Instantly add three lenses, detachable flash, and other enhancements to any smartphone camera. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
The iPhone comes with a crazy good camera. But at the end of the day, any camera is only as good as its lenses. So if you want to get better or more diverse kinds of photos from your iPhone, you’ll want to upgrade its glass.
Do the drawbacks of the 2018 iPad Pro outweigh its advantages? Photo: Ian Fuchs/Cult of Mac
The latest iPad Pro includes the most significant changes Apple has made to its tablets in years. There’s USB-C instead of Lightning, Face ID instead of Touch ID, and the device is more portable. In some ways it’s better than a MacBook.
But that’s not to say Apple got everything right. The 2018 iPad Pro has problems noticeable enough to leave me questioning whether I made the right decision buying one.
Author’s Note Sept. 26, 2019: The release of iPadOS 13 brought so many new features that it removed nearly all my regrets about the iPad Pro. The addition of mouse support and full access to drives plugged into the USB-C port are game changers. And giving apps the ability to open multiple windows simultaneously greatly simplifies my workflow. It seems Apple took the unusual route of waiting about 9 months after the iPad Pro’s debut to introduce a software update that makes the tablet shine.
In short, many of the regrets listed here are no longer relevant in 2019.
Apple is launching a new Entrepreneur Camp that’s specifically designed to help app-driven organizations founded and led by women.
The two-week technology lab, which takes place in Apple’s home town of Cupertino, offers one-on-one coding guidance from Apple experts and engineers, as well as “mentorship, inspiration, and insights from top Apple leaders.”
Backed by machine learning, this meditation app delivers short, daily customized mindfulness exercises to help get relaxed and re-centered. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
The holidays can be hell on the nerves. From traveling and prepping big meals to shopping for gifts and adjusting to the changing weather, there’s plenty to stress over. So why not get yourself something that’ll help your mind unwind?
Apple products have so far escaped the growing trade war between China and the Trump administration, but the grace period may be coming to an end soon. The president is getting ready to put tariffs on additional products being imported from China, and that specifically includes the iPhone.
AirSnap keeps your AirPods protected at all times. Photo: Twelve South
Find My AirPods isn’t your only line of defense against a lost AirPod catastrophe anymore. Twelve South’s AirSnap is a full-grain leather case tailored to protect your AirPods while also keeping them close at hand.
AirSnap protects both your AirPods and charging case from getting nicked, scratched and dirty while floating around your desk, computer bag, or purse. Plus, it’s available at the Cult of Mac Watch Store just in time to make a great stocking stuffer this holiday season.
You kids don’t know how good you have it. Photo: Charlie Sorrel/Cult of Mac
Are you a late-night movie watcher with sensitive neighbors? Do you hate watching your Apple TV with the volume set too low? Then you might love today’s tip. Did you know that you can use your AirPods with your Apple TV? Sure you did. But did you also know that you don’t need to dig around in your Apple TV’s menus to hook them up? There’s a Siri Remote shortcut that makes switching ultra-convenient.
In December, Apple will offer free coding classes to teach kids and teens. Photo: Apple
Next month, there will be thousands of free Hour of Code sessions at all Apple Stores around the world. These will help people at a variety of skill levels learn coding
In addition, the company also just introduced new materials to help teach coding inside and outside the classroom.
Who needs a Mac? Photo: Charlie Sorrel/Cult of Mac
You know how the iPad is a consumption device, like a kind of digital baby spoon? And that Apple’s tablet computer can’t be used for “real work”? Well, Grammy award-winning music producer Henny Tha Bizness disagrees. He uses the iPad exclusively to make music. He also thinks that in a decade, if you haven’t switched to iPad for music production, you’ll be left behind.
In this great video from YouTube video maestro Jonathan Morrison, Henny talks about how he uses the new 2018 iPad Pro to create his music. As a bonus, he asks a producer who hates mixing on a computer to try his iPad, with predictable results.
Get these Cyber Monday deals while you can. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
You finally made it through the Black Friday madness, but how about one more day of sweet deals? Save even bigger today with these Cyber Monday deals on gear, gadgets and software.
Take a look at these deals, and score even more savings — up to an additional 75% off — by applying the respective promo codes.
More spectacular savings have arrived for Cyber Monday. Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac
Black Friday 2018 has been and gone, but that doesn’t mean the sales have disappeared just yet. Cyber Monday is here to help you pick up big products at bargain prices. You won’t find the best deals at the Apple Store, but that doesn’t mean you can’t save a small fortune on Apple devices.
Third-party retailers like Best Buy, B&H Photo, MacMall, and many more are offering big discounts on iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and Mac — as well as all the accessories you’ll want to go with them. There’s plenty of discounts on other tech, too.
You’ll find some of the best deals right here in our Cyber Monday live blog — as well as some helpful tips on where to find more. All you have to do is bust out your credit card and shop!
But that does't mean it can't happen in the near future. Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac
A number of news outlets reported over the weekend that Microsoft briefly overtook Apple as the most valuable U.S. company. This followed several weeks of precipitous declines for Apple, which has seen billions of dollars wiped off its market cap.
In fact, Apple continues to lead Microsoft with a valuation of $817.6 billion to Microsoft’s $791 billion. The incorrect reports were caused by confusion about Apple’s number of outstanding shares, used to calculate market cap. Microsoft is definitely getting closer, though!
Luna Display easily makes your iOS tablet into a screen for your Mac. Photo: Astro HQ
Even a 15-inch MacBook Pro screen feels cramped when compared to a big desktop display. Too bad toting around a second screen for your laptop isn’t practical.
