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This bestselling VPN comes as a 2-pack for just $60

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VPN 2-pack
With pricing this good, everybody can stay safe online.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

With all the time we’re spending online these days, it’s become essential to keep all the information you share as private as possible. From your home address and personal phone number to credit card and Social Security numbers, we share a lot of sensitive information online daily.

iPhone: The Next Generations! [Cult of Mac Magazine 391]

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The future of the iPhone is coming into focus.
The future of the iPhone is coming into focus.
Cover: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

An unusually deep and detailed report from one of the world’s most reliable Apple analysts gives us a possible look at where the iPhone is headed in the next few years.

From no-brainers like bigger batteries (coming later this year) to more mysterious possibilities like a folding model (2023 at the earliest), this week’s top stories offer a glimpse of what the next generation of iPhones might bring.

Get up to speed with this week’s free issue of Cult of Mac Magazine. Download it now to read on iPhone or iPad, or get all the top headlines in the link lists below. And let us know if the features you’re craving are on Apple’s agenda.

iMac Pro discontinued: Get it before it’s gone

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The new iMac Pro brings awesome firepower to the desktop this December.
The iMac Pro might not be replaced with a new version.
Photo: Apple

Apple discontinued the iMac Pro, which is still one of the fastest Macs available despite being more than three years old. Whether the move means an updated version of the all-in-one desktop is on the way is unclear.

UPDATE: Don’t miss the Cult of Mac editorial “Good riddance to iMac Pro and the era of underwhelming Macs.”

Enhance your audio experience with this listening software, now 83% off

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Audio Optimization
This software makes music, games and movies sound better than ever on a Mac or PC.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Nothing enhances an experience the way sound can. You know that’s true if you’ve ever felt your heart race during a musical swell while watching a thriller, or felt more focused and productive while listening to the perfect playlist.

You can take advantage of the power of sound with this lifetime subscription to Audio Optimization Experience. The Mac app provides depth, clarity, bass definition and more to your audio for a truly immersive experience, whether you’re listening to music, watching a movie or playing a video game.

You’re always ready to play with OtterBox’s protective Xbox controller case [Review]

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OtterBox Gaming Carry Case review
OtterBox Gaming Carry Case provides solid protection for your Xbox controller.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Slip your Xbox controller into the OtterBox Gaming Carry Case to protect it when gaming on the go. There’s a built-in phone stand so you can play anywhere, and the case makes room for OtterBox’s new phone mount.

I’ve used this Xbox controller case for several weeks. Here’s why I like it.

Selena Gomez, Jane Fonda will be profiled in Dear… season 2 on Apple TV+

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‘Dear…’ season two was green lit by Apple TV+
Dear… has been renewed for a second season and will highlight the lives of 10 more celebrities.
Photo: Apple

A second season of the documentary series Dear… will take a look at the lives and careers of more actors, musicians and athletes like Viola Davis, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and 8 more. It was approved on Friday, and is set to premiere later in 2021 on Apple TV+.

I want a folding iPhone and I want it now

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Why should Android users have all the folding fun?
Why should Android users have all the folding fun?
Photo: Mika Baumeister/Unsplash CC

If you’ve been paying attention to cutting-edge smartphones, you probably noticed a trend — foldable screens. And while folding phones might seem gimmicky, I think they present the perfect solution to a market-inflicted problem.

Unfortunately, while Apple is reportedly working on folding iPhone prototypes, the latest report suggests it we might wait nearly three more years for Cupertino’s first crack at such a device.

That’s way too long when the Android market is pressing forward fast. Please, Apple, don’t make us wait for a folding iPhone.

Flip through puzzles in Sp!ng on Apple Arcade

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Sp!ng debuted Friday on Apple Arcade
Sp!ng is designed to be challenging but not stressful.
Screenshot: SMG Studios

SMG Studios calls Sp!ng “a stress ball for your brain.” The goal of the new title is to maneuver a ball through a maze while collecting gems, but in a relaxed way. There’s only one control to grab the ball, spin it and release it.

The puzzle game debuted Friday on Apple Arcade.

Coder’s M1 Mac mini display goes ultrawide and vertical [Setups]

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An ultrawide monitor and a vertical one can be a good look.
An ultrawide monitor and a vertical one can be a good look.
Photo: CompilingTheFuture @ Reddit

Reddit is a great place to seek advice about computer setups. Redditor CompilingTheFuture did well recently when puzzling over replacing the triple-monitor display running off his M1 Mac mini.

The problem? One of the main issues was that three screens were so wide that peering into the corners required a lot of “neck twisting.” Sounds painful.

Apple Watch defies rivals’ smartwatch downturn in 2020

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watchOS 7.3.1 squashes a bug inApple Watch’s Power Reserve feature.
Apple Watch shipments grew 19% last year.
Photo: Cult of Mac

Apple Watch shipments increased by 19% last year, according to a new report from Counterpoint Research. Those are respectable numbers. However, they look even better compared to the performance of other smartwatch makers like Samsung and Fitbit, whose shipments declined in 2020.

