Elevate your setup with a Casa Hub Stand Ultra with USB-C, HDMI and more

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Product photo of the Casa Hub Stand Ultra laptop and tablet stand with USB-C hub.
Make your work more comfortable with the Casa Hub Stand Ultra for laptops or iPads.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Say goodbye to awkward angles and neck strain with the Casa Hub Stand Ultra. This laptop stand with a built-in USB-C hub and magnetic iPhone dock is your ultimate ergonomic upgrade. Whether you’re working from home or enjoying some Netflix on your laptop, this stand offers the perfect height adjustment to keep you comfortable and/or productive for hours.

It works with laptops and iPads. And right now, you can get the Casa Hub Stand Ultra for just $139.99 (regularly $159).

Hall effect magnetic keyboards: The next big thing for Mac gamers?

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NuPhy Field75 HE Keyboard
The NuPhy Field75 HE Keyboard packs Hall effect magnetic switches under those key caps.
Photo: NuPhy

As a Mac user, you’re no stranger to cutting-edge technology, like the hottest new mechanical keyboards. But have you heard about Hall effect keyboards, which are gaining popularity, especially among gamers? Let’s dive into why people turn to these specialized magnetic mechanical keyboards and what they could mean for your Mac gaming setup. They’re not actually new, but more of them have hit the market lately. And a lot of people think they offer big advantages.

Encrypted RCS texting between iPhone and Android coming soon

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iPhone and iMessage get RCS in iOS 18
RCS messaging between iPhone and Android is currently missing E2EE.
Image: Apple

With RCS support, iOS 18 brings a huge upgrade to the cross-device Android and iPhone messaging experience. It enables users of both devices to share high-quality media and enjoy features like read receipts and typing indicators.

However, RCS chats between Android and iPhone lack end-to-end encryption (E2EE). The GSM Association, which developed the RCS standard, is working to fix this security gap.

Price drop: Score a lifetime license to Microsoft Office 2021 for Mac (just $70)

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A lifetime license to Microsoft Office 2021 for Mac.
Enjoy lifetime access to Word, Excel, PowerPoint and more.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Stuck using an older version of Microsoft Office? This offer gets you a lifetime license to Microsoft Office Home and Business 2021 for Mac for just $69.97 (regularly $219.99).

With just a low one-time payment, you can bid farewell to Microsoft 365’s pesky recurring subscription fees. You’ll never need to pay again for Microsoft’s widely used software for work and school.

Don’t install iPadOS 18 on your M4 iPad Pro

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iPadOS 18 bug
A installation bug supposedly bricked some M4 iPad Pro units while upgrading to iPadOS 18.
Image: Apple/Cult of Mac

Apple temporarily stopped allowing access to the iPadOS 18 upgrade for the M3 iPad Pro. A bug apparently bricked some tablets during the installation process for the new version.

The problem only affects the iPad Pro M4. And if you already made it through the update process, there seems nothing to worry about.

Macs make people happier than any PC

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2023 iMac M3
People love their Macs.
Photo: Apple

When it comers to satisfaction, Apple sits at the top of the heap among computer makers. It beats HP, Samsung and others, according to the latest survey from the American Customer Satisfaction Index.

And satisfaction with tablets improved to the point they’re essentially on par with desktops and laptops.

Don’t let the radical new Photos app in iOS 18 throw you for a loop

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An image of the icon for Apple's new Photos app in iOS 18, along with the words,
The revamped Photos app in iOS 18 is a big change. Learn how to use it now.
Image: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

The new Photos app in iOS 18 brings the biggest changes ever to how you browse your pictures, videos and memories on your iPhone. Gone are the separate tabs across the bottom. Now the Photos app delivers a single, scrollable view. Scroll up to see your library; scroll down to sort through albums, people and memories.

It takes some getting used to — and the big changes are driving some people absolutely insane. To get a grip on all the changes, you need to learn where to find your recently saved images, deleted photos and your album of hidden photos.

Here’s how it works.

Time’s up: After 1 season, Apple TV+ cancels Time Bandits

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Apple TV+ cancels Time Bandits
A combination of economic factors put an end to this gang of time-traveling thieves' hijinx.
Photo: Apple TV+

Despite positive reviews, bankable star Lisa Kudrow as a main character and much-loved source material, Apple TV+ opted to pull the plug on its fantasy adventure series Time Bandits after just one season, according to a new report.

