EDC keychain charging cable packs some secrets (and a low price)

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Product photo of the GoCable keychain charging cable.
Get a GoCable 8-in-1 EDC charging cable on sale for just $24.99.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

With multiple devices to manage and little room for bulky chargers, it helps to have an all-in-one solution to keep everything powered. GoCable is up to the task. This 8-in-1 keychain charging cable is designed for modern travelers, creators and adventurers who need fast, reliable juice for almost any device

It’s small enough to fit right in with your EDC essentials. And right now, it’s on sale for just $24.99 (regularly $44.99).

Apple might soon retire its Lightning to Headphone jack adapter

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Lightning headphone adapter
The Lightning-to-Headphone jack adapter's time might be up.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Apple might soon discontinue its Lightning to 3.5mm headphone adapter. The company’s online store in the United States and several other countries already lists the item as “sold out.”

The adapter remains available for sale in some countries. However, once existing stocks run out, Apple is unlikely to replenish it.

M4 Mac reviews go multiball! [The CultCast]

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An M4 Mac mini setup on a desk, with The CultCast episode 673 mentioned
Cult of Mac reviewers go hands-on with M4 Mac mini, MacBook Pro and iMac, and we're here to talk about it.
Image: Cult of Mac

This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: So … many … M4 Mac reviews! Griffin tells us why the new Mac mini and the updated iMac make him go gaga. And the faster MacBook Pros are no slouches, either.

Also on The CultCast:

  • The “updated” Apple accessories — Magic Keyboard, Magic Trackpad and Magic Mouse — pack exactly one new feature. It’s not exactly magical.
  • Apple reportedly plans to launch an inexpensive touchscreen device for managing smart home gear. But what purpose would it serve, really?
  • Apple Music turns its ridiculous 100 Best Albums list into an even more ridiculous $450 coffee-table tome.

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.

Today in Apple history: Copland, Apple’s ‘unreleased’ Mac OS, ships to devs

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A screenshot of Mac OS Copland on a
Remember Mac OS Copland? Probably not from using it.
Image: Apple/Cult of Mac/Ste Smith

November 17: Today in Apple history: Mac OS Copland, Apple's 'unreleased' Mac OS, ships to developers November 17, 1995: Apple releases the first beta version of its new Mac OS Copland operating system to approximately 50 developers. Not so much a Mac OS update as a totally new operating system, it offers next-gen features designed to help Apple take on the then-mighty Windows 95.

Sadly, Copland OS will never reach the public.

How to make your Mac mini a portable computer

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How to make Mac mini portable
We have tips for making your Mac mini into your portable computer.
Photo: Cult of Mac/Fernando Silva

The M4 Mac mini is so tiny that taking it on trips isn’t an unreasonable idea. With the right accessories, you might not need a MacBook. Seriously.

Here’s the gear needed to turn Apple’s diminutive desktop into a portable computer for your next holiday or even business trip.

AirTag 2 reportedly launching in mid-2025 with better range

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AirTag
AirTag 2 is coming next year.
Photo: Mark Chan/Unsplash

Apple’s first AirTag upgrade is another step closer to launch, with the tracking tags reportedly progressing to “manufacturing tests.” The company apparently plans to launch the second-gen AirTags in mid-2025.

Codenamed B589, the new AirTags reportedly will look the same but provide increased range and improved privacy features.

These $60 Beats earbuds are built for busy music lovers

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Woman wearing the Beats Solo Buds true wireless earbuds.
Get a pair of Beats Solo Buds true wireless earbuds at a great price.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Need a good pair of earbuds at an even better price? These Beats Solo Buds have dual-layer drivers, axial-aligned drivers and a custom-built acoustic architecture. They sound expensive, but you can actually get a pair of these earbuds for just $59.99 (regularly $79) in our Beats Solo Buds sale.

Shrinking and Disclaimer stay hits for Apple TV+

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Harrison Ford and Jason Segel in Shrinking season 2
Harrison Ford and Jason Segel in Shrinking on Apple TV+.
Photo: Apple TV+

The Apple TV+ dramedy Shrinking stayed among the top 10 most popular streaming series for another week, according to two ratings companies. And the sexy drama Disclaimer continues to pull in a large audience, too.

Both have been among the most-watched series on streaming since they debuted.

