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WhatsApp for iPhone finally getting picture-in-picture support

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WhatsApp is getting some major call improvements, including support for up to 32 people group video calls.
WhatsApp's video and voice calling experience is about to get a lot better.
Photo: WhatsApp

WhatsApp is finally catching up to FaceTime and adding support for video calls with up to 32 participants. You can also mute or message an individual on a group call.

Up until now, you could use WhatsApp for group voice calls with 32 people. Video calls were limited to 8 people.

And support for Picture-in-Picture is in testing.

Get 14 top-rated coding courses (200-plus hours!) for less than $2 apiece

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This $2786 coding crash course just dropped its price to less than $25 today.
Learn to code in 2023 with this top-rated boot camp from expert instructors. It's a bargain at less than $2 a course.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Want to learn to code in 2023? On average, roles that require coding can pay $22,000 more than jobs that don’t, so learning a language or two can set you apart from the crowd. Plus, expert-led online learning courses that you can tackle at your own pace make studying convenient, especially if you have a busy schedule. And we’re offering a 14-part bundle with 244 hours of coding training for just $24.99.

Apple dives into testing iOS 16.3, macOS 13.2 and more

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iOS 16.3
The march toward the release of iOS 16.3 has just begun.
Graphic: Apple/Cult of Mac

Apple already began beta tests for the next versions of iOS, macOS, iPadOS and watchOS. These were seeded to developers on Wednesday, just a day after the public release of their predecessors.

Even with the holidays coming up, Apple continues working on its operating systems.

Got a vehicle? Get 20% off these handy iPhone car mounts.

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The adhesive version of the mount will stick to almost anything.
The adhesive version of the mount will stick to almost anything.
Photo: SwitchEasy

If you’re the proud owner of a car, you’re already dealing with maintenance, parking and other hassles. But you’ve got one less thing to worry about if you take advantage of the Cult of Mac Store’s SwitchEasy Flash Sale and pick up one of its handy car mounts for iPhone at 20% off the regular price.

They make it easy to see, access and charge your iPhone while you’re behind the wheel. And through December 21 you can get about $6 off your choice of the three of them with different mounting mechanisms. See below.

Ph.D. student rocks M1 MacBook Pro in whipsmart workstation [Setups]

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This is what a Ph.D candidate's computer setup looks like.
This is what a Ph.D candidate's computer setup looks like.
Photo: [email protected]

A computer setup run by a doctoral degree candidate had better be damned smart, and today’s featured setup doesn’t disappoint. It’s got a powerful M1 MacBook Pro, a recent (but not the latest) iPad Air, a very slick 4K display and a trio of whipsmart input devices boasting plenty of customization options.

And it’s got all that and pretty clever cable management, too. But does the future Ph.D.’s rig smoke a pipe and pretentiously hold forth on esoteric topics? No, it’s actually somewhat modest (down to the nice but not top-shelf headphones).

New Apple TV+ documentary trailer shows ominous ‘War for Football’

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Will a war over big-time soccer tear the sport apart?
Will a war over big-time soccer tear the sport apart?
Photo: Apple TV+

A new documentary series is coming to Apple TV+ January 13 — Super League: The War for Football. Its trailer, dropped Wednesday, makes it look like a spy thriller filled with betrayals is currently unfolding in the world of international soccer.

And it’s good timing on the streaming service’s part, promoting it during the world’s most-popular sport’s biggest event, the World Cup.

Apply for jobs at maximum speed with this time-saving app

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Get a 20% discount on this job application helper.
You can score an extra 20% off this job application helper for a little while longer.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Job hunting may not be fun, but neither is living paycheck to paycheck. With prices on everything from gas to groceries higher than a year ago, it might be time to look for a better-paying job. And you can make your job search easier with LazyApply.

This time-saving app could help you apply to up to 150 jobs every day. Take advantage of this deal, and a bunch of other Winter Savings, by using coupon code WINTER20 until 11:59 p.m. PST on December 15.

watchOS 9.2 boosts Apple Watch Ultra’s battery life while tracking Multisport workouts

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If you have a tough timepiece like Apple Watch Ultra, you need a rugged band to go with it.
Your Apple Watch Ultra will now last longer while tracking Multisport workouts.
Photo: Apple

Alongside iOS 16.2, iPadOS 16.2, and macOS Ventura 13.1, Apple also dropped watchOS 9.2 for all compatible Apple Watch models. Besides packing several new features, the update improves the Apple Watch Ultra’s battery life.

