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Learn (and profit!) with 12 stock market courses for one low price

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Learn and profit by exploring 12 stock market courses at one low price.
Raise your stock market IQ with this affordable at-home lesson plan.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

The stock market has turned college-age kids into millionaires, launched lucrative long-term careers and can be used to cash out for a comfortable retirement. Of course, the ability to reap such benefits comes with an inherent set of risks. And those who don’t understand or respect them can swiftly see their ambitions dashed.

Gain valuable knowledge of the stock market by exploring a lifetime subscription to this stock trading and investing course bundle, which is now on sale for just $39.

Servant unleashes a bed bug blitz [Apple TV+ recap]

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Servant cast members in hazmat suits and gas masks.
Just when you thought things couldn't get any worse ... bed bugs!
Photo: Apple TV+

TV+ ReviewDorothy is back in the bizarre Turner household this week on Apple TV+ thriller Servant — and she’s not happy to be home. Leanne insists on normalcy, but considering the things that have happened, that’s asking a lot.

To make matters worse, Tobe and Julian are stuck in the house together. Plus, the Turners have a big bug problem, Sean can’t stand up for either Leanne or Dorothy, and Dorothy keeps throwing a monkey wrench in Leanne’s plans.

In Truth Be Told season 3, podcaster Poppy tackles sex trafficking [Apple TV+ recap] ★★★

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Podcaster Poppy Scoville-Parnell (played by Olivia Spencer, left) jumps on a kidnapping case in season three of Truth Be Told on Apple TV+.★★★
Podcaster Poppy Scoville-Parnell (played by Olivia Spencer, left) jumps on a kidnapping case in season three of Truth Be Told.
Photo: Apple TV+

TV+ ReviewTruth Be Told, the Apple TV+ drama created by Nichelle D. Tramble about a true crime podcaster, returns for its third season this week. This season, Poppy Scoville-Parnell — the intrepid reporter played by Oscar winner Octavia Spencer — must blow the lid off a sex-trafficking ring that resulted in at least one kidnapping, maybe more.

Politics, tech money, school board in-fighting, and police reform are all tied up in this case — and our podcasting hero Poppy is at the center of the swirl, as usual.

‘Budget’ MacBook Air workstation doesn’t look cheap [Setups]

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Christian Panea setup
It's a "budget" setup, but it really doesn't look it.
Photo: Christian Panea@Workspace Setups Addict

Some budget computer setups look the part — cheap, utilitarian, uninspired, incomplete — and others don’t. Today’s featured setup falls in the latter category. You look at the well-equipped workstation and the word “cheap” doesn’t occur to you.

Against a DIY desk and pegboard, the setup features an M1 MacBook Air, dual Dell displays, some nice AV gear and plenty of nice touches.

As low as $13: Get more done in 2023 with Windows and Office

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Get great deals on Microsoft software by using promo code CULT at CdkeySales.com.
Unlock unbeatable deals on Microsoft software with promo code CULT at CdkeySales.com.
Photo: CdkeySales.com

New Year’s Eve parties may be a fading memory, but big savings continue on Microsoft software. Just visit the ongoing Happy New Year Sale at software activation keys provider CdkeySales.com to save on Windows, Office and more.

SPONSORED
This post is brought to you by CdkeySales.
Cult of Mac readers who want a great deal on Windows 10 (and more) can simply click on the links below. (Bonus: Windows 10 comes with a free upgrade to Windows 11.) But in addition to Windows deals, CdkeySales offers major savings on plenty of other Microsoft software, too. To achieve maximum savings, enter promo code CULT at CdkeySales.com. That will slash an extra 30% off the site’s rock-bottom prices on keys for Windows 10 Pro Global, Microsoft Office 2021 Pro and more.

Saddle up for some solitaire with Pocket Card Jockey: Ride On!

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Saddle up for some solitaire with 'Pocket Card Jockey: Ride On!'
Play Solitatire to win horse races in an interesting mashup game that debuted in Apple Arcade on Friday.
Screenshot: Game Freak

A classic Nintendo 3DS game trotted over to Apple Arcade. Pocket Card Jockey: Ride On! merges Solitaire and horse racing into a unique combination.

It launched January 20 for a variety of Apple devices, including iPhone and Mac.

Super-size your laptop with this discounted second screen

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Maximize laptop time with this discounted dual-screen monitor.
Save $40 on this portable laptop display expander.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Constantly multitasking on your laptop? If you’re attempting to FaceTime in one corner of your screen while messaging in another app and “working” on an assignment somewhere in between, things can get tricky.

You can make multitasking a breeze by expanding your laptop display anytime, anywhere with the Duex Plus, a portable second-screen monitor. Normally $339, this helpful addition is now only $299.99.

