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iOS 16.2 allows disabling wallpaper and notifications on iPhone 14 Pro’s Always On Display

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The iPhone 14 Pro is in the wild on launch day. Just be sure you update to iOS 16.01 before activating with your cellular carrier to avoid problems.
iOS 16.2 beta 3 lets you customize iPhone 14 Pro's Always On Display to a certain extent.
Photo: Lewis Wallace/Cult of Mac

Apple added new customization options for the iPhone 14 Pro’s Always On Display in iOS 16.2 beta 3. Until now, you could only enable or disable the feature on the new iPhones.

The latest iOS 16.2 beta, released to developers Tuesday, provides toggles for disabling wallpaper and notifications in Always On Display mode, enabling a much simpler look.

Wrap up your holiday shopping under one roof with a Costco membership

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Get your holiday shopping done at Costco with a One-Year Gold Star Membership and a $30 Digital Shop Card.
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 flying into town soon. 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 complimentary $30 Digital Costco Shop Card.

Steve Jobs’ sandals sell for a lot more than you might imagine anyone paying for used shoes

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Steve Jobs sandals sold for 4x what you might imagine anyone paying for used footwear
These are worth how much?
Photo: Julie's Auction

How much would you pay for a used pair of shoes? A few bucks, probably. What if they were owned by Steve Jobs? The amount you might be willing to put down surely goes up quite a bit. But would it go up to almost $220,000?

That’s what a pair of Birkenstocks owned by the Apple co-founder sold for over the weekend.

Apple’s MagSafe Battery Pack hits new low in pre-Black Friday deal

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Apple MagSafe Battery Pack
Apple's MagSafe Battery Pack has never been this cheap before.
Photo: Apple

Apple’s MagSafe Battery Pack for iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 is down to its lowest price ahead of Black Friday. The battery pack is available for $71 — a massive 28% off its $99 MSRP.

This is the cheapest price Apple’s MagSafe Battery Pack has dropped to so far. Stocks are unlikely to last long, so make sure to place an order before the deal expires.

Fortitude tactical bands toughen up your Apple Watch (Ultra included)

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Tefeca Fortitude bands give strength to all Apple Watches, including Ultra.
Tefeca Fortitude bands give strength to all Apple Watches, including Ultra.
Photo: Tefeca

There are plenty of nylon and canvas Apple Watch bands out there, but they don’t all have Fortitude. Tefeca Fortitude, that is. It’s a line of extra-tough and handsome bands that are super-comfortable — especially the Ultra Wide versions, which are as wide as an Apple Watch Ultra case.

And a wide band isn’t just comfortable. It offers a distinctive, masculine look — like you’re on a mission.

And if you act fast, you can get a great discount on the bands in a variety of styles, colors and sizes. See below.

Get lifetime access to Microsoft Office, a top-rated VPN and more Mac apps for just $60

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This top-rated Mac bundle includes Microsoft office.
Give your Mac a productivity overhaul with lifetime subscriptions to Microsoft Office and a handful of other useful apps.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

You’ve got the Mac — now you just need the software to maximize your computing. The Premium Limited Edition Mac Bundle comes with a lifetime license to Microsoft Office, a top-notch virtual private network, a password manager and more, and the whole thing is on sale for the low price of just $59.99.

Just look at the Mac software you get in this shockingly affordable bundle. (And these are just the highlights — the bundle contains several other great Mac apps as well.)

Apple launches free Emergency SOS via satellite on all iPhone 14 models

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Apple launches free Emergency SOS via satellite on all iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 models
Starting Tuesday, an iPhone 14 can now communicate with satellites.
Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac

iPhone 14 models can now use Apple’s Emergency SOS via satellite service. It allows users of the latest iOS handsets to exchange texts with emergency services while outside of cellular and Wi-Fi coverage.

The new feature debuted Tuesday in the United States. Apple says the satellite SOS service will become available in France, Germany, Ireland and the United Kingdom starting in December.

Elon Musk plans to end ‘Twitter for iPhone’ and Android labels

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Apple's Twitter account and other high-profile accounts hacked in massive Bitcoin scam.
Prepare to say goodbye to device labels on Twitter.
Photo: Ravi Sharma/Unsplash CC

Over the years, numerous celebrities have been caught promoting flagship Android phones on Twitter while tweeting from their iPhones. This could soon become a thing of the past, due to a change proposed by Twitter CEO Elon Musk.

