It's a cozy little space, alright. Perfect for MacBook Air, a 24-inch display and no external keyboard. Photo: [email protected]
If you’ve got a tiny desk for a workspace, you’ve got to make the most of it. Today’s featured computer setup centers on an M1 MacBook Air driving a small 4K external display, clearly going away from the trend toward big-screen-TV-sized displays for a reason — namely, vanishingly small desk space.
A small external display is one way to save room. But the user has some other tricks up his sleeve, as well. Let’s take a look.
Be sure to use promo code CULT when shopping for software deals at CDKeylord.com to get the lowest possible price. Photo: CDKeylord.com
Black Friday isn’t just about cheap TVs and discounted Apple products. It’s also a great day to save on Microsoft software. Shop the Black Friday Sale at software activation keys provider CDKeylord.com to save on Word, Office and more.
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Better yet, as a Cult of Mac reader, you can click on the links below and get an even better deal on Windows 10 and other Microsoft software. In order to maximize your savings, enter promo code CULT at CDKeylord.com. That will take an extra 35% off the site’s already-low prices on keys for Windows 10 Pro Global, Microsoft Office 2021 Pro and more. On December 1, those savings go down to 30% off.
Don't miss this Black Friday deal that slashes hundreds off the final price of a loaded Microsoft Office package. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
An estimated 1.2 billion people use Microsoft Office, and for good reason. This comprehensive app suite lets users write polished documents, crunch numbers, create stunning presentations and more. But if you’ve yet to join the user base or want to install the suite on your home computer, you can purchase two lifetime Microsoft Office licenses for just $54.99, one for you and the second for a loved one.
These licenses are discounted as part of our Black Friday Doorbuster Sale, where we’re marking down prices on some of our bestselling deals. This promotion will end after Black Friday, but we might run out of license keys well before that!
★★★★☆
The members of the Fox family face troubles old and new this week. Photo: Apple TV+
The Mosquito Coast hits a dead end this week, and the only one happy about it is Allie Fox. His wife Margot and daughter Dina get desperate looking for a way out of their situation, even as their hosts start to have major second thoughts about their new guests.
Charlie puts himself at risk, Dina goes on a fateful date, Margot throws a Hail Mary — and Allie’s one step ahead of everybody. As we’ve come to expect from Mosquito Coast, this is one tense hour of television.
Save big on Apple hardware this Black Friday. Screenshot: Apple
Apple’s Black Friday deals are now live in the US and Canada. The company is bundling gift cards of up to $250 on the purchase of select products.
The four-day shopping event runs through Cyber Monday, i.e., November 28. You can place your order through Apple’s online or retail store to get the gift card.
Apple can continue selling iPhones in Brazil for now. Photo: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac
Brazilian authorities seized “hundreds of iPhones” across retail stores in the country on November 11. The phones were confiscated because Apple was selling them without a bundled power adapter.
Apple has already been granted an injunction against the seizure by a Brazilian court. So, the company can continue selling iPhones until Brazil’s regulatory body takes a final decision.
Get three months of Xbox Live Gold a super low price, two days only. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
Gift shopping for teenagers is its own unique can of worms, but there is something you can get that’s practically a sure hit. Sharing a house with an Xbox gamer? This is your chance to get them three months of Xbox Live Gold for its lowest price ever. Starting Thanksgiving, you can purchase this subscription for just $9.99 or 60% off. No code is needed, but this doorbuster deal ends after Black Friday.
An iPhone game controller can make a great gift. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
If you are overstraining your brain trying to come up with the right gift for an iPhone fan, consider a clip-on game controller. Mobile gamers can appreciate that physical buttons, sticks and triggers make play a lot more fun for many types of games.
I’ve reviewed all the top iPhone game controllers. Here are my recommendations.
Get our best price of the year on a lifetime subscription to Rosetta Stone and StackSkills Unlimited. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
You’re never really done learning. If you want to add a few new languages — and a ton of other awesome skills — to your repertoire, then check out the Unlimited Lifetime Learning Bundle.
