David Snow - page 11

I love the “before” and “after” setups posts with photos on social media. Today’s is on the basic side, but it’s always fun to see clear visuals of what people do. In this one, an iMac toiling away for eight years gets judged into well-deserved retirement by Apple’s hot little M4 desktop machine on a Satechi Mac mini hub that greatly expands connectivity and storage. With the iMac’s lovely screen gone, the new rig is a Dell-4K-display-Mac-mini combo.

Apple’s complete — and surprisingly broad — iPhone 17 color palette got confirmation through internal Apple documents, according to a new report. Expanding on recent leaks, the new information reveals the most diverse selection in years across all four models expected to launch in September.

The confirmation comes as Apple prepares to refresh its entire smartphone lineup with new features including the A19 chip, 12GB of RAM for Pro models, and the introduction of the ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air to replace the iPhone 16 Plus.

As a Cult of Mac review writer and a proud owner of Apple’s top-notch AirPods Pro 2 earbuds, I often compare other wireless noise-canceling earbuds to them. AirPods Pro 2 are hard to beat, but some third-party alternatives that cost less come pretty close — like Soundcore Liberty 5. Right now you can get the Anker subsidiary’s flagship buds on sale for $129 $104, markedly less than this week’s Amazon discount on AirPods Pro 2, $249 $169.

Apple TV+ secured a commanding position in the 2025 Emmy nominations announced Tuesday, with two of its flagship series earning the most nominations in their respective categories. The streaming service’s dystopian workplace drama Severance topped all shows with 27 nominations. And Hollywood satire The Studio led comedy series with 23 nominations, breaking Ted Lasso‘s record for a first-year comedy series.

Notably, Apple TV+’s hit spy thriller Slow Horses and comedy Shrinking also drew top nominations.

Would you spend $394 on a mouse? This Contour RollerMouse Red Wireless review might raise eyebrows, considering the device’s unusual design and premium price tag. The centralized pointing device with roll bar, scroll bar and three unfamiliar buttons in a wrist rest sits in front of your keyboard rather than beside it, challenging typical notions of computer navigation. But for those who need help with pain from repetitive strain injury (RSI), it could make a world of difference.

Two new HDMI adapters from Other World Computing (OWC) solve the external display limitations that have frustrated Apple Silicon Mac users since the M1 chip’s introduction, the company said Monday. The new OWC USB-C Quad HDMI 4K Adapter and redesigned OWC USB-C Dual HDMI 4K Adapter offer Mac owners a way to connect multiple external monitors without juggling multiple dongles.

“Whether you’re working with spreadsheets, streaming data, editing video or just need more screen real estate to stay productive, we believe your gear shouldn’t hold you back,” said Larry O’Connor, OWC’s founder and CEO. “With our new Quad and enhanced Dual HDMI adapters, we’re giving users the power to easily expand their visual workspace, without the complexity or cost of juggling multiple adapters or sacrificing performance.”

After last week’s iPhone 17 color revelations, fresh component leaks suggest Apple might introduce its boldest iPhone Pro color yet, come September. This time, camera lens covers reveal a potential brand-new copper-orange finish that would mark a significant departure from the company’s traditional Pro palette. The other possible colors are black, gray, silver and a dark blue that harkens back to iPhone 15 Pro’s most striking hue.

Apple’s beautiful, high-resolution Studio Display is notoriously expensive, starting at about $1,600 — so dual Studio Display computer setups are pretty rare. I also see Studios Displays paired with other options for external displays, as in today’s great-looking Mac Studio setup. And it turns out there are reasons beyond identical resolution to choose the LG 5K UltraFine display the users selected and loves.

And another cool item in the setup hides behind the displays. Bower & Wilkins’ aged-yet-still-awesome MM1 computer speakers make a rare appearance.

Apple’s upcoming iPhone 17 should offer a fresh take on color options, with new leaks suggesting five colors for the base iPhone 17 and four for the iPhone 17 Air model. The latest information comes from leaked images of third-party camera lens protector rings. They’re designed to match Apple’s official iPhone color offerings.

Rejoice, fans of deliciously complicated and marvelously cinematic sci-fi! Apple TV+’s adaptation of Isaac Asimov’s iconic Foundation stories finally returns for a new season Friday. So now you can stream Foundation season three’s first episode, “A Song for the End of Everything,” in which intergalactic supervillain The Mule wreaks havoc.

A new documentary combining high-stakes adventure with groundbreaking wildlife conservation started streaming on Apple TV+ Friday. Previously the streamer released a new trailer for The Wild Ones documentary series, below, promising all sorts of high-tech derring-do in the name of saving threatened animal species all over the world. Now you can watch it.

The six-episode documentary, premiering July 11, follows a team of elite wildlife experts as they venture into Earth’s most remote and dangerous environments to protect critically endangered species.

Update: The Wild Ones began streaming Friday. As one critic cited on the reviews site Rotten Tomatoes put it (though it’s too early for a fresh or rotten rating): “The Wild Ones is a triumph of storytelling, a visual feast and a heartfelt plea to cherish and protect the natural world.”

Aqara’s new G410 Doorbell Camera Hub delivers a compelling package for Apple ecosystem users who want comprehensive smart home integration without recurring subscription fees. Priced at $129.99, this battery-powered video doorbell stands out as one of the few devices on the market to offer full HomeKit Secure Video support alongside extensive Matter smart-home standard compatibility, the company said Thursday.

I’ve long been a fan of great sound. But I hesitate to call myself an “audiophile” simply because I’m not a wealthy man. And yet even I can dabble in solid audio because so many affordable products continue to up the ante — including my favorite personal headphones. Behold the Sennheiser HD660S2 open-back cans. An audiophile of means might scoff at spending only several hundred bucks, but the joke’s on them. Thanks to Amazon, this Prime Day Sennheiser deal gets you these great wired, open-back cans for a mere $375 (as of Wednesday evening; the fluctuating price went up about $14 as of Thursday morning).

