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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%!

Truth Be Told reels with revelations this week [Apple TV+ recap] ★★★★

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Octavia Spencer and Mekhi Phifer in ★★★★
Poppy (played by Octavia Spencer, left) and Markus (Mekhi Phifer) share an intense moment this week.
Photo: Apple TV+

TV+ ReviewLots and lots of bad judgment and mistakes come to light on this week’s episode of Truth Be Told, Apple TV+’s true crime podcast drama.

It turns out Emily Mills’ kidnapping was something else altogether. Plus, Poppy is pressing hard into other people’s secrets — and into her own for a change, much to Leander’s chagrin. Markus has hit bottom and can’t seem to pull up. Trini gets a much-needed wake-up call, and Eva can’t stop living in the past.

This week’s very fine episode brings some extremely strong performances, and some equally impactful revelations.

Apple shareholders approve 40% pay cut for CEO Tim Cook at annual meeting

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Tim Cook in Ukrainian colors during the Peek Performance event
Even Tim Cook agrees Tim Cook was being paid too much.
Screenshot: Apple

Apple CEO Tim Cook will earn considerably less in 2023 than he did in the last two years. The pay cut comes at the recommendation of the company as well as Cook himself. And it was approved Friday at Apple’s annual shareholder’s meeting.

In addition, five proposals made by shareholders for changes at the company were also voted down at the meeting.

Servant drops a major revelation this week [Apple TV+ recap]

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Lauren Ambrose in
Dorothy (played by Lauren Ambrose) learns the horrifying truth about her baby Jericho this week.
Photo: Apple TV+

TV+ ReviewM. Night Shyamalan returns to the director’s chair for the penultimate episode of Apple TV+’s Servant, his show about a nanny terrorizing a Philadelphia family in their brownstone.

Leanne has Dorothy all to herself — and Dorothy can’t help but notice. A last-ditch rescue attempt is scuttled after Dorothy insists on hearing some hard truths from Sean and Julian, who may not have the upper hand when they’re done.

Though unnerving and quite upsetting, “Awake” stands tall as one of the greatest episodes yet of this outstanding show.

On Hello Tomorrow!, Jack’s cunning lies crash in on him [Apple TV+ recap] ★★★★☆

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Billy Crudup in ★★★★☆
Billy Crudup hits all the right notes in his portrayal of oily lunar grifter Jack Billings.
Photo: Apple TV+

TV+ ReviewHello Tomorrow!, the Apple TV+ show about hucksters selling a place in the sun (on the moon), takes a trip back in time this week as Jack relives some foundational traumas.

Also this week: Shirley thinks she has a way out of the hole that Brightside’s in, while the one that Herb is stuck in gets deeper by the minute. And Joey finds that there is no end to a life of lies once it really gets going.

This week’s offering, entitled “The Numbers Behind the Numbers,” stacks up as a superlative episode of a superlative program.

Tense The Last Thing He Told Me trailer trots out star power

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Jennifer Garner stars in
Jennifer Garner stars in The Last Thing He Told Me and also serves as an executive producer, along with Reese Witherspoon.
Photo: Apple TV+

Apple TV+ dropped the trailer (below) for the new limited drama series The Last Thing He Told Me Thursday, and it looks like a gripping thriller with a loaded cast.

Based on a bestselling novel and starring Jennifer Garner along with other familiar faces, the show premieres April 14.

Dual-display outfit splits the keyboard and goes mouse-free [Setups]

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How do you navigate without a mouse?
How do you navigate without a mouse?
Photo: [email protected]

Do you dream of ditching your mouse? Maybe you have the wrong one. Or maybe you’re onto something, like the software developer who works sans rodent with today’s featured M2 MacBook Pro setup featuring dual external displays in different orientations.

Instead of a mouse for input, she relies on a radically split keyboard with a trackball, plus a macropad. See those and all of the other gear in the cool setup below.

