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Get a beginner-friendly intro to Adobe Creative Cloud for just $25

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Learn how to use Photoshop, Illustrator, & Premiere Pro for only $25.
You can score extra savings on this Adobe CC e-training bundle, but only until Aug 24.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

If you work in a creative industry — or aspire to one day — then you need to be familiar with the same software titles that the pros use. Ready to develop your skills? Now’s a perfect time to invest in your education.

You can get nearly 100 hours of expert-led Adobe Creative Cloud training for just $24.99 during our Back to Education Event, which runs until August 24. Plus, during this event, 50 cents of each bundle sold will be donated to a school or charity you can vote on. (We’ll send you an email to vote for the organization you feel is most deserving of your contribution.)

Be careful using browser built into TikTok

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Be careful using browser built onto TikTok
Be careful you're not revealing more to TikTok than you mean to.
Photo: TikTok

The web browser built into the TikTok iPhone app can monitor your keystrokes. A developer who researched the software called it “the equivalent of installing a keylogger,” and warns that it can potentially grab passwords and credit card info.

A similar warning went out recently about the browsers built into Facebook and Instagram.

Hospital staffers make grim choices in Five Days at Memorial [Apple TV+ recap] ★★★★

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Five Days at Memorial recap Apple TV+: Things get increasingly grim inside a New Orleans hospital hit by Hurricane Katrina.★★★★
Five Days at Memorial recap Apple TV+: Things get increasingly grim inside a New Orleans hospital hit by Hurricane Katrina.
Photo: Apple TV+

Apple TV+ medical drama Five Days at Memorial, about the terrible misfortune of the staff of an abandoned hospital during Hurricane Katrina, hits the fourth day of disaster this week.

The power is still off, and the A/C is a distant memory. Helicopters are coming to evacuate, but the elevator to the roof is broken. Things are going to get worse before they get better. The gripping drama stays madly compelling and deeply tragic.

Did the FDA just green-light Apple’s next wearable?

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A product design Apple would be proud of - Signia Active Pro hearing aids.
A product design Apple would be proud of -- Signia Active Pro hearing aids.
Photo: Signia

Apple’s next big thing might not be a car or an AR headset. Thanks to a rule change announced this week by the Food and Drug Administration, Cupertino could soon add hearing aids to its product lineup. The potential market is huge, and Apple stands uniquely positioned to disrupt the status quo.

The new rules allow companies like Apple to sell hearing aids over the counter and online, so buyers can set them up in the comfort of their own homes. Previously, if you wanted to buy hearing aids, your only option was to make an appointment for a hearing test and fitting at a specialist store.

This small change looks set to have a big impact. FDA Commissioner Dr. Robert Califf told CNN he expects the ruling “will unleash the power of American industry to improve the technology.” And there’s one company in particular that has all the know-how to do just that — Apple.

Console gamers can get the party going with BenQ’s new 4LED projector

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Into social gaming? This little number should help.
Into social gaming? This little number should help.
Photo: BenQ

BenQ unveiled its new TH690ST short-throw 4LED projector Friday, calling it “the world’s first 4LED video party projector with preset game modes for bringing big entertainment to any gathering.”

You connect it to any gaming console or other video source with an HDMI cable to get the party started. Oh, and don’t forget to have a wall to project on.

Surface explains everything, and we really wish it hadn’t [Apple TV+ recap] ★★☆☆☆

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Surface recap Apple TV+: Sophie (played by Gugu Mbatha-Raw) isn't who, or what, we thought after all.★★☆☆☆
Sophie (played by Gugu Mbatha-Raw) isn't who, or what, we thought after all. Bummer.
Photo: Apple TV+

Apple TV+ mystery Surface, about a woman suffering from amnesia at the center of a dark web of mystery, finally tells the truth about who mystery woman Sophie really is.

Turns out she was the brains behind the operation, bringing herself and her husband from nothing to a beautiful house, a six-figure income, and more problems than they know how to handle.

So just how did she and James go from a young power couple lying their way to the top to a couple of criminals looking at the barrel end of jail sentences?

Bomb the boardroom with this badass metal Apple Watch band [Review]

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Casetify-Link-Bracelet-Apple_Watch
Available in black, silver, and gold.
Photo: Adel Neal/Cult of Mac

You can enjoy the classic link look on your Apple Watch with the stylish and sophisticated Casetify Link Bracelet. It not only looks great, but it’s robust and comfortable all day long. It also comes in three stylish color options.

Here’s why it’s one of my favorite bands after six months of wear.

50 million Android users crave that sweet iOS look

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50 million Android users crave that sweet iOS look
"Is that the new iPhone?" "Not exactly..."
Image: Samsung/LuuTinh Developer/Cult of Mac

An app to make Androids copy the look of iPhone running iOS is widely popular. So many people wish their Android was an iPhone that Launcher iOS 16 has been downloaded over 50 million times from Google Play. And a rival app has just as many.

