How to deck out your new Apple gear

December 25, 2020

If you found some new Apple gear under the tree or in your mailbox, this week's how-tos are for you. We'll show you how to set up your new iPhone, Apple Watch, etc., and also recommend some hot apps you should download immediately to maximize your fun and productivity.

We here at Cult of Mac wish you all the finest of holidays, and hope that 2021 brings a lot more fun and a lot less fear.

Cheers,

Lewis Wallace, managing editor

How-tos

Got a shiny new iPhone for the holidays? Here's how to set it up the right way using either a local backup or iCloud Backup.

Learn how to get your new smartwatch up and running in no time, so you can get out the door and start getting fit.

If you’re one of the lucky ones to get a new Mac, you’ll want to rip open that box, tear off that plastic sheeting, and get to the good stuff. These tips will help you get started.

Whether it’s a high-tech marvel of a new iPad Pro, the super-speedy iPad Air, or a pocketable iPad mini, you’ll want to set up your new device with the least amount of fuss.

Got a new iPhone or iPad for the holidays? Make the most of it by getting your hands on some of the best, most useful iOS apps.

Serious iOS gaming gets even better when using an Xbox or PlayStation controller instead of a touchscreen -- especially if you reconfigure the buttons.

News and opinion

Future iPads will be built around Apple’s M-series Mac processors, rather than A-series iPhone chips, according to a recent report. This would be a much-needed step toward Apple tablets becoming all they can be.

Something tells me that some creatures were, in fact, stirring in Cupertino.

Apple is reportedly prepping an autonomous vehicle that’s aimed at the consumer market. Production supposedly would begin in 2024 using cutting-edge battery technology.

Plus, more Apple Car news:

A new report adds weight to rumors that an Apple TV set-top box supercharged for gaming is coming next year.

There are a lot of things to love about Apple’s new AirPods Max headphones, but the Smart Case isn’t one of them. Luckily, WaterField Designs delivered what Apple didn’t.

Deals

There’s probably nothing more worrisome than dropping your brand-new smartphone for the first time. Protect it with a transparent case!

Instead of trying to will yourself out of bed and go to the gym, why not skip a few steps and bring the gym to your house? Enter our giveaway for a shot at some excellent gym equipment.

Smartphone and computer storage gets cheaper, faster and more reliable every year, but there still never seems to be enough. That's where inexpensive cloud storage comes in.

Plus, more deals on software and services:

Reviews

Looking for a great book to bury yourself in as we escape the closing days of a pretty terrible year? Whether you’re looking for one for yourself or a gift for a fellow tech lover, 2020 brought no shortage of great titles.

The Juice Pack Connect sports a new design that lets you pop it on and off at will. You can replace the bulky battery with a ring holder/stand when you want a slim handset, too.