Anyone with a curious cat knows the desktop can be one of their favorite spots. Sometimes it’s like they’re trying to ensure you can’t work, as they sit or stretch out right on top of the keyboard or in front of the screen. And that’s just when you’re sitting there. Who knows what they do […]

(via Cult of Mac - Tech and culture through an Apple lens)

Apple has quietly made a big change to Apple Music this week, reducing the initial free-trial offer from three months. The three-month free trial helped set Apple Music apart from competitors like Spotify when it initially launched in 2015, but the service is now offering the industry-standard of one month free.

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Check out this guide to learn all about using Face ID while wearing a mask on your iPhone running iOS 15.4 and later.

There are many ways to interact with HomeKit. You can use the Home app on iOS or macOS, you can use Siri on a HomePod or Apple Watch, but another way is with NFC tags, and it’s surprisingly easy and can be done for less than $1 per NFC automation you want to build. Since learning how to use it, it’s been an ideal way to use HomeKit in a way that’s faster than using the Home app but more reliable than Siri. Let’s dive in on how it works and how to configure it.

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The post HomeKit Weekly: How to create NFC automations for HomeKit using Shortcuts and $1 tags appeared first on 9to5Mac.

Heading into the weekend, all of today’s best deals are now up for grabs. On top of a collection of official Apple Watch bands from $42, there’s a new Anker iPhone accessory sale from $16. Not to mention the first Apple Pencil 2 sale of the year. Hit the jump for all that and more in the latest 9to5Toys Lunch Break.

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The post Official Apple Watch bands on sale from $42 in today’s best deals, plus Anker gear and more appeared first on 9to5Mac.

Apple users do the darnedest things with old gear. Recently a guy stuck a USB-C port in an iPhone X and got $86,000 for it on eBay. We profiled a Romanian developer who designs games for souped-up vintage Macs. Then there was the guy who merged an M1 Mac mini with an iMac G4. And […]

(via Cult of Mac - Tech and culture through an Apple lens)

Use promo code COM at Keysbuff.com to get an extra 25% off already-low prices on Windows 10 Pro Global, Microsoft Office 2021 Pro and more.

(via Cult of Mac - Tech and culture through an Apple lens)

The App Store commission in the Netherlands for dating apps that use alternative payments is now 27% instead of the company's usual 30% take for in-app purchases.

HomePod Software 17.5 is out. Here’s how to make sure your Apple smart speaker has the latest software version.

(via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)