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This minimalist LED lamp will light up your room (and your imagination)

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A light for every occasion with this pre-black friday deal.
No matter your mood, this sleek lamp is in your corner.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

It’s no secret that lighting can affect your mood. With this sleek floor lamp, you can easily add customizable mood lighting for every occasion — even if that occasion is just watching TV.

And all these mood-enhancing lighting options won’t cost you a fortune. With this Pre-Black Friday Doorbusters deal, the Lamp Depot Minimalist LED Corner Floor Lamp costs only $70.97 (regularly $149).

Tiny keychain cable charges gadgets and opens bottles, too [Review]

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The High Six features USB-C, USB-A and Lightning connectors.
The High Six features USB-C, USB-A and Lightning connectors.
Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac

If you want to be a helpful elf after the holidays — always ready to help charge up people’s devices and open their bottled beverages — you can be. Just carry the nifty little Vonmählen High Six 6-in-1 keychain charging cable in your pocket, with or without keys.

The review sample I received didn’t look flawless or work exactly as advertised, but the company said it will address some issues before it commences shipping the High Six in January 2022, as described below.

iOS 15.1.1 fixes dropped calls on recent iPhones

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iOS 15.1.1 fixes dropped calls on recent iPhones
iOS 15.1.1 is a bug fix update for recent iPhone models.
Photo: Cult of Mac

Users of recent iPhone models can now install iOS 15.1.1. Apple released the update Wednesday to take care of problems with dropped calls on these handsets.

It’s only for iPhone 13 and iPhone 12. And there is not an iPadOS equivalent.

Murder-mystery comedy The Afterparty premieres on Apple TV+ on Jan. 28

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Apple’s murder-mystery comedy ‘The Afterparty’ premieres on Jan. 28
Tiffany Haddish leads an ensemble cast in The Afterparty, coming to Apple TV+ in January.
Photo: Chris Miller

A premiere date for a hotly anticipated Apple TV+ series has finally been revealed. The Afterparty starring Tiffany Haddish and a collection of other comedians will make its debut on Apple’s streaming service on Friday, January 28.

The very unusual murder mystery was created by film virtuosos Phil Lord and Chris Miller.

iOS 15.2 lets you search inside Apple Music playlists

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Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos and Lossless Audio are coming to Apple Music subscribers beginning June 2021.
Rolling out to everyone soon.
Photo: Apple

Apple’s latest iOS 15.2 beta lets users search inside Apple Music playlists for the first time. The update makes it easier to quickly locate tracks, which should make it a little quicker to keep your favorite playlists in order.

This was one of the most requested features for Apple Music playlists. As users have noted, however, the service still has a long way to go before it catches up with rivals on playlist features.

Part 2: From PC pigsty to prim M1 Pro MacBook workstation [Setups]

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In round 2, I experiment with an open laptop stand, a mechanical keyboard with a wrist rest, a Magic Trackpad 2, an ergonomic mouse with a trackball and a monitor light bar.
In round 2, I experiment with an open laptop stand, a mechanical keyboard with a wrist rest, a Magic Trackpad 2, an ergonomic mouse with a trackball and a monitor light bar.
Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac

I wrote recently about the shameful squalor of my previous “setup” — basically a borrowed PC laptop perched on a pile of junk — and my effort to build something worthwhile around a gleaming new 14-inch M1 Pro MacBook. Well, like a lot of people in the throes of building a computer setup, I found that second-guessing haunted me into buying a whole lot of alternative gear.

You know, for testing purposes. Trial and error. Not because of my apparent shopping addiction. Or not much, anyway.

iOS 15.2 paves the way for DIY display replacements on iPhone 13

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iPhone 13 display repair
That's the end of that.
Photo: iFixit

Apple’s newest iOS 15.2 beta paves the way for DIY screen replacements on iPhone 13. Earlier versions of the firmware inexplicably disabled Face ID when a display was replaced by anyone other than Apple. But that’s no longer the case.

The change came just a day before Apple revealed its new Self Service Program, which will offer customers the parts and tools they need to carry out hardware fixes themselves — if they feel competent enough to do so.

