Although I go for almost daily bike rides for exercise, I used to always forget to record the rides on my Apple Watch. I’d always record the rides on my bike computer. But when it came to the watch, I’d never remember until halfway through the workout, if at all.

That’s until I got the Apple Watch Ultra, which boasts a bright orange Action button that I set to start an Outdoor Cycle workout.

Now, I remember every time, and it’s because of the button. It’s the strangest thing, and I have no explanation. But the act of hitting a physical button makes me remember.

The versatile Action button — which you can set to turn on the watch’s flashlight, start the stopwatch or run a shortcut, among other things — is reason enough to get the Apple Watch Ultra, which I’ve been wearing since its launch last year. But there’s another great reason. Actually, two.

Some computer setups look “clean” and “minimal” because they’re, well, empty. Under-equipped. Not all there. But today’s featured M2 MacBook Air setup with Studio Display actually brings enough gear, it just does so in a beautifully clean way that has the rest of us slobs drooling with envy.

Hell, our setup is practically a waste dump half the time, compared to this thing.

It’s 2003, and the United States leads the way on Mars in its Happy Valley Base, having turned its international space-race competitors into allies. But when an asteroid presents an almost-unimaginably rich mining opportunity, it’s back to pitched competition, as seen in the For All Mankind season four trailer Apple TV+ dropped Thursday.

The alternative-history sci-fi series started with an interesting premise — what if the United States lost the moon race in 1969 to the Soviets? — and has run with it into a fourth season, which debuts November 10 on Apple TV+.

The California Institute of Technology got what it wanted out of a years-long patent-infringement lawsuit against Broadcom and (peripherally) Apple. Caltech filed paperwork in a California court dismissing its case.

It’s not clear at this point whether or how much Broadcom and Apple paid the university as part of a settlement. It could be hundreds of millions, though.

Want to learn to play piano? Skoove is an interactive app that can be used with literally any kind of musical keyboard (even an old-school piano). And it’s now available for a price you won’t find anywhere else on the web.

Get Skoove, and you can master the piano thanks to a lifetime of lessons for one low price.

The Qualcomm X75 modem unveiled in February will be part of the iPhone 16 Pro models when they launch in 2024, according to an industry analyst. It’s the first from the modem-maker to support the speedy 5G Advanced standard.

But the cutting-edge chip supposedly won’t be included in Apple’s more affordable non-Pro handsets.

No-screen pen tablets are traditional for artists, and the just-announced Astropad Slate recreates that experience with an iPad and Apple Pencil.

The software, currently in beta, supports Apple’s stylus, including support for hover.

In theory, we’d all love to learn a new language. There are tons of benefits to being multilingual, some obvious (better communication skills, the chance to meet new friends) and some less so (heightened mental health, a resume upgrade).

The problem is finding the right time and the right teacher. And no matter what kind of time you have in your day, Rosetta Stone is designed to help you learn, one word at a time. Now anyone can get lifetime access to this popular language learning system for an extra $30 off with a special fall promo code.

Citing a workforce that has become more mobile than ever before, Journey unveiled its new journey laptop sleeve that also works as a wireless charger, mouse pad, and desk mat for a mobile setup, the company said Thursday.

“The Nexa is a laptop accessory that actually does the job of four accessories – a sleeve, charger, mousepad, and desk mat,” Journey said. ““Laptop users with a NEXA in hand can enjoy better mobility when they come and go between different workspaces each day.”

Nanoleaf added a handy new portable smart lamp with brand partner Umbra and two new smart bulbs to its Essentials line, the company said Thursday.

All of the products will work through the Matter smart-home standard with HomeKit and other smart-home platforms.

Anyone planning on purchasing a used iPhone should take a look at new support document from Apple with tips on a successful buying process.

This includes a very useful inspection checklist to go through before handing over any money.

Although the well-reviewed Beats Studio Pro wireless active noise canceling (ANC) headphones just launched in July, you can now get them for half off on Amazon (49% off, to be exact). And that’s not a Prime member special, either.

So for an unknown amount of time, you can nab them for $179.95 instead of $350.

