Price drop: Giant screen, small price — this 12.9-inch iPad Pro is on sale for $519.97

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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 $519.97. 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.

Today in Apple history: Stock ‘backdating’ scandal hits Steve Jobs

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Steve_Jobs_2007
There was even some speculation Jobs could lose his, err, job.
Photo: Ben Stanfield/Flickr CC

December 28: Today in Apple history: Stock 'backdating' scandal hits Steve Jobs December 28, 2006: As the rest of the country enjoys a much-deserved holiday, Apple gets embroiled in a stock option “backdating” scandal.

The news, centered on the dubious awarding of stock options to CEO Steve Jobs, prompts Apple share prices to fall. Some people even suggest Jobs might need to step down as Apple’s leader. Fortunately, that doesn’t happen.

What to expect from Apple Watch in 2025

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Product shot of Apple Watch Ultra 2 with blue background and the words
Apple Watch could have an Ultra-good year in 2025.
Image: Cult of Mac

2025 should be an Ultra year for the Apple Watch. In an unusual move, Apple only launched the Apple Watch Series 10 this year. It kept the Ultra 2 around, only releasing a new black titanium colorway.

But next year won’t be all about Apple’s most expensive smartwatch. For more budget-conscious customers, the third-gen Apple Watch SE should arrive in 2025.

Ends soon: Lock in lifetime access to Babbel language learning for just $129.97

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This is your last chance to grab a lifetime of award-winning language learning with this Babbel language app deal.
Grab lifetime access to the world’s most popular language learning app for less than $130 for a limited time.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Whether you want to get the most out of your travels, spruce up your resume or simply expand your skills, learning a new language is an excellent way to level up. One of the easiest methods for doing that — and for fitting learning seamlessly into your schedule — is with a convenient language app such as Babbel. And you can get it for less with this limited-time Babbel language app deal.

For a limited time, you can secure lifetime access to Babbel for just $129.97 (regularly $599) from Cult of Mac Deals. Don’t miss your chance to master multiple languages for one low price!

Best cases for your new iPad

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Best iPad cases
Here are my picks for the best iPad cases available now.
Image: Cult of Mac

You unwrapped a shiny new iPad for Christmas or Hanukkah — congratulations! — and now you need a case for it. I’ve tested a bunch of these and have recommendations for the best iPad cases.

These protect your computer from life’s little mishaps. But you can also get an iPad case with a built-in keyboard and trackpad to upgrade your table to a ultralight laptop.

Keep your Private Browsing secret with this one smart Safari move [Pro Tip]

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Secretly switch out of private browsing.
You can quickly and secretly switch out of Private Browsing without anyone noticing.
Image: Dosso Dossi/Public domain

Pro tip bug So, you’ve been using Safari’s Private Browsing mode on your iPhone or iPad, for whatever reason, but you forget to close out of the tab. The next time you open Safari, you’ll be thrown into whatever unscrupulous web page you had open last time — and the result can range from unfortunate to embarrassing, depending upon what you were looking at and where you are when you unexpectedly resume the Private Browsing session.

Luckily, iOS offers a foolproof way to avoid reopening a Private Browsing mode session. Let me show you how.

This 4K display’s RGB sphere lighting dazzles gamers [Setups]

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monitor RGB lighting
Take a look in the mirror behind the setup to see the portrait display's RGB lighting wheel.
Photo: [email protected]

Today’s dual-display MacBook Pro setup sits on a desk up against a mirrored wall. In the photograph above, that let’s us see the nifty ring of colorful monitor RGB lighting built into the back of the LG UltraGear display — a decorative and functional touch included in an aging but still formidable external display for serious gamers.

Today in Apple history: Second-gen Apple TV hits 1 million sales

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apple tvPIC
On this day in 2010, the Apple TV hit a sales milestone.
Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac

December 27: Today in Apple history: Second-gen Apple TV hits 1 million sales December 27, 2010: Almost four months after the second-gen Apple TV’s debut, Cupertino says it has sold 1 million of the streaming video devices.

The news shows that Apple’s set-top box is gaining momentum. However, Apple’s PR move — which included a preemptive press release issued on December 21 that said Apple “expects sales of its new Apple TV to top one million units later this week” — is also a low-blow shot at competitor Roku, which recently said it planned to hit the 1 million unit mark by the end of 2010.

3-in-1 charging station will light up your life for just $45

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Product photo of the Clingomatic Qi2.
Get the Clingomatic Qi2 3-in-1 Charging Station on sale for $44.99.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

The Clingomatic Qi2 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Station with Halo Light offers a simple solution for charging your iPhone, AirPods and Apple Watch all in one place. It’s designed to fit seamlessly on a nightstand, desk or side table, bringing a touch of modern elegance to your space. And right now, it’s on sale for just $44.99 (regularly $119.95).

