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Apple rejected nearly 1.7 million App Store submissions in 2022

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Apple rejected nearly 1.7 million Apple Store submissions in 2022
It's up to Apple's App Review team to prevent malware from sneaking onto its software store.
Graphic: Apple

Keeping bad applications out of the App Store is a monumental task — Apple says it denied 1.7 million apps submitted for approval in 2022. That’s out of 6.1 million, and it’s an increase from the previous year.

And Apple also blocked nearly 3.9 million stolen credit cards from being used to make fraudulent purchases on the App Store. Plus, the iPhone-maker blocked millions of fake reviews.

Photomator for Mac launches as a low-cost rival to Photoshop

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Photomator for Mac launches as a low-cost rival to Photoshop
Photomator for Mac is designed for pros, but doesn't cost an arm and a leg.
Photo: Pixelmator

The powerful image-editing application that used to be called Pixelmator Photo when it was only available for iPad and iPhone launched Tuesday on Mac as Photomator.

It promises state-of-the-art color adjustments, AI tools, powerful Repair and Clone tools, and batch editing. But it faces tough competition from Adobe Photoshop.

Wireless car charger automatically clamps onto iPhone

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This wireless car charger with auto-clamp makes it easy to handle your iPhone while you drive.
This wireless car charger with auto-clamp makes it easy to handle your iPhone while you drive.
Photo: Elago

Everybody knows it’s dangerous to use your iPhone while driving. In order to do so safely and hands-free, you need a car mount. And what could be better than a wireless charger mount that senses and grabs onto your phone for you? No need to take your eyes off the road to carefully place it just so.

Elago now offers just such an auto-clamping car charger in the Cult of Mac Store.

Apple promises Live Speech, Personal Voice, and Point and Speak are coming to iOS

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Apple promises Live Speech, Personal Voice, and Point and Speak are coming to iOS 17
Apple will bring Assistive Access, Live Speech and Personal Voice to iPad and iPhone.
Photo: Apple

Just can’t wait for WWDC23? Apparently, Apple can’t either because it’s already starting announcing new features that will almost certainly be in iOS 17, iPadOS 17 and macOS 14.

These are aimed at those with disabilities, and include Live Speech and Personal Voice. These will allow those with speech disabilities to participate in conversations in a synthesized voice that sounds like the user.

This AI-powered drone flies itself and captures interesting images

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This AI-powered drone is now only $149.99.
Snap a photo or video from midair with this drone that uses artificial intelligence to capture aerial images.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

AI image generators are exciting, but there’s another way for artificial intelligence to give you a great photo. The self-flying Air Neo camera drone uses AI to lock onto you and snap a few photos from the air.

This AI-powered drone is on sale for $149.99 (regularly $159). 

iMessage comes to Windows via Microsoft Phone Link for iOS [Updated]

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iMessage comes to Windows via Microsoft Phone Link for iOS
Quick, someone check to see if hell has frozen over.
Photo: Microsoft

Windows users can now send and receive messages and calls via an iPhone. The new capability — which many thought would never happen — comes courtesy of Microsoft’s Phone Link for iOS, which is rolling out now.

This is the latest software release from Microsoft to make it easier for Windows users to own an iPhone.

Microsoft started rolling the feature out in April, and announced on Monday it’s available to all Windows 11 users.

Get 14 powerful Mac apps for one low price

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Give your Mac a very particular set of skills with the Mac Madness App Bundle.
Give your Mac a very particular set of skills with the Mac Madness App Bundle.
Photo: Wes Hicks/Unsplash License/Modified by Cult of Mac

Your Mac can’t do everything right out of the box. The Mac Madness App Bundle gives you 14 Mac apps especially suited for various tasks, from exporting photo metadata to batch-converting audio files.

These apps will give your Mac a very particular set of skills, just like Liam Neeson in Taken. And you can get lifetime licenses to all 14 of them for just $19.99 (regularly $74.86).

Swagger season 2 might ruin everything for young basketball hopefuls

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Apple TV+ 'Swagger' Season Two
The second season of the sport drama Swagger premieres in June on Apple TV+.
Photo: Apple TV+

Swagger, the Apple TV+ series that isn’t exactly the life of basketball superstar Kevin Durant, returns for season 2 in June. The young players are getting famous and the future look bright, but a scandal might ruin all their hopes.

A trailer for the upcoming season, released Monday, shows some of what to expect in the episodes that premiere in June.

