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Save hundreds on Apple-refurbished MacBooks today only

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Save on 13.3-inch MacBook Pro from 2020
Bag yours before they're all gone!
Photo: Apple

Pick up an Apple-refurbished MacBook Air or MacBook Pro from Woot today and enjoy hundreds of dollars off the original price.

Prices start at just $839.99 for a MacBook Air with an Intel Core i5 chip and 512GB of storage, while 13-inch MacBook Pro units are as little as $1,069.99. The sale is good for today only, so enjoy it while you can.

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

Access more than 210 curated Mac apps with Setapp

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Setapp gives you access to 210+ curated mac apps
Enjoy hundreds of stellar Mac apps for one low price with Setapp.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Navigating the App Store can be a difficult task. With all the available apps that can make your life easier and help your computer function more efficiently, finding the best ones is a real challenge. But there is a way to get that done while somebody else does the work for you. That’s what you’ll get with a one-year subscription to Setapp.

The long path to success for Apple TV+ [Cult of Mac Magazine 408]

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What does
What does "success" really look like for Apple TV+?
Cover: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac

Apple TV+ just keeps adding new movies and shows, but how many people are watching? Only Apple knows for sure.

An entertainment industry expert takes a look at the current state of Apple TV+ — and outlines what the future might hold for the streaming video service. Read the Q&A to find out what “success” might look like for Apple TV+.

That’s our cover story in this week’s free issue of Cult of Mac Magazine. Download it to read on your iPhone or iPad, or get the links to the week’s top Apple news, reviews and how-tos below.

Last chance! A portable solar panel is a camping must-have [Cult of Mac Giveaway]

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Choetech Solar Panel Portable Charger
Capture every adventure in the most remote places.
Photo: Choetech

If you plan on camping this summer, make sure to bring a Portable Solar Panel from Choetech. This solar panel delivers 80 watts via four output ports. It’s the coolest thing that you never knew you needed.

If you want a fully charged iPhone at all times, even in the great outdoors, make sure to enter this week’s giveaway. Enter and you could win one of two Portable Solar Panels.

Save up to 95% on cloud storage and never lose a file again 

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Degoo backs up as much as 10TB of data
Get 10TB of cloud storage, on sale now for less than $90.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

What precious digital files do you have on your phone, laptop or iPad? Today, we all have tons of irreplaceable family photos, videos, confidential work documents and essential personal files on our devices. But are you protecting them, and do you even have enough space for all of them?

Long and fraught: The path to success for Apple TV+

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Apple TV+ Autumn 2021: Apple TV+ has some big shows coming this year.
Apple TV+ has some big shows coming this year.
Photo: Apple TV+

A year and a half in, Apple TV+ remains something of a black box. Ever since the streaming video service’s launch in November 2019, Cupertino has refused to reveal hard data about just how well Apple TV+ is doing.

In some respects, the future looks promising. Apple TV+ continues to add high-profile projects to its production queue. Apple TV+ shows and movies continue to rack up awards. And upcoming originals like an epic sci-fi adaptation of Isaac Asimov’s Foundation and the second season of surprise hit Ted Lasso are generating buzz.

Plus, with the original one-year free trials ending — and new free Apple TV+ trials slashed to just three months — the $4.99-a-month streaming service seems increasingly confident about its value proposition for viewers.

Still, the Apple TV+ library continues to be dwarfed by rivals like Netflix and Disney+.

So what does the future hold? And what does “success” look like for Apple TV+ anyway? Cult of Mac asked the Entertainment Strategy Guy, a pseudonymous entertainment executive who writes about the business, how Apple TV+ is faring and what to expect next. His responses have been lightly edited for clarity.

Protect your devices and data with this dual DPN/firewall hardware

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This smart dual VPN and firewall will protect your online data and your devices 
Simply install this tiny protector and you'll never need to worry about your online security again.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Everyone needs a VPN and a firewall they can trust. With everyone living our lives online more than ever, these services for protecting our most private data are not just bonuses for the highly tech-conscious, but essentials for every household. 

The super-smart Deeper Connect Nano Decentralized VPN Cybersecurity Hardware will take care of both, and it’s on sale today for just $299. Unlike practically every other VPN on the market, the Deeper Connect Nano is a one-and-done deal, sparing you from pesky monthly subscription fees forever.

Twitch Watch Parties now work on iOS devices

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You can now join a Twich Watch Party on your iPhone.
You can now join a Twich Watch Party on your iPhone.
Photo: Twitch

People who use the video-streaming app Twitch can now join the platform’s “Watch Parties” on iOS and Android devices, according to a tweet sent out Friday.

Focused since its launch on bringing people together to watch and comment on video gameplay, Twitch also does drama and comedy. Its Watch Parties let Twitch users stream Amazon Prime content.

Updates to Controller for HomeKit app enhance your home automation

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Controller for HomeKit 5.4 lets you back up your database, store codes and more.
Controller for HomeKit 5.4 lets you back up your database, store codes and more.
Photo: Controller for HomeKit

The third-party Controller for HomeKit app’s new version 5.4 update adds something users have wanted for a while. It’s a full backup and restore process that includes the HomeKit codes identifying the devices and accessories you include in your home automation.

