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This clever new desk mat charges your iPhone and AirPods

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The desk mat's charging panel is a convenient place to top off your smartphone and earbuds charging case.
The desk mat's charging panel is a convenient place to top off your smartphone and earbuds charging case.
Photo: Journey

You may not consider the humble desk mat a necessity in your computer setup. But what if you could charge your smartphone and earbuds charging case just by placing them on your desk? You can with the new Alti Wireless Charging Desk Mat. Accessories maker Journey unveiled it Thursday.

“This charging mat is our all-in-one solution to keeping your desk clutter-free while simultaneously charging your devices. We promise that it will soon become your favorite desk companion,” the company said.

Ugreen Nexode 140W Charger is a compact, multiport powerhouse [Review] ★★★★☆

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The 5-foot braided cable that comes with the charger is one of its highlights.★★★★☆
The 5-foot braided cable that comes with the charger is one of its highlights.
Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac

In the fast-growing world of increasingly compact-yet-powerful gallium nitride (GaN) chargers, Ugreen is a player. The company has expanded its line of multiport chargers and recently sent me its Nexode 140W model to try out.

I found it potent, reasonably compact and a fine purchase for most people who need to charge laptops, tablets, smartphones and other devices — especially if they can get it at the discount below, which makes it an exceptional value.

More Apple services coming to Windows 11

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More Apple services coming to Windows 11
Windows users get get a touch of sweet iCloud Photos goodness
Screenshot: Microsoft

Microsoft and Apple are cooperating to enable the Windows 11 Photos app to access photos and videos from iCloud. In addition, the Apple Music and the Apple TV applications are also coming to Windows.

The Apple vs. Microsoft war is truly over.

Load your Mac or PC with a lifetime license to Microsoft Office. Get 2-packs at a major discount.

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Put Microsoft Office on two computers for life with this deal.
Grab two lifetime licenses to Microsoft Office for Windows or Mac during this limited-time deal.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

You’ve probably used Microsoft Office before. More than a billion people have. However, using it and having lifetime access are two very different things. With a lifetime license to Office, you can rely on this software suite to manage things like your home budget (without a subscription cost eating into it).

For a limited time, we’ve got two-packs of lifetime licenses for Microsoft Office Home and Business for Mac 2021 and Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows on sale for $69.99 each.

These are the iOS 16 features we’re still waiting for

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These are the iOS 16 features we’re still waiting for
iOS 16.1 will soon bring features Apple announced months ago.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple announced a plethora of iOS 16 features at WWDC22. But not all of them made their way into the first public release of the OS in September. Some of them will arrive later this year or even in early 2023.

Check out this list of iOS 16 features that we are still waiting for.

Buy refurbished Studio Display from Apple and save big

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A table showing the desktop Macs.
Save big on Apple's Studio Display by buying refurbished.
Photo: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

Seven months after its launch, Apple has started selling refurbished Studio Display units through its Certified Refurbished Store in the U.S. The company announced the standalone monitor in March this year.

Apple’s Refurbished Store provides a great way to save money on Apple products. Prices for refurbished units are usually around 10-15 percent lower than MSRP.

Last chance: Protect Apple Watch from drops and scrapes with an aluminum case (20% off)

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SwitchEasy's aluminum alloy case protects Apple Watch and looks good doing it.
SwitchEasy's aluminum alloy case protects Apple Watch and looks good doing it.
Photo: SwitchEasy

If you spend a few hundred bucks or more on an Apple Watch, you may want to protect it. People put their iPhones in cases all the time, so why not Apple’s wearable?

Good thing SwitchEasy makes a pair of aluminum cases that are protective yet subtle, saving your smartwatch from bumps, scrapes and drops.

And through October 13, you can get 20% off the cases in the Cult of Mac Store.

Origami case/stand raises iPad to eye level

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Origami case/stand raises iPad to eye level
These is all just one iPad case/stand. The Moft Snap Float Folio can be folded into many different configurations.
Photo: Moft

The new Moft Snap Float Folio raises the bar on iPad cases that also function as stands. Literally. It can be folded to lift the the iPad screen up to 3.6 inches.

If that’s not enough, the case/strand also folds into five other configurations to allow the iPad to be used in different ways.

Up your cooking game with more than 70% off these Japanese chef’s knives

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Make cooking a smoother experience with this master chef knife set.
Bring precision prep to your kitchen with a Seido Japanese Master Chef Knife Set.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Design matters, and that doesn’t just apply to the phones you buy or the apps you depend on. The hand tools you regularly use can make or break your experience, and practically nothing exemplifies this more than your kitchen knives. A sharp knife may be intimidating, but it’s ultimately safer in the kitchen.