5 reasons to get excited about the Apple VR/AR headset

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An AI-generated image of Tim Cook wearing an Apple-branded VR headset.
We don't yet know what the Apple VR/AR headset will look like, but that doesn't mean it's too soon to get excited about it.
AI image: Midjourney/Cult of Mac
WWDC23

Multiple sources predict Apple will launch its first VR/AR headset three weeks from today at WWDC23. As the company’s first major new product category to launch since Apple Watch, there’s a lot riding on the headset. And yet not everyone’s buzzing with anticipation.

For those who aren’t yet feeling excited, here are five reasons you should look forward to the big reveal next month.

Last chance to get great deals on gifts for Mom

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Mifa's Sparkle Band is the picture of elegance. Or, mom might like a classic leather band or a tactical strap.
Mifa's Sparkle Band is the picture of elegance. Or, mom might like a classic leather band or a tactical strap.
Photo: Mifa

You’re not the first person to show up late to the party for Mother’s Day, forgetting to fork over a gift on her special day. So, a day later, it’s a good thing you can still choose from a huge selection of great Apple accessories on sale.

You can pick up a variety of items for 15% to 25% off in the Cult of Mac Store’s Mother’s Day Sweet Savings Collection through Monday. See a selection of highlights below.

Fuel your next adventure with Bluetti’s new AC60 portable, expandable power station

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Bluetti's AC60 power station and B80 extension battery make a powerful combo that can handle the great outdoors.
Bluetti's AC60 power station and B80 extension battery make a powerful combo that can handle the great outdoors.
Photo: Bluetti

Bluetti’s latest portable power station, the AC60, is the company’s most compact and durable yet. The lightweight power station, which launches today alongside the B80 expansion battery, comes with an IP65 rating, so it’s ready for your next outdoor adventure.

Plus, if you pair it with Bluetti’s new B80 — and maybe a solar panel or two — you don’t need to run out of juice.

SPONSORED
This post is brought to you by Bluetti.
The solar generator and expansion battery combo promises faster charging, longer battery life and safer operation than other small power stations on the market. “The AC60 surpasses all expectations for traditional mini power stations,” Bluetti said, noting that both the AC60 and B80 come with an industry-leading six-year warranty.

This deal on the 16-inch MacBook Pro is too good to pass up

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What we're expecting from 2022 MacBook Pro with M2 Pro or M2 Max
Apple's 16-inch MacBook Pro featuring the M2 Pro or M2 Max chip is down to its cheapest price.
Image: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple’s 16-inch MacBook Pro with M2 Pro chip is down to its lowest-ever price. After a staggering $249.01 discount, you can get Apple’s best MacBook Pro for $2,249.99.

You can get a similar $250 off on the machine’s 1TB and M2 Max configurations.

Programmer loves his Logitech peripherals [Setups]

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The programmer likes his Logitech Mini mechanical keyboard.
The programmer likes his Logitech Mini mechanical keyboard.
Photo: [email protected]

Before reading past the jump, take a look at today’s featured M1 Mac mini computer setup in the photograph above and see if you can quickly identify the two items that aren’t from peripherals giant Logitech — other than the main computer, display and furniture.

Both items are on the small side, so it might take a hard look to spot them. Answers below in the post and at the bottom just above the gear list.

Get 1-month free trial of MLS Season Pass from Apple

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Are you ready for some football? And by that we mean soccer, natch.
Are you ready for some football? And by that we mean soccer, natch.
Photo: Apple TV+

Apple is now offering a free, month-long trial of MLS Season Pass, its subscription service that shows all the matches from the top professional soccer league in the United States.

The deal is available for both new and returning customers.

Shop smarter and stretch your budget with a Costco Gold Star Membership

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Shop smarter and stretch your budget with a Gold Star Membership to Costco.
For a limited time, new members (or former members whose memberships expired at least 18 months ago) can get a one-year Gold Star Costco Membership for $60.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

When you get a Costco Gold Star Membership, you gain access to a wide selection of appealing ingredients and premade food items that can aid you in crafting delicious meals. Take advantage of this limited-time deal for a one-year Costco Gold Star Membership for only $60, which includes a $30 Digital Shop Card*.

iPhone 14’s Emergency SOS via satellite feature expands to Australia and New Zealand

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Apple launches free Emergency SOS via satellite on all iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 models
Starting Tuesday, an iPhone 14 can now communicate with satellites.
Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac

Apple is expanding Emergency SOS via satellite to two new countries: Australia and New Zealand. If you use an iPhone 14, you can enjoy this life-saving feature for free for the next two years.

