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DuckDuckGo is building its own privacy-protecting web browser for Mac

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DuckDuckGo coming to Mac
All its privacy features will be enabled by default.
Image: DuckDuckGo

DuckDuckGo, the search engine that prides itself on protecting your privacy, is building its very own web browser for Mac. It promises to be simple and fast, with robust privacy features enabled by default.

The browser will feature DuckDuckGo’s popular “Fire Button,” which quickly wipes all your private data in just one click. It also will be built to use native browser technologies, rather than relying on third-party engines.

Don’t lose Wi-Fi signal even in a huge home with this powerful router

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Get wi-fi that doesn't make you scream for $245.
Grab one or two of these powerful Wi-Fi routers to improve your home network.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

When you’re home, the last thing you should be thinking about is how slow your internet is. The Gryphon AX router is a powerful Wi-Fi tower that gives you a fast connection that’s also incredibly secure.

For a limited time, you can get one Gryphon AX Wi-Fi router on sale for $245 (regularly $279) or two for $442 (regularly $479).

iPhone leads the pack in 5G smartphone share and profits

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5G iPhone
Apple continues to beat Samsung in 5G handset sales.
Image: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

iPhone is the biggest, most profitable 5G smartphone in the world, according to the latest data from one research firm. As 5G adoption skyrockets, Apple continues to hold a lead over Samsung, Oppo, Vivo, and other vendors.

That’s despite an increase in demand for foldable devices and more affordable 5G handsets from brands like Honor.

Protect your data with BusKill, a dead man’s switch for your laptop

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BusKill is a USB kill cord for your laptop that protects your data if someone snatches your computer.
BusKill is a USB kill cord for your laptop that protects your data if someone snatches your computer.
Photo: Alt Shift International

Last week a crowdfunding campaign launched for the new BusKill USB kill cord. It’s a dead man’s switch for laptops designed to protect your data by locking or even wiping your computer if someone snatches it away from you while you’re using it.

BusKill is designed for journalists, activists, crypto traders and travelers, the company said. Though it seems it could come in handy for anyone at risk of losing a laptop via smash-and-grab tactics.

Dig the vintage vibe of Edifier’s new Bluetooth speaker

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The new Edifier MP230 looks like it belongs in the study, but you can take it outside, too.
The new Edifier MP230 looks like it belongs in the study, but you can take it outside, too.
Photo: Edifier

China-based audio specialist Edifier said Monday its new MP230 Bluetooth speaker — a CES 2022 Innovation Award Honoree — is now shipping. For a hundred bucks, the portable stereo acoustic speakers come in a wood frame that would not look out of place in your grandfather’s den. Yet you can take your tunes outside, too.

TSA will accept Apple Wallet’s digital IDs from February 2022

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The Wallet app will soon let you board a plane with your iPhone rather than a physical drivers license.
For faster, more secure check-ins.
Image: Apple

The Transportation Security Administration confirmed that it will start accepting Apple Wallet’s new digital IDs starting in February 2022. It looks set to be the first agency to support the new feature, which Apple announced in June.

Two airports will be part of the pilot program initially, but the TSA plans to add another two in March 2022 before a wider rollout next year.

Limited-edition Mac app bundle is only $18 for a little bit longer

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This Mac app bundle includes top-rated Mac apps.
Unlock your Mac's true potential with the dozen apps included in this wildly discounted bundle.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Tired of staring at the same old Mac apps? Spice things up a bit with The Complete Limited Edition Mac Bundle, and get ready to geek out over these life-changing productivity and creativity apps.

For less than $18, it  gives you 12 Mac apps that would cost more than $1,000 if purchased separately.

Philadelphia gets gorgeous 3D buildings and landmarks in Apple Maps

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Apple Maps Philadelphia in 3D
The Detailed City Experience lands in Philly.
Image: Cult of Mac

Apple Maps’ “detailed city experience” has landed in Philadelphia, where you can now see beautiful 3D buildings, landmarks and more.

