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Maximize your adventures with the World Traveler Bundle, featuring Rosetta Stone

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This bundle includes every travel hack you ever need
Make travel more enjoyable with this bundle of hacks and more.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

The world is opening up again, meaning it’s the perfect opportunity to dust off your passport and visit the places you’ve always wanted to go. The World Traveler Bundle Featuring Rosetta Stone Lifetime Subscription includes everything you need to maximize your travels and enjoy visiting new frontiers to the fullest.

House committee approves antitrust legislation that could hit Apple hard

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App Store faces barrage of antitrust charges
Apple's antitrust woes look set to continue.
Photo: Sora Shimazaki/Pexels CC

A House committee approved antitrust legislation Thursday that threatens many big tech companies — Apple included. In a 24 to 20 vote early this morning, the committee approved the American Choice and Innovation Online Act.

The bill, which still needs to pass the full House, seeks to stop big platforms from advantaging their own products or services over those made by others. That could affect Apple, which not only owns and operates the App Store distribution platform, but also makes products that compete with some of the apps distributed through said store.

France will hear case regarding unfair App Store terms in September

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App Store
Apple is currently fending off App Store complaints around the world.
Photo: James Yarema/Unsplash CC

A case brought by France’s finance ministry against Apple will have its day in court September 17. The case involves allegedly abusive contractual terms imposed by Apple for developers selling software in the App Store.

It’s a similar scenario to the complaint made by Fortnite makers Epic Games, regarding the control Apple has over developers on iOS. The lawsuit follows a three-year probe carried out by the DGCCRF consumer fraud watchdog. It’s also just the latest of many complaints made about the App Store around the world.

Apple looks to China to bolster its growing ad business

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Apple search ads China
Feature launched in China this week.
Photo: Apple

Apple this week launched its App Store search advertising business in mainland China, five years after it arrived in the United States. Called Apple Search Ads, the targeted ads feature works similar to Google ads by letting developers bid to get advertising space for certain keywords.

Debuting Apple Search Ads in one of Apple’s biggest markets comes at the same time that Apple is cracking down on targeted advertising from other companies. Features like iOS 14’s App Transparency Tracker lets users opt out of personalized tracking from other companies. But while they’re struggling, Apple’s seemingly making the move to expand its own ad empire.

Mophie’s MagSafe car vent charger easily powers your iPhone on the road [Review]

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Mophie Snap+ Wireless Vent Mount reviews
The Mophie Snap+ Wireless Vent Mount is unobtrusive but holds and charges an iPhone 12 well.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Mophie Snap+ Wireless Vent Mount uses Apple’s MagSafe system not only to recharge your iPhone but also let the handset magnetically cling to your car’s dash.

I did some road tests with it, as well as the Mophie Snap Vent Mount, a very similar device that doesn’t include wireless charging. Here’s how they performed.

Logitech Combo Touch for iPad Air 4 adds keyboard, trackpad without Bluetooth

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Logitech Combo Touch for iPad Air 4 adds keyboard, trackpad without Bluetooth
Convert your iPad Air 4 into a detachable laptop with Logitech Combo Touch.
Photo: Logitech

Logitech’s Combo Touch keyboard case just launched for iPad Air 4. It includes a detachable keyboard and trackpad, as well as a protective case with kickstand. And Bluetooth is unnecessary.

There are versions for other iPad models out already. And there is a new color option for these.

Stop spam calls for good — and exact revenge on spammers — for $40 with RoboKiller

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RoboKiller's apps' answer bots block 99% of Unwanted Calls and Messages
Live a life free of spam calls with this highly rated blocker, on sale for less than $40 today.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Feel like you’ve been getting a ton of spam calls lately? Like, even more than usual? You wouldn’t be alone. In fact, there was a shocking 18% increase in spam calls during the pandemic. 

Thankfully, you can do something about it with RoboKiller Spam Call & Text Blocker, an app that stops nuisance calls in their tracks. Even more excitingly, two-year subscriptions have dropped to just $39.99 — almost half off the regular price of $79.

Now, just imagine the peace of two whole years without spam calls …

New iPhone 13 dummies and renders show incremental changes

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Dickson's dummies show small changes to four possible iPhone 13 models.
Dickson's dummies show small changes to four possible iPhone 13 models.
Photo: Sonny Dickson

Leaker Sonny Dickson showed off iPhone 13 dummies Wednesday of four possible models that could be released this fall, in addition to case renders and video of a case, included below.

They all suggest a handful of tweaks to iPhone 12 that may be forthcoming in the new models.

