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Commercials are coming to Netflix

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Commercials are coming to Netflix
You'll soon be able to get Netflix at a lower cost by watching commercials.
Photo: Netflix/Cult of Mac

It’s official: Netflix is adding a cheaper ad-supported tier to its streaming service. The change is apparently intended to reverse a recent drop in subscribers.

It’s part of a trend, as rival streaming service Disney+ announced this spring it is making the same move.

For All Mankind poses great questions, then refuses to answer them [Apple TV+ recap] ★★★☆☆

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For All Mankind recap ★★★☆☆
This must be a time machine. A completely infuriating time machine.
Photo: Apple TV+

Apple TV+ alt-history hit For All Mankind makes all the right moves this week, then immediately blows a 26-point lead in the last inning.

For once, the dramatic arcs thrown at Margo, Karen, Dev, Aleida and Kelly all seem pretty satisfying and not at all cheap or hyperbolic. Then the writers ensure we won’t see how any of that plays out, instantly turning this from one of the show’s best episodes into its most frustrating yet.

But hey, at least we’re going to Mars, I guess.

First MacBook Pro with speedy M2 chip now in Apple stores [Updated]

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The updated 13-inch MacBook Pro keeps its compact form factor but gains capabilities with the M2 chip.
The updated 13-inch MacBook Pro keeps its compact form factor but gains capabilities with the M2 chip.
Photo: Apple

An updated MacBook Pro – the first laptop to run on the powerful new Apple M2 processor – hit store shelves Friday morning. The chip makes it the fastest 13-inch notebook in Apple’s lineup.

The company unveiled the M2 chip  three weeks ago at its Worldwide Developers Conference. It also took the wraps off the first two laptops to run on it: the just-launched MacBook Pro and a redesigned MacBook Air that is coming in July.

Mounts make the most of a home videoconferencing center [Setups]

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Everything is mounted just so.
Everything is mounted just so.
Photo: [email protected]

Mounts can make the most of a computer setup. They can mobilize so much of your gear — computers, displays, microphones — so you can use them when you need them and push them out of the way when you don’t, opening up desk space. And you can minutely adjust their positioning, too.

Today’s featured MacBook Pro and Mac Studio computer setup takes advantage of mounts for the computers, display, video camera and microphone.

Physical wants to swing, but everyone’s a jerk [Apple TV+ recap] ★★☆☆☆

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Physical recap: This episode starts with a nightmare and then goes downhill.★★☆☆☆
This week's episode starts with a nightmare and then goes downhill.
Photo: Apple TV+

This week on Apple TV+ aerobics opera Physical, its star self-help guru buys a whiteboard and the show itself backslides. After a promising showing last week, Physical reverts to its worst tendencies.

Danny is still unbearably pretentious and selfish. Sheila is still a misanthropic jerk to absolutely everybody. John is becoming more desperate by the minute. And Greta indulges in a threesome. None of this constitutes real news or development on this show. But since Physical doesn’t really know what it wants to say, this is just how it goes most weeks.

Windows 10 lifetime license only $13, Office $28 — end of June super discounts up to 91%!

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For great deals on software, head over to Keysbuff.com.
See how much you can save on genuine Microsoft software.
Photo: Keysbuff

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

Software activation keys provider Keysbuff.com lets you grab great deals on software through the end of June. Cult of Mac readers can save up to 91% off the full price on Windows 10 — and uncover significant savings on lots of other Microsoft software, too. See the list below and click on the links.

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 others.

Chris Evans, aka Captain America, finally bids farewell to his iPhone 6s

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Looks like the
Looks like the "Defending Jacob" star is switching to an iPhone 13.
Photo: chrisevans@Instagram

Chris Evans, star of Marvel Studios’ Captain America movie series, gave the internet a bit of a thrill when he finally said goodbye to his trusty iPhone 6s with a lovely little eulogy Thursday.

The iPhone 6s came out in 2015 and ceased new sales in 2018. Now it’s 2022, and it looks like Cap has, at long last, woken up to the iPhone 13.

Apple Music student discount is now less of a discount

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Apple Music student discount is now less of a discount
Students now have to pay a bit more for an Apple Music subscription.
Photo: Apple

The cost of an Apple Music subscription for students just jumped 20%. The music streaming service is still available at a substantial discount, but it’s no longer half price.

This follows a similar price increase in other parts of the world.

Apple’s Back to School promo bundles gift card up to $150 with new Mac or iPad

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Get an Apple gift card when you purchase an eligible Mac or iPad.
Apple's Back to School sale includes gift cards worth up to $150.
Photo: Apple

Apple’s yearly Back to School promotion is now live in the United States, Canada, and other parts of the world.

The company is offering a gift card of up to $150 on eligible purchases in the US. Additionally, students can score an extra 20% off on an AppleCare+ subscription.

AI-powered toolkit will turbocharge your job search

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Apply this AI to your job materials for great results.
Employ the awesome power of AI to crank out application materials and land your dream job.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Searching for a job is more stressful than ever. With employers ignoring résumés and the constant need to adapt your application materials to a new job, job hunting is practically a full-time gig.

To save time on application materials and produce top-quality results, consider Resoume. This AI-powered tool can help you create a standout résumé in minutes and an entire portfolio in no time. And lifetime subscriptions are on sale for $39.99 (regularly $600).

