Apple's M2 Pro MacBook Pros are available with a $50 pre-order discount. Photo: Apple
Apple’s new M2 Pro MacBook Pros are already available with a sweet $50 pre-order discount on Amazon. The deal is available on the entry-level 2023 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros.
With this easy-to-use AI art generator, the only limitation on your imagery is your imagination. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
As processors improve, AI art is becoming more and more accessible. Yet one fundamental question remains: How do you best use it? This art tool from Wombo lets you turn your ideas and words into incredible art in mere seconds, and is now on sale for $49.99.
We know the second-gen HomePod comes with fewer tweeters. Will it still tickle our ears? Image: Cult of Mac
This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: The new Mac mini is a steal. The new MacBook Pros are a spec bump. And the new HomePod is … interesting. We’re such fans of the original, we can’t wait to wrap our ears around Apple’s (possibly) upgraded smart speaker.
Also on The CultCast:
Should you buy a new MacBook Pro or wait till next year’s M3 chips arrive?
HomePod mini’s secret sensor is about to go live.
We know Apple cut some corners to make the new HomePod. The question is, will the new version bring the boom like the OG HomePod?
And Cult of Mac writer D. Griffin Jones makes his CultCast debut.
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.
A California couple was reunited with their dog after he went through a harrowing experience. Photo: San Bernardino County Fire Department
Seamus the Australian Shepherd was swept away in floodwaters in San Bernardino, California, after recent storms. He was carried downstream almost a mile, but was rescued with the assistance of the Apple AirTag attached to his collar.
Cult of Mac interviewed Emilie Brill, Seamus’ owner. Here are the details of the pup’s rescue in her own words.
Master Shopify and Amazon FBA with this training bundle. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
Amazon is one of the simplest ways to sell products, while Shopify offers a flexible dropshipping platform anyone can use. But without a business plan, you can’t make the most out of these platforms. Whether you’re selling goods as a full-time career or a side hustle, learn how to maximize profitability and efficiency with this business model and strategies bundle.
It’s on sale for just $30, but the insider knowledge is priceless.
Make a statement with this timeless Apple Watch band. Photo: Goldenerre
One lucky winner will get their hands on Goldenerre’s bestselling Apple Watch band in this week’s Cult of Mac giveaway. The gorgeous Goldenerre Herringbone band screams elegance, and it’s available in three stunning colors (gold, silver and rose gold).
Retailing at $148, the band fits all series of Apple Watch. It’s perfect for any Apple Watch owner wanting to add some glam to their wrist.
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.
Just when you thought things couldn't get any worse ... bed bugs! Photo: Apple TV+
Dorothy 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.
★★★☆☆
Podcaster Poppy Scoville-Parnell (played by Olivia Spencer, left) jumps on a kidnapping case in season three of Truth Be Told. Photo: Apple TV+
Truth 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.
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.
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.
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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.
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.
★★★★★
Minor problems deliver major entertainment in excellent new stop-motion animation series Shape Island. on Apple TV+. Image: Apple TV+
Shape 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.
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.
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.
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.
★★★★☆
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.
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.
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?
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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.
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 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 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.