I rely on my devices for everything. Whether it’s my recipe book, my alarm clock, to help me get work done, or entertain me during my downtime, my devices are a critical piece of life. Having apps that help me in those situations (or just make them a little more fun) is key.

This week, an app that makes short work of dealing with obscure files, a way to manage your favorite color collections, and a delightful game to enjoy. As usual, if you have something you want us to check out for a future Awesome Apps post, be sure to email your suggestion or tweet them over!

Normally, to make smartphone apps, you’d have to learn one of the programming languages associated with them. Swift or Flutter and Dart are some of the common starting points. However, you may not actually have to learn to code to create mobile apps. Instead, you could use simple app builder software that may make it easier all around. For example, AppMySite is a quick, intuitive app builder that lets you turn any website into an iOS or Android app without writing a line of code, and a five-year subscription is on sale for $49.99 (Reg. $2,340). 

It’s no secret that learning a new language as an adult is hard, especially if you’re comparing it to that breeze of a time you had as a baby learning your first. However, there are a lot of tools around that could make it easier to learn another language. Mondly has a Lifetime Subscription on sale that gives you access to all 41 of its languages, and it’s just $99.99 (Reg. $2,199). 

You might be getting ready for a steady stream of visitors flying in right about now. Whether they’re out for candy, roasted bird or gifts, the influx of guests probably won’t slow down until New Year. Though you may expect company, it also pays to know who is actually at your door, whether it’s your food delivery or an old friend. The Ring Video Doorbell Wired is a smart replacement doorbell that lets you see who’s outside, among other awesome features. For a limited time, you can purchase one for $49.99 (Reg. $64), cheaper than what you’d find on Amazon.

The Satechi Eco-HardShell Case covers the top, bottom and sides of the 2021 MacBook Pro models  to protect them from scratches. It fits the notebook like a glove to add minimal bulk.

To celebrate the launch, the sleek hardcase is available now at 20% off the regular cost.

Post-apocalyptic Apple TV+ series See comes to its thrilling conclusion this week, sending off Baba Voss and his family in high bloody fashion.

With the whole of civilization in a tunnel to freedom, Haniwa, Maghra and Kofun must decide whether to let Baba go to his death by himself or stay with their people in their hour of need. Can Baba stop deposed queen Sibeth Kane before she destroys everything, or before he gets caught and killed?

It took three seasons, but See is finally worth seeing. And wouldn’t you know it? It’s over.

If you’re like me, you love your iPad for its many uses and its portability. And an Apple Pencil is fun to use for both writing and drawing on the tablet. But wouldn’t it be more rewarding if it felt more like writing and drawing on real paper?

This may be why I still use an old-school notebook for most of my notes and doodles. But now the SwitchEasy PaperLike iPad Screen Protectors offers an inexpensive way to make the iPad screen feel more like paper when you use Pencil.

And better yet, you can get the screen protector at 20% off in the Cult of Mac Store from October 14 through October 21. That’s a savings of $6.

The latest model in the Mophie Powerstation Plus line of external batteries includes two integrated charging cables —Lightning and USB-C. This simplifies charging an iPhone, iPad or Mac.

The 10,000 mAh power bank can extend the battery life of these devices by hours.

Roku is best-known for its streaming media devices. But it’s branching out with a whole-home strategy that will see a range of smart-home gadgets, including security cameras, lights and plugs, go on sale next week at Walmart, the company said.

But a report indicates the company isn’t saying yet whether its new gadgets will work with the new Matter smart-home connectivity standard supported by Apple and other companies. It’s designed to let devices from different makers work together on systems like Apple’s HomeKit and others.

Roku’s lack of clarity is a bit odd, given that it’s among the companies supporting Matter, and that might give some would-be purchasers pause.

Bad Sisters, the Apple TV+ black comedy about the murder of a bad man and the five women who stood to gain from it, draws its delicious first season to a close this week.

