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Get a Lightning cable that won’t fray for less than $15

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Grab a charger that'll last for only $15.
This braided Lightning cable is built to last.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

It can prove difficult to find a Lightning cable that works well and lasts a while. The Crave 4-foot Lightning-to-USB Cable is super-sturdy and can handle the output of a powerful charger.

Shockingly, it costs less than Apple’s own Lightning cables. And right now, you can save even more. Get one in gold or silver for just $14.99 (regularly $19.99). At that price, it might be time to buy some extras.

Take hands-free control of your Stream Deck with Elgato’s new pedal

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The new Elgato Stream Deck Pedal gives you hands-free control over your shortcuts.
The new Elgato Stream Deck Pedal gives you hands-free control over your shortcuts.
Photo: Elgato

Anyone who uses a stream deck to streamline hardware and software workflows with shortcuts now has the option to go hands-free with the new Elgato Stream Deck Pedal, unveiled Wednesday.

And in addition to launching the pedal, the company said its new Discord communications software plugin for Stream Deck is now available.

Wall Street expects best-ever Apple quarterly earnings

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Apple MacBook cash dollars money
Apple probably raked in more revenue in the 2021 holiday quarter than in any previous quarter in its history.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

When Apple reveals its financial results from the holiday shopping season on Thursday, analysts predict the company will announce its best quarter ever.

Whether the Mac-maker meets this lofty goal will have a big effect on its stock price, which has been sliding in recent weeks. 

Get your game on with Logitech’s new mechanical keyboards

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The new Logitech G413 SE comes in full size, above, or a tenkeyless version.
The new Logitech G413 SE comes in full size, above, or a tenkeyless version.
Photo: Logitech G

Serious gamers like to use specialized gaming gear in their computer setups. And that includes input devices like souped-up mice and sleek mechanical keyboards. The good news is, the latter keep getting better and cheaper. On Wednesday, Logitech’s gaming arm, Logitech G, rolled out the G413 SE Mechanical Gaming Keyboard in two sizes.

And better yet, the two new keebs’ prices won’t break the bank.

Bring Dolby Atmos to your TV with Denon’s affordable new soundbar

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Denon's new soundbar offers Dolby Atmos at a reasonable price.
Denon's new soundbar offers Dolby Atmos at a reasonable price.
Photo: Denon

If your TV sounds a little thin on its own, you might want to beef up that audio with a soundbar and subwoofer. Until recently, sets offering Dolby Atmos 3D surround sound tended to cost quite a bit. But Denon’s got an affordable new outfit for you — the DHT-S517 soundbar.

Known for it AV receivers, Denon now takes on the likes of Sonos Arc with its release of the DHT-S517. You can plug it into any TV to jack up your entertainment experience with Dolby Atmos for $449.

watchOS 8.4 squashes frustrating Apple Watch charging bug

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watchOS 8.4 squashes frustrating Apple Watch charging bug
Apple Watch users can return to happily charging with watchOS 8.4.
Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac

Apple Watch wearers can now install watchOS 8.4. And many will want to do so soon because the new version removes an irritating bug that prevented some third-party chargers from working.

This is just one of a slew of system software updates from Apple on Wednesday, including macOS Monterey 12.2, iOS 15.3 and iPadOS 15.3.

How to blur out your home in Apple Maps and Google Maps

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How to hide your home in Apple Maps and Google Maps
All you have to do is ask.
Photo: Redd/Unsplash/Cult of Mac

Tim Cook’s plush home in Palo Alto, California, has been blurred out inside Apple Maps and Google Maps — likely because of an alleged stalking incident. If you enter his address, you’ll see nothing but a gigantic, pixelated wall.

But this kind of digital scrubbing isn’t reserved for top CEOs and celebrities. In fact, anyone can quite easily get their own home hidden from online maps. All you need to do is ask Apple and Google to conceal the locations. We’ll show you how.

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.