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Apple keeps up with rush of M2 MacBook Air preorders

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Apple keeps up with rush of M2 MacBook Air preorders
You'll probably have to wait for the M2 MacBook Air, but not more than a couple weeks.
Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac

Preorders for the svelte new M2 MacBook Air began early Friday morning and Apple is mostly keeping up with demand. There’s even one standard configuration still available for delivery on the July 15 launch day. The base model can be delivered a few days after that.

Build up the specs and the wait time can stretch out to August. But no farther than that.

New iPhone 14 case leak supports rumor of ‘Plus’ model

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This lineup of purported iPhone 14 cases shows a
This lineup of purported iPhone 14 cases shows a "Plus" non-Pro model.
Photo: DuanRui@Twitter

A photograph said to show leaked iPhone 14 cases supports the widespread idea that the series will feature four models and bigger camera bumps. And it appears to show a case for a large, non-Pro handset that may be called “iPhone 14 Plus.”

If this holds up at launch in a couple of months, the two smaller models will be iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro and the two bigger models will be iPhone 14 Plus (or Max) and iPhone 14 Pro Max.

Loot needs a spark to elevate it beyond the common sitcom [Apple TV+ recap] ★★★☆☆

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Loot recap: Someone needs a spa day!★★★☆☆
Someone needs a spa day!
Photo: Apple TV+

Apple TV+ comedy Loot takes a spa day today as Molly tries to relive her old lifestyle without her old life, and the rest of the office bonds over shared drinks and massages. Arthur and Molly think about each other more than friends do, but everywhere she goes reminds her of the life she lost to a younger model.

The show continues to make good inroads on character dynamics. However, Loot needs a little electricity in the writing to keep it from feeling like just another sitcom.

Apple Arcade collection of classic games adds something for everyone

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Visit alien worlds in 'Samorost 3+'
The "wonderfully weird" Samorost 3+ is the latest App Store Great to join Apple Arcade.
Screenshot: Amanita Design

Apple Arcade offers many original games, but the collection also includes quite a few App Store Greats: classic titles that have joined Apple’s gaming service. Recent additions include Samorost 3+, My Bowling 3D+, Jigsaw Puzzle+ and Pro Darts 2022+.

They join dozen of other classic games that players used to have to pay to play individually but are now all available with a single Apple Arcade subscription.

Tiny apartment benefits from beautifully backlit Studio Display [Setups]

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This cozy corner benefits from Philips Hue Play light bars behind the Studio Display.
This cozy corner benefits from Philips Hue Play light bars behind the Studio Display.
Photo: [email protected]

Today’s featured M1 Pro MacBook workstation has a new Studio Display with bias lighting, illuminating the wall behind the display. It comes from three strategically placed Philips Hue Play bars that really make that corner of the small apartment “pop.”

Apple TV+ nabs record 53 Hollywood Critics Association Awards nominations

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Apple TV+ will clean up at this year's Hollywood Critics Association Awards.
Apple TV+ will clean up at this year's Hollywood Critics Association Awards.
Photo: Apple TV+

Apple TV+ garnered a record 53 nominations for 16 shows across a range of genres — comedy, drama, documentary, anthology series, variety-sketch series — for the upcoming Hollywood Critics Association Awards.

Psychological thriller Severance and comedy Ted Lasso led the way with a dozen nominations apiece.

July Flash Sale: Buy lifetime genuine Windows 10 for $13 and save up to 90%!

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For great deals on software, head over to Keysbuff.com.
For great deals on software, head over to Keysbuff.com and use promo code "COM."
Photo: Keysbuff

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

In a July Flash Sale, software activation keys provider Keysbuff.com offers great deals on Microsoft products. Cult of Mac readers can hit the links below and save big on Windows 10 — and uncover significant savings on lots of other Microsoft software, too.

If bargains like that sound good, just use promo code COM at Keysbuff.com. That will save you an extra 25% off the site’s already-low prices on keys for Windows 10 Pro Global, Microsoft Office 2021 Pro and other software.

Physical puts a grim face on blackmail and adultery [Apple TV+ recap] ★★☆☆☆

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Physical recap: You can be sure any bright moment between Shiela (played by Rose Byrne) and Danny (Rory Scovel) won't last.★★☆☆☆
You can be sure any bright moment between Shiela (played by Rose Byrne) and Danny (Rory Scovel) won't last.
Photo: Apple TV+

Apple TV+’s Physical has an incurable itch to break free this week. Both Sheila’s and John’s spouses know something is up. They try to help, but they can’t — because there’s no cure for being blackmailed by a vindictive Bunny.

