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App Store prices now range from 29 cents to … $10,000?!?

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Developers are getting a lot more options for app pricing.
Developers are getting a lot more options for app pricing.
Photo: Apple

Apple said Tuesday the App Store is undergoing “the most comprehensive upgrade to pricing capabilities” since its launch, allowing prices to be set as low as 29 cents and as high as $10,000.

It will start offering developers 700 new price points to apply to the apps they sell, plus new tools to make international selling easier to manage.

This tiny new SSD could be the perfect stocking stuffer

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Now that's portable.
Now that's portable.
Photo: Sabrent

Just ahead the holidays, Sabrent offered a new set of solid state drives (SSD) that could be a perfect little gift for any techie on your list — the updated Sabrent Rocket Nano V2.

The redesigned version, no larger than a “fun-sized” candy bar, supports fast data transfer speeds and can store up to 4TB. And they can fit in someone’s pocket.

Karaoke with your favorite songs with new Apple Music Sing

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Karaoke with your favorite songs with new Apple Music Sing
Joining in with song gets a lot easier with Apple Music Sing.
Photo: Apple Music

Apple Music Sing gives you the real-time lyrics you need to sing along to your favorite tracks. The upcoming feature will show the words to songs so you can easily join in. It will even adjust the volume of the original singer so you take the lead.

It’s coming in December to Apple Music subscribers worldwide. The feature will work with millions of songs in the streaming service’s catalog, Apple said Tuesday.

This stylish new wireless speaker is just right for your next party [Review] ★★★★☆

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This stylish new wireless speaker is just right for your next party★★★★☆
The Victrola Music Edition 2 looks good and sounds good.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Victrola probably isn’t the first name that leaps to mind when you’re shopping for speakers – it’s a company that built its reputation on the phonograph. But great-grandpa would be amazed because the company is keeping up with the times and recently launched the Victrola Music Edition 2, a great-looking Bluetooth speaker suited for small parties or outdoor gatherings. Plus it has some nice extras, like a wireless charger.

I tested the speaker with my iPhone 13 Plus – here’s why I’m quite pleased with it.

Find the iPad case you’ve been searching for with Zugu

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Zugu Case: Need a great iPad case? Look no further.
Need a great iPad case? Look no further.
Image: Zugu Case

It’s not easy to find the perfect iPad case, whether you’re walking around with a little iPad mini 6, a standard 10.2-inch iPad or the latest 12.9-inch iPad Pro. But it gets a lot easier if you know about Zugu Case. The company’s practical and attractive cases are among the highest-rated and best-reviewed iPad cases in the world for a reason.

So cease your searching. You just found the Zugu iPad case you didn’t know you were looking for.

Apple broke US law convincing retail employees not to form a union

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Apple Store employees in Atlanta and New York work to unionize for higher pay
The Apple Store in Cumberland Mall is the center of a possible legal fight over an employee union.
Photo: Apple

The National Labor Relations Board determined that Apple’s tactics in pressuring employees at an Atlanta Apple store to not unionize broke the law.

The NLRB regional director reportedly gave Apple the option to settle or she will start the process of compelling the company to do so.

Wrap up your holiday shopping, or give a great last-minute gift, with a Costco membership

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This Costco offer will give you ultimate savings this holiday season.
See how much of your holiday shopping you can get done at Costco with a one-year membership and a $30 Digital Costco Shop Card.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Shopping on a budget is tough, and it doesn’t get easier when you’re planning to feed a fleet of holiday guests traveling to see you. Friends and family are on their way, and it’s time to find out how you will fill your table with tasty treats without breaking the bank.

With a Costco Gold Star Membership, you can find shelves of enticing ingredients and premade delectables to serve your guests. And for a limited time, you can get a one-year Costco Gold Star Membership for $60 — and it comes with a $30 Digital Costco Shop Card*.

Apple now lets Europeans order iPhone and MacBook replacement parts

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Self repair components and tools for iPhone with the necessary tools from Apple.
Apple's Self Service Repair Program is now available in the EU.
Photo: Apple

Apple has expanded its Self Service Repair program outside the US. Customers in selected European countries can order replacement components for their iPhones and MacBooks directly from the company.

The program is launching in Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, Sweden, and the UK.

NBA 2K22 and Sneaky Sasquatch make Apple Arcade’s list of year’s best games

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NBA 2K22 and Sneaky Sasquatch make Apple Arcade’s list of year’s best games
Looking for some new games to try? Here's Apple's own picks for the best in Apple Arcade.
Graphic: Apple Arcade

Apple just revealed the 20 titles that made the Apple Arcade Top Games of 2022. At the top is NBA 2K22 Arcade Edition, as well as the revamped version of The Oregon Trail.

