Coding can be a rewarding career, but not if you don't ever get started. Devs have some suggestions to help. Inage: Apple
Creating iPhone and Mac apps can be a rewarding career, both financially and by doing something you enjoy. But some people find it hard to get started. Developers who’ve made the jump into coding point out that you can make your hobby into your career, it’s never too late, and more tips.
Anyone one considering becoming a dev might benefit from their advice.
This person mounts a portable monitor on their laptop keyboard and uses a 27-inch gaming display, too. Photo: [email protected]
We love it when a computer setup we’ve looked at before gets a facelift, or some sort of significant update. Today’s featured MacBook Pro setup stuck with the laptop, an interesting usage of a portable display and a highly unusual mechanical keyboard. But it added a beautiful gaming monitor, a rarely seen vertical mouse and some other details.
And of course it kept its beloved Lego Wall-E. And it even found a practical use for extra Lego bricks.
Wish you had a great iPad case? Huge numbers of people on Amazon wish for Zugu Case. Photo: Zugu Case
Retail juggernaut Amazon.com keeps running lists of its most-wished-for products that folks want to buy or get as gifts. Consistently at or near the top of the tablet case list, you’ll find Zugu’s popular cases for the 10.2-inch iPad and 12.9-inch iPad Pro.
What makes those cases so coveted? There are plenty of reasons. Read on.
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The iPad Pro 2022 is Apple's most powerful ever. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
The launch of the 2022 iPad Pro in 12.9- and 11-inch versions means current tablet users have new upgrade options. Their M2 processor makes these the most powerful iPads ever made, but they are not right for everyone.
I’ve used an M2-powered iPad Pro for a week now, and that’s given me insight into who should upgrade and who should not. Some people should definitely go for the latest and greatest, but others would be disappointed if they did so.
Enjoy the impact of proven Microsoft Office products on Mac or Windows with this low-priced license. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
Microsoft Office and its components are a mainstay for millions of digital workers. Capable of providing an educational or professional boost, a lifetime license to Microsoft Office on Mac or Windows is currently available at a reduced price. Usually sold for $349, you can get the entire suite on either platform for just $39.99 throughout November.
Easily move files between your iPhone and other devices with this top-rated flash drive, less than $23 today. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
We’ve all felt the terror of the dreaded iPhone Storage Full notification. Luckily, you don’t necessarily have to comb through which files to delete, especially if you have a trusty smartphone-compatible flash drive on hand. This 4-in-1 Smart Flash Drive for iPhones, tablets and Android does the job perfectly, and you can purchase one on sale for $22.99 (Reg. $29).
Elago's W5 Apple Watch Stand is a blast from the past. Photo: Elago
Elago is known for its fun and interesting stands and cases, often in a retro vein. If you’re in need of Apple accessories along those lines — or along any lines, really — you should check out the big Halloween Sale in the Cult of Mac Store. It ends today (Tuesday, November 1).
The three Elago items below, for example, are all offered at 15% off regular prices.
Rewind: Find anything you’ve seen, said, or heard. Image: Rewind AI, Inc.
Rewind is a Mac app coming soon that promises to create a searchable, rewindable index of everything you read online, write in conversation, work on or even say in meetings.
We’ve all had this happen: you remember seeing something that you want to share, but you don’t remember where you saw it nor enough details to find it on the internet. Rewind promises to make everything that you’ve “seen, said or heard” searchable.
"Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock" on Apple TV+ is up for an Emmy Award for Outstanding Children's or Family Viewing Series. Photo: Apple TV+
The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences named the nominees for the new Children’s & Family Emmys on Monday, and Apple TV+ earned 17 nominations. That includes shows in two of the top categories.
While Apple is in there swinging, the real competition will be between Disney and Netflix, both of which earned dozens of nominations.
Elkson bumper cases cover a range of Apple Watch series and sizes. Photo: Elkson
Most people at least consider protecting their iPhone with a case, but not everyone thinks to protect their Apple Watch that way — even though the wearable is arguably the more-fragile device. Good thing Elkson offers the rugged Quattro Bumper Case for Apple Watch.
This wired mechanical keyboard can be easily modified in multiple ways. Photo: Cooler Master
California peripherals specialist Cooler Master just updated its popular 65%-format mechanical keyboard (CK721) to create the company’s first fully customizable board, the wired CK720. You can swap out its switches without a soldering iron to easily get the typing feel and sound you like best.
“We’re huge fans of custom-built mechanical keyboards ourselves, so we wanted to make sure the CK720 is a great steppingstone into the hobby,” said Dennis Liu, Cooler Master’s peripheral general manager, in a press release. “Whether you like smooth linear switches with maximum thock, or a sharp tactile typing feel with a marbly sound, the CK720 has the ability to achieve it.”
