Cult of Mac

‘Tis the season to be jolly — or, it seems, to take your mortal enemies, tear their still-beating hearts from their chests, and then freeze said organ in your hand, all while laughing evilly. Or something similarly twisted.

That’s an around-about way of saying that Mortal Kombat for iOS has received an update. If you’re looking for a bit of gory fighting action to distract you from the impending holidays, it’s well worth checking out. Although why you’d have any built-up stress that needs excising after 2020 is beyond me…

There’s probably no better feeling than receiving and setting up a brand new iPhone, whether you’re transferring over all your old data or looking up the best new apps to download and experience. On the flip side of that, there’s probably nothing more worrisome than dropping your brand-new phone for the first time.

If you recently bought a new iPhone 12, protect your investment with this Crystal iPhone 12 Transparent Case. Not only will it protect your phone from drops and spills, it also won’t interfere with the device’s beautiful, sleek lines.

Fortnite maker Epic Games continues to take shots at Apple — teaming with Samsung to send a gift bag to online influencers containing a “Free Fortnite” custom jacket with Apple-inspired logo, some suspiciously Apple-looking packaging, and a Galaxy Tab S7.

The note inside reads:

Serious gaming on your iPad or iPhone gets better with an external Xbox or PlayStation controller instead of a touchscreen. And Apple recently improved the experience even more by allowing you to reconfigure the buttons on your game controller.

Here’s how to customize what those all-important buttons do.

Apple is reportedly prepping an an autonomous vehicle that’s aimed at the consumer market. Leaked information indicates Apple is going to make a car and sell it to the public, not just develop self-driving technology to license to other companies.

Apple Car production supposedly will begin in 2024 using cutting-edge battery technology.

Looking for a great book to bury yourself in as we escape the closing days of a pretty terrible year? Whether you’re looking for one for yourself or a gift for a fellow tech lover, 2020 had no shortage of great titles.

Here are our choices for the best tech books of 2020.

This software key post is presented by VIPkeysale.com.

It’s that time of year again. What time is that? Winter holiday time. Time to stay inside at home — whether from the cold or because of COVID-19 — and bask in the warm glow of your device screens. That’s especially fun and easy when VIPkeysale.com offers you (and all Cult of Mac readers) 16% off gaming and other software product keys.

And if you’re giving gifts this holiday season, sales like this one might just give you some extra reason for holiday cheer. Just remember to check out with your purchase on the website using the coupon code VIPMAC.

Within just a couple of weeks of its launch, the iPhone 12 had become the world’s bestselling 5G smartphone model, according to figures published by Counterpoint Research.

What was second place for the month of October? The iPhone 12 Pro, of course.

It’s that time of year where you’re probably thinking of what well-intentioned resolutions you can make for the upcoming new year. Some might be a little easier to do than others — for example, meditating a few minutes every day — and some might be a little more challenging (like learning how to code). But if there’s one easy thing you can do to boost your wellness for the future, it’s using this handy Ocushield Anti-Blue Light Screen Protector for iPhone. Trust us, your eyes (and, if you tend to drop your phone a lot, your device, too) will thank us for it.

Digital rights group the Electronic Frontier Foundation called Facebook’s anti-Apple attack ads “a laughable [attempt] … to distract [users] from its poor track record of anticompetitive behavior and privacy issues” in an article published Friday.

Facebook lashed out at Apple last week with two full-page newspaper ads. The campaign targeted Apple’s new App Tracking Transparency feature, which fills users in on which apps are tracking them. Facebook claims the change will hurt small businesses by making it tougher for them to use targeted ads.

Apple revealed over the weekend that it is once again shuttering some of its stores as COVID-19 cases continue to climb. All 53 Apple Stores in the company’s home state of California, alongside those in Mexico, Brazil and London will shut their doors temporarily.

Apple has not announced when they will reopen. In the United Kingdom, nonessential stores in Greater London are closed until at least December 30, when guidance will be reviewed.

Apple has temporarily stopped working with Wistron, the iPhone supplier that this month had riots break out at its Indian factory due to alleged mistreatment of employees.

In a statement, Apple said that it has put the manufacturer on probation. It will not receive new Apple business until it has carried out corrective actions.

Attach the Mophie Juice Pack Connect to your iPhone to significantly increase the battery life. And replace it with a ring holder/stand when you want a slim handset again.