Based on Terry Gilliam’s cult classic 1981 film (but rendered in more family-friendly fashion), the show’s 10-episode first season — now streaming on Apple TV+ — will have to stand alone.

Today in Apple history: Apple stock smashes through $700 barrier

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bull Wall Street
Like a bull in an ... Apple Store?
Photo: Sam Valadi/Flickr CC

September 17: Today in Apple history: Apple stock smashes through $700 a share September 17, 2012: On the back of record iPhone 5 preorders of 2 million in 24 hours, Apple’s stock price hits a new all-time high. For the first time in history, AAPL breaks the $700 mark in after-hours trading. Passing the milestone cements Cupertino’s place as the world’s most valuable publicly traded company.

Amazingly, the new record is $270 a share higher than at the start of the year. Apple stock rose 65% in just nine months.

Kensington Thunderbolt 5 dock speeds through 15,000 MBps data transfers

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The Kensington SD5000T5 EQ Thunderbolt 5 Triple 4K Docking Station offers cutting-edge features to creative professionals.
The Kensington SD5000T5 EQ Thunderbolt 5 Triple 4K Docking Station offers cutting-edge features to creative professionals.
Photo: Kensington

The Kensington SD5000T5 EQ Thunderbolt 5 Triple 4K Docking Station is the first Thunderbolt 5 dock to get Intel certified. It boasts 11 ports and delivers data transfer speeds up to 120 Gbps (15,000 MBps).

The dock is intended for professionals and content creators.

Apple Watch 10 review roundup: More refined than revamped

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Apple Watch 10 review roundup
That glossy Jet Black color is new to the Apple Watch 10 aluminum cases this year.
Photo: Apple

As Apple Watch celebrates its 10th anniversary, Series 10 has arrived with a suite of refinements rather than revolutionary changes, our Apple Watch 10 review roundup found. And that’s despite the fact that a redesign took place to make the wearable larger yet slimmer. Let’s dive into what reviewers say this latest iteration brings to the table, including a larger display, faster charging and sleep apnea detection.

This portable display also acts as USB-C hub

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Plugable 15.6” USB-C Portable Display
Plugable's new external display can be your on-the-go USB-C hub, too.
Photo: Plugable

The Plugable 15.6” USB-C Portable Display connects to MacBook or iPad to add more screen space and a hub: it includes a pair of high-speed USB-C ports.

It’s intended for those who need to get loads of work done while on the go, whether from a hotel room or a coffee shop.

Giant screen, small price — this 12.9-inch iPad Pro is on sale for $599.99

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Product photo of refurbished 12.9-inch iPad Pro (4th generation from 2020).
Don't miss your chance to grab a giant 12.9-inch iPad Pro at a great price.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Looking for a powerhouse tablet without the premium price? This grade-A refurbished 12.9-inch iPad Pro delivers pro-level performance and versatility for just $599.99. Whether you’re a creative professional, a multitasking pro or a casual user who craves performance, you can get it with this fourth-gen iPad Pro model from 2020.

iPhone 16 Pro vs. iPhone 15 Pro comparison: Worth the upgrade?

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iPhone 16 Pro vs. iPhone 15 Pro comparison
Don't ditch your iPhone 15 Pro for the iPhone 16 Pro unless you want these specific features.
Photo/Graphics: Apple/Rajesh Pandey

The iPhone 16 Pro is Apple’s best iPhone ever. But how does it compare to the company’s previous best iPhone: the iPhone 15 Pro? Our iPhone 16 Pro versus iPhone 15 Pro comparison puts the two models head-to-head.

Apple’s newest iPhone packs a bigger display, a faster chip and other nice-to-have upgrades. Do these changes add up to make the iPhone 16 Pro a compelling upgrade over the iPhone 15 Pro?

Touching up paint is tough, but not with a (cheap) RGB color sensor

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Product photo of the Nix Mini 3 RGB color sensor.
Get the Nix Mini 3 for $79.99 to save time on your next paint job.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Your walls might not be the color you think they are, even if you’re the one who painted them (and you still have the paint can in the garage). An RGB color sensor like the Nix Mini 3 can help you match the paint on your walls — or any color you see in real life.

The sad fact is, colors fade, especially if they’re exposed to sunlight. And it can be a real hassle when you need to patch a hole or cover a blemish. The classic paint swatch method proves time-consuming and puts a lot of pressure on you being able to compare the colors on two different types of material.

