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MacBook Air display mysteriously brightens after macOS update

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MacBook Air 2018
If your MacBook Air seems a little brighter recently, you’re not imagining it.
Photo: Apple

Installing the latest macOS version on a 2018 MacBook Air increases the maximum screen brightness.

Apple’s own description of this notebook indicates that the highest potential brightness level is now 400 nits. That’s much higher than with this laptop launched.

Apple Watch ECG finally makes it to the heart of Europe

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The ECG feature of the Apple Watch Series 4 isn’t just for Americans any more.
The ECG feature of the Apple Watch Series 4 isn’t just for Americans any more.
Photo: Apple

After debuting in the United States last fall, the Apple Watch Series 4 electrocardiogram (ECG) feature is available to Europeans, at last.

The ability to monitor the electrical activity of the wearer’s heart just debuted in 20 additional countries, and only requires upgrading to watchOS 5.2.

Don’t miss our ‘show time’ keynote predictions, this week on The CultCast

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CultCast 379 MacBook Pro
Apple's streaming service may have an ace up its sleeve.

This week on The CultCast: Apple’s “it’s show time” event is just around the corner, and this is the first event ever that focuses purely on services. Is Apple’s streaming TV service going to suck? Don’t miss our “show time” keynote predications. Plus: Leander unveils the details on his new Tim Cook book, out April 16th!

Our thanks to Squarespace for supporting this episode. Easily create a beautiful website all by yourself, at Squarespace.com/cultcast. Use offer code CultCast at checkout to get 10 percent off your first purchase of a website or domain..

How to win Apple Watch Activity Competitions every time

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Apple Watch arm wrestling
Apple's Apple Watch business grew 50% last quarter.
Photo: Graham Bower/Cult of Mac

Apple Watch Activity Competitions are a perfect way to fall out with friends and colleagues. Simply send a challenge via the Activity app on your watch and, if they accept, a seven-day grudge match commences.

With Activity Competitions, a new feature in watchOS 5, it’s not the taking part that counts. It’s the winning. The winner receives a shiny virtual medal to add to their awards, while the loser gets zip.

Fortunately, when you know how Activity Competitions work, you can maximize your chance of winning every time. Here’s how.

Apple Watch’s heart-reading tech may have saved another life

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Apple Watch Series 4 redesigned heart-rate monitor
Apple Watch's heart monitoring tech has helped another person.
Photo: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac

The Apple Watch’s EKG heart rate monitor has possibly saved the life of yet another person.

According to a new report, the Apple Watch belonging to a man in Bothell, Washington was used to diagnose atrial fibrillation. Sometimes shortened to “a-fib” or “AF,” this refers to an irregular, fast heartbeat. It even won over skeptical medics in the process, proving that does apple watch detect heart attack.

Celebrate Presidents Day with new gear, lessons and apps [Deals]

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Observe President's Day by saving big on some awesome gear, apps and lessons.
Observe Presidents Day by saving big on some awesome gear, apps and lessons.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Happy Presidents Day! If it’s not an occasion that brings you joy, well, we can’t blame you. But that can change in round two of our roundup of deals on gear, apps and lessons. From a head-up display for your car to a powerful video processor and a massive course in iOS 12, we’re leading the free world in deals.

We’ve updated our Presidents Day sale with even more deals!

Brilliant iOS 13 concept packs 40 features Apple should steal

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iOS 13
Always-on lock screen complications would be great!
Photo: AppleiDesigner

There are 110 days left until Apple takes the wraps off iOS 13, but if the company is still looking for a few more features to cram in, look no further than AppleiDesigner’s new concept.

With over 40 new features packed into a two-minute video, this iOS 13 concept has a little something for everyone. Dark mode, picture-in-picture on iPhone, an AR-powered Camera app, split view on iPhone and redesigned apps and more all make an appearance. There are also tons of new iPad features that could make Apple’s tablet a true PC replacement.

Get ready to drool over all the new goodies:

Apple Watch ECG saves NH man from serious heart problem

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Apple health care
The electrocardiogram built into his Apple Watch 4 was the best gift a NH man received last year.
Photo: Lewis Wallace/Cult of Mac

A Christmas gift may have saved a New Hampshire man’s life. The ECG built into Barry Maden’s new Apple Watch 4 detected a heart problem.

A problem severe enough that the treatment included stopping his heart.