That’s not nothing, obviously. But it’s a lot more affordable than the $1,000 or more that many audiophile cans command.

If you’re like me, Amazon Prime Day is partly about scoring cool stuff you otherwise find uncomfortably pricey. I can’t go around buying every set of headphones and earbuds that catch my eye. But with Prime Day headphones deals, maybe I can sneak something sweet-sounding past my sense of guilt, you know?

And so can you! Check out some of the absolute best Amazon Prime Days deals on headphones and earbuds below. I found wishlist-worthy cans and buds with savings of $100 or more (in some cases, much more — even discounts of $305 off primo open-back cans, $315 off top noise-canceling headphones and $150 off some seriously nice earbuds).

Apple prepares to launch its first major update to the Vision Pro AR/VR headset as early as this year, featuring a faster M4 processor and a redesigned strap aimed at addressing comfort complaints that have plagued the $3,499 device since its launch, according to a new report.

There’s still plenty of time left in Amazon Prime Day this week to snag deals on multi-device MagSafe chargers from Belkin and other makers. So if you want, say, Belkin’s MagSafe 3-in-1 Fast Wireless Charging Pad for nearly half off — or other good deals on chargers for iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods from various companies — see the Amazon links below. And note that Prime Day prices may fluctuate.

Today’s featured setup sports an M1 Max MacBook Pro still going strong, but the user posted the workstation on social media to show off a newly added Mchose mechanical keyboard — an unfamiliar but solid-looking brand. And I couldn’t help notice the stellar audio gear in the mix, including excellent Yamaha studio monitors for focused sound in the room, plus a surprising array of great headphones and audio interfaces.

Right now you can get the best Amazon Prime Day Beats audio deals on great headphones and earbuds — some pretty close to their lowest prices ever. For example, a fresh price drop on Beats’ awesome flagship headphones, Beats Studio Pro, gives you a whopping $180 discount. At just $169.95, they’re 51% off and just $10 above their lowest-ever price.

Another great example? You can nab a whopping $80 off the excellent Beats Studio Buds+ at just $89.95 — a 47%-off discount! And you get the new Powerbeats Pro 2 sport earbuds for $198.95, or $80 off.

Portable wireless speakers these days give home audio a run for its money — but you can take them anywhere (or enjoy them on the kitchen counter or in the shower). The likes of Beats Pill and Bluetooth boxes from companies like Bose, JBL and Soundcore keep getting smaller, more waterproof and better sounding. So gear up for summer barbecues and fall hayrides — or just having better audio in the kitchen, for that matter. Check out Prime Day speaker deals on wireless units below.

Even with seasons five and six yet to stream, here comes Slow Horses season 7! Apple TV+ officially greenlit a seventh season of its hit spy drama “Slow Horses” Tuesday. So the adventures of dysfunctional British MI5 intelligence team continue. The announcement comes as the Emmy and BAFTA Award-winning series continues to garner critical acclaim and build a devoted fanbase.

“Slow Horses has won fans all over the world with its unique mix of self-deprecating British humor and high-octane action,” said Jay Hunt, creative director, Europe, Apple TV+. “I’m delighted viewers will have another season to enjoy Gary’s magnificent performance as Jackson Lamb alongside the Slow Horses’ slightly inept spycraft.”

Seems like smallish portable monitors are cropping up more often lately as fixtures in computer setups featuring other display options. Today’s dual-Mac setup sports a massive curved external display with an 18-inch portable just below, front and center.

And those aren’t the only two screens. A tablet mounted on an arm comes into play too, but it’s not an iPad.

Clever Cleaner is a new, completely free iPhone storage cleanup app that helps you reclaim valuable space, organize photo libraries and speed up your phone’s performance.

Developed by Clever Files, maker of popular data-recovery tool Disk Drill, it stands out in a crowded market for one simple reason: It actually delivers on its promises of fast iPhone cleaner app that’s completely free to use — and free of advertising.

“We believe everyone should have access to a high-quality, reliable and safe cleaning tool for your iPhone,” Clever Files says. “Clever Cleaner is our way of giving back to the community, ensuring people don’t have to sacrifice privacy or pay monthly subscriptions just to keep their devices organized.”

Apple Music Replay All Time launched Monday, letting listeners see which tracks they’ve played over their history with the service.

It comes as part of a broader 10th-anniversary celebration for the music-streaming service. Other upgrades include an upcoming top-500 Apple Music tracks countdown, special programming on Apple Music Radio and a new Apple Music studio planned to open in Los Angeles this summer.

Apple Music celebrates its 10th anniversary by opening an ambitious new creative music facility in Los Angeles, in addition to offering special programming on Apple Music Radio, the iPhone giant said Monday. The new studio signals the streaming service’s commitment to supporting artists and expanding beyond traditional music streaming.

“Apple Music Radio has always been a home for storytelling and artistry, serving as a space for bold conversations and surprising moments,” said Rachel Newman, Apple Music’s co-head. “With this new studio, we are furthering our commitment to creating a space for artists to create, connect and share their vision.”

Near the very top of my list of enviable things about computer setups sit two drool-worthy items — one, when the setup is in an irresistibly cool remodeled space, like a man cave or a she shed, and two, when the setup’s audio blows the dang roof off. Today’s expansive example is a multi-computer, multi-display outfit in the UK with a very special stereo system, one of Apple’s brilliant failures — iPod Hi-Fi. It’s so much more than an iPod dock.