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Top stories - page 16

Graphene tactical jacket provides next-level comfort and capabilities

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Gift wintertime coziness with this heated jacket and hand warmer combo, now only $180.
This high-tech heated jacket makes the ultimate gift for adventurers.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

The Gamma graphene jacket will keep you warm and protect you from the elements. It’s a tough tactical jacket — rugged and resistant to water and wind. Plus, it packs a power bank that heats it to your optimal temperature, with plenty of pockets to stash your essential gear.

This high-tech jacket will take you from mountaintops to city streets in comfort and style. And it’s price-dropped to just $179.97 (regularly $575) through December 17.

Here’s our holiday buying guide for iPhone, iPad and AirPods [Video]

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Holiday Buying Guide
Check out our guide for gifting Apple products this holiday season.
Image: Apple/D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

You’re running out of time to buy the Apple gifts your loved ones want for the holidays. If you need to buy an iPhone, iPad or AirPods, you need to make a well-informed decision quickly — but how do you know which model to get?

We have a helpful new video that will explain the differences between various iPhone, iPad and AirPods models. Plus, we published detailed written buying guides for your convenience.

Last chance to win a 3-in-1 MagSafe travel charger from mophie [Cult of Mac Giveaway]

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This mophie 3-in-1 travel charger is perfect for travelers with multiple Apple gadgets.
This charger is perfect for travelers with multiple Apple gadgets.
Photo: mophie

This week’s Cult of Mac giveaway prize is a mophie 3-in-1 MagSafe travel charger that retails for $149.95. The compact charger is perfect for anyone with a busy schedule who’s on the go. You can charge multiple devices simultaneously at maximum speed with this great fold-up Apple accessory.

The 3-in-1 charger can juice up an iPhone, an Apple Watch and AirPods all at once. It comes with a handy travel pouch to keep everything securely together, plus a USB-C cable and a wall adapter. Enter below for your chance to win — we’re giving away three of these excellent travel chargers.

Bring the heat with this stylish, compact space heater

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Keep your loved ones warm with the stylish FARA space heater, now under $74.
Combine style and comfort with the Fara space heater for only $74. Makes a hot gift!
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Feeling the winter chill? Combine tech and comfort with the Fara electric space heater.

This sleek, Pinterest-worthy space heater makes home heating more flexible. And you can get it for only $73.97 (regularly $99). Just be sure to order on or before December 14 if you want to give one as a Christmas gift.

Tiny translation pen makes understanding almost any text or speech a breeze

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Scan and translate text from anywhere with this multifunctional translator pen, now only $160!
Learn to read or say "Happy holidays!" in more than 100 languages with this translating scanner pen.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

The Newyes Scan Reader Pen 4 is a translator pen instantly translates written or spoken words, making it quick and easy to understand foreign languages — anytime, anyplace and in practically any situation. The tiny translating gadget also packs special features for people with dyslexia, as well as for language learners you and old.

It can translate text on pages, digital screens, textiles, boxes and much more. And it can allow you to carry on a conversation using a language you don’t know.

Just in time for the holidays, it’s on sale for only $159.99 (regularly $187). It’s the ideal gift for avid readers, language learners and world travelers. Grab one (or several) today to ensure on-time Christmas delivery!

Apple warns of dire threats to unencrypted cloud data

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Apple security lock logo
Apple offers end-to-end encryption in Advanced Data Protection for iCloud.
Photo: Apple

Data breaches have compromised 2.6 billion personal consumer records in the past two years, with a rapid rise since last year, according to an independent study Apple published Thursday.

Increasing threats to consumer data stored in the cloud underscore a need for end-to-end data encryption like Advanced Data Protection for iCloud, launched in 2022, Apple said.

“Bad actors continue to pour enormous amounts of time and resources into finding more creative and effective ways to steal consumer data, and we won’t rest in our efforts to stop them,” said Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior vice president of Software Engineering. “As threats to consumer data grow, we’ll keep finding ways to fight back on behalf of our users by adding even more powerful protections.”

