$100 off: Nab early Prime Day deals on Apple Watch 9 and SE

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Great deals on Apple Watch 9 and SE
Apple Watch 9 has more features, but Apple Watch SE (2nd generation, pictured above), is a fine fitness and sleep tracker.
Photo: Apple

Mega retailer Amazon often offers early discounts on the run-up to Prime Day, July 16 and 17. So now’s a great time to bag great deals on Apple Watch Series 9 and SE. Several models are already $100 off the regular price. That may drop even further next week, but you never know.

Today in Apple history: iPhone 3G brings a big speed boost

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iPhone 3G
Did you own the iPhone 3G?
Photo: Apple

July 11: Today in Apple history: iPhone 3G goes on sale, brings big speed boost July 11, 2008: The iPhone 3G goes on sale. Expectations for the smartphone sequel run high, and Apple delivers with the addition of GPS, faster 3G data and a higher-quality build. The iPhone 3G launch also brings a new mobile operating system packed with features.

Apple’s second smartphone runs iPhone OS 2, which introduces a better Mail app, turn-by-turn navigation and a little something called the App Store.

This handcrafted leather iPad case and stand is so gorgeous [Review] ★★★★★

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DodoCase English Bridle Leather iPad Case★★★★★
DodoCase English Bridle Leather iPad Case is elegant and professional.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

An iPad is practically a work of art — don’t put it in a cheap plastic case. Wrap your iPad in English Bridle Leather with the latest handcrafted product from DodoCase.

It’s a carrying case, and folds into a stand when you’re ready to work. And there’s an Apple Pencil holder, too.

I’ve been testing one with my M4 iPad Pro, and I’m quite taken with the look. And the design, too.

iPhone opens to rival digital wallets and tap-and-go systems in EU

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Apple Pay Tap-to-Pay
Apple Pay isn't the only tap-and-go payment option in the EU.
Photo: Apple

Apple and the European Commission came to an agreement on opening up iPhone to rival digital wallets and tap-and-go systems. The days of the iPhone’s NFC capabilities being limited to just Apple Pay are at an end. In Europe, anyway.

But in the rest of the world, it’s Apple Pay or nothing.

Omnivore looks like a feast for the eyes [Apple TV+ trailer]

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How did that tasty food wind up on your plate? Watch Omnivore to find out.
Image: Apple TV+

Upcoming Apple TV+ docuseries Omnivore looks like a visually stunning deep dive into key ingredients that feed the world. The globe-hopping trailer takes us on a whirlwind tour of farmland, fisheries and more. It’s a tasty tease for a show that delivers an international perspective on humanity’s common denominator: food.

Each episode of the show, which arrives July 19 on Apple TV+, focuses on a single ingredient — salt, pork, bananas, etc. — and explores the long path it takes to wind up on hungry diners’ plates.

Moving pics from Google to iCloud Photos just got easy

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Moving pics from Google to iCloud Photos just got easy
Transferring from Google Photos to iCloud Photos is as easy as asking.
Image: Cult of Mac

It’s now possible to transfer images and videos stored on Google Photos directly into iCloud Photos. Apple and Google cooperated to make this possible.

Wow, these two rivals actually worked together on something.

Apple Ring is the health accessory we need

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Apple Ring is the health accessory we need
An Apple Ring should join Apple Watch as a way to let wearers monitor their health.
Concept: Victor Soto/BluePoly

Apple’s next new product should be a smart ring. No, not so you can scroll through Instagram on a teeny-tiny display. The Apple Ring would be packed with health sensors that allow wearers to track their exercise and fitness goals while carrying no other device.

It wouldn’t even require developing new technology. All that’s needed is for Apple CEO Tim Cook to make the decision to offer a new type of health tracker.

Samsung unveiled Galaxy Ring on Wednesday, showing that this type of wearable is going mainstream. It’s time for Apple to step in and show its rivals how it should be done.

