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Top stories - page 158

Take spellbinding half-underwater photos with this specialty iPhone case

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Here's an example of a split photo the waterproof dome case will let you take with a smartphone.
Here's an example of a split photo the waterproof dome case will let you take with a smartphone.
Photo: SJPro

You know those cool photographs that are half underwater and half above water? They’re called split photos. And a new waterproof case on Kickstarter called the SJPro Smartphone Mobile Mini Dome will let you take them with your iPhone, or almost any smartphone, for a pledge of $45.

AirTag needs big changes to become less criminal-friendly

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Maybe Apple should just dump AirTag
Creeps love AirTag. But there are changes Apple could make so it would be much less useful for criminals.
Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac

New York’s attorney general issued a warning Wednesday about AirTags being used to secretly track people. And this is only the latest in a growing controversy over misuse of Apple’s tracking tags.

Perhaps Apple should drop the item tracker completely. At the very least, the functionality needs to be scaled way back.

Maintain your bookworm cred with BookBook Cover for iPad [Review]

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Twelve South BookBook Cover review
Add old-world charm to your iPad and click-on keyboard with BookBook Cover.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

There’s no better case for giving your iPad a unique look than the Twelve South BookBook Cover — no one else is going to have a tablet that looks like something Isaac Newton might have carried. Plus, this new addition to the BookBook line has room inside for a click-on keyboard.

I tried out this tablet case to see how well it stands up in ordinary use. And to be sure there’s really room inside for an iPad keyboard.

Apple Podcasts app gets new filtering options in iOS 15.4

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Apple Podcasts filtering in iOS 15.4
It's not easier to navigate long-running shows.
Image: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

Apple is making a number of nice design improvements to its Podcasts app in iOS 15.4. The biggest is the ability to filter podcast episodes by season.

That particular change undoubtedly will prove handy as users navigate their way through long-running shows. But it’s not the only new option for podcast filtering in Apple’s latest beta.

Unlock internet freedom, and lock down your personal data, with this highly rated VPN

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Grab three years of this Forbes-approved VPN.
Protect your privacy (and boost your entertainment) online with Atlas VPN.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

If you don’t have a solid virtual private network in place, you need one for safe surfing. Atlas VPN comes highly rated — and right now, you can grab a three-year subscription to the service for just $49.99.

That’s an 87% discount off the regular price of $395.

Twitter expands Safety Mode beta in a whole bunch of countries

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Apple's Twitter account and other high-profile accounts hacked in massive Bitcoin scam.
Making Twitter a better place.
Photo: Ravi Sharma/Unsplash CC

Twitter’s upcoming Safety Mode feature, which is designed to automatically detect and block trolls from your timeline, was this week expanded to more users in many English speaking countries before it rolls out to everyone.

Safety Mode first entered beta with a limited number of testers last September. It is now available to around half of all users in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., and more as Twitter looks to “collect more insights” on how well it’s working.

YouTube extends Picture in Picture test on iPhone and iPad

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YouTube Picture in Picture on iPhone
Again?!
Image: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

YouTube has again extended its Picture in Picture test on iPhone and iPad. The test was originally supposed to end last October, but after multiple extensions, it is now scheduled to conclude on March 14.

It means you still cannot enjoy the feature without a YouTube Premium subscription.

Would you pay $178 for Sony’s strange new earbuds?

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The new Sony LinkBuds feature an unusual, perhaps even unique, open design.
The new Sony LinkBuds feature an unusual, perhaps even unique, open design.
Photo: Sony

For some time now, the wireless earbud market has grown toward the bursting point, with all sorts of options for active noise canceling buds with wireless charging, long battery life, solid waterproofing and other features for prices between $75 and $150.

But if you’re sick and tired of paying less for more, Sony has something new for you. You can pay $178 for earbuds without ANC or wireless charging, plus pedestrian battery life and minimal waterproofing. Meet the all-new Sony LinkBuds Truly Wireless Earbuds!

What do you get for that price? Sony’s reputation, plus an interesting new compact, lightweight, open-style design that might work great for at least some people.

Don’t lose your crypto gains to the IRS

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Accointing automatically does your Crypto taxes.
Take control of your crypto with Accointing tax software.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

It’s tax time, and that can be a stressful thing for cryptocurrency investors. But it really doesn’t need to be. Accointing crypto tax software generates a tax report and helps you manage your crypto finances. And that can help you avoid costly errors that the IRS might pounce upon to penalize you.

Avoid that kind of nasty situation with this crypto-centric tax software. Bonus: Accointing is on sale so you don’t have to cash out to afford it.