The new Twitter owner plans to remove the “Twitter for iPhone” or “Twitter for Android” label below each tweet.

Get an HD view of your ear canal from your iPhone with this earwax-busting kit

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It's what's inside that matters, and this earwax cleaner can give you an HD view.
Take a look deep inside your ear with this high-tech cleaner.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

If you find yourself nodding along to a conversation you can only half hear, the reason might be a buildup of earwax. Earwax impaction is one of the most common causes of hearing loss. If you want an at-home method that can help prevent earwax buildup from getting out of hand, then you need a tool that lets you clean it yourself.

The Smart Visual Ear Cleaner is part camera, part wax scoop tool, and it’s on sale for $34.95 (regularly $39) for a limited time.

‘Ted Lasso’ sends funny, encouraging messages to players headed for World Cup

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Ted Lasso tends to dominate during awards season.
Ted Lasso is solidly behind the U.S. Men's National Soccer Team as it heads for the FIFA World Cup.
Photo: Apple TV+

Ted Lasso has some words of encouragement for the members of the U.S. Men’s National Soccer Team headed for the FIFA World Cup next week. Billboards with personal messages from the lead character of the hugely popular Apple TV+ show popped up in the hometowns of players and the head coach over the weekend.

The notes are very Ted Lasso.

‘Finally, a real student setup that’s not $8,000’ [Setups]

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This tidy setup didn't cost a fortune, but it gets the job done.
This tidy setup didn't cost a fortune, but it gets the job done.
Photo: [email protected]

It’s funny when you see a student’s computer setup on social media with gear that looks like it costs a bazillion bucks. Like, what, did Elon Musk go back to college for some reason? Maybe to escape the $44 billion dumpster fire that is Twitter?

Well, today’s clean and practical MacBook Pro setup is the real thing — a starving student’s workstation cobbled together on a budget.

Let’s look at how the user saved some money.

Ted Lasso’s Coach Beard covers the World Cup in new Apple podcast

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The new After the Whistle podcast covering the World Cup kicks off November 17.
The new After the Whistle podcast covering the World Cup kicks off November 17.
Photo: Apple News

An amusing audio teaser from Apple News on Monday introduced the limited podcast After the Whistle, in which Coach Beard from the Apple TV+ hit Ted Lasso — aka actor Brendan Hunt — and veteran English sportscaster Rebecca Lowe will explain everything about the world’s biggest sporting event, the World Cup, as it happens.

As you may know, the World Cup is a massive football tournament (to use the world’s sensible term for soccer). It kicks off Sunday in Qatar and will be broadcast globally. Apple News boots up the podcast on Thursday in anticipation of it.

Apple apps secretly track users, lawsuit claims

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App Store
A proposed class-action lawsuit claims Apple applications, including the App Store, surreptitiously track users.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

A class-action lawsuit filed in California alleges that, “Apple’s assurances and promises regarding privacy are utterly false.”

The lawsuit is based on the work of a security researcher who claims that many of Apple’s own applications send detailed analytics information to the developer even after users ask them to stop.

Put a plant identifier and caretaker in your pocket for $15 with this iOS app

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Your iPhone is your ticket to a green thumb with this top-rated gardening and nature identification app.
Identify plants, get curated caretaking guides and more from this plant identification app.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Taking care of plants requires much more than sprinkling some water on leaves and letting the Sun do the rest. So whether you’re tending a little home garden or want to know if the tree you encountered on your camping trip was a birch or an elm, NatureID can help. This plant identification and education app can analyze and inform you about more than 14,000 plant species, and lifetime Premium Plans are on sale for $14.99 (regularly $59), the best price you’ll find online.

Get an early Black Friday price on this family-wide ad blocker

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Get an early Black Friday price on a lifetime of ad-free browsing for the whole family.
The whole family can browse ad-free with this early Black Friday Deal.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

There’s a lot to love about the internet, but advertisements probably aren’t on your list. Ads are everywhere, and they might even be responsible for some pages loading slowly. Instead of dealing with the delays, you can stop seeing ads online altogether. AdGuard is an advanced ad blocker that also helps keep your information secure, and it’s on sale for $11 during our Black Friday is Every Friday event.

Apple is building a rival to the metaverse

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Apple VR/AR headset takes big step toward production
Apple's answer to the "metaverse" could look a lot different. (Let's hope so.)
Concept: Martin Hajek/Computer Bild

Apple job listings offer a peek into the development of the company’s long-rumored AR headset. Cupertino seemingly wants to create augmented reality and 3D content for its mixed-reality device, which could arrive in early 2023.

