We have a deal on PDF Expert for Mac from Readdle. This PDF editor has a nice list of distinctions, including being The 2015 App of the Year in the Mac App Store, Top Paid App in the Mac App Store, Editors’ Choice by Apple, and 4.6 out of 5 stars from 1,1000 ratings on the Mac App Store. The deal is for PDF Expert 2.4.2, the version on Readdle’s website. It’s $19.99 through our deal, 75% off retail.
Recent Articles By Bryan Chaffin [RSS]
BACtrack Personal Breathalyzer: $59.99
We have a deal for you today on the BACtrack Personal Breathalyzer, which the company says is the smallest police-grade alcohol tester ever created. You can see the results on the built-in OLED screen, or you have them sent to your companion app on iPhone or Android. This device is $59.99 through our deal.
Apple Shares Lose 7% in After Hours Market on December Guidance
Though the company turned in a record September quarter, the average of Apple’s guidance for revenues between $89 billion and $93 billion was below Wall Street expectations of $92.94 billion.
CHOETECH 19W Solar Charger: $59.99
We have a deal on the CHOETECH 19W Solar Charge. This device puts 19 watts of solar charging power on your back, which is perfect for hiking and other extended outdoor activity. It operates with a conversion rate up to 23-24%, providing enough power to charge 2 devices at once, and it’s $59.99 through our deal.
Halloween Special, New iPads and Macs, Mr. Ricky Cleans House - ACM 486
In this episode, Mr. Ricky pays a visit. And after Bryan Chaffin and Jeff Gamet discuss Apple’s new iPads and Macs, Mr. Ricky decides it’s time to clean up the mess and set our interns free! All that and more in this Halloween 2018 Special Episode!
Apple Updates Shortcuts App: New Actions for Weather, Alarms, Measurements, Photos, More
This update adds several actions covering weather, alarms, measurements, photos, as well as better HomePod functionality.
Apple Releases macOS Mojave 10.14.1 with Group FaceTime, More Emoji
This release includes support for Group FaceTime and new emojis found in iOS 12.1.
FODI Origami Multi-Purpose Device Stand: $14.99
Check out today’s deal of the day on FODI, a multipurpose stand that folds into shape like origami. Though thin, it supports 44 pounds when folded into shape, it will also unfold flat if you ever want to move it. It’s $14.99 through our deal.
NordVPN 1-Year Subscription: $60
We have a deal on a 1-year subscription to NordVPN. All data sent through NordVPN’s private tunnels is double encrypted (double data SSL-based 2048-bit encryption). There are 3,521 servers in 61 countries, you ca connect up to 6 devices, and you get unlimited data. The company has a no-log policy, too, and it will work with Mac, iOS, Windows, Linux, Chrome OS, and Android devices. One year of NordVPN is $60 through us, and there’s a 2-year option available in the deal listing, too.
Apple's MacBook Air Introduction Video
Apple posted the MacBook Air introductory video to YouTube. This is the video narrated by Laura Metz, Senior Product Manager, shown during Apple’s “There’s More in the Making” media event on Tuesday. Jeff Gamet wrote up the details on the MacBook Air itself. MacBook Air starts at US$1,199, is available for preorder now, and ships on November 7th.
Apple Updates Mac mini with More Cores, More RAM, More Storage [Updated]
After only 1,475 days, Apple announced a new Mac mini on Tuesday at the company’s “There’s More in the Making” media event. [Updated with tech specs and other details.]
Parallels Access 1-Year Subscription: $9.99
We have a deal on a 1-year subscription to Parallels Access. This software lets you view and control your desktop computer from an iPhone or iPad. And, it allows you to use touch to control everything where you’d normally use a keyboard and mouse or trackpad. You can get a 1-year subscription for $9.99 through our deal.
Linksys Launches Velop Plug-in for Less Expensive Mesh Wi-Fi Extensions
Linksys announced the Velop Plug-in, a smaller version of its Velop mesh nodes. The idea is to make it less expensive to extend your mesh Wi-Fi network than using all tower nodes, which is how Velop was launched. The Plug-ins can be plugged straight into a wall outlet, and do not have an ethernet port in them. They work in conjunction with at least one tower node. Large homes (or homes full of plaster like mine) can mix and match as needed. A kit with one tower and two Plug-ins is available now at $399 ($399 on Amazon)—the original three tower node kit is still available at $499 (currently $439.95 on Amazon). Later this year, Linksys said it will sell individual Plug-ins for $129 each.
Get Free Bitcoins from 42 Faucets That Pay
Bryan Chaffin explains how Bitcoin faucets work and which faucets you can trust to pay. [Update: Added a paying faucet and tested all faucets. – Bryan]
Apple's App Stores No Longer Listing All In-App Purchases
Our good friend Jim Tanous at TekRevue ran an important public service announcement today about the App Store no longer listing all in-app purchases for apps and games. This was always an important tool for consumers wondering just what the heck they were getting into with a so-called “freemium” app. While an app developer can independently list some in-app purchases, there no longer appears to be a “List all” option, on either the App Store or Mac App Store. You can get the details from TekReveu, but this snippet has the gist.
The problem with this new policy is that the nature and prices of in-app purchases vary wildly depending on the developer and type of app or game. Users could previously check out the description and prices of the in-app purchases to determine if they were reasonable before downloading or buying an app. Now, it seems, users must download and launch the app to see the same information. In-app purchase information was already slightly hidden, but still available for those who wanted to see it. Apple’s decision to remove it and rely instead on the developers to optionally provide such data is completely anti-consumer and frankly baffling. We can only hope that user feedback forces the company to restore this feature quickly.
Match Any Surface to an Existing Color with Nix Mini Color Sensor: $58.65
We have a deal on the Nix Mini Color Sensor. This device senses color so you can match it to one of 31,000 brand name paint colors. If you’re looking for digital color matching, it will also give you the RGB, HEX, CMYK, and LAB colors. The Nix Mini Color Sensor is $69 through us, but if you use coupon code “BOO15” (without the quotes) at checkout, you’ll save 15%. That brings it down to $58.65.
SetApp Adds Smile Software's PDFpen
MacPaw added Smile Software’s PDFpen to SetApp on Thursday. SetApp gives you access to more than 100 Mac apps—including several top apps—for $9.99 per month. (There are yearly options and education pricing, too.) It’s a service I love and recommend, too. And PDFpen is a great PDF editor and a solid add for SetApp.
Take Smoother Videos with the Rigiet Smartphone Gimbal: $93.49
Check out this cool device we’re featuring in our deal of the day, the Rigiet Smartphone Gimbal. It’s a stabilizing video stick that let’s you take smooth videos, even on the go. It features a built-in control panel that lets you quickly zoom and switch between photo/video modes and front/rear camera perspectives. You can also use the Rigiet app for auto tracking, livestreaming, panorama shots, and more. It’s $109.99 through our deal, but coupon code BOO15 will knock 15% off for a price of $93.49.
Throttlegate Lessons, Free Apple Video Rumors, Security PSA - ACM 485
In the wake of Apple’s $12 million fine from Italian regulators, Bryan Chaffin and Jeff Gamet ask if the company learned any lessons from Throttlegate. They also update their plans for the show, discuss increasing rumors that Apple’s video content will be free, and offer a security public service announcement.
Stream to 2 Headphones with DualStream S1 Bluetooth Audio Transmitter: $34.99
We have a deal on the DualStream S1 Bluetooth Audio Transmitter. This device takes one audio source—like your TV—and streams it to two different Bluetooth speakers or headphones at the same time. It’s $34.99 through our deal, but Coupon code “BOO15” at checkout will get you 15% off, for a price of $29.74.
