Want wireless headphones but aren’t interested in dropping $549 on AirPods Max? Pick up Beats Solo3 instead and enjoy up to 40% off the usual price. Amazon is offering brand-new models for as little as $119 — down from $199.95 — for a limited time only.
Bag yours before they sell out!
Apple’s U1 chip, allowing for devices to more accurately connect to others nearby using ultra-wideband technology, is MIA in Apple’s pricey new $549 AirPods Max headphones.
The chip, which Apple introduced in 2019 with the iPhone 11, was rumored to show up in the AirPods Max. But according to a tweet by Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman, Apple had to scrap a number of big features it planned to include in the high-end headphones it launched Tuesday.
We’ve got a PSA for all gamers: It’s not necessary to secure a PlayStation 5 in order to achieve perfect gaming happiness. To prove it, we rounded up our top three gaming products and accessories below. Any one of these items make the perfect holiday gift for your friends or family (or let’s face it, yourself) — and you can enjoy savings of up to 66%.
Apple gave developers early access to iOS 14.3 on Tuesday, which will bring ProRAW support to the iPhone 12 Pro models. Plus, it and the iPad equivalent will give everyone more information about the privacy practices of the apps they use.
Apple also seeded to devs the release candidates for watchOS 7.2 and tvOS 14.3 on Tuesday.
Need to pick up an affordable Mac ahead of the holidays? Check out Woot’s one-day sale on iMac and MacBook refurbs. There are a whole bunch of models to choose from, with prices starting at just $359.99.
They’re selling fast, so bag yours before they’re all gone!
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It’s amazing how many cutting-edge pieces of science-fiction-level technology are available for easy purchase and use right in your home. Take, for example, this WiFi Digital Microscope: It’s capable of magnifying up to 1,000 times, it has a high-res camera that captures in 1920x108p resolution, and it connects wirelessly to your computer (even Windows, if you’re into that sorta thing).
Apple expanded its popular AirPods lineup Tuesday, unveiling a new over-the-ear model dubbed AirPods Max.
The high-end headphones promise to deliver “the magic of AirPods” in an all-new design. They boast high-fidelity, spatial audio and active noise cancellation like AirPods Pro. And they come in five colors. They’re available to order today, priced at $549.
Apple Fitness+, Apple’s $9.99-a-month subscription workout service built around Apple Watch, will launch December 14.
The service will launch with 10 workout types. These include High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT), Strength, Yoga, Dance, Core, Cycling, Treadmill (for running and walking), Rowing and Mindful Cooldown. The sessions are led by an elite team of fitness experts we profiled here.
A private browser window just doesn’t cut it anymore when it comes to privacy, security and convenience online. You really need a solid virtual private network to browse safely and anonymously — especially when you’re away from home. IPVanish VPN is a great option for those looking to bulletproof their internet experience, and there’s never been a better time to get a subscription. While a year of access typically costs $143, it’s currently discounted to just $29.
California will launch a COVID-19 exposure-notification system Thursday that uses smartphones to track interactions with infected people.
The state “has partnered with Google and Apple to launch a #COVID19 exposure notification app, CA Notify,” Gov. Gavin Newsom said Monday on Twitter. “Starting Thursday, you can opt in to get push notifications on your phone if you have been exposed to COVID-19.”
Traveling can be stressful enough as it is — and the last thing you want is your luggage to be the factor that makes your plans go awry. While this Genius Pack Supercharged Carry On won’t necessarily prevent missed flights or long layovers, it can certainly help you get smoothly from point A to point B. Plus, it includes two external USB ports so you can keep your iPhone or iPad charged on the go.
No matter the business plan or passion, it’s the data that determines whether a company becomes successful. Entrepreneurs need to sell products and turn a profit, and they need to understand what works when it comes to reaching consumers online. Doing so has never been easier with the addition of Google Analytics.
Apple launched an iPhone 11 Display Module Replacement Program late on Friday. It’s intended to repair a small percentage of units that are experiencing problems with the touchscreen.
These units “may stop responding to touch due to an issue with the display module,” according to Apple.
It’s December, so it’s time to brace yourself for the annual onslaught of “best of” recommendations. Cupertino came out of the gate early this week, crowning its favorite 15 apps and games of the year.
Separately, the company also highlighted the biggest hits on Apple Music, diced in a variety of ways, as well as the best podcasts, books and audiobooks of 2020. And, like last year, Apple Music users can check out their own personal hit lists. Take a look at your Replay 2020 playlist for insight into what you streamed with abandon during the COVID-19 lockdown.