First spotted by users on Twitter, the upgrade has since been confirmed by Apple’s website. Philadelphia joins London, Los Angeles, New York, San Diego, San Francisco and Washington, D.C., in the 3D experience.

After upgrading to iOS 15.2, there’s no way back

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iOS 15.1.1 fixes dropped calls on recent iPhones
Apple is no longer signing iOS 15.1 or iOS 15.1.1.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple has stopped signing iOS 15.1 and iOS 15.1.1, preventing users from downgrading their iPhone after installing the latest iOS 15.2 update.

If you have encountered bugs and other issues with this release, you’ll now have to stick with it until Apple rolls out iOS 15.3, which this week entered beta testing ahead of an official public rollout.

This biometric lockbox can fit in your coat pocket

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Keep your keepsakes safe without using one.
Take security anywhere you go with this extremely portable travel safe.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Keeping your precious belongings locked away from thieves is nice, but it is somewhat impractical to carry around a personal safe. If you want a travel safe that’s as secure as it is innocuous, then you want the Trova Go+ Plus: Biometric Storage Box.

The Trova Go+ is a compact, biometrically locked security box with a subtle and sleek look. And right now it’s on sale for just $249. 

Apple TV+ doc Sound of 007 explores 60 years of James Bond music

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Has it been 60 years already, Mr. Bond?
Has it been 60 years already, Mr. Bond?
Photo: MGM & UAR

Marking the 60th anniversary of the James Bond movie franchise, Apple TV+ plans to release a documentary film entitled The Sound of 007 in October 2022. It will celebrate the music of the Bond films, from Dr. No with Sean Connery in 1962 to Daniel Craig’s last romp as the man from MI6 in 2021, No Time to Die.

Apple’s first AR/VR headset might look like ski goggles

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Apple’s first AR/VR headset might look like ski goggles
Information supposedly leaking from Apple indicates the Apple AR/VR headset will look a lot like this.
Photo: RendersByIan

A concept artist took the rumors about an upcoming Apple augmented reality and virtual reality headset and turned them into a possible design for a product that could be unveiled in 2022.

This model is undeniably bulky, but but less so than rival Oculus, Valve and Sony versions.

First iOS 15.3 beta is all bug fixes [Updated]

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iOS 15.3 beta 1, iPadOS 15.3, watchOS 8.4 beta 1, tvOS 15.3 beta 1
Apple began beta testing iOS 15.3 and a lot more.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple seeded the initial iOS 15.3 beta to developers later than usual Friday, along with the iPadOS equivalent. And on Monday, Apple added iOS 15.3 beta 1 and iPadOS 15.3 beta 1 to the Apple Beta Software Program. So far, no one has been able to find any new features in them.

watchOS 8.4 beta 1 and tvOS 15.3 beta 1 also went to developers Friday.

Schlage’s new smart lock first to support Apple Home Key

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The Schlage Encode Plus could be the first smart lock to support Apple Home Key.
The Schlage Encode Plus could be the first smart lock to support Apple Home Key.
Photo: Schlage

The soon-to-launch Schlage Encode Plus smart lock could be the first to support Apple Home Key, according to various leaked documents. And, in another “first,” the smart lock looks likely to offer Thread support for HomeKit.

HomeKit Authority reported on the Schlage Encode Plus recently, citing a since-removed Home Depot listing, Schlage’s own installation guide as well as a Federal Communications Commission filing.

HomePod mini helps Apple nearly double smart speaker sales

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HomePod mini
HomePod mini is the second best selling smart speaker globally.
Photo: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac

The debut of HomePod mini brought a big jump in sales that continues almost a year later. Shipments of Apple’s smart speakers increased a whopping 92% last quarter when compared to the same period of 2020.

And HomePod mini was the second best selling smart speaker globally.

These 7 iPhones and iPads won’t get iOS 16

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These iPhones and iPads won't get iOS 16
iOS 16 is coming, but not to several iPhone and iPad models.
Photo: the Hacker 34

Several older iPhones and iPads reportedly won‘t be able to upgrade to iOS 16 when it debuts in 2022. While that’s sure to disappoint anyone still using these devices, the newest one will be 5 years old at that point. And one of them will be 8 years old.