Loot is funny, but we’ve heard these jokes before [Apple TV+ recap] ★★★☆☆

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Loot recap Apple TV+: Saturday Night Live alum Maya Rudolph needs to get serious in Loot.★★★☆☆
Saturday Night Live alum Maya Rudolph needs to get serious fast in Loot.
Photo: Apple TV+

In new Apple TV+ comedy Loot, Maya Rudolph plays a billionaire playgirl who must grow up and discover a conscience when she realizes that her public behavior casts her charitable foundation in a bad light.

Surrounded by misfits, she must tailor her wild lifestyle to more humble settings. Otherwise, she risks turning the one good thing in her life into a joke.

This 5-in-1 wireless charging station is your new favorite iPhone accessory

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Add 5-in-1 wireless charging station to your iOS family.
Charge five Apple devices at once with this compact stand.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Those scratches around your phone’s charging port say you could be living a better life. Corded chargers are splendid, but if the rumors surrounding Apple removing ports from future iPhones are true, wires may soon be obsolete. Plus, now you can get faster charging from wireless (with bonus points for convenience).

The Omnia Q5 5-in-1 Wireless Charging Station can replace your cords while powering up your entire fleet of Apple devices: iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, AirPods and Apple Pencil. And for a limited time, it will only set you back $69.99 (regularly $120).

iOS 16 betas hint at new Siri Remote for Apple TV

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The current Siri Remote was an improvement on its predecessor.
The current Siri Remote was an improvement on its predecessor.
Photo: Apple

Watchful eyes have spotted code in the first two iOS 16 beta versions that appears to refer to an unreleased Siri Remote for Apple TV.

Information is scant, but chances are this is the new remote for a 4K Apple TV system with a updated price structure that could come out this year.

M1 vs. M2 MacBook Air: Which one should you buy?

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M1 MacBook Air versus M2 MacBook Air: Which MacBook Air is right for you?
M1 versus M2: Which MacBook Air is right for you?
Photo: Cult of Mac

After unveiling the M2 MacBook Air, with its sleek new design and some major upgrades, Apple surprisingly did not discontinue the M1 MacBook Air. Both laptops will co-exist, with the M2 Air commanding a $200 premium over its predecessor.

So, is the M2 MacBook Air worth the additional price? Or should you save some money and go for the M1 Air? Read our comparison to find out.

iPhone dominates sales of $400-and-up phones

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iPhone shipments grow while Android tanks
Android makes up most cheap smartphone sales, but anyone able to pay more usually gets an iPhone.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

High-end Android models sell in much smaller numbers than iPhones, according to a market research firm. Apple handsets that cost over $400 outsold all Androids in that price range almost two-to-one.

The data shows that while Androids with cutting-edge features like folding screens and very high-res camaras draw a lot of attention, they don’t attract many buyers. But pricier iPhone models do sell well.

Apple TV+ Five Days at Memorial trailer grapples with Hurricane Katrina’s ravages

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Vera Farmiga stars in
Vera Farmiga stars in "Five Days at Memorial" on Apple TV+.
Photo: Apple TV+

The new Apple TV+ trailer for the drama series Five Days at Memorial is just a one-minute preview. But it’s a powerful 60 seconds.

It depicts the desperate struggle in a New Orleans hospital in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, one of the deadliest storms to ever hit the United States.

iOS 16 lets users report spam SMS messages as junk

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iOS 16 lets users report spam SMS messages as junk
Apple is making it easier for iPhone users to fight the scourge of spam texts.
Graphic: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

 The upcoming iOS 16 will help battle the growing problem of spam text messages. The latest beta includes the ability to report SMS messages as “junk” to the user’s wireless carrier. iPhone users already can report spam messages that come through Apple’s own iMessage service. If you’re looking for a way to delete and report junk, here’s a helpful guide on how to report spam texts.

If you’re curious about what does delete and report junk do, you can find out more in this guide.

iPhone users already can report spam messages that come through Apple’s own iMessage service.

Alternative dock makes Nintendo Switch feel brand-new

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Switch your old Nintendo Switch dock with this better one.
Finally, you can give your Nintendo Switch the dock it deserves.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

One of the best things about the Nintendo Switch is that you can take it anywhere. The popular portable gaming console is sleek and seems like a giant leap forward for Nintendo. On the other hand, the Nintendo Switch dock feels clunky and isn’t nearly as flexible as the console it supports.

Luckily, you can replace the Switch dock with a more modern take that expands how easily you can game on the go. This 3-in-1 Nintendo Switch Docking Station can connect all your Switch’s cables to one hub that extends what screens you can game on. Plus, it only costs $19.99 (regularly $24) for a limited time.

You can back up your iPhone to iCloud over LTE in iOS 16

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Apple makes a multitude of changes with iOS 16.
iOS 16 will put your unlimited mobile data plan to good use.
Photo: Apple

With iOS 16, you can back up your iPhone to iCloud over a 4G LTE network. The feature is a part of iOS 16 and iPadOS 16 beta 2. It should also make its way to the final public release later this year.

Apple currently requires you to connect your iPhone to a Wi-Fi network and a power source for an iCloud Backup to occur.