Maybe the right job will land you a tricked out MacBook Pro, Studio Display and all the other treats in this setup. Photo: [email protected]
Wouldn’t it be great if the right job opened the door to building a killer computer setup? It happened for design and product lead Jaime Creixems.
Today’s featured setup is his M1 Max MacBook Pro and Studio Display-driven wonderland, complete with excellent audio equipment and fun sidelights like Lego sets.
Find out how UPDF stacks up against popular PDF editors PDF Expert and Adobe Acrobat in terms of feature sets and price. Image: Superace
Most people must deal with PDF files online at some point, like when they fill out forms, sign documents or save files they don’t want others to easily modify. But if you think your only choices for easy-to-use, feature-rich PDF editing software are big, expensive products, you haven’t met UPDF yet.
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In this article, we’ll take a look at how UPDF stacks up against major PDF editors — PDF Expert and Adobe Acrobat — in terms of feature sets and price. Then you can make your best choice. At the end of this article, a special discount will be provided for Cult of Mac readers.
Lean back and enjoy a film on Netflix in spatial audio. Photo: Apple
Netflix greatly increased the amount of its most-popular content with support for spatial audio, which lets the tv shows and films offer a surround sound-like experience but without all the speakers.
But the enhanced sound is not for every subscriber. The streaming service is using spatial audio as a way to tempt viewers to its Premium plan.
With MLS Season Pass, soccer fans can watch every MLS match via the Apple TV app from February 25 through the league championship. Photo: Apple
Major League Soccer fans in more than 100 countries can now sign up for the MLS Season Pass subscription service via the Apple TV app and Apple TV+, Cupertino said Wednesday.
This comes ahead of the 2023 season’s launch on February 25. The new service will air all MLS and Leagues Cup matches, plus hundreds of MLS NEXT Pro and MLS NEXT games, Apple said.
These open-ear headphones don't block out the real world. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
AirPods are great and all, but what if you don’t want earbuds jammed into your earholes? These open-ear headphones use increasingly popular bone-conduction tech to deliver audio without plugging up your ears.
These wireless bone-conduction earphones work with iPhones, Macs and iPads. And they let you mix your Apple Music playlist into your soundscape while keeping your ears open for what you need to hear.
You don’t need to pay a fortune for these fancy, futuristic headphones, either. Right now, they’re on sale for just $33.99.
Apple has stopped signing iOS 16.2. Graphics: Apple/CultOfMac
Following the release of iOS 16.3 last week, Apple has stopped signing iOS 16.2. This means it is no longer possible to downgrade your iPhone to the older iOS build.
If your iPhone is still running iOS 16.2, you can update it to iOS 16.3 without issues.
Game like you mean it with a cut-rate Xbox Game Pass Ultimate sub. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
The twilight of games as physical media is truly upon us. Apologies to those who like the smooth feel of those fragile little discs, but this is a good thing. You may be paying a little more for your console’s subscription plan, but in return, you get access to perks that include a virtual warehouse worth of games.
With a two-month subscription to Xbox’s Game Pass Ultimate, you can access hundreds of games (including some true classics) for just $8.99.
Take 4TB of additional storage wherever you go with this tough SSD. Photo: Samsung/Cult of Mac
The Samsung T7 Shield rugged SSD launched in 2022 with a maximum of 2TB of capacity and is now available with twice that.
T7 Shield is a a credit-card size external SSD intended for outdoor content creators or travelers. It works with Mac and iPad plus a wide variety of devices.
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That's not a fountain pen. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Adonit Star is the stylus for iPad users who love antiques; it’s designed to look like a fountain pen, not the usual plastic pencil. Despite the traditional design, it’s a fully functional stylus that’s ready for handwritten notes or sketching out ideas.
I used it with my iPad Pro, and it works as good as it looks. Even better, it is surprisingly affordable.
In addition to jacking up speaker sound, the X5 should make most headphones sound better. Photo: Creative
Creative’s new Sound Blaster X5, a USB sound card, digital-to-analog converter (DAC) and headphone amplifier, promises to jack up your Mac’s audio quality.
It’s not cheap at $280. But the device launched Tuesday might make big difference in the sound flowing from speakers and headphones alike.
iPhone 16 Pro buyers reportedly won’t get the “periscope” camera previous rumors suggested. A camera with the new type of high-end lens will be restricted to only the iPhone 16 Pro Max, according to a reliable source of Apple info.
The new hardware actually will arrive with the iPhone 15 Pro Max in 2023. But it supposedly won’t come to the regular-size iPhone Pro in 2024, despite what earlier reports indicated.
The pop-up lens should bring a noticeable jump in image quality while also shrinking the thickness of the iPhone’s notoriously large camera hump.
Apple's Pro Display XDR is impressive but very, very expensive. Photo: Apple
Looking to buy Apple’s 32-inch Pro Display XDR? Amazon is taking a whopping $300 off the stunning display, reducing the hole the purchase would otherwise make in your wallet.
With an MRP of $4,999, the Pro Display XDR is an expensive piece of tech. But you can take advantage of the deal on Amazon to get the display for $4,699.99.
The United States is one of 164 countries where you can travel with Holafly eSIM. You can enjoy unlimited data at a low price. Image: Holafly
You’re probably familiar with SIM cards, the little microchip cards that you can slide into your cellular device via a tiny tray on the side. But do you know that virtual SIM card technology — eSIM — has evolved to replace the clumsy SIM card? eSIM makes changing up your data plan for travel and other needs easier than ever before.