Feeling jealous that iPhone 15 users can plug a thumb drive directly into their phone? Then you need the PNY Duo Link iOS USB 3.2 Dual Flash Drive. It has both a Lightning connector and USB-A connector, which makes it compatible with iPhone, iPad and Mac. Windows, too.

With it, you can copy images or other files between devices. Or backup your iPhone when you’re on the go.

I put PNY’s drive through its paces. Here’s what I found out.

With the leaves turning colors and the wood stoves standing by for winter, it’s not too late to score great deals on Microsoft’s crucial productivity software, Windows and Office. Bargains await in the October Sale at CdkeySales.com.

Logitech unveiled its new Wave Keys ergonomic keyboards for personal and business uses Wednesday. They offer “instantly familiar typing, providing comfort at the desk in the home and office,” the company said.

“We believe that everybody deserves to feel good at the end of a day of work, so we set about designing workspace essentials that are as attractive and approachable as they are ergonomic,” said Art O’Gnimh, general manager, Logitech Core Personal Workspace. “Wave Keys has workspace wellbeing at its heart, thanks to its science-driven design with a stamp of approval from leading ergonomists.”

Whether you’re going on vacation or working from anywhere, you need to protect your gear before using networks you don’t know. Instead of yet another software subscription, the Deeper Connect Pico offers hard-wired protection that fits in your pocket.

Right now, you can get this travel-ready cybersecurity protection device and Wi-Fi adapter for just $148.99. That’s $99 off the $248 MSRP.

Apple reportedly will see a significant decline in MacBook shipments in the remaining half of 2023. This is primarily due to the lack of new models, with MacBooks powered by an Apple M3 chip not launching until 2024.

The M3 chip could debut inside the iMac as early as this year before expanding to other Macs.

Globetrotters may think they already know all the best travel hacks, but they might not know this secret: With Travel Buyers Club, you can gain access to member-exclusive prices on airfare, hotels, rental cars, theme parks and more.

Since you’re a Cult of Mac reader, you can save 60% on your first year of membership and get it for just $39.99 (regularly $99).

An authority on display technology said Wednesday that Apple will be unable to introduce a MacBook with an OLED screen for at least three years.

But iPads with OLED are expected much sooner.

Apple posted a 90-minute “Study With Me” YouTube video Wednesday showing actress Storm Reid, a college student, leading a study session with her 15-inch MacBook Air.

And while the video promotes the laptop, it really is a study session using the Pomodoro method, with study periods, breaks and music. So crack that laptop and get to work with her.

As part of Amazon Prime Big Deal Days, Function101 offers a couple of ways to save on Apple accessories, like the accessory-maker’s nifty Cable Blocks, Apple TV remote control and Desk Mat Pro.

But act fast, because the offers end Wednesday at 11:59 p.m. Pacific.

Cult of Mac reader Nick Howard sent us his clever M1 Mac mini computer setup. It’s clever because it pulls a disappearing act, with very little effort on Howard’s part, whenever it’s not in use. Almost like magic.

“I love this setup as it’s completely unobstrusive when not being used and, in use, it offers the perfect combination of screen size and display of information for me, [while] remaining minimalist,” he said.

Reading Time for iPhone and iPad lets you build a library of books, then tracks your progress as you read. It encourages reading by making everything easier and more fun.

You can easily scan books by their barcodes to add them to your library. When you start a reading session, a Live Activity will show up on your Lock Screen, in the Dynamic Island or in StandBy.

The Reading Time app keeps track of your progress with detailed stats — like your reading speed, and estimated time until you’re finished — in an organized dashboard of books.

The new Mophie 3-in-1 Extendable Stand with MagSafe features a tilting charging pad that telescopes upward from its base to help you position your iPhone for the best FaceTime calls.

And with charging spots for Apple Watch and AirPods, you can power up three devices at the same time.

Being the default search engine in the Safari web browser is apparently worth an enormous amount of money. Google reportedly pays Apple between $18 billion and $20 each year for the privilege.

But the payments might come to an end as a result of the antitrust accusations the Department of Justice brought against the search giant.