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Apple debuts iPhone purchasing via video call

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Now you can hop on a video call to shop for a new iPhone.
Now you can hop on a video call to shop for a new iPhone.
Photo: Apple

Apple said Tuesday its US customers can chat with an Apple Specialist over video to shop the iPhone lineup. That includes the new yellow iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus that showed up in stores today.

The new Shop with a Specialist over Video service lets buyers connect with retail team members over a secure, one-way video shopping session, the company said.

Dress up Mac, iPad and iPhone with ‘Big Starry Sur’ wallpapers

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Check out the
Check out the "Big Starry Sur" wallpapers from Basic Apple Guy.
Photo: Basic Apple Guy

Basic Apple Guy is out with another striking set of wallpapers you can download for free. He calls them “Big Starry Sur.” It’s “Apple’s Big Sur meets Vincent Van Gogh’s Starry Night,” he said.

You can download the wallpapers for Mac, iPad and iPhone for free below. And it’s nice if you leave him a tip for his effort, too. If you’re looking for ways to use a laptop as a second monitor, check out this deal on the Duex Plus DS Laptop Screen Extender.

Yellow iPhone 14 and 14 Plus hit store shelves

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Yellow iPhone 14 and 14 Plus hit store shelves
The wait is over: iPhone 14 and 14 Plus in yellow are now in stores.
Photo: Apple

The recently announced iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus in yellow casings are now in Apple’s brick-and-mortar retail stores.

The new color option was announced in early March and then went up for preorder a few days ago, but Tuesday is the real launch day.

Binge on award-winning documentaries with best-of-web pricing on Curiosity Stream

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Binge on award-winning documentaries with this best-of-web pricing on Curiosity Stream.
Enjoy a lifetime's worth of great documentaries from Curiosity Stream for just $169.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Netflix (and pretty much any other streaming service) may be the most effective and entertaining way ever invented to kill time. But time is precious, and there’s only so much of it we can spend watching scripted and mindless TV. For those that want more out of their binge-watching sessions, there’s Curiosity Stream.

Apple starts selling refurbished iPhone 13 in the US with big discounts

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Want an iPhone 13 on the cheap? Here's your chance.
iPhone 13 refurbished units are now available on Apple's online store in the US.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple has started selling the iPhone 13 series through its Certified Refurbished store in the US. This comes a month after the company listed refurbished iPhone 13 units for sale in Europe.

Unlike the EU, though, Apple is currently not selling refurbished iPhone 13 mini in the US.

Let this smart ukulele teach you how to play for less than $160

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Let this smart ukulele teach you how to play for less than $160.
Become a musician the easy way with 20% off this smart ukulele.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

For most of us, the sound of a ukulele evokes chill island vibes and a sense of playfulness. Pick one up and you immediately want to start strumming your vacation soundtrack, but the process of learning a musical instrument can burst that bubble pretty quickly.

Unfortunately, that’s just the way it is when you’re learning to play something new — but it doesn’t have to be. The Populele 2 smart concert ukulele is poised to teach a whole new generation of players with an interface that can have rookies playing complete songs in no time.

Ends tonight: Get 20% off rugged and refined AirPods 3 cases

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Check out the fleur and marble colors of the basic protective case.
Check out the fleur and marble colors of the basic protective case.
Photo: SwitchEasy

If you’re happy with the basic white charging case that came with your earbuds, that’s great. But those cases can get scratched, so they’re worth protecting. And that’s not the only reason you might consider a case for your AirPods 3 case. You can also add both style and a higher degree of protection.

The SwitchEasy Flash Sale — you can get 20% off fun and rugged cases for AirPods 3 — ends at 11:59 p.m. Pacific on March 13.

Excellent deal knocks AirPods Pro 2 down by $49

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AirPods Pro 2 in hand with case opened
Save big on the AirPods Pro 2.
Source: Unsplash

If you are in the market for a new pair of wireless earbuds for your iPhone, it is hard to beat the AirPods Pro 2. If you find them expensive at $249, take advantage of Amazon’s latest deal to grab them for $199.99.

This is the maximum discount we have tracked on the AirPods Pro 2 so far. It was available for the same price during last year’s Black Friday.

An overpowered gas arm is ready to launch this MacBook Pro [Setups]

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The bass player running this rig said the mount's gas arm is a little over-eager.
The bass player running this rig said the mount's gas arm is a little over-eager.
Photo: [email protected]

We recently talked about what a boon to computer setups stands and mounts usually are — but not when they cause problems. Today’s featured M1 MacBook Pro setup is an interesting example. The bass player who runs it said the gas-powered arm of the mount where the laptop sits is so hair-trigger it can “randomly launch it into the air.”

That’s not ideal when you have $2,000 laptop not designed for flight. The user also has a PC laptop for work, a massive 4K display and a compact mechanical keyboard and badass speakers we haven’t seen elsewhere.