Koda PowerStation will delight any DIYer for just $60

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The KODA PowerStation is the ultimate holiday gift for any handy man or woman, now under $60!
Light up any workspace with the Koda PowerStation. (It also charges iPhones!)
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

If you’re shopping for the perfect gift for a DIY enthusiast, crafty carpenter or grease-stained garage guru, take a peek at this versatile power station. Right on time for the holidays, the Koda PowerStation — a powerful work light with multiple outlets (and wireless charging for an iPhone or AirPods) — is on sale for only $59.99 (regularly $85).

It’s more than just a gadget — it’s perfect for anyone who wields power tools, toils on a workbench or tinkers in a garage. Just be sure to order it today if you want it to arrive by December 25!

Apple confirms ‘push notification spying’ by government agencies [Updated]

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A red-tinted image of a hand holding an iPhone, meant to depict push notification spying.
Unidentified countries request push notification records from Apple and Google to gain info about smartphone users.
Photo illustration: Bagus Hernawan/Unsplash License/Modified by Cult of Mac

Some governments are spying on push notifications sent to iPhone users, Apple confirmed Wednesday. By examining logs of push notifications sent by various apps, authorities can piece together surprisingly detailed information about smartphone users and their activities.

The previously undisclosed data gathering, which also affects Android devices, became public after Sen. Roy Wyden published an open letter to Attorney General Merrick B. Garland on Wednesday requesting disclosure of the surveillance method.

This 4K dual-camera drone costs less than $80, with guaranteed delivery before Christmas

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Ninja Dragon Blade X 4K Dual Camera Drone product shot
Grab this high-flying gift before the shipping deadline.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Drones make great gifts, and we’ve got a great deal on a drone that’s perfect for beginners. The Ninja Dragon Blade X 4K Dual Camera Drone is sure to delight even first-time drone pilots. And now it’s on sale for just $79.97 (regularly $199) through December 17.

However, you must order by December 7 to ensure on-time holiday delivery!

You won’t see a vertical display more nuts than this one [Setups]

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Mac Pro setup with 55-inch curved Samsung display in portrait mode
Can you imagine working on that screen?
Photo: [email protected]

Curved ultra-wide gaming displays have been making their way into Mac setups for quite some time now. But some people want to experiment, maybe push the envelope a bit, so they mount them on top of other displays or sometimes in portrait mode (vertical). But today’s Mac Pro setup takes the cake in that regard.

The user nixed a Studio Display with a high-quality external webam in favor of a truly massive, 55-inch curved ultra-wide Samsung gaming display — mounted vertically. It towers over everything with a pronounced stoop.

MagSafe Gravity case protects iPhone 14 with zero added bulk

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The MagSafe Gravity case is protective yet minimal.
The MagSafe Gravity case is protective yet minimal.
Photo: SwitchEasy

If your iPhone 14 case is a little bulkier than you’d like — maybe a bit tight in the pocket — perhaps it’s time to try SwitchEasy’s MagSafe Gravity iPhone Case.

The incredibly slim case adds zero bulk, works with MagSafe and is available in the Cult of Mac Store for just $25, but is currently on sale for $19.99.

Impress the artist on your list with this precision iPad pen for less than $35

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Gift idea: Turn any Apple lover's iPad into an art or design canvas with this $35 digital pen.
Give the artist, designer or student in your life this $35 pen compatible with iPad and other tablets.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Art is all about the free flow of ideas from the brain onto the canvas. When that canvas is digital, the right tools matter — and we’re not just talking about software. Getting the right iPad stylus makes a big difference.

Now, you can score holiday savings on the Digi Pen, a stylus compatible with iPad and other tablets. Through December 17, it’s on sale for only $34.97 (regularly $99).

With a sleek design and pinpoint sensitivity, the Digi Pen makes the ideal gift for the iPad artist in your life. Be sure to order by December 7 for on-time holiday delivery!

Gift alert: This $46 wireless magnetic battery pack can charge all your Apple gear

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Get quick, wireless charging for iPhone, AirPods and more for just $45.99.
An Apple lover's dream: This magnetic wireless power bank can charge Apple devices for only $45.99.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

It’s common for Apple fans to get a ton of new tech around the holidays. And after about a month of heavy use, we find out exactly how far those iPhones, Apple Watches and AirPods can go on a full charge. That’s when we all wish we’d gotten the same thing: a reliable battery pack for recharging on the go.

