We all know the importance of web security. After all, hackers are everywhere and their methods are growing ever more sophisticated. But the majority of virtual private networks — the most accessible and economical way for consumers to protect against hackers — also cause slowdowns, which makes it difficult to do things like stream content.

That’s why Getflix, with more than 1 million customers and a 4.8 out of 5 star rating on Trustpilot, has grown in popularity. And right now is the perfect time to subscribe, since you can get lifetime access with savings of more than $100 off the regular price.

An independent study found App Store developers generated $1.1 trillion in total billings and sales last year as part of the system’s robust year-over-year growth of 29%, Apple said Wednesday.

More than 90% of the money went to developers, without any commission paid to Apple, the company said.

Ted Lasso, the perpetually upbeat Apple TV+ show that blindsided a pandemic-stricken world with a cocktail of optimism and inspiration, comes to a fitting close this week after a remarkable three-season run.

The Ted Lasso finale, entitled “So Long, Farewell,” finds Ted’s team AFC Richmond up against its most fierce nemesis, Rupert Mannion’s West Ham United.

With West Ham’s old coach Nate back at Richmond after an awkward breakup, will the Greyhounds have what it takes to beat the Hammers? Just how optimistic can this show be?

A new report Wednesday from Consumer Intelligence Research Partners (CIRP) revisits the group’s recent finding that Android users increasingly switched to iPhone in recent years and gets into the reasons why.

It gave four specific major reasons and a fifth vague but important one, below.

Apple TV+ comedy Platonic takes a look at the lighter side of divorce this week. The show, about two best friends who are suddenly back in each other’s lives after a prolonged absence, finds Sylvia deciding to throw Charlie a divorce party to get his mind off how well his ex is doing.

In the poignant episode, entitled “Divorce Party,” some drugs and changes of plan send Sylvia into a tailspin that makes her realize she isn’t where she wants to be anymore.

Garmin unveiled three rugged new fēnix 7 Pro Series smartwatches Wednesday, giving Apple Watch Ultra a run for its money. The new multisport GPS watches have a lot in common with Ultra, including similar pricing depending on which features you select.

But the Garmin watches also offer a built-in LED flashlight and solar charging that helps provide 37 days of battery life in “smartwatch mode” and 139 days in “expedition mode,” according to the company.

Cutting-edge computer setups are cool. Vintage computer museums are also cool. But do you know what’s super-cool? Both. Together.

Los Angeles-based sound designer Drew Dalzell sent Cult of Mac his M1 MacBook Pro setup this week. As it turns out, it sits in the middle of a vintage computer collection. It includes an Apple IIGS, an Apple II Plus, an Ortrona, a Commodore 64 and more. The space is also his business HQ.

Whether you’re a Mac-loving photo editor, a Windows-loving student, or just about anything in between, you probably could benefit from having Microsoft Office on your computer. But if you’re thinking that you’d hate to add another monthly subscription to your list, don’t worry.

This offer for a lifetime MS Office license for either Mac or Windows is available for a one-time purchase of $29.99 for a limited time. This new price drop takes it back to Cult of Mac Deals’ all-time low price. However, the price goes up on June 1.

In a world where video meetings have become an integral part of our working lives, how you come across on calls can make or break a sales pitch or interview. The innovative FineCam Pro takes the quality of your device’s existing camera to the next level. And right now, you can grab a lifetime subscription on sale for just $49.99 (regularly $84).

Apple has announced several tax changes for the App Store that go into effect starting May 31. The new rules will affect app developers in Ghana, Lithuania, Moldova, Brazil and Spain.

In Spain and Ghana, taxes on the proceeds earned from apps and games have increased. While in Lithuania and Moldova, the VAT rate on e-books and audiobooks has gone down.

Rumored specs of the micro OLED panels Apple plans to use in its upcoming VR/AR headset indicate the device could deliver ultra-realistic clarity that makes virtual worlds look real.

The headset, which could be called “Reality Pro” or “Reality One,” will use two 1.41-inch micro OLEDs with a pixel density of 4,000 PPI, according to a respected display analyst.

Apple Arcade is great, but maybe you miss the good ol’ days — when it was just you, a can of soda and a wired controller playing your favorite game in front of the TV.

This retro-inspired game console brings back hundreds of preloaded vintage video games for you to enjoy. And you can get it for only $24.99 (regularly $27).

