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Pair PlayStation Plus Essential with a lifetime VPN, all at a steep discount

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This sale contains PlayStation Plus and VPN Unlimited.
Game online and browse in private with this PlayStation Plus and VPN bundle.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

The internet has come a long way. For example, you can play online games with massive, thriving communities. Meanwhile, your browsing habits probably produce targeted ads on your sidebar and email.

Luckily, you can take the best and get rid of the worst. Unlock online gaming and lock down your browsing with this bundle, which pairs 12 months of PlayStation Plus Essential with a lifetime subscription to VPN Unlimited, all for only $69.99 (regularly $259).

Protect your Apple Watch with Elago’s rugged Armor Case and band

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This rugged case and band will keep your Apple Watch safe.
This rugged case and band will keep your Apple Watch safe.
Photo: Elago

You probably spend a fair chunk of change on your Apple Watch and you should take care to protect it — especially if you’re the sort of person who does a number on watches.

If you really want to safeguard it, you could get a rugged case and band combo like the one Elago makes.

You can find the Elago Armor Case Apple Watch Band in the Cult of Mac Store for just $15.

Why Google really, really wants Apple to add RCS to iMessage

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iMessage bullying
Google wants iPhone to adopt RCS and end the differences between blue bubbles and green bubbles.
Image: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

Google’s campaign to talk Apple into supporting Rich Communication Services in iMessage continues. The Android-maker introduced a new website Tuesday that claims that because iPhone does not support RCS it lacks “modern texting standards” and causes unnecessary problems.

Apple has long resisted RCS, choosing instead to reserve the best benefits of its messaging software to iPhone users.

2 new iPhone game controllers offer radically different designs

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2 new iPhone game controllers offer radically different designs
The Gamevice Flex (left) and PowerA MOGA XP5-i Plus (right) are iPhone game controllers with very different designs.
Image: Gamevice/PowerA

The Gamevice Flex and PowerA MOGA XP5-i Plus are both game controllers for iPhone, but that’s almost the only thing they have in common. The Gamevice product wraps around the handset to put buttons and d-pads on either side of the screen, while PowerA’s mimics an Xbox controller but with a phone mount.

No matter the design, these let players escape using onscreen touch controls when accessing cloud-gaming services, Apple Arcade and other games.

AirPods Pro 2 may stick with Lightning charging case ahead of 2023 switch to USB-C

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Modders like Ken Pillonel put USB-C ports in AirPods cases, but Apple may not for the upcoming AirPods Pro 2 case.
Modders like Ken Pillonel put USB-C ports in AirPods cases, but Apple may not for the upcoming AirPods Pro 2 case.
Photo: Ken Pillonel

Apple products are shifting from Cupertino’s proprietary Lightning connectors to USB-C, but the switch may not be in the cards for the second generation of AirPods Pro, expected to ship before the end of the year.

Or so said a prominent analyst Tuesday, anyway.

These braided Lightning cables are more durable than Apple’s

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This MFI-certified Lightning cable combines speed, durability and style.
Why stick with a boring white cable that will inevitably fray when you can upgrade to braided?
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Apple doesn’t enjoy a great record when it comes to charging accessories. The company’s Lightning cables, in particular, seem overpriced and less than rugged.

So, if you want to power up your iPhone or iPad without being super-careful, it might be time for an upgrade. With a braided sheath to protect it, this Vibrance Connect Lightning cable might just last much longer than a stock Apple cord. You can get one today for just $39.99 in a range of eye-catching colors.

M1 MacBook Air with 512GB storage drops to an irresistibly low price

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MacBook Air M1 2020
You really should not miss this deal on the M1 MacBook Air.
Photo: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac

Apple’s M2 MacBook Air might be the newest kid on the block, but you can’t go wrong with the M1 Air as well. And with Best Buy taking a whopping $200 off on the 2020 MacBook Air, now is the perfect time to buy one.

This is the lowest price the M1 MacBook Air has dropped down to.

This post contains affiliate links. Cult of Mac may earn a commission when you use our links to buy items.

