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How to maximize your El Capitan windows without going full screen

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Don't let OS X windows take over your whole screen.
Don't let OS X windows take over your whole screen.
Photo: Luke Chesser/Unsplash

It used to be that if you wanted to zoom any window on your Mac to see as much of the content inside it as possible, you’d hit OS X’s green button in the upper left of the window.

As of OS X Yosemite, the green button turned into a “full screen” trigger, zooming any window out to completely fill your Mac’s monitor.

If you hate that behavior, here’s an easy way to get the original zoom feature without the full screen.

Apple is spending lots of time at Stanford’s VR lab

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VR may be happening soon, and Apple might want to jump in.
VR may be happening soon, and Apple might want to jump in.
Photo: Sergey Galyonkin/Wikipedia CC

Apple may not have shown much interest in diving into virtual reality over the past few years, but the director of Stanford’s Virtual Human Interaction Lab says the company has shown some intense interest in the space recently.

Speaking at a technology conference this week, Jeremy Bailenson revealed that Apple employees have become regulars in his lab recently — and they won’t say why.

You’ll love this utterly charming math puzzle game

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With a game this great, even non-puzzler fans will have a good time.
With a game this great, even non-puzzler fans will have a good time.
Photo: Rob LeFebvre/Cult of Mac

I’m not a fan of abstract puzzle games, which makes it quite a surprise how much I’m enjoying twofold inc., a fairly abstract puzzle game that challenges you to match colors with a bit of math.

Did I mention I don’t like math games, either? What gives?

Best email apps for iPhone

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When the stock email isn't enough anymore, give these mail app alternatives a try.
When the stock email isn't enough anymore, give these mail app alternatives a try.
Photo: Ally Kazmucha/The App Factor

app-factor-logo-thumbnailTraditional email isn’t for everyone, and neither is the built-in Mail app for iPhone. If your email needs are minimal, the Mail app works just fine. However, if you live and breathe mail, you’ll want something that helps you triage faster. These are currently the best mails apps available for iPhone.

Apple Watch may get an ‘S’ upgrade in March

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Apple Watch
Get your Apple Watch ready for your new iPhone.
Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac

The iPhone might not be the only device getting an incremental upgrade at Apple’s next keynote, which is rumored to take place March 15.

In a note to investors this morning, Apple analyst Gene Munster claims Apple Watch may get a slight hardware upgrade this spring that will include a better processor, improved battery life and other new internal components.

Apple is finally giving iPhone users a taste of VR

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The iPhone looks good inside the View-Master VR headset.
The iPhone looks good inside the View-Master VR headset.
Photo: Apple

Apple is supposedly working furiously on product ideas to enter the Virtual Reality market. There have even been reports of several prototypes of VR headsets created by a secret research team said to be comprised of hundreds of engineers.

If Apple has been mind-bogglingly quiet about VR, it did offer a sign of interest recently when the View-Master VR headset appeared for sale on Apple’s website.

You should never go online without protection [Deals]

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ZenMate offers protection and anonymity when you browse online, even via public Wi-Fi networks.
ZenMate offers protection and anonymity when you browse online, even via public Wi-Fi networks.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

We all know that the Internet can be a dangerous place, but too few of us ever do anything about it. One of the best and easiest way to ensure a safe and private online experience is to connect through a virtual private network, and few are better than ZenMate VPN. And right now you can get a lifetime premium subscription for just $49.

Google wants its Nexus phones to be more like the iPhone

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The official Google phone is coming.
The official Google phone is coming.
Photo: Google
Google could make its own iPhone rivals. Photo: Google
Google could make its own iPhone rivals. Photo: Google

Google’s flagship Nexus 6P delivered significant design improvements last year, putting its hardware on par with the best devices from rival manufacturers. But Google wants the Nexus lineup to be even more like the iPhone.

To make that happen, the company will reduce its reliance on third-party manufacturing partners like Huawei and LG and assume greater control over Nexus hardware, according to one report.

How to get better deals while shopping online with PriceRadar for iPhone

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No matter what you're shopping online for, PriceRadar can help ensure you get the best possible deal.
No matter what you're shopping online for, PriceRadar can help ensure you get the best possible deal.
Photo: Ally Kazmucha/The App Factor

app-factor-logo-thumbnailFrom tech gadgets to clothes to our favorite tv shows and movies, prices for our favorite things are constantly changing online. If time isn’t an issue, I can show you how to get fantastic deals with only one iPhone app — PriceRadar by Francesco Zerbinati. Once set up, you can easily track price drops effortlessly. Here’s how…

Apple plans March 15 event for iPad Air 3 and iPhone 5se unveiling

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iPad Air 3 will pick up some tricks from the iPad Pro.
iPad Air 3 will pick up some tricks from the iPad Pro.
Photo: Apple

The grand unveiling of Apple’s newest iPad and iPhone is reportedly just over a month away.

Although the iPhone-maker usually waits until fall to reveal its latest and greatest iOS devices, a new report claims Apple has set its sights on March 15 as the date for its first big keynote of 2016.

Best iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch accessories for frequent travelers

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7 must-have accessories for the iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch owner on the go.
7 must-have accessories for the iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch owner on the go.
Photo: Unsplash

app-factor-logo-thumbnailI travel frequently, both for work and for pleasure. Over the past few years I’ve found certain accessories I just can’t live without. Whether I’m walking out the door to a coffee shop or I am getting on a plane and need to pack more serious gear, these are the travel accessories I couldn’t live without when it comes to iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch.