Today in Apple history: Steve Jobs secures Macintosh name

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November 16, 1982: Today in Apple history: Steve Jobs secures Macintosh name: Steve Jobs sweet-talked an audio company exec to land the name
Steve Jobs sweet-talked an audio company exec to land the name "Macintosh."
Photo: Apple

November 16: Today in Apple history: Steve Jobs secures Macintosh name November 16, 1982: Intent on giving Apple’s upcoming personal computer a memorable name Steve Jobs pens an impassioned plea to audio company McIntosh Laboratory. In the letter, he asks permission to use the name “Macintosh.”

You can probably guess how the resulting discussions turned out!

Use your iPhone as a webcam for your Mac with Camo

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A Better Webcam
Even an old iPhone is a far superior webcam to any Mac.
Image: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

Camo is a powerful app that lets you use your iPhone, and any connected USB camera, as a webcam for your Mac. I use it every week to record videos and livestream podcasts. The camera built into the MacBook — and even the high-end Studio Display — just doesn’t compare to the clarity and quality of an iPhone camera.

Apple built a basic version of this feature into macOS and called it Continuity Camera. But like most apps that have been sherlocked, Camo goes above and beyond with powerful tools and pro features.

Camo also works with Windows PCs, Android phones and most modern cameras, not just Macs and iPhones.

3 Reasons to Watch: Silo, the hit dystopian sci-fi show on Apple TV+

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Rebecca Ferguson in
Rebecca Ferguson's gutsy performance is just one reason to watch epic sci-fi series Silo.
Photo: Apple TV+

In this installment of 3 Reasons to Watch, our hand-cranked Apple TV+ recommendation engine, we’re looking at the dystopian sci-fi show du jour, Silo. While not a full Silo review, it’s a full-throated endorsement of the thrill-packed series and its star, Rebecca Ferguson.

Created by Graham Yost (Justified, Speed), and based on the books by Hugh Howey, the show focuses on the last people on earth, who live in a huge, underground structure and slowly start to learn there’s more to their predicament than meets the eye. The first season of Silo became a bona fide hit. And season two of Silo just started streaming on Apple TV+.

Make it mobile: Set iPad as display for M4 Mac mini [Setups]

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mobile M4 Mac mini with iPad display
Plenty of people are talking about M4 Mac mini as a mobile computer with iPad as a display. But to that, some others just reply, "get a MacBook."
Image: Fernando Silva

Trend alert: Folks are talking on social media sites and YouTube about using iPad as an external display for the new M4 Mac mini. Why? Well, as today’s setup user notes, the combination creates a credible mobile solution. And as others point out, it’s economical. Mac mini is a sensational value. And for a few hundred bucks more you can add an iPad (or you may already have one) and a few other inexpensive elements to make it work. But still, plenty of people see this and just say, “get a MacBook.”

OtterBox makes the best iPad wraparound folio case [Review] ★★★★★

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OtterBox Statement Series Studio iPad case review★★★★★
Your iPad is safe and not too bulky in the OtterBox Statement Series Studio.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The OtterBox Statement Series Studio case for iPad Pro or iPad Air finds a brilliant balance of protection and portability. It’s slim and relatively lightweight, but wraps completely around the tablet to save it from disaster. And there’s a built-in adjustable kickstand and Apple Pencil holder, too.

I tested it with my M4 iPad Pro, and haven’t found a wraparound folio case I like better. Here’s why:

Harrowing season 2 ventures outside the Silo [Now streaming]

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Silo season 2 trailer
Dystopian drama series "Silo" returns to Apple TV+ for its second season on November 15.
Photo: Apple TV+

In hit Apple TV+ sci-fi series Silo, Rebecca Ferguson’s engineer character, Juliette, spent her whole life toiling in the bowels of a giant tube sunk into the soil, protected along with the last 10,000 people on Earth from a supposedly deadly outside world. But she’s willing to risk venturing outside to find the truth in the season 2 trailer of dystopian drama. Apple TV+ dropped it Monday.

Update: Silo‘s eagerly awaited 10-episode second season emerged on Apple TV+ Friday, November 15, with the first episode. Tagline: “Juliette finds sanctuary in a silo long ago destroyed by war, thinking she’s alone.” Want a quick taste? Watch the first 5 minutes here.