What to expect from iPad, iPad Pro and iPad Air in 2025

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iPads in 2025: Product shot of two iPads with yellow tint to illustrate story about iPad 11th generation and other upcoming new models.
The 11th-generation iPad is just a few months away. And new iPad Pro and iPad Air models are on the way, too.
Photo: Cult of Mac

2025 will finally bring the much-anticipated 11th-generation iPad, a version of the budget tablet with a faster processor capable of accessing the latest Apple Intelligence features.

In addition, expect faster iPad Pro and iPad Air models in 2025 — one sooner than might be expected.

Price drop: Stay secure anywhere with this portable VPN router for 31% off

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Save 27% on a travel VPN router.
Don't take chances with your personal data.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Need online security you can take anywhere? The Deeper Connect Air is a VPN travel router that offers encrypted browsing to keep your info from prying eyes, along with a slew of other benefits. The device uses advanced, military-grade encryption to safeguard all data that passes through it, making your online interactions confidential.

Whether you’re handling sensitive business data at a cafe or browsing personal content in a hotel room, your information remains private and secure. You can get the extremely portable Deeper Connect Air for just $149.97 (regularly $219) with free shipping.

iPhone 2025: One of Apple’s biggest design shakeups ever

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New iPhones in 2025
There’s a lot being cooked up for the iPhone next year.

The 2025 iPhone lineup is going to see one of the biggest design shakeups in the product’s history. Not only will there be an entirely new model — the super-slim iPhone 17 Air — the Pro phones are getting the first all-new design in years, with a radical new camera array that’s sure to polarize opinion. Plus, the entry-level models and the iPhone SE are getting lots of worthy trickle-down upgrades.

It’s going to be a very exciting year. Here’s what 2025 has in store for the iPhone.

Today in Apple history: Woz spends Christmas building Apple II disk drive

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Disk II pic
The Disk II became a massive success for Apple.
Photo: Wikipedia CC

December 25 Today in Apple history December 25, 1977: Steve Wozniak spends the holidays building a prototype of the Disk II, the Apple II computer’s revolutionary floppy disk drive.

“I worked all day, all night, through Christmas and New Year’s trying to get it done,” Wozniak would later recall in his autobiography, iWoz. “[Early Apple employee] Randy Wiggington, who was actually attending Homestead High, the school Steve and I had graduated from, helped me a lot on that project.”

Wiggington takes December 25 off. Woz does not.

Stream unlimited documentaries for one low price — forever!

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Food for your brain: Curiosity Stream, a documentary streaming channel, is now only $180.
Learn every time you stream with a discount subscription to Curiosity Stream.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

If the ever-growing library of excellent documentaries on Apple TV+ leaves you wanting more, consider a discounted lifetime subscription to Curiosity Stream. Home to some of the best documentaries streaming online, the service offers a fun and educational alternative to the usual Netflix noise.

Plus, unlike other streaming services, you can lock in forever access to Curiosity Stream for just $159.97 (regularly $399.99). For that one low price, you’ll gain a lifetime of original and entertaining documentaries.

What to expect from AirPods in 2025

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Product photo of AirPods with text
Big upgrades could be in store for Apple's AirPods lineup in 2025.
Image: Cult of Mac

AirPods Pro 3 keep generating buzz as we approach the launch of Apple’s next-generation premium wireless earbuds. Here’s what to expect from AirPods Pro 3, which probably will arrive in early 2025.

While the current AirPods Pro 2 model dominates the market two years after launch, rumors say its successor will bring substantial improvements and new features. Unfortunately, you probably shouldn’t expect changes to the recently updated AirPods 4 and AirPods Max in 2025. We could see updated earbuds or headphones from Apple subsidiary Beats, though.

How to set up and use your brand-new AirPods

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Woman smiling wearing AirPods
You’ll be one happy duck with your new AirPods.
Photo: Apple

If you’re a super lucky duck, then Santa may have left you a pair of AirPods. They are truly one of the best products Apple ever made, because they really do offer a huge upgrade on all previous headphones. Here’s how to set up your new AirPods.

How to set up Apple Watch and tips for getting the most out of it

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How to Set Up Your Apple Watch
Get your new Apple Watch up and running in no time!
Photo: Luke Chesser/Unsplash CC

How do you set up a new Apple Watch? Whether you got the Series 10 with its thin design and advanced sensors or leapt for the rugged Apple Watch Ultra 2, you might be wondering how to get started. After all, the Watch is unlike any other Apple device, both in its dependence on an iPhone and in the way it works.