Shape Island squares the circle: It’s stop-motion perfection for kids and parents [Apple TV+ review] ★★★★★

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Circle, Square and Triangle from stop-motion animation show ★★★★★
Minor problems deliver major entertainment in excellent new stop-motion animation series Shape Island. on Apple TV+.
Image: Apple TV+

TV+ ReviewShape Island arrives on Apple TV+ today to teach kids about social interactions and to help them ward off the anxiety inherent in such things. Based on the critically acclaimed books by illustrator Jon Klassen and author Mac Barnett, this charming stop-motion show is as cute as it is thoughtful — a good way to make kids laugh while slyly making them learn.

This is one of the first Apple TV+ kids’ shows with enough joyous anarchy for parents as well as children.

Apple TV outage means no stream for you! [Updated]

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Problems with the Apple TV app and/or the Apple TV+ made streaming impossible for some users Wednesday.
Problems with the Apple TV app and/or the Apple TV+ made streaming impossible for some users Wednesday.
Screenshot: Cult of Mac

UPDATE: Apple’s System Status page now lists the problems with Apple TV and Apple TV+ as a “resolved issue.” 


An Apple TV outage late Thursday afternoon left viewers wondering why they couldn’t watch their favorite shows.

Around 5 p.m. PST, a message in the Apple TV app read: “Content Unavailable. There’s a problem loading this content. If this continues, check your Internet connection.” The ongoing problem apparently affects the Apple TV app, as well as the Apple TV+ streaming service and the channels subscribed to through the Apple TV app. On Macs, the message appeared in the Watch Now, Apple TV+ and Store tabs of Apple’s TV app.

Newest Android version installed on a mere 5% of devices vs. 74% for iOS 16

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iPhone shipments grow while Android tanks
Android 13 is out of the reach of most users. In contrast, virtually all iPhone owners can install iOS 16.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

It’s considered somewhat controversial that iOS 16 has been installed on only about 70% of iPhones four months after its release. But that’s a problem Google can only dream of. A full six months after the debut of Android 13, it’s on a whopping 5.2% of devices.

A year ago, Samsung has promised users more Android updates. Clearly, it’s not having much of an effect.

Protect and transfer computer files with this low-priced premium cloud subscription

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Protect and transfer computer files with this low-priced premium cloud subscription.
This discounted cloud subscription lets you transfer files of up to 10GB anytime.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Whether for work, academics, entertainment or a mix of everything, we tend to overtax our Macs when it comes to storage. As we constantly create new files and download content, it’s easy to forget to clear space for new documents, photos and more. Fortunately, there’s a simple way to download files directly to your cloud storage of choice rather than to your device.

Ease the pressure on your Mac’s storage and snag a lifetime subscription to file-transfer service TransferCloud. It’s on sale now for only $79 — the best price you’ll find online.

Dump your bulky wallet for this slim MagSafe alternative [Review] ★★★★

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SwitchEasy MagWallet Leather Card Holder★★★★
You don't need an old-fashioned wallet when MagWallet can do the job better.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

SwitchEasy’s MagWallet carries a pair of credit cards and snaps onto the back of your iPhone so it’s easy to keep with you. It’s much less bulky than a traditional wallet, and is just right for someone whose New Year’s resolution is to simplify their life.

I tried the leather MagWallet with my iPhone 14 Plus. It’s simply convenient.

HomePod head-to-head: How Apple’s new smart speaker compares to original

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Is the new HomePod really that different from the 2018 HomePod? Yes and no.
Is the new HomePod really that different from the 2018 HomePod? Yes and no.
Photo: Apple

Now that the full-size HomePod is finally back, just how different is it from Apple’s original smart speaker? At a glance, you might not think the $299 speaker Apple unveiled Wednesday is that different at all, because the exterior design looks so similar. But compare the new HomePod’s features to the old model, and you’ll find significant changes.

It seems potentially much-improved as a smart home device, but whether it’s a better speaker is questionable.

Kick your healthy 2023 into overdrive with these 3 smart products

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Momax Sunrise Sunrise Alarm Clock
Watch the sun come up with Momax's nifty smart alarm clock.
Photo: Momax

January isn’t over yet, so you might still be trying to keep up with your New Year’s resolutions. Why not give yourself a fighting chance with Momax’s nifty smart appliances?

SPONSORED
This post is brought to you by Momax.
Three Momax products in particular might give you a jump-start on a healthy new year. They include a smart alarm clock that can help you get to sleep as well as wake you up, a super-precise smart food scale that can advise you on nutrition, and a smart jump rope that can replace your personal trainer.

What could be better? Well, how about getting 10% off all the products with the code CULT10OFF plus another 10% coupon at Amazon.