The Apple Music Classical application that debuted for iPhone in March is now available for Android, too. The service gives access to the world’s largest classical music catalog, and is designed to help users find specific recordings of great works almost instantly.

It requires a subscription to Apple Music.

AirPods aren’t the only top-notch headphones on the market. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly pair of high-quality headphones from a brand you recognize, Harman Audio is a great option. You can score up to 73% off on factory-refurbished headphones and earbuds from JBL, Infinity, AKG and Harman Kardon in the company’s online store.

You can now use your WhatsApp account on multiple devices. After rolling out Companion mode on WhatsApp for Android, the Meta-owned platform has made the feature available on iPhones.

WhatsApp initially announced Companion mode in late April 2023. But the feature was only available for Android users so far.

Your Mac is a mighty machine, but in some ways it’s got some pretty human problems. That includes getting messy and catching a bug. The occasional spring cleaning or malware scan are well and good, but what you really want is a complete toolkit that covers everything.

Your Mac needs a checkup from the neck up, to use the technical term. Lucky for you, Intego’s premium bundles of apps for Mac are deeply discounted right now. Check out some of the helpful tools in the bundles below.

Each year alongside WWDC, Apple runs a contest for students worldwide to create great app playgrounds using Swift code. This year 375 coders won, up from the previous 350. They’ll be among WWDC23’s virtual and in-person attendees.

“We are amazed by the talent we see from the young developers who enter our Swift Student Challenge,” said Susan Prescott, Apple vice president of Worldwide Developer Relations.

“This year’s submissions demonstrated not only the next generation’s commitment to building tools that will improve our lives, but also a willingness to embrace new technologies and tools, and deploy them in original and creative ways,” she added.

If you like to mount your iPad as part of your computer setup — especially if you use Apple’s Universal Control or Sidecar — a foldable magnetic mount can be a big help. Kuxiu offers a high-quality product. It sent me one to try out.

My main impressions? Quality materials, strong magnets, good multidirectional design — and maybe I can skip going to the gym. This thing requires some muscle to move around.

Sending video from iPhones to TVs over AirPlay will get easier in iOS 17, according to a tipster. The goal is supposedly to simplify sending video to other people’s TVs. The improvement will almost certainly be extended to iPad, too.

This is one of numerous small changes expected when iOS 17 is unveiled at WWDC23 in early June.

Everyone knows AirPods come only in white. If you want a set of Apple earbuds in another color, you have to turn to subsidiary Beats.

But white almost wasn’t the only case, so to speak. Apple prototyped AirPods cases in five colors to match iPhone 7 colors in 2016, according to a source who displayed some images Tuesday.

When it comes to stepping up your photography, using a drone to capture breathtaking shots from above is a total game-changer. It doesn’t have to be expensive either: the Alpha-Z Pro 4K and Flying Fox 4K Wide-Angle Dual Camera Drones Bundle contains not one, but two stunning high-quality camera drones, and right now you can grab it on sale for just $139.97. That’s less than $70 per drone, and a savings of more than $250 off the regular price of $398.

There are multiple ways to make money in the stock market, and the more of them you know about, the more you can take advantage of. To that end, the Complete 2023 Stock Trading & Investing Bundle is a great investment all on its own.

The BenQ PD3420Q is a ultrawide monitor designed to appeal to creative professionals with its atypical shape and color consistency with MacBooks.

The 34-inch screen has a 2K resolution and a 21:9 aspect ratio. And there are some nice additions, like a HotKey Puck and built-in KVM.

I tested the PD3420Q in my home office, exploring the advantages and drawbacks of the very wide screen.

The massive Memorial Day Sale is still going on in the Cult of Mac Store, running through the end of the day on Monday, May 29. You can get up to 30% off great accessories for Apple products from half a dozen leading brands: Elago, Rilee & Lo, SwitchEasy, Mifa, Laut, Bucardo and Nine Twenty Eight.

See some sale highlights below and check out the whole sale on hundreds of items before it’s too late!

Part of the fun of covering computer setups for Cult of Mac is seeing how a setup is never “done.” Blood, sweat, tears and time may go into it, but it will always need something — whether that’s missing functionality, better decoration or the next generation of a key device.

Today’s featured M2 MacBook Air setup is a good example. Since we featured an earlier version of it just weeks ago, the user made important changes. He added two components to maximize crucial iPad functionality and pump up audio.