Print your favorite iPhone photos instantly

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Product photo of the Kodak Step instant smartphone photo printer with printouts.
Whether you’re making custom cards, unique scrapbooks or instant mementos, the Kodak Step instant smartphone printer lets you enjoy your favorite photos anytime, anywhere.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

The Kodak Step instant photo printer is a fun, easy way to print your iPhone photos without messy ink cartridges. It eliminates the need for expensive ink, toners and ribbons, instead using 2-inch by 3-inch sticky-back paper that’s embedded with dye crystals. In less than 60 seconds, it produces fun, durable prints that resist moisture, rips and smudges.

Whether you’re printing photos for your fridge, locker or scrapbook, these prints are designed to last. And you can get a Kodak Step instant photo printer for just $69.99.

Today in Apple history: Apple’s last mechanical keyboard is a winner

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The Apple Extended Keyboard II might be Cupertino's finest keyboard of all time.
This could be the best Apple keyboard ever.
Photo: University of Chicago

November 15: Today in Apple history: Apple Extended Keyboard II is Apple's last (and greatest) mechanical keyboard November 15, 1990: Cupertino wins a design patent for the Apple Extended Keyboard II, arguably the greatest computer keyboard of all time.

Delivering the perfect combination of durability, feel and a pleasing click-clack sound, the Extended Keyboard II will become a mainstay of pro-grade Apple setups during the early 1990s — and perhaps the best-loved keyboard in Apple history. Courtesy of an ADB-to-USB adapter, some people continue to use these input devices today.

This sturdy magnetic charging cable packs all the connections you need

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Statik 360 Pro multi-charging cable with swappable USB-C, Lightning and Micro USB tips.
Why carry six cables when one can handle all your connections?
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Sick of searching for the right cord with the proper connections to juice up your devices? The Statik 360 Pro is an all-in-one cable that can connect virtually anything. On one end of the multi-charging cable, you’ll find swappable magnetic tips that can handle USB-C, Lightning and Micro USB connections. On the other, you’ll find a USB-C connector as well as a built-in USB-A adapter.

The magnetic head that attaches to the three tips swivels 360 degrees, so you won’t put strain on the cable or your devices. Plus, the Statik 360 Pro comes sheathed in braided nylon for maximum durability. The price for this convenient, 3-foot multi-charging cable is pretty special, too: just $19.99 (regularly $23).

Bigfoot emoji might be sighted next year

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Bigfoot emoji might be sighted next year
Say, what’s that "hairy creature"?
Photo: Emojipedia/Cult of Mac

The list of additions to the official collection of emoji we can use in text message includes an orca, a trombone an Apple core and, wait, is that Bigfoot?!

The industry group responsible for choosing new emoji proposed nine major additions and dozens of tweaks for the next update. If approved, they will come to iPhone, Mac and iPad, as well as Androids, PCs and many social media applications.

Google’s Gemini AI gets its own chatty iPhone app

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Google Gemini for iPhone app
The Google Gemini for iPhone app can generate images with text prompts.
Image: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The Gemini application for iPhone that launched Thursday gives users direct access to Google’s AI-powered virtual assistant.

Have a conversation, get advice or generate images with the app.

Today in Apple history: iPods take to the skies

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The first iPod went from pitch to shipped product in 7 months
Goodbye, in-flight magazines!
Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac

November 14: Today in Apple history: Apple partnerships land iPods in airplanes for use with in-flight entertainment systems November 14, 2006: Apple teams up with a slew of airlines to offer the “first seamless integration” between iPods and in-flight entertainment systems.

A special dock will let iPod owners use the devices to play music and videos on planes’ seat-back displays. The plan promises to rid the world of old-fashioned in-flight movies and printed magazines.

Price drop: $35 wireless charger will fast-charge your iPhone on the go

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This $40 wireless charger will fast-charge your phone on the go.
Apple fans love this speedy wireless iPhone charger, now on sale for less than $40.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Forget having to find a wall outlet to charge your phone, or even using a cable to connect an external battery pack. To charge your phone in real luxury is to enjoy fast charging, totally wire-free. And one of the best options we’ve found to enjoy just that is the Speedy Mag Wireless Charger for iPhone.

Usually $119.95, you can grab it right now for only $34.97. But this price drop won’t last forever.