John stares a new life in the face, a real one and an imaginary one. Sheila contemplates becoming an even worse version of herself. And Danny’s out of luck in every way he can be.

Brace yourself for more of the same bad behavior in this week’s episode, entitled “Don’t You Have Enough.”

Swiss Army knife of household cleaning can tackle all your messes

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Show dirt, fur, and stains who's boss with this 5-in-1 vacuum mop.
Grab this 5-in-1 vacuum spin mop for nearly $150 off and never look back.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Who has the closet space for a vacuum, a mop, a duster and all the cleaning supplies that they require? Even if you do, you might be able to use that space more efficiently by consolidating a few of those cleaning implements.

The Elicto ES-800 5-in-1 Vacuum Spin Mop is your do-it-once cleaner that picks up fur as easily as it wipes away spills on your floor. During our Deal Days Sale, the Elicto ES-800 is on sale for $219.99 (regularly $349), a price you definitely won’t find on Amazon.

Black Bird turns a stool pigeon into a hero [Apple TV+ recap] ★★★

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Black Bird recap on Apple TV+: Taron Egerton plays a Jimmy Keene, a drug dealer turned jailhouse informant, in the tense crime series.★★★
Taron Egerton plays a Jimmy Keene, a drug dealer turned jailhouse informant, in the tense crime series.
Photo: Apple TV+

Black Bird, the new Apple TV+ series about an inmate tasked with cozying up to a suspected serial killer, begins as a blustery and entirely too familiar tale of bad men doing bad things, without much to distract from the cliches.

However, armed with an impressive cast and crew — and one of the last performances by the great Ray Liotta — it eventually slots itself into good procedural habits.

The limited series, based on James Keene’s memoir In With the Devil: A Fallen Hero, a Serial Killer, and a Dangerous Bargain for Redemption and developed by crime novelist Dennis Lehane, premieres Friday on Apple TV+. The first two episodes start off wobbly, but then chart a path toward true-crime greatness.

Preorder the M2 MacBook Air now while supplies last

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2022 MacBook Air with M2 processor
Get your M2 MacBook Air preorder in early if you want it delivered on launch day.
Photo: Apple

Apple has started accepting preorders for the M2 MacBook Air. The company took down its online store for a couple of hours to prepare for the new Air’s launch.

The new MacBook Air will be available in retail stores from July 15.

Give them the power of choice with a Bluetti E-Gift Card

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When you send a Bluetti E-Gift Card, they can choose whatever power products they want.
When you send a Bluetti E-Gift Card, they can choose whatever power products they want.
Image: Bluetti

This post is brought to you by Bluetti.

Power stations, power banks, solar panels and related accessories make great gifts, but it’s not always easy to know exactly what your giftee needs. That’s what makes a Bluetti E-Gift Card so great — they can choose whatever power products they want!

And even better, Bluetti E-Gift Cards offer great savings and make for a quicker way to pay.

This bundle is your golden ticket to a lucrative IT career

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Get CompTIA certified for a fraction of the price during Deal Days!
Hit the books during our Deal Days Sale and get CompTIA-certified.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

While many jobs require an expensive college degree and loads of experience, the IT field includes many skills-based opportunities that only require certifications that prove your expertise. That means a self-taught IT pro can land a killer career — but getting those certifications isn’t easy.

If you enroll in this Complete 2022 CompTIA Certification Course Super Bundle, you’ll get more than 300 hours of training to prepare you for your IT certification exams. You can tap into these lucrative job opportunities for only $49.99 (regularly $4,425) with this exclusive Deal Days discount.

It’s not just Amazon that’s bringing great deals!

Should you grab a great deal on AirPods Pro or wait for the new ones?

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A great deal is a great deal, but the coming AirPods Pro 2 may feature sweet upgrades.
A great deal is a great deal, but the coming AirPods Pro 2 may feature sweet upgrades.
Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

Some great sales prices have popped up lately for Apple’s flagship earbuds, AirPods Pro. That may relate to the fact that the highly anticipated next-gen version with new features is expected to launch before the end of the year. And sellers want to clear out stock.

So should you take the deal behind door No. 1, or wait for whatever’s coming with AirPods Pro 2 behind door No. 2? Let’s look at your options for Apple’s top active noise-cancelling (ANC) wireless earbuds.

Elago brings back a classic colorful case for iPhone 13

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Elago brought back its best-selling Glide cases for iPhone 13.
Elago brought back its best-selling Glide cases for iPhone 13.
Photo: Elago

There’s nothing like a splash of color to jazz things up. Elago found that out years ago when it first offered its popular Glide series of cases, which feature two-tone color combinations. Now an improved, more-protective version of the case is out for iPhone 13 handsets.