Intelli’s stylish new CarryOn case protects AirPods Max on the fly

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A magnetic divider in Intelli's CarryOn case puts AirPods Max to sleep when not in use.
A magnetic divider in Intelli's CarryOn case puts AirPods Max to sleep when not in use.
Photo: Intelli

It’s safe to say not everyone loves Apple’s stock carrying case for its flagship headphones, AirPods Max. You might even say some people hate the case. So it’s worth noting when an alternative comes along, like Intelli’s stylish new CarryOn case, released Tuesday.

And they look like a solid choice to carry AirPods Max whether or not you’re traveling at 30,000 feet.

Last chance: Save 50% on Rilee & Lo’s beautiful Apple Watch bands

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Rilee & Lo stretch link for Apple Watch
Rilee & Lo's biggest discount yet!
Photo: Adel Neal/Cult of Mac

Rilee & Lo is now offering its biggest-ever discount on its entire collection of stunning stretch-link bands for Apple Watch — as well as the matching stacking bracelets.

Bag yours from the Cult of Mac Store before the sale ends at 11:59 p.m. PT today to get 50% off the usual price.

Tidy up with Twelve South’s updated BackPack shelf for 24-inch iMac

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The Twelve South BackPack for 24-inch iMac is a handy storage rack for your Mac's back.
The Twelve South BackPack for 24-inch iMac is a handy storage rack for your Mac's back.
Photo: Twelve South

If your computer setup tends to get cluttered — and whose doesn’t? — you have a new tool. That is, if you own a 24-inch iMac or plan to get one, anyway. On Tuesday Twelve South rolled out an updated version of its popular BackPack shelf just for the latest M1 desktop Macs.

Using the BackPack shelf, you can stash all sorts of stuff, like USB-C hubs, hard drives and other devices, out of sight behind your computer.

Microsoft Teams emoji gets a cute 3D makeover

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Microsoft Teams 3D emoji
A sweet emoji upgrade.
Image: Microsoft

How do you make your emoji stand out in a sea of similar designs? You give them an awesome 3D makeover, of course! That’s exactly what Microsoft is doing with more than 1,800 emoji characters inside Microsoft Teams.

The redesign, which starts rolling out today in an early preview, will be available all platforms — including macOS, iOS and the web.

The New York Times is already upsetting Wordle fans with big changes

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Useful Wordle hacks
And so it begins.
Image: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

Wordle fans are already upset with The New York Times, the popular game’s new owner, for making big changes to its original word list.

The updates, which are designed to make the game more accessible, the publication said, include the removal of obscure and potentially offensive words. And they’re having a big impact on the game’s social aspect.

Apple’s first M2 machine could be a 13-inch MacBook Pro with Touch Bar

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MacBook Pro with Touch Bar
The Touch Bar lives on! Apparently.
Photo: Apple

Apple is expected to introduce its first MacBook Pro with a next-generation M2 chipset in March, but it may not be the upgrade many fans are hoping for.

A new report, citing a “reliable source with close links to Apple’s supply chain,” claims the device will be identical to the 13-inch MacBook Pro — complete with Touch Bar. It is not expected to get a display upgrade.

Learn Photoshop for less than $4 a course with this top-rated Adobe bundle

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Become a Photoshop expert with this complete masterclass
Become a Photoshop pro with this top-rated master class.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Adobe Photoshop can be one of the greatest and most powerful tools you’ll ever use on your Mac — if you know how to use it. Forget expensive graphic design college courses, though: You can learn everything you need in your own time, from home, with The 2022 Premier Adobe Photoshop Master Class Bundle.

This comprehensive course is on sale for $25 today (regular price $1,400). With seven separate courses in this bundle, that works out to less than $4 a course.

Apple Support app adds repair cost estimates for iPhone and iPad

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Apple Support repair costs
It's now easier to find out how much you'll need to pay.
Image: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

Got a broken Apple device that needs fixing? The Apple Support app has begun showing repair cost estimates in some locations, giving customers an idea of how much they’re going to have to cough up before they book in.

The estimates appear to be available for “common repair topics” — like replacing broken displays and back panels, or swapping out old batteries — for the most popular iPhone and iPad models in use today.

Grab these top-rated AirPods Pro lookalikes for less than $50

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Get $20 off these top-rated AirPod Pro alternatives today.
These affordable earbuds give off a serious AirPods Pro vibe.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

If you like the design of AirPods Pro but don’t want active noise cancellation — or a huge Apple price tag — these sub-$50 Bluetooth earbuds might be just the thing.

