Apple’s ‘HomePad’ could be a home run [The CultCast]
This week on Cult of Mac's podcast: Rumors about Apple's "HomePad," a hybrid iPad/HomePod device, fuel talk of the future of home automation. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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Apple Sports app to add PGA and LPGA golf
Apple is expanding its free Sports app with dedicated support for golf, bringing real-time leaderboards, shot-by-shot tracking, and detailed… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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iOS 26.2 expands Liquid Glass in three ways, here’s what’s new
iOS 26.2 is here, packing a ton of new features for iPhone users, and also introducing several expansions of Liquid Glass. Here’s what’s new. more…

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Deals: Black Apple Watch Ultra 2 $250 off, iPhone 16 Pro Max $600+ off, Mac mini, AirPods, more
It is starting to come down to the wire for holiday shipping and pricing on Apple gear, so today’s 9to5Toys Lunch is bringing some of the best offers still live to the forefront. Firstly, you can still land Apple Watch Series 11 at $100 off with Christmas delivery joined by just about every Apple Watch Ultra 2 at $250 off as part of Best Buy’s 24-hour Tech the Halls sale. Those offers join the ongoing Black Friday pricing on M4 Mac mini from $479 as well as iPhone 16 Pro Max models at over $600 off the original list prices and what might be your last chance at holiday AirPods offers (Apple EarPods are $10 right now if there’s anybody out there that still wants those). Check it all out below.  more…

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The black Apple Watch Ultra 2 drops to $549 today only
Macworld Your last-minute holiday shopping is officially wrapped up thanks to this incredible Apple Watch deal: Best Buy is selling the black titanium Apple Watch Ultra 2 for $549 today only, a massive $250 off the original MSRP and the best price we’ve ever seen—even lower than Black Friday. Amazon has the same price for the natural titanium model, but also notes that it’s a limited-time deal. With built-in GPS and cellular connectivity, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 will keep you connected even without your phone nearby, making it ideal for hiking, swimming, and all sorts of sports. And of course, it’s an absolutely excellent device for tracking your health and workouts, providing detailed heart rate monitoring, sleep patterns, and even body temperature readings. You’ll even get hypertension alerts and a detailed Sleep Score as well as 36 hours of battery life on a single charge. We love the large screen and rugged design, but our favorite part? This deal is for the black titanium model, which is our favorite color of any Apple Watch. It looks incredible with the accents of the bright orange Action button and Digital Crown ring, and pairs well with any band. The main differences between this model and the Ultra 3 are LTE vs 5G, satellite connectivity, and slightly better battery life. Those are nice upgrades, but we don’t think they’re worth $250. So hurry up and grab the Watch Ultra 2 for $549 at Best Buy or Amazon! Buy now at Best Buy Buy now at Amazon

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Two brand new 2026 products could prove Apple’s ‘not first, but best’ motto
Apple will launch a lot of new products next year, including updated iPhones, iPads, Macs, and more. But there are two brand new 2026 products coming that have the chance to prove Apple’s “not first, but best” mantra once again. more…

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IDC: Worldwide foldable smartphone market to grow 30% YoY in 2026, boosted by Apple’s foldable iPhone
Worldwide foldable smartphone shipments are forecast to grow 10% year-on-year (YoY) in 2025 to 20.6 million units, according to IDC… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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Best iPhone Deals: Find the new iPhone you want for less
Macworld Best iPhone deals available now In the U.K., Apple-certified resellers discount unlocked iPhones frequently, here are the best price-cuts we’ve seen this week. Unfortunately in the U.S. the only way to buy an iPhone is on a contract so the deals are specific to the carriers. Today’s best iPhone deals Amazon, iPhone 17 Pro 256GB: £1,049 (£50 off, RRP £1,099) Amazon, iPhone 16e (128GB): £549 (£50 off, RRP £599) Amazon, iPhone 16e (256GB): £649 (£50 off, RRP £699) Amazon, iPhone 16e (512GB): £849 (£50 off, RRP £899) AO, iPhone 16 (128GB): £669 (£30 off, RRP now £699) AO, iPhone 16 Pro (128GB): £899 (£100 off, RRP was £999) Last updated December 15, 2025 You don’t have to pay spend loads to own an iPhone. If you shop around you can find a bargain. Every month the Macworld team hunts down the best prices on iPhones at all major retailers and cellphone operators, saving you the hassle of finding the best iPhone deals. In this article, we reveal the best iPhone deals, contracts, and bundles available right now. We’ll help you find