With watchOS 2, the Apple Watch can run Doom. Screenshot: Cult of Mac
From a gamer’s point of view, if not a developer’s, the ultimate metric of a new device is its TTD, or Time To Doom. Ever since the source code to the classic first-person shooter was released over a decade ago, it has been used as the standard measurement of a new device’s capabilities.
Now, Doom has been ported to the new Apple TV and watchOS 2.
Apple TV 4 brings iOS apps to the big screen. Photo: Apple
The most popular online retailer in the world, Amazon, is using its e-commerce powers to put the hurt on Apple and Google’s streaming devices in order to prop-up the Amazon Fire TV and Fire TV stick.
In an email sent to marketplace sellers, Amazon told employees it will stop selling Apple TV and Google Chromecast. No new listings for the devices are allowed, and all other existing inventory is scheduled to be removed by October 29th.
Peering inside Apple's new set-top box. Photo: iFixit
The new, fourth-generation Apple TV and its smart remote could be among the most repairable Apple devices in history, according to a new teardown carried out by our friends over at iFixit.
Fire TV Gaming Edition. Photo: AmazonFire TV Gaming Edition. Photo: Amazon
Disappointed the new Apple TV doesn’t support 4K? Then get Amazon’s new Fire TV instead.
Two new versions of the device — Fire TV and Fire TV Gaming Edition — are here with updated internals that make them 75 percent faster than their predecessor, plus Alexa, Amazon’s own virtual assistant that is the brains behind the Echo speaker.
There’s also a new Fire TV Stick that promises the best Wi-Fi performance in a media-streaming dongle.
Griffin Technology's Survivor Play hopes to help you get a grip on your Apple TV remote. Photo: Griffin Technology
The sweatiness of your hands may no longer be a concern when you upgrade to a new Apple TV this fall. A newly announced cover for the Siri Remote claims it will provide grip and comfort while you play iOS games on the big screen.
The accessory is called Survivor Play for Siri Remote, and it comes courtesy of Griffin Technology, known for its rugged and durable phone and tablet cases.
The best controller for Apple TV is the one you'll use. Photo: Apple
Apple’s flip-flop on game controllers for Apple TV might be bad news for developers, but it’s great news for gamers.
It’s a virtual guarantee that all games will work better out of the box when running on the refreshed Apple TV, which will have its own App Store for the first time.
This is what an Apple TV dev kit looks like. Photo: Twitter
Just a few days after they were offered the opportunity to buy a unit early, at least one developer has already received a new Apple TV dev kit in the mail.
Two of the best streaming media apps are coming to the new Apple TV. Photo: Cult of Mac
If you’re worried for some reason that the new Apple TV might not have strong enough video chops with all those apps and games, good news: Plex and VLC, two of the best video apps around, are coming to Apple’s new set-top box.
Another plastic guitar, another rock star in the making. Photo: Activision
One of the biggest video gaming companies ever has just affirmed its support for the new Apple TV, itself just revealed this week by Apple.
Activision wrote a blog post detailing the games it will bring Skylanders SuperChargers, Guitar Hero Live, and Geometry Wars 3: Dimensions Evolved to Apple TV, which shows a confidence in Apple’s ability to create yet another fantastic home for gaming as it did with iOS.
These aren’t casual like Crossy Road (though those types of games will do well on the big screen, too), but full console versions of popular titles.
"3D Touch is something we’ve been working on for a long time—multi, multi, multi years.” — Jony Ive Photo: Apple
This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: Our reactions and impressions of all the gadgets unleashed at Apple’s media extravaganza! Plus: Why the 6s is the best “s” yet; a look into Apple’s efforts to architect the 6s’ new 3D Touch technology; why the Apple Pencil is not a stylus; and so. much. MORE…
Our thanks to Squarespace for supporting this episode. Build a beautiful website quick at Squarespace.com, and enter offer code CultCast at checkout to get 10 percent off.
Just when you thought Apple's keynote couldn't get any more memorable. Photo: Apple
Apple’s keynotes typically give you plenty worth singing about, and for “Song-A-Day” YouTuber Jonathan Mann, that’s reason enough to bust out new tunes.
Mann, whose catchy jingles once made Steve Jobs dance, always puts together a musical remix following Apple events, and this week’s jam-packed keynote is no exception.
If you don’t have time to sit through the entire 2-hour-plus event, or simply want to relive the most memorable lines with a catchy electronic backing, this is the video for you. Check it out below:
All Apple's saying is that the iPhone 6s will be the most amazing, dynamic, life-changing thing you've ever seen. Photo: Apple
We get that yesterday’s Apple event was a marketing thing, which is why every presentation began with whoever was onstage telling us how “thrilled,” “excited” or “really happy” they were to be there. And the exaggeration just continued from those intros.
Here are some of the most outlandish and enthusiastically subjective lines that came from the stage at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium. We’ve organized them by speaker so you can see who “won” this verbal arms race of canned excitement.
Oh, Siri. You scamp. Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac
Siri may be able to keep a secret, but once word gets out, just try to stop it from sassing you about it.
