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Leather cuff for Apple Watch is crazy-comfortable, super-stylish [Review]

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Monowear-leather-cuff
Another excellent photo from Killian Bell.
Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

Monowear’s Contemporary Leather Cuff is so good, it might just be my favorite Apple Watch band to date.

Not only is it made from a soft, luxurious leather that makes it insanely comfortable, but it looks terrific. It’s compatible with all Watch models, and it’s nowhere near as expensive as it looks.

Affordable EarHooks ensure your AirPods never leave you

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AirPods Pro EarHooks
Get yours from just $10.99.
Photo: Elago

Breaking up is hard and painful, unless you’re an AirPod. They’re far from loyal, and they will leave you any time and anywhere. That’s why you need Elago’s awesome EarHooks.

EarHooks prevent an ugly breakup by ensuring AirPods and AirPods Pro always stay in your ear — whether you’re working out or squeezing onto a busy train. And you can get yours today from just $10.99.

Lisey’s Story finale cements show as one of Apple TV+’s finest [Review]

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Lisey's Story finale review: Lisey learns to carry on.
Lisey, played by Julianne Moore, learns to carry on as the Stephen King-penned mini series concludes.
Photo: Apple TV+

The time has come for a bool hunt in Lisey’s Story! In the Apple TV+ series finale, Lisey and Dooley reach their final showdown — and get their last look at the brutal past just in the rearview mirror.

It’s a fitting end to the Stephen King-written miniseries about the widow of a famous writer and the crazed superfan who hunts her down. If you’re an Apple TV+ subscriber and haven’t watched this show yet, a rewarding binge awaits.

How to download Apple Watch’s new international Stripes faces

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How to get international faces for Apple Watch
You don't have to spend $49 on a band to get the face.
Image: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

Apple introduced new International Collection bands for Apple Watch on Tuesday, priced at $49 each. There are 22 available and each comes with an accompanying Stripes face you can download from Apple’s website.

But you don’t need to buy a band to get your hands on the new faces. We’ll show you how to download them right now to show support for your country at this year’s Summer Olympics.

Who Are You, Charlie Brown? pulls the football on Peanuts doc [Apple TV+ review]

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Who Are You, Charlie Brown?
An early drawing shows Charlie Brown on the mound.
Photo: Apple TV+

Apple TV+ has another hagiographic documentary for you, and this one proves just as insubstantial as its last aimless doc. It’s called Who Are You, Charlie Brown?, and it premieres today on Apple’s streaming service.

Unfortunately, if you were hoping for a deep dive into the craft and artistic impulses behind Charles M. Schulz and his world-renowned Peanuts characters, maybe read a book instead.

Lisey’s Story mixes psycho with silly in a very Stephen King-y episode [Apple TV+ review]

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Lisey's Story review
Julianne Moore and Clive Owen go to a strange place in this week's episode.
Photo: Apple TV+

Our widowed protagonist comes face to face with the bane of her existence in this week’s episode of Lisey’s Story, the Stephen King miniseries currently giving Apple TV+ a welcome shot of weird. Lisey must face some painful memories in order to avoid an even more painful future.

Lisey’s Story looks like a Stephen King adaptation done right [Apple TV+ review]

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Lisey's Story review: Julianne Moore shines in this adaptation of Stephen King's novel.
Julianne Moore shines in this adaptation of Stephen King's novel.
Photo: Apple TV+

With Lisey’s Story, Apple TV+ officially enters the Stephen King business, a step every streaming service must eventually take. The new miniseries, based on King’s novel of the same name, just so happens to boast an astonishing pedigree. So the inevitable move reads less like calculation and more like certainty for once.

This is a miniseries that, at least initially, looks like it’s firing on all cylinders.

Things get savage in an action-packed Mosquito Coast [Apple TV+ review]

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Aunt Lucretia (played by Ofelia Medina) and Enrique (Bruno Bicher) heat things up in this week's episode of The Mosquito Coast (review).
Aunt Lucretia (played by Ofelia Medina) and Enrique (Bruno Bicher) heat things up in this week's episode.
Photo: Apple TV+

Thanks to a last-minute call to a new ally, things seem to be looking up for the Foxes in this week’s episode of The Mosquito Coast. Or have they left the frying pan and stepped into the fire?

Time will tell, but it seems likely that Allie Fox will find some way to slip out of the noose if that’s what waiting for him. Director Rupert Wyatt is back behind the camera for an exciting new episode of Apple TV+ drama.

How to easily color calibrate your Apple TV with an iPhone

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How to color calibrate Apple TV
You don't even need the newest Apple TV (but you do need an iPhone with Face ID).
Image: Apple

Apple just added a brand-new feature to Apple TV that works with your iPhone to color calibrate your TV. It’s really simple to use and the results can be terrific. What’s more, you don’t need the newest Apple TV.

The new Color Balance tool is available on Apple TV models released in 2015 or later. Here’s how to use it.

Intelli ScoutPro is a power bank for fans of wireless charging [Review]

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Intelli ScoutPro review
Between its multiple USB ports and charging coils, Intelli ScoutPro can juice up five Apple devices at once while on the go.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

There are so many external batteries that it’s hard to stand out from the pack, but the Intelli ScoutPro manages it easily. There’s magnetic wireless Apple Watch and iPhone chargers. Plus the dual USB-C ports can output up to 100 watts each. All told, the accessory can hold up to 24,000mAh and handle up to 240 watt.

