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Zillow now supports SharePlay to make remote house hunting easier

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Zillow now supports SharePlay to make remote house hunting easier
Search for a home over FaceTime with the Zillow app and SharePlay.
Graphic: Zillow

Searching for a new house with someone who’s not right next to you just got a lot easier. The Zillow app on iPhone or iPad now supports SharePlay, so multiple people can look at the same home listings simultaneously on different devices.

Use it with loved ones or your real estate agent.

Beef up your video presence and your paired HomePod minis’ bass [Setups]

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A key light can be a webcam's best friend. And did you know your HomePod minis need a subwoofer?
A key light can be a webcam's best friend. And did you know your HomePod minis need a subwoofer?
Photo: [email protected]

Sometimes when you’re trawling the interwebs for cool computer setups, you learn a lot not just from the person bragging about their gear in a social media post, but also from the folks admiring or lambasting it. Such is the case with today’s iPad Pro and Dell widescreen setup.

Its owner and other folks push the importance of adding a good webcam and good lighting for successful videoconferencing. And other folks make a compelling case for adding a subwoofer to paired HomePod minis if you want any bass at all in your music.

Get 30% off the tiny but potent Journey 30W Mini Charger

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Journey's mini charger is exceptionally small but delivers 30W of charging power.
Journey's tiny GaN2 charger is exceptionally small but delivers 30W of power to a variety of devices.
Photo: Journey

This GaN2 charger post is presented by Journey, a brand of Alogic.

These days, you really don’t have to live with slow chargers for your iPhone, iPad, MacBook Pro and other devices. That’s because gallium nitride (GaN) technology makes it possible to pack components into small spaces, resulting in tiny but powerful charging gadgets like the Journey 30W USB-C Mini Charger.

It’s fast. It’ll charge almost anything. And because it’s one of the smallest chargers you can get, you can take it anywhere. Even better, Journey’s current promotion offers the little powerhouse for 30% off with the code BLACK30.

SEC blocks Apple’s bid to hide NDAs from shareholders

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Apple-Store-logo
Apple will have to give shareholders a vote on concealment clauses.
Photo: Laurenz Heymann/Unsplash

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has blocked Apple’s attempt to hide non-disclosure agreements and other concealment clauses from its shareholders.

The decision comes after Apple investor Nia Impact Capital filed a proposal in September calling for Apple to publish a report detailing “the potential risks to the company associated with its use of concealment clauses in the context of harassment, discrimination and other unlawful acts.”

Apple Store offers free 2-hour delivery on holiday orders

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Apple Store offers free 2-hour delivery
Get your gifts on time.
Image: Apple

Scrambling to get last-minute gifts ahead of the holidays? Apple’s got your back with free two-hour delivery now available on many products — including iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple Watch — in select cities across the U.S.

The promotion, which starts today, is available until December 24. But, as you’ve probably guessed, it’s only available on items that are in stock.

New 27-inch iMac could get new colors but miss out on mini-LED upgrade

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The new M1 iMacs come in a range of vivid colors.
It could be as colorful as the 24-inch model.
Photo: Apple

Apple’s upcoming 27-inch iMac refresh could miss out on the mini-LED upgrade that this year graced iPad Pro and MacBook Pro. A new report, citing industry sources, claims the all-in-one computer will stick with more-familiar LCD panels instead.

The same sources also say the new 27-inch iMac will be available in a range of color options, just like the 24-inch model introduced in May.

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.