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.
The Nomad Stand One Max is a 3-in-1, powering up Apple Watch in addition to iPhone and AirPods. Photo: Nomad
Nomad launched updated versions of its Stand One and Stand One Max wireless chargers Tuesday, bringing support for the new Qi2.2 standard. It enables 25W fast charging for compatible iPhones. The upgrade matches the charging speeds of Apple’s latest MagSafe chargers and represents a significant improvement over the 15W charging supported by previous Qi2 models.
A new budget MacBook might not look much different from this M1 MacBook Air. And the new Mac's iPhone processor may outperform the M1 chip. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
Apple is working on its first low-cost laptop, a strategic departure from its traditional premium approach that could shake up the education and entry-level PC markets, according to a new report. And some responses on social media suggest the PC industry is, indeed, “freaking out” over it.
A dedicated WhatsApp for Apple Watch is finally here. Photo: Meta
A decade after Apple Watch launched, WhatsApp finally launched a dedicated app for the smartwatch Tuesday — ending years of frustration for users who could only respond to notifications from their wrist. The messaging service brings full chat functionality to your wrist with support for messages, voice notes and calls, Meta said.
Tim Cook confirmed AI-enhanced Siri should arrive in 2026. Here's a reminder of what that will mean. AI image: ChatGPT/Cult of Mac
Apple’s long-delayed AI-powered Siri upgrade remains on track for a 2026 debut, CEO Tim Cook said Thursday. That offers some reassurance to users after multiple setbacks pushed the originally planned 2024 release back by more than a year.
So, what can we expect from a smarter Siri voice assistant when it finally arrives?
New Apple TV thriller Down Cemetery Road is a compelling whodunnit (and who did what, exactly?). Photo: Apple TV
New Apple TV crime thriller Down Cemetery Road, based on British author Mick Herron’s debut novel, might not always match the fast-and-dirty fun of Slow Horses, the hit stablemate also derived from Herron’s work.
However, it offers enough intrigue, stellar performances (especially from star Emma Thompson) and dark humor to deserve your attention.
Here’s why you should stream the eight-episode conspiracy thriller.
★★★★☆
For under $100, EarFun Air Pro 4 Plus are killer. Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac
The budget wireless earbuds market has become increasingly competitive, but this EarFun Air Pro 4 Plus earbuds review finds they manage to stand out with a compelling combination great sound, premium features and aggressively good value. Priced at $100 — with a launch discount coupon on Amazon bringing it down to about $80 — these earbuds challenge what we’ve come to expect from the sub-$100 category. And they do so while going toe-to-toe with Apple’s $249 AirPods Pro 3.
You can get some scary-good deals on MacBooks, iPads, chargers and more. AI image: ChatGPT/Cult of Mac
Halloween may not be as big a shopping event as Black Friday or Amazon Prime Day, but you can still scare up some spooktastic deals on Apple gear and accessories for various Apple devices. We hunted down 10 must-see bargains on MacBooks, iPads, AirTags, chargers, power stations, headphones and speakers.
As Slow Horses season 5 wraps up with its sixth episode Wednesday, Apple TV cues up a second thriller, Down Cemetery Road, in collaboration with novelist Mick Herron. You can watch its first trailer below, or jump right into the first two episodes. The new series stars Academy Award winner Emma Thompson and Golden Globe winner Ruth Wilson. It’s based on Herron’s “Zöe Boehm” book series.
Reviews of Down Cemetery Road so far seem thrilled with the show. “If you like Slow Horses, you’ll love conspiracy thriller Down Cemetery Road,” raves Time magazine. It “hits the sweet spot of thrills and odd-couple comedy,” adds AV Club. Critics call Thompson’s performance “magnificent” and “superb,” among other superlatives.
The Wavlink Thunderbolt 5 Docking Station (WL-UTD58) heralds the company’s ambitious entry into next-generation connectivity. It offers users impressive charging power and access to remarkable data-transfer speeds in complex computer setups. I tried it in my dual 5K-display M4 MacBook Pro workstation — and found it excellent. Not perfect, but excellent.
The world might be ready for a buttonless iPhone. AI image: ChatGPT/Cult of Mac
After years of speculation and false starts, Apple’s ambitious plan to eliminate mechanical buttons from the iPhone may finally become reality in 2027 with the 20th anniversary handset, according to a new report Tuesday. This may be a bit of an adjustment for button lovers, but haptics have their benefits.
The internet is going crazy over the Apple Vision Pro’s new Dual Knit Band, with AI users creating increasingly fantastical mutant versions of the distinctive-looking strap.
The craze started with people turning the white knit headband into a head-covering hat, but kicked into overdrive after X.com user John Dagdelen posted an image Sunday of a samurai warrior dressed head-to-toe in Vision Pro-inspired armor.
“We are not thinking big enough,” Dagdelen said in his X.com post. Dagdelen, founder of the Fluid operating system for VR headsets, who said he used ChatGPT to create the Vision Pro samurai image.
His AI creation clearly inspired others to think bigger … or at least weirder.
A wild array of AI creations followed, including some that animated Dagdelen’s samurai. The jokesters envisioned all sorts of bizarre designs and uses, from Star Wars characters to high-fashion gowns and handbags. There’s even an automotive design where the lenses make up a car’s front grill and headlights.
“There are some pretty creative ones,” Dagdelen told Cult of Mac.