This pocket-size color sensor is an eyedropper tool for the real world

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Capture colors anywhere with this mini sensor, now 15% off MSRP.
This pocket sensor lets you save colors from the real world on your iPhone.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Color is an essential part of any visual project. When you find inspiration in the digital realm, it’s easy enough to find the hex code and save the shade. But what about in the real world? You can think of the Nix Mini Color Sensor V2 as your pocket color picker.

This tiny device can detect the exact hue of any object or material and send the result straight to your iOS device. It’s typically priced at $99, but you can get the sensor today for only $83.95.

Get $50 off iPad Pro Magic Keyboards and $30 off Apple Pencil 2

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Turn your iPad Pro into a laptop (for $50 less than the usual price).
Turn your iPad Pro into a laptop (for $50 less than the usual price).
Photo: Ian Fuchs/Cult of Mac

With a new week come new discounts on Apple products — especially at this time of year, with new product releases from Cupertino around the corner.

Today Amazon is chopping $50 off of iPad Pro Magic Keyboards and $30 off Apple Pencil 2 (which is a return to an all-time low price).

Zagg’s rugged iPad keyboard case adds useful trackpad, too [Review] ★★★★

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Zagg Pro Keys with Trackpad review: Very protective iPad keyboard case★★★★
Want to work from a coffeeshop? Your iPad and the Zagg Pro Keys with Trackpad might be just what you need.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

iPad is an outstanding tablet, but add the Zagg Pro Keys with Trackpad and it becomes a powerful notebook computer that’s ready for work or school. Plus, the keyboard case offers a welcome 6.6 feet of drop protection.

There are versions for several Apple tablets, so I wrapped my 12.9-inch iPad Pro in the Pro Keys and went to work using it. There’s a lot to like here.

6-screen M1 Mac mini mission control looks like art [Setups]

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The M1 Mac mini isn't pictured, but you can't miss the dual 34-inch displays, two iPads and an Echo Show 5.
The M1 Mac mini isn't pictured, but you can't miss the dual 34-inch displays, two iPads and an Echo Show 5.
Photo: [email protected]

Some computer setups are so strikingly beautiful they look like art installations. That tends to happen more with multiple-display setups because the imagery on the screens really adds to the aesthetic impact.

Today’s featured M1 Mac mini setup makes a visual statement using six displays, including two ultra-wide monitors and two iPads, plus some clever backlighting.

Fake your iPhone or iPad GPS location for gaming with iToolab AnyGo

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With AnyGo, you can quickly and easily fake the GPS location of your iPhone.
With AnyGo, you can quickly and easily fake the GPS location of your iPhone.
Image: iToolab

This GPS spoofing post is presented by iToolab.

A typical reason people want to “spoof,” or fake, a GPS location shown on a device is to play location-based augmented-reality games like Pokémon Go — without having to do all that walking.

And a highly effective, easy-to-use and affordable tool for changing and controlling your GPS location on iPhone, iPad or iPod touch — anywhere in the world, and for whatever reason — is iToolab AnyGo.

Cut the cord forever for less than $100 with this bundle

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SelectTV offers a new look at streaming entertainment.
Enjoy more than 500,000 TV channels and movies with SelectTV.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Streaming services used to be an affordable alternative to traditional cable services. However, as more and more customers cut the cable, new streaming services appeared left and right. SelectTV brings order to the chaos by organizing more than 150 channels into a comprehensive digital media guide. Right now, you can subscribe for just $99 (Reg. $677), and you’ll also get a lifetime subscription to KeepSolid VPN Unlimited.

2022 iPad Pro could include pair of mystery ports

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2022 iPad Pro could include pair of mystery ports
Mystery ports added the 2022 iPad Pro could be for a new version of MagSafe. Or maybe not.
Photo: Apple

Apple will add two new ports to the 2022 iPad Pro, according to an unconfirmed report. However, it’s not known what these will be for as they do not conform to any connectors used by current Apple devices.

But there’s no mention of a second USB-C port in the upcoming tablet.

New MacBook Air is even faster than we dreamed [The CultCast]

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The CultCast Apple podcast: These MacBook Air benchmarks show what a screamer the M2 chip really is.
These MacBook Air benchmarks show what a screamer the M2 chip really is.
Image: Cult of Mac

This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: The latest benchmarks make Apple’s M2 chip sound better than we thought. In fact, the new MacBook Air that the processor powers might be the perfect laptop for almost everyone.