Apple’s digital assistant is now chock full of sass in the aftermath of the company’s event today, at which it revealed new models of the iPad, iPhone, and Apple TV.
The iPad Pro goes on sale November 11th. Photo: Apple
Apple rolled out one drool-worthy new gadget after another Wednesday.
The iPad Pro? Want.
A Hermes Apple Watch? Gotta have.
The new Apple TV? Gimme!
If you’re like me, you’ll want one of everything Tim Cook and crew showed off in Apple’s September showcase. But if you get one of everything, it is going to cost you.
The new iPhone 6s in the hands of journalist during Apple's September event Wednesday. Photo: The Verge/YouTube
After a little playtime with Apple’s new products Wednesday, the bloggers and tech reporters who cover Cupertino wrote positive reviews, but nothing seemed to make anyone pause and say wow.
The hands-on reviews and observations of the new Apple TV, the iPad Pro and iPhone 6s were measured praises of what may come later, the story appears to be more about evolution than revelation.
Haters gonna hate, but we’re giving Apple’s latest product revelations a big thumbs up. Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac
Wow. That was a big deal. For a mere “s” upgrade, Apple went way above and beyond with today’s big product showcase. Three major product lines have been not just upgraded, but reinvented, and finally there’s a reason to buy the one that has been languishing — the Apple TV, which is now a gaming console as well as an entertainment center.
Maybe I’ve drunk too much Kool-Aid, but I thought this morning’s presentation was one for the history books.
The best controller for Apple TV is the one you'll use. Photo: Apple
Developers who are eager to start building apps for the Apple TV might be able to get their coding fingers on the new black box a little early, thanks to a new Apple TV Developer Kit that the company is offering to teams who sign up before September 11th.
Tim Cook and company just hit us with a tsunami of new product announcements. Not only did we get new iPhones, a much-improved Apple TV, and a giant iPad, but Apple’s also making pencils, keyboards, and cheap gold Apple Watches now too.
Fans can relive all the glory by watching today’s keynote in its entirety on Apple’s website or iTunes, but if you want to get down to just the highlights and hear Jony Ive wax philosophical about his latest creations, here are all the new product videos:
Apple and Tim Cook have plenty to cheer about. Photo: Apple
From the iPhone to the iPad to the Apple TV, Cupertino’s constellation of magical devices just got a little more magical.
Did you expect all that Apple goodness? Most of what we heard today already churned through the rumor mill: the plus-size iPad Pro; new Apple Watch finishes and bands; a refreshed Apple TV with games, apps and Siri functionality. And, oh yeah, the new iPhone 6s and 6s Plus with a whole new level of Force Touch, called 3D Touch.
There were even a few surprises, like the iPad Pro’s new Smart Keyboard and the iPad stylus, dubbed the Apple Pencil. But throughout today’s keynote by Tim Cook and his lieutenants, the series of under-the-hood upgrades they revealed promise to push all Apple products forward into the future.
Let’s take a moment to boil down all two hours and 10 minutes of this incredibly dense and surprisingly succinct Apple event.
Apple today unveiled its refreshed set-top box — boasting a futuristic new remote control, Siri integration, App Store, and much, much more. Tim Cook called it the “future of television,” and having watched the demo, it’s tough to disagree with him.
Check below for everything you need to know about the newly-“must have” Apple TV.
More news than you can shake an iPad at. Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac
Congratulations — it’s iPhone Day 2015!
Tim Cook is already up and tweeting about the big Apple keynote that will go down today in San Francisco. We’ll be here liveblogging the entire thing, mixing all the dull wit and pithy snark we can muster for the iPhone 6s. The event starts at 10 a.m. Pacific but we’ll be getting started well before that — and we won’t stop until every last new iPad and iPhone has been announced.
For a quick recap of what to expect from today’s keynote, check out our roundup of all the announcements Apple will make, including the long-awaited iPad Pro.
Today’s event promises to be Apple’s biggest event of the year, so turn on the stream on your Apple TV and join us in the liveblog below:
The Apple Online Store has gone down ahead of today’s big keynote.
When it comes back up, we expect to see new iPhones, iPads, a new Apple TV, and more added to the site — but it’s unlikely you’ll be able to buy any of them today.
Alas, poor Pippin. We knew you not too well. Photo: All About Apple
One of the most eagerly-anticipated features of the new Apple TV, set to be unveiled today, is that it will be geared toward the gamer market — maybe even taking on console powerhouses like the Xbox One and PlayStation 4.
Although Apple dominates mobile gaming thanks to the iPhone and iPad, this will be the company’s first stab at making a device where games are one of the primary features. Right?
Wrong! Back in 1995, Apple launched its own-brand games console, the Pippin. Despite some good ideas, it sank like a rock.
Here’s what Apple learned from that sales disaster, and why it won’t make the same mistake twice.
Tons of new apps are coming to the next-gen Apple TV. Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac
We’ve all been focusing on games as the killer apps for a new Apple TV reveal tomorrow at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, but even regular apps could bring Apple the audience it wants as it tries to leapfrog competitors like Chromecast and Roku with features that the other guys just don’t have (yet).