A 15-in-one Thunderbolt 3 dock handles a MacBook Pro, a PC laptop and a bunch of peripherals. Photo: [email protected]
Another Mac and PC computer setup stands in the spotlight today — this time a MacBook Pro and PC laptop driving a 4K display and an array of peripherals through an Orico Thunderbolt 3 dock bristling with 15 ports.
The setup emphasizes gaming, too, with a PlayStation 5 mounted under the desk. We’ll take a look at that, too.
Tim Cook is betting big on AI. Photo: Andrea De Santis/Unsplash License/Modified by Cult of Mac
CEO Tim Cook is very enthusiastic about the artificial intelligence features coming to iPhone, Mac and iPad. On Thursday, he spoke glowingly about Apple’s unique advantages in this area, and talked about the “transformative power and promise of AI.”
iOS 18, macOS 15 and iPadOS 18 are all expected to include new AI features when they launch this autumn.
The future looks bright if you're wearing Tim Cook's shades. Photo: Keming Tan/Unsplash License/Modified by Cult of Mac
Apple saw its revenue drop 4% year over year in the first quarter, the company reported Thursday. But revenue and earnings dropped less than analysts had expected, setting off a surge in the share price.
In a conference call with investors and analysts after the financial results had been announced, CEO Tim Cook and CFO Luca Maestri talked about this being the quarter of the “challenging compare,” were upbeat about iPhone sales in China, bragged about the M3 MacBook Air, and fended off questions about the company’s AI plans.
Freeware won't be destroyed by Apple's Core Technology Fee. Image: Cult of Mac/Carlos Pernalete Tua
Apple responded to protests about the Core Technology Fee it charges European developers every time one of their applications is installed. It removed the requirement for apps that generate “no revenue whatsoever.”
Currently, the CTF is only charged in the EU, but it has the potential to expand globally so prudent developers should pay attention to any changes no matter where they live.
Bose says its new SoundLink Max delivers "big sound to start the party no matter where you go." Photo: Bose
The new SoundLink Max Portable Speaker adds a bit of heft and a bunch of powerful sound to the Bose line of SoundLink Bluetooth speakers, the company said Thursday.
“This all-new portable speaker has lasting power, rugged durability, and delivers incredible sound for its size,” Bose noted. “Now you can set the vibe with your favorite playlist no matter where you go.”
Apple's first watch was ... well, just a watch, actually. Photo: Jonathan Morrison
May 2, 1995: Apple enters the wearables space with its first watch. However, the first Apple watch is a timepiece with no fitness-tracking tech, no on-screen notifications and a whole lot of 1990s styling.
The device comes two decades before wearables actually will become a thing. A regular wristwatch, the freebie gadget is available via a special mail-in offer to Mac OS upgraders.
Apple added AFib History to Apple Watch's features, like ECG readings, in 2022. Photo: Apple
For the first time, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) qualified a digital technology — Apple Watch’s AFib History feature — for a special research program. AFib, or atrial fibrillation, is a type of abnormal heart beat associated with heart attacks.
Apple Watch’s AFib History now qualifies for FDA’s stringent Medical Device Development Tools (MDDT) program. The program says which tools research sponsors can choose from to help develop and evaluate medical devices.
"Another fool who used '123456.' Time to harvest some credit card numbers." Photo: Nikita Belokhonov/Pexels
Some people simply can’t stop using stupid, weak passwords. An analysis of the phrases used to secure various accounts in 2023 finds that “123456” was used 4.5 million times, making it the most popular. And the rest of the top 10 are all easily guessed, too.
It’s World Password Day, a good opportunity to change the horribly weak ones you’re using now. Especially as Apple makes it easy
Google is paying Apple a lot to be Safari's default search engine. Photo: Rajesh Pandey/Cult of Mac
Google paid Apple $20 billion for Google to remain the default search engine across all Apple devices. This figure came to light through court documents submitted in the US Justice Department’s lawsuit against Google.
During the course of the hearing, Google and Apple tried their best not to reveal the amount publicly.
From left, Mike Faist, Zendaya and Chris O'Connor star in the film, along with a very annoying iPhone alarm. Photo: Amazon MGM Studios
Tennis love-triangle movie Challengers looks like a contender so far in theaters, but one co-star is getting panned — the iPhone alarm on the sports drama’s soundtrack. Social media shows viewers and listeners saying they find it “triggering,” among other rants.
Maybe that’s not the sort of product placement Apple would prefer, but hey … all press is good press, right?
Wall Street thinks Apple is about to announce weak results, but AI could bring a turnaround. Photo: Anna
Nekrashevich/Pexels
The first three months of 2024 were probably not good ones for Apple. When the company reveals the financial results from its March quarter on Thursday, analysts predict a 5% annual drop in revenue will be one of the announcements.
But part of the reason for weak sales is customers anticipating AI-powered iPhones and Macs later this year. CEO Tim Cook almost certainly will drop hints about what’s coming in a conference call also scheduled for Thursday.