Thread-enabled door and window sensor launches HomeKit automations

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The Onvis CT3 contact sensor works exclusively with HomeKit, Siri and the Home app.
The Onvis CT3 contact sensor works exclusively with HomeKit, Siri and the Home app.
Photo: Onvis

Onvis updated its formerly Bluetooth-only CT3 contact sensor with the Thread wireless protocol. That means it should work smoothly with HomeKit and Siri. It won’t just let you know when doors or windows open or close, it will launch related automations.

This is especially good news if you want to jack up home security by automatically tripping alarms or turning on lights when a door or window opens.

Get anonymous calling on a second secure line for $24.99 — for life

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Get anonymous calling on a second secure line for $24.99 - for life.
Gain lifetime access to your own secure backup phone line for just $24.99.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

We’re not sure exactly when anonymity became a luxury, but there’s now a cottage industry dedicated to restoring your privacy. VPNs can hide your location, and apps like Signal can keep your messages on the down low, but your phone number? For the most part, that’s still an all-too-public commodity, as the rise in spam calls and telemarketing has shown.

Luckily, there’s now a service called Hushed that can give you a second phone line that’s completely private. But time’s running out to try it for a greatly reduced price.

The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse wins Oscar for Apple TV+

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The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse review on Apple TV+: This animated short film hits all the right notes.
This animated short film hits all the right notes.
Image: Apple TV+

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences gave Apple TV+ its latest Oscar win, this time for The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse. It is hand-drawn animation, and it therefore took home the Oscar for Best Animated Short Film.

The Oscar was awarded Sunday night at the 95th Annual Academy Awards ceremony in Los Angeles.

Tim Cook approves AR headset’s 2023 launch despite opposition from Apple design team

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Apple mixed reality headset
Apple engineers are under pressure to ship the AR headset this year.
Image: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

Apple CEO Tim Cook reportedly sided with COO Jeff Williams to launch the company’s AR/VR headset this year, despite the fact that Cupertino’s design team wanted to wait a few more years to launch a sleeker pair of AR glasses.

The headset’s launch time frame has been a point of contention inside Apple. Until 2019, when Jony Ive led the design deapartment, it was unimaginable to go against his team’s wishes.

Practice your swing from the comfort of your home with this $190 golf simulator

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Practice your swing from the comfort of your home with this $190 golf simulator.
You can virtually play at Augusta National Golf Club from your living room with this advanced golf simulator.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

If you’re any kind of golfer, you’re likely counting down the days until the Masters Tournament starts in early April. So, what can you do until then? To get into the golfing spirit, you could hit the green at your local course. Or, you could invite some friends over and play 18 holes on a virtual version of your dream course, whether that’s Augusta National or Loch Lomond.

The PhiGolf at-home golf simulator can take you there and beyond. And that’s just the start of what this innovative product offers. During our Golf Campaign, which ends March 15, you can score the PhiGolf for only $189.99.

Samsung Galaxy cameras fake their moon shots

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Samsung Galaxy cameras fake their moon shots
Moon pictures taken with a Samsung Galaxy Ultra are supposedly too good to be true.
Image: ibreakphotos/Reddit/CultofMac

The beautiful images of the moon taken with a recent high-end Samsung Galaxy are apparently faked. A Reddit user took a picture of a low-resolution moon picture and got a high-res picture.

In other words, Galaxy Ultra cameras aren’t as powerful as people claim.

These $34 induction headphones prove far more comfortable than earbuds

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Listen to music without uncomfortable ear buds with more than half off these induction headphones.
Listen to music and the outside world with these top-rated, open-ear headphones, less than $34 now.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Wearing chunky over-ear headphones or finicky in-ear buds can become super-uncomfortable. The secret to comfortable listening for hours on end is with technologically advanced induction headphones, which don’t require sitting in your ear at all.

And right now, you can grab a pair of highly rated Open Ear Induction Stereo Wireless Headphones on sale for just $33.99. That’s more than half off the regular price of $109.

Discounted 3-in-1 wireless charging station acts as hands-free viewing stand

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This discounted 3-in-1 wireless charging station also acts as a hands-free viewing stand.
Save $26 on this versatile charging station that's compatible with popular Apple products.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

If you rely on your iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods like we do, a low-battery warning is not what you want to see, especially while away from your home or office. Ensure those tools are always ready when you need them by taking advantage of a surprisingly low price on an advanced charging solution.

For a limited time, you can get a foldable MagStack three-in-one wireless charging station for only $47.99 (regularly $74) with no coupon required. That’s nearly 40% off on a product that instantly streamlines your approach to powering up.

Yellow iPhones, faster iMacs and more! [The CultCast]

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A yellow iPhone 14 and a yellow iMac, along with the logo of Cult of Mac's Apple-oriented podcast,
Apple just decided to paint the town yellow.
Image: Cult of Mac

This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: Did the world really need a yellow iPhone 14? Especially one that looks about as bold as a buttered banana? At least we’ve got new iMacs coming to ease our disappointment.