Sisters steal the show this week in Lisey’s Story [Apple TV+ review]

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Lisey's Story review: It's a total sister act this week.
It's a total sister act this week.
Photo: Apple TV+

With a showdown on the horizon, Lisey gets back in touch with her sisters — in the most intense way imaginable — in this week’s installment of Lisey’s Story, the fantastical Apple TV+ series based on Stephen King’s novel.

It’s only a matter of time before Lisey has to take down her foes, real and imaginary, and she’s gonna need all the help she can get.

New Dell UltraSharp Webcam takes a page from iPad Pro’s book

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Dell's new UltraSharp 4K webcam features AI auto framing.
Dell's new UltraSharp 4K webcam features AI auto framing.
Photo: Dell

Dell’s slick new UltraSharp Webcam takes a page out of the 2021 iPad Pro’s book with a Center Stage-like advanced AI auto-framing feature. It keeps the subject — most likely your face, on a video call — centered in the frame and in focus, even if you move around a lot.

The new Dell 4K webcam isn’t cheap, you may notice. But for the $199.99 price tag, you get some nice features.

2022 iPad Pro could pack next-gen 3nm chip for even greater performance

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iPad-Pro-Magic-Trackpad-3
Coming in late 2022?
Photo: Apple

The 2022 iPad Pro could ship with a next-generation chipset manufactured using a cutting-edge 3-nanometer process, according to a new report out of Asia, citing several sources familiar with the matter.

The upgrade would lead to even greater performance for what is already one of Apple’s fastest mobile devices. But we may have to wait longer for the same technology to make its way to iPhone.

How to install the macOS Monterey public beta today

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How to install the macOS Monterey beta
You'll need a compatible Mac and around 12GB of free storage space.
Image: Apple/Cult of Mac

Anyone can put the macOS Monterey beta on their Mac — it’s no longer reserved for developers. Apple added the pre-release version to its public beta program on Thursday.

Installing it is free, and not too difficult. Here’s how begin playing with macOS Monterey yourself.

Free music app replicates Mac OS X iTunes widget from 2005

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Mario Guzman's Music Widget app faithfully replicates the Mac OS X iTunes widget.
Mario Guzman's Music Widget app faithfully replicates the Mac OS X iTunes widget.
Photo: Mario Guzman

The new Music Widget, which is actually a standalone app, brings back to life the original Mac OS X (Tiger) iTunes widget. So you can party like it’s 2005 with your tunes.

The Tiger OS, released in 2005, offered nifty little widgets through its Dashboard. Now programmer Mario Guzman gives us an exact replica of the defunct iTunes widget, but for modern Macs.

Got data? The biggest-ever portable encrypted SSD just came out

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Apricorn's new 20 TB Fortress L3 is the biggest-ever portable encrypted SSD.
Apricorn's new 20 TB Fortress L3 is the biggest-ever portable encrypted SSD.
Photo: Apricorn

The headline should probably read, “Got data? And money?” Storage device-maker Apricorn released on Thursday what it bills as the largest-ever portable encrypted solid state drive. It holds 20TB of data and costs $12,999.

But don’t worry, you can get a much smaller one for as little as $239.

This top-rated digital painting software is over 20% off for lifetime access

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Get a lifetime subscription to Paintstorm Studio for exemplary art
Paint up a storm with lifetime access to this digital art software for Mac or PC.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Every painter knows that good painting isn’t just about the vision: It’s all about having the right materials.

For a painter, a set of delicate brushes or exquisite paints allows them to bring their vision to life. Just because we’re in the digital age doesn’t mean artists have any less need for premium painting materials.

MacBook Pro with mini-LED display could land this year in 2 sizes

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Save on 13.3-inch MacBook Pro from 2020
The big refresh could be just months away.
Photo: Apple

Apple is teaming up with two new suppliers to bring mini-LED displays to MacBook Pro later this year, according to a new report. The next-generation machines are expected to come in 14- and 16-inch sizes.

It could be as soon as September. One of the suppliers, who is investing to increase production capacity during the third quarter, is already manufacturing mini-LED screens for the newest 12.9-inch iPad Pro.

Get $9 off Apple’s seriously upgraded Siri Remote — the first discount we’ve seen

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Apple TV Siri Remote sale: You don't need to buy the cow to get the milk. Or something.
You don't need to buy the cow to enjoy the sweet cream. Or something.
Photo: Jeremy Zero/Unsplash CC

You can get the best part of this year’s Apple TV update — the totally redesigned Siri Remote — at a healthy $9 off from Verizon Wireless right now. It’s the first discount we’ve seen on the new Apple TV remote, and it drops the price to just $49.99 with free shipping.

By buying the remote separately, current Apple TV owners gain major benefits while avoiding the big (and mostly pointless) investment in the pricey new set-top box. And you don’t need to be a Verizon Wireless subscriber to jump on this hot deal, either.

How to get the iOS 15 and iPadOS 15 public betas today

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How to get the iOS 15 and iPadOS 15 public betas today
You can try out iOS 15 and iPadOS 15 today. Here’s how to install the public betas.
Photo: Cult of Mac

iOS 15 and iPadOS 15 are now available to public beta testers ahead of a wider release. Each of these brings a whole bunch of notable changes and improvements. iPhone gets FaceTime enhancements, new controls over notifications, upgrades for Apple Maps, and many more changes. And iPad gets a revamped version of Safari, improvements to Home screen widgets, easier side-by-side multitasking, and more.

Want to try them out for yourself? We’ll show you how.