So if you’ve been looking for exceptional blades to round out your arsenal, consider these Seido knife sets. They bring great design into the kitchen. They feature forged high-carbon stainless steel blades with 15-degree cutting angles, which should hold a sharper edge longer than traditional stainless steel knives.

No, Lufthansa isn’t banning AirTags from checked bags [Updated]

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After a bit of confusion, Lufthansa says it won't ban AirTags from checked baggage.
After a bit of confusion, Lufthansa says it won't ban AirTags from checked baggage.
Photo: Daniel Romero/Unsplash License

German airline Lufthansa is not banning Apple’s AirTags and similar tracking tags from checked luggage, the company said Wednesday.

“The German Aviation Authorities (Luftfahrtbundesamt) confirmed today, that they share our risk assessment, that tracking devices with very low battery and transmission power in checked luggage do not pose a safety risk,” a Lufthansa representative told Cult of Mac in an email Wednesday. “With that, these devices are allowed on Lufthansa flights.”

Ads might come to Apple TV+

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Ads might come to Apple TV+
You might see this message soon on Apple TV+.
Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac

Although Apple TV+ is one of the few streaming services without commercials, the company is reportedly talking to media agencies about adding adverts to its shows.

If true, Apple is likely considering a cheaper ad-supported tier for TV+, not forcing all subscribers to watch commercials.

Ferrell and Reynolds get their musical Scrooge on in Spirited trailer

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Ryan Reynold share a new enthusiasm for tap dancing in the teaser for the Apple TV+ musical
Ryan Reynold share a new enthusiasm for tap dancing in the teaser for the Apple TV+ musical "Spirited."
Photo: Apple TV+

How many times have you watched the many-and-varied film-and-TV versions of the Charles Dickens classic, A Christmas Carol? You know, Scrooge, Tiny Tim, Bob Cratchit, bad dreams, redemption. Well, if you haven’t heard, the story has once again clawed its way out of the grave.

Apple TV+ dropped a teaser trailer Wednesday for its new version, the comedy-musical Spirited set for release in theaters November 11 and on the streaming service November 18.

This time it looks like a contemporary take, with Ghost of Christmas Present Will Ferrell trying to drag corporate-executive-looking Ryan Reynolds into a vision that includes big dance numbers.

Did you know your office walls need pegboards? They do. [Setups]

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This setup just added an LG UltraFine display, but it's the pegboards everybody's raving about.
This setup just added an LG UltraFine display, but it's the pegboards behind it everybody's raving about.
Photo: [email protected]

Sometimes the hero of a computer setup isn’t the computer itself. And it may not be a slick external display or other peripherals, either. In today’s featured MacBook Pro setup, a newly added LG UltraFine display gets some attention, but the real star is something a bit more pedestrian mounted on the wall behind it.

Pegboards may have no world-changing technology built into them, but they can radically change your setup for the better as an inventive storage and charging solution.

Use ReiBoot iOS system recovery to fix iPhone 14 stuck on Apple logo

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Is your iPhone 14 stuck on the Apple logo? Don't take it in for repairs. You almost undoubtedly can fix it yourself with Tenorshare ReiBoot.
Is your iPhone 14 stuck on the Apple logo? Don't take it in for repairs. You can probably fix it yourself.
Photo: Tenorshare

This post on how to fix iPhone 14 stuck on Apple logo is presented by ReiBoot iOS system recovery tool.

The iPhone 14 lineup brings enhanced performance and new features as promised by Apple. From design to premium user experience, iPhone 14 seems to be a nearly perfect smartphone. However, just like previous iPhone models, iPhone 14 can face system glitches occasionally.

One of the most common issues reported by users is “my iPhone 14 is stuck on the Apple logo.” What happens is that iPhone 14 remains stuck on the white/black Apple logo and does not allow you to do anything. So, if you are also facing this issue, remain calm. It is one of the common issues with iPhones that is easily fixable.

Here we will discuss in detail the best methods to fix iPhone 14 stuck on the Apple logo, including the one-click instant fix offered by ReiBoot iOS system repair.

Apple Music finally launches on Xbox

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First-time Apple Music subscribers get just a 1-month free trial now (unless they bought an Apple device).
Xbox gamers can now enjoy Apple Music while playing.
Photo: Apple

Apple Music is now available on recent versions of Microsoft’s Xbox gaming console. That includes playing songs while gaming.

