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Apple faces $57 million fine for pathetic approach to third-party payments

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Apple.logo.paris.store
Apple's "evasion" of the rules is "gross," according to Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney.
Photo: Josh Davidson/Cult of Mac

Apple will be fined up to €50 million (approx. $57 million) by Dutch regulators for its rather pathetic attempt at allowing third-party payments for apps and subscriptions in the Netherlands.

Although Cupertino took half-hearted steps to comply with new legislation, it ensured that it was incredibly difficult for developers to implement third-party payment systems. It also demanded fees for payments it wasn’t processing.

Pristine design workstation’s keys to clean cable management [Setups]

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Does this look like a designer's setup, or does this look like a designer's setup.
Does this look like a designer's setup, or does this look like a designer's setup.
Photo: [email protected]

Leave it to a digital product designer to work their magic in a tastefully pristine workstation with an absolute minimum of cable clutter. “Cable management gets a 10 out of 10,” one person said of today’s featured computer setup. And all that walnut wood doesn’t hurt, either.

But how did they manage to tame the cable monster?

Boost your home Wi-Fi with this inexpensive amplifier

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Browse and game freely with this WiFi booster.
Browse the web without delays thanks to this Wi-Fi booster and range extender.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

It sucks when your internet connection stalls out in the middle of an important task, but you don’t need to suffer with spotty Wi-Fi. This Wi-Fi Booster Repeater Signal Amplifier helps you browse the web and enjoy any form of online entertainment without interruption.

With more and more folks relying on their home internet for work, streaming, education and gaming, a strong and reliable Wi-Fi connection is more important than ever.

iPhone 13 owners report strange pink screen issue, Apple calls it a bug

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iPhone 13 pink screen issue
Why hasn't Apple fixed it already?
Photo: DPigar/Apple Support Communities

A growing number of iPhone 13 owners are reporting a mysterious issue that causes their displays to turn pink. The problem seems to be arising after a device restart — sometimes after the iPhone has frozen.

According to Apple, the problem is a software bug rather than a hardware issue. However, some users have been experiencing it since iPhone 13 made its debut.

How to enable voice isolation for FaceTime calls in iOS 15

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Enable voice isolation for FaceTime
Keep kids' voices out of your remote meetings.
Image: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

Remote meetings on FaceTime are a lot calmer in iOS and iPadOS 15, thanks to a feature called voice isolation that blocks out background noise. Even better, the feature works in other video-calling applications, including Zoom and Google Duo.

Here’s how you can enable it on iPhone and iPad.

WhatsApp prepares two-step verification for desktop and web apps

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WhatsApp two-step verification
Making it more difficult for others to get into your account.
Image: WABetaInfo

WhatsApp is preparing to greatly increase the security of its desktop and web apps by adding two-step verification during the sign-in process.

Users will be prompted to create a six-digit PIN as an additional layer of protection for their account. They will then enter this when registering their phone number with WhatsApp again — like when signing in on other devices.

Apple readies its ‘widest array’ of new products ever for this fall

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Tim Cook is keeping quiet about Apple TV+ subscriber numbers for now.
Credit cards at the ready!
Photo: Apple

Apple is preparing to launch the “widest array” of new products in its history, according to a new report. This fall is expected to bring new iPhone models, a more affordable MacBook Pro, and big refreshes for iMac and Mac Pro.

That’s in addition to a “revamped” MacBook Air, new AirPods Pro, and lots more. Apple is also said to be preparing an iPhone SE refresh for this spring.

‘Frankenchip’ and other big changes coming to pro Macs this year [The CultCast]

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The CultCast: The next Mac Pro might get a monstrous chip.
A "monstrous" chip might power the next Mac Pro.
Image: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: Leaks, rumors and government filings give us an even clearer look at what Apple’s product pipeline looks like for 2022. We’re expecting big changes to the pro Mac lineups this year — including a hybrid Apple “Frankenchip” based on the M1 series.

Also on The CultCast:

  • Bye-bye, 13-inch MacBook Pro!
  • See you soon, new iPhone SE and iPad!
  • We’ll miss you, Apple discount “loophole” for teachers and students! (Post-show update: It’s back.)

Listen to this week’s episode of The CultCast in the Podcasts app or your favorite podcast app. (Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review if you like it!) Or watch the video livestream, embedded below.

Get in the cybersecurity game with this $30 bundle

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Become more than just tech support with this bundle.
Master cybersecurity with this analyst prep bundle.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

The cybersecurity industry continues to grow every year, producing high-paying jobs for people with the right education.

Learn the skills of this lucrative trade at your own pace with The 2022 Ultimate Cybersecurity Analyst Preparation Bundle. It’s on sale now for just $29.99 (regularly $1,600).

Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock faithfully reboots an ’80s classic [Apple TV+ review]

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The Fraggles are Back! Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock
The Fraggles are back for new adventures.
Photo: Apple TV+

Thanks to its partnership with The Jim Henson Company, the creative force behind The Muppets and Sesame Street, Apple TV+ has finally given the people what they want: more Fraggles.

Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock, a faithful and fun reboot of the cult hit puppet show from the ’80s, arrives Friday on Apple TV+ with its verve and good vibes intact.

While the Fraggles never quite rose to the popularity of the Sesame Street gang or Kermit and his friends, they did inspire some passionate fans. It’s a joy to be back at Fraggle Rock, even with the few concessions made to appease a more modern audience.

Apple’s education discount ‘loophole’ is back!

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Apple education discounts available again without student verification
Home school teachers can once again get Apple education discounts.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The U.S. Apple Store for Education reversed a recent change Friday, dropping the requirement that shoppers prove they are a university student or teacher before they can get products at a discount. This surely comes as a relief for home-school teachers. But it’s also good news for anyone willing to fib to get a discount.