Pro Tip: Get higher-quality exports from Photos app

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Photos app does some things differently than iPhoto did.
Photos app does some things differently than iPhoto did.
Photo: Apple

Pro Tip Cult of Mac bugAs a longtime iPhotos user, I’ve taken my sweet time getting to know the new Photos app in OS X. But I can tell you this much: It brings a few differences in the way it does stuff.

One of the new subtleties of the Mac’s Photos app is how it treats exporting your pictures. There are two ways to get your images out of the Photos app. One will give you a smaller file; the other will preserve the higher resolution of the original photo.

Here’s how to make sure you’re exporting your photos at the quality you want.

Schematic reveals iPad Air 3 will be slightly thicker than iPad Air 2

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iPad Air 3 will be the smartest iPad yet.
iPad Air 3 will be the smartest iPad yet.
Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac

The iPad Air 3 is poised to be the biggest upgrade the iPad lineup has ever seen, but all those new features might come with a price of extra thickness.

An alleged schematic of the iPad Air 3 has been leaked that shows the upcoming device’s exact dimensions. The schematic also appears to confirm that the iPad Air 3 will use the Smart Connector found on the iPad Pro.

Check it out:

Feeling bored with your iPhone? Deck it out [Deals]

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Add a phone charger to your wallet. Seriously.
Add a phone charger to your wallet. Seriously.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

iPhones are amazing, but they can be better. How? That’s up for you to decide. One of the great things about the explosion of the iPhone is all the peripherals that have been made to trick them out. We’ve found some of the best add ons for the one device most of us always have with us. Take a look and see what grabs you:

Bill Gates says Beatles song perfectly explains relationship with Jobs

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Steve Jobs and Bill Gates, rivals and friends.
Steve Jobs and Bill Gates, rivals and friends.
Photo: AllThingsD

Bill Gates has a song in his heart for the late Steve Jobs. Yes, they were fierce rivals as they pioneered products that revolutionized personal computing, but the competition mellowed into a good friendship.

So when Gates, in an interview on BBC show Desert Island Discs, was asked to choose eight songs and why they are meaningful to him, he had one picked out for Jobs — “Two of Us” by The Beatles.

Best iPhone and iPad apps for frequent travelers

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Seven must-have iOS apps for the frequent traveler.
Seven must-have iOS apps for the frequent traveler.
Photo: Ally Kazmucha/The App Factor

app-factor-logo-thumbnailTraveling abroad, especially for the first time, can be overwhelming. From figuring out transit systems to finding places to say, there’s a lot to consider. That’s why over the past several years, I’ve come to rely on a handful of choice apps to help me travel better, smarter, and cheaper.

International or not, these are the travel apps for iPhone and iPad I never leave home without:

Have no fear, technology is here to keep you from losing your stuff [Deals]

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Attach the iHere 3.0 Tracking Device to whatever it is you lose most often, and find it immediately with a simple mobile app.
Attach the iHere 3.0 Tracking Device to whatever it is you lose most often, and find it immediately with a simple mobile app.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

As much as technology has become a ‘bicycle for the brain’, somehow the part of it that remembers where we put our wallet doesn’t get much exercise. Thankfully technology can help us with that too, from showing us where we left our keys, our car, even our pet if they run away. We’ve gathered a handful of the best tracking tech out there, and all for a fraction the usual price.

Take a look at what we’ve found:

How to record guitar with an iPhone or iPad

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You don't need expensive equipment to record your guitar, an iPhone or iPad will do just fine.
You don't need expensive equipment to record your guitar, an iPhone or iPad will do just fine.
Photo: Lee Peterson/The App Factor

app-factor-logo-thumbnailAs someone who plays guitar and records my own music, I’ve been really keen on trying to record an EP using iOS only. I’ve done it on a Mac before, but since the introduction of the iPad I’ve been wanting to record on a touch interface. I’ve used an iPad mini, and it worked well, but with the introduction of the iPad Pro, I wanted to give it another go. Here’s what I’ve learned so far.

Is Apple prepping a pro version of the iPhone 7 Plus? Catch the discussion on The CultCast

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Apple is reportedly testing dual-lens cameras from three different companies.
Apple is reportedly testing dual-lens cameras from three different companies.
Photo: Computerbild.de

This week on The CultCast: A souped-up iPad Air 3 coming in March; “iPhone 5se” would be a terrible name for a 4-inch iPhone; the iPhone 7 Plus PLUS is for those who demand only the best mobile camera; and why Apple is pumping the brakes on their electric car.

Our thanks for supporting this episode goes to FreshBooks, 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.

How to turn your iPhone’s Health app into an essential fitness dashboard

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A dashboard for your body: all your key stats at a glance.
The Health app can become a dashboard for your body, offering all your key stats at a glance.
Photo: Graham Bower/Cult of Mac

Despite its heart-shaped icon, Health is an unloved app. It tends to gets relegated to a junk folder, along with other un-deletable Apple cruft, like the Stocks app.

But when you get past its garish colors and clunky user interface, Apple’s Health app turns out to be genuinely useful — if you customize the dashboard to match your personal fitness goals.

Add new dimensions of productivity to your Mac [Deals]

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Don't Just delete an app, get rid of all its digital baggage too to free up valuable space on your Mac.
Don't Just delete an app, get rid of all its digital baggage too to free up valuable space on your Mac.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Another day, another batch of new ways to trick out your Mac. From fully removing deleted apps and all their digital detritus, to creating timelapses, recording screen activity and more, we’ve found some of the coolest enhancements for your Mac. And all of them are under $25.

Take a look for yourself: