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New book shows how Apple makes great software [Review]

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Ken Kocienda's book Creative Selection is an insider's account of how Apple makes great software.
Ken Kocienda's new book offers an insider's account of how Apple makes great software.
Photo: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac

When Steve Jobs died in 2011, pundits wondered how the company would continue to make great products without him.

The question is partly answered by programmer Ken Kocienda’s new book, Creative Selection, which describes his 15 years working at Apple helping to develop the original iPhone, iPad and Safari web browser.

Kocienda’s book is a remarkable insider’s story that shows how Apple creates the software that it’s rightly famous for.

This post contains affiliate links. Cult of Mac may earn a commission when you use our links to buy items.

Get a MacBook Air for as little as $399 [Deals]

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rerun MacBook Air
Can you handle a deal this hot? Save big on a refurb MacBook Air.
Photo: MyPhonesUnlimited

MyPhones Unlimited, the company behind our successful iPhone buyback program, is offering Cult of Mac readers $50 off refurbished MacBook Airs. These laptops come in the original box with the original Apple charger. Each refurbished laptop undergoes a thorough 30-point inspection and comes with a 60-day warranty with hassle-free returns.

These lightweight Mac laptops start at just $399 with the discount. Best Buy is currently offering the very same refurbished MacBook Air for $689, so these prices are a steal. So, if you’ve been waiting for a hot deal, this is it. Use coupon code “CULT” and grab a refurbished 11-inch MacBook Air before they sell out.

Get the tools to host, build and optimize your website for life [Deals]

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Dragify
Get your website off the ground and drive traffic to it with Dragify
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Getting a website going takes a lot of work. First, you need a place to host it. Then, you need to actually build the thing. And you definitely need to optimize your site for SEO so people actually can find it.

That’s a lot, but with this bundle you get all of the above — for life!

This great stand turns your iPad into a tiny iMac [Review]

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Sturdy and stylish, the AboveTek iPad stand is super-adjustable.
Sturdy and stylish, this stand is also super-adjustable.
Photo: AboveTek

This is less of a review, and more of a heads-up. If you’re looking for a desktop iPad stand, then you should probably just go ahead and buy the AboveTek Elegant Aluminium iPad Stand Swivel Stand.

Yes, I’m serious. It may be a no-brand Chinese commodity gadget, sold under different names by different sellers, but it’s also the best iPad desk stand I’ve ever used.

Avanti Air headphones combine retro cool with wireless future [Review]

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Moshi headphones
Pricey, but worth every cent.
Photo: Luke Dormehl/Cult of Mac

When a “premium accessories maker” known for its battery packs and dongles sets out to make wireless headphones, you might fear for your ears. But the only thing in danger from Moshi’s Avanti Air Bluetooth headphones is your wallet.

With a price tag of $299.95, these headphones certainly fit the “premium” bill. Happily, they’re beautifully designed and will please your ears as well as your eyes.

Score big with these World Cup-inspired Apple Watch bands

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world cup
Repping your World Cup team just got easier, as Casetify's inclusive collection features bold designs adapted from the countries' flags.
Photo: Casetify

Who will it be? Croatia or France? Wear the World Cup on your wrist with Casetify’s colorful, tournament-inspired Apple Watch bands.

This international collection of bands represents 18 countries, the teams of which are currently battling it out at the 21st FIFA World Cup, held every four years.

Up your Apple Watch style game, and support your World Cup favorite year-round!

What you need to know about the new MacBook Pros, this week on The CultCast

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MacBook Pro CultCast
It's the most powerful update in years.
Photo: Apple

This week on The CultCast: It’s the best update in years. We’ll tell you everything you need to know about Apple’s very powerful new MacBook Pros. Plus: New Mac minis are on the way; Ming-Chi Kuo confirms Apple’s about to update its entire product line; how coke heads use Apple Watch to maximize their high. Finally, we talk killer whale attacks, port wines and the story of Saturday Night Live’s world-renowned sax player on an all-new What We’re Into.

Celebrate diversity with Juuk’s limited-release Apple Watch band [Pride Month]

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This beautiful limited-edition band by Juuk will be unavailable after May, so grab one now.
This beautiful limited-edition band by Juuk will be unavailable after May, so grab one now.
Photo: Juuk

Juuk’s steel bands for Apple Watch have always impressed us. June is LGBT Pride Month, and Juuk’s hard-to-get Rainbow Ligero Apple Watch band in 42 mm is back in time for the celebrations.

After months in production, we’re happy to have the 42 mm Juuk Rainbow band in stock once more in addition to the 38 mm. Also, Juuk is donating $20 of proceeds for each Rainbow Ligero purchased to Amnesty International Hong Kong to support their efforts to combat discrimination.

Grab one for Pride! Check out the entire Ligero collection in our Watch Store, and read further to learn more.

Grow your own society in the latest installment of Civilization [Deals]

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Get the latest and greatest installments of the classic Civilization strategy game.
Get the latest and greatest installments of the classic Civilization strategy game.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

These days, the world can be a real drag. If you dream of a better society, you might enjoy trying your hand at building one. That’s the opportunity that Sid Meier’s Civilization series of strategy games has been presenting for decades now. And here we have the latest and greatest installment, Civilization VI, and its massive Rise and Fall expansion (or both), available for a serious discount. Read on for details:

This leather, button-stud Apple Watch band will fit any wrist size

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form function form
The adjustable length Button-Stud Apple Watch band fits virtually all wrist sizes — from the fleshiest to thinnest!
Photo: Courtesy of Form Function Form

Best List: Button-Stud Apple Watch Band by Form Function Form

Making Apple’s “most personal device ever” personal to you is super-serious business for one Florida purveyor of handmade leather goods.