It’s not clear if this is a temporary rollback or a permanent change, though.

Akko protection plan means fast, local fixes for your Apple devices

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Protect your devices even after they break with AKKO.
When you damage your gear, Akko arranges repairs for you.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Your phone is one of the only things that can fall off a couch and ruin your whole month. Cracked screens from drops, water damage from spilled drinks, whatever the cause … your phone eventually will suffer damage. An Akko Electronics Protection Plan shields you from the inconvenience of losing your phone by arranging and paying for repairs when it breaks. And right now you can get it for just $142 (regularly $168).

The musical comedy of Central Park returns to Apple TV+ in March

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The musical comedy of ‘Central Park’ on Apple TV+
Central Park returns with eight all-new episodes on March 4.
Photo: Apple TV+

The interrupted second season of Central Park will resume on March 4. The Apple TV+ musical comedy has eight more episodes with the madcap adventures of the Tillerman family.

The series has garnered multiple Emmy nominations, and the first half of the second season has a amazing 100% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

It’s an iPhone accessories blowout, Charlie Brown: The Casetify Peanuts collection

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Who doesn't love Peanuts? Now you can show it with your iPhone case and more.
Who doesn't love Peanuts? Now you can show it with your iPhone case and more.
Photo: Casetify

Toward the end of January, Casetify plans to launch an expansive Peanuts-themed iPhone accessories collection. That’ll give fans of Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Woodstock, Linus and the rest of the gang the chance to snap up special iPhone cases, MagSafe wallets and more.

Servant returns for third season of supernatural weirdness [Apple TV+ recap]

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Leanne (Nell Tiger Free) and Julian (Rupert Grint) on Servant
Season 3 gives us a deeper look at a disturbing day in the life of nanny Leanne.
Photo: Apple TV+

Servant, the bleakest and most thrillingly deranged show on Apple TV+, returns for a third season Friday. The Turner family and their mystic nightmare nanny have finally turned some corners from which they cannot return. Now it’s time to see what the writers have planned for this gang of thieves, liars and sinners.

Director/producer M. Night Shyamalan and writer Tomy Basgallop’s brainchild turns three today — and I couldn’t be happier to attend the party.

Intelli’s compact new StepUp is the Transformer of 3-in-1 iPhone chargers

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Those little platforms for Apple Watch and AirPods pop in and out.
Those little platforms for Apple Watch and AirPods pop in and out.
Photo: Intelli

In a world awash with multi-device charging stations that juice your iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods at the same time, it’s refreshing to see an unfamiliar design once in a while. Intelli provided one recently when it launched its new StepUp Magnetic Wireless Charging Station.

With its tidy little pop-out charging platforms, the MagSafe-compatible StepUp can be a sleek charger just for your iPhone or transform into a 3-in-1 for your trio of devices. But even fully deployed, the design is compact.

Nickelodeon characters go head-to-head in Apple Arcade’s new extreme tennis game

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Nickelodeon characters go head-to-head in Apple Arcade’s new extreme tennis game
Nickelodeon Extreme Tennis isn’t like any sport you’ve played before.
Photo: Viacom/Apple

Danny Phantom heads to the tennis court with SpongeBob. Or Garfield faces down Invader Zim. It’s not animation day at Wimbledon — it’s Nickelodeon Extreme Tennis. The stars of animated shows past and present compete in a very unusual version of the sport.

The game debuted Friday on Apple Arcade.

‘This is what neck pain would look like if it were a setup’ [Setups]

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In terms of proper ergonomics, the
In terms of proper ergonomics, the "before" photo set off some alarm bells.
Photo: [email protected]

If your computer setup had three screens, including a MacBook Pro, an iPad and a 32-inch external monitor, would you make the iPad the center screen? Would you put your screened devices on stands, or leave them at or near table level? Today’s setup saw a transition that might actually save its owner from years of physical therapy.

“This is what neck pain would look like if it were a setup,” someone said about the “before” photo, above.

Get a New Year’s discount up to 91% off: Windows 10 lifetime license for $14, Office for $26

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Keysbuff offers great deals on Microsoft software activation keys.
Keysbuff offers great deals on Microsoft software activation keys.
Image: Keysbuff

This software activation key sale post is presented by Keysbuff.

Cult of Mac readers can kick off 2022 with some of the best tech deals of the year from software activation keys provider Keysbuff. You can save up to 91% off the full price on Windows 10 and get great savings on many other Microsoft software titles in the Keysbuff New Year Software Sale. Just use promo code COM at Keysbuff.com to get an extra 30% off the site’s already-low prices on keys for Windows 10 Pro Global, Microsoft Office 2021 Pro and others in the list below. You can purchase many products with lifetime licenses.

This gorgeous 15.6-inch portable monitor will make your eyes pop [Review]

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InnoView Portable Monitor INVPM001 review
The InnoView Portable Monitor is ideal for work, school, gaming or video.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The InnoView 15.6-inch Portable Monitor might be everything you’re looking for in a second screen for your MacBook. First off, it’s beautiful. And it’s very slim and lightweight. Plus it works with a wide variety of devices: Mac, iPad, even iPhone with the right adapter.

I used InnoView’s on-the-go display for both work and entertainment. Here’s all the many ways it impressed me. And its one flaw.

Get Beats Fit Pro at their lowest price yet after a $46 discount

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Beats Fit Pro in black
Now just $153.11 — down from $199.99 — for a limited time.
Photo: Apple

Beats Fit Pro headphones, which made their debut last November, pack spatial audio with dynamic head tracking, the Apple H1 chip for quick and easy pairing, and active noise cancellation. Get yours at their lowest price to date.

The black models are currently available from Amazon for just $153.11 for a limited time. That’s $46.88 off the usual price.