This pack contains lifetime subscriptions to highly rated language app Rosetta Stone and wide-ranging online course from StackSkills Unlimited — all for just $126.65 with coupon code ROSETTA. You can only pick up this bestselling doorbuster deal this Thanksgiving and Black Friday — but inventory might run out even sooner than that!
★★☆☆☆
We get heaping helpings of seduction, jealousy and hackneyed jokes this week on Acapulco. Photo: Apple TV+
It’s dueling dinner parties on this week’s episode of Apple TV+ culture clash comedy Acapulco. Memo is under investigation, Chad is under suspicion, Julia’s jealous, Esteban’s nervous, Sara’s drunk, Hector’s in lust, and — as usual — Maximo’s in the middle.
It’s an agreeably hectic week on the show, which doesn’t seem sure how to proceed with its more- serious ideas. As a result, Acapulco relies on an old-hat sitcom formula instead.
Was Apple indeed working on a $49 Apple Pencil for iPhone? Photo: Ian Fuchs/Cult of Mac
A sketchy rumor claims Apple planned to introduce a $49 Apple Pencil with iPhone compatibility. The company wanted to launch the budget Apple Pencil alongside new iPhones in September.
For unclear reasons, though, Apple changed its mind at the last minute and canceled the product’s launch.
This Apple Watch alternative is loved by users - and today it’s less than $40.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
If your wrist could use an upgrade, we have some good news. A great everyday smartwatch doesn’t have to cost as much as an Apple Watch Ultra. ChronoWatch offers an affordable alternative, with activity-tracking features that might give Apple’s smartwatches a run for their money.
It’s on sale for just $39.99 (regularly $159) until 11:59 p.m. Pacific today (November 23). This special markdown is part of our Thankful Deals sale. We handpicked some of our bestselling products with low prices, huge discounts and fantastic reviews, and price-dropped them ahead of Black Friday, so you don’t have to wait until after Thanksgiving to start your holiday gift shopping.
Satechi's USB-4 multiport adapter is one of many, many products on sale. Photo: Satechi
Satechi makes a wide range of popular accessories for Apple products. The company just took the wraps off its big Black Friday sale, offering up to 30% off everything it makes.
That’s a lot of deals for you on chargers, hubs, keyboards, mice, stands, bags, cases and more.
Ryan Reynolds and Will Ferrell share a new enthusiasm for tap dancing in the Apple TV+ musical "Spirited." Photo: Apple TV+
Spirited, with Will Ferrell and Ryan Reynolds starring in a comedy musical version of A Christmas Carol, is pulling in a sizable audience. It was one of the top five most-watched streaming shows last week, despite premiering halfway through the week.
The Christmas special is available now on Apple TV+.
Mythic Quest goes Hollywood this week as Jo sits down with actor Joe Manganiello to discuss a role in the upcoming Mythic Quest movie.
Also, Dana and Ian go on an accidentally soul-searching trip, while Poppy looks for support around the office. And when Carol takes a personal day, that leaves Brad free to do as he pleases (and once more potentially ruin the game).
It’s a decent episode of Apple TV+’s gamer comedy — with one showstopper of a scene.
Just wait. A dancer might gyrate through the frame any minute. Photo: [email protected]
Modern computer setups lean more and more on smart lighting for practical uses and to set the mood. Some of it can even pulse and change in sync to music or action on your screen.
Today’s featured MacBook Pro setup leans heavily on colorful Nanoleaf smart-light patterns on the walls — so much so that people compared it to a strip club.
Secure pCloud storage for 85% off? Sign us up. Photo: pCloud
These days, the average person takes up a lot of digital space. In addition to hefty software programs, people practically burst their hard drives at their seams with scads of photos, videos and documents.
So cloud storage is increasingly critical, and right now you can get an amazing Black Friday deal on highly secure and easy-to-use pCloud storage — up to 85% off normal pricing. And both new and current customers can get the deal.
