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macOS 12.2 is out with smoother ProMotion scrolling … maybe

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macOS Monterey 12.2 is out with smoother ProMotion scrolling… maybe
macOS 12.2 takes care of a few bugs.
Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac

Mac users can now install macOS Monterey 12.2. Apple is vague about what’s in the new version. However, prerelease beta testers indicate it brings a rewritten Apple Music app and smoother scrolling for MacBooks with ProMotion displays. It definitely fixes a serious Safari bug.

Apple also released iOS 15.3 and iPadOS 15.3 to the public Wednesday. And watchOS 8.4, too.

iOS 15.3 is here for your iPhone bugs

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Updates is here for your iPhone bugs
iOS 15.7.4 takes care of a long list of security bugs.
Photo: Cult of Mac/Egor Kamelev/Pexels

Apple made iOS 15.3 available to all compatible iPhone models Monday. The update squashes at least one bug that recently made headlines. But there are no new features.

Apple also introduced iPadOS 15.3 to erase many of the same bugs. And macOS Monterey 12.2 and watchOS 8.4 debuted, too. tvOS 15.3 arrived Monday as well.

Dazzled: A tale of two lighting schemes [Setups]

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Thanks to Edison bulbs and Govee light strips for all these colors.
Thanks to Edison bulbs and Govee light strips for all these colors.
Photo: [email protected]

Some computer setups knock your socks off with lighting. It can be tasteful, warm, welcoming and conducive to work without eye strain. It can be bright, inventive and dazzling, like fantastic decorations. Or, as in today’s MacBook Pro-based featured setup, it can be either one of those, depending on both choice of settings and time of day.

The light show in today’s workstation derives from two sources, or schemes. One involves two very different table lamps. The other involves LED light strips.

This cool auto-resizing stand holds MacBook or iPad vertically [Review]

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iVoler Vertical Laptop Stand review
The iVoler Vertical Laptop Stand saves room on your desk, and is just cool looking.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

What to do with your MacBook or iPad when you’re not using them? You can just leave them lying around but that’s wasteful of space. The iVoler Vertical Laptop Stand holds your computer upright, either when it’s charging or when you have an external screen and keyboard connected. Best of all, its clamp closes on your computer to securely hold it but also easily release it.

I tested the very affordable stand in my home office. Here’s why I love it.

Safeguard your precious email data with this backup solution

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Protect your critical emails with this backup solution.
This robust backup solution protects important emails.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Most of us rely on emails every day for communication, whether for work or connecting with friends and family. Instead of being disappointed or worried when an important email is lost, you can use Mail Backup X to proactively protect all your email instead of just the critical ones.

This holistic solution is the perfect way to back up email, archive old emails, sort them and even convert emails to stay organized. And, for a limited time, it’s 72% off.

Apple Watch gets special band, new ‘Unity Lights’ face for Black History Month

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Apple Watch gets new band and face for Black History Month
Get the new face now through the Watch app.
Photo: Apple

Apple celebrates this year’s Black History Month by promoting Black business and innovation, amplifying Black voices, and showcasing Black creatives, the company announced on Wednesday.

It is also introduced a new, limited-edition Black Unity Braided Solo Loop and Unity Lights face for Apple Watch, which you can get yours hands on today.

Beats Studio Buds get instant pairing over iCloud and new controls

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Beats Studio Buds come in white, red and black.
You now have one-tap pairing across all Apple devices.
Photo: Beats

Apple this week rolled out a new firmware update for its Beats Studio Buds that adds a couple of handy new features and controls — including instant pairing for all your Apple devices over iCloud.

Instant pairing, which was already available on AirPods, means users no longer have to connect Beats Studio Buds to all their Apple devices individually.

Apple Maps erects gigantic digital wall to hide Tim Cook’s house

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Tim Cook's house in Apple Maps
Cook's Palo Alto home is hidden from virtual visitors.
Image: Apple Maps

Apple fans who take a virtual stroll through Palo Alto inside Apple Maps and Google Maps no longer get to see Tim Cook’s house. The modern, four-bedroom condo has had a giant digital wall erected right in front of it.

We spotted the change after Apple received temporary restraining order against an alleged stalker, who claimed to be Cook’s wife, threatened the Apple boss and was caught trespassing on his property.

Apple gets temporary restraining order against alleged Tim Cook stalker

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Apple continues to soar under Tim Cook's assured leadership.
An alleged stalker reportedly showed up at Tim Cook's house on more than one occasion.
Photo: Apple

A San Francisco Bay Area court granted Apple a temporary restraining order Friday against a woman who claimed to be Tim Cook’s wife and threatened the Apple CEO. She also allegedly trespassed at Cook’s home in Palo Alto, California.

The 45-year-old woman began tweeting about Cook in late 2020, referring to him as her “bed man,” among other things. She also allegedly emailed him multiple times, sometimes sending photographs of pistols, bullets and MacBooks.

Protect your AirPods Pro in style with this luxury leather case, now less than $40 

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Grab this luxury leather AirPods Pro case.
Four colors to choose from, all top-quality leather.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

AirPods Pro are one of the greatest accessories Apple ever released — but they are pricey. So, it’s worth it to protect your investment. One of the best ways to do so in style is with a strong, protective case, like this AirPods Pro Crazy Horse Leather Case.