John Paul’s dead. Matthew’s closer than ever to finding the killer, but red herrings abound. John Paul’s widow Grace tells a tale to her sisters. The magnificent show comes to a gripping close in typically brilliant fashion.

Once in a while a computer setup comes along that shows off its owner’s invention. Sometimes it’s something perfectly utilitarian and sometimes it’s something weird and wonderful (examples below).

In today’s featured MacBook Pro and Intel NUC PC setup, we find a nifty folding MagSafe charging stand just about to go on the market.

This post on discount Microsoft software is presented by CdkeySales.com.

If you want scary-good deals on Microsoft software, head to the big Halloween Sale at software activation keys provider CdkeySales.com. As a Cult of Mac reader, you can click on the links below and get an even better deal on Windows 10 that gets you a free upgrade to Windows 11. And you can score big savings on plenty of other Microsoft software, as well.

To maximize your savings, enter promo code CULT at CdkeySales.com. That will take an extra 30% off the site’s already-low prices on keys for Windows 10 Pro Global, Microsoft Office 2021 Pro and more.

Apple’s much-rumored AR/VR header won’t use Face ID or Touch ID. Instead, the mixed-reality device will reportedly scan the iris of the wearer’s eye to identify them.

Perhaps the feature will be called Eye ID.

You can have the most interesting Instagram post in the world, but the caption is still limited to the same fonts everyone else uses, and they don’t always communicate “fun.” If you want to add some excitement to the text on your social media profiles, messages and even your iOS device’s Home Screen, then you may want to try Fonts Art. A premium lifetime subscription to this awesome iOS app lets you add some new aesthetic flavor to your texts, and it’s on sale for $39.99. 

In new Apple TV+ limited series Shantaram, Charlie Hunnam headlines as a man on the run from Australian authorities who starts over in Bombay — only to fall into still more trouble.

The ambitious drama, based on the best-selling book by Gregory David Roberts (which in turn was partly based on the author’s own experiences), charts a man’s new life in a hotbed of sin and all-but-sanctioned crime. Along the way, he discovers himself at long last in the least likely of settings.

A Brazilian court fined Apple a second time for not bundling chargers with the iPhones it sells in the country. The court imposed a fine of 100 million reals ($19 million).

The Brazilian association of borrowers, consumers and taxpayers filed the lawsuit in the Sao Paulo state court.

Louis Armstrong is one of the most important jazz musicians ever, as both a trumpet player and a singer. Apple TV+ promises to introduce a definitive documentary of his life based on never-before-heard home recordings and personal conversations.

Louis Armstrong’s Black & Blues premieres worldwide at the end of October.

The price of Netflix dropped like a rock for those willing to watch commercials. The streaming service announced Thursday that its new ad-supported subscription plan is only $6.99 a month – 30% to 55% below the current cost.

The new option will debut in November 2022. It’ll then be a cheaper option for enjoying a large library of shows and movies on a Mac, iPad or Apple TV.

Note: The $36 price goes up after 11:59 p.m. PST on October 13.

Whether you work or study on your Mac, Microsoft Office and its suite of apps, including Word, PowerPoint and Teams, is essential. Usually $349, you can set yourself up for life with the entire MS Office suite during our Deal Days event for $35.99. That’s an all-time low price for Microsoft Office.

Why is it so cheap? Our Deal Days sale is our version of Prime Day, which means it’s your chance to grab incredible deals on our most popular products. You’ll have to be quick, though, as these limited-time deals will only be around through October 12. You can check out the rest of the deals here.

The third-generation of Eve Light Switch adds support for Thread and will be updated with Matter, keeping it on the cutting edge of smarthome tech. The smartswitch continues to support Apple HomeKit.

It can be used as either a single-pole or 3-way switch.

The money Apple Card users get as a cash-back reward can go automatically into a savings account from Goldman Sachs, the same bank that backs the credit card.

The money saved will earn interest over time.

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.

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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.

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.

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.