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Get better weather alerts

Get better weather alerts

Receive super-accurate forecasts, courtesy of AI.

Lewis Wallace
December 05, 2023

One of my biggest peeves about Apple’s Weather app is its inaccuracy.

Inevitably the app says it’s not raining, but I look out the window, and lo and behold, it’s tipping down buckets. And vice versa.

It’s not clear to me why Apple’s weather app is unreliable, especially since it incorporates features from Dark Sky, one of the best weather apps ever. (Apple bought Dark Sky in 2020 and folded some of its features into its own Weather app.)

But now there’s a new app that claims to be the most accurate weather predictor available: Rainbow Weather.

The new app uses AI and a wide range of data sources to provide super-local forecasts. The publisher claims its forecasts are more accurate than both Apple’s Weather app and popular alternatives like AccuWeather.

As the weather turns, it looks well worth checking out Rainbow Weather.

Also in today’s newsletter:

Beeper Mini is a new app that brings blue Messages bubbles to Android, no weird hacking or proxying required.
Zugu’s rugged iPad cases are the highest-rated on Amazon for good reason: They’re both rugged and versatile. We have a couple of Zugu cases in the Kahney household, and although not the cheapest, they’re among the best out there. Check out the whole collection.
Artist David Hockney drew a Christmas tree on his iPad; now it’s a giant projection on London’s old Battersea Power Station, Apple’s UK HQ.
What was the best podcast in 2023, according to Apple?
Good news for fans of Foundation, Apple TV+’s gorgeous space opera: Season three just got greenlit.

— Leander Kahney, EIC.

Stay dry with Rainbow Weather's hyperlocal AI forecasts [Awesome Apps]

Move over, Apple Weather. People can’t get enough of the new highly accurate storm-tracking app from startup Rainbow Weather.

Beeper Mini app brings iMessage to Android, blue bubbles included

Everyone's buzzing about how the new app works, how it avoids the security pitfalls of other workarounds, and whether Apple will try to crush it.

London's Battersea Power Station lights up for Christmas with giant 'Drawn on iPad' animation

London's iconic power plant, home of an Apple retail store, shines with an enormous display by iPad artist David Hockney.

^{A message from Zugu}

Zugu’s highly rated iPad cases now come in nine color options.

Customers are raving about Zugu’s newly expanded color collection. Now available.

Zugu, the iPad brand known for unbelievably stable viewing angles, two-year warranty and robust protection, adds to the hype by expanding its case color options … and customers are loving them. See the Zugu iPad case collection.

Apple TV+ renews sci-fi epic ‘Foundation’ for third season

In unsurprising but welcome news today in the galaxy, Apple TV+ renews hit sci-fi saga "Foundation" for season three.

iOS 17 adoption grows strongly, passes 60%

After months of slow upgrades, the number of iPhones running some version of iOS 17 passes a milestone.

Grab M1 MacBook Air at its all-time low price after $250 off

Apple's 2020 laptop once again drops to just $749.99 ahead of Christmas.

^{A message from the Cult of Mac Store}

Nab any SwitchEasy iPhone 14 case for 20% off

You can save on 10 different eye-catching iPhone 14 cases from SwitchEasy in the Cult of Mac Store for a limited time.

Ingenious new 2-in-1 Butterfly fast-charges iPhone and Apple Watch

Twelve South's new Butterfly 2-in-1 MagSafe charger juices up iPhone and Apple Watch fast and couldn't be more portable.

‘Wiser Than Me with Julia Louis-Dreyfus’ named Apple podcast of 2023

“Wiser Than Me with Julia Louis-Dreyfus” wins the Apple Podcasts Award, given each year to honor a show that demonstrates quality.

These $23 noise-canceling earbuds do something AirPods can't

With noise cancellation and a charging case that doubles as a power bank, these inexpensive wireless earbuds are worth a listen.

Today in Apple history: Apple Store celebrates its millionth online customer

On December 5, 2002, Apple said it had served its millionth customer in the Apple Store online, five years after launching the service.

Top up your Apple Watch anywhere with a wireless keychain charger, now less than $19

Never risk a low battery again with this Apple Watch wireless charger keychain, just $18.99 for a limited time!

Get stocking stuffers for the family with $87 AirTag 4-pack [Updated]

Apple’s AirTag item tracker can help anyone who keeps misplacing things, and it's currently available at a tasty 12% discount.

Tweetz o’ the day

The greatest use case of the iPhone 15 Pro Max 5× lens is definitely airplane windows.
Casual window snaps go from ‘oh, nice mountains’ to ‘oh wow, I can count the trees on this slope’.
— Sebastiaan de With (@sdw)
5:55 PM • Dec 5, 2023

GTA VI for Mac looks fucking AMAZING:
— ᴺᴼᵀ Jony Ive (@JonyIveParody)
12:58 AM • Dec 5, 2023

One more thing ...

❝

[On whether his kids loved the newly introduced iPad] They haven’t used it. We limit how much technology our kids use at home.

— Steve Jobs, 2010.

Today’s poll

What's your favorite weather app?

Results from yesterday’s poll: Do you play games on a Mac?

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