The streaming music service is already available on PlayStation and other third-party entertainment platforms.

Need to convert PDFs on your Mac? Grab this discounted app.

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Don't wait for Prime Day to get this all-in-one PDF converter app for your Mac.
Quit pulling your hair out over PDFs. Grab this PDF converter for Macs and relax.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

PDFs may be one of the most popular file types online, but they can be a bit of a pain to deal with. If you’ve ever used an online converter site instead of a dedicated PDF app, then you’re probably well aware of that.

PDF Converter Pro is a macOS app that makes working with this ubiquitous file type easier. And lifetime licenses are on sale for $29.99 — a whopping 70% discount — during Deal Days. This event is our version of Amazon’s Prime Day, and we’re offering discounts on a curated collection of apps, gadgets, online courses and more. No coupon is needed, but the sale ends at midnight tonight.

Mythic Quest season 3 trailer sets up battle of deeply dysfunctional game companies

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'Mythic Quest' season 3 trailer sets up battle of deeply dysfunctional game companies
Charlotte Nicdao and Rob McElhenney in Mythic Quest, premiering November 11 on Apple TV+.
Photo: Apple TV+

Mythic Quest season three is just weeks away, and Apple TV+ ramped up fan excitement on Tuesday with a trailer for the new season. The new episodes will pit the gaming company newly formed by Ian and Poppy against David and Mythic Quest.

Watch the trailer now.

Prime Day has nothing on this Microsoft Office and finance training bundle

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Give your career a boost with this professional package that supplies Microsoft Office tools and a business education.
Build toward a more rewarding financial future with this discounted bundle,
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

The job market can be daunting, but when equipped with the proper tools, there’s room to progress in your career confidently and find a professional fit. Regardless of your age or experience, new lessons and fresh insights always exist.

For those seeking the next step on their professional path, this Microsoft Office Professional 2021 and finance course bundle might help. And it’s on sale for just $39.99 (regularly $947), thanks to an exclusive Deal Days offer. Deal Days is our version of Amazon’s Prime Day. And until October 12, we’re offering discounts on popular gadgets, e-learning courses, apps and more.

Bose busts out compact, affordable new soundbar with AirPlay 2

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The new Bose Smart Soundbar 600 is only about 2 inches high.
The new Bose Smart Soundbar 600 is only about 2 inches high.
Photo: Bose

Bose took a further step into the compact, affordable soundbar market Monday with release of its new Smart Soundbar 600. It looks set to compete in a growing pool of home-theater audio products that don’t break the bank.

Featuring Dolby Atmos, Bose “TrueSpace” and AirPlay 2 technology, the slender speaker goes for $499, Bose said.

Ask Apple promises one-on-one coding help for developers

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Ask Apple promises one-on-one coding help for developers
Ask Apple is a new series of interactive Q&As and one-on-one consultations for developers.
Photo: Apple

Ask Apple is a new way for iPhone and Mac developers to get support and feedback. It will include interactive question-and-answer sessions and one-on-one consultations.

“If you’re a developer, you don’t want to miss out on Ask Apple,” says Greg Joswiak the company’s global head of marketing.

Get up to $290 off Roborock smart vacuums this week

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The Roborock S7+ can automatically switch from mopping floors to vacuuming carpets.
The Roborock S7+ can automatically switch from mopping floors to vacuuming carpets.
Photo: Roborock

This post on smart vacuums is brought to you by Roborock.

Hate the drudgery of vacuuming and mopping the floors in your house or apartment? You might be surprised how brilliant robot smart vacuums have become lately. They can do much of the work for you, with remarkable efficiency.

And this week you can take advantage of Roborock’s deep discounts on 10 advanced models of robot vacuum cleaners, saving you hundreds of dollars in some cases.

Joe Rogan interviews Steve Jobs in eerie, AI-generated podcast

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Joe Rogan interviews Steve Jobs in eerie AI-generated podcast
Steve Jobs (1955 – 2011) did not do a new interview with Joe Rogan. You can listen to it anyway.
Image: Hotpot

Apple co-founder Steve Jobs passed away more than 11 years ago, but that didn’t prevent him from giving a new interview with superstar podcaster Joe Rogan. In it, the co-creator of the Mac talks about the importance of Eastern mysticism, his thoughts on LSD, Google, innovation and more.

There’s just one tiny wrinkle: The entire podcast is generated by artificial intelligence. That includes Jobs’ and Rogan’s voices and their responses.