David Snow, an expert on Apple hardware and software, writes on a variety of technological and cultural topics for Cult of Mac. They include Apple news, technology buying guides, and features about computer setups and Apple TV shows and movies.
With 30 years of experience covering technology and other subjects, he has written and edited for numerous print and online publications, including CMP Media, TechTV.com, CNET, Wired News, Red Herring magazine, Law.com, The National Law Journal and Law Technology News magazine. Among other roles, he served as executive editor of the Law.com network of websites and editorial director, technology, for ALM Media.
Snow graduated with a B.A. from Syracuse University with majors in magazine journalism and psychology. While there, he worked as a reporter for The Daily Orange newspaper and associate editor of Equal Time magazine.
Founder of the blog At the Waterline, he can be reached on X (formerly Twitter) via @atthewaterline and on Mastodon via @dsnow.
Dickson's dummies show small changes to four possible iPhone 13 models. Photo: Sonny Dickson
Leaker Sonny Dickson showed off iPhone 13 dummies Wednesday of four possible models that could be released this fall, in addition to case renders and video of a case, included below.
They all suggest a handful of tweaks to iPhone 12 that may be forthcoming in the new models.
Wristcam gives your Apple Watch dual cameras and live video messaging. Photo: Wristcam
This post is brought to you in collaboration with our friends at Wristcam.
Dick Tracy comics gave its tough-guy detective a two-way-radio wristwatch in the 1940s, presaging today’s Apple Watch and other smartwatches. Now Wristcam is turning your Apple Watch into a walkie-talkie-style communicator.
Wristcam, the first (and only) smart-band camera for Apple Watch to receive the “Made for Apple Watch” designation, today announces its live video messaging capability is available on the App Store. And Cult of Mac readers can get a special discount on this unique Apple Watch accessory now through July 30, 2021. Just use our link to get $30 off a Wristcam.
Adobe's new Substance 3D Collection packs lots of creative capabilities. Photo: Adobe
Today Adobe released its new Adobe Substance 3D Collection, a suite of interoperable tools and assets that support 3D creativity. It addresses a near-future the company pictures where 3D work’s not just for blockbuster movies and games anymore, but for anyone.
The updated apps now sit in one integrated subscription package, intended as a do-it-all capture-and-create place for 3D art, sampling and virtual photography. The tools can enhance video games, e-commerce and marketing projects, and even virtual reality content.
There's a trick to running dual external monitors with an M1 MacBook, but it's not very tricky. Photo: ImajiiMac@Reddit
One of the downsides you hear about the M1 MacBook Air and the M1 MacBook Pro is that they officially (natively) support just one external display in addition to the laptop’s screen, not dual external monitors.
Well, that may be true in the user manual. But Redditor ImajiiMac is among those discovering that “official” ain’t everything.
The Elago MS Charging Hub Duo Watch is now available in the Cult of Mac Store. Photo: Elago
San Diego-based accessories manufacturer Elago has added two useful, multiple-device charging hubs to the Cult of Mac Store: MS Charging Hub Duo Watch and MS Magsafe Charging Hub Trio 1.
Many Angelenos on the hunt for Apple gear will recognize the historic theater's restored clocktower and sign. But the interior will blow them away. Photo: Apple
Apple previewed its newest retail location at the historic Tower Theatre in downtown Los Angeles on Tuesday. The company announced the store’s Thursday opening in conjunction with the launch of the Today at Apple Creative Studios global mentorship initiative for young creatives.
And wow, the new store looks like a real beauty. Apple called it “one of its most significant restoration projects to date.” That’s saying something. Just look at Rome. Or Bangkok. Or even the long-established Grand Central Station store in New York.
In Los Angeles, young creatives will receive mentorship from Grammy Award-winning producer Larrance “Rance” Dopson. Photo: Apple
Apple announced a new global initiative today called Today at Apple Creative Studios. It aims to provide career-building mentorship, creative-industry skills training, resources and access to Apple products to workers from underrepresented communities globally.
Get a month of Paramount+ free through Apple TV. Photo: ViacomCBS
Apple TV users can get a free month of Paramount+, the streaming service formerly known as CBS All Access, Apple said Monday in a tweet.