a discounted iPhone suitable for any budget, and cover all the currently available models, now including the iPhone 17, 17 Pro, 17 Pro Max and iPhone Air. You’ll also see deals on the iPhone 16, iPhone 16e and 16 Plus. We will continue to keep track of deals on the 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max, despite the fact that Apple no longer sells these handsets, because you can still buy them elsewhere. Also see our dedicated round-ups of the best iPhone deals: Where to get the best iPhone 17 deals iPhone 16e, 16 & iPhone 16 Pro deals (US) iPhone 16e, 16 & iPhone 16 Pro deals (UK) How we choose these iPhone deals To select the best iPhone deals, we combine years experience reviewing and using Apple iPhones with a rigorous process of tracking prices and identifying true value for our readers. This hands-on knowledge allows us to recognize a genuinely good deal versus a mediocre one. We track prices at major U.S. and U.K. retailers and carriers and our goal is to help you find a discounted iPhone for any budget. We track deals for the newest releases like the iPhone 17 and 17 Pro, as well as still-popular previous generations like the iPhone 16 and 15 series, ensuring a wide range of options. We only feature deals from trusted retailers and carriers, and ensure we read the fine print so there aren’t any tricks. iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro: Are there deals? iPhone Air and iPhone 17 Pro.Eugen Wegmann In the U.S. the networks will offer you various incentives to sign up for an iPhone 17 or 17 Pro/Pro Max, you can find these below. In the U.K. you can get £50 off the price of the iPhone 17 Pro at Amazon. Over Black Friday you could save £100 on the price of the iPhone Air. Amazon, iPhone 17 Pro 256GB: £1,049 (£50 off, RRP £1,099) You can also save on the iPhone 16e at Amazon. As long as you don’t mind the fact that this iPhone only has one rear camera, we recommend that deal, but do bear in mind that Apple is thought to be planning the launch of the 17e for spring 2026. Best value iPhone carrier deals right now In the U.S., the only iPhone deals you can find come from carriers, and have a lot of strings attached. Typically, you have to buy a phone on a multi-year instalment plan and get your discount in the form of monthly bill credits. In the U.S.: AT&T: You can get up to $830 off the iPhone 17 when you trade in an eligible iPhone. The savings transform into monthly credits on your bill for the next 36 months. T-Mobile: The carrier offers the iPhone 17 for free when you switch to T-Mobile and add a line on the Experience plans. The money transforms into bill credits spread over the next 24 months. T-Mobile is offering $1,000 off an iPhone Air. Verizon: Save up to $830 with a trade-in and a new line. This offer is only available online. U.S. Cellular: You can get $999 off an iPhone Air at U.S. Cellular. Xfinity Mobile: If you trade in a qualifying phone you can get up to $830 off a new iPhone 17 series model. Boost Mobile: You can get $850 off the price of the iPhone 17 with Boost’s $65 per month plan. Other carriers to consider: Mint Mobile Optimum Mobile Best Buy (Best Buy will sell you an iPhone with AT&T or Verizon). Is now a good time to buy a new iPhone? Foundry The iPhone 17 series, including the iPhone Air and iPhone 17 Pro, launched in September 2025, so the current models are still very new and now is a good time to buy one. Generally the worse time to buy an iPhone is in the months before the new models arrive, which is why we suggest exercising some caution if it’s the iPhone 16e you are considering. The iPhone 16e is Apple’s cheapest iPhone, so it may well appear, but that model is expected to be replaced with the iPhone 17e in the spring of 2026. If you don’t mind that a new model is coming there are some deals on the older handset right now. An even better time to buy a new iPhone is during sales events, such as Amazon Prime Day in July and October, or in the Black Friday and Cyber Monday sale in November and early December. During that event Amazon was offering £100 off the new iPhone Air and the iPhone 16e, while in the U.S., carriers were providing significant promotions tied to trade-ins and new plans. Which iPhone should you buy? The best model for you will depend on your budget and what features you prioritize. iPhone 17: For most people, the iPhone 17 is considered the best all-around choice this year. It offers significant upgrades over the iPhone 16, including double the base storage (256GB) for the same starting price of $799/£799, a larger 6.3-inch ProMotion display, and improved cameras. This is a great choice for the majority of people. iPhone 17 Pro/Pro Max: These are the top-tier models with the best cameras, performance, and battery life. The iPhone 17 Pro Max boasts the longest battery life ever in an iPhone, with up to 37 hours of video playback. However, they come at a premium price, starting at $1,099/£1,099 and $1,199/£1,199 respectively. If you are an avid photographer, or like gaming on your iPhone, this is the one to choose. The Max option is the one for you if