The Weekender
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Got yer Invites?

Got yer Invites?

Apple's new Invites app is a great new way to plan a party.

Lewis Wallace
February 08, 2025

In partnership with

Planning a shindig of some sort? The Apple Invites app is your new pro tool. It lets you send invitations, track RSVPs, and even create shared photo albums and playlists.

The iPhone app elegantly pulls together elements of Apple’s ecosystem, and your guests don’t need to use the app (or even own an Apple device). Find out how to use Apple’s Invites app in this weekend’s featured story and video.

Also in this edition of The Weekender:

Here’s how to stream the Super Bowl live (and for free) tomorrow.
A bad idea resurfaces: The Brits want Apple to build a backdoor into its encrypted services.
Cult of Mac Deals slashed prices on many popular offerings this week, including an advanced weather app, an RGB sensor for matching paints, lifetime access to versatile AI tool AI MagicX, and a super-slim wallet tracker that works like an AirTag.
Apple added a cool new tool to Notes: the capability to make automatic transcriptions of conversations. Find out how to use this somewhat-hidden feature.
If you’re watching Severance like I am — and we’re clearly not alone — don’t miss our recap of this week’s wild episode.

Enjoy your weekend!

— Lewis Wallace, managing editor

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Feature story

How to use the new Apple Invites app for your party planning

To tackle your party planning, the new Apple Invites app can help you get organized with RSVPs and keep everybody up to date.

How-tos

How to transcribe audio to text for free in Notes

Audio-to-text transcriptions are free in iOS 18. Add a voice memo to a note, and your phone will automatically transcribe it.

Stream the Super Bowl in 4K on any Apple device for free

Anyone can stream the upcoming Super Bowl live for free. Here's where to watch Super Bowl LIX, including Apple Music's big halftime show.

Plus: Get to know Kendrick Lamar before his Super Bowl halftime show

How to remove ads and other distractions on iPhone in Safari

Safari has a new feature in iOS 18 that lets you remove ads from your iPhone, along with other elements on the page that irritate you.

How to make iCloud more secure with Advanced Data Protection

Advanced Data Protection encrypts many types of iCloud data: photos, notes, backups and more. Here’s how to activate the feature.

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News

iPhone SE 4 may drop as soon as next week

Apple will reportedly launch the iPhone SE 4 with a bigger display and Face ID as soon as next week via a press release.

Plus, more Apple rumors:

UK wants a secret backdoor into encrypted iPhone accounts worldwide

The UK reportedly wants a backdoor into Apple accounts so it can spy on any iPhone or Mac user anywhere.

Surprise! Delayed ‘Ted Lasso’ season 4 shifts focus to women's soccer team.

After a production delay to mid-2025, the plot reportedly will focus on a women's soccer team.

Plus, more Apple TV+ news:

MacBook Pro is just fine without OLED

Don’t hold off until 2026 getting a new MacBook Pro because you want an OLED display. It won‘t be worth the wait.

Average iPhone selling price tops a whopping $900

The average selling price of iPhones continues to rise as the popularity of Apple's higher-priced models increases.

Deals

Price drop: AirPods airplane adapter makes in-flight entertainment sound great

Don't resort to freebie earbuds for airplane movies. Get the Eve II, a Bluetooth adapter that lets you use AirPods on airplanes.

Plus, more gear from Cult of Mac Deals:

Say goodbye to unreliable AI -- generate fact-checked content with ease

Designed to deliver accurate, SEO-friendly and plagiarism-free content, Katteb produces more than 30 content types in 110+ languages.

Plus more AI tools from Cult of Mac Deals:

Price drop: This weather radar app gives you real-time data you can use

Stay ahead of inclement weather events with Weather Hi-Def Radar, a weather radar app that goes beyond your phone's usual weather alerts.

Plus, more software and services from Cult of Mac Deals:

Get six months of Apple Music for just under $3

Apple Music is running its "biggest offer ever," providing six months of subscription to new users for less than $3.

Reviews and recommendations

Irving B. takes a brutal stand in the icy ‘Severance’ wilderness [Apple TV+ recap]

Our "Severance" season 2 episode 4 recap finds the team lost in a winter waste. Two get busy in a tent and one makes the ultimate sacrifice.

Plus: Severance stars face hot ‘Wings of Death’ [Video]

iPad case lets you take your secrets to the grave

Protect your secrets with the In Case of Death Case for iPad Pro. It automatically bricks your tablet if/when you die. Really.

Plus, more interesting new products:

Setups

Software sharpens text on MacBook Pro rig's external 4K display

An M2 Pro MacBook Pro user with a 32-inch 4K BenQ Thunderbolt display finds software sharpens up text nicely.

Edifier audio gear rocks Nepalese MacBook Pro rig [Setups]

These excellent speakers and noise-canceling headphones are super-affordable.

Is Studio Display 'less than ideal' for photo editing?

This MacBook Pro owner uses a Studio Display for photo editing, but discussion breaks out about how well-suited it is for the task.