Also on The CultCast:

  • The iPhone 14 Pro’s always-on screen looks sweeeeet.
  • How does Apple keep pulling off earnings miracles?!?
  • What not to do when a creep steals your AirTag-equipped scooter.
  • Somebody built an Apple Store time machine.
  • And a truffle tangent to end all tangents.

Listen to this week’s episode of The CultCast in the Podcasts app or your favorite podcast app. (Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review if you like it!) Or watch the video livestream, embedded below.

Our sponsor: Squarespace

Special thanks to this week’s sponsor, Squarespace. Get all the tools you need to set up your very own website and commence selling anything online. Start your free website trial today at squarespace.com/cultcast (no credit card required). Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain with code cultcast at checkout.

Want to pursue a career in cybersecurity? This bundle could help you study.

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Prep for your cybersecurity certifications with this study bundle.
Start prepping for your first cybersecurity job with this study bundle.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Few industries have grown as quickly or found such an important niche as cybersecurity. With so many people working online and volumes of important information being traded daily, there’s practically always a demand for skilled cybersecurity workers. If you want to stay ahead of the curve, you’ll need to prove to employers that you’ve mastered the NIST Framework, completed a CISSP exam or passed other cybersecurity benchmarks. The 2022 Ultimate Advanced CyberSecurity Professional Certification Bundle covers these topics and more for $69 (Reg. $1,475). 

Loot puts friendships to the test, and shockingly, some will fail [Apple TV+ recap] ★★★☆☆

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Loot recap: This week's episode is all about friends and making hard choices.★★★☆☆
This week's episode of Loot is all about friends and making hard choices.
Photo: Apple TV+

Loot, the Apple TV+ comedy about a woman with everything who learns from people who have nothing, has a play, a zoning board meeting and a summit to prepare for this week.

Howard and Nicholas must patch up their friendship. Sofia and Molly need to work out their differences of opinion and ambition. Molly comes face to face with the bad side of charity work. And in general, the characters needs to make some hard choices about the people they want in their lives.

Improve yourself in a flash with 200 summarized bestsellers

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Get a quick read on 200+ bestsellers with this book summary and self improvement subscription.
Mentorist makes a game of applying condensed books' lessons to your life.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

You might know what books you want to read, but do you have the time? Between work and life, that reading list definitely isn’t getting any smaller, and who can blame you?

You could try reading summaries, but most of those are made to entice people to read the whole book instead of distilling the message. However, with Mentorist, you get an entire library of bestselling books to read, and all of them are broken down into functional summaries with guides for applying what you learned to your life.

For a limited time, you can purchase a lifetime Mentorist Pro subscription for $49 (regularly $490).

Surface finds solid ground with straight-up storytelling [Apple TV+ recap] ★★★

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Surface recap: Will Sophie (played by Gugu Mbatha-Raw) get to the bottom of what's going on with her husband, Jamie (Oliver Jackson-Cohen)?★★★
Will Sophie (played by Gugu Mbatha-Raw) get to the bottom of what's up with her husband, Jamie (Oliver Jackson-Cohen)?
Photo: Apple TV+

Surface, the new Apple TV+ mystery series about a woman who can’t remember her life or lies, keeps up the erotic intrigue this week. The show avoids all of its worst tendencies for a basically good fourth episode.

Amnesiac Sophie and her lover Thomas clandestinely chase leads as they try to solve the mystery of who almost killed her. Sophie’s husband, James, desperately runs around trying to hide his crimes, and Caroline gets pulled back into his orbit once again.

The investigation and the cover-up proceed apace. It’s just a matter of who’s smarter, more thorough and more careful.

Amazing Bomberman brings explosions and music to Apple Arcade

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'Amazing Bomberman' brings explosions and music to Apple Arcade
Konami's Amazing Bomberman is a new take on a classic gaming franchise.
Photo: Konami

There’s a fresh addition to the classic Bomberman series. Like its many predecessors, Konami’s Amazing Bomberman involves moving through various game levels while blowing things up, but is more musical than before with original songs.

The action title debuted Friday, August 5 in Apple Arcade. It’s playable on a wide range of Apple devices.