Protesters and police clashed Tuesday and Wednesday at Foxconn's plant in Zhengzhou, China Photo illustration: Cult of Mac
Protests over unpaid bonuses, anti-COVID-19 controls and even food quality led police to clash with hundreds of workers at the world’s largest iPhone factory in China, reports indicated Wednesday.
Social media videos and witnesses in Zhengzhou, where Foxconn operates a giant factory nicknamed “iPhone City,” said police beat and detained protesters.
A deal to be thankful for: MagStack's 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Station. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
As Apple expands its ecosystem with wireless charging (we’re still waiting patiently for iPad MagSafe charging), upgrading your charging game is critical. The MagStack is a MagSafe-compatible wireless charging station that’s portable enough to take with you anywhere (and can even serve as a stand).
You can grab one for just $39.99 during our Thankful Deals event. That’s the best price on the web!
During our pre-Thanksgiving promotion, we’re dropping prices on bestsellers that are low-priced, heavily discounted, earned excellent reviews, rarely go on sale or a combination of the four. No coupon is necessary to claim this price, but the event ends November 23 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific.
★★☆☆☆Echo 3 takes Apple TV+ to a weird new battlefront. Photo: Apple TV+
New Apple TV+ series Echo 3 follows two very different military men who venture to South America to rescue a mutual loved one during a clandestine war.
Written and produced by Mark Boal, the mind behind Zero Dark Thirty and The Hurt Locker, the series is deeply strange, if certainly memorable. And itshows Apple TV+ heading in a new, possibly suspect, direction.
Make your door smart with this top-rated smart lock, less than $90 today. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
Smart locks can give your house an extra layer of security and allow you to control who enters your home. If you’re looking for a top-rated smart door lock, consider the Bosma Aegis. It can turn any existing deadbolt into a smart lock, and it’s on sale for $89.99 (regularly $119).
It’s part of our Thankful Deals promotion, during which we’re releasing early Black Friday price drops on a curated selection of bestselling items, each handpicked for their low price points, high discounts, excellent reviews or rarity. But you’ll have to be quick! The sale ends on November 23 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific, but supplies might run out even before that!
Show off your iPhone 14's innards in the form of a schematic wallpaper. Photo: Basic Apple Guy
Mac maven Basic Apple Guy just rolled out a project he said he’s been slaving over since late September — a set of detailed and layered iPhone 14 schematics you can download and use as display wallpaper in your choice of colors on your handset.
It’s kind of like displaying an X-Ray of your iPhone on the device itself. The iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus schematics are out Tuesday with the ones for iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max following on Wednesday.
This is Apple Derby Street prior to the incident, in which an SUV smashed through the facade and pinned several people at the back of the store. Photo: Apple
A man driving a black SUV crashed through the glass facade of an Apple Store near Boston on Monday morning, killing one person and injuring 19, including four critically, according to reports.
Updates: The driver, identified as 53-year-old Bradley Rein, was arrested Monday night and charged with reckless homicide by motor vehicle, according to Boston.com. The number of injured in the crash rose to 19 from the initially reported 16. Rein pleaded not guilty on Tuesday and said his foot had become stuck to the accerlator, causing the crash. He was held on $100,000 bail.
Kevin Bradley, a 65-year-old from New Jersey who Apple said was “supporting recent construction at the store,” was killed in the crash.
★★★★☆
Want solid headphones without breaking the bank? Consider Edifier's W820NB. Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac
The Chinese company Edifier has been putting out affordable high-quality audio equipment for more than 25 years. I often find it hits the “high-value” button with many of its products, offering great sound and solid features at relatively low prices. The company seems to stake out that same territory with its W820NB ANC Bluetooth Stereo Headphones.
Edifier sent me a pair of the cans to try out. While they’re not likely to blow anybody away, they get the job done well, with quality sound, strong active noise cancellation and long battery life.
If you want good sound at a good price, they could be for you. But if you’re an exacting audiophile or on the hunt for luxury appointments, look elsewhere.