The good thing is, Apple has made it really, really easy to get things up and running. Let’s take a look.

How to set up your new AirTag the right way

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AirTag
Here's everything you need to know about setting up your new AirTag.
Photo: Mark Chan/Unsplash

The Apple AirTag is arguably among the company’s most useful product releases in recent years. Once you set up an AirTag, it gives you powerful options for locating it (and whatever you attach it to). Put one of Apple’s tracking tags on an item like a keychain or luggage, and you can easily track its location from your iPhone, Mac or iPad.

Since AirTag’s launch, numerous reports have detailed how the tracking tag helped owners find lost items. If you recently acquired an AirTag, here’s how you can set it up the right way and use it properly.

How to set up your new Mac like a pro

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Set Up Your New Mac: Moving to a new Mac is fast — we’ll get your Mac on track in no time.
Let's get that nice new Mac set up, shall we?
Image: Apple

It’s a great season to get a new Mac. Every Mac today is a great buy. If you’re one of the lucky people to get one this year, here’s how to set up your Mac like a pro.

So rip open that box, tear off that plastic and get to the good stuff.

Here is Cult of Mac’s guide to setting up your new Mac the right way.

Price drop: Turn your MacBook into a full workstation with this 13-in-1 dock

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Plug into productivity with this 13-in-1 USB-C docking station.
Mac users can grab this 13-in-1 docking station to add the ports they need.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Need more ports for your MacBook? This affordable docking station for MacBook Pro or MacBook Air packs a whole desktop’s worth of ports into a compact form that connects with a single USB-C cable.

Eliminate the mad search to find the proper dongle for the task at hand. Get the 13-in-1 Docking Station with Dual HDMI for just $44.97 (regularly $70) for a limited time.

How to set up your new iPad the right way

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Set Up iPad
Let's get your new iPad up and running.
Photo: Apple

Congratulations — you got a new iPad! Whether it’s the entry-level iPad that brings the essential features to an affordable price, the iPad Air with the powerful M2, the pocketable iPad mini or the top-of-the-line iPad Pro, you’ll want to set up your new device with the least amount of fuss.

We’re here to help you do just that with a ton of little tips and tweaks that will make sure you’re off and using that new iPad as quickly as possible. From backing up your old iPad (if you had one already) to getting up and running with a brand-new iPad from scratch, we’ve got you covered.

How to track Santa from your Mac, iPhone or iPad

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Santa Tracker
NORAD’s Santa tracker app is available for iPhone and iPad. And there’s a website for Macs.
Photo: NORAD

It’s Christmas Eve, and Santa Claus is on his way. You can find out exactly where he is with the help of the NORAD Santa tracker and your Mac or iPhone. You can even track Jolly Old Saint Nick’s progress in real time.

Here’s how to keep an eye on Kris Kringle‘s progress.

Today in Apple history: Apple’s new tablet is called … iSlate?

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Today in Apple history: December 24, 2009: Pre-iPad rumors indicate Apple will call its tablet the
Pre-iPad rumors indicate Apple will call its tablet the "iSlate."
Illustration: Apple/Cult of Mac

December 24: Today in Apple history: Apple's new tablet is called ... iSlate? December 24, 2009: As rumors of a possible Apple tablet reach the boiling point, word spreads online that the new device will be called the iSlate.

The news is based on the fact that Apple quietly acquired the domain name iSlate.com a few years earlier. Since Apple did the same thing for the iPhone back in the late 1990s, years before the iPhone actually debuted, it makes total sense that the company would follow suit with the naming of its tablet.

Of course, that didn’t end up happening.

Severance season 2: It gets even weirder [Watch new 8-minute sneak peek!]

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Severance season 2 trailer
It's not like it's going to get any less weird, right?
Photo: Apple TV+

Watching the new Severance season two trailer, below — and the new sneak peek at the first eight minutes of episode one Apple TV+ dropped Monday — my excitement for the new episodes became one with my grim determination to watch the entire first season again before the undoubtedly bizarre new scenes of workplace hell start streaming on January 17, 2025.

Never before have I force-marched myself through a whole TV series season as a matter of preparation. But this funny-yet-unnerving workplace psycho-thriller deserves and demands it.

Update: As a twisted sort of holiday gift, Apple TV+ posted a sneak peek at the first eight minutes of Severance season two on Monday, December 23. It’s safe to say the main character is very much on the run through Lumon Industries sterile yet deeply alienating hallways until he comes face to face with a team of direct reports he doesn’t recognize. And he ends up with more questions than answers in a one-on-one with Mr. Milchik. Watch the sneak peek at the link above and the trailer below.