Here’s everything the Apple Watch buttons do

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What Do The Buttons Do? (old version)
The buttons on the Apple Watch switch apps, activate Apple Pay, open Siri and more.
Image: Apple/D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

The Apple Watch borrows a lot from the iPhone, but the biggest difference between them is down to the extra buttons. They each do different things whether you click, double-click or hold them down. What do the Apple Watch buttons do?

This guide was written before watchOS 10 changed and moved a lot of these features. See our updated guide if you’re confused why your Watch suddenly works differently.

Play almost any golf course in the world virtually with this simulator

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This CES-featured golf simulator has almost every course in the world.
This golf simulator tees up nearly every course in the world. And right now, it's on sale for 20% off.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Golf and snow generally don’t mix, but that doesn’t mean you have to give up your game this winter. Instead, you could play 18 holes at home with this CES-featured golf simulator. Phigolf gives you more than 38,000 courses to play on, and it’s now on sale for just $199.99.

Apple working on iPad-like smart home display for 2024

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iPad Pro 2022 Back View
Apple has an iPad-like smart home controller in the works
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple’s recently announced HomePod 2 packs some impressive smart home capabilities. But that’s not the only product the company is working on.

Apple is reportedly working on several smart home devices, including a smart display. The low-end iPad-like device can control thermostats, lights and do FaceTime calls.

Ted Lasso’s final season isn’t all Apple TV+ has in store for spring

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Ted Lasso Season 3 Teaser Image
Nick Mohammed and Jason Sudeikis will return for a third season in Ted Lasso, premiering spring 2023 on Apple TV+.
Photo: Apple TV+

Apple TV+ promised on Wednesday that its comedy sensation Ted Lasso will finally return for its highly anticipated third season in spring 2023.

Plus, Apple’s streaming service released trailers for five upcoming comedies, dramas and a travel show. Plus, it named premier dates for other shows.

Turn Photoshop into a time machine with this film emulator

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Give Photoshop a run for its money with this film emulator.
Transform digital images into vintage photos with this film emulator.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Whether it’s grainy stills from an early ’70s flick or iconic black-and-white images of world events, seeing photos from bygone eras can feel like traveling through time. But retouching an image to achieve that vintage look can take hours, even for photo editors who know their way around Photoshop.

Luckily, these inexpensive film emulator Photoshop actions can mimic the look of vintage film stock, giving you ultimate control over the way your images look.

Dress your M2 MacBook Pro in a stylish new WaterField Magnetic Laptop Sleeve

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You can buy a shoulder strip for the new sleeve or provide your own.
You can buy a shoulder strip for the new sleeve or provide your own.
Photo: WaterField Designs

San Francisco-based WaterField Designs makes a line of popular Apple accessories. On Wednesday it released a new Magnetic Laptop Sleeve that fits Apple’s new 14- and 16-inch M2 MacBook Pro models as well as the 13-inch M2 MacBook Air.

The sleeve features waxed canvas, neoprene padding and rare-earth magnets to keep your new laptop safe.

iOS 16.3 and macOS Ventura 13.2 launches are only a week away

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iOS 16.3 and macOS 13.2 launches are only a week away
The iOS 16.3 Release Candidate reveals which new features Apple considers the most important.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The next iPhone software update is closer than anyone might have realized. Apple seeded the release candidate for iOS 16.3 to developers on Wednesday.

The same is also true for the release candidates for macOS 13.2, iPadOS 16.3, watchOS 9.3 and tvOS 16.3.

HomePod 2 can’t join in stereo pair with earlier models

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Second-generation HomePods in a stereo pair with an Apple TV 4K and a giant TV screen showing Apple TV+ dinosaur documentary
The second-gen HomePods play nice with each other, and with Apple TV 4K, but not with Apple's previous smart speakers.
Photo: Apple

Don’t think you’re going to add a new HomePod 2 to your original HomePod to make a stereo pair. It’s not possible because pairs can only be made with two of the same model.

It’s not a new limitation – a first-generation HomePod can’t be in a stereo pair with a HomePod mini, either. But many people might be unaware of the restriction.

Souped up MacBook Pro centers super-symmetrical setup [Setups]

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There's nothing like a warmly lit, super-symmetrical setup.
There's nothing like a warmly lit, super-symmetrical setup -- especially if it has two Studio Displays.
Photo: [email protected]

When it comes to computer setups, social media loves symmetry. People often praise perfectly symmetrical setups and plenty of folks kind of freak out if anything’s even slightly askew, often supplying their own joking references to obsessive-compulsive disorder, or OCD.

In today’s warmly lit and well-organized workstation, a high-spec MacBook Pro drives dual Studio Displays. And pairs of other items in the room contribute to the overall symmetry.