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.

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.

Apple has expanded its Tap to Pay on iPhone feature to businesses in the UK. This comes within a few months of the feature rolling out to small businesses in Australia.

Tap to Pay allows businesses and merchants to turn their iPhones into a Point-of-Sale terminal and accept payments from customers.

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.

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!

Apple 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.

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.

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.

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’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.

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.

High-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 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.

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.

Momax jumped on the Amazon Prime Day bandwagon this year in a big way. The company’s offering a bunch of great deals on a slew of specialty accessories for all your Apple gear. Sale items include a compact GaN travel adapter you can use in 150 countries, a magnetic portable charger with a stand and a bunch of other great products.

See some highlights below and get ready to save even more with coupon code CULTOFMAC10.

Luna Display’s ability to turn an iPad into a high-performance second screen for a Mac got an upgrade with peer-to-peer networking, reducing the latency between the two computers.

In addition, a software update for the video adapter from Astropad now supports making one Mac acts as another’s external monitor via a USB connection.

Whether you’re hosting a backyard brunch, hitting the beach or firing up the grill, wine and summer just go together. Wine and a budget, however, often don’t pair so well. If you want wine that’s easy on the wallet and playful on the palate, check out this one-time shipment of 15 bottles of red, white or mixed wines from Swirl.

These wine shipments are on sale for 73% off during our Deal Days Sale, which ends July 14.

Apple TV+ comedy The Afterparty returns for a second infuriating season Wednesday. Not even the presence of some of our best actors (Paul Walter Hauser, Mary Holland and John Cho among them) can focus the writing and direction of this show to the point where its gimmick makes sense or its performances seem calibrated to the design of the show.

Unfortunately, this genre-hopping misfire was spent before it was reloaded.

A new Apple Card promotion can get you up to 10% Daily Cash Back on App Store purchases. The promo is only applicable to new customers.

You will also get 10% Daily Cash on transactions on other Apple services, like Apple Music and Apple TV+.

Whether you’re on Mac or Windows, you probably find yourself using Excel every day at work. The 2023 Ultimate Microsoft Excel Certification Training Bundle teaches you how to make Excel your productivity powerhouse.

Note: If you don’t yet own Excel, you can get it (and the rest of Microsoft Office for Mac) for just $29.97 for a limited time.

Anyone curious about the big-budget sci-fi epic Foundation can now take in the very first episode … no subscription to Apple TV+ required. It’s free to watch on YouTube.

Die-hard fans know season 2 is about to start, and if you don’t have time for a rewatch of last season, Apple made a quick recap video. Plus it released a clip from the next episode.

A documentary series looking back at the careers of Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford, Linda Evangelista and Christy Turlington premieres on Apple TV+ in September. The Super Models will explore how these four disrupted the ’90s fashion scene.

In addition to announcing the premiere date, Apple’s video streaming service also released a brief teaser trailer Monday.

The SwitchEasy Origami Protective Case folds into three different styles of iPad stand, giving you a range of options for typing, reading and browsing.

I tested this clever folio case with my own iPad. There’s plenty to like here. (Update: The case is currently on sale at 30% off in the Cult of Mac Store.)

Apple is once again the lone bright spot in the global PC industry. Mac shipments grew by double digits year over year while makers of Windows machines all saw their shipments decline, according to a market research firm.

Mac’s return to growth in Q2 must be a relief to CEO Tim Cook as Q1 shipments were down dramatically.

Apple TV+ dropped a “first look” at a new drama/horror series and “parenthood fable” The Changeling, coming to the streaming service September 8. See the photographs below.

The eight-episode show stars LaKeith Stanfield (Atlanta, Sorry to Bother You) and comes from the critically acclaimed and bestselling book of the same name by Victor LaValle.