With every new week come great new deals at the Cult of Mac Store. This go-round, we’ve got a simple but powerful writing platform for Mac, and a super versatile, double-sided phone mount. Also in are comprehensive lessons in social media marketing, and a powerful VPN for enhanced online privacy and security. Plus everything is discounted by at least 25 percent, and as much as 97 percent. Read on for more details.
iOS 11 App Store now shows Mac apps previews
Ever tapped an App Store link for a Mac app while browsing on your iPad, and gotten sent to a useless page telling you that the app is only available on the Mac? Like, you couldn’t possibly want to know the price, or see screenshots, or read any other information about a Mac app while you’re using your iPhone?Well,
Well, those dark, patronizing days are over. In iOS 11, clicking on a link for a Mac App takes you to the proper iOS 11 App Store entry for that app. Right there on your iPad.
HomePod setup process leaked by latest iOS 11 beta
The latest iOS 11 beta just revealed what it will be like to set up a HomePod, Apple’s new smart speaker coming later this year.
Pairing HomePod with your iPhone will be quite similar to the AirPods setup routine, based on leaked screenshots of the process. If the leak is accurate, you’ll only be able to set up the speaker using an iPhone or iPad.
Spark email app ensures you’ll never forget an important task
Spark, one of the finest third-party email clients for Mac and iOS, just got a big update that will ensure you never forget another important task.
The app, developed by the terrific team at Readdle, now boasts seamless integrations for popular reminders apps like Todoist, Wunderlist, Things, and even Apple’s own Reminders app.
New iOS 11 and macOS High Sierra betas bring minor tweaks
Development of iOS 11 appears to be nearing the finish line, as Apple seeded a fresh new beta for its big update of the software that powers iPhones and iPads.
iOS 11 beta 7, along with new betas for macOS High Sierra and tvOS 11, are now available to registered developers. They bring a bunch of new bug fixes and performance improvements to the operating systems, which are expected to be released to the public later this fall.
Twitch desktop app finally lands on Mac
After several months in beta, game streaming platform Twitch’s desktop app for both Mac and Windows is finally available in its complete full version.
The app includes all the features you’d expend to find in Twitch’s web browser version, such as voice and video calling. However, it also includes a few features that you’ll only find in the app version. In other words, what are you waiting for, gamers?
Download the latest iOS 11 public beta now
Just one day after developers received the fifth beta build of iOS 11, Apple has released the same beta update to public testers, bringing a number of UI changes and bug fixes with it.
iOS 11 public beta 4 and macOS High Sierra public beta 4 are now available to download for all members of Apple’s public beta software testing program. You can also download the new software directly to your Mac, iPhone or iPad if you have the previous public beta installed.
Apple seeds fifth betas for iOS 11, macOS High Sierra and more
Developers received a fresh batch of new beta software today from Apple, bringing a bunch of fixes and changes to iOS 11, macOS High Sierra, tvOS 11 and watchOS 4.
The new beta builds come two weeks after Apple seeded its fourth set of updates since unveiling all its new software at WWDC 2017.
Apple reveals its Q3 2017 earnings [Live blog]
Apple CEO Tim Cook and CFO Luca Maestri are set to reveal all the details of Apple’s latest earnings in a call with investors today could have a huge impact on the company’s stock price.
The Q3 2017 earnings report isn’t expected to be a record-breaker, but Wall Street analysts will be hanging on to every word that comes out of Cook’s mouth as the next iPhone launch approaches. Most experts agree Apple will meet earnings expectations of $43.5 billion in revenue — the only question is by how much.
Cult of Mac will be right here live-blogging the entire call once it starts at 2 p.m. Pacific. Come join the fun.
Apple posts its second-highest Q3 earnings ever
Investors found a lot to be happy about in Apple’s latest earnings report, which was released by the company this afternoon. While Apple didn’t shatter any records, the company beat expectations for the quarter with a total of $45.5 billion in revenue.
That’s well ahead of Wall Street’s expectation of $43.5 billion. iPad sales proved one of the biggest surprises of the quarter, with shipments rising 15 percent year-over-year. Apple CEO Tim Cook was definitely happy with the results.
Apple seeds new public betas for iOS 11 and macOS High Sierra
Members of Apple’s public beta software program can now test the latest builds of iOS 11, tvOS 11, and macOS High Sierra just one day after Apple dropped the last big batch of beta updates on developers.
The third public beta of iOS 11 contains all of the changes Apple seeded to developers yesterday with iOS 11 beta 4. Along with a number of new bug fixes, the new iOS 11 update brings some new UI improvements like new icons for some stock apps and some changes to the notification center.
Old Mac malware can take over your webcam, capture keystrokes
Security researchers have discovered a mysterious strain of malware that allows hackers to take over the webcam, keyboard, and other resources on your Mac.