Wristcam’s Live Video Messaging on Apple Watch lets you go phone-free

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Wristcam gives your Apple Watch dual cameras and live video messaging.
Wristcam gives your Apple Watch dual cameras and live video messaging.
Photo: Wristcam

This post is brought to you in collaboration with our friends at Wristcam.

Dick Tracy comics gave its tough-guy detective a two-way-radio wristwatch in the 1940s, presaging today’s Apple Watch and other smartwatches. Now Wristcam is turning your Apple Watch into a walkie-talkie-style communicator.

Wristcam, the first (and only) smart-band camera for Apple Watch to receive the “Made for Apple Watch” designation, today announces its live video messaging capability is available on the App Store. And Cult of Mac readers can get a special discount on this unique Apple Watch accessory now through July 30, 2021. Just use our link to get $30 off a Wristcam.

Apple preps more-affordable 6.7-inch iPhone for 2022

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2022 iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Max
In 2022, every iPhone will allegedly be either 6.1 inches or 6.7 inches.
Photo: Apple

Apple will release two 6.7-inch iPhone models in 2022, according to a reliable analyst. There’ll be a high-end “Pro” model in this size, but the second will reportedly have a lower price.

The iPhone Max will supposedly replace the 5.4-inch iPhone mini in Apple’s product lineup. That model reportedly isn’t selling well, and it seems Apple is going to the opposite extreme in screen size for its successor.

Adobe Substance 3D Collection revamps tools in one suite

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Adobe's new Substance 3D Collection packs lots of creative capabilities.
Adobe's new Substance 3D Collection packs lots of creative capabilities.
Photo: Adobe

Today Adobe released its new Adobe Substance 3D Collection, a suite of interoperable tools and assets that support 3D creativity. It addresses a near-future the company pictures where 3D work’s not just for blockbuster movies and games anymore, but for anyone.

The updated apps now sit in one integrated subscription package, intended as a do-it-all capture-and-create place for 3D art, sampling and virtual photography. The tools can enhance video games, e-commerce and marketing projects, and even virtual reality content.

M1 MacBook Air handles dual external monitors [Setups]

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There's a trick to running dual external monitors with an M1 MacBook, but it's not very tricky.
There's a trick to running dual external monitors with an M1 MacBook, but it's not very tricky.
Photo: ImajiiMac@Reddit

One of the downsides you hear about the M1 MacBook Air and the M1 MacBook Pro is that they officially (natively) support just one external display in addition to the laptop’s screen, not dual external monitors.

Well, that may be true in the user manual. But Redditor ImajiiMac is among those discovering that “official” ain’t everything.

Apple TV+ video takes viewers behind the scenes of new show Physical

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Exercise your eyes with trailer for Apple TV+ dramedy ‘Physical’
Rose Bryne stars in Physical, a new dark comedy that debuted this month on Apple TV+.
Screenshot: Apple

A new Apple TV+ video gives a behind-the-scenes glimpse at the creation of new perm- and leotard-filled dark comedy Physical. The retro series follows the 1980s transformation of a timid housewife into an aerobics influencer extraordinaire.

The four-and-a-half-minute “making of” video features input from Physical stars Rose Byrne, Rory Scovel, Della Saba and Dierdre Friel, along with series showrunner Annie Weisman. It includes discussions of the show’s themes, including central character Sheila Rubin’s eating disorder.

Apple thinks antitrust reform could create ‘race to the bottom’ for security

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Privacy
Apple says proposed antitrust regulation would endanger consumer privacy.
Photo: Apple

Apple thinks five pieces of antitrust reform legislation could undermine innovation and competition in tech, as well as creating a “race to the bottom” for security and privacy. Apple laid out its concerns in a letter sent ahead of Wednesday’s meeting of the House Judiciary Committee to discuss the proposed laws.

The letter — sent to chairmen Jerrold Nadler and David Cicilline, and ranking members Jim Jordan and Ken Buck — lays out Apple’s arguments for why the government needs to reconsider the five bills.

Synchronize all your folders, files and disks instantly for $14.99

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Backup and synchronize your data for 50 percent off
This macOS utility will sync and back up all your important data.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

With consumers constantly upgrading devices and sharing files, it can be difficult to store and synchronize all that data in the cloud. That’s why so many companies charge for cloud storage in order to keep up with the deluge of new photos, music files and documents as we continue on with our lives.