This family scene looks cozy. But it might include a killer. Photo: Apple TV+
Jake Gyllenhaal is a lawyer in love in the teaser trailer for thriller series Presumed Innocent — and it looks like he might just be a murderer, too. Apple TV+ dropped the arresting trailer Wednesday.
Gyllenhaal stars in the eight-episode limited series from David E. Kelley and J.J. Abrams, which debuts June 12 on Apple TV+.
The wireless charging case tells you its battery status. The buds feature spatial audio. Photo: Baseus
The affordable and popular Baseus Bowie MA10 wireless noise-canceling earbuds just got a big upgrade with spatial audio, alongside a more compact design and a digital display for battery life on the case, the company said Tuesday. The new ones are called Baseus Bowie MA10s.
Baseus called the previous version its best-selling product on Amazon last year and said the buds “have been recommended by Oscar-class composers to ensure a quality sound experience.” And you can get them for a lot less than buds like AirPods Pro 2 — just $40.
From left, Dezmond Blair, Elena Galluzzo and Jawaher Shaman are three of this year’s Swift Student Challenge winners. Photo: Apple
Apple showcased the family-inspired coding work of three Swift Student Challenge winners Wednesday. The iPhone giant changed up its annual coding competition this year by naming 50 students Distinguished Winners among 350 top coders overall. The 50 get to attend a special event at the upcoming Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC24).
“This year’s winning Swift Student Challenge submissions once again demonstrate the breadth and depth of what is possible when talented young people use coding to make their mark on the world,” said Susan Prescott, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide Developer Relations.
“We’re also incredibly proud to welcome more outstanding student developers than ever before to Apple Park to connect with our teams and each other as they continue to build apps that will no doubt transform our future for the better,” she added.
iTunes getting day-and-date releases for new movies was a big deal. Photo: Apple
May 1, 2008: The iTunes Store takes a gigantic step toward cinematic relevancy, selling new movies on the day of their DVD releases for the very first time.
“We’re thrilled to bring iTunes Store customers new films for purchase day-and-date with the DVD release,” says Eddy Cue, Apple’s vice president of iTunes, in a press release. “We think movie fans will love being able to buy their favorites from major and independent studios.”
Movies out that week include Cloverfield, Juno, Alvin and the Chipmunks and American Gangster.
BenQ's ScreenBar monitor light isn't cheap, but it's a good investment. Photo: BenQ
You can buy a monitor light bar pretty cheap, even as low as about $20. But will it be a great piece of gear, illuminating your desk from atop your display, with a nice array of features? Probably not. Today’s M3 MacBook Pro and PC setup laid out a little more cash for a keeper — the BenQ Screenbar Monitor Light.
Apple TV+ promises epic adventure with WondLa. Image: Skydance Animation/Apple TV+
The first installment of the animated adventure trilogy WondLa will premiere on Apple TV+ in June. It’s the most ambitious children’s show the streamer has launched.
The series is adapted from a New York Times bestselling book series by Skydance Animation, and has a star-studded voice cast.
iOS 17.5 will introduce a handy 'Repair State' option. Photo: Lyle Kahney/Cult of Mac
A new feature in iOS 17.5 will allow you to submit your iPhone for repair without turning off Find My and Activation Lock. Apple added a new Repair State mode in iOS 17.5 beta 4 for this.
Currently, you must turn off the security feature on your iPhone before submitting it for repair. Failure to do so could prevent Apple technicians from repairing your device.
iPhone wake-up alarms are failing. Photo: Cult of Mac/NEOSiAM 2024+
No, you didn’t deactivate the wake-up alarm in your sleep this morning. Apple is aware of a problem that sometimes causes the iPhone’s Clock app to fail to set off alarms.
With 15W of power, Pitaka's new car mount will make quick work of charging MagSafe iPhones on the road. Photo: Pitaka
On your next road trip, you can get fast charging for your MagSafe iPhone in a sleek design with the new Pitaka MagEZ Car Mount Pro 2 Qi2, the company said Tuesday.
The upgraded charging mount is certified to deliver 15W fast charging and NFC functionality for iPhone and Android handsets. And at 10%, it costs an affordable $54.
The iPad was the fastest-selling new product line in Apple history. Photo: iPad
April 30, 2010: Almost a month after the first-gen iPad went on sale, the first Wi-Fi + 3G iPads arrive in the hands of U.S. customers.
The devices ship in boxes identical to the Wi-Fi-only models, but with an additional sticker noting their 3G capabilities. The tablets come preloaded with micro-SIM cards branded AT&T, the only carrier that initially supports iPad.
Apple’s Beats lineup is expanding with two new products: Beats Solo Buds and Beats Solo 4. They offer long battery lives and attractive price points.
Both offerings won’t rival Apple’s AirPods in any way but price, but if you frequently switch between Android and iPhone, you might like Beats’ new options.
Matt Damon and Casey Affleck will star in an Apple TV+ action comedy this summer. Photo: Apple TV+
Matt Damon and Casey Affleck are teaming up again for The Instigators. It’s a buddy action comedy with the two playing thieves stealing from a corrupt politician.