the photo above and the setup in the photo below.
See if you can spot the differences between the setup in the photo above and the setup in the photo below.
Photo: [email protected]

We love it when computer setup users show their work as they trudge toward home-office nirvana. Today’s featured MacBook Pro and iPad Pro setup does it in a subtle way, providing “before” and “after” photos showing incremental changes that improved the workstation.

You can see the before photograph below and the after shot above.

Factory-sealed 2007 iPhone sells for almost $200,000

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Factory-sealed 2007 iPhone
This is $190,000 worth of iPhone.
Photo: LCG Auctions

An original iPhone from 2007 just sold for what’s apparently a record-breaking amount. At over $190,000, it’s more than 3X the previous top price, actually. But the latest device to sell at auction has a quirk that made it even rarer than usual.

The eye-opening price shows the market for factory-sealed 2007 iPhone units is hot.

Today only: This Microsoft Office Pro Plus and Windows 11 Pro bundle costs just $50

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This Microsoft Office Pro Plus and Windows 11 Pro bundle is just $50 today.
Upgrade your PC with this Windows 11 Pro and Microsoft Office bundle for $50.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Are you using your PC to its full potential? If you’re not using the latest Microsoft software, you’re missing out on some serious functionality. Whether you’re running an older OS or using dated apps, now’s the time to upgrade.

In this bundle, you can get Microsoft Office Pro Plus 2021 for Windows, plus Windows 11 Pro, on sale for just $49.99.
The regular price for this package is $418. And you won’t find this special price drop anywhere else on the internet. However, it ends tonight!

Here are the M3-powered Macs expected in fall 2023

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Here are the M3-powered Macs expected in fall 2023
The Apple M3 is almost here, and it’s reportedly going into multiple Macs.
Image: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The next generation of Apple silicon is right around the corner, and the upcoming M3 processor is supposedly going into multiple new Macs before the end of 2023.

Here is what we know about the iMac and the two MacBooks we have to look forward to this autumn.

Apple explains how to use Do Not Disturb on iPhone

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Apple explains how to use Do Not Disturb on iPhone
Do Not Disturb mode lets you work or have fun without distractions from your iPhone.
Graphic: Apple Support

 When you want to work or watch a movie without distractions, turn on Do Not Disturb on your iPhone. A new Apple video shows how to activate this mode. To learn more, visit this detailed guide.

The activation process is simple enough that this Apple Support video mostly serves as a reminder that Do Not Disturb is available.

iPhone 15 rumors + iOS 17 beta horror stories [The CultCast]

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iPhone 15 rumors - The CultCast episode 603
The iPhone 15 rumors are becoming clearer ...
Image: Cult of Mac

This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: The latest iPhone 15 rumors paint a somewhat troubling picture. This year’s models might look a lot like last year’s models, which already seemed pretty darn familiar. Plus, is that camera hump really going to get even bigger? And will we once again revert to non-parity between Pro models, so you have to go ridiculously large to get the best features? Oh dear …

Also on The CultCast:

  • The iOS 17 public betas arrive, but should you really install them on your daily driver? Our lousy experiences with the buggy software make that a pretty hard no unless you’ve got extreme tolerance for iPhone malfunctions.
  • Craving that bigger iMac we heard about recently? Better put on your waiting pants.
  • Jony Ive returns to hardware design with a very pricey product. Meanwhile, his precious $300 book Designed by Apple in California would have made a very smart investment.

Listen to this week’s episode of The CultCast in the Podcasts app or your favorite podcast app. (Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review if you like it!) Or watch the video live stream, embedded below.

Why the Microsoft/Activision deal is a huge win for Mac gamers

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Why the Microsoft/Activision deal is a huge win for Mac gamers
Microsoft promised to allow rival cloud-gaming services access to Activision Blizzard games.
Image: Cult of Mac

Microsoft acquiring Activision Blizzard will be best thing to happen to Mac gaming in decades. The selection of titles available for Mac (and iPad) will shoot up dramatically because Microsoft has committed to allowing its popular games available on rival cloud gaming services.

Mac gaming has limped along since the 1990s. This deal will be a huge turnaround — if it makes it over all the regulatory hurdles.

Carry all the connections your iPhone needs on a keychain

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Carry everything you need for your phone on a keychain for $43.99.
Get the best online price for this multifunction keyring charging hub.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Why lug around a bag jammed with wires, hubs and other gear when you can attach a tiny gadget to your keychain that has all the functionality you need? With Lightning, USB-C and micro USB connectors, WonderCube Pro can get just about anything done.

This eight-in-one device can lets you connect to a charger, yes, but it also functions as a phone stand, an LED light, a flash memory reader and more. You can even use it with a 9-volt battery for an emergency charge!

Absorb the latest bestsellers’ big ideas in 15 minutes flat

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Get lifetime access to the world's bestselling ideas for $59.97.
Check out our alternative to Prime Day for best-of-web pricing on this groundbreaking app.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Information overload is a real thing, and it’s all too easy to spend your downtime doomscrolling when you could be doing … well, literally anything else. If you’re looking for a way to feed your brain information that isn’t just empty calories, try Headway Premium.

During our Deal Days sale, you can get a lifetime subscription to this app — which turns bestsellers into snackable 15-minute reads or audio clips — for the lowest price anywhere on the web.

Jace takes one for the team this week on Swagger [Apple TV+ recap] ★★★★

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Isaiah Hill in ★★★★
Jace (played by Isaiah Hill) owns up to a nasty incident from his past.
Photo: Apple TV+

TV+ ReviewSuperlative Apple TV basketball drama Swagger puts Jace in the hot seat this week, as allegations prove too tough to beat. Jace does something crazy in the name of helping his community but it makes things even more fraught.

Meanwhile, Ike and Emory are at loggerheads about how to handle their star player. And Crystal must decide how she feels about her life once more becoming the subject of public debate. Entitled “Through the Fire,” it’s a typically excellent installment of this fiery show.

3 cool new wallpapers you won’t regret downloading

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Basic Apple Guy's
Basic Apple Guy's "Trip Around the Sun" wallpaper puts things in perspective.
Photo: Basic Apple Guy

Mac maven Basic Apple Guy seemingly never stops creating gorgeous wallpapers you can download and put on your Apple screens — Mac, iPad and iPhone. Just in the past couple of weeks he’s made three beauties for you to try out.

Check out the images and see descriptions and links below.

Versatile Mac mini powers DIY workstation [Setups]

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An M1 Mac mini drives a n LG display in this Chicago-area setup.
An M1 Mac mini drives a n LG display in this Chicago-area setup.
Photo: Bill Penhale

While Apple is finally putting out an M2 Mac Pro even as its powerful Mac Studio machines conquer most hardcore computing tasks, the truth is most users can more than get by with an M1 or M2 Mac mini. That goes for Bill Penhale, who sent us his setup from Shorewood, Illinois, near Chicago.

“I am pretty techy for 70, ha!,” the retired sales director told Cult of Mac. And judging by his M1 Mac mini-powered setup, with a fine 4K external display, solid audio and loads of external storage, that’s certainly true.

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.

SPONSORED
This post is brought to you by CdkeySales.
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.