But with FoldersSynchonizer, you can synchronize and back up all your valuable files, folders and disks easily. And that means you can securely restore and update your computer with the click of a button. Available now at 50% off for just $14.99, this nifty utility for macOS will ensure that you stay up to date with all of your data.

Apple says allowing sideloading iPhone apps would ‘actually eliminate choice’

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App Store
Stick to the App Store, Apple says.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple’s none too keen on sideloading, the process of allowing apps to be installed on iPhones and iPads from outside of the App Store. While some critics take issue with this as an example of Cupertino’s uncompromising monopolistic tendencies, Apple — unsurprisingly — has a different take.

In an interview with Fast Company, timed to coincide with publication of a white paper on the subject, Apple’s head of user privacy, Erik Neuenschwander, explains the company’s take.

Spoiler alert: It’s all about security.

Sonic the Hedgehog speeds onto Minecraft to celebrate 30th birthday

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Minecraft
Thirty years speeds by, too fast for the naked eye.
Photo: Minecraft

It’s somehow been 30 years since Sega’s rapid blue hedgehog mascot, Sonic, first speeded his way onto the Genesis and into video game history on June 23, 1991.

To celebrate the occasion, Minecraft has released an official DLC pack that lets you play through recreations of some of Sonic’s most iconic levels from the original Sonic the Hedgehog inside, well, Minecraft. It even includes blocky rings to collect.

If you’re a fan of Sega’s iconic spiky mammal, it looks like it’s well worth checking out. This 3D endless runner is all yours for 1,340 coins — or, approximately, $8 in real world terms. Check out the trailer below.

Tim Cook called Nancy Pelosi and other Democrats worried about antitrust legislation

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Tim Cook congressional antitrust hearing: Should Tim Cook be worried about Congress breaking up Apple?
"Or how about we don't?"
Photo: C-SPAN

Tim Cook reportedly got in touch with Speaker Nancy Pelosi, in addition to other members of Congress, to voice his worries about possible antitrust legislation, the New York Times reported Tuesday.

The Democrats are currently circulating drafts of antitrust bills that could affect the likes of Apple, Amazon, Facebook and Google. If passed, these bills could impact Apple’s ability to own and operate its own App Store marketplace in the way it currently does.

Brave browser bravely takes on Google with privacy-focused search

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Brave browser bravely takes on Google with privacy-focused search
Try Brave Search if you’re trying to prevent Google from tracking everything you do online.
Photo: Brave

A public beta of a privacy-preserving search engine from Brave debuted Tuesday. It doesn’t track users, their searches or their clicks.

It is, of course, entering into a David vs. Goliath fight with Google, which dominates the search business with a more than 90% share.

Apple’s new Tower Theatre store in LA looks preposterously beautiful

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Many Angelenos on the hunt for Apple gear will recognize the historic theater's restored clocktower and sign. But the interior will blow them away.
Many Angelenos on the hunt for Apple gear will recognize the historic theater's restored clocktower and sign. But the interior will blow them away.
Photo: Apple

Apple previewed its newest retail location at the historic Tower Theatre in downtown Los Angeles on Tuesday. The company announced the store’s Thursday opening in conjunction with the launch of the Today at Apple Creative Studios global mentorship initiative for young creatives.

And wow, the new store looks like a real beauty. Apple called it “one of its most significant restoration projects to date.” That’s saying something. Just look at Rome. Or Bangkok. Or even the long-established Grand Central Station store in New York.

Download videos from streaming sites with 76% off this award-winning app

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downloader
With vDownloader, you can download videos from YouTube, Vimeo, Twitch and more.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Have you ever loved a YouTube video so much that you just had to download it? Or perhaps you found an interesting video that you want to download to watch later. Sometimes, you might just find yourself without Wi-Fi and need some mindless entertainment to fill the void. Whatever the reason, being able to download videos from streaming sites in just a click can feel like the ultimate internet superpower.

The software that gives you that superpower? The award-winning vDownloader. And you can grab a lifetime subscription today for just $29.99 — that’s a huge 76% discount off the regular price of $129.

Don’t miss these Prime Day deals on great iPhone, Mac and iPad accessories

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Don’t miss these Prime Day deals on great iPhone, Mac and iPad accessories
Prime Day can save you money on add-ones for your Apple Gear.
Photo: Amazon

Amazon’s Prime Day brings bargains on a range of accessories for your Apple devices. There are cases, keyboards, chargers, SSDs… lots of options and all below the regular prices.

There are savings on gear for iPhone Mac and iPad, but most of the deals expire on Tuesday. Don’t wait around.