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It’s your last chance to get PDF Expert for 62% off

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PDF Expert is 62% but not for long.
You only have a few days left to get this well-reviewed Mac app for less than $30.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

A good PDF editor is a tool you need whether you’re in school, at work or just trying to tweak something you downloaded. PDF Expert is an award-winning Mac app that lets you use PDFs as easily as if they were Pages docs.

Sound promising? If so, you should jump on this deal. It’s your last chance to get this highly rated PDF editor for Mac on sale for just $29.99. (It normally goes for $79.)

Misery loves company, and the Turners have both in this week’s Servant [Apple TV+ recap]

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Servant recap Hive: Things are not going as planned for nanny Leanne and the Turners.
Things are not going as planned for nanny Leanne and the Turners.
Photo: Apple TV+

There are strangers in the house on this week’s Servant, the Apple TV+ show about the absurd goings on in a Philadelphia townhouse.

Writer Tony Basgallop and director/producer M. Night Shyamalan continue to reap rich rewards from showing what it looks like when the kookiest people in town try to do things normally. Mystic nightmare nanny Leanne thinks every shadow is a murderer, and Dorothy doesn’t seem to think anything is wrong.

The truth likely lies somewhere in between, but who knows if they can keep it together long enough to discover what’s really going on.

FAA and 5G carriers hatch plan to ensure safe flights

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Stingrays mimic cell towers, and are used by both criminals and police.
The FAA worked out a deal that will let us stop talking about C-band 5G and airports.
Photo: Miguel Á. Padriñán/Pexels

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration worked out a compromise that will let AT&T and Verizon deploy their new C-band 5G near airports without it interfering with instruments on airplanes.

While that’s good news for iPhone users who want fast cellular-wireless access everywhere, the agreement also means that the new version of 5G still won‘t be offered very near airports.

iPhone solidly beats rivals to take No. 1 smartphone spot

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iPhone Q4 2021: Apple solidly beats all rivals to take #1 smartphone spot
iPhone shipments in Q4 2021 beat out every competitor.
Graphic: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac/Rodnae Productions /Pexels

Apple moved more smartphones during the 2021 holiday quarter than any competitor. It outsold Samsung, its nearest competitor, by more than 20%.

That said, the number of iPhones that shipped during Q4 2021 dropped a bit year over year.

The Afterparty murders comedy [Apple TV+ review]

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The Afterparty review: Even Tiffany Haddish can't save this
Even Tiffany Haddish can't save this "comedy."
Photo: Apple TV+

Apple TV+’s newest comedy The Afterparty is a lifeless, listless and laughless murder mystery in seven parts told by dozens of narrators. The premise is novel: Each episode, the first three of which premiere Friday, parodies a different storytelling genre.

Executive produced, written and directed by Christopher Miller and Phil Lord of The Lego Movie fame — and starring a who’s who of contemporary comedians — the show had everything going for it. It is, however, an almost complete misfire.

The Afterparty is neither funny nor fun enough to ever create an identity stronger than any of what it’s lampooning.

Fun new emoji coming in iOS 15.4 will let you salute, melt and tear up

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Fun new emoji coming in iOS 15.4 will let you salute, melt and tear up
Here are some, but not all, of the new emoji coming soon to iPhone and iPad.
Image: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Soon you’ll be able to use an emoji to show that your battery is low. Or that you’re melting, are feeling ambivalent or patriotic, or getting teary-eyed. This is because the crop of fresh emoji approved in fall 2021 will debut when iOS 15.4 does.

Then they be used in texts, emails … wherever.

Watch new Apple TV+ comedy The Afterparty for free on YouTube

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Will you take the bait and watch the first episode for free?
Will you take the bait and watch the first episode for free?
Photo: Apple TV+

For the first time ever, Apple TV+ has offered the first episode of an Apple Original series — the crime comedy The Afterparty — on YouTube, where you can watch it in full for free.

That’s a promotional angle we haven’t seen before from the Cupertino tech giant. But will it work?

Say cheese: Albert Einstein, Dr. Fauci and RBG welcome new M1 Pro MacBook [Setups]

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That's not just any webcam perched above the monitor.
That's not just any webcam perched above the monitor.
Photo: [email protected]

On Fridays it’s fun to focus on computer setups with entertaining features whenever possible. Sometimes it’s seriously vintage gear. Or it could be wacky decor. Once in a while, an exotic location pops up. Today we found one where a brand new M1 Pro MacBook meets a kooky crew of bobbleheads and other figures under a really over-the-top camera rig used as a webcam.

How to enable background blur for FaceTime video calls in iOS 15

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How to enable background blur for FaceTime video calls in iOS 15
Use Portrait mode to bring background blur to FaceTime on iPhone and iPad.
Image: Apple/Cult of Mac

iOS and iPadOS 15 bring a number of big improvements to FaceTime — including voice isolation and the ability to blur your background during video calls like you can on Zoom and other video calling platforms.

We’ll show you how to enable the background blur feature using Portrait mode on iPhone and iPad.

Last chance: Save on this gorgeous, adjustable aluminum Free Stand for iPhone

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Laut stand for iPhone
It's perfect for hands-free FaceTime calls.
Photo: Laut

Sick of losing your iPhone under all the clutter on your desk? Laut’s gorgeous Free Stand ensures your smartphone is always easy to see so you don’t miss another notification. It’s also great for hands-free FaceTime calls.

The Free Stand is made from sturdy aluminum and looks right at home alongside other Apple devices. It’s also adjustable, and until the end of today, it’s available from the Cult of Mac Store at 20% off its usual price. You can also save on all other Laut products.

