DuckDuckGo is not just for iPhone and iPad any more. Photo: DuckDuckGo
DuckDuckGo for Mac launched as a public beta on Tuesday. The free web browser makes privacy settings the default, and offers private search, tracker blocking and website encryption.
You must turn off Activation Lock when you sell your AirPods. Here’s why, and how. Photo: Cult of Mac
Apple added Find My to AirPods in 2021, and it’s causing problems for resellers of these wireless headphones. Many people are unaware that their AirPods now support Activation Lock, which means they are locked to their user’s Apple ID. This must be deactivated when selling or giving the devices away or no one else can use them.
Here’s how to turn off Activation Lock on your AirPods.
Apple Watch won't get blood pressure and blood sugar monitoring soon, but other new health updates are coming. Photo: Lewis Wallace/Cult of Mac
Cupertino is likely to add body temperature readings and other new health features to Apple Watch and the Health app in 2022, but it looks like blood pressure and blood glucose monitoring will have to wait, according to a new report.
For a look at those delays to blood pressure and blood sugar monitoring, as well as the expected new features for women’s health and sleep-, fitness- and medication management, read on.
Look for watchOS 9 to do more in Power Reserve mode. Photo: Apple
Right now, when your Apple Watch enters Power Reserve mode because its battery is almost out of juice, the time appears on the face as a simple digital clock — and that’s it. The wearable’s other features are temporarily disabled. But Cupertino may expand Apple Watch functionality in low-power mode in the upcoming watchOS 9, according to a new report.
In addition, updates could include new workout types, additional workout metrics, expanded sleep tracking and new watch faces.
With a dual-screen setup and Microsoft Office, you can accomplish anything. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
There’s something about a dual-screen workstation that just looks like it’s made for getting work done. Maybe it’s because it looks good, or maybe it’s because studies have shown productivity can increase by up to 42% with a dual-screen setup.
A Dual USB-C Power 35W Power Adapter from Apple? Yes, please Photo: ChargerLAB
Photos of Apple’s unreleased dual USB-C charger with a total output of 35W have surfaced online. The images show the adapter will have a compact design with foldable electrical prongs and two USB-C ports located side by side.
It will also feature two circular indents on both sides that should aid with grip when removing the charger from a power outlet.
Watching a YouTube video in Picture in Picture is back! Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
YouTube said Sunday that it is rolling out picture-in-picture support for all users of its iOS app. Then it walked the announcement back on Monday. A mixup by a support person is the problem.
The convenient feature has been in beta testing for many months, and some people say they’ve begun getting access to the non-beta version several days ago. But not according to YouTube.
Get more out of your Mac with these 14 apps. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
Your Mac is an amazing machine. But you’re probably not using it to its full potential. To really unleash all it has to offer, you need some awesome apps — and that’s exactly what you get in the Mac Madness App Bundle.
Usually $74, today it’s on sale for 73% off at just $19.99. With 14 apps included in this megabundle, that works out to less than $1.50 an app.
Apple Park will soon be humming with busy employees again. Photo: Apple
Monday is the day Apple requires its corporate employees to start working in the office some of the time. The pandemic era when most of them could work from home all the time is over.
But everyone doesn’t have to be back in the office five days a week starting today. This is the beginning of a transition period, after which many workers will still be able to work from home a couple days of every week.
Looking for an Apple Watch band? You can get 25% Carterjett and other products in the Cult of Mac Store. Photo: Carterjett
When Easter rolls around, you know how easy it is to find chocolate bunnies, candy eggs and the notorious marshmallow Peeps — if you’re into that sort of thing.
But if you’d rather hunt for great deals on Apple accessories — especially Apple Watch bands — check out the Cult of Mac Store’s 25% discount across the board on products from Carterjett and Wiplabs.
Apple is now manufacturing the iPhone 13 in India through supply-chain partner Foxconn following the phone’s launch last September.
The move will allow the Cupertino company to save on customs and import taxes that it otherwise has to pay for importing and selling the phones in the country.
Firmware updates for Studio Displays failed over the weekend but they're fixed now. Photo: Apple
Late last week, Apple stopped signing iOS 15.4 following the release of iOS 15.4.1, making it impossible for users to downgrade their iPhones’ software. But the change also inadvertently stopped people from updating their new Studio Displays’ firmware, based on iOS.
Complaints ensued on Sunday. And before the end of the day, Cupertino re-signed iOS 15.4, making it valid and verifiable to servers again.
Did Apple release the $1,599 Studio Display with so much fanfare only to forget about it when it launched iOS 15.4.1?
It may be small, but it's a Liquid Retina XDR Display. Photo: Tom@bytereview@Twitter
Anyone who buys a desktop Mac or wants a desktop feel using their MacBook is going to need a decent-sized external display. And wouldn’t it be grand if we all had $5,000 to spend on an Apple Pro Display XDR? Well, we don’t. In fact, scratching together enough cash to buy a new, more-affordable Studio Display can feel like a stretch for many folks.
