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Whether you do any kind of work on a Mac or PC, chances are you need at least one of the tools in the Microsoft Office suite. This suite has everything a professional needs, and boasts several features that can make you more productive in every stage of development, whether that’s creating documents or compiling data.

If you’ve been holding off on buying these essential apps, the time to buy them is now. Cult of Mac readers can get a lifetime license to Microsoft Office Pro 2021 for just $29.99.

Claims that Apple is phoning home to analyze every image on your Mac have been proven false. Jeffrey Paul, security researcher and consultant, claimed early last week that his Mac was sending small bits of data to Apple every time he clicked on an image on his computer.

After Paul’s claims caused a bit of a stir, researchers got to the bottom of what was actually happening. Not only did they conclude the network activity was innocent — it was caused by a bug that’s already been patched in the latest macOS update.

Apple TV+ brought back surfing competition documentary Make or Break for a second season that starts February 17. The trailer pumps up the surfers’ desperation to win the coveted World Surf League Championship title.

“Season 2 … I guess we weren’t that bad,” one surfer chuckled. Sure, the show is back, but in the trailer it looks like some of the surfers could be done for good if they don’t do better.

Upgrading our Apple products is something we do regularly, but how often do you upgrade your kitchen knives? If you can’t remember the last time you gave your cooking tools an overhaul, it may be time to find a new, high-quality tool that can do it all.

With this Japanese chef’s knife, you can put a multi-use tool in your rack for all your slicing and dicing. And it’s now on sale for just $79.99 (a 73% discount).

If there is one thing every person should have in their emergency arsenal, it’s a solar generator. With this HomePower One bundle — which includes a solar generator, a backup battery and two panels — you can ensure your home and devices will stay running no matter the situation.

Plus, it’s great for taking on camping trips and other outings. It’s on sale now for $1,299.99.

Those eager for their first glimpse at Apple’s VR/AR headset should check out a concept design that might well be our best look yet at a product supposedly coming later this year.

It’s heavily based on leaked info about the upcoming virtual reality/augmented reality device — possibly called the “Reality Pro” — but with style added.

Creative Zen unveiled its Air active-noise-cancelling (ANC) earbuds at CES 2023 and now you can buy them in the U.S.

For stylish, stemmed ANC earbuds with Ambient Mode, relatively long battery life and other solid features, they look like a good value at $45.

HomePod 2 and (surprise!) HomePod mini both include temperature and humidity sensors. These can be used by Apple’s Home app to control HomeKit accessories. Or just tell you how hot or cold it is in your living room.

Here’s how to use the sensors in Apple’s large and small smart speakers.

Retired Navy Chief Petty Officer Hal Howell recently shipped his computer setup to Cult of Mac for inspection, so to speak. He emailed photos and words, anyway.

He runs an Intel Mac mini with an outboard engine of sorts on it for extra graphics processing power, plus Satechi USB-C hubs with extra ballast (er, storage).

Check out the full manifest of the Navy man’s gear below.

When it comes to cybersecurity, most VPN services can feel like a protection racket. You’re basically shelling out a monthly fee to get safe passage navigating open Wi-Fi. But savvy online citizens should know there’s another option. Decentralized VPN can now be set up through hardware like this nifty, lightweight DPN adapter from Deeper Connect.

There are two distinct advantages to making the switch. First, you’ll have a portable DPN that can work on multiple devices globally. Second, you’ll only have to pay once to secure your online data and internet. And right now, you can save $100 on this handy hardware.

Everything’s more expensive these days, from luxury items to standard foods like eggs. If you’re tired of paying full price for everything, a Sam’s Club membership can be your ticket to savings on absolutely everything.

Right now, you can get a one-year Sam’s Club membership for just $24.99 — a 50% discount. It can be your key to finding incredible deals on the things you need thanks, to the power of wholesale.

The discount site Woot! is at it again with its great-deals-on-a-deadline thing. On Tuesday we noticed it’s offering cheap prices on a range of refurbished iPhone and Apple Watches that might show moderate wear, like minor scratches and dents.

Thing is, the sale ends Tuesday at midnight CT/10 p.m. PT. That’s just hours away.

Marking Data Privacy Day on Tuesday, Apple introduced new educational resources meant to help users take better control of their data, including a whimsical short film starring one of Ted Lasso‘s popular cast members.

The video, a new Today at Apple Session and Cupertino’s added statements on its ongoing security efforts come amid ever-rising cyberattacks and about a month after the company released Advanced Data Protection.

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There’s a lot of competition among cloud storage providers, which isn’t surprising considering how necessary the cloud has become. Even if you’re working on something with the storage capacity of a souped-up MacBook Pro, you’re going to need a more spacious home for your data sooner or later.