Echoing the individuality of Apple Watch, Form Function Form takes customization to new levels in the design of its one-of-a-kind Button-Stud Apple Watch Band. This ingenious leather strap has 21 different size options, one of which is sure to fit even the thinnest or fleshiest of wrists. If it doesn’t, the company provides free size adjustments for the entirety of your life.

We’ve added seven new leather colors to the Watch Store lineup! Read on for my review:

Hiya Caller ID and Blocker keeps robocallers at bay [50 Essential iOS Apps #3]

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Incoming Scam Phone Call
Spam and Robocalls are out of control and must be stopped!
Photo: Cult of Mac

50 Essential iOS Apps: Hiya Caller ID and BlockerKnowing when to answer a call from an unknown number is a game of chance. It might be a family emergency, or it might be a scammer trying to rip you off. Hiya Caller ID and Block is a simple iOS app that attempts to determine whether incoming phone calls are telemarketers, spam, or something worth picking up for.

New hardware at Apple’s surprise education event? Catch our expectations on The CultCast

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Apple Education Event invitation
Are we getting new Macs next week?
Photo: Apple

This week on The CultCast: Apple’s surprise education event could showcase new, cheaper hardware — we’ll fill you in. Plus: A huge upgrade may be coming to the screens of Apple products; why 2018’s iPhone X refresh could cost less than last year’s model; the Fortnite iOS version will totally blow your mind; and you won’t believe how much some Fortnite streamers are earning.

Our thanks to Squarespace for supporting this episode of our podcast. It’s simple to accept Apple Pay and sell your wares with your very own Squarespace.com website. Enter offer code “CultCast” at checkout to get 10% off any hosting plan.

Enhance your Mac with these 10 top-shelf apps [Deals]

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Get the most out of your Mac with this diverse bundle of 10 top-shelf apps.
Get the most out of your Mac with this diverse bundle of 10 top-shelf apps.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Your Mac is a mighty machine, but it’s only as useful as the apps you install. With all the software out there to choose from, it can be hard to know where to start, and even harder to look at the price tag. So this bundle of 10 top notch apps is well worth checking out.

This awesome iPhone case doubles as a retro gaming console [Deals]

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Turn your iPhone into a game machine.
Turn your iPhone into a game machine.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

There was a time when the little glowing bricks we carried around were called Game Boys. In those simpler days, passing time meant burning through Tetris, not swiping through Tinder. The graphics weren’t great, but the gameplay sure was.

With the Wanle Gamers Console, you can reclaim the nostalgia of portable gaming, and protect your iPhone at the same time.

Stock up on stretchy, Apple-certified Lightning cables [Deals]

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This pair of Apple-certified Lightning cables cost a fraction the usual price, and keep clutter to a minimum.
This pair of Apple-certified Lightning cables cost a fraction the usual price, and keep clutter to a minimum.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Owning an iPhone means owning the fact that you’ll have to constantly replace flimsy Lightning cables. Their soft white coating is prone to fraying and tearing, and of course they’re easy to lose. So it’s nice when high quality backup cables don’t cost high quality prices.

What you should know about HomePod, before you buy, on The CultCast

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X-ray view of HomePod
Is HomePod nearing its end, or just getting started?
Photo: Apple

The HomePod reviews have been coming out hot and heavy, and they’re surprising. This week on The CultCast, we’ll tell you what people like, love and hate about Apple’s new speaker. If you’re planning on buying one, don’t miss our discussion. Plus: Something strange is happening at Apple HQ … we elaborate; 150 new kickass emojis are coming to your iPhone; and we pitch you the movies, gadgets and food we can’t get enough of in all-new What We’re Into!

Our thanks to Squarespace for supporting this episode. It’s simple to accept Apple Pay and sell your wares with your very own Squarespace.com website. Enter offer code CultCast at checkout to get 10% off any hosting plan.

Juice up your iPhone in style with these accessories [Deals]

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Take your iOS charging to the next level with these awesome accessories.
Take your iOS charging to the next level with these awesome accessories.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

iOS devices are sleek and stylish and exciting to use. But none of those terms usually apply to charging them up. So we’ve rounded up some of the slickest charging accessories for iPhone. From a walnut-lined Qi charger, to an understated wireless charging pad, and a pair of eye-catching Lightning chargers. There’s something here that can juice up anyone’s charging game.

Audiophiles compare HomePod to $85,000 speakers — we’ll tell you why on The CultCast

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cultcast

Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

The HomePod presales have begun, but we’ll tell you why Apple’s new smart speaker may be a huge flop, this week on The CultCast. Plus: Audiophiles are comparing HomePod’s tech to speakers that cost $85,000; Apple adds some long-awaited features to iOS 11; how to back up your iCloud photo library to your PC (and why you should). And we wrap with another episode of Drone Chat! This time, we’ll tell you why DJI’s Mavic Air is the perfect drone for almost everyone.

Our thanks to Pitney Bowes for supporting this episode. Print postage from your office and take advantage of special shipping discounts at pb.com/cultcast, and beat the postage rate increase with exclusive discounts on letters. Plans start at just $5 a month!

How Apple’s going to spend its massive fortune, this week on The CultCast

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CultCast Tim Cook money
Apple's bringing home its massive fortune.
Photo: Business Insider

This week on a very spicy edition of The CultCast: Tim Cook is thrilled with the new U.S. tax overhaul, and has some exciting plans to spend Apple’s massive fortune. Plus: Forget other smart speakers — we’ll tell you why we’re now even more excited for HomePod. And stick around for our favorite movies, shows and sausages in an all-new, very weird “What We’re Into!”

Our thanks to Squarespace for supporting this episode. It’s simple to accept Apple Pay and sell your wares with your very own Squarespace.com website. Enter offer code CultCast at checkout to get 10% off any hosting plan.