Cult of Mac

If you found some new Apple gear under the tree or in your mailbox, this week’s how-tos are for you. We’ll show you how to set up your new iPhone, Apple Watch, etc., and also recommend some hot apps you should download immediately to maximize your fun and productivity.

Get those tips, plus the week’s to Apple news and opinions, in this week’s free issue of Cult of Mac Magazine. It’s our gift to you! Or, like every week, you can get the headlines in your browser below.

P.S. Don’t miss the epic poem, “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas at Apple Park …” by Cult of Mac scribe Luke Dormehl.

There’s plenty of ways you can improve your productivity this year — from sharpening your focus and time-management skills, to changing your workflow with a bunch of time-saving apps.

But have you considered changing your workspace to make sure it’s optimized to help you be efficient and comfortable at the same time? An easy addition might be swapping your traditional desk for this EC1 Electric Height Adjustable Standing Desk.

We’ve all been there before: Last-minute gift shopping can be pretty stressful. If you’ve gotten yourself in that same sad boat (again) and are still trying to figure out the perfect presents for your friends and family, check out these stocking-stuffer-sized gifts. They range from an ultra-durable charging cable to the best accessories for your AirPods.

And, in the Christmas spirit, you can save an extra 15% off with code MERRY15.

Got a new iPhone or iPad for the holidays? Make the most of it by getting your hands on some of the best, most useful iOS apps. We’ve rounded up five of our favorites that we think every iPhone and iPad owner should be using.

We all need a way to wind down after a long day (or a way to spend a weekend when the weather’s bad). And if you’ve already run through your book list and taken a few meditation classes, nothing really beats a round of golf.

This PhiGolf: Mobile & Home Smart Golf Simulator with Swing Stick is perfect for both avid golfers and newbies — anyone who wants to improve their swing.

There are a lot of things to love about Apple’s new AirPods Max headphones, but the Smart Case isn’t one of them. Roundly panned after the high-end cans’ release, it’s just plain weird-looking. Plus, it’s not that protective or functional.

Luckily, WaterField Designs delivered what Apple didn’t. The San Francisco-based maker of luxury bags for all your tech gear just unveiled its Apple AirPods Max Shield Case — and it’s designed with input from Apple fans to make it actually, you know, smart (not to mention attractive).

The holidays are officially here (believe it or not) and that means it’s time to plan for the upcoming year. Whether you want to kick your fitness into high gear or start meditating daily, there are plenty of ways you can consider improving your well-being and personal development. And, if you’re looking for some recommendations, these three apps and learning platforms are an extra 15% off with code MERRY15.

‘Twas the night before Christmas, and all through Apple Park
All the shutters were drawn and the offices dark.
The lunchroom was empty, the desks were all clean
All were working from home due to COVID-19.

Among other things, Apple is known for its clear messaging and high level of quality control. Which is why it was slightly strange when a poster for upcoming Apple TV+ movie Cherry failed totally on both these counts. It featured an all-but-illegible title on its “For Your Consideration” campaign poster for Best Picture.

Don’t worry, though. The flick hasn’t been renamed CHERk, 0HER88 or 8HERK in post-production. Nor is this terrible typeface a marketing stunt. Instead, it seems that trade publication Variety just shared the wrong version of the poster.

Volkswagen Chairman of the Board Herbert Diess says he’s excited to see what Apple’s “virtually unlimited” means and resources will mean for the auto industry.

In a German-language post on LinkedIn, Diess wrote:

We can all agree that the accessories that come with a new iPhone or iPad are never enough. Whether you need to upgrade your current accessories or get ones you’ve never had (or knew about) before, you’ve come to the right place. From chargers to USB ports and beyond, we’ve come up with 10 items that every Apple fan will need.

This sale only lasts for two days, so be quick about it. Use the coupon code MERRY15 to get 15% off for super holiday savings.

The iOS 14 privacy feature that lets users know which apps are tracking them — and how — has started rolling out for beta users on certain apps.

Apple first showed off the new privacy labels at this year’s virtual Worldwide Developers Conference. Apple asked that, starting early this month, developers submit information to Apple concerning the type of data their apps collect on users.

This data is then used to create nutrition label-type categories that let users easily understand how they are being monitored. It means that, the first time users open an app, they will be alerted regarding this information. This can be used to help decide whether to use a certain app or how to decide sharing settings.