Early Prime Day deals: Up to $90 off M2 iPad Air models

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early Prime Day deals on M2 iPad Air
M2 iPad Air is a new tablet, yet you can get almost $100 off it already.
Photo: Apple

If you can’t wait for Amazon Prime Day July 16 and 17, turns out you don’t even need to — every Prime Day, deals start leaking out early. Right now you can take up to $90 off the recently released M2 iPad Air, for example. And that’s just the biggest savings on a top model. Plenty of early Prime Day deals on M2 iPad Air models with lesser specs can be had, too. See the examples below.

Mac shipments shoot up a whopping 20%

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The new MacBook Air with M3
The new MacBook Air with M3 likely helped push up Mac shipments.
Photo: Apple

No PC maker is growing faster than Apple. Mac shipments increased 20.8% year over year in Q2, according to market analysts. That’s a growth rate that dwarfs larger rivals.

It’s the second quarter in a row of double-digit growth for Apple.

Today in Apple history: App Store opens its virtual doors

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App Store
What was the first app you ever downloaded?
Photo: Graham Bower/Cult of Mac

July 10: Today in Apple history: Apple launches the iPhone App Store July 10, 2008: Apple launches the App Store, an online hub that lets iPhone owners browse and download apps made by third-party developers. Transforming the iPhone from a locked-down platform to a generative one, the App Store means that every iPhone user can have his or her own “killer app” depending on the software they want — from social networking to composing music to playing games.

One of the most significant launches in Apple history, the App Store opens up a whole new revenue stream for Cupertino. It’s hard to believe that Steve Jobs was originally dead-set against it!

iPhone 16 could get twice as fast charging

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iPhone 16 rumors
iPhone 16 rumors
Photo: Sonny Dickson/Cult of Mac

Apple’s upcoming iPhone 16 lineup could see a significant boost in charging speeds, potentially doubling the current fast-charging capability to 40W when using a compatible power adapter, according to a recent rumor.

While late-model iPhones are already pretty fast chargers, twice as fast is a serious improvement.

Code for HomePod with large touchscreen found in tvOS 18

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HomePod with a larger Display concept
A HomePod with a larger touchscreen -- perhaps something like this concept -- is supposedly on the drawing board at Apple.
Concept: Apple/Cult of Mac

A bit of the user interface for a rumored HomePod smart speaker with a large touchscreen reportedly turned up in the latest beta for tvOS 18.

We’ve heard leaks and rumors about such a smart home device since at least 2021, but now the product seems to be moving nearer to release.

Catch a scary glimpse of Severance season 2, coming in January

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Severance season 2 trailer
This glimpse of Adam Scott carrying balloons down a Lumon Industries hallway appeared during the WWDC24 keynote.
Photo: Apple TV+

Just as we thought when Apple put out a Severance teaser Tuesday in Morse code saying nothing but “tomorrow,” word of a season 2 air date arrived Wednesday, along with a spooky teaser trailer. But our wishful thinking that the air date would come in fall 2024 was just that. It’s actually slated for January 17, 2025. And in the meantime, the short trailer below is worth a watch. It brings eerie Severance vibes.

iPhone 17 may get cutting-edge 2nm chip from TSMC after all

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TSMC looks ahead to super-speedy 2nm processors
2nm processors made by TSMC will be faster while using less power than today's 3nm iPhone chips.
Image: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple’s chip-maker TSMC will begin trial production of 2 nm processors next week. This is months earlier than expected, and raises the possibility that the company’s next generation production process will be ready in time for the A19 chip in the iPhone 17.

The improvement over the current 3nm process should bring a jump in performance without affecting battery life.

2TB package deal: Get 1TB lifetime cloud storage and 1TB hard drive for one low price

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The Complete 1TB (x2) Cloud & Hard Drive Storage Lifetime Bundle.
Fix your file hoarding once and for all with this combo deal on cloud storage and an external hard drive.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

The Complete 1TB (x2) Cloud & Hard Drive Storage Lifetime Bundle is a two-part deal that nets you a massive 2TB of storage. It’s split right down the middle, with 1TB of cloud storage and a 1TB external hard drive.

Since it’s a package deal, you’ll save big-time. Instead of paying $341 for this lifetime 2TB storage solution, you can secure the whole thing for just $109.99.