The owner of today’s featured computer setup figured out a clever way to run a brilliant Liquid Retina XDR Display at much less cost with their new Mac Studio. What’s the catch? Well, it’s only a 12.9-inch display. Because it’s an iPad.
The Wemo Smart Plug with Thread is both simple and advanced, offering home automation with mesh networking. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Insert the Wemo Smart Plug with Thread into any wall socket and you can use HomeKit to control any plug-in appliance with your iPhone. It’s easy. Plus, this gadget (obviously) offers Thread mesh networking, the future of smart home tech.
I tested in my own home. Here’s why there’s a lot to like.
Klipsch speakers in the Reference line include floor-standing models. Photo: Klipsch
If you’re in the market for new speakers for home use, consider waiting to buy until next month, when Klipsch rolls out 10 overhauled speakers from its iconic, affordable Reference line. If you live in the Europe or the U.K., you can get them now, but the U.S. launch is in May.
Klipsch, which features the slogan “Pissing off the neighbors since 1946” on its website, overhauled the series for use in hi-fi, home theater and Dolby Atmos systems.
I've seen the future and it's Apple Watch. Photo: Graham Bower/Cult of Mac
Unveiled at a special event way back in 2014, the first Apple Watch looked similar to the wearable we know and love today. But looks can be deceiving. Take the Digital Crown and Side Button, for example. Their design may not have changed, but their functionality is now very different.
Apple Watch went through a radical evolution over the past eight years. What started out as an “intimate way to connect and communicate,” has become primarily a health and fitness device.
This pivot is uncharacteristic of Apple. Products like iPod, iPhone and iPad launched with a clear vision and remained true to it. The Apple Watch’s evolution suggests a shift in Cupertino’s approach to new products, and provides tantalizing clues to the future of the company’s rumored next platform launch: realityOS.
Transform yourself into a data wizard with these excellent Microsoft Excel classes. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
No matter what industry you work in, Microsoft Excel is one of the most valuable programs you can master. Thankfully, you can become a total expert on this leading spreadsheet software from home.
All you need is The 2022 Complete Microsoft Excel Expert Bundle, which is on sale today for just $34.99 (regularly $4,788). With 12 separate courses included in this epic bundle, that works out to less than $3 a course.
Elon Musk changed his mind about joining the Twitter board of directors shortly before joining it. Image: Twitter
Elon Musk is not going to be on the Twitter board of directors, despite what was announced a few days ago. The Twitter CEO says the change is “for the best.”
Musk is retaining his 9.2% stake in the company, though. And he’s has shown a lot of enthusiasm about Twitter recently. Why he’s not joining its board is unclear.
Apple TV+ subscribers can now watch It’s the Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown. It’s easy. Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac
Nothing says springtime is here like a visit from the Easter Beagle. Snoopy and his friends are back in It’s the Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown, showing now on Apple TV+. Watch now to enjoy this and many other Peanuts holiday specials on Apple’s streaming video service.
Could Apple finally improve notification management in iOS 16? Photo: the Hacker 34
Apple could fix a major iPhone pain point by introducing some “fairly significant enhancements” to notifications in iOS 16, according to a reliable source. Further, the company could make major improvements to health and activity tracking in watchOS 9.
The Cupertino company also supposedly will debut a new multitasking interface in iPadOS 16.
Time to get an Apple Watch and up your fitness level Photo: Apple
The Apple Watch Series 7 has been discounted to its lowest-ever price on Amazon in the last 30 days, making it the perfect time to pick one up. Amazon lists the 41mm Apple Watch Series 7 for only $329 — a whopping $70 discount from its retail price of $399.
The 45mm model sees a similar $69.01 discount, so you can get it for just $359.99 while Amazon’s sale lasts.
This bundle will show you what it takes to develop software like a pro. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
A career in software development and data visualization requires a diverse range of skills. Theoretically, you could acquire them on your own through trial and error. But your time could be better spent with a dedicated set of teachers.
The 2022 Ultimate Big Data Certification Bundle can teach you the basics of Python, Raspberry Pi and additional skills you’ll be able to master with practice. For a limited time, this bundle is on sale for $24.99 (regularly $2,000).
With billions of apps in the app store, it’s always a delight when more awesome apps turn up. Photo: Ian Fuchs & Rahul Chakraborty (via Unsplash)
Every time I think I can’t possibly discover other awesome, useful or fun new apps, I find a game or utility that makes something in my life just a little better or easier.
This week, a couple of great utilities, a way to simplify your photo editing process, and a ridiculously addictive game all managed to impress me. But surely these are the last good ones out there, right? (Want to tell me about another awesome app? Send me an email or find me on Twitter at @IanFuchs.)