Interestingly, Apple does not mention this improvement in the watchOS 9.2’s release notes.

Save 23% on this 4-way flash drive with Lightning, USB-C and more

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Transfer files between your iPhone and other devices easier than ever with this top-rated flash drive.
Back up your iPhone files more easily than ever with this 4-in-1 flash drive. It costs less than $23 today!
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

The best Apple accessories are the ones you didn’t know you needed but that can make life 10 times easier. The perfect example is this 4-in-1 Smart Flash Drive, which provides valuable external memory for your iPad, iPhone or even Android and Windows devices.

Right now, you can pick up one of these four-headed flash drives — which packs Lightning, USB-C, USB-A and micro USB connections — for $22.99 or 23% off.

Apple gears up for alternative app stores on iPhone and iPad

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No, the App Store isn't closed. But big changes are taking place behind the scenes.
No, the App Store isn't closed. But big changes are taking place behind the scenes.
Photo: Apple

Apple has launched a major project to allow alternative app stores on iPhones and iPads by 2024. The effort is meant to comply with the European Union’s Digital Markets Act, which comes fully into force then, and other possible national or regional laws that will make Apple allow sideloading of apps, according to new report Tuesday.

The end result should see Apple allowing people to download third-party software to iPhones and iPads from somewhere other than the App Store for the first time.

Brainstorm with Freeform now in macOS Ventura 13.1

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Freeform runs on MacBook and other Apple devices, too.
The Freeform brainstorming app is a signature feature of macOS Ventura 13.1.
Photo: Apple

macOS Ventura 13.1 launched Tuesday, giving Mac users access to Freeform, a collaborative brainstorming application that’s also for iPhone and iPad.

In addition, the new macOS version ushers in important new iCloud encryption options, including the ability to encrypt images on Apple’s cloud-storage service.

Get way more done with full external display support in iPadOS 16.2

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iPad finally gets floating windows in Stage Manager on iPadOS 16
More than double your iPad's useful screen area with iPadOS 16.2.
Screenshot: Apple

iPadOS 16.2 just launched, and for many users of top-tier iPads, the standout feature is full external display support. This makes Apple tablets far better at multitasking than ever before.

There are other improvements in iPadOS 16.2 as well, including the Freeform collaboration app.

10 new iOS 16.2 features to try right away

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Try out these 10 new iOS 16.2 features on your iPhone ASAP.
Try out these 10 new iOS 16.2 features on your iPhone ASAP.
Image: Cult of Mac

iOS 16.2, which Apple released Tuesday, brings many new features that make it a must-have update for all iPhone owners. From security advancements and productivity boosters to cosmetic tweaks and other fun stuff, it’s positively loaded with upgrades.

Here are the top new iOS 16.2 features you should try right now. (Note: Many of these features also appear in iPadOS 16.2, which Apple also released today.)

Nyloon’s colorful Stark band offers practicality without skimping on fun [Review] ★★★☆☆

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Silver aluminum Apple Watch Series 7 with the black, white and red Stark Nyloon band.★★★☆☆
The Stark band from Nyloon looks dramatic.
Photo: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

Daily practicality is often at odd ends with whimsy. A Nissan Pao will not carry your lumber back from Home Depot. A big, wacky phone case will not fit in your pocket or purse. No matter how much I desperately want one, I know that a plastic trumpet will sound terrible (even if it’s in gorgeous white). But you can have both practicality and whimsy with Nyloon’s Stark Apple Watch band.

Each one of these ballistic-grade nylon bands comes with a unique black-and-white pattern (with seemingly random splashes of red). And they feel soft enough for comfort, but rugged enough to take some abuse.

Ends tonight: Save 20% on compact SwitchEasy USB-C wall chargers

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SwitchEasy PowerBuddy 30W can top off two devices at once.
SwitchEasy PowerBuddy 30W can top off two devices at once.
Photo: SwitchEasy

Need ideas for practical stocking stuffers that friends and family will actually use? The SwitchEasy Flash Sale in the Cult of Mac Store is on through 11:59 p.m. PST on December 13.