That sure is a lot of jealous Android users.

Slim, MagSafe-compatible wallet doubles as iPhone stand

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The new Moft Flash Wallet & iPhone Stand is MagSafe-compatible.
The new Moft Flash Wallet & iPhone Stand is MagSafe-compatible.
Photo: Moft

Accessories maker Moft offered a new folding wallet Thursday that magnetically sticks to your iPhone 12 or 13, but also acts as a stand whenever you need one.

Carry your license and another card with your handset. Set the stand to take a video call or watch a YouTube video. What’s not to like?

Well, some folks might not like the two-card maximum, but that could work fine for others.

Trying desperately needs an actual crisis [Apple TV+ recap] ★☆☆☆☆

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Trying recap Apple TV+: For Jason (played by Rafe Spall, left) and Nikki (Esther Smith), every microcrisis is a maximum annoyance.★☆☆☆☆
For adoptive parents Jason (played by Rafe Spall, left) and Nikki (Esther Smith), every microcrisis is a maximum annoyance.
Photo: Apple TV+

Apple TV+ family comedy Trying hits a snag or two this week, as Jason and Scott both realize they’re running out of road before a fall.

Jason needs money if he wants to pay for the house he’s been renting, which otherwise will be sold out from under him at any minute. Scott needs to make enough money to pay for Karen’s incoming baby, or she’ll continue looking at him as the fatuous loser with his head in the clouds that the show has more than shown us that he is.

On top of that, the adoptees’ grandmother is gunning for custody and she’s willing to fight dirty. Good, I say. This show needs some actual tragedy.

How do you fix that wobbling screen? [Setups]

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A wobbling monitor will drive you mad in short order.
A wobbling monitor will drive you mad in short order.
Photo: [email protected]

Imagine buying a massive new ultra-wide, curved monitor to display what you do on your Macs in style. But once you get it all set up, the monstrous thing won’t stop wobbling.

Today’s featured M1 MacBook Pro and Mac mini setup suffers just that problem, despite the use of a recommended monitor arm attached to a solid standing desk.

Check out the advice the user got and all the gear in play below.

School Season Sale: Get Microsoft Windows 10 and Office deals starting at $14!

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For great deals on software, head over to Keysbuff.com.
Get ready for the new school year with hot deals on Microsoft software.
Photo: Keysbuff.com.

This post on discount Microsoft software is brought to you by Keysbuff.

As the world heads back to school, the School Season Sale at software activation keys provider Keysbuff.com unlocks bargains on essential Microsoft software. And, as a Cult of Mac reader, you can click on the links below and get an even better deal on Windows 10 — and score big savings on plenty of other Microsoft software, as well.

For the biggest savings, enter promo code COM at Keysbuff.com. That will take an extra 25% off the site’s already-low prices on keys for Windows 10 Pro Global, Microsoft Office 2021 Pro and other software.

After 20 years, what’s the most ‘Shazamed’ song of all time?

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Shazam, owned by Apple since 2018, turned 20 on Friday.
Shazam, owned by Apple since 2018, turned 20 on Friday.
Photo: Apple

Apple bought the popular music-recognition app Shazam, which can name any song you hear, in 2018. Friday marks the app’s 20th birthday. And this week it officially surpassed 70 billion song recognitions, Cupertino said.

That’s a lot of people in bars wondering what the tune is.

Ever wonder what song is the most “Shazamed” of all time? Well, Apple provided that nugget and many other factoids, and referred to a lot of interesting music you may want to check out.

macOS users need to update to Safari 15.6.1 to close a security hole

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Safari now has more than 1 billion users.
macOS Big Sur or macOS Catalina users really need Safari 15.6.1.
Photo: Apple

A recent macOS Monterey update deals with a nasty security problem in WebKit. But Apple is aware many users don’t upgrade to the latest operating system versions, so it also released Safari 15.6.1. The web browser update allows anyone using older macOS versions to avoid the vulnerability.

The browser update is free and available now.

Protect your iPad Pro with 17% off a CoverBuddy case

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Get a CoverBuddy for your iPad Pro and save 17% off the regular price.
Unique features make the CoverBuddy a great case for iPad Pro.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

The iPad Pro is extremely expensive, so you’d be wise to protect yours from damage. You can safeguard your investment with a protective case like the CoverBuddy.

During our Back to Education promotion, it’s on sale for only $34.99 (regularly $42). Plus, for every CoverBuddy purchased during this event, we’ll donate 50 cents to a school or charity in need.

Bad Sisters is a delightfully dark comedy [Apple TV+ recap] ★★★★☆

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Bad Sisters recap: All the Garvey sisters had reason to dislike the recently deceased John Paul.★★★★☆
All the Garvey sisters had reason to dislike the recently deceased John Paul.
Photo: Apple TV+

New Apple TV+ dark comedy Bad Sisters follows a family of Irish women who vow to help each other through thick and thin. Thick comes in the form of a miserable brother-in-law, who’s lying in a coffin and represents loose ends for all of them.