Get the lowdown in this week’s free edition of Cult of Mac Magazine. It’s loaded with the week’s top Apple news, plus plenty of how-tos for iPhone, HomePod and Mac users.
We’ve also got reviews of three new Apple TV+ shows this week: astonishing nature docuseries Earth at Night in Color, uplifting kids show Stillwater and Mariah Carey’s Magical Christmas Special.
Most of us can’t imagine what we would do without our trusty MacBook — it holds important work files, personal documents and fond memories. But with the threat of malware, spyware and a host of other menaces looming every time you connect to the internet, it’s worth investing in software that extends the longevity of your device.
Not only does Outbyte MacRepair scan your computer for security threats, but it also checks for performance issues, junk files and unused apps that clog up your valuable Mac storage space. Essentially, it optimizes your Mac’s performance.
When we published a Setups post with the headline “This desk has a minimalism level of over 9,000,” consultant Mike Leardo felt compelled to send in his own rig to show what peak minimalism really looks like.
You can’t get more minimalist than this — mouse, keyboard and screen.
This week on The CultCast: Get your wallets ready, Apple reportedly has a mysterious hardware release planned for December 8! We discuss. Plus: The M1 Mac mini is an unstoppable monster, and we’ve got more insane benchmarks to drool over. Seriously, do not waste your money on anything but an M1 Mac.
Our thanks to Squarespace for supporting this episode. Easily create a beautiful website all by yourself, at Squarespace.com/cultcast. Use offer code CultCast at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain.
It’s going to be a long winter. If you’re planning to spend some time outside of your house, for essential errands or to get some fresh air, it’s important that you do everything you can to protect yourself and those in your household and community. Not only will these on-sale products keep you safe, but they’ll also give you peace of mind this holiday season and beyond.
Did you know that you can transfer your music from iPhone to HomePod — and vice-versa — in just a tap? It’s quick and simple and works amazingly well, and we’ll show you how to set it up.
Right from the start, the Apple Watch was all about personalization, thanks to interchangeable bands and watch faces. Now, Apple Watch owners enjoy even more options for making their wearables their own. To aid that quest for customization, we rounded up a bunch of brilliant Apple Watch accessories you can get right now, all for $35 or less.
You’ll find beautiful bands, brilliant bumpers and the coolest charging docks — all reviewed or approved by a member of the Cult of Mac team.
Amazon is now offering the biggest discount we’ve seen so far on Powerbeats Pro. Pick up brand-new units for as little as $149.95 — a full $100 off the normal selling price — for a limited time only.
Apple TV+ steps up its nature doc game again with Earth at Night in Color. Exciting, beautiful and cute, the show is as easy to watch as it is cumbersome to say.
Narrated by Tom Hiddleston, the series looks at parts of the natural world previously only revealed in grainy and intense night vision. It’s as exciting and revealing as anyone could hope for.
There are plenty of reasons why you’d want to learn a new language. Maybe you’re planning a move, need to chat with your significant other’s parents, or want to open yourself up to new career opportunities.
Whatever your reason, there’s no need to take classes with an expensive tutor. These four incredible apps will help you learn the language(s) of your choice in record time. Plus, we’re offering these highly rated apps at their lowest prices all season. Be sure to snag these lifetime subscriptions while they’re still available.
Apple TV+ continues its inspired streak of children’s fare with an adaptation of Jon J Muth’s Zen storytelling book series. Stillwater takes the central character from those books, a stoic and wise panda, and pits him against the foibles of three young kids.
Stillwater, which lands on Apple TV+ today, feels like a kind of classic PBS kids cartoon. It’s all about trying to prepare pipsqueaks for life’s disappointments by teaching them how to shift their perspective — and understand that some of life is beyond our control. There’s an awful lot to enjoy in this one.
Let’s be honest, you already know whether you’re going to watch Mariah Carey’s Magical Christmas Special on Apple TV+.
This isn’t an early Apple Silicon Mac where you need to read up on whether the transition to a new chip architecture has worked before making your purchasing decision. You either heard the words “Mariah” and “Christmas special” and thought “that’s an easy skip,” or immediately set about making space on your calendar to enjoy it in all its festive fierceness.
Nothing I write here is going to change your mind on either of these polarized takes. But, for the record, I enjoyed the show, which premiered today on Apple TV+.