Thanks to a wonderfully simple quick-release clasp, Monowear’s new Deployant Reserve band for Apple Watch is ideal for anyone who despises traditional buckles. It’s made from genuine leather that’s wonderfully soft, and like all Monowear products, it’s also nicely priced.

Here’s our full review.

Future iPads will be built around Apple’s M-series Mac processors, rather than A-series iPhone chips, according to a recent unconfirmed report. This is a much-needed step in Apple tablets becoming all they can be.

A more powerful processor would allow iPads to easily run macOS software. And that’s just one of the game-changing improvements possible for tablets with M-series chips.

By the time New Year’s Day rolls around, you will probably already have made a few resolutions about improving your fitness and health. Instead of trying to will yourself out of bed and go to the gym, why not skip a few steps and bring the gym to your house? Our Win the Complete Home Gym Giveaway Featuring Peloton & Donate to Charity is an amazing opportunity to score premium workout equipment worthy of any elite gym — and donate to a good cause while you’re at it!

A new report adds weight to rumors that an Apple TV set-top box supercharged for gaming is coming next year.

“Apple is planning an upgraded box with a stronger gaming focus, an updated remote and a new processor,” according to Bloomberg.

Apple removed approximately 94,000 games from the App Store in China during 2020, The Wall Street Journal reports. This is a significantly larger number than last year’s tally of 25,000 games removed.

The escalation comes as China works harder to clamp down on illegal content on mobile platforms. The WSJ says the larger number illustrates Apple’s “vulnerability to state pressure” on its business.

Facebook argues that it is standing up for small businesses by challenging Apple on its pro-privacy measures. However, it appears that not all Facebook employees are buying the company line.

According to internal message board comments and audio obtained by BuzzFeed News, some Facebook employees think their employer is being a tad disingenuous with its public statements about working on behalf of mom-and-pop businesses.

Apple has started shipping out special iPhones to help security researchers discover weaknesses in iOS. Apple announced its new Apple Security Research Device Program in July. However, they have only started rolling out the phones now.

Under the program terms, researchers get these special iPhones for a period of one year. They may extend the loan period. These iPhones are far less locked-down than regular iPhones. That makes it easier to find flaws that could help improve iOS security.

Apple could have bought electric automaker Tesla at a bargain price, according to Tesla CEO Elon Musk. But Apple’s chief executive wasn’t interested.

Musk revealed this historic bombshell Tuesday, alongside his comments on a recent report about Apple’s plans for a self-driving vehicle.

This air purifier post is presented by Molekule.

If there was ever a year that cried out for clearing the air, it’s 2020. Many a pundit has called these 12 months “challenging” in many ways. This holiday season, with so many people spending most of their time at home, why not give yourself and others the gift of literally cleaned air? You can do that with a technologically advanced — and Apple HomeKit-compatible — Molekule air purifier, such as the Air Mini+. They’re on sale through Dec. 31.

Smartphone and computer storage gets cheaper, faster and more reliable every year, but there still never seems to be enough. Our phones are filled to the brim with 4K videos, photos and apps.

If your smartphone or hard drive is packed full of important documents and family memories you just can’t let go of, cloud storage is a great option. These four cloud storage plans are all available at drastically reduced prices right now — and they’re all lifetime subscriptions, too.

Apple could be preparing to dramatically improve the performance of its iPads. The company reportedly will start building its tablets with the same M-series chips that go into the company’s laptops and desktops.

These will be produced by Apple’s chip maker TSMC, which is moving ahead with developing 3nm processors. Its first production units will reportedly be M-series chips for Macs. And these processors will also allegedly be used in future iPad models.

AirFly Pro can wirelessly connect your AirPods to a plane’s entertainment system. Or the machines at your gym. If it has a 3.5 mm audio jack, this Bluetooth adapter lets it communicate with your AirPods. Even two pairs at once.

And the same easily pocketable gizmo can connect your iPhone to a car stereo’s AUX port to play music off your iPhone.

I tested both these features — find out how well they work in this AirFly Pro review.

MGM, the movie studio that owns the James Bond franchise, is supposedly up for sale — and The Wall Street Journal says some “big technology companies [are] logical buyers.”

Apple has previously been reported as expressing interest in acquiring the James Bond movies, and has held talks about purchasing MGM.