Apple will sell parts and tools so customers can repair their own devices

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Apple Self Service Program for customer repairs
It's a major change to the company's repair policy.
Photo: Apple

Apple today revealed its new Self Service Program, which will provide customers with the parts and tools they need to repair their own devices. It marks a major shift in the company’s approach to hardware fixes.

The iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 lineups are the first to be supported, but will be soon followed by Mac computers powered by M1 chips, Apple said. The Self Service Program launches next year in the U.S., and will expand in 2022.

Apple’s simple Shortcuts change greatly improves cross-device support

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Like Shortcuts? macOS Monterey's got 'em.
You no longer have to update storage locations for each Shortcut.
Photo: Apple

Apple’s newest betas for iOS, iPadOS and macOS make a simple Shortcuts change that greatly improves the user experience across different devices.

Shortcuts now know which storage folders to use automatically — depending on your device — negating the need to manually update them individually for different hardware.

Say goodbye to snoring with this custom-molded mouthpiece

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Rest easy free of snoring with this black friday deal.
Would you pay $60 for a solid night's sleep without snoring?
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Your snoring doesn’t need to wake you, your partner or your roommates anymore. A custom-fit VitalSleep Anti-Snoring Mouthpiece can give you a snoreless slumber.

And during our Pre-Black Friday Sale, it’s on sale for just $59.97 (regularly $99). That’s a fraction of what CPAP machines and other anti-snoring devices cost.

Level up your iPhone gaming with Rotor Riot Lightning controller [Review]

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RiotPwr Rotor Riot iOS Controller RR1852 PWR Plus review
iPhone gaming is better with a hardware game controller like the RiotPwr Rotor Riot RR1852.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Playing serious games on an iPhone touchscreen can be crazy frustrating. Don’t throw your iPhone across the room — get a game controller like RiotPwr’s Rotor Riot RR1852. This mimics the design of Microsoft’s Xbox controller but with a Lightning cable and an iPhone mount.

I fully tested this updated version of the Rotor Riot Lightning-enabled game controller. And I like it a lot. And apparently so does Apple because you can find it in the Apple Store, both online and brick-and-mortar locations.

Apple Home Services chief leaves after less than 3 years on the job

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Apple Home Services chief Sam Jadallah left his post after less than three years.
Apple Home Services chief Sam Jadallah left his post after less than three years.
Photo: Apple

Apple hired Sam Jadallah in February 2019 to lead its smart home initiatives as head of the Home Services department. Last week, he posted word of his departure on LinkedIn.

Neither Jadallah nor Apple has given a reason for the departure. After two years and nine months on the job, Jadallah wrote:

That’s a wrap with Apple. I’m so grateful for the friendships that will endure and the opportunity to shape and create new capabilities for people and homes around the world. As a corporate exec, investor and entrepreneur, it was a treat to be an entrepreneur within Apple and to create products at scale.

Play this surprisingly smooth Super Mario 64 port for iOS and Apple TV

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Super Mario 64 on Apple TV
One of the best Mario games, not on Apple TV ... but for how long?
Photo: Nintendo

Nintendo classic Super Mario 64 is now playable on iOS and Apple TV thanks to a very unofficial port. A video shows the game — which is packed with a bunch of cheats — running pretty flawlessly at a smooth 60 frames per second.

You can download the game and try it out for yourself. However, getting it up and running requires Xcode and some trickery. If interested, you might want to jump on it soon before Nintendo wipes it off the planet.

Apple Watch seems to break Mail Privacy Protection in iOS 15

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Mail Privacy Protection on Apple Watch
That's not good.
Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac

Beware using Mail on your Apple Watch. Security researchers have found that receiving messages on your wrist compromises Mail Privacy Protection in iOS 15 by revealing your IP address to senders.

Mail Privacy Protection — available across Mac, iPhone and iPad — is designed to prevent this from happening by masking your actual IP address. But it seems that using Mail on Apple Watch completely undermines it.

Let your kids print their own toys with this Shark Tank-approved 3D printer

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This 5-star rated 3D printer lets kids create their own toys.
This easy-to-use 3D printer lets kids get creative.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

A machine that prints toys: It may sound like the stuff of Roald Dahl books or movie magic, but the Toybox 3D printer is actually real. And without a doubt, it’s the coolest gift you could give the kids in your life this holiday season.