Mifa's glamorous Sparkle band comes in silver or rose gold options. Photo: Mifa
The Halloween Sale in the Cult of Mac Store has something for everyone. Even within specific accessory types by one brand, you find choice. Take Mifa’s Apple Watch bands, for example. Today’s your last day to get 10% off in the week-long sale.
You can glam up your Apple Watch considerably with the Sparkle Bracelet, which looks like a million bucks. Or you can go with the ultimate classic strap with a Classic Leather band.
Become a certified coder with this premium training bundle.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
If you’ve ever marveled at how your Apple gear can get better with each iteration, then learning to code will give you a deeper appreciation of the work that goes into it. And there’s no better way to learn than in this bundle of 14 top coding courses for $39.99 (Reg. $2,786).
Keep your distractions at bay with Focus modes — easier to set up than ever in iOS 16. Image: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac and Nenad Stojkovic, CC BY 2.0/Wikimedia Commons
Sometimes, you need your iPhone and your Mac to be very different tools throughout the day — Focus modes are all about customizing them for everything you do.
Apple’s Focus modes are a powerful way to change how your iPhone, iPad and Mac look and feel whether you’re driving, sleeping, relaxing or working. It’s all about fully immersing yourself in whatever you’re doing. You can change all kinds of things: from who can reach you and which apps send notifications to custom lock screens, home screens and more.
You can save up to $150 on the M2 MacBook Air by buying a certified refurbished unit from Apple. Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac
Announced at WWDC22 in June, Apple has now started selling refurbished units of the M2 MacBook Air in the US. You can pick up selected Air variants from Apple’s Certified Refurbished store and save up to 15%.
Depending on the model, you can save up to $150 on the 2022 MacBook Air by buying a refurbished unit from Apple.
Access exclusive PlayStation offers and games with this limited-time discount.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
The PlayStation has long established itself as a highly popular gaming and streaming device, and Sony continuously evolves and expands its services. Those looking to keep up with the latest titles and in-game events can tap into a one-year PlayStation Plus Essential membership for only $49.99 (Reg. $59). No coupon is necessary, but this blowout price is only available during our Overstock Deals event, which ends on October 31 at 11:59 PM.
iPhone SE 4 might look much like the iPhone XR, but Apple is also considering other designs. Photo: Apple
Apple is reportedly sticking with a two-year replacement cycle on its budget handset line. That means the iPhone SE 4 won’t be out until 2024, according to a reliable source.
The launch is apparently far enough away that Apple hasn’t settled on a final design.
The design isn't Apple's newest, but the processor is. Photo: Apple
The 13.3-inch M2 MacBook Pro is down to $ 1,149 on Amazon after a massive $150 discount. You can get the 512GB configuration with a slightly lower $100 discount.
Announced at WWDC22, the 13-inch MacBook Pro has been frequently discounted by $100-$150 since its launch.
Kids' sci-fi series "Circuit Breakers" premieres on Apple TV+ November 11. Photo: Apple TV+
If you were a kid, wouldn’t you like to use a remote control to just “turn off” your parents for a while? But what if you couldn’t figure out how to turn them back on?
That’s one of many scenarios that flash past in the trailer for Circuit Breakers Apple TV+ released Monday. It’s a science-fiction series about middle-schoolers set in the near future. It premieres November 11.
Sometimes "dual display" just means two highly portable displays. Photo: [email protected]
In the world of computer setups, sometimes it seems like some sort of display arms race is going on. Even five or six screens isn’t uncommon anymore, with a few external displays added to the devices with built-in screens, and all in play in the workstation.
But how about no external displays? Does that work for you? It does for today’s featured MacBook Pro and iPad Air setup. See why below. And don’t overlook that unassuming but very special desk lamp, either.
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This handsome speaker offers high-quality sound at an attractive price. Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac
If you’re looking for quality audio at an affordable price, you can certainly do much worse than Edifier products. The Chinese company consistently comes across with great value, and that’s the case with the Edifier MS50A powered wireless smart speaker.
The company sent me one of the handsome, wood-paneled speakers to test out. Though it’s not the smartest smart speaker on the block, it looks and sounds great for the price. I’ll get into more detail below.
Normally sold for more than $1,500, this Microsoft Office package for Mac users costs less than $50. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
Many understand how to use at least some of Microsoft Office’s apps, but mastering tools like Excel, PowerPoint and Word can set you apart in the workplace. Whether you’re focused on becoming more efficient or boosting your resume, this one-day deal could be a game-changer. Through October 31, you can pick up six expert-led Microsoft Office courses for only $39.99 (Reg. $1,549), and it even comes with a lifetime license to Microsoft Office Home and Business 2021 for Mac.
Learn how cybersecurity works with this pentest super bundle. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
Some problems with your Apple gear are just annoying, but others, such as security issues, can be serious. If you want to learn how your equipment is protected from malicious actors and join the fight yourself, the Complete 2023 CompTIA Cyber Security & Pentest Super Bundle can get you started on the road to a cybersecurity career for $49 (Reg. $1,196), the best price currently online.