5 fun iPhone games + 3 Apple Watch tips

Plus, how to take fantastic fireworks photos.

Author

Lewis Wallace
July 01, 2023

At Cult of Mac, we’re all about helping you find fun and useful new ways to use your Apple gear. This week we’ve got a variety of how-tos and reviews to make your summer even sweeter:

Elsewhere in this edition of The Weekender, you’ll find the usual Cult of Mac casserole of Apple rumors, product reviews and amazing deals (like Microsoft Office for Mac for just $29.97). And don't miss the news story about torturing telemarketers with a taste of their own time-wasting medicine.

Enjoy your weekend!

— Lewis Wallace, managing editor

P.S. What did you think of that Silo season finale? Can’t wait for season two!

How-tos

How to make sure your iPhone fireworks photos go off with a bang

Taking fireworks pix with your iPhone is easy, especially if you plan ahead. These tips will ensure your Fourth of July snaps sparkle.

3 simple tricks every Apple Watch wearer should know

Apple Watch does so much it’s possible for some of the handy tricks to get lost. Here are three basics everyone should master immediately.

How to block unsolicited nudes in iMessage in iOS 17

Censoring NSFW pictures can give you an extra line of defense against unwanted, creepy texts from people you barely know. This feature puts suspected nude images behind a blurred gray background.

News

Apple is reportedly working on iMac with 30-inch-plus screen

It’s just one of multiple new Macs currently in the pipeline.

Plus, more Apple rumors and leaks:

These iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 features won't be available at launch

Some iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 features won't arrive with the initial release of the operating systems. You'll have to wait for a few more weeks.

Take a look at these impressive third-party apps for Vision Pro

Developers are already posting screenshots and videos of what they’re building for Vision Pro. Here’s a gallery of what some popular indie apps look like.

Apple passes $3 trillion mark cap ... again

What an amazing year the company is having!

Want to torture telemarketers? Sic an AI phone bot on 'em.

Hate telemarketers' tenacious harassment? Now you can get some payback. The Jolly Roger Telephone bot uses AI and voice cloning to confound them.

Did Apple accidentally make Mac Pro unnecessary?

A new report found an audience for Apple's top desktop lacking, given the capabilities of the latest Mac Studio and MacBook Pro models.

Covering Apple Vision Pro with 18K gold raises price to a mere $39,000

For anyone who looked at the $3,500 price on the Apple Vision Pro and thought “that is so cheap,” Caviar has a version that’s 10 times as expensive.

Deals

Don't wait for Prime Day to get the lowest price ever on this portable power station

Give your next camping trip an energizing upgrade with an EcoFlow Delta portable power station for just $798.99 (regularly $1,399).

Plus, more hardware from Cult of Mac Deals:

Get organized with Function101 accessories at 20% off

Feeling messy and disorganized? Plenty of tools can help, like the Function101 accessories on sale this week in the Cult of Mac Store.

This $25 travel eSIM comes with $50 worth of international data

Get your aloSIM Mobile Data Traveler Lifetime eSIM Plan and pay just $24.99 for $50 worth of data credits with this limited-time offer.

Get Microsoft Office for Mac, just $29.97 for life

Instantly upgrade your approach to daily productivity with Microsoft Office for Mac or Windows, just $29.97 during our version of Prime Day.

Plus, more software from Cult of Mac Deals:

Nab 20% off stylish Apple Watch bands while they last

In the SwitchEasy Flash Sale on Apple Watch bands, the Cult of Mac Store has four excellent choices on sale for 20% off through July 3.

Reviews

5 fun iPhone games that won’t spam, scam or screw you

So many games on the App Store are thinly veiled vessels for sucking away your money through in-app purchases. I’m going to give you my five favorite fun games for iPhone — all highly addictive time-killers.

Belkin makes the USB-C hub we’ve been waiting for [Review] ★★★★½

Belkin Connect 4-Port USB-C Hub is affordable, offers high-speed data transfers, and it can charge your devices, too.

Tame cord spaghetti with Function101's Cable Blocks [Review]

Need a clever and colorful cable management solution? Function101's magnetic Cable Blocks do a wonderful job at tidying up any desk.

MagGo grip does triple duty for iPhone [Review] ★★★★½

If you need a simple, highly portable magnetic mount, grip and stand for iPhone, you should try the Anker 620 MagGo Phone Grip.

It’s do or die time for Juliette in the ‘Silo’ season one finale [Apple TV+ recap] ★★★★☆

Apple TV+ sci-fi hit "Silo" brings its first season to a rolling boil with a satisfying episode entitled "Outside."

Plus, more Apple TV+ recaps:

Brilliant origami case/stand raises iPad to eye level [Updated review] ★★★★½

The Moft Snap Float Folio is a case that can be folded into a stand that raises the iPad up to 3.8 inches so it's easier to see. If that's not enough, the case/stand also folds into multiple other configurations

Handsome new magnetic wallet doubles as iPhone stand [Review] ★★★★☆

Journey's new premium-quality Ezmo Magnetic Wallet and Phone Stand could be part of your everyday carry if you travel light.

3 Reasons to Watch: ‘Swagger,’ the stellar Apple TV+ basketball drama

With a strong cast that can handle the basketball action as well as the turmoil of teen life in Baltimore, "Swagger" shoots and scores.

Setups

'After dreaming of Al Gore's setup for 15 years, finally I got this'

What do you get when you combine a high-end Mac Studio with three Studio Displays? With this setup, you get reminded of the former VP's classic rig.

Designer calls in M2 Ultra Mac Studio to handle CG renders

It seems like only yesterday the M1 Max Mac Studio was the new powerhouse. But in this setup, that machine’s not cutting it.

Powerhouse MacBook Pro drives 2 Studio Displays with 1 cable

This setup shows the way to simple and effective connectivity.