Even better, right now, you can grab the Toybox 3D Printer Deluxe Bundle with a special pre-Black Friday doorbuster deal for just $319.97 (regular price $469).

WhatsApp said to be developing new Catalyst app for iPad and Mac

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WhatsApp Catalyst app for iPad
It still doesn't have a release date yet.
Photo: WABetaInfo

WhatsApp is reportedly working on a new app that will work on both iPad and Mac. It’s thought to take advantage of Apple’s Catalyst platform, which makes it easier for developers to build universal applications.

The popular messaging service is already available on macOS, but this would be the first native WhatsApp client for iPad. WhatsApp has already started rolling out improved multi-device support that is less reliant on a smartphone.

Epic CEO calls for single App Store for all, says ‘Apple must be stopped’

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Epic Games vs. the App Store
Tim Sweeney is not a fan of the App Store.
Photo: Epic Games

Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney renewed his attack on the App Store, telling a conference in South Korea that “Apple must be stopped.”

Sweeney, who spoke Tuesday at the Global Conference for Mobile Application Ecosystem Fairness, accused Apple of complying with “oppressive foreign laws.” He also called for “a single store that works with all platforms.”

Setapp’s suite of apps transformed my productivity, finances and creativity

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Setapps has a great suite of mac apps.
Like many people out there, I rely on apps to navigate my day-to-day because technology continues to change my life.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

By Unique Michael

Like you, I’m constantly trying to find new ways to use my Apple devices. That usually means trying new apps, but it’s not always clear which apps are worth installing and which are a waste of time and money.

Instead of trying apps haphazardly, there’s an option that’s been called the “Spotify of Mac apps.” This unique and inexpensive subscription service lets you access more than 200 popular and well-regarded Mac apps to download and try.

That option is Setapp, and right now you can save 36% on a one-year subscription.

Amazon launches Prime Video app for Mac

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The new Amazon Prime Video app for Mac means you don't have to use a browser for viewing.
The new Amazon Prime Video app for Mac means you don't have to use a browser for viewing.
Photo: Amazon

Amazon introduced a native macOS app for its Amazon Prime Video service Monday, offering another option for Mac owners who previously relied on a browser to watch. They can get the app in the App Store.

The new Mac app provides access to all Amazon Prime streaming content. Prime Video subscribers can use the app to stream content or download content on Macs for offline viewing.

Disney characters go for each other’s throats in upcoming Apple Arcade game

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Disney characters go for each other throats in upcoming Apple Arcade game
Mickey looks TERRIFYING
Photo: Mighty Bear Games

Beloved Disney and Pixar characters will put aside the caring and sharing and try to beat the stuffing out of each other in Disney Melee Mania, a game that’ll launch soon on Apple Arcade.

Mickey in particular looks like he’s taken that “mania” part to the max and is ready to devour someone’s liver.

AirPods 3 are the best earbuds in Apple’s lineup [Review]

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AirPods 3 with Funko
With AirPods 3, Apple proves it can create a magical experience, even in a tiny package.
Photo: Ian Fuchs/Cult of Mac

AirPods are arguably one of Apple’s most popular products. Over the last five years, the wireless earbuds have become so common that it’s hard to go anywhere without seeing someone wearing them.

And now, with the third-generation AirPods, Apple has improved them in almost every way. That makes the latest AirPods one of the best, if not the best, all-around earbuds you can get.

New HyperDrive USB-C MacBook dock adds amazing 15 ports

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New HyperDrive USB-C MacBook dock adds amazing 15 ports
Add up to 15 ports to a MacBook with a new USB-C hub/dock from Hyper.
Photo: Hyper

The HyperDrive 4K Multi-Display Docking Station for 13”-16” MacBook has room for 15 ports, including a trio of HDMI ports that support 4K 60Hz. There’s also Gigabit Ethernet, a trio of USB-A ports, a trio of USB-C ports, memory card readers and more.

Rather than sitting beside or behind the laptop, Hyper’s latest dock props it up.