The trial offer, running now through June 30, is available to new Paramount+ subscribers in the United States when they sign up through the Apple TV app. As not all free trial offers on Apple TV last a full month, this is a good one. Here’s how to jump on it and watch Paramount+ originals like Star Trek: Picard and Jordan Peele’s reboot of The Twilight Zone. The streaming service also offers movies from the Mission: Impossible and Star Trek franchises.
The Critics Choice Association – better known for the Critics Choice Awards — and the nonfiction producers’ organization NPACT present the honors. The awards recognize excellence in nonfiction, unscripted and reality programming across broadcast, cable and streaming platforms.
You can now get yourself an official "A.F.C. Richmond" soccer jersey and much more. Photo: The WB Shop
Starting today, fans can buy all sorts of merchandise associated with Apple TV+ hit Ted Lasso and its fictional English soccer club, A.F.C. Richmond.
This comes as yet more upbeat news-for-a-Monday from the relentlessly cheerful franchise. Earlier today, Apple TV released the Ted Lasso season 2 trailer. Also earlier today, the sitcom won a Peabody Award for countering “the enduring prevalence of toxic masculinity.” The show’s star and executive producer, Jason Sudeikis, accepted the prize.
A desk with a metal frame and a bunch of clips and magnets help make a great setup. Photo: QasimZafaraYouTube@Reddit
Quasim Zafar’s neatly laid out computer setup serves as his filming area for YouTube product reviews, his general workstation using a 2020 M1 Mac mini and his Xbox Series S gaming station where he plays Call of Duty.
But that’s only incidental to what you’ll probably love about it and want for your own setup.
And now for an M1 Mac and a long arm for the laptop stand. Photo: KhanathanJr
These days, the M1-processor Macs are calling to a lot of people, and Redditor KhanathanJr is no exception. He’s a first-time MacBook fan wielding a formidable 2019 16-inch MacBook Pro packing an 8-core Intel i9 processor, 16 GB of RAM and a reasonably good graphics card, but … you know.
It's amazing what you can do with a pegboard (left) and some inexpensive but effective lighting. Photo: carrotcakeblack@Reddit
Redditor carrotcakeblack wins more than a few style points for his “mostly monochrome! Also some keyboards” setup, as he calls it in his post’s title.
But he leaves out one of the factors visitors like most about his well-photographed MacBook Pro-based outfit. Namely, the way he hangs so much of his gear on a pegboard off to one side in such a visually appealing way.
Expand the life and capability of your Mac setup with OWC Thunderbolt products. Photo: Other World Computing
This post is presented by Other World Computing, owner of MacSales.com.
For 30 years, Other World Computing and its website, MacSales.com, have offered Mac users great ways to upgrade and extend the life of their equipment rather than buying a new computer.
That goes for practically any product an Apple customer could want or need. But when it comes to Thunderbolt connectivity equipment — external drives, docks, hubs, cables — OWC really goes the distance.
Matt Gemmel pares down the setup to distill writing magic. Photo: Matt Gemmell
The classic writer’s garret, a small room where a tortured scribe toils over lonely hours to put words on the page — using a quill or a fountain pen or maybe a Smith Corona typewriter — has been tastefully updated.
Now it’s all about a 12.9-inch iPad Pro locked hard into the Ulysses text editor to prevent any distractions. There’s also a highly customized mechanical keyboard and really nice noise-canceling headphones. At least that’s how Scottish novelist Matt Gemmell limits his gear in a minimalistic setup, he told Cult of Mac.
It helps him focus on writing. That, and sitting his ass down in the chair for hours a day. The chair is a Herman Miller Aeron, by the way. The spartan surroundings need not lack comfort, after all. It’s about limiting distractions.
During the June sale at URcdkey.com, you can get 25% to 35% off Microsoft software activation keys. Photo: URcdkey.com
This software keys post is brought to you by URcdkey.com.
For a short time, Cult of Mac readers can enjoy big discounts at URcdkey.com. Between June 12 and June 20, you can get 25% to 35% off the site’s already inexpensive software-activation keys for an assortment of Microsoft Office and Windows products. See the links below for some special deals.
