It’s been a great, record-busting year for mobile apps — and, unsurprisingly, that translated to a strong Christmas as well.

According to app analytics platform Sensor Tower, customers spent a total of $407.6 million across both the iOS App Store and Google Play over Christmas. This represents a massive 34.5% increase from the $303 million spent this time last year.

Of that, the App Store represented 68.4% of all spending — or $278.6 million in total.

A Twitter user by the name of @AppleDemoYT has posted images online they claim to be an early Apple Watch prototype, built as part of the pre-production process before Apple introduced the device in 2015.

Such prototypes are very rare, with Apple preferring not to show images that shed light on how it develops products. Somehow this one made it out in one piece — provided it’s legitimate, of course.

Apple might make a Mariah Carey Christmas special a regular part of the Apple TV+ holiday slate. A new report suggests Apple and the superstar songstress are already in talks about a 2021 follow-up to the surprisingly popular Mariah Carey’s Magical Christmas Special.

Netflix could spend an estimated $19.03 billion on video content in 2021, data presented by investment bank Bankr suggests.

That would be an increase of 10% from the estimated $17.3 billion it spent this year. It’s also a massive ramp-up from the $2.4 billion Netflix spent in 2013 when it started moving into original productions with shows like House of Cards.

The Aukey Omnia Mix3 90W 3-Port PD Charger can juice up your MacBook Pro at nearly full speed. Or it can power your iPad, iPhone and Apple Watch all at the same time.

Since Apple stopped bundling chargers with its iPhones, but they do come with a Lightning to USB-C cable, now is a good time to consider a multi-port USB-C solution like this one.

I put the Aukey wall charger to the test powering up my devices. Read on to see how well it did.

How low can they go?!? Once again, Woot is offering the lowest price we’ve ever seen for brand-new AirPods Pro. You can pick up a set of these noise-canceling Apple earbuds for just $189.99.

Woot’s AirPods Pro sale goes for just three days or until they sell out. And, while you’re there, you might as well look at all the open-box iPhones and other electronics that Woot is selling at extremely low prices.

If you’re smart, you’re always looking for ways to sharpen your cognition and improve your brain’s processing power. After all, being able to consume more information and digest it quickly means you can be more efficient and productive.

You can take speed-reading courses and employ tactics to improve your memory, but there’s also a way you can work smarter (and not harder): Instaread Book Summaries let you tackle your reading list quickly.

With this app, you can consume full books in just minutes. And, for a limited time, you can save an extra 20% on already-discounted subscription prices when you use coupon code HOLIDAY20 at checkout.

The $550 price tag for Apple’s AirPods Max raised no few eyebrows, but the Russian luxury brand Caviar blows that out of the water. It just launched a version of these over-the-ear headphones that is 200x more expensive.

A respected Apple analyst and prognosticator threw cold water on recent reports about a future Apple Car arriving in the next few years. Ming-Chi Kuo says it’s possible a self-driving vehicle from Apple could land in 2025, but he wouldn’t be surprised if the launch doesn’t happen before 2028.

Apple makes great phones, tablets, computers and smartwatches. It also makes superb commercials — and has done so for years.

What was the cream of this year’s Apple advertising crop? Check out our top 10 picks (in no particular order) below.

If you were lucky enough to bag a new Mac for the holidays, you’re probably on the hunt for some awesome new apps to use on it. We’ve rounded up five of the best that we think every Mac owner should be using.

These apps will let you play any video, keep a close eye on precious storage space, extract important data from your iPhone and iPad backups, and more!

There are plenty of streaming options out there and, while you might have beefed up your home theater setup for action flicks and your favorite feel-good shows, after a certain point, you’re probably longing for content that’s a little more educational. The CuriosityStream HD Plan: Lifetime Subscription gives you access to thousands of the world’s best documentaries on the award-winning streaming and on-demand viewing service.

Got your new Apple Watch up and running? It’s time to start exploring all the amazing watchOS apps available to you. We’ve rounded up five of our favorites that we think every Apple Watch owner should be using.

Getting a smartwatch is a smart decision, but it can also be a costly one.

With luxury models like Apple Watch Series 6 running hundreds of dollars, it might make more sense to invest in a high-tech watch that’s on sale for the holidays, like the ChronoWatch Multi-Function Smart Watch. You can snag this impressively intelligent device for just $31.99 with the 20% off code HOLIDAY20.

Say goodbye to 2020 with the help of Snoopy and his friends. Apple TV+ is now showing Happy New Year, Charlie Brown.

It’s one of many holiday specials appearing on Apple’s streaming video service, which is now the home of all things Peanuts.

This iPhone case post is presented by Totallee.

With iPhone prices rising to heights that make the devices more of a serious investment with each new model, those lucky enough to find themselves the proud owner of a new device had better protect it. That means putting it in a case. Some people hate that because it bulks up and obscures their sleek and beautiful new smartphone.

But your new case doesn’t have to look like it’s as protective as blast barriers and barbed wire. You could try the case that is almost like no case at all — the Totallee clear case for iPhone 12, 12 mini, 12 Pro and 12 Pro Max. The thin, flexible, transparent case is for anyone who wants to protect their brand-new iPhone while retaining its aesthetic.

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.