The malware is believed to be at least five years old, but it has gone unnoticed until now.
macOS High Sierra, tvOS 11 and watchOS 4 get fourth beta builds
Apple seeded its fourth beta build of macOS High Sierra to developers today, along with new betas of watchOS 4 and tvOS 11.
The new builds come two weeks after Apple dropped the last builds on developers that brought a bunch of new bug fixes and under the hood changes. Apple didn’t add quite as many major changes as it did on iOS 11 beta 4, but there are some notable improvements.
iOS 11 beta 4 brings new app icons
Developers received an all-new beta build of iOS 11 today, just two weeks after Apple seeded the previous one.
iOS 11 beta 4 brings a host of bug fixes and performance improvements, plus a few key changes that make Apple’s mobile operating system even better. New beta builds are also available for macOS High Sierra, tvOS 11 and macOS High Sierra.
Foxconn could confirm U.S. manufacturing plans this week
Foxconn, Apple’s largest manufacturing partner, could this week announce its plans to open new manufacturing facilities in the U.S.
Sources say the Chinese company could hold an event in Washington, D.C. to announce new electronics plants in Detroit and Wisconsin — but it’s not yet clear whether those plants will be making goods for Apple.
Don’t ditch Safari if you want the fastest browsing experience
If you want the fastest possible web browsing experience on Mac, don’t sway from Safari.
Apple promises that Safari 11, which will debut in macOS High Sierra this fall, is “the world’s fastest desktop browser.” And tests show that it does not disappoint.
Global PC shipments decline as Mac sales stay stagnant
Global PC shipments declined for the 11th straight quarter, according to a new report from Gartner which found shipments were the lowest they’ve been since 2007.
While most PC manufacturers are experiencing a sales slump, Apple’s Mac and MacBook sales are pretty much stagnant from the same quarter a year ago. Other companies like Lenovo and Asus saw their shipments take a huge dip.
Apple offers free Beats in latest Back to School promo
Apple is giving away free Beats headphones for its latest Back to School promotion.
Students and teachers who purchase a qualifying Mac at reduced education pricing will get a set of Beats Solo3 wireless headphones at no extra cost, while those who purchase a new iPad Pro will be treated to BeatsX.
Battlezone 98 Redux blasts its way onto iPad and Mac
Sure, there are a ton of great new games available for both macOS and iOS, but sometimes it pays to revisit the classics. That’s what users get with Battlezone 98 Redux, a remastered version of one of the best sci-fi strategy first-person shooter games of all time.
This was hot stuff back in the halcyon days of 1998, back when the iMac G3 was the hottest computer going. And now that it’s landed on both Mac and iPad, it remains pretty darn good!
Apple cuts iPhone, iPad prices in India following tax reforms
Apple has cut iPhone, iPad, and Mac prices in India this week following sales tax reforms.
Shoppers can now save up to 7.5 percent on the latest iOS devices, but the discounts aren’t quite as generous on Apple Watch or Macs.
Three ways to upgrade your mobile audio, and more [Week’s Best Deals]
Here’s hoping everybody’s summer is rolling along nicely. This week at the Cult of Mac Store, we’ve got three personal audio upgrades that can help dial in the summer vibes. Because some people are still thinking about their work, we’ve also got a pair of courses in Excel. That’s a skill that looks good on any resume. Everything is available at a major discount – read on for more details:
Now anyone can try macOS High Sierra
Public testers can finally get their first taste of Apple’s new operating system for Mac starting today with the release of the first public beta of macOS High Sierra.
Apple’s new operating system was unveiled earlier this month at WWDC 2017 where the company showed off macOS High Sierra’s new features and improved design. Developers have been testing the new software since June 5th, but now anyone can get macOS High Sierra which is being billed as Apple’s best desktop operating system ever.
High Sierra will be last macOS release to fully support 32-bit apps
Apple’s mission to eliminate 32-bit apps is no longer focused solely on iOS. The company told developers this week that its upcoming High Sierra update will be the last macOS release to support 32-bit titles “without compromise.”
Can’t find the right Mac apps? Let AI do it for you
Sometimes you need an app to perform a certain task, but you don’t know where to find it. With the latest version of Setapp, you can get personal, hand-picked app recommendations based on how you use your Mac.
Finding the perfect software has never been easier!
Invincible iPhone cases, unlosable backup batteries, and more [Week’s Best Deals]
Summer’s finally here! Along with the warm weather has come bunch of hot new deals in the Cult of Mac Store. This round, we’ve got a bundle of top shelf Mac apps that you can name your price for. There’s also a universal mount and grip for any mobile camera, and an iPhone case that can survive almost any fall. We’ve even got a powerful backup battery that you’ll never lose thanks to a built-in Bluetooth tracker.