you value a really big screen. iPhone Air: This is a new, remarkably thin and light model for those who prioritize cutting-edge design. It’s impressively durable for its slim profile but makes compromises, such as having only a single rear camera and reduced battery life compared to other models. If you like to be the first to try new things and to show off the fact that you have something not many people have, and you love the sim design of the iPhone Air, this is the one for you. Anyron Copeman / Foundry iPhone 16 series: You can save money by opting for an older model like the iPhone 16e, which is a good budget option. However, the standard iPhone 16 is now considered less of a good deal compared to the iPhone 17, which offers twice the storage for only $100 more. Deals on discontinued models like the iPhone 16 Pro can be a great value if you find one. On a budget, the iPhone 16e is probably the best choice, want two cameras on the rear, the iPhone 16 is your best bet. iPhone 15 series: All of Apple’s currently sold iPhones support Apple Intelligence, the new suite of AI features. However, older discontinued models like the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus do not. While not having these features isn’t a major drawback right now, it may become more of a hindrance in the future. We would avoid the iPhone 15 for this reason. But if you find an iPhone 15 Pro for sale then at least it supports Apple Intelligence. For help deciding which iPhone to buy might like to read our detailed iPhone buying guide, and our comparison of every iPhone. Where to buy an iPhone on contract Most of the major networks will offer the iPhone at a discount if you meet certain conditions (usually opening new lines, or buying on multi-year instalment plans). Here are links to browse the latest deals: Optimum Mobile Verizon AT&T T-Mobile Boost Mobile U.K. shoppers should try the following U.K. providers: O2 Vodafone Three Virgin Mobile EE Sky Mobile Carphone Warehouse (use the comparison tool by clicking View Deals, and remember to tick the box labeled “Show total cost of ownership”) Best iPhone deals right now iPhone 17: From $799/£799 for 256GB; $999/£999 for 512GB Retailer Price Check Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket iPhone Air: From $999/£999 for 256GB; $1,199/£1,199 for 512GB; $1,399/£1,399 for 1TB Retailer Price $999 View Deal Check Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket iPhone 17 Pro: From $1,099/£1,099 for 256GB; $1,299/£1,299 for 512GB; $1,499/£1,499 for 1TB Retailer Price $1099 View Deal Check Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket iPhone 17 Pro Max: From $1,199/£1,199 for 256GB; $1,399/£1,399 for 512GB; $1,599/£1,599 for 1TB; $1,999/£1,999 for 2TB Retailer Price $1199 View Deal Check Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket iPhone 16e: From $599/£599 Retailer Price $599 View Deal Check Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket iPhone 16: Was $799/£799 for 128GB, Now $699/£699 New Refurbished Retailer Price $729.99 View Deal $829 View Deal $829.99 View Deal Check Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price iPhone 16 128GB – Teal – Unlocked $702 View Deal iPhone 16 128GB – Ultramarine – Unlocked $702 View Deal iPhone 16 128GB – Pink – Unlocked $702 View Deal iPhone 16 128GB – Black – Unlocked $719.99 View Deal iPhone 16 128GB – White – Unlocked $724 View Deal Price comparison from Backmarket View more prices iPhone 16 Plus: Was $899/£899, now $799/£799 New Refurbished Retailer Price $819.97 View Deal $929 View Deal $929.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price iPhone 16 Plus 128GB – Black – Unlocked $721 View Deal iPhone 16 Plus 128GB – Pink – Unlocked $740 View Deal iPhone 16 Plus 128GB – Ultramarine – Unlocked $745.87 View Deal iPhone 16 Plus 128GB – Teal – Unlocked $749 View Deal iPhone 16 Plus 128GB – White – Unlocked $777 View Deal Price comparison from Backmarket View more prices iPhone 16 Pro: Was $999/£999 (discontinued) New Refurbished Retailer Price $899.99 View Deal $999 View Deal Apple $999 View Deal $999.99 View Deal Check Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price iPhone 16 Pro 128GB – Black Titanium – Unlocked $819.99 View Deal iPhone 16 Pro 128GB – Natural Titanium – Unlocked $853 View Deal iPhone 16 Pro 128GB – Desert Titanium – Unlocked $853 View Deal iPhone 16 Pro 128GB – White Titanium – Unlocked $864.99 View Deal Price comparison from Backmarket iPhone 16 Pro Max: From $1,199/£1,199 (discontinued) New Refurbished Retailer Price $1099.99 View Deal $1199 View Deal $1199.99 View Deal Check Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price iPhone 16 Pro Max 256GB – White Titanium – Unlocked $985 View Deal iPhone 16 Pro Max 256GB – Natural Titanium – Unlocked $1091 View Deal iPhone 16 Pro Max 256GB – Desert Titanium – Unlocked $1091 View Deal iPhone 16 Pro Max 256GB – Black Titanium – Unlocked $1091.99 View Deal Price comparison from Backmarket Where to buy an iPhone Apple is the obvious place to look for a new iPhone. You can purchase directly from Apple’s online store (there’s a