This trend runs counter to the trajectory seen with most other Apple products. Even smash hits like the iPhone and AirPods, which grew over time, gradually made up a smaller piece of the pie as rivals gobbled up market share. In the case of the Apple Watch, however, not only is Apple remaining No. 1 — with 33.9 million units reportedly shipped in 2020 — but it’s retaining its lead.

How to turn your old Apple devices into quick cash today

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iPhone 8 iPad Macbook
Cult of Mac can help you get the best price.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Ready to upgrade some of your old Apple devices? Don’t just let them sit in a drawer collecting dust. Turn your old iPhone, iPad, what to do with old iMac, and more into quick cash that you can put toward a shiny new model. If you’re curious about uses for old iPhones, there are plenty of options.

Your aging Apple gadgets could be worth a small fortune — and Cult of Mac wants to buy them! We typically pay more than other trade-in services, and we won’t leave you waiting forever for your money.

We’ll tell you how it works.

OLED displays could be coming to iPad and MacBook in 2022

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MacBook Air M1 2020
Future MacBooks could come with OLED screens.
Photo: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac

Apple will bring OLED displays to both the iPad and MacBook in 2022, according to a new report from Digitimes.

OLED (short for “organic light emitting diode”) screens offer several advantages over older technologies, including more-vibrant colors, higher contrast, thinner hardware and increased power efficiency.

Apple sends out $500 digital vouchers to devs who return their DTK Macs

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Mac mini with ARM chip
DTK Mac was a preview of Apple Silicon.
Photo: Apple

Apple started issuing $500 digital vouchers to developers following the return of their Developer Transition Kit Macs.

The company introduced the custom DTK Macs last year at its Worldwide Developers Conference. As their name suggests, the hardware was intended to help developers transition their apps from Macs’ previous Intel architecture to new Apple Silicon processors.

They were offered as a one-year lease, although Apple wound up requesting them back at around the nine-month mark.

Clock’s not running out: TikTok lands at top of App Store for yet another month

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Top apps February
Here's how the top apps for February shook out.
Photo: Sensor Tower

TikTok has cemented itself at the top of the App Store for yet another month, showing the seemingly unassailable dominance of the video-sharing app. According to app analytics platform Sensor Tower, TikTok was the top-grossing, non-gaming app worldwide for February 2021.

For the month, it raked in more than $110 million in user spending across both iOS and Android. That’s approaching twice what it earned in revenue that month last year, although marginally down from the $128 million it pulled in back in January.

Wolfwalkers fetches 10 animation award nominations

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Wolfwalkers is headed for Apple TV+ in late 2020
Wolfwalkers sniffed out ten nominations in the Annie Awards.
Photo: Cartoon Saloon

Apple TV+’s Wolfwalkers received a whopping ten nominations for the 48th Annie Awards, which celebrate excellence in animation. That put it in a tie for most nominations with Pixar’s Soul.

Wolfwalkers also scored a Golden Globe nomination, and is widely expected to be nominated for an Oscar later in March.

Satechi’s portable USB-C hub sports 9 ports and hideaway cable

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Satechi's portable USB-C hub is designed for home or travel.
Make up for the lack of ports in your MacBook or iPad with a Satechi 9-in-1 USB-C hub.
Photo: Satechi

The latest USB-C multiport hub from Satechi is designed with portability in mind. It packs in nine frequently used  ports so it’s not too tiny. But designers built in a slot to hold a short travel-ready connection cable to cut down excess bulk.

Apple laptops and tablets lack a variety of ports, but adapters like this one make for easier presentations, data transfers or network connections.

App Store faces barrage of antitrust charges in Europe

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App Store faces barrage of antitrust charges
Government agencies in the EU and UK are looking into whether the iPhone App Store violates their antitrust laws.
Photo: Sora Shimazaki/Pexels CC

Spotify’s accusation to the European Union that Apple uses its control of the App Store to squeeze out competition reportedly will soon result in antitrust charges being filed against the iPhone-maker. This comes on the same day the UK begins an investigation of the App Store.

The two antitrust agencies could force Apple to lower the commissions it charges software developers. Or even require rival iPhone app stores.

Apple TV 3 loses YouTube support, but there is a workaround

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Apple TV Siri Remote
Sad times for third-gen. Apple TV owners.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

YouTube is now officially dead on the third-generation Apple TV. Users who attempt to watch the app will be greeted by an error message that confirms Apple’s aging hardware is no longer supported.

That’s hardly surprising given that the third-generation Apple TV is close to a decade old now. But there is a workaround (sort of) for those who still want to watch their favorite YouTube channels on the big screen.