And better yet, you can get a great price on a selection of Glide cases for iPhone 13 in the Cult of Mac Store.

Apple Watch 7 and SE hit all-time low prices

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You can get great deals right now on Apple Watch 7 and SE.
You can get great deals right now on Apple Watch 7 and SE.
Photo: Apple

Various discounts across the Apple Watch lineup appeared Thursday, including Apple Watch SE hitting an all-time low price on Amazon for the first time and models of Apple Watch Series 7 reaching or returning to all-time low prices.

Act fast, though — these deals often don’t last long.

Luck trailer: First full-length, 3D-animated film on Apple TV+ looks fun

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"Luck" takes you to where luck comes from.
Photo: Apple TV+

Feeling unlucky lately? Wouldn’t it be nice if a black cat who speaks English with a Scottish accent could take you to a magical land where luck is made?

Not bloody likely to happen, but you get the next best thing with Luck, the first full-length, 3D-animated film to hit Apple TV+, which offered a trailer for it Thursday.

It’s also the streamer’s first film through its exclusive deal with Skydance Animation. Look for Luck’s Apple TV+ debut on August 5.

Access 700,000 diverse, royalty-free photos for just $19 for life

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Show your audience you see them with authentic stock photography.
A deal Amazon can't beat: Lifetime access to more than 700,000 incredible, royalty-free images.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

For a while now, stock photography has largely favored white models. If you’re designing a website and want it to accurately reflect the people visiting it, only having a narrow set of imagery to pull from is an issue. In fact, two-thirds of consumers say representation plays a role in decisions about whether to engage with a brand.

Show your audience you are thinking of them by decorating your website with diverse images by using Scopio Authentic Stock Photography. During our Deal Days Sale, a lifetime Scopio subscription is on sale for just $19 (regularly $3,480). That’s an incredible deal you won’t find on Amazon.

How to get ready to preorder the M2 MacBook Air

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How to get ready to preorder the M2 MacBook Air
Here's how to be ready to order the amazing M2 MacBook Air so you get one on launch day.
Image: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The most exciting MacBook of 2022 goes up for preorder on Friday, and the M2 MacBook Air is likely to sell out quickly. You need do some early prep work if you want to get your hands on this beautifully redesigned notebook as soon as possible.

Here’s how to be completely ready to put in a preorder.

Long-lost iPhone clownfish return in iOS 16 beta 3

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Long-lost iPhone clownfish are back in iOS 16 beta 3
Remember these guys?
Photo: Apple

When Apple first showed off the original iPhone in early 2007, the demo included a Lock Screen image of a pair of clownfish. The pic was not on the device when it shipped, but some people say the picture is included in the just-released iOS 16 beta 3.

Bringing back the image after 15 years is apparently a sort of Easter egg to celebrate the anniversary.

Apple TV+ keeps finding new viewers to grow faster than rivals

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Apple TV+, Netflix, Hulu, Disney+
Apple TV+ growth stood out in the streaming market in Q2 2022.
Photo: Cult of Mac

Apple TV+ saw strong growth in spring 2022, according to a company that tracks viewership. It grew to 6% of the U.S. streaming market.

During the same quarter, Netflix stayed on top but dropped by two percentage points. It’s now just ahead of Amazon Prime Video.

Stream Canadian Netflix on your iPhone and Australian Hulu on your Mac with this VPN

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Stream a world of content from the comfort of your iPhone with this VPN--a deal even Amazon can't beat.
Stream content from anywhere with this specialized VPN--a deal even Amazon can't beat.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Some people need the full cybersecurity suite: extra firewalls, an encrypted password manager, monthly VPN subscriptions, the whole shebang. But if you primarily use the internet to browse and stream, you might not need to go to such lengths.

Getflix SmartDNS and VPN gives you a streamlined service custom-made for streaming. During our Deal Days Sale, you can get a lifetime of Getflix for $39.99 (regularly $540) — that’s an exclusive deal even Amazon can’t beat.

Extra-rugged Apple Watch for athletes will pack biggest screen yet

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A ruggedized Apple Watch for athletes
Just how radically rugged will the Apple Watch for extreme athletes be?
Photo: Graham Bower/Cult of Mac

The rugged Apple Watch designed for hardcore athletes will come with the smartwatch’s biggest screen yet, according to a new report.

Slated to launch this fall alongside Apple Watch Series 8, the sports-oriented smartwatch will come with a beefier battery to make it through longer workouts. A more shatter-resistant screen and a brawny metal case will round out the package — along with a hefty price bump.