Cult of Mac

It’s hard to believe that it’s only been six years since the Apple Watch first hit wrists around the world. It didn’t take long before it became the best-selling wearable device. In the second quarter of 2015, Apple sold 4.2 million of them. And as of the end of last year, more than 100 million people were happy Apple Watch owners.

If you still haven’t added this must-have accessory to your collection, here are a number of refurbished Apple Watch deals, all with the features we have come to know and love. One of them is sure to fit your needs.

Since Apple Watch gets a hardware update like clockwork every fall, it’s a safe bet we’ll see a Series 7 model next month alongside the iPhone 13. There are plenty of rumors about what to expect, including a better display and a new flat-edged design, both of which sound great to me.

But I’m less keen on the prospect that Apple Watch Series 7 might come with additional health sensors. Here’s why.

FlickType, maker of the accessible iPhone keyboard that has become popular among those with vision impairment, has confirmed it is discontinuing its app after years of obstacles and “abuse” from Apple’s App Store approval team.

The announcement comes after FlickType last week submitted an update to fix bugs related to iOS 15 and got “incorrectly” rejected by Apple. The team says Apple has ignored repeated requests for clarification and support.

Treat yourself to Apple Watch with big discounts on refurbs for a limited time only. Woot is offering Series 3, Series 4 and Series 5 units from just $109.99. Supplies are limited, so bag one before they’re all gone.

Apple has rolled out a big update to its iCloud for Windows app, finally bringing an iCloud Passwords app to Microsoft’s operating system. The version 12.5 update includes extensions that let you access your passwords in a browser.

Apple’s next-generation iPhone 13 lineup could launch during the third week of September with up to 1TB of storage, according to a new research report. It is also claimed that all models, from iPhone 13 mini to Pro Max, will feature a LiDAR Scanner for greater augmented reality and improved autofocus.

Security research firm Corellium on Monday revealed its new Open Security Initiative, which will support independent research into the privacy and security of mobile apps and devices. Its first target is Apple’s controversial CSAM scanning feature, set to roll out to iPhone users later this year.

Corellium said it applauds Apple’s commitment to holding itself accountable, and it believes its platform of virtual iOS devices is best for supporting any testing efforts. It hopes that researchers will use it to uncover “errors in any component” of Apple’s feature, which could be used to “subvert the system as a whole, and consequently violate iPhone users’ privacy and security.”

When the social media app Yik Yak debuted in late 2013, it was a hit at colleges. Users remained anonymous and only posts in their immediate area showed up for them. But then the app lost what made it unique and the company disbanded. Now the app is back with new ownership and something like the original formula.

Forget that old adage about curiosity killing the cat. Besides, that cat has nine lives, and you only have one, so it really is in your own best interest to be inquisitive about the world around you, to question, and to seek answers in order to expand your knowledge base, so that you are motivated to keep on learning. In fact, research shows that curiosity is one of eight core abilities that drive successful kids. But what a shame it would be to let that curiosity fade when we become adults, for even as we get older curiosity is a good thing.

Dashlane released a new macOS version of its password manager on Monday. This is a surprise because its developer announced last year that the Mac app was being replaced with web access.

And the iPhone version was updated with smarter search and other improvements.

Amid the mechanical keyboard mania that has gamers and others clickety-clacking all over the place, gaming provider Razer has unleashed Keycap Upgrade Sets and a selection of wrist rests to add color and style to your trusty old keeb.

If you’re one of the many 1Password users who are unhappy with the app’s new version 8 update on Mac, you might be considering a switch to another password manager. Luckily for you, it’s easy to move all your data.

We’ll show you how to export all your usernames and passwords out of 1Password and into another service, such as Dashlane. We will also explain how you can save your documents, which can’t be exported automatically.

Redditor MacSources, aka Nicholas Calderone, is a photographer, writer, editor and co-founder of MacSources.com. He runs a Mac mini at the center of his formidable dual-monitor computer setup. The workstation’s audio and storage components seem particularly epic.

TSMC is the world’s largest pure-play semiconductor maker and 20% of its entire revenue comes from making processors for Apple. The Taiwanese chip-maker produces all the CPUs for Mac, iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch.

NordVPN just got a big update that allows it to run natively on Apple Silicon machines for the first time. The new version promises better performance and an improved user experience on the latest Mac models with an M1 chip.

SwitchEasy recently kicked off its big Back to School sale, giving you 15% off its wide range of cases for iPhone and iPad, new MagSafe mounts, and lots more. Prices start at just $11.04, but the discount ends soon.

Enjoy it today before it disappears!

People spent a lot of time online in 2020 — but if one content format came out the true winner, it was definitely video. In fact, 60% of businesses use video as a marketing tool and 94% of marketers who used video once definitely plan to leverage it again. If you’ve ever tinkered around with video production before, you know it can be a labor of love — it’s both time and resource intensive to build videos from the ground up. Luckily, with tools like this VidToon 2.0 Animated Video Maker, you can create engaging videos in half the amount of time (and still get all the business traction you want and need).

HBO Max plans to fix its buggy Apple TV app “within days,” while other platforms will see big fixes before the end of the year.

Users have been plagued by issues that affect playback control, subtitles, and general usability. Executives insist they aren’t blind to the problems, and a major overhaul for all platforms is on the way.

The next couple of months could prove very exciting for Apple fans, with Cupertino planning a whole bunch of big product releases before the year is out. One reliable reporter predicts that in addition to “iPhone 13” and Apple Watch Series 7, we can expect new AirPods and a refreshed iPad models.

And that’s just the start of it.

If you’ve started and stopped trying to learn a new language multiple times, then you know how hard it can be. Learning a language isn’t just about mastering new words. It’s picking up new grammar, new ways to move your mouth you haven’t had to before — even new ways of structuring how you think. And all that’s really hard to learn without individualized instruction and a lot of chances to practice.

Babbel is the No. 1 way to pick up a new language — 14 new languages, actually. During the Babbel is Back promotion, you can get a lifetime of Babbel Language Learning for just $199. 

This week is all about showing the Mac a little love. From a kick-ass utility for managing windows to an all-in-one customer management system Mac app, there’s plenty to put your Mac to work.

The Apple Watch is loaded with amazing features that make it a staple for most people in their everyday lives — whether you’re using it to check messages and emails throughout the day or using it as a tool to improve your health and wellness. But with all those powerful features comes a usage caveat — the Apple Watch is only made to last 18 hours, meaning you do have to charge it daily. This Braided Magnetic Apple Watch Charging Cable is an excellent option to keep your Apple Watch fully charged and optimized for all the ways you use it throughout your day.

Calling all gamers. This week’s giveaway is for you. Elago is giving away a cover for your Apple TV that gives it a retro console look.

In addition, Elago is throwing in a matching Siri remote case to make it a complete set. If you want to old school your modern Apple devices and kick the fun factor up to the next level, make sure and enter this week’s giveaway. Three lucky winners will each win one Apple TV Case and one 2021 Apple TV Siri Remote Case, both in light grey.

The LG 32” UltraFine Display OLED Pro Monitor is a new option for creative professionals who need a top-tier display. It offers a million-to-one contrast ratio and a very wide color gamut.

The screen is aimed at the same market as Apple’s Pro Display XDR. And has a price tag to match.

The rollout of Matter, the standard expected to help smart-home systems like Apple HomeKit, Google Nest and Amazon Alexa Smart Home use devices in common, is delayed again.