But maybe it is. Luna Display is a tiny wireless adapter that lets an iPad act as an external display for a Mac. We tested this accessory to see how well it lives up to its promise of a hassle-free way of extending our MacBook screen when on the go. Read on to find out how it did.
Save 20-50% off Apple Watch bands and accessories in our big Black Friday sale. Photo: Cult of Mac
Once the friends and family have polished off the leftover turkey, it’s time for the fun part of Thanksgiving weekend — shopping and saving money. The Cult of Mac Watch Store has you covered through Cyber Monday with up to 50 percent off your favorite Apple Watch bands, chargers and accessories.
You’ll find deep discounts on some of our most popular brands for Apple Watch accessories, including E3 Supply, Ottm, Rilee & Lo and Survival Straps (just to name a few). The sale ends Monday at midnight Pacific, so take advantage of these limited-time discounts while they last.
Rev up your savings with these pre-Cyber Monday deals on gear, apps and educational bundles. Photo: Bruce Mars/Pexels CC
Cyber Monday only lasts one day, but what if I told you that you can get early access to some of those hot deals right now? If you missed out on deals during Black Friday, it’s not too late to score now.
Check out the deals below, and make sure to apply the specific promo codes to save even more. Also, see more deals in each collection link.
What are you waiting for? Time to jump in! Cover: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac
A trip to the pool — with your Apple Watch on your wrist — is the perfect way to burn off those Thanksgiving carbs. Our quick guide to swimming with Apple Watch will give you key pointers to maximize your watery workout.
If you’re not into that, you’ll still find plenty of Apple news, how-tos and reviews in this week’s issue of Cult of Mac Magazine. Grab your free subscription on iTunes now. Or, if you like, read on for the week’s best posts — plus your last chance to win an iPhone XR!
Get more stuff done with these highly-reviewed noise-cancelling headphones. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
Black Friday’s gone but the deals aren’t. If you survived the chaos of Black Friday 2018, you can shop today for killer deals on apps, courses and gear — right from the safety of your home.
Be sure to click on the collection links at the end of each section to catch more great deals on hardware, software and educational bundles. And don’t forget to use the discount codes for extra savings.
Some books, with night-mode disabled. Photo: Charlie Sorrel/Cult of Mac
Apple’s iBooks app became the Books app in iOS 12, and got a whole lot better. From the library through to the built-in book store, it’s better in every way. It even has a dark mode, perfect for browsing and reading late at night.
But Books’ dark mode doesn’t work the way you might think. For instance, how in the dickens do you switch the dark mode on and off?
Congratulations to Isamar Mejia (and thanks to Casetify)! Images courtesy Isamar Mejia, Casetify
Isamar Mejia says she was shocked when she found out she won an iPhone XS Max and a massive Casetify case bundle in Cult of Mac’s latest giveaway.
“At first I thought I was dreaming,” she said in an email. “I had to refresh my email at least a hundred times! It sounds silly but I waited until the next day to see if it’s still there because I thought it was a scam but soon found out it was real! I am super-excited to get the phone!”
Read on for your chance to be a winner, too. We’re giving away an iPhone XR — but you better hurry and enter, because the giveaway ends soon!
If you're mad Apple released new GPUs after your 2018 MacBook Pro purchase, you may have an option you haven't considered. Photo: Apple
This week on The CultCast: Did you know about Apple’s super-secret special return and exchange policy? We’ll tell you what it is, and how to use it if you’re unhappy with your Apple purchase but outside your 14-day return window. Plus: A quest to trade up — the stories of three MacBook Pro owners trying to get Apple to trade in their newly purchased 2018 MacBook Pros for models with the brand new, smoking-fast Vega 20 GPUs. And finally, and most importantly: Happy Thanksgiving!
Our thanks to Gantri for supporting this episode. Gantri’s 3D-printed lights are both beautiful and affordable. Check them out in AR at gantri.com/cultcast, and use code CultCast at checkout for $20 off.
Start your shopping right here! Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac
If there’s one thing we can all agree on, it’s that buying for other people is a pain. If they haven’t told you exactly what they want for the holidays, where do you even start? What if you end up getting a gift that they hate?
But it doesn’t have to be difficult. Cult of Mac’s handy gift guides will help you find the perfect present for the Apple fan in your life. We’ve hand-picked the best gadgets and accessories for lovers of the iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and Mac.
What’s more, everything we’ve selected can be purchased online, so you don’t even have to leave the house to get your shopping done.
The Camera Connection Kit has some surprising tricks. Photo: Charlie Sorrel/Cult of Mac
This weekend, you’re “enjoying” some extended time with your family. After you’ve fixed their devices, and taught them that the battery of their iPhone lasts way longer if they don’t leave the damn screen on the whole time, you might decide to swap some photos. You may grab the your old childhood snaps off your mother’s iPad, or photos of the family recipe book off your father’s iPhone.
There are a few ways to do this — slow, fast and faster, wired or wireless. Let’s see how to transfer photos between iPhones and iPads.
I don’t know about you, but I’m so frickin’ relaxed right now. Photo: Charlie Sorrel/Cult of Mac
Is your family driving you nuts this Thanksgiving weekend? Of course it is. That’s what families are for. So when you need relief from the endless offers of snacks and drinks, the catty remarks about the fact that you’re “still” child-free, or your nephews’ and nieces’ constant pestering to let them play with your new iPad Pro, while simultaneously ridiculing your attempts at flossing, you might turn to Chillscape to calm yourself back TF down.