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AirFly 2 easily connects any audio source to AirPods [Review] ★★★★

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Twelve South AirFly 2 with AirPods★★★★
Your AirPods get more useful with AirPods 2.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

AirFly 2 from Twelve South can wirelessly connect your AirPods to any 3.5mm audio jack. It’s great for airline entertainment systems and gym machines. The new version has a longer battery life, adds new volume controls and costs less than its predecessor.

I tested the wireless audio adapter with AirPods and other headphones, as well as a variety of audio sources. Here’s why I’m quite pleased with it.

Smart desk lamps feature voice control, wireless charging and more

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Momax's LED desk lamps have a wireless charging pad and a USB port for charging.
Momax's LED desk lamps have a wireless charging pad and a USB port for charging.
Photo: Momax

Did you know that desk lamps are now smart? A new line of LED-powered desk lamps from Momax offer a host of smart features, including wireless Qi charging bases, voice control via Amazon Alexa, an iPhone app for advanced control, automatic eye health adjustments, the ability to set color temperature, color modes and brightness, an extra USB port to charge another device, and more.

Perhaps best of all, you can get 10% off the price of each lamp by using code CULTOFMAC10 at checkout.

T-Mobile wants you to charge your gadgets with a hot-purple suitcase

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T-Mobile turns November 3 into April Fools Day with a hot-purple suitcase-charger.
T-Mobile turns November 3 into April Fools Day with a hot-purple suitcase-charger.
Photo: T-Mobile

We had to check the calendar to see if it was April 1 when T-Mobile’s press release showed up. “Introducing the Un-carrier On from T-Mobile – the Smartest, Flyest Carry-On Ever,” it said, pushing a new carry-on bag the cellular carrier said is the only one on the market with wireless charging.

The suitcase, produced in partnership with Samsara Luggage, is awkwardly named the “Un-carrier On” and comes in one color: magenta. A big part of T-Mobile’s brand, that color is also the name of one of its membership plans.

Learn piano and guitar at home from top-rated musical instructors for $35

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Become a pro piano player for less than $5 a course with this bootcamp loved by musicians.
Start playing piano and guitar today with this top-rated course bundle, less than $35 today.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Mastering an instrument takes dedication. But did you know that you can easily fit practice into your busy schedule without hiring an expensive tutor? A good way to study on your own time is with e-learning music courses. Take this top-rated, eight-part music training collection, which is on sale for just $34.99 (Reg. $1,600) for a limited time.

These musical training courses contain over 70 hours of content. Plus, each course comes out to under $5, making the entire bundle less than the average cost of one hour of old-school tutoring.

2023 iPhone 15 will continue to use Qualcomm’s 5G modem

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Qualcomm patents
Qualcomm is a vital supplier for Apple until the latter's in-house 5G modem is ready.
Photo: Qualcomm

Apple’s plans of using its in-house modem starting from the iPhone 15 in 2023 are unlikely to pan out. Qualcomm will continue to supply the Cupertino company with the “vast majority” of iPhone modems next year.

The San Diego chipmaker expects Apple to shift to its in-house modem by 2024 at the earliest. It had previously expected to supply the iPhone maker with only 20% of modem chips in 2023.

Get lifetime access to Microsoft Office on Mac or Windows for only $40

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Save more than $300 on this Microsoft Office package that includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, OneNote and Publisher.
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.

Why the iPhone 14 Pro cameras are a ‘huge leap’

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iPhone 14 Pro Camera Deep Dive
The folks at Halide have published their thorough review of the iPhone 14 Pro camera system.
Photo: Apple, D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

It’s taken a while to fully unpack and understand the technical improvements to the cameras in the iPhone 14 Pro. Camera nerd Sebastiaan de With, co-founder and designer of the highly-respected Halide camera app, has written a detailed review of the improvements to the camera system.

His professional opinion? These are not just great iPhone cameras, they’re great cameras, period.

Tired of boring Apple Watch bands? Try this.

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We bet you're wondering where she got that Apple Watch band.
We bet you're wondering where she got that Apple Watch band.
Photo: Cult of Mac Store

At the end of the day, it seems like there are only so many types of Apple Watch bands. Leather. Stainless steel. Nylon. But what about something cool and cosmopolitan you don’t see everywhere? We think we found just the thing.

Goldenerre is known for some pretty glamorous accessories, and its Leather Link Apple Watch Band is an interesting option. It hand-wrapped leather links alternate with gleaming metallic ones for an exciting look. Check it out below and in the Cult of Mac Store.

Filming begins on Severance season 2 with 8 new stars

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Filming begins on 'Severance' season 2 with 8 new stars
Production is officially underway for Severance season 2 on Apple TV+.
Photo: Apple TV+

Fans of the hit Apple TV+ series Severance can rejoice that production on season 2 started this week. More of what Stephen Colbert called a “dystopian workplace sci-fi mystery black comedy psychological thriller” is on the way.

Upcoming episodes of the Emmy-winning – and very creepy – series will feature the original stars as well as eight new ones.

iPhone and Mac devs share tips on starting a career in coding

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Apple STEAM Day
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.

MacBook Pro rig employs gaming and portable monitors, rare keyboard and mouse [Setups]

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This person mounts a portable monitor on their laptop keyboard and uses a 27-inch gaming display, too.
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.

Zugu makes 2 of Amazon’s most-wished-for iPad cases

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Wish you had a great iPad case? Huge numbers of people on Amazon wish for Zugu.
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.

Why you should, or should not, upgrade to the 2022 iPad Pro [Review] ★★★★★

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12.9-inch Apple iPad Pro 2022 with its packaging★★★★★
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.

Here’s my advice when making your decision.

Get lifetime access to Microsoft Office on Mac or Windows for only $40

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Save more than $300 on this Microsoft Office package that includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, OneNote and Publisher.
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.

Boost your iPhone’s storage for $23 with this sleek, four-headed flash drive

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Double your iPhone storage with this tiny flash drive loved by users, less than $23 today.
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).

Delightful Apple accessories by Elago going for 15% off (today only!)

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Elago's W5 Apple Watch Stand is a blast from the past.
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.

New Mac app lets you search everything you’ve ever seen or heard

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Rewind: Find anything you’ve seen, said, or heard.
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.

Apple TV+ scores 17 nominations in new Children’s and Family Emmy Awards

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The Fraggles are back! New kids’ series premieres Jan. 21
"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.

Last day to get 10% off Elkson Bumper Cases for Apple Watch

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Elkson bumper cases cover a range of Apple Watch series and sizes.
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.

And aș part of the Halloween Sale in the Cult of Mac Store — ending on Tuesday (November 1) — you can get the case for various series of Apple Watch for just $10.79, or 10% off.

Customize Cooler Master’s new mechanical keyboard any which way

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This wired mechanical keyboard can be easily modified in multiple ways.
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.”

Last chance! Take 10% off classic Mifa Apple Watch bands.

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Mifa's glamorous Sparkle band comes in silver or rose gold options.
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.

Two key execs are leaving Apple

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Apple Store
The head of the online Apple Store is one of multiple executives leaving the company.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The head of the online Apple store and its Chief Information Officer are reportedly both exiting the company.

This follows on the heels of news that Apple’s head of design is also on the way out.

Learn how your favorite iOS apps work with this premium coding training bundle

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Learn to program with this premium training bundle.
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).

How to use Focus modes in iOS 16

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Buckle down and focus up
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.