Windows 10 lifetime license $15, Office $26: Month-end discounts up to 91%!

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When you buy Windows 10 at CDKeylord.com, you get a free upgrade to Windows 11.
When you buy Windows 10 at CDKeylord.com, you get a free upgrade to Windows 11.
Image: CDKeylord.com

This discount software activation keys post is brought to you by CDKeylord.com.

In its month-end sale, software seller CDKeylord.com offers more unbeatable deals on genuine Microsoft software. Cult of Mac readers can get 30% off the regular price of a Windows 10 Pro key. And when you buy a Windows 10 key, you can get a free upgrade to Windows 11! Just enter the special discount code CULT when you check out to grab the exceptional savings.

See currently available discounts on various Microsoft software titles in the list below.

tvOS 15.4 brings improved video player with ‘Up Next’ queue

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tvOS 15.4 with Up Next queue
Apple continues to make tvOS even better.
Image: Sigmund Judge

The first tvOS 15.4 beta brings an improved video player with a built-in “Up Next” queue to Apple TV. The update, released Thursday by Apple, also allows users to connect to captive Wi-Fi networks for the first time.

The changes come after Apple TV got a completely redesigned video player with larger titles and more accessible subtitles in tvOS 15 last fall.

iOS 15.4 allows third-party apps to use 120Hz ProMotion on iPhone 13 Pro

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The iPhone 13 Pro is as powerful as it is beautiful.
iPhone apps are smoother than ever under iOS 15.4.
Photo: Apple

Apple’s new iOS 15.4 beta eliminates a bug that prevents third-party apps from using iPhone 13 Pro’s super-smooth ProMotion feature.

Until now, apps not made by Apple have been restricted to a 60Hz refresh rate on the company’s newest flagship smartphone. But after installing iOS 15.4, they’re just as silky as apps running on iPad Pro.

This magnetic iPhone charger is on sale for $29.99

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Grab a new wireless charger for the iPhone 12 for $30.
It's like Apple's MagSafe charger, but less expensive.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

The technology behind wireless chargers improves every year. This Magnetic Wireless Charger for iPhone is fast, safe and remarkably convenient for the price. You can get one for $29.99 or two for $49.99 while they’re on sale.

It’s similar to Apple’s MagSafe charger, but more affordable — especially if you buy two. (Can you ever have too many iPhone chargers?)

US states and Microsoft back Epic Games in fight against the App Store

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Epic Games vs. the App Store
It's getting harder for Apple to defend its rules.
Image: Epic Games

The Department of Justice, 35 U.S. states, and Microsoft have all backed Fortnite developer Epic Games in its fight against the App Store.

Briefs filed by Epic’s supporters with the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit say last year’s ruling — which said the App Store was not a monopoly — is wrong. They also claim Apple is stifling competition.

Apple Music taunts Spotify with massive Neil Young promotion

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Apple Music backs Neil Young
Apple Music is "the home of Neil Young."
Image: Apple/Cult of Mac

Apple Music has launched a huge Neil Young promotion just days after Spotify began pulling all of the singer’s content from its platform.

Listeners will today find a “We Love Neil” section under the “Browse” tab that features albums, interviews, and playlists. Cupertino has also send out tweets and push notifications that call Apple Music “The home of Neil Young.”

Here’s everything you need to know about Apple’s biggest quarter ever

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Despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, Apple achieved its
Despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, Apple achieved its "biggest quarter ever," Tim Cook said
Photo: Elena Mozhvilo/Unsplash license

Apple sold a crazy number of iPhones and Macs during the December quarter. And the result is what CEO Tim Cook called the company’s “biggest quarter ever.”

Take a deeper dive into the details to see how Apple was so very successful.

Learn how to create your own NFTs with this helpful guide

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Protect your own art with this guide to developing NFTs.
Jump on the NFTs bandwagon with this beginner's guide.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Technology has transformed just about everything in the modern world and art is no exception. Non-fungible tokens, aka NFTs, are a new way to uniquely register and ultimately protect your art in the open market.

Want to know how to get started with NFTs? This How to Create Your First NFT: The Beginner’s Guide will show you everything you need to know.

Apple’s boffo quarter easily beats Wall Street expectations

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Apple’s financial results were all the company could ask for.
Multiple products contributed to Apple having a stellar financial results last quarter.
Graphic: Cult of Mac

Apple raked in $123.9 billion in revenue during the last three months of 2021. That’s a year-over-year increase of 11%. More importantly, it’s significantly higher than financial analysts had predicted.

All that revenue led to quarterly earnings per diluted share of $2.10. Again, that solidly beat expectations.

Sonnet’s new adapters run two 4K displays from one port on your M1 Mac

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Connect two 4K displays to one port on your Mac with Sonnet's new adapters.
Connect two 4K displays to one port on your Mac with Sonnet's new adapters.
Photo: Sonnet Technologies

If you want to run more than one display with your M1 MacBook Air or M1 MacBook Pro, Sonnet Technologies just made things easier. The company rolled out new dual-display adapters that let you hook up two 4K displays to your laptop using just one of its precious few ports.

iOS 15.4 beta lets you use Face ID while wearing a mask

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Why Apple Watch’s iPhone unlock will change your freakin’ life
Being able to easily unlock your iPhone while wearing a face mask is coming in iOS 15.4.
Photo: Ivan Samkov/Pexels CC

Face ID in iOS 15.4 will let users unlock their iPhones while wearing a mask. No Apple Watch necessary. The system will scan just the area around eyes. It comes with a warning that the change makes Face ID less secure, though.

Apple seeded the first iOS 15.4 beta to developers Thursday.