CdkeySales’ March blowout: $16 Windows 10 Pro (free Windows 11 upgrade) and $27 Office bargains

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Save big-time on Microsoft software by using promo code CULT at CdkeySales.com.
Save big-time on Microsoft software by using promo code CULT at CdkeySales.com.
Image: CdkeySales

The March Madness Sale at software activation keys provider CdkeySales.com continues, with remarkably great deals on Microsoft Windows, Office and more. Don’t miss out on your chance to save big on Microsoft software.

SPONSORED
This post is brought to you by CdkeySales.
Savvy Cult of Mac readers who refuse to pay full price for Windows 10 and more can click on the links below to snag rock-bottom prices on legit software. (As a bonus, Windows 10 comes with a free upgrade to Windows 11.) To get the absolute best savings, enter promo code CULT at CdkeySales.com. That will slash an additional 30% off the site’s low, low prices on keys for Windows 10 Pro Global, Microsoft Office 2021 Pro and more.

Yellow iPhone 14 and 14 Plus go up for preorders

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iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus now come in yellow as well as a rainbow of other colors.
iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus now come in yellow as well as a rainbow of other colors.
Photo: Apple

The online Apple store began taking preorders on Friday for the recently announced iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus in yellow casings.

The canary-colored handsets won’t be in stores until March 14,though.

The real reason Brits don’t watch Ted Lasso

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Not many Brits watch
Not many Brits watch "Ted Lasso," but it's not necessarily for reasons of taste.
Photo: Apple TV+

The smash-hit Apple TV+ comedy Ted Lasso is set in greater London. It’s about the unlikely coach of a fictional team in England’s (and the world’s) top soccer league, which is England’s (and the world’s) favorite sport. So why don’t Brits actually watch the show?

No, it’s not some disconnect between American and British humor. The real reason has more to do with adoption of the streaming service itself. And some people blame Apple TV+ for that.

Our little monster shows his true colors this week on Dear Edward [Apple TV+ recap] ★☆☆☆☆

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Colin O’Brien in ★☆☆☆☆
It's hard to root for a kid who's this selfish, TBH.
Photo: Apple TV+

TV+ ReviewTrauma-focused Apple TV+ series Dear Edward has even more reckoning to do this week.

First, Adriana gets into hot water with the two men in her life, even as her election looms. Then Lacey and Edward both get rejected, right when they need support the most.

Dee Dee is having housing issues. And Steve and Amanda need some space, as do Shay and Mahira. And frankly, so do I. This frustrating show just keeps on going to uninspired, unearned places.

Make learning a bite-size habit with a lifetime subscription to Headway

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Make learning bite-sized a habit with a lifetime subscription to Headway, now only $69.99.
Self-improvement can become a reality with Headway, which is on sale for $69.99.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Working on yourself isn’t always easy to schedule. Even if there are books you want to read and skills you want to learn, finding the time to actually sit down, read and reflect isn’t always practical if you’re juggling things like work, a social life or responsibilities at home.

Instead, you could try a method of self-improvement that’s a little easier on your schedule. Headway is an iOS app that could turn growth into a habit you want to lean into. And now, you can get a lifetime subscription for only $69.99. That’s the best price online — and just wait until you see what Headway can help you do.

Real Madrid: Until the End shoots and misses [Apple TV+ review] ★★☆☆

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The new three-part documentary debuts March on Apple TV+.★★☆☆
How do you tell an exciting sports story when there's not much going on?
Photo: Apple TV+

TV+ Review New Apple TV+ sports documentary Real Madrid: Until the End chronicles one of the world’s most popular football clubs during a treacherous 2021 and 2022 comeback season.

Missing their star striker, reuniting with an old coach, dealing with their best player’s injuries … there are many hurdles for the team to overcome. This three-part series won’t play particularly well for people who aren’t already invested in the fortunes of Real Madrid. But it proves fairly informative and entertaining even to the layman.

Apple working on a HomePod with 7-inch display for 2024

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HomePod with a 7-inch display concept
Apple has a HomePod-branded smart display in the works.
Concept: Rajesh/Cult of Mac

Apple could launch its first smart display as soon as next year. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believes Apple is preparing a HomePod with a 7-inch display for H1 2024.

Launching a smart display under the HomePod branding is seemingly a part of Apple’s new smart home strategy.