The best-of list includes a range of options for many types of players.

Need a last-minute gift? How does 1TB of top-rated cloud storage for $112 sound?

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Get 1TB of storage for life for less than $112 right now.
Don't run out of storage for your videos and photos over the holidays.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

The holidays mean gift exchanges, family time and priceless memories, but you’ll need ample storage to film, photograph and store those special moments. One of the best cloud storage solutions around is Koofr, and its 1TB lifetime subscription is on sale for $111.99 when you use code KOOFR at checkout by December 7.

This discount is part of our Last Chance event, where you can find markdowns on last-minute gift ideas. Cloud storage plans prove especially handy for last-minute shopping, as this type of gift involves no shipping time.

Apple names top podcasts of 2022

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Find out what everybody's listening to.
Find out what everybody's listening to.
Photo: Apple Podcasts

If you’re looking for a new podcast to addict yourself to, you’re in luck. Apple Podcasts unveiled the podcasts, episodes and channels its listeners paid the most attention to in 2022 (and in the case of subscriber shows and channels, paid the most money to, apparently).

Check out how Apple Podcasts sliced and diced its most popular content in the lists below. You might find a great new way to spend off-time during the holidays.

Combat sleepless nights with noninvasive tech

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Apollo Neuro will help you improve your sleep and lifestyle.
This wearable gadget is ideal for your stress and sleep.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

The stress of modern living can wreak havoc on your sleep schedule and thus your overall quality of life. Luckily, modern technology can help.

If you’d like to address your rest levels, and your resulting mental health, take a look at the Apollo wearable. It uses touch therapy and silent vibrations to help users calm down before bedtime, sleep better all night, and maintain focus during the daylight hours. And it’s on sale right now!

New Cascade customizable mechanical keyboard goes big

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You can get the Azio Cascade 98 mechanical keyboard in standard or slim profiles.
You can get the Azio Cascade 98 mechanical keyboard in standard or slim profiles (slim shown).
Photo: Azio

The Los Angeles-based company Azio successfully crowd-funded its Cascade 75 mechanical keyboard on Kickstarter last year. Now it’s back with the Cascade 98, a 98% layout keyboard with a full-sized number pad that comes in slim or regular profiles. It has surpassed its funding goal.

Keychron and others have led the way with low-profile mechanical keyboards that don’t stand as tall as the classics. Azio said their new version is the first one with a full-sized number pad.

AirTag holder with keychain tracks your suitcase or your pooch (47% off!)

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What's more valuable than your best friend?
What's more valuable than your best friend?
Photo: Elkson

Apple’s AirTag tracking device can be a lifesaver, whether you’ve lost something valuable or suffered theft. And what makes AirTag even better? A simple, secure device that protects it and attaches it to your valuable, whether that’s a suitcase or your pet dog.

That would be the Elkson AirTag Holder with Keychain, brand new to the Cult of Mac Store. And for a limited time, you can get the holder and keychain for 47% off the regular price. That’s a savings of $7.

85-inch screen towers over 3 Cinema Displays under glass [Setups]

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This custom-made desk and screen setup is mind-boggling.
This custom-made desk and screen setup is mind-boggling.
Photo: [email protected]

Occasionally a computer setup crops up that just makes you say, “WTF?” That’s what a colleague said about a DIY extravaganza he came across in which three 30-inch Cinema Displays were mounted under glass inside a desk.

The Cinema Display imagery shows up on a mammoth 85-inch screen above — all in a huge, homemade desk assembly. WTF, indeed.

Securely carry your gear in stylish backpack with built-in AirTag tracking

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Securely carry your gear in stylish backpack with built-in AirTag tracking
HyperPack Pro includes Apple's Find My technology so you can track it down if your lose it.
Photo: Hyper

The HyperPack Pro has room for a 16-inch MacBook plus all your other gear, and the backpack includes a built in tracker using Apple’s Find My technology so it can easily be found if misplaced.

Hyper’s new backpack just debuted, but has already been named a CES 2023 Innovation Awards Honoree.