More importantly, one posting indicates Apple could be working on a metaverse competitor.

Get two compact utility flashlights at an early Black Friday price

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Grab two super-bright utility flashlights for their Early Black Friday price.
Here's your chance to grab two compact utility flashlights for their early black Friday price.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

The times you need a flashlight and when you remember to bring one probably don’t overlap much. Sure, you can use your phone, but smartphone flashlights average around 50 lumens of brightness. Instead, you could grab a flashlight that’s hard to forget. The Eight-in-One Maglight Mini is a bright utility flashlight that can clip onto your keychain or bag. And instead of waiting for Black Friday, you can purchase two Maglight Minis at an early Black Friday price. Get them for $32 while supplies last!

Save on this MacBook and iPad-compatible docking station with an early Black Friday discount

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This 13-in-1 docking station features dual HDMI access and comes at a discounted cost.
Take advantage of limited-time savings on this tool that keeps several devices powered up.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

From phones and earbuds to laptops and tablets, we’re pretty reliant on our gadgets. While we can accomplish plenty with these devices, they can be limited by the number of ports they offer, and you won’t get far without a consistent power source. Normally $70, this MacBook and iPad-compatible charging station is just $59.99 during our Every Friday is Black Friday event.

Save up to $1,200 on Bluetti’s super-powerful power stations and backup batteries

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Check out Bluetti's deals on power products, plus freebies and special offers.
Check out Bluetti's deals on power products, plus freebies and special offers.
Photo: Bluetti

Black Friday, one of the biggest sale days of the year on November 25, is almost here. But Bluetti, maker of power stations and energy storage products, isn’t waiting. It already kicked off the holiday shopping season with a slew of great deals, below.

In addition, Bluetti also offers freebies and more in what it calls “mystery boxes,” as well as exclusive giveaways and a prize drawing. Read on to see what you can get!

How to implement Microsoft Office into your Mac’s workflow

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Get ready to work remotely with this Office bundle.
Get your Mac hybrid-ready with this Microsoft Office bundle.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

As hybrid work becomes more common, you should consider what setup works best on your work computer, and the apps you use play a huge part in that. For example, Microsoft Office is known the world over for its comprehensive suite of productivity apps. Right now, you can make your Mac hybrid-ready or add Office to your Windows PC for $39.99 (Reg. $349) with our lifetime Microsoft Office licenses.

Cholera and shady sex take a toll on Shantaram [Apple TV+ recap] ★★★

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Shantaram recap Apple TV+: During an outbreak of disease, Lin Ford (played by Charlie Hunnam) makes a sketchy deal.★★★
During an outbreak of disease, Lin Ford (played by Charlie Hunnam) makes a sketchy deal.
Photo: Apple TV+

TV+ Review There’s a cholera outbreak this week on Apple TV+ epic Shantaram, and impostor doctor Lin Ford finds himself in the thick of it. If he saves lives, he’ll become a hero. If he doesn’t, he’ll be a pariah.

Meanwhile, Lisa and Karla make business arrangements that threaten relationships with the people closest to them. Abdullah gives Maurizio an ultimatum, Khan gives the competition a scare, and Lin must make some very hard choices.

It’s another gripping episode of the Bombay-set thriller.

Black Friday came early — this top-rated electric toothbrush is only $27 while supplies last

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Step up your hygiene with major savings on this high-performance electric toothbrush and travel package.
Protect your teeth long-term with a low-priced investment on electric toothbrush kit.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Is personal hygiene a priority for you? The older you get, the more important it is to take care of oral health, and the right tools go a long way. For a limited time, you can bundle an AquaSonic Black Series Toothbrush and travel case with eight dupont brush heads for an early Black Friday price. The kit is just $27 (reg. 189) — no coupon necessary.

Have a ball with Football Manager 2023 on iPhone and Mac

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Have a ball with Football Manager 2023 on iPhone and Mac
Show you have the chops to manage a world-class football club.
Photo: Sega

With the FIFA World Cup a week away, the latest version of the Sega’s hugely popular sports management game Football Manager 2023 launched for a range of Apple devices. Play to find out if you have what it takes to take a club to the top.

It’s available as a stand-alone app or as part of Apple Arcade.