The feature allows your iPhone to contact emergency services through text messages when you are out of mobile network range.

Add convenient wireless charging to iPad Pro with this case and stand [Review] ★★★★☆

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Pitaka MagEZ Case Pro and MagEZ Charging Stand review★★★★☆
Pitaka's wireless charging case and stand look brilliant.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

With the Pitaka MagEZ Case Pro, you can stop plugging in a charging cable. Put the tablet in this slim, lightweight case then pop on a charging mat when it’s time to juice up the tablet.

Combine it with the MagEZ Charging Stand and you have a desktop setup without the hassle of wires for the iPad Pro and an iPhone or AirPods.

I tested both accessories in my home office. There’s a lot to like here.

Forgot Mother’s Day? Don’t panic. You have options.

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Laut's Holo cases for AirPods reflect all the colors of the rainbow.
Laut's Holo cases for AirPods reflect all the colors of the rainbow.
Photo: Laut

Haven’t bought a Mother’s Day gift yet? Don’t worry. Moms are generally forgiving types. Instead of rushing to get something cheap at the drug store on the way to her house, buy her a cool Laut accessory and let her know a nice gift is on the way.

And she doesn’t even have to know you’re getting 15% off the price. Browse the Mother’s Day Sweet Savings Collection in the Cult of Mac Store now (and click here to see only Laut items). Peruse some highlights below. The sale goes through Monday.

Apple’s next-gen M3 Pro chip could pack even more CPU and GPU cores

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Apple M3 processor
The wait for the Apple M3 processor could be shorter than expected.
Image: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple reportedly began internal testing of Macs powered by next-generation M3 chips. At least one of the variants could feature a 12-core CPU, an 18-core GPU and 36GB of system memory.

The next-generation Apple silicon remains a few months away from release, however. Rumors suggest it could debut at the end of this year or early 2024.

Earn passive income your own way with this $29.99 how-to bundle

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Learn how to earn the easy way with this passive income bootcamp.
Turn your spare time into a few extra bucks with this $30 course on passive income.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

You know the old saying: “Work smarter, not harder.” That’s easier than ever in our highly digitized economy, but few take full advantage of the opportunity.

If you’re starting an online business, your most significant assets are your smarts and imagination. All it takes is a few practical steps to turn them into revenue, and that’s exactly what you can get in a new six-course e-learning bundle on passive income.

iPad goes pro, Apple leaker goes dark [The CultCast]

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Logic Pro and Final Cut Pro finally come to iPad, on The CultCast podcast.
The wait is over for Logic Pro and Final Cut Pro on the iPad.
Image: Cult of Mac

This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: Apple finally brings Logic Pro and Final Cut Pro to iPad, and apparently uses some clever spycraft to take down a leaker in the process. Talk about killing two birds with one stone.

Also on The CultCast:

  • One feature in the new Final Cut Pro for iPad makes iPhone owners jealous (and hopeful).
  • Erfon thinks it’s a great time to buy a Mac.
  • Humane’s combadge-style gadget might not kill your iPhone, but the company’s vision of a personalized AI sounds promising.
  • Enter for your chance to win an Urban MacBook Sleeve from SwitchEasy.

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.

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Get 20% off Apple Watch necklaces and bands for mom

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Take that to the gym for a workout.
Take that to the gym for a workout.
Photo: Bucardo

Time is running out to get mom a Mother’s Day gift that will ship in time for May 14 — that’s why you give her a card on Sunday explaining that a gift is coming. And that gift could be a lovely Bucardo sport band, charm necklace or pocket watch locket for Apple Watch.

Right now through May 15 you can take 17% to 20% off all Bucardo gear for Mother’s Day. Browse the Mother’s Day Sweet Savings Collection now (and click here to see only Bucardo items).

5 hidden features in iMessage

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Hidden iMessage Features
You probably won’t find these features on your own.
Image: Jonatan Svensson Glad/Wikimedia Commons/D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

In the United States, iMessage is one of the first features iPhone users mention as a benefit over Android. In the rest of the world, nobody cares, because everyone uses WhatsApp and other cross-platform services.

But there are a lot of cool features inside the Messages app these days — we’ve previously covered how to edit and unsend messages and share your screen. Here are five more hidden features inside Apple’s messaging app. Keep reading or watch the video below.