Just like AirPods Pro, Xpods Pro come with silicone tips that seal off outside sounds and provide a better fit for some folks. Unlike AirPods Pro, they don’t cost hundreds of dollars.

Even better, right now you can take an extra $20 off, driving the Xpods Pro’s normal affordable price of $69.99 all the way down to $49.99. Just remember to enter the code XPOD20 at checkout.

Add 3 super-fast ports to your Mac with Plugable’s Thunderbolt hub [Review]

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Plugable USB4-HUB3A Thunderbolt hub review
The Plugable USB4-HUB3A doesn’t take up much room on your desk, and adds three Thunderbolt 4 ports to your Mac.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

If you want more Thunderbolt ports for your Mac, the Plugable USB4-HUB3A hub offers a trio of them. And they are fully functional, offering up to 40 Gbps transfer speeds and support for 4K monitors. Plus, there’s a USB-A port for good measure.

I put Plugable’s new Thunderbolt hub through a round of testing to be sure it lives up to specs.

Regulator fines Apple again, dismisses feeble attempt to add alternative payments

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App Store image
Just as we thought, Apple's approach to alternative payments is a joke.
Photo: James Yarema/Unsplash CC

Dutch regulators hit Apple with another $5 million fine Monday for not properly complying with new rules that say dating apps should be allowed to accept alternative payment methods. The penalty now totals $20 million.

The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) dismissed Cupertino’s feeble attempts to satisfy its requirements and said developers should not have to build brand-new apps to offer alternative payments options.

Running classic Cinema Displays with newer Macs [Setups]

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Which makes you swoon more, the 30-inch Cinema Displays or the Yamaha powered speakers?
Which makes you swoon more, the 30-inch Cinema Displays or the mounted Yamaha powered speakers with the Mackie Big Knob controller?
Photo: [email protected]

There’s something special about old Apple gear. Maybe that’s why it comes up fairly frequently in Cult of Mac‘s Setups coverage. One of the most-beloved classics in Apple’s storied history of beloved products is the Cinema Display. Today’s featured setup sports not one but two 30-inch Cinema Displays, the big stunners Steve Jobs introduced to an absolutely dazzled Worldwide Developers Conference audience in 2004.

So, naturally, questions came up about how to best use them with a newer Mac.

Zoom fixes macOS bug that leaves mics active when they shouldn’t be

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Zoom fixes Mac's microphone bug
Install the latest update as soon as you can.
Photo: Markus Spiske/Unsplash

Zoom issued a quick fix for its native macOS app over the weekend to address a concerning bug that left microphones active when they shouldn’t have been.

It comes after many Mac users complained the app was still listening in after calls had ended. It is the second time Zoom has attempted to eliminate this issue, so here’s to hoping this update actually does its job.

Buy one, get one half-price on awesome iPhone and Apple Watch accessories

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SwitchEasy MagSkin Silicone Case for iPhone 13
Find great gifts (and save) for Valentine's Day.
Photo: SwitchEasy

Missed out on getting the perfect Valentine’s Day gift? Make it up to them with help from the Cult of Mac Store, where you can save on stellar iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch accessories.

Buy one, get one half-price on the entire lineup of SwitchEasy products — which includes great cases, bands, stands and more. This deal ends at 11:59 p.m. PT Monday, so enjoy it while you still can.

Discover the secrets to becoming an NFT, crypto and metaverse millionaire

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Become an NFT millionaire with this complete masterclass.
Dive into the deep (and lucrative) end of Web 3.0 with these courses.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

There’s no doubt about it: Cryptocurrency, non-fungible tokens and the metaverse are at the forefront of Web 3.0 — and the future of the internet.

If you’re a total noob looking to learn, The Beginner’s Guide: Cryptocurrency Trading, NFTs & Metaverse Bundle is a great place to start. It’s on sale for just $21 (regularly $1,400). And, with seven different courses included in this bundle, that works out to just $3 a course.

Apple registers 3 new Mac models ahead of rumored spring event

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M2 MacBook Pro
Is a new M2 chip right around the corner?
Image: Apple/Cult of Mac

Regulatory filings for three new Mac models have been spotted ahead of Apple’s rumored spring event next month. Recent reports suggest Cupertino could be planning a new MacBook Pro with a next-generation “M2” chipset. Rumors also indicate Apple continues to work on a bigger iMac, a new MacBook Air and a new Mac mini.

The filings come after Apple last month registered a new iPhone and a new iPad — believed to be an upgraded iPhone SE with 5G support and a refreshed iPad Air likely to pack the newest A15 Bionic processor.