Also on The CultCast:

  • Those new iMacs are just the beginning of a coming wave of even-more-powerful Apple computers.
  • Who in their right mind would pay $600 for an Apple Watch band?
  • At least the yellow iPhone wallpaper is free (and so is Microsoft Outlook for Mac).

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.

Our sponsors

4 must-have productivity apps for Mac

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Speed up your work on a Mac
These apps (and system features) will help you work faster.
Image: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

I’m going to show you five ways you can instantly boost your productivity on your Mac. You might not have thought your Mac was capable of these advanced features. But in my opinion, the Mac’s reputation for being un-customizable is misunderstood. Four of these tips depend on third-party productivity apps that will add radical new system features to your Mac.

I’ll show you how to get instant window snapping on the Mac, powerful screenshot and recording tools, a clever clipboard manager that should be built into macOS, a simple tip for opening apps faster, and a smart time-tracking tool that’ll keep you productive.

7 reasons you should be slashing through Oceanhorn: Chronos Dungeon

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'Oceanhorn: Chronos Dungeon' is a 16-bit Rogue-like dungeon crawler.
You and three friends can plumb the depths of the Chronos Dungeon on your way to save the world.
Image: Cornfox & Brothers

Oceanhorn: Chronos Dungeon is one of the best RPGs in Apple Arcade. It’s a relatively simple dungeon crawler in the spirit of great 16-bit games of the past like Gauntlet. And it can be enjoyed by up to four players at once.

I’ve spent more hours than I could possibly count playing this title from Cornfox & Brothers. Here are seven reasons I think you’ll like it too.

This golf simulator lets you swing away those winter blues

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Get into the golfing spirit ahead of the Masters with an awesome deal on this mini golf simulator.
Score big savings on the SLX MicroSim golf simulator, which you can use with your own clubs or with an optional Swing Trainer.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Historically, winter and golf don’t mix too well. That’s why the upcoming Masters Tournament is so exciting. Golf season is coming back soon, and there’s just enough time to get into the spirit by playing a few games. While you may not be able to spend a day on the course, whether it’s because golf fees are increasing or the weather’s simply too bad out, you could bring golf to your home.

The SwingLogic SLX MicroSim is a super-compact golf simulator that lets you avoid rising fees and stay on top of your swing from the comfort of your home. Compatible with iOS devices, the simulator with the swing stick now costs just $204, while the simulator without it is $99.99 through March 15.

Who’s manipulating who on Liaison? [Apple TV+ recap] ★★★★☆

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Lyna Dubarry in ★★★★☆
You know you're in trouble when ...
Photo: Apple TV+

TV+ ReviewApple TV+ thriller Liaison gets down to the dirty business of statecraft this week as Alison and Gabriel head to Brussels for different reasons. A daring refugee camp breakout leads to almosts and what-ifs that drive Alison mad.

Plus, a couple of unfortunate lackeys get put through the ringer — and Britain is still under attack. The episode, entitled “Manipulations,” delivers another solid hour from a team with enough star power to light up London.

Take your Apple Watch bands everywhere with this affordable canvas case

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Canvas Strap Roll for Apple Watch bands
Get yours for just $18.
Photo: BluShark

If you’re the kind of Apple Watch owner who loves swapping your bands on a regular basis, you’ll want to carry more than one while traveling. Keep them organized and protected with the handy Canvas Strap Roll from BluShark.

It has enough space for at least three bands, and it ensures they all stay separated so they can’t damage each other. It also features a secure snap button closure to prevent the case from spilling its contents on the go.

Get yours today for just $18 from the Cult of Mac Store.

Jimmy steps up this week on Shrinking [Apple TV+ recap] ★★☆☆

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Jason Segel, Harrison Ford and Michael Urie in ★★☆☆
The hunt for a missing Alice is on!
Photo: Apple TV+

TV+ ReviewAlice goes missing this week on Apple TV+ hit comedy Shrinking, and Jimmy, Paul and Brian are on the case. After exposing Alice to the awkwardness of a social curveball, Jimmy and Gaby alienate her so much that she decides to act out like her dad has been doing for so long.

Meanwhile, Gaby needs to face down a big challenge as she prepares to maybe move on from her divorce. And Brian must confess something to Jimmy that’s going to be painful — and chooses the worst time to do it. All in all, it’s an above-average episode of a very tiresome sitcom.

Anyone who writes will love this useful Mac app [New price cut!]

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Best-selling writers, students and journalists alike can get this useful writing app for only $29.99.
Scrivener 3 gives you helpful organizational tools that will make writing a breeze.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Whether you’re a content creator with a buzzy blog, a college student powering through a midterm essay, or a bestselling author chipping away at a first draft, you don’t have to be stuck with the same old writing apps.

Scrivener 3 is not only a writing platform, but also an in-depth organizational tool that lets you visualize your entire writing project. Now, you can get lifetime access to this innovative writing app for only $29.99. And, if you add promo code SCRIVENER10 at checkout, you’ll save an additional 10%!