separate U.K. store), which won’t give you savings, but does at least allow you to take advantage of trading in your old iPhone (see: How to sell or trade-in your old iPhone). We also have a complete guide to every iPhone Apple sells. In the U.K. Amazon U.K. regularly discounts iPhone models, so it’s well worth keeping an eye out there. If you think you’ll be doing lots of Amazon shopping, we’d recommend signing up to the 30-day free trial of Amazon Prime for free next-day delivery and access to deals 30 minutes early. You can sign up here. Amazon U.S. doesn’t always sell iPhones, and when it does it is usually in conjunction with one of the carriers. Some times we see Amazon savings on SIM-free iPhones. Amazon tends to sell refurbished iPhones in the U.S. It’s worth checking the price of the iPhones in the following U.S. stores, which occasionally provide solid savings: Amazon Walmart Best Buy And U.K. readers should try these shops: Amazon U.K. Argos AO Currys John Lewis Carphone Warehouse KRCS In addition, we recommend you check out our automatically updated price tables, embedded below, which gather the best prices from a wide range of retailers in your region. How to get a trade-in discount Don’t forget you can save when you trade in your old qualifying phone with Apple or other retailers participating in a trade-in program. Apple offers up to hundreds of dollars off your new iPhone when you trade in your old iPhone (but if your phone is older, you’ll likely get much less). You’ll have to select the trade-in option during purchase and answer a few questions about your existing phone model, storage capacity and condition. You’ll need to provide your IMEI number as well. Read about Apple’s Trade In scheme in the U.S. and U.K. In the U.K. you could get even more money off if you trade-in via Currys PC World. Head to Currys to see how much your device is worth. Amazon also offers some good trade-in values, so you should see if you can get more there. Check out Amazon’s Trade In program in the U.S. U.K. readers can see how Amazon trade-in process works here. Apple reseller KRCS also offers a trade-in scheme. Note that you can save money if you’ve got another iPhone to trade in, see: How to sell or trade in your old iPhone. How to get a good iPhone Refurbished deal If you want to save even more money you may want to consider buying a refurbished iPhone. Refurbished devices are thoroughly tested and repaired to work and look just like new. In the case of official Apple refurbished iPhones, you get a brand-new body and screen, box, accessories, battery, and warranty. It’s almost indistinguishable from buying a new iPhone. See our full guide to buying refurbished or second-hand iPhones for more. The first place to shop for a refurbished iPhone is at the Apple Refurbished Store. Now the iPhone 17 has launched, it is likely that Apple will soon offer refurbished iPhone 16 models for sale—they usually start showing up when the next model is released. Rest assured, the Apple Refurbished Store is where you can get the highest quality of refurbished iPhones. Good refurbished deals we are seeing on the Apple Refurbished store include: U.S.: 128GB iPhone 15 Pro (unlocked) for $679. U.K.: 256GB iPhone 15 Pro (unlocked) for £759. Apple’s not the only reseller to sell refurbished iPhones. You could also check the following stockists. Refurbished iPhone sellers in the U.S. Back Market: 30 days to change your mind plus a 12-month+ warranty. The iOutlet on eBay: Competitive pricing on refurbished devices. Also accepts iPads, Apple Watches, etc. Amazon Renewed Store: Purchases are backed by Amazon’s standard returns policy. “Renewed Guarantee” lets you get a refund or replacement within 1 year. Best Buy: You can return within 14 days if the item is “unopened or defective in any way.” Walmart: Refurbs are sourced from other sellers. Return policies vary but minimum requirements apply universally. Refurbished iPhone sellers in the U.K. Back Market: 30 days to change your mind and a 12-month+ warranty. Music Magpie: Offers refurbished iPhones, sometimes has sales that reduce prices further. Hoxton Macs: Hoxton Macs also sells refurbished iPhones. Reboxed: Come with a 12-month no quibble warranty. Use code MACWORLD10 and get £10 off on orders over £350  The iOutlet or The iOutlet on eBay: Competitive pricing. Accepts other gadgets such as iPads, Apple Watches, etc. Amazon Renewed Store: Amazon Renewed purchases are backed by Amazon’s standard returns policy and its “Renewed Guarantee” lets you get a refund or replacement within 1 year of receiving your product. Envirofone: Allows you to trade in your old phone for credit towards purchasing a refurbished phone. 4Gadgets: 12-month warranty for all online orders. Smartfone Store: Additional 10 percent discount for students and young people. Refurb-Phone: 12-month warranty. Allows returns within 14 days if you change your mind. The Big Phone Store: Says refurb phones “are thoroughly tested, repaired, and cleaned before being sent out.” Backed with a 12-month warranty. Laptops Direct: 12-month warranty on parts and labor.