Are your laptop speakers just so-so? Edifier has you covered. [Review] ★★★★☆

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Edifier's MF200 Portable Bluetooth Speaker fits on your monitor stand -- or pretty much anywhere.★★★★☆
Edifier's MF200 Portable Bluetooth Speaker fits on your monitor stand -- or pretty much anywhere.
Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac

If you ever work on the road, you know relying on your laptop for sound can be as disappointing as relying on it instead of an external display for visuals. Not every laptop has great — or even good — speakers.

Enter Edifier and its MF200 Portable Bluetooth Speaker. The company sent me one for review. The elegant little wedge-shaped soundbar can add plenty of power and clarity to “meh” laptop speakers.

But that doesn’t necessarily mean the MF200 blows away all laptop speakers, as I’ll explain below.

AirPods dominate global smart headphones market

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Everything we’re expecting from AirPods Pro 2
AirPods Pro 2 helped give Apple a huge share of the smart headphones market in Q3 2022.
Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac

If it seems like almost everyone you see wearing wireless earbuds is using AirPods, you’re not far off. Apple owns a whopping 31% of the world market – three times the market share of its closest competitor.

And the company’s lead is growing, with shipments growing strongly year-over-year, according to a market research firm.

Get free delivery by Christmas on a jigsaw puzzle that might make you rich

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Take 33% off the puzzle that pays you for playing it.
Love puzzles? This one could earn you a million dollars.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

When it comes to ways to bring the family together over the holidays, good puzzles are always a go-to activity. One example is The 2 Million Dollar Puzzle, rated 4.5 out of 5 in our store.

This fiendish 500-piece monster will test even seasoned puzzlers, but that’s hardly the main appeal. This puzzle could earn you up to a million dollars, and you can get it for $14.99 with free shipping if you order by December 8.

Looking for a gift people will actually use? This MagSafe-compatible charger is $40 for the next two days.

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Deal of the day: Grab this top-rated charging station for less than $40 for 48 hours only!
Grab this portable charging station for less than $40 - for the next 48 hours only.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Looking for a cool gift your loved ones will actually use? Look no further than the MagStack, a wireless portable charging dock. Usually $69, you can purchase it for $39.99 or 42% off — no coupon necessary. But you’ll have to be quick, as this deal is only available through December 6.

The brief price drop is part of our December Deal of the Day promotion. During this event, we’re releasing new, limited-time price drops lasting just one or two days.

Apple speeds up plans to move iPhone assembly out of China

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Apple Store logo in Chengdu, China with two people standing in front of it
Apple no longer wants China to be its primary manufacturing base.
Photo: Unsplash

Apple has expedited plans to move a part of its supply chain outside of China. The company is asking suppliers to increase their assembly base in India and Vietnam.

Over the last year, China’s strict COVID-19 restrictions have disrupted Apple’s production lines in the country multiple times.

The 4 biggest recruiting hurdles your company faces — and how to vault over them

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Want to figure out how to streamline your hiring? Here are a few helpful steps.
These four tips could make your next hiring process go a lot more smoothly.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Hiring in 2023 is no joke — but it’s not impossible. While every company faces challenges when it comes to staffing, there are ways to tackle those issues head-on such as using ZipRecruiter. Rated the No. 1 job site in the United States*, ZipRecruiter provides employers with weekly access to more than 10 million job seekers*.

Elon Musk vs. Apple: Tech battle for the ages! [The CultCast]

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Elon Musk versus Apple on The CultCast podcast: Well, that escalated quickly!
Well, that escalated quickly!
Image: Steve Jurvetson/Flickr CC/Modified by Cult of Mac

This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: After new Twitter CEO Elon Musk began publicly questioning some of Apple’s policies, he went mano-a-mano with Tim Cook. Maybe Musk’s meme-y declaration of war was a bit premature …

Also on The CultCast:

  • The sad state of iCloud storage.
  • A Twitter phone? Really?!?
  • 2023 MacBook Pro benchmarks reveal a big fat surprise.
  • A totally weird tale about the dangers of walking the streets of New York City with hundreds of iPhones.

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.

Pair your iPhone with a 4K camera drone, just $80 for the next 24 hours

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Shoot amazing 4K footage with our Deal of the Day.
Our December Deal of the Day adds a 4K drone to your iPhone photo kit.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Apple improves its iPhone cameras every year. However, until Cupertino’s geeks figure out how to make the device levitate, there are some things it simply cannot achieve, such as capturing aerial footage. That’s where a dual-camera drone like the Ninja Dragon Alpha Z Pro comes in handy.

During our December Deal of the Day event, you can get a Ninja Dragon Alpha Z Pro for $79.99, but this price drop is only available today.