You, too, can have a clean, well-lighted place for Zoom calls. Photo: UGenya806@Reddit
Redditor UGenya806, who works in marketing for San Francisco-based DocuSign in Germany, takes appearances on Zoom calls seriously. After all, their job has always been remote and will remain so, even when others return to offices following the COVID-19 pandemic.
UGenya806’s setup centers on an M1 Mac mini tethered to dual Dell 24-inch 4K monitors and a CalDigit TS3 Thunderbolt 3 Dock. The mini is connected wirelessly to a Magic Keyboard and a Magic Trackpad.
A stand-mounted MacBook Air rounds out the mix, but is usually used separately as a standalone machine, not with the peripherals.
UnlockGo: For when you're locked out of your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch. Image: iToolab
This device access feature is brought to you by iToolab UnlockGo.
Anybody can get locked out of their iPhone, iPad or iPod touch. It’s not a good feeling. Fortunately, if you run into trouble with your device screen passcode on an Apple device, iToolab UnlockGo can bypass it.
Perhaps you forgot your Apple ID password. Or your device is disabled. Or maybe you bought a second-hand device with another Apple ID logged in.
The Wallet app will soon let you board a plane with your iPhone rather than a physical drivers license. Photo: Apple
During its WWDC keynote presentation Monday, Apple showed off updates to the iPhone Wallet app in iOS 15 that may finally let it replace your actual wallet.
In addition to securely storing credit cards and discount codes, soon it will serve as a key to many locks as well as a virtual driver’s license.
A MacBook Pro and widescreen display setup has a secret weapon: a desktop whiteboard. Photo: TheCrunks@Reddit
If you look at enough computer setups, you get used to seeing the amazing technology that impresses people on social media sites. But then, sometimes the cool innovation, or let’s say killer retro-innovation, is just an unfamiliar form of whiteboard with dry-erase notes scribbled on it.
Redditor TheCrunks has an admirably capable but compact setup with plenty of tech to like.
With this portable power station, you can keep your devices charged no matter what happens. Photo: Bluetti
This power station post is brought to you by Bluetti.
When’s the last time you went camping and had no concerns about keeping your devices charged? Now you can get $99 off the compact Bluetti EB70 Portable Power Station and charge everything — even two 16-inch MacBook Pros at once — at full speed, anywhere.
SwitchBot Hub Mini simplifies and enhances your home automation. Photo: SwitchBot
This home automation post is brought to you by SwitchBot.
These days, people control more and more aspects of their lives remotely through apps. And it’s no longer just “smart” devices like wired doorbells, thermostats and lights. Even your not-so-smart devices can join the party.
Now, with SwitchBot products, you can control many of your ordinary, old-fashioned appliances and use them with home-automation systems like Siri, Amazon Alexa and Google Home.
Join the One Dollar Club
And even better, right now you can try SwitchBot for just a buck by joining the One Dollar Club.
SwitchBot makes about a dozen products. Today we’ll focus on two, the SwitchBot Bot smart switch and the SwitchBot Hub Mini smart remote. They can be used separately or together.
A new house calls for a first-time home office with an ultrawide monitor and plenty of toys. Photo: StevenJ95
Redditor StevenJ95 recently moved from an apartment to a house, allowing him to have a new home office. For the first time. He’s got room enough in there for his MacBook Pro, his Samsung curved ultrawide monitor and even his Tesla Model S, Cybertruck and Supercharger.
OK, those last three are two diecast model cars and a cute little desktop Tesla charger for phones and such. But he does have a real Tesla Model 3 — which he sensibly parks elsewhere — as well as a lot of enthusiasm for the brand, judging by how he decorates his setup.
Three setups in one makes for hot fun in the Arizona sun. Photo: Tyler Botha
Arizona-based Tyler Botha, aka theallseeingeye on Reddit, is a TV-focused copywriter for a San Francisco startup and a retired pro DJ. The setup and epic gear list he sent to our attention does triple duty with a capable “WFH Desk,” a powerful “Gaming Corner” and a remarkably complete “DJ Desk.”
Talk about “complete.” Botha’s gear list, represented in the links below, is probably the longest one ever published in a Cult of Mac Setups article. You don’t have to be a DJ to appreciate it, but it helps.