How to use Final Cut Camera, Apple’s free pro video app for iPhone

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Pro Video Recording
Final Cut Camera goes above and beyond the regular Camera app.
Image: Apple/D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

Final Cut Camera is a new Apple app that offers incredible manual control over your iPhone’s camera system. If you use your phone for professional videography — or even for a hobby project — you should use this free app to take videos rather than sticking with the stock Camera app.

Final Cut Camera comes absolutely packed with professional features the Camera app can’t match. The new app gives you finer control over exposure, white balance, color temperature and more. You can enable image overlays to see which parts of the frame are in focus or overexposed. In short, it’s a highly versatile camera. You can even pair it with Final Cut Pro for iPad to capture footage from multiple iPhones simultaneously.

Final Cut Camera is totally free on the App Store. Keep reading to learn how to use it. 

Apply for up to 150 jobs a day with just one click

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Get your dream job with this smart application app proven to get you more job interviews.
Secure your dream job quickly with this service that's proven to land job interviews.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Studies show it can take between 21 and 80 job applications to land a single offer. And that means getting your dream job can be a real numbers game. Thankfully, you can stack those numbers in your favor with smart tools like the top-rated LazyApply. It makes it easy and fast to apply for jobs.

This job-search service saves you tons of time by letting you apply to hundreds of job applications with just a click. And a lifetime subscription is on sale now for just $59.97 (regular price $149).

Add Logitech Keys-to-Go 2 keyboard to your iPad without bulking it up [Review] ★★★★☆

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Logitech Keys-to-Go 2 review★★★★☆
Logitech Keys-to-Go 2 helps make you productive wherever you go.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Logitech Keys-to-Go 2 for iPad is the portable keyboard for those who need to type on the go but don’t want a keyboard built into their tablet’s case. It’s a standalone accessory designed to travel with a tablet or be left behind when it’s not needed.

I tested the very slim and lightweight product with my iPad Pro and my iPhone 15. Its extreme portability makes it useful in situations that more typical keyboards are not.

Handheld DockKit-enabled gimbal keeps iPhone camera pointed at you

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Insta360 Flow Pro: Hand held DockKit-enabled gimbal keeps iPhone pointed at you
Insta360 Flow Pro helps make more exciting videos.
Photo: Insta360

Hold the Insta360 Flow Pro and walk around and the stabilizer always keeps your iPhone camera pointed at you or your subject thanks to Apple’s DockKit and Deep Track 3.0. It’s designed for content creators on the move.

The gimbal includes a selfie stick, tripod, power bank and tracking ring light.

Today in Apple history: Apple reclaims top spot in education

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On this day in 1998, the world says
The easy-to-use iMac spurred Apple's return to dominance in schools.
Photo: Apple

July 9: Today in Apple history: Apple reclaims top spot in education July 9, 2001: Apple earns the title of No. 1 computer manufacturer in the education market, with twice as many machines in schools as runner-up Dell Computer.

It marks a big turnaround from a couple of years earlier, when Dell overtook Apple and people accused Steve Jobs of abandoning this important market.

Apple TV+ Morse code video hints at big Severance season 2 news

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Severance Morse code teaser video
The WWDC24 keynote featured an Apple TV+ reel with Severance season two footage of Adam Scott walking down a Lumon Industries hallway with balloons.
Photo: Apple TV+

Apple TV+ dropped an odd Severance Morse code teaser video Tuesday that simply spells out “tomorrow,” suggesting news about the workplace thriller’s second season will arrive Wednesday. We expect an air date announcement for fall 2024, and perhaps more.

Apple offered a scant first look at the upcoming season of the hit show during the WWDC24 keynote in June. But other than that, fans of the funny and disturbing workplace thriller have had little to go on — until now (or until tomorrow, that is).

Microsoft mandates employees in China dump Android, use iPhones

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Microsoft employees in China must use iPhones
Microsoft will make its employees in China use iPhones for security purposes.
Photo: Nomad

Starting in September, Microsoft will require its employees in China to use iPhones for work-related activities, effectively banning Android devices from work use, according to a new report. And of course the irony of a new policy stating that Microsoft employees in China must use Apple devices isn’t lost on us.