I put this power bank through its paces, testing all the ways it can recharge Apple devices. Here’s how it stood up.

How to get Apple Arcade games as soon as they launch

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How to get Apple Arcade games as soon as they launch
Here’s how to make upcoming Apple Arcade games automatically install themselves.
Photo: Cult of Mac

The App Store lists Apple Arcade games that’ll debut soon. If one of these upcoming titles looks interesting, subscribers to Apple’s game service can set it to automatically install as soon as the app becomes available. No waiting… it’ll be on your iPhone or other Apple device as soon as possible.

Here’s how.

Stylish smart sunglasses offer built-in Bluetooth speakers [Review]

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Flows Bandwidth Bluetooth audio sunglasses review
Flows Bandwidth Bluetooth audio sunglasses pair well with an iPhone.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Flows Bandwidth’s Bluetooth audio sunglasses let you listen to podcasts or take calls without blocking out the world around you. Despite speakers built into the stems, the men’s or women’s versions look like any other sunglasses. But they keep you entertained on the go.

I’ve worn these smart glasses for weeks. Here’s why I like them.

Apple TV 3 loses YouTube support, but there is a workaround

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Apple TV Siri Remote
Sad times for third-gen. Apple TV owners.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

YouTube is now officially dead on the third-generation Apple TV. Users who attempt to watch the app will be greeted by an error message that confirms Apple’s aging hardware is no longer supported.

That’s hardly surprising given that the third-generation Apple TV is close to a decade old now. But there is a workaround (sort of) for those who still want to watch their favorite YouTube channels on the big screen.

There’s fire inside and out in Dickinson’s season 2 finale [Apple TV+ review]

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Will Pullen as the ghost of Emily's future on this week's Dickinson
Will Pullen plays the ghost of Emily's future in the season 2 finale.
Photo: Apple TV+

Bad dreams, dead rebels, crumbling marriages, and new babies all collide in Dickinson’s season 2 finale.

The Apple TV+ show about the famous feminist legend of poetry needs to tie up a lot of loose ends. But it’s got to also leave enough left unanswered to entice viewers for next season. Can it accomplish all this on its own terms?

This super-slim iPhone MagSafe wallet is also a nifty stand [Review]

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Moft Snap-on Stand & Wallet for iPhone 12 Series review
The Moft Snap-on Stand & Wallet for iPhone 12 Series is svelte even holding an Apple Card and a drivers license.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Accessories that take on more than one task are the best. Like Moft’s clip-on iPhone wallet that’s also a stand. It can hold three cards, but is very slender. And it uses magnets to cling tightly to the handset.

I tested the Moft Snap-on Stand & Wallet for weeks, so I can share what it’s really like in daily use.

Combine iPhone MagSafe and Apple Watch chargers into one attractive tray [Review]

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Elago Charging Tray Duo for MagSafe review
Reduce clutter with the Elago Charging Tray Duo, which holds Apple MagSafe iPhone and Apple Watch chargers.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The Elago Charging Tray Duo adds color to your MagSafe and Apple Watch chargers. And brings them together into a single unit for your office or bedside.

I added this accessory to my home. Here’s how well it works in real life use.

Mophie clip-on power bank charges your iPhone on the go [Review]

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Mophie Juice Pack Connect review
The Mophie Juice Pack Connect is bulky, but the clip-on battery is easily removable.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

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.

RAVpower USB-C wall charger is ideal for the iPhone 12 [Review]

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RAVpower PD 30W USB-C Charger with Lightning Cable review
RAVpower’s USB-C wall charger and cable is just right for the iPhone 12.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

RAVpower PD 30W USB-C Charger with Lightning Cable can be the wall charger that iPhone 12 users need. It includes USB-C and USB-A ports, and fold-down electrical prongs. And it juices up iOS handsets as fast as possible — far quicker than Apple’s old 5W chargers. Plus, it even comes with a charging cable for use with older iPhones.

Read on for the results of my real-world testing of the wall charger and cable combo.

Meross dual-plug smart outlet offers easy and affordable HomeKit automation [Review]

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Meross Smart WiFi Plug review: Easily affordable HomeKit automation
The Meross Smart WiFi Plug is unobtrusive but very functional. Just what your want.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The Meross Smart WiFi Plug lets you control two lights, fans or other appliances from your iPhone or iPad. And because it’s a simple plugin unit, it brings the convenience of Apple’s HomeKit home automation with minimal hassle.

After extensive testing, here’s how this accessory stood up to regular use.

How to optimize your swimming stroke with Apple Watch

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Do you know how Apple Watch counts your swim strokes?
Do you know how Apple Watch counts your swim strokes?
Photo: Graham Bower/Cult of Mac

Apple Watch is a great swimming companion, offering highly accurate length counts, pace measurements and stroke recognition. But the benefits to swimmers don’t stop there.

You’ll find plenty more useful swim stats in the Fitness app on your iPhone. Strokes Per 25/50/100 is especially valuable because it tracks your swim efficiency, which is key if you want to go faster, further or just look more cool in the pool.

But the way Apple Watch counts your strokes is not as simple as it seems. Whether you’re a beginner or an expert swimmer, it’s worth taking time out to understand exactly how it works.