5 fun iPhone games that won't spam you

There’s no shortage of great games in the App Store, but many of them are marred by in-app purchases, spammy advertising or other scammy tricks.

If you’re sick of this kind of user-unfriendliness, we can recommend five games that won’t screw you. The list is a little eccentric, but you might find something you like.

Also in today’s newsletter:

This cheap external screen is great for working at coffee shops or traveling.
It’s July 4, which means fireworks; here’s how to get the best shots of the festivities.
Wildfires and blackouts are likely this summer; prepare now with a fantastic power backup system from Bluetti.
If you thought the Vision Pro headset was expensive, wait till you see the gold-plated version.

— Leander Kahney, EIC.

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. Here are my five favorite fun games for iPhone — all highly addictive time-killers.

www.cultofmac.com/821898/fun-iphone-games

Next-gen AirPods Pro could measure your body temperature

Apple wants to position the AirPods as a hearing aid replacement and is looking to add body temperature tracking features to the earbuds.

www.cultofmac.com/822391/next-gen-airpods-pro-could-measure-your-body-temperature

How to take better fireworks photos with your iPhone

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

www.cultofmac.com/436125/iphone-fireworks-photos-tips-how-to

^{A message from Bluetti}

Prep for wildfires and their aftermath with a Bluetti power station

Preparing for wildfire season helps keep loved ones and property safe. Bluetti's guide outlines steps to take before, during and after a wildfire.

www.cultofmac.com/821672/prep-for-wildfires-bluetti-power-stations

Vision Pro's complex design forces significant production cuts

Apple reportedly reduces the headset's manufacturing target drastically.

www.cultofmac.com/822401/vision-pro-complex-design-forces-apple-make-significant-production-cuts

Patricia Arquette’s ‘High Desert’ gets the ax after season 1 on Apple TV+

Dark comedy “High Desert,” about an ex-drug addict who wants to become a private investigator, will not return to Apple TV+ for season two.

www.cultofmac.com/822408/patricia-arquette-high-desert-gets-the-axe-after-season-1-apple-tv-plus

^{A message from the Cult of Mac Deals team}

Save more than $100 on this 5-star hardware VPN and firewall

Get the Deeper Connect Pico decentralized VPN and cybersecurity hardware with a Wi-Fi adapter for just $139.99, the lowest price yet.

www.cultofmac.com/822321/deeper-connect-pico-dvpn

New Apple Watch Ultra, 30-inch iMac make us salivate [The CultCast]

This week on Cult of Mac's podcast: Two recent Apple rumors get us licking our chops. We can't wait to see these products!

www.cultofmac.com/822324/30-inch-imac-new-apple-watch-ultra-the-cultcast-601

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.

www.cultofmac.com/822213/covering-apple-vision-pro-with-18k-gold-raises-price-to-a-mere-39000

Budget-friendly 15.6-inch external screen makes you more productive wherever you go [Review] ★★★½☆

The Arzopa Portable Monitor A1C is a 15.6-inch, 1080P display ready to be connected to a Mac, iPad or gaming device. It's surprisingly affordable.

www.cultofmac.com/820350/arzopa-portable-monitor-a1c-review

Instantly analyze more than 30,000 stocks with this easy-to-use app

Not every stock delivers like AAPL. Use the Tykr stock screener to quickly and easily weigh investments and make money the smart way.

www.cultofmac.com/822316/tykr-stock-screener-3

Today in Apple history: End of the line for Power Mac G4 Cube

On July 3, 2001, Apple suspended production of its Power Mac G4 Cube, one of the most notable busts in the company's history.

www.cultofmac.com/490470/today-in-apple-history-end-of-the-line-for-power-mac-g4-cube

Mounts make the most of this MacBook Pro workstation [Setups]

An array of accessories make key hardware easy to move around and create extra space for other items on this desk.

www.cultofmac.com/822291/mounts-make-the-most-of-this-macbook-pro-workstation-setups

Tweetz o’ the day

— # (#)

One more thing ...

❝

"Getting fired from Apple was the best thing that could have ever happened to me. The heaviness of being successful was replaced by the lightness of being a beginner again, less sure about everything. It freed me to enter one of the most creative periods of my life.

— Steve Jobs, 2005.

Today’s poll

Do you play games on your iPhone?

Results from last Friday’s poll: Do you own any Apple stock?

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5 fun iPhone games that won't spam you

A message from Bluetti

A message from the Cult of Mac Deals team