Can they outmaneuver a desperate insurance investigator and keep from turning on each other? This is good TV. Let’s just watch it cook.

War is brewing in See season 3 [Trailer]

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War is brewing in 'See' season 3 [Trailer]
Jason Momoa will go out swinging in season three of the Apple TV+ adventure series See.
Photo:

See is coming to an end, and it’s not going quietly. A trailer for the final season of the Apple TV+ post-apocalyptic adventure series shows there’s a war brewing. One that Baba Voss (Jason Momoa) must win.

Season 3 is set to kick off on August 26.

Light your room with this LED lamp and help kids in need

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Donate to education and improve your lighting with this LED lamp.
This two-headed LED lamp gives you the perfect light for any situation.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Why settle for one lamp when you can grab one that does two things at once? This LED lamp lights up your room in a big way, but also gives you a smaller, more focused lamp for reading, crafting etc.

This vibrant LED floor lamp broad spectrum light and a focused reading lamp, and it’s on sale for $34.99 (regularly $52) for a limited time. Even better, 50 cents of your purchase will help a school or charity as part of our Back to Education event. You’ll receive an email to vote on organizations that provide kids’ school lunches, fill school-funding gaps and more!

Kim Kardashian’s Beats earbuds sold out quickly at Apple but are now on Amazon [Updated]

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The three neutral colors are designed to blend in like a proper fashion accessory.
The three neutral colors are designed to blend in like a proper fashion accessory.
Photo: Apple

Three new colors of Beats Fit Pro wireless earbuds — a collaboration between Beats and celebrity Kim Kardashian — went on sale at Apple online Tuesday and promptly sold out. But now you can get them on Amazon, too.

The three new “neutral” colors are designed to blend in more than most earphones. Following Tuesday’s launch at Apple.com/Kim, they went on sale Wednesday at select Apple Stores and resellers.

Hey podcasters, get a monstrous deal on a Blue Yeti Nano USB mic

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The Blue Yeti Nano is an easy, plug-and-play option.
The Blue Yeti Nano is an easy, plug-and-play option.
Photo: Logitech for Creators

If you’re thinking of starting a podcast — better hurry up, every single person on earth has one, it seems — you need a good USB microphone.

And now you can get a good deal on a popular one, as Amazon has knocked 30% off the regular price of a Blue Yeti Nano USB Microphone.

That’s a savings of $30 on what was already a pretty affordable mic for podcasters and streamers.

Enter to win Bucardo’s unique Apple Watch accessories [Cult of Mac giveaway]

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Giveaway: The Bucardo pocket watch case turns the Apple Watch into a timeless classic, right at your fingertips.
The Bucardo pocket watch case turns the Apple Watch into a timeless classic, right at your fingertips.
Photo: Bucardo

 This week’s giveaway sponsor Bucardo specializes in unique Apple Watch accessories that give you even more options. And the bundle we’ve put together pairs two pieces of unique Apple Watch gear: a pocket watch and a sports band. Learn more about this stunning collection and upgrade your Apple Watch with a touch of vintage sophistication.

Two lucky winners will receive one Bucardo Apple Pocket Watch and one Bucardo Sports Band. Together, the items in this unique bundle retail for $189. Enter below for your shot at taking home the big prize.

Get seriously productive with MacTigr mechanical keyboard for Mac [Review] ★★★★★

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Das Keyboard MacTigr review★★★★★
The Das Keyboard MacTigr is a durable mechanical keyboard made specifically for Mac.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Das Keyboard’s MacTigr is specifically for Mac users looking to get serious work done. It uses top-quality mechanical switches in a 105-key layout, and adds on Mac-specific keys as well as other bonus features.

I tested the low-profile keyboard in my home office. Here’s why I’m so impressed.

First look at Shantaram on Apple TV+ shows thrills and romance in 1980s Bombay

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ā€œShantaramā€ is a new Apple Original drama series starring Charlie Hunnam.
ā€œShantaramā€ is a new Apple Original drama series starring Charlie Hunnam.
Photo: Apple TV+

Apple TV+ offered a first look at upcoming drama series Shantaram this week in the form of a photo of star Charlie Hunnam (Son of Anarchy) in character, plus a rundown of the cast and plot of the adventure-romance, set to premiere October 14.

And speaking of drama and adventure, the production ran into big trouble on the way to becoming a reality.

How Apple Watch and iPad improve national swim team’s performance

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World record holder and gold medallist swimmer, Zac Stubblety-Cook, uses Apple Watch to track his activity and manage his training load.
World record holder and gold medallist swimmer, Zac Stubblety-Cook, uses Apple Watch to track his activity and manage his training load.
Photo: Apple

Australia’s national swim team uses Apple Watch, iPad and a combination of apps to improve performance, helping the team in the most-successful period in its history, Apple said Wednesday.

As if you needed another thing to make you feel bad about skipping the lap swim at the Y this morning.