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It’s no exaggeration to say eSIM is the future of cellular. And one reason that’s especially clear is that Apple released iPhone 14 models in some countries without a SIM card tray. The leading smartphone maker is “all in” on eSIM. And you should be, too.
The new HomePod looks almost exactly like the original, but it packs definite improvements. Photo: Apple
The first reviews of the updated HomePod say the new smart speaker sounds excellent but doesn’t break much new ground.
Compared to Apple’s original smart speaker, the second-generation HomePod is more of an asset in a smart home than before. However, the device’s limitations on playing music from third-party sources mean that the home in question better be an Apple household.
There's no need for a separate iPad stand and USB-C hub. Plugable just launched a combination device. Photo: Plugable
The Plugable USB-C Stand Dock goes beyond just holding up an iPad so the display can be seen — it’s also an 8-port hub with HDMI, two USB-A ports and many more.
The design reduces clutter on the user’s desk. And the stand/hub is also portable.
Upgrade your dental care with this high-tech toothbrush. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
If you’ve had a wake-up call at the dentist lately, you’ve got two options. You can either keep brushing the same way and wait for those cavity pains, or start brushing like a grown-up. One great way to upgrade is with an electric toothbrush, but there are so many brands out there that it can make first-time users slow to commit.
If that’s the case with you, let’s start with the most compelling reason to go with the AquaSonic Black series electric toothbrush: It’s currently on sale for just $29.99.
Universal search will soon make a comeback in 1Password 8. Photo: 1Password
1Password is among the best password managers for iOS, and it is about to get even better. Putting a pause on adding new features, 1Password developers have announced several improvements to the app’s fundamentals.
Last year, AgibleBits released 1Password 8 with a new home screen and additional customization options. Based on user feedback, the company is further improving some of these features.
Hack your taxes with the power of AI thanks to this $49 app. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
T.S. Eliot had it right: April really is the cruelest month, especially if you’re a freelancer, small business owner or independent contractor. That April 15 tax deadline means you’re either scraping together proof for all your deductions, or paying an accountant to shave a few extra dollars off what you owe.
Being your own boss certainly has its benefits, but the time you spend jumping through IRS hoops is not one of them. Luckily, it was only a matter of time before app developers brought the power of AI to ease the problem of taxes — and FlyFin is a compelling solution that’s tailor-made for the self-employed.
Recapping your top tunes for 2023 is possible if you've streamed enough music. Photo: Apple Music
It’s that time of year again. Apple Music made Replay 2023 most-streamed playlists available Monday to anyone who’s listened to enough music in January to have one.
It may be something you associate with the end of a year — Spotify Wrapped comes out only in December, for example. But Apple Music opens up access early with updates on Sundays so you can track your hit list and more continuously, plus a year-end recap.
Demand for HomePod 2 has outstripped supply. Photo: Apple
Order the recently unveiled HomePod 2 from the online Apple store today and it might not arrive until March. Preorders for the revived version of Apple’s full-size smart speaker have surpassed the launch-day supply.
There seems to be some pent up demand for the product.
Don't miss this amazing deal on the M1 iPad Air. Photo: Apple
Apple’s excellent M1 iPad Air is down to its lowest price of $499.99 on Amazon after a $99 discount. This is the same price the tablet was available for during last year’s Black Friday.
You can get a similar $99 off on the 256GB and cellular variants of the M1 iPad Air.
Rihanna performs at the Apple Music Super Bowl LVII Halftime Show on Sunday, February 12, 2023. Photo: Apple Music
Apple Music trotted out various ways Monday for fans to get into Rihanna ahead of her Super Bowl LVII Halftime Show in Glendale, Arizona, February 12.
These include a halftime-show press conference on February 9, her catalog in Spatial Audio on Apple Music, Apple Music Sing karaoke and Apple Music Radio commentary, the service said.
Maxed-out M1 Max MacBook Pro, curved 4K display, solid audio ... but a computer setup is never really done, is it? Photo: [email protected]
To the age-old question “Is a computer setup ever really done?” the answer is obviously “no.” There’s always something to add or something to fix, and once you do that it’s time to update something else (even if you don’t technically “need” the latest thing).
Today’s well-laid MacBook Pro setup has a nice curved monitor, but its user “craves” a Studio Display like he sees in other setups. And for that matter, how about a quieter mechanical keyboard and some plants that won’t die immediately, too.
No search was needed in this rescue, never mind helicopters. Photo: Robson Valley Search and Rescue
Emergency SOS via satellite on an iPhone 14 took the “search” out of “search and rescue” for two fortunate Canadian women. They got stuck in snow on a logging road in British Columbia, Canada.
Rescuers said they thought it was the feature’s first use in BC. And the way it pinpointed the women’s location may have saved the women’s lives without the need for a time-consuming search.
These drones are the perfect toys for any wannabe pilot, now only $129.99. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
The joys of flying are something many of us recall from childhood, and likely came about when we first looked down from an airplane and saw sprawling clouds, cities and oceans below. Now, even as an adult, you can relive that sense of awe from the comfort of land by exploring the skies with this diverse array of drones.
You can double the adventure with a discounted deal on the Alpha Z Pro drone bundle, which is now on sale for just $129.99.