A modern solution is to use a smart RGB color sensor like the Nix Mini 3. This compact color sensor can identify colors on most surfaces, and right now you can get one for $79.99 (regularly $97).

Apple Sports app brings scores to your iPhone Lock Screen

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Apple Sports app brings scores to your iPhone Lock Screen
Apple Sports app now supports Live Activities to make following games easier.
Image: Apple/Cult of Mac

Apple Sports 2.0 launched Monday, adding support for Live Activities so real-time game updates appear on the iPhone and Apple Watch Lock Screens.

The free app also takes over displaying scores in the iPhone Dynamic Island.

Apple Watch SE 3 now expected in 2025

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Apple Watch SE 3 rumors
Take heart: Apple Watch SE 3 is still on the way.
Graphic: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The wait for Apple Watch SE 3 goes on, though a new version of the low-cost wearable supposedly won’t be out this year.

The next model is still expected to move to a plastic casing, and offer better performance, too.

iOS 18, macOS Sequoia, iPadOS 18 and watchOS 11 arrive

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iOS 18 release date.
iOS 18 is almost here.
Photo: Apple/Rajesh Pandey/Cult of Mac

Apple released iOS 18, iPadOS 18, watchOS 11 and macOS Sequoia Monday. After Apple showcased these operating systems in June at WWDC24, it revealed the release date for iOS 18 and macOS Sequoia’s first stable build at the “It’s Glowtime” event.

They are available now for download on iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch and Mac.

Today in Apple history: Steve Jobs leaves and rejoins Apple

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Steve Jobs before and after, with maybe a little judgement about water sales.
Two significant days in Jobs' career took place on this day.
Photo: Fulvio Obregon

September 16: Today in Apple history: Steve Jobs leaves and rejoins Apple September 16, 1985 and 1997: Twice on this day, Steve Jobs makes significant moves with regard to his career at Apple. In 1985, he quits the company he co-founded. Then, a little more than a decade later, he officially returns to Apple as its new interim CEO.

In terms of the emotions associated with those historic occasions, it’s hard to think of two more polarizing days in Jobs’ life.

Cool dark MacBook Pro rig pairs HomePod minis [Setups]

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HomePod mini stands
Those black-looking orbs are actually paired HomePod mini smart speakers on stands. Blame the mood lighting.
Photo: [email protected]

What’s better than a HomePod? Well, two HomePods, obviously — especially if they’re paired for true stereo sound. Today’s MacBook Pro and Xbox setup, under-lit for a dark and moody vibe, includes AirPods Pro 2 but gets its robust in-room audio from a set of paired HomePod minis placed on HomePod mini stands near the back corners of the desk.

AirPods 4 review roundup: ANC really works without ear tips

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Apple AirPods 4 in use
AirPods 4 are available with active noise cancellation, even without ear tips.
Screenshot: Apple/Cult of Mac

The first reviews of Apple AirPods 4 are in to answer the question, how well does active noise cancellation work without foam ear tips? The consensus: pretty well.

Early reviewers of the new wireless earbuds also had plenty to say about fit, sound quality and more.

Apple TV+ bags 10 Emmys, including first for Slow Horses

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Apple TV+ wins 10 Primetime Emmy Awards
"Slow Horses" creator and executive producer Will Smith won a Primetime Emmy for the show's writing.
Photo: Apple TV+

Apple TV+ scored 10 wins at the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards Sunday, including the first for darkly comedic espionage thriller Slow Horses, plus a second for The Morning Show star Billy Crudup as Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series.

In all, five Apple TV+ shows and one commercial won Primetime Emmys, on top of the eight wins that five shows garnered recently in the Creative Arts Emmy Awards. Primetime-winning shows included Palm Royale, Lessons in Chemistry, Masters of the Air and Girls State.

Discover how to write AI prompts for ChatGPT and Midjourney

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An image of a hand and the word
Learn to write AI prompts that generate the results you want.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

It takes a lot of trial and error (emphasis on error) get AI to produce the results you’re looking for. Learn how to use AI tools with the 2024 AI Super Skills Bundle. This collection of eight courses brims with lectures and tips showing you how to use popular AI tools like ChatGPT, Dall-E and Midjourney.

Usually, this AI training bundle costs $152. But you can get it on sale for just $29.99.