The ZeroLemon MagJuice+ wireless battery pack is that, and then some. And just in time for the holidays, it’s on sale for just $45.99 (regularly $59).

Did we mention that it’s small enough to fit into a pocket — or a stocking?!?

Beeper Mini app brings iMessage to Android, blue bubbles included

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Beeper Mini messaging app
Beeper Mini may be the first app to reliably make Android users' text appear in blue bubbles on iPhone.
Photo: Beeper

Believe it or not, a 16-year-old high school student may have been the first to fully reverse-engineer iMessage and turn green Android text bubbles blue on iPhones with the new Beeper Mini app, released Tuesday.

The text messaging world is buzzing over it, wondering how it may avoid security pitfalls like other recent attempts to merge the two texting worlds — and puzzling over whether Apple may put a stop to this incursion into its “walled garden.”

iOS 17 adoption grows strongly, passes 60%

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Downgrading iPhone from iOS 17 beta to iOS 16
Most iPhone users are now running iOS 17.
Image: Rajesh Pandey/Cult of Mac

The number of iPhones running some version of iOS 17 passed a milestone. The total recently topped 60%, according to an analytics firm.

Users were initially slow to make the jump past iOS 16, but a solid majority have now done so.

Nab any SwitchEasy iPhone 14 case for 20% off

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What's classier than marble?
What's classier than marble?
Photo: SwitchEasy

Attention iPhone 14 owners: Don’t miss the SwitchEasy sale on all iPhone 14 cases and accessories in the Cult of Mac Store. You can save 20% on any of 10 different cases to protect and dress up your fabulous Apple handset.

The cases cover the bases from tough and functional to highly decorative. There are regular cases as well as MagSafe options. Check out some highlights below. And 20% off saves you about $6 on many of the cases.

These $23 noise-canceling earbuds do something AirPods can’t

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Just in time for the holidays, these noise-reducing earbuds are only $23.
Save some cash with Bluetooth earbuds that cost a fraction of what Apple charges.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

We love everything about AirPods Pro except their price. If you, too, balk at spending $249 for Apple’s finest, give the incredibly affordable Flux 7 TWS noise-canceling earbuds a shot.

They’re waterproof and sweatproof, so they’re perfect for the gym. And they even boast a feature AirPods don’t: Their high-capacity charging case doubles as a power bank that can give your iPhone a boost.

They make a perfect stocking stuffer for anybody with an iPhone or Android device, and you can pick up a pair for less than $23 until December 17!

Meow! Stray proves great gaming can happen on a Mac [Review] ★★★★★

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Photo of the Stray title screen on a Mac, with two cats sitting on the desk nearby★★★★★
Stray is a game for Mac gamers and cat lovers.
Photo: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

In Stray, you play as a cat wandering through a cyberpunk version of the Kowloon Walled City, the most densely populated city in the world (and a fascinating footnote of history). In this future, though, the city teems with robots who dream of visiting the outside world.

It’s been out for PC, Xbox and PlayStation for a while, but the Mac version is out now on the Mac App Store.

Stray is a gripping game in an exquisitely designed and immersive world that proves gaming on the Mac is on the rise once again.

Software engineer defends Apple’s pricey Studio Display [Setups]

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Computer setup with M2 Pro MacBook Pro and Studio Display
Software engineer says his Studio Display's 60Hz refresh rate doesn't bother him (much).
Photo: [email protected]

A software engineer drives a Studio Display with an M2 Pro MacBook Pro in their enviable computer setup. And while some folks questioned the use of Apple’s pricey 5K display because of its relatively low refresh rate, the setup’s user praised the monitor highly.

Check out the advice the engineer got about setup improvements and see all their gear in the list below.

Stay warm and connected this winter with $12 touchscreen gloves

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Use these $12 touchscreen-compatible gloves for cozy holiday connection.
Gift yourself or a loved one these $12 touchscreen-compatible gloves that keep you toasty and connected.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

There’s no shortage of iPhone accessories if you want to fill out a stocking. But before you think about AirPods or Bluetooth speakers, remember that all that tech isn’t worth much if you can’t use it comfortably. And that’s where touchscreen gloves come in.

If you or a loved one need to stay connected without suffering from frostbitten fingers this winter and beyond, these thermal touchscreen gloves are a lifesaver. And now they’re a steal at only $11.99 (regularly $29)!

Edit video on iPhone and external drives with powerful LumaFusion [Awesome Apps]

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Edit video on iPhone and external drives with powerful 'LumaFusion'
With LumaFusion, you don't need storage space on your iPhone to edit huge video files on an SSD.
Photo: LumaTouch
Awesome Apps

With an iPhone 15 Pro or Pro Max, you can record high-resolution video directly to an external SSD. And the latest version of the iPhone app LumaFusion lets you edit with the video still on the external drive, too. Don’t try that with any other video editor for iOS.

That’s on top of the many other features of the iPhone and iPad application, which offers multitrack video editing with a focus on controlling everything with touch.

Come to grips with AI, ChatGPT and Python for less than $30

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Score Cyber Week savings on a bundle that covers AI, ChatGPT and Python, now under $30.
This 14-course bundle comes packed with insight on the hottest tech trends, all for only $29.97.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Interested in computer programming and artificial intelligence? We’ve got a big discount on a package of courses that will teach you all about the hottest tech fields: The 2023 Ultimate AI, ChatGPT and Python Programming Bundle

Through December 3, you can get the bundle for only $29.97 (regularly $154). This timely discount makes it an ideal opportunity to make a proactive move and get up to speed on the latest tech innovations.

What’s next for Apple Card? [The CultCast]

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Apple Card on an iPhone. CultCast episode 623.
Changes could be coming to Apple Card.
Image: Cult of Mac

This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: It sounds like Apple’s partnership with Goldman Sachs is on the rocks. What does that mean for the future of Apple Card?

Also on The CultCast:

  • The latest iOS 17.2 beta reveals some interesting new features.
  • Apple’s deal with Arm is pretty sweet … and pretty annoying for Arm!
  • Those panicky headlines about NameDrop you’ve been seeing that paint the iOS 17 feature as danger to children? Ignore them.
  • Apple seems pretty committed to Vision Pro: Multiple lower-priced versions of the headset are reportedly in the works.

Listen to this week’s episode of The CultCast in the Podcasts app or your favorite podcast app. (Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review if you like it!) Or watch the video live stream, embedded below.

Monarch: Legacy of Monsters episode 4 references you might have missed [Apple TV+ recap]

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'Monarch: Legacy of Monsters' Episode 4 -- Frost Vark Titan
It’s the Frost Vark Titan! Run!!
Photo: Apple TV+

TV+ Review The fourth episode of Monarch: Legacy of Monsters is out, and anyone who’s been dissatisfied about the amount of screen time kaijus got before will have nothing to complain about.

Read on if you’re ready for Godzilla-size spoilers about the latest episode, plus some speculation about the show’s future.

Space soap opera For All Mankind hits stride in ‘House Divided’ episode [Apple TV+ recap] ★★★

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For All Mankind, season 4, episode 4, Ed Baldwin sees Svetlana off.★★★
Ed got what might be a first and only kiss from Svetlana, headed for trial in India.
Photo: Apple TV+

Not much happens Friday on alt-history space soap opera For All Mankind season 4’s fourth episode, “House Divided.” Let’s see. Two Russians have a shoving match on Mars, almost killing one and nearly causing the return of the Cold War. The former head of NASA goes to work for the Soviets and immediately impresses her frighteningly KGB-connected boss. And longtime space heroes Danielle Poole and Ed Baldwin suffer a major falling out that could threaten peace in Happy Valley, Mars.

And by the way, geriatric Ed — the show wants us to believe Joel Kinnaman’s characters is now in his 70s — finally does get the tender smooch from a young cosmonaut threatened in episode 3. Alas, poor Miles Dale, despite sparks flying on Mars, doesn’t quite get to make out with his burgeoning love interest.