For a limited time, you can grab one on sale for just $39.99. That’s a 42% discount off the regular price of $69. What’s more, you can choose your favorite color to match your personality or your other accessories.

Biden says his ‘right to repair’ order changed Apple policies

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President Joe Biden says his ‘right to repair’ order changed Apple policies.
A recent executive order takes a strong stance on users’ right to repair.
Photo: White House

President Joe Biden says an executive order he signed in mid-January forced companies to loosen restrictions on who can repair their devices.

“Companies like Apple and Microsoft are changing their policies so folks will be able to repair their devices themselves,” he said Monday.

Laut’s Inflight Folio case offers slim, stylish protection for iPad Pro — save 15%

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Laut Inflight Folio for iPad Pro
All-around protection that won't weigh you down.
Photo: Laut

Need an iPad Pro case that offers all-around protection without unnecessary bulk? Look no further than the slim, stylish Inflight Folio from Laut. It’s robust, versatile and plays nicely with Apple Pencil.

Get yours today from the Cult of Mac Store and save 15% with a limited-timedeal.

Get a vintage outdoor vibe with Philips Hue’s new smart lights

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The Inara's exposed filament harkens back to Thomas Edison.
The Inara's exposed filament harkens back to Thomas Edison.
Photo: Philips Hue

In time for upcoming spring and summer evenings, smart lighting company Philips Hue offers some cool retro-lighting options for you to try when it’s warm enough to gather outside. Or anytime you want to give your house’s exterior a vintage vibe, really.

Philips Hue owner Signify said three new additions to its outdoor smart lighting line launch on March 1. In addition, two new lighting effects for indoor smart bulbs will arrive on the Hue app later this year, the company added.

Indie dev made $20,000 a day turning iPhone into a frosty beer

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iBeer app on iPhone
Who could have thought drinking beer from an iPhone would be such a hit?
Photo: Hottrix

Steve Sheraton is one of the App Store’s original success stories. He was crashing on a friend’s couch when he first got the idea of making a funny video that made it look like he was drinking beer out of his iPhone, and a little while later, he was pulling in up to $20,000 a day in App Store revenue.

Here’s how Sheraton’s “iBeer” app, which celebrated 90 million downloads in 2014, became one of iPhone’s most popular apps and made a ton of cash.

Apple calls for magnificent macro snaps in latest Shot on iPhone Challenge

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Apple Shot on iPhone Challenge
Can you take macro photos this good? Prove it in the Shot on iPhone Challenge.
Photo: Apple

Apple today unveiled its newest Shot on iPhone Challenge, which calls upon iPhone 13 Pro owners to share their most magnificent macro photos.

The challenge starts today and runs through February 16. You can take part simply by uploading your macro photos to Instagram and Twitter using the hashtags #ShotoniPhone and #iPhonemacrochallenge.

iCloud syncing problems frustrate devs and users alike

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iCloud Passwords land on Windows
An ongoing problem.
Image: Apple

A growing number of developers report persistent CloudKit connectivity issues that break iCloud syncing inside their apps.

It seems the problem has been ongoing since at least November. Many developers say they reported the situation to Apple but have yet to see improvements — or even a response in some cases.

WhatsApp adds support for Focus mode, notification photos in iOS 15

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WhatsApp logo
WhatsApp embraces iOS 15.
Image: WhatsApp

The latest WhatsApp update on iPhone brings a number of neat improvements for those who have updated to iOS 15. The app is now fully compatible with Focus mode, while contact photos now appear in notifications.

WhatsApp has also made it possible to pause and resume while recording voice messages. The version 22.2.75 is now available to all, though it could be a few weeks before the improvements are rolled out to everyone.

Apple TV+ share of streaming market just keeps growing

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Appletvpluslogo
Apple TV+ has a growing chunk of the U.S. streaming market. Netflix does not.
Photo: Apple

Apple TV+ garners 5% of the U.S. streaming video market, according to a company that follows the industry. While that makes Apple TV+ a small player, the service started 2021 with just a 3% share, so the year saw significant growth.

Its two largest rivals, Netflix and Amazon Prime Video, saw drops in their shares of the streaming market in 2021.

Take control of your health with this smartwatch with built-in Bluetooth earbuds

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Get more than half off this Apple Watch alternative packed with useful features. 
This great Apple Watch alternative is on sale for less than half its normal price.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

A smartwatch is your go-to fitness gadget. And you can enjoy some great everyday wellness benefits without an Apple Watch-size price tag, thanks to the great range of third-party smartwatches on the market right now.

One of the best? This X6 2-in-1 Smart Watch with Bluetooth Earbuds, which you can grab with a 52% discount right now for just $95.99 (regular price $201).

Get in the game with Audio-Technica’s new hi-fi headsets

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The new Audio-Technica ATH-GDL3 gaming headset features an open-back design. The ATH-GL3 gaming headset features a closed-back design (not pictured).
The new Audio-Technica ATH-GDL3 gaming headset features an open-back design. The ATH-GL3 gaming headset features a closed-back design (not pictured).
Photo: Audio-Technica

A pair of new featherweight gaming headsets from Audio-Technica feature high-fidelity audio, detachable boom microphones and other features designed to give gamers goosebumps.

The ATH-GL3 comes with a closed-back design to reduce ambient noise. The ATH-GDL3 features an open-back design, offering a wider soundstage.