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Tim Cook is only the seventh highest earning CEO in America
He made Apple into the world's first $4 trillion company, but Tim Cook's salary lags behind CEOs from Microsoft, Starbucks, Tesla, and others.Tim Cook seems to be taking his salary bravely — image credit: AppleIt's not like your heart should bleed for Tim Cook, since he's not exactly on minimum wage. Also, if you are going to get your company up to a $4 trillion market cap, you're not going to be an honorarium.Plus, now even though Fortune magazine puts Cook's 2024 take-home pay at $74.6 million, no one's salary seems large — not compared to Elon Musk. While it's tied to a deal that will take years to complete, Tesla shareholders recently voted to pay him $1 trillion. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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UK wants Apple and Google to block nude photos unless your age is verified
The UK will soon propose OS-level iPhone age verification to block nude images, aiming to protect children from online explicit content. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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Holiday stocking stuffer special: Get 4 AirTags for $69.99 (30% off)
Amazon continues to launch last-minute Apple deals in a bid for your business, with today's AirTag discount knocking 30% off the 4-pack.Grab a holiday special on AirTags at Amazon, with the 4-pack $69.99 - Image credit: Apple, AmazonThe $69.99 price on a 4-pack of Apple AirTags is especially attractive, as it delivers a $30 discount off retail during the busy holiday travel season.Buy AirTag 4-pack for $69.99 Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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iRobot files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy after increased competition & tariff woes
Roomba maker iRobot has filed for bankruptcy protection and will change its ownership, but your robot vacuum cleaners will probably be fine.iRobot's Roomba, which will still work for a while at least. On Sunday, iRobot confirmed that it had commenced a pre-packaged Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection process. After warning its cash balance was running close to empty, it inevitably ran out, and has to fight for its survival.The third-quarter financial results in November confirmed the company was in trouble, with it having less than $25 million in cash and equivalents, as well as an almost $50 million drop in quarterly revenue. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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visionOS 26.2 adds big change for using Apple Vision Pro on the go
Last week Apple released feature-packed updates like iOS 26.2, iPadOS 26.2, and more. New features for visionOS 26.2 appeared minimal during the beta process, but it turns out, the update actually brought a big upgrade for using Apple Vision Pro on the go. more…

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Steve Wozniak’s quirky 30-year tradition: Paying with his own custom $2 bills
Apple co-founder Steve "Woz" Wozniak, known for his inventive spirit and playful pranks, has maintained a delightfully eccentric habit… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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Jason Johnson discusses his new startup, Doma Home on HomeKit Insider
On this week's episode of the HomeKit Insider podcast, August co-founder Jason Johnson joins to talk about his new startup.HomeKit Insider PodcastGuest this week on the podcast is Jason Johnson. He's most known for co-founding the August smart security company with famed designer Yves Behar.August helped Apple create the lock spec for what was then HomeKit. Eventually, August was purchased by Yale/Assa Abloy, where Johnson assisted in moving August software onto millions of Yale locks globally. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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PSA: It’s not just you, Spotify is down
If Spotify is down for you this morning, you’re not alone. The streaming music service has a bit of the Monday blues. Spotify has confirmed that it is aware of problem affecting the service today and is investigating. more…

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Apple Car Key support appears imminent for Toyota vehicles
Apple appears to be preparing Apple Car Key support for Toyota vehicles, based on evidence found in Apple's backend systems.It's not clear yet which Toyota models will support Apple Car KeyToyota might soon let drivers unlock and start compatible vehicles with an iPhone or Apple Watch. The company hasn't made a public announcement yet, though.Apple Car Key, introduced in 2022, stores a digital car key in the Wallet app. It uses NFC to communicate with supported vehicles. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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iOS 26.2’s Home app has a new upgrade for adding accessories
Apple is rumored to launch five new Home products in the year ahead, and ahead of that renewed smart home push, iOS 26.2 has just added a key enhancement to make adding new accessories easier. more…

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