I put this clip-on battery system to the test. Here’s how it stood up.

So far, 2020 has been a total Grinch. Find a little fun with these new and recently updated apps, which will guide you to Christmas light shows, plunge you into Marvel superhero brawls and even boost your darts game.

Plus, Canadian CBD connoisseurs can gain access to all the latest info on what’s available and where. And iPhone 12 Pro/Max owners can see in the dark.

For productivity hounds, there’s probably no better feeling than scoring the perfect time-saving app that integrates perfectly with your current Mac workflow. But, sometimes, the search for the perfect app takes a long time (and a lot of trial and error). And, really, nobody’s got the time or funds for that.

The Official Cyber Monday Mac Bundle Featuring Parallels Pro & Luminar 4 gets it right from the start, with access to 12 apps that cover everything from photo editing to productivity and more.

Between AirPods Max and Apple Fitness+, this was one big week for Apple. The company continues to expand its sprawling, intertwined empire of hardware, software and services — and these new entries look like winners.

Read our dueling reviews for insight into how the high-end headphones and the subscription fitness service compare to rivals. You’ll find them, along with a load of helpful Apple how-tos and the week’s top news stories, in this week’s free issue of Cult of Mac Magazine. Download it now for your iOS device. Or use the links below to get to the stories on the web.

How are you using your free time these days? Are you learning a new language, trying to cook (and failing), or trying an online fitness class for the first time? If you’ve been doodling away in a journal, or have been extra-fascinated with animation, consider The Ultimate Cartoon Animator 4 Pro Mac Bundle. With it, you can bring all the characters to life that you imagined, with just six hours of training in 2D animation.

With a sleek design and some sweet Apple magic, AirPods Pro Max headphones look great, sound exciting and reward those in the Apple ecosystem.

However, the hefty $549 price tag, some quirky design decisions and some very real limitations mean they’re not right for absolutely everyone.

Where would you be without a great set of earbuds? How else could you tune in to your favorite language-learning course, FaceTime your family with some privacy, or enjoy an immersive listening experience while taking an app-based workout? These HyperSonic DX noise-canceling earbuds are sure to be your next everyday listening earbuds — they provide clear, high-quality sound in compact, sleek packaging that takes you from a workout to a work conference with ease.

This VideoProc Mac video editing post is presented by Digiarty.

When the holidays roll around, your impulse to make scads of digital videos and then doctor them up for friends and family may be stronger than ever this year. After all, lots of people will not see as many loved ones in person because of the COVID-19 pandemic. That makes it a good time to invest in fast, capable and easy-to-use video editing software at a great price. So rejoice, because Digiarty is offering Cult of Mac readers lifetime-use licenses for its VideoProc Mac editing and processing software at 60% off for Christmas.

Nintendo’s latest Switch update (version 11.0.0) makes it easier than ever to share all those screenshots you capture during your finest gaming moments. It’s now possible to quickly transfer them to your iPhone.

We’ll show you how.

Apple reportedly isn’t prepping a iPad Pro with an OLED display in 2021. This counters a report from several weeks ago that said an iPadOS tablet with the advanced screen is in development.

All iPads use traditional LEDs, but that might change in the coming year. What the new type of display will be is still up in the air, though.

A decent all-in-one charging hub that can top-up your iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods simultaneously doesn’t have to break the bank. Elago’s is insanely practical, virtually unbreakable, and a steal at just $30.

It’s ideal not only for desks and bedside tables, but also those who frequently travel. It supports all iPhone and Apple Watch models, and it’s available in a number of smart and subtle color options.

The state government in Karnataka, India found multiple labor law violations at the iPhone factory where workers rioted last weekend, a new report claims.

The riot took place at a Wistron factory. It resulted in $7 million of damage, with thousands of iPhones stolen during the protest. The government report — from the Department of Factories, Boilers, Industrial Safety and Health — says that underpayment of wages, poor factory conditions, and irregular hours were all common at the plant.

Are you worried your last-minute gift-shopping ways might come to a poor conclusion this year? The last thing you want is for a friend or loved one to not receive their gift on time this year — or to agonize over which gift would be the perfect one for your parents or best friend. We’ve demystified the art of finding great gifts by assembling our top 10 picks below. And, with prices ranging from $15 to $199, you’ll find something that matches your budget.