You can pick any of three compact wall chargers with USB-C and USB-A ports. There’s a potent 30W version, another 30W with cable storage and a tiny 20W version. Check them out.

iPhone 14 Pro wait times now stretch to 2023

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iPhone 14 Pro in 2023
If you haven't already ordered an iPhone 14 Pro, it won't arrive before 2023.
Photo: Cult of Mac/Engin Akyurt/Pexels

It’s no longer possible to order a new top-tier iPhone from Apple and have it delivered this year. The iPhone Pro and iPhone Pro Max are both backordered until early January 2023.

The delay is the result of strong demand for these handsets coupled with production problems in China.

Bundle up to 4 Apple Watch charger keychains for less than $20 apiece

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This portable keychain charger keeps your Apple Watch powered up and currently costs less than $20.
Apply 60% savings to these Apple Watch charger keychains in bundles up to four.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Don’t spend more money than you need to on a charging essential for an Apple Watch. For a limited time, you can pick up a wireless charger keychain compatible with all Apple Watches for less than $20.

These make great stocking stuffers for any Apple Watch owner — and you can pick up two-packs and four-packs to save even more!

iPhone 14’s Emergency SOS via satellite service expands to more countries

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Apple launches free Emergency SOS via satellite on all iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 models
iPhone 14 can now communicate with satellites in more countries.
Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac

Apple is expanding iPhone 14’s Emergency SOS via satellite feature to more countries. The feature is now available to iPhone 14 owners in the United Kingdom, France, Germany and Ireland starting today.

Emergency SOS was only available in the United States and Canada so far. Apple previously confirmed the feature would expand to more countries in December.

Save the next time you dine out: Get a $100 Restaurant.com gift card for just $14

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Save big on meals via dine-in, takeout or delivery with this deal.
Give the gift of a date night with major savings on this Restaurant.com eGift Card that applies to many restaurants.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

If you’re looking for outside-the-box, last-minute gift ideas this holiday season, a surefire way to reach people’s hearts is through their stomachs.

If you’d like to send your favorite couple out for an overdue date night, help a friend with a few meals, or even plan to do all the eating yourself, we’re offering a limited-time deal through Restaurant.com that’s worth checking out. You can pick up a $100 electronic gift card that works at thousands of establishments across America for only $14.

Grab these 8 great stocking stuffers for techies before it’s too late

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What's small, not-too-pricey and perfect for geeks? The ideal stocking stuffer.
What's small, not-too-pricey and perfect for geeks over the holidays? The ideal stocking stuffer.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

The holiday season is fast-unfolding, and Christmas will be here before Hermey the elf from the classic Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer can say “Well, sir, someday I’d like to be a dentist.”

So it’s time to act fast if you want to get a gadget-y gift for the techie or geek in your life in time for deliveries by December 25. Check out some cool ideas below.

They’re all small enough to fit in a stocking; prices range from a cheap $20 to a few hundred bucks (for those very special stockings). And there’s plenty more good stuff in the Cult of Mac Store.

Eve beams Matter support to an array of smart home devices

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The Eve Motion sensor is one of the devices to receive the new firmware update with Matter support.
The Eve Motion sensor is one of the devices to receive the new firmware update with Matter support.
Photo: Eve Systems

A number of devices across Eve Systems’ product lineup are receiving support for the home automation networking standard Matter with a new, optional firmware update, the company said Monday.

Matter support — which lets devices from different makers work together over the same network — will come to Thread-enabled devices in the company’s Eve Door and Window, Eve Motion and Eve Energy lineups.

Formidable Mac trio drives pro streaming rig [Setups]

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This setup generates a 2-hour streaming show twice a week.
This setup generates a 2-hour streaming show twice a week.
Photo: [email protected]

Ahoy there, would-be video streamers — today’s featured computer setup comes from an airtight and seaworthy pro streaming operation you might want to emulate.

The folks behind Sailing Illustrated streams shared their rig, based on a Mac Studio, an M1 Mac mini, an M1 MacBook Pro, a Rode RodeCaster Pro production studio and a slew of related gear and software.

Apple dramatically increases iPhone assembly in India

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iPhone 14 Pro in India
Your next iPhone could be assembled in India rather than China.
Photo: Cult of Mac

After recent problems in China, Apple is ramping up iPhone assembly in India. The number of iOS handsets assembled in that country will reportedly triple in the coming years.

Previous reports have also indicated that Apple is putting a much greater emphasis on making iPhones in India.