Boost desktop audio with the new all-in-one FiiO R7

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The FiiO R7 is designed to be the centerpiece of your desktop audio from all sources.
The FiiO R7 is designed to be the centerpiece of your desktop audio from all sources.
Photo: FiiO

If you want to get the most out of your desktop audio — the sound you get from your computer, other devices, speakers, headphones, wireless earbuds and more — an interesting new jack-of-all-trades tool arrived on the last day of February.

That’s when FiiO quietly launched its R7 high-resolution audio player, streamer and headphone amplifier. It packs a lot of functionality into a small package you might expect to cost more than it does.

Why Apple should drop the iPhone 14 Plus

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Why Apple should drop the iPhone 14 Plus
iPhone 14 Plus should go.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The iPhone 14 Plus isn’t selling well, and the same was true for the model it replaced, the iPhone 13 mini. With that in mind, it seems reasonable for Apple reduce the number of product lines it offers.

There are currently five iPhone models in production. Dropping to four would benefit the company and its customers.

Elevate your iPhone charging with Forté MagSafe stand [Review] ★★★★☆

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Twelve South Forté review★★★★☆
MagSafe makes this fast, affordable charger extremely convenient.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The Twelve South Forté turns Apple’s MagSafe iPhone charging puck into a stand. So rather than your handset lying flat on a table, it’s held up so you can more easily see the display. And the elevated charging mat swivels so you can pick your viewing angle for watching video or making FaceTime calls.

I put the Forté to use in my home office. Here’s what it’s like to use in real life.

Mount all your cloud drives on your Mac with this smart tool

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Get more than half off this smart tool which keeps all your cloud files in one place, now $19.99.
This top-rated Mac app connects all your cloud drives and can help you avoid lost files.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Where do you store all your files? Chances are, they’re spread across multiple devices, accounts and cloud storage drives. That probably also means that searching for the exact file you need can take way more time than it should. And, if you’re unlucky, it could even lead to losing important documents.

To safely manage all your cloud storage accounts in one place, try CloudMounter. Typically $44.99, you can grab a lifetime license for your Mac right now for only $19.99.

Dynamic Island won’t get any smaller before 2025

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Dynamic Island won’t get any smaller before 2025
The Dynamic Island is here to stay. At least for a few more years, anyway.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The iPhone screen cutout allegedly won’t shrink next year, despite a previous report that under-display Face ID would be implemented in 2024.

Looks like the Dynamic Island will be around for years to come.

10.2-inch iPad gets a big $60 discount

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Podcast transcripts search
Apple's 10.2-inch iPad is old but irresistible after a $60 discount.
Photo: Charlie Sorrel/Cult of Mac

Looking to buy an iPad for cheap? Apple’s 10.2-inch iPad is available for its lowest price of $269 on Amazon, making it more affordable than ever after a $60 discount.

The 256GB variant of the tablet is available with an even bigger $80 discount. The 10.2-inch iPad was last available for this price during Black Friday 2022.

Apple Music Classical finally makes its debut performance

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Apple Music Classical
Get ready for Bach, Beethoven and Brahms.
Photo: Apple/Samuel Sianipar/Unsplash/Cult of Mac

A preview of Apple Music Classical appeared Thursday on the App Store. When available, the app will offer access to the world’s largest classical music catalog, with more than 5 million tracks. It’s free for Apple Music subscribers.

Apple first promised a standalone classical music app back in 2021. It was supposed to launch in 2022, but is actually coming in late March.

Grab a tiny, aluminum flash drive for just $14.99

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Upgrade your physical data backup with this tiny 64GB flash drive that's on sale for only $14.99.
Put your storage on your keychain so you'll never be without crucial files.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Everybody talks about the cloud, and clearly that kind of storage isn’t going anywhere. And though cloud storage is all the rage, sometimes the old ways are best. It’s a good idea to have a flash drive around just in case. And if you haven’t looked into a new one lately, you should know that they’ve come a long way, both in terms of looks and capacity.

One particularly great example is this minimalist aluminum flash drive. It’s capable of holding 64GB of data in a unit you can always have on you. Even better, it’s now on sale for only $14.99 (regularly $19.99).