Any plan can give you enough space — if you shell out enough cash. What sets Koofr’s cloud solution apart from the competition is its ability to make your data both easily accessible and secure. For a limited time, you can get a lifetime subscription to Koofr cloud storage for just $129.97 with code KOOFR.

The new Mac mini and the high-end MacBook Pro are the first Macs to receive Apple’s powerful new M2 Pro and Max chips. But should you upgrade to the new MacBook Pro (or Mac mini) or not?

That depends on what Mac you already have. Our charts and video will walk you through the decision-making process if you’re considering buying a new Mac. (Bonus: We also break down the pros and cons of the new HomePod versus the original and the HomePod mini.)

Despite its drawbacks, remote work seems like the way of the future. Luckily, technology offers some fascinating new ways to adapt to the status quo. GoBrunch’s virtual meeting platform is a great example, and you can get a lifetime subscription for just $79.

New leaked details about Apple’s upcoming VR headset show the company is learning from mistakes made by makers of rival devices. Most notably, it’s reportedly creating a headset — possibly called “Reality Pro” — that will offer more realistic avatars, and won’t require the user to hold controllers in their hands.

Here are five ways Apple’s not making the same errors as Meta and other companies.

After a relatively short beta period, Apple on Monday released iOS 16.3, iPadOS 16.3 and macOS Ventura 13.2 to the public. Compatible Apple Watch and Apple TV models also received watchOS 9.3 and tvOS 16.3 updates.

Usually, point releases of iOS and macOS bring several new features and changes. But that’s not the case with iOS 16.3 and macOS Ventura 13.2. Relatively light on new features, the updates focus more on bug fixes and security patches. Below is a look at all the new features in iOS 16.3, iPadOS 16.3, macOS Ventura 13.2 and watchOS 9.3.

With the new M2 and M2 Pro versions of Mac mini released last week and expected to ship Tuesday, reviewers are showing a lot of enthusiasm for the new compact desktop machines.

Starting at $599, the Mac mini remains the cheapest Mac, but with performance upgrades and a powerful M2 Pro version on offer, the machines are more than capable of meeting the needs average users and pro creatives alike, reviewers said.

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In the world of computer setups flaunted on social media, we run across lots of folks who have their cake and eat it, too — in that they’re avid PC gamers who love their Macs, as well. Macs are rarely, if ever, the darlings of hardcore gamers.

Today’s featured setup plays hardball with a PC and Sony PlayStation, but it also covers the Apple bases. In addition to a powerful Mac Studio sharing time on the ultra-wide 4K display with the PC, the workstation boasts a MacBook Pro and an iPad Pro.

The new 16- and 14-inch MacBook Pro models that are about to hit shelves have reached reviewers early, giving the world its first independent look at the newest macOS notebooks. The reviewers’ consensus is that the only noticeable change is the performance gain coming from the new M2 Max or M2 Pro processors.

That means the highlights of their reviews are benchmark scores for the much-improved CPUs and GPUs in Apple’s latest chips.

Cost-effective and climate-conscious, electric bikes are an increasingly popular option in rural areas and cities alike. While they’ve become a wish-list item for many, the typical price tag can be a bit prohibitive. But not with this deal.

BirdBike’s A-frame electric bike normally sells for well over $2,000, but it’s currently available for only $899 with no coupon necessary. You can get 60% off — and pay no shipping costs — on an advanced product that adds greater efficiency to your daily commute.

As processors improve, AI art is becoming more and more accessible. Yet one fundamental question remains: How do you best use it? This art tool from Wombo lets you turn your ideas and words into incredible art in mere seconds, and is now on sale for $49.99.

This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: The new Mac mini is a steal. The new MacBook Pros are a spec bump. And the new HomePod is … interesting. We’re such fans of the original, we can’t wait to wrap our ears around Apple’s (possibly) upgraded smart speaker.

Also on The CultCast:

• Should you buy a new MacBook Pro or wait till next year’s M3 chips arrive?
• HomePod mini’s secret sensor is about to go live.
• We know Apple cut some corners to make the new HomePod. The question is, will the new version bring the boom like the OG HomePod?
• And Cult of Mac writer D. Griffin Jones makes his CultCast debut.

Listen to this week’s episode of The CultCast in the Podcasts app or your favorite podcast app. (Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review if you like it!) Or watch the video live stream, embedded below.

Seamus the Australian Shepherd was swept away in floodwaters in San Bernardino, California, after recent storms. He was carried downstream almost a mile, but was rescued with the assistance of the Apple AirTag attached to his collar.

Cult of Mac interviewed Emilie Brill, Seamus’ owner. Here are the details of the pup’s rescue in her own words.