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This bundle is like the dream team of Mac apps [Deals]

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The 2016 All-Star Mac Bundle
Get a sweet bundle of killer Mac apps for less than $25.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Macs come out of the box with a ton of apps and functionality, but that’s just the beginning of what you can get it to do for your productivity. From hard drive maintenance to running Windows apps and doing deeper searches than Spotlight allows, this bundle of 11 top-rated apps has something useful for everybody. For a short time, you can get the whole thing for $24.99.

Here’s some of what’s included:

How to keep creepers off your WhatsApp profile

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WhatsApp on iPhone
Don’t ignore the latest WhatsApp releases.
Photo: Rob LeFebvre/Cult of Mac

WhatsApp is a messaging app popular with people all over the globe, but you probably don’t want it to turn into a tracking app for your stalker.

Plus, it probably has private information in it that you’d rather not have other people know about, right?

Here’s how to lock it all down so you can keep creepers off your WhatsApp profile.

How to make EarPods play nicely with Xbox One

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Xbox One controller Apple EarPods
Controller support is better than ever.
Photo: Evan Killham/Cult of Mac

You’re probably used to using your EarPods to listen to music or make hands-free phone calls, but we’ve recently discovered another cool trick they can do. If you have a headphone-compatible Xbox One controller, you can also use Apple’s standard earbuds to pump your game and chat audio directly into your head.

You’ll have to adjust a setting or two first, though. And that’s only fair considering you’re asking Apple and Microsoft products to work together. Here’s what you need to do.

You can already buy an ‘iPhone SE’ in China

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Is that really the iPhone SE?
Is that really the iPhone SE?
Photo: Nick Beeep

The iPhone SE isn’t an official Apple product yet, but if you’re lucky enough to live in Shenzhen, China, you can already get your hands on a new 4-inch iPhone that looks like the love child of the iPhone 6 and iPhone 5s.

Small shops at the infamous Huaqiangbei market are selling the closest thing to a real iPhone SE. In a new video claiming to spot an alleged iPhone SE in the wild, a Chinese YouTuber shows just how easy it is to roam the corridors of China’s “Silicon Valley of Hardware” and buy the new iPhone before it’s even been announced.

See for yourself:

Now’s the time to net a drone of your own [Deals]

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This sleek drone is small but includes a high def camera for filming your aerial antics.
This sleek drone is small but includes a high def camera for filming your aerial antics.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Seeing all the drones hovering around in the park and in the neighborhood making you jealous? Well you don’t have to miss out any more, with these three deals on drones that’ll get you in the game without breaking your bank.

How to find hidden gems streaming on Netflix

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Netflix has a plan to win over new subscribers in an age of Apple TV+
Netflix has a plan to win over new subscribers in an age of Apple TV+
Photo: Netflix

Bruce Springsteen once lamented that there were “57 Channels (And Nothin’ On),” and it’s only gotten worse. How do you find something good to watch in an era where Amazon, iTunes, HBO/Showtime, and a ton of network-specific apps and online sites threaten to overwhelm your screens, big and small?

It’s not as easy as you’d think, either, especially if you have more than one person controlling the remote.

I’ve gotten less happy to let Netflix choose what I watch these days and have tried to found new ways to see hidden treasures that might not end up on the main home screen.

Here are our suggestions on how to find the buried treasure on Netflix.

Folding, full-size keyboard won’t hog bag space [Reviews]

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iClever trifold keyboard
iClever's compact keyboard will almost fit in your pocket -- if you don't mind walking funny.
Photo: Evan Killham/Cult of Mac

iClever Tri-folding Keyboard

We’re always looking for ways to take our tech on the go without filling up our limited bag space, and we’ve found a pretty great solution to both in this handy and compact keyboard. It connects either wirelessly (via Bluetooth) or with an included USB cable, and it’s comparable in size to the standard keyboard on our MacBook Pro. But that isn’t even the best part.

The really cool bit is that iClever’s gadget folds up when you’re done with it, and it reduces its size almost by half. It’s kind of ridiculous, but that’s not at all a complaint.

Cola Messenger, Retro City Rampage DX, and other awesome apps of the week

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Awesome-Apps-of-the-Week
Which apps have we chosen this week?
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

What better way is there to spend a Sunday than by catching up on the latest great iOS apps?

Whether you’re wanting to transform the way you text with a fantastic new messaging tool, or just fancy unwinding with a top-down, open-world driving game that makes Grand Theft Auto look tame by comparison, you’ve come to the right place.

Check out our top picks below.

This LED bulb puts out brilliant light and sound [Deals]

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This LED lightbulb also streams and plays high quality bluetooth audio.
This LED lightbulb also streams and plays high quality bluetooth audio.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

If you thought LED light bulbs couldn’t get cooler, well, you were wrong. Energy saving, long-lasting, superior quality light, the StrimLIGHT LED bulb has all that going for it. It also has the ability to play crisp, clear audio. Yes, from a light bulb. Right now you can get a StrimLIGHT LED bulb for just $29.99.

4 Snapchat tips that will make you a pro

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Here's more snap for your chat.
Here's more snap for your chat.
Photo: Rob LeFebvre/Cult of Mac

Snapchat is one of those essential social networking apps that makes a ton of sense to early adopters (read: young folks) and not much sense at all to those who arrive later to the party.

As obfuscated as most of Snapchat’s features are, it takes a bit of guidance if you want to go beyond simply snapping a shot and sending it to a buddy. These four easy Snapchat tips will turn you into a master.

We decipher Apple’s March 21st event invitation, this week on The CultCast

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Apple March 21 event invite
What do you mean?!
Photo: Apple

This week on The CultCast: it’s official, Apple is going to “loop us in” at their March 21 press event. Join us as we decode the mysterious event invitation. Plus: some new leaks give us glimpses at the iPhone SE and iPhone 7 designs; the incredible size and scope of Apple’s new spaceship campus; and don’t miss the stuff we’re embarrassed to secretly love in an all-new Get To Know Ur Cultist.

Our thanks to FreshBooks for supporting this episode, the easy-to-use invoicing software designed to help small business owners get organized, save time invoicing and get paid faster. Get started with a free trial at Freshbooks.com/cultcast.

Dive into this deep well of digital developer knowledge [Deals]

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SitePoint's lessons, video courses and short, screencasts cover the full spectrum of topics in digital development.
SitePoint's lessons, video courses and short, screencasts cover the full spectrum of topics in digital development.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

If you’re considering making the smart move of expanding your skillset to include digital development, today’s your lucky day. SitePoint Premium is a massive library of courses, videos and e-books aimed at web developers, designers, and other digital professionals looking to learn or refine their chops. Their web development books are known for being written by industry leaders, and right now you can get a lifetime subscription for $49.

How to warm up and cool down with your Apple Watch

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Doing a warm-up before your workout and a cool-down afterwards can reduce your risk of injury
Warming up before your workout and cooling down afterward can reduce your risk of injury and improve your performance.
Photo: Graham Bower/Cult of Mac

When you start a workout, Apple Watch only gives you a three-second countdown. There’s no time for a warmup first. And when you’re done, the Workout app does not prompt you to cool down either.

That is very different from the treadmills and bikes you find in most gyms, which ease you gently into your workout and steadily lower your pace at the end.

Apple Watch may not (yet) support the warmup and cool-down phases of a workout, but that does not mean you should skip them. These Apple Watch fitness tips will help you get the most out of your workouts.

Apple’s new 4-inch iPhone, killer Netflix tips, the FBI fight, and more

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What's next? We've got some ideas.
What's next? We've got some ideas.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

If the rumor mill is correct, Apple’s releasing a new 4-inch iPhone, possibly dubbed the iPhone SE, at its upcoming keynote in March. What the heck will it look like, what are the specs, and how much will it cost?

We’ve got a look at all the possibilities in this week’s Cult of Mac Magazine, plus a look at why your iPhone battery will never last more than a day, Apple’s cryptic “loop you in” invite, a way to lock down your iPhone, and a ton of killer tips and product reviews to keep you informed.

All that, plus a bunch more, in this week’s issue. Here are the top stories for the week:

Obama warns against ‘absolutist views’ on encryption

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Obama at SXSW
President Obama spoke at SXSW Interactive today.
Photo: WH.gov

President Barack Obama was in Austin, Texas, for the opening day of the South by Southwest Interactive festival, and talk turned inevitably to the current tension between law enforcement and tech companies on subjects like security and citizen privacy.

The president couldn’t comment on the specific case that has Apple and the FBI fighting over whether the government can compel a private company to provide access to a locked device (in this case, an iPhone 5c belonging to San Bernardino shooter Syed Farook). But he did provide some insight into the government’s view of the ongoing legal battle.

You can check out the whole conversation in the video below; the session starts about 39 minutes in.

9 classic iOS games to keep you entertained this weekend

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Games iOS
Gaming's good on iOS, but couldn't it be better?
Photo: Ally Kazmucha/The App Factor

app-factor-logo-thumbnailThere are hundreds, maybe even thousands, of games available in the App Store. I’ve played tons of them over the years. Some of those games eventually ended up getting deleted, or moved to the last few pages of my games folder, where they remain for long car or plane rides.

However, there are a few games that have remained on my iPhone or iPad’s Home screen for literally years now. Even long after their launch, I still launch these games regularly, play them, and thoroughly enjoy them.

Why won’t Apple build a game-worthy Mac? [Friday Night Fights]

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fnf
Tell us, Apple!
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Mac users needn’t bother pre-ordering an Oculus Rift headset because they can’t use it. According to Oculus founder Palmer Luckey, that’s because none of the machines Apple offers are powerful enough to meet its recommended specifications.

Friday-Night-Fights-bug-2They’re not powerful enough to play the latest games at high-settings, either. Even if you spend thousands on a high-end Mac Pro, you’re going to be disappointed with its gaming prowess — especially if you want to drink in some of those sweet, sweet 4K graphics.

So, is it about time Apple built a Mac that’s good for gaming?

Join us in this week’s Friday Night Fight between Cult of Android and Cult of Mac as we battle it out over this and more!

Samsung Galaxy S7 is the smartphone to beat in 2016 [Review]

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samsung-galaxy-s7-is-the-smartphone-to-beat-in-2016-review-image-cultofandroidcomwp-contentuploads201603Galaxy-S7-jpg
Good luck finding a better phone than this today.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac
Good luck finding a better phone than this today. Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Android
Good luck finding a better phone than this today. Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Android

Building a smartphone that beats the Galaxy S6 has likely been Samsung’s biggest challenge so far. How do you improve upon an already stellar design and one of the best smartphone cameras on the market? You build the Galaxy S7.

With its curved glass back, larger battery, Dual Pixel camera and even more powerful internals, the Galaxy S7 is the smartphone to beat in 2016. 

Teen dev’s ambitious app isn’t your typical photo editor

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unnamed
Ryan Stephen makes his WWDC debut.
Photo: Ryan Stephen

If you’ve grown bored of Instagram’s filters, there’s a new option for giving your iPhone photos a little touch of magic.

New image-editing app Glaze is a one-stop-shop for photo tweakers that lets you jazz up still images, videos and — for iPhone 6s users — Live Photos, too.

“When I was looking around for an app to create, I couldn’t find a single image app which was comprehensive across all content types,” says Glaze creator Ryan Stephen. “This was my response.”

Perhaps most impressive of all? Stephen is a 16-year-old from Portland, Oregon, whose self-taught coding skills landed him a place at last year’s Worldwide Developers Conference — on Apple’s dime.

Everything we know about the new 9.7-inch iPad

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Get ready to meet the iPad Pro's smaller sibling.
Get ready to meet the iPad Pro's smaller sibling.
Photo: Apple

The iPad Air lineup hasn’t been updated since October 2014 but that is finally set to change on March 21st when Apple is expected to unveil a new 9.7-inch iPad that will undoubtedly be the best tablet to ever come out of Cupertino.

Thanks to a flurry of rumors and leaks over the winter we have a pretty solid idea what Tim Cook and company will reveal when Apple loops us in at 1 Infinite Loop. If you want Apple’s first keynote of 2016 to be a surprise, stop reading now.

Here’s everything to expect from Apple’s new iPad:

Gabba 2 jacket prepares you for the worst [Reviews]

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With a zip of the sleeves the Gabba 2 jacket readies you for any amount of inclement weather.
With a zip of the sleeves the Gabba 2 jacket readies you for any amount of inclement weather.
Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac

Best List: Gabba 2 Convertible Jacket

If one Gabba is excellent, then Gabba 2 has to be better.

The Gabba 2 Convertible Jacket is just that — Gabba turned up a notch.

Take what was the highly popular and highly functional original Gabba jersey, add some removable sleeves, and the Gabba 2 jacket is the perfect on-the-road companion.

It’s time to wrangle your unruly password situation [Deals]

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Get control of your passwords and auto-fill information with a single, secure password
Get control of your passwords and auto-fill information with a single, secure password
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

We’ve all got a system for keeping track of the dozens of online passwords we need these days. While some are more effective than others, none are as simple and secure as keeping all your passwords and auto-fill information under a single password. That’s exactly what Password Boss Premium does, and right now you can get a lifetime subscription for just $19.99.

How to supercharge your Netflix watch list

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Watch it your way.
Watch it your way.
Photo: Rob LeFebvre/Cult of Mac (original image Volkan Olmez/Unsplash CC

It was a good day when Netflix added My List to the list of awesome features it has to allow us to watch anything we want on our TV, computer, or game console. It lets us all keep track of what we want to watch while helping corral the overwhelming amount of distracting movies and TV shows on offer.

However, Netflix still wants to manage what you watch; My List is ordered by some magic Netflix algorithm that makes sure it puts movies it wants you to see up front.

Switch your Netflix My List queue to Manual sorting, then move some stuff around, and you’ll supercharge your Netflix watch list in no time.

Here’s how.