Apple continues to offer operating system upgrades for its computers for many years, but iOS 16 will supposedly mark the end up of updates for the A8 and A9/A9X processor.

iPhone could get periscope lens after 48-megapixel camera upgrade

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iPhone camera
Periscope lenses could allow 10x optical zoom in iPhone 15.
Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac

iPhone will get a periscope camera lens for the first time in 2023 after a 48-megapixel sensor upgrade next year, according to one analyst. The periscope lens should allow for significantly greater optical zoom.

A number of iPhone rivals are now using this technology to allow photographers to take more detailed snaps of their subjects. Samsung’s flagship Galaxy S21 Ultra is capable of 10x optical zoom, while iPhone 13 Pro maxes out at 3x.

And the 2021 award for Most Fastidious Cable Management goes to … [Setups]

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The Uplift standing desk and its accessories helped a lot with reducing cable clutter.
The Uplift standing desk and its accessories helped a lot with reducing cable clutter.
Photo: [email protected]

OK, so no 2021 award for Most Fastidious Cable Management, mentioned in this article’s headline, exists — at least not around here. But if it did, we might hand it to the person behind today’s setup.

It centers on a 2020 13-inch MacBook Pro and a 32-inch LG 4K display. And it keeps cable clutter to an extreme minimum.

Apple’s next-gen ‘M2’ chipset could land in 2022 before even faster ‘M2 Pro’

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Apple M2 chipset
Does this mean Apple won't hit its two-year target for ditching Intel?
Image: Apple/Cult of Mac

Apple will introduce its next-generation “M2” chipset for Mac next year, followed by an even more powerful “M2 Pro” in 2023, according to a new report. Both are expected to use TSMC’s new 4-nanometer manufacturing process.

The report somewhat contradicts Apple’s plan to do away with Intel and transition all Mac models to custom chipsets within two years. That’s if Apple waits for the “M2 Pro” before updating high-end machines like the Mac Pro.

Get this award-winning PDF editing software for Mac for just $30

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Edit PDFs with simplicity and ease with this award-winning software.
Never struggle to deal with a PDF again.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

PDFs aren’t the most exciting thing in the world. However, a good PDF reader can turn any PDF into a customizable canvas for you to add your notes, comments or changes.

PDF Expert, an award-winning PDF editing app for Mac, is the ideal tool for anyone looking to do more with PDFs than simply look at them. And, it’s on sale for just $29.99. Use this intuitive software to read and edit PDFs with ease.

Apple tests improved Music app for Mac — here’s how to try it out now

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Apple Music
It's a lot faster than before.
Image: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

Apple is testing an improved version of its Music app that’s built to run entirely natively on Mac. Parts of the app, such as the music library, were native on macOS before, and now the rest of it is catching up for improved performance.

You can try out the new Music app now by installing the macOS 12.2 Monterey beta, which is available to all through Apple’s public Beta Software Program.

This digital microscope for smartphones is the ultimate gift for science fans

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Grab this awesome digital microscope which connects to your phone on sale with 20% off now.
Simply connect this microscope to an iPhone, iPad or Mac to see incredible things.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Your iPhone can do a lot of smart things, but did you know it can become an awesome microscope? All you need is this WiFi Digital Microscope, which you can grab on sale today for just $55.95. That’s a 20% discount off the regular price of $69.

Hot deals on photo gear, software and courses

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Launch your photography with these top deals.
If you want to make great pictures and videos, you need the right hardware, software and knowledge.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

If you’re looking for a way to instantly improve your photography chops, and maybe even launch your own side hustle, you need to zoom in on these 10 helpful bundles. They’re chock-full of photo accessories, image-editing apps and educational courses that will get you started or take your photography (or videography) to a higher level.

Whether you need help selecting the best lens for portraits, need a brand-new setup for your in-home studio, or want the ultimate app to help you perfect your pix, we rounded up the best tools to help you take beautiful photos without any formal training.