With dual drivers and Hi-Res Audio certification, you can count on good sound. Photo: EarFun
New EarFun Air Pro 4+ noise-canceling earbuds are the world’s first Hi-Res certified dual-driver wireless buds with adaptive noise cancellation under $100, EarFun said Monday. So they offer Apple users a potentially compelling alternative to AirPods Pro at less than half the price.
And a launch discount makes the price even harder to resist. See below.
Anne Meara Stiller, Jerry Stiller, Ben Stiller and Amy Stiller back in the day. Photo: Apple TV
Ben Stiller, a driving force behind Apple TV hit workplace psychodrama Severance, now turns to a much more personal subject as a director: his famous comedian parents. His new documentary, Stiller & Meara: Nothing Is Lost, begins streaming Friday on Apple TV. And it looks like it might prompt laughs as well as tears.
★★★★☆
It's a lot like M4 MacBook Pro -- but under-the-hood upgrades make it much better. Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac
After spending some time with Apple’s new base-model 14-inch M5 MacBook Pro, I’ve come to a clear conclusion: It’s an excellent laptop that represents the absolute best iteration of a formula Apple perfected years ago. But whether you should buy one depends entirely on what you’re upgrading from and what you actually do with your computer.
Apple TV+ is now simply Apple TV with a more colorful logo. Screenshot: Apple
It seems Apple might buy Warner Bros. Discovery, the media and entertainment company that owns HBO, CNN and other high-profile properties. Apple reportedly expressed interest in acquiring parts of the company, particularly its extensive film and television library, as the media giant explores a potential sale, according to a report Thursday.
Such a deal would be a massive boost for Apple TV, adding depth to the streaming service’s catalog.
We can stop wondering -- Hijack season two is on! Photo: Apple TV
Critically acclaimed thriller series Hijack returns to Apple TV for a second season on January 14, 2026, Apple said Tuesday as it released a moody teaser trailer for the show.
The second edge-of-your-seat hijacking once again puts Emmy-nominated actor Idris Elba at the center of the action. He sure gets into some trouble, doesn’t he?
Reviewers find the incremental update impressive for performance upgrades, but not necessary for M4 or M4 Pro users. Photo: Apple
The first reviews for Apple’s new M5 MacBook Pro just landed, and the consensus among tech reviewers is clear: The incremental update improves an already excellent laptop. The 14-inch machine’s design remains unchanged from last year’s M4 model. However, improvements to processing power, storage speed and AI capabilities make it a compelling option for those upgrading from older machines. Still, current M4 MacBook Pro owners have little reason to feel envious.
Across M5 MacBook Pro reviews from The Verge, Wired, Tom’s Guide and Engadget, the laptop earns praise for its performance while raising questions about who should actually buy it.
Lucky Mac mini! BenQ calibrates these 4K displays for accurate Mac color matching. Photo: [email protected]
Looking to level up your Apple ecosystem? The Mac mini packs serious punch in a pint-sized package that’ll make you wonder how you ever lived without it. Apple users love the little desktop machine — as our roundup of best Mac mini setups below shows.
When it comes to the best Sennheiser earbuds for iPhone, users are spoiled for choice. Photo: ChatGPT/Cult of Mac
Pairing your iPhone with the right earbuds shouldn’t be a compromise. While Apple’s ecosystem makes AirPods the obvious choice, Sennheiser’s German-engineered earbuds deliver superior sound quality that transforms how you experience music, podcasts and calls. We ranked the five best Sennheiser earbuds for iPhone users, with picks for various price points and uses.
From flagship audiophile options to budget-conscious picks, here’s everything you need to know about finding your perfect Sennheiser earbuds for iPhone.
Soon one bundle will give you a discount on content from both Apple TV and Peacock. Photo: Apple
Update: As of Monday, you can sign up for the new Apple TV and Peacock bundle through the Apple TV app, by itself or as a discounted addition to an Apple One bundle. You can also sign up through NBCUniversal’s Peacock app or website.
A new streaming bundle will combine content from Apple TV and Peacock into a single subscription available starting Monday (October 20), the iPhone giant said Thursday. The partnership marks the first collaboration of its kind between the two entertainment companies. It offers customers access to both platforms’ content libraries at a discounted rate.
“We’re thrilled to introduce this all-inclusive bundle of incredible programming and to bring Apple TV’s beloved shows and movies to more viewers in more places,” said Oliver Schusser, Apple’s vice president of Apple TV, Apple Music, Sports and Beats. “From acclaimed originals to can’t-miss live sports, the Apple TV and Peacock Bundle unites the best of entertainment in a simple and seamless experience.”
★★★★☆
When not unfolded for use like this, the charger folds flat. Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac
In the evolving landscape of wireless charging, Ugreen has positioned itself at the forefront with the MagFlow 3-in-1 Magnetic Wireless Charger — one of the first products to receive official Qi2.2 certification from the Wireless Power Consortium. With that boost from 15 watts (Qi2) to 25W (Qi2.2) for late-model iPhones, it’s great — but not without some minor problems.
This AI mockup shows a possible look for the first foldable iPhone. AI image: chatGPT/Cult of Mac
Apple’s highly anticipated first foldable iPhone could face a delay from 2026 until 2027 because Apple needs more time to finalize design elements like the hinge mechanism, according to a new report. And it also offers some new details on screen size and other specs.
The new documentary series debuts October 17. Photo: Apple TV+
Few film directors have more staying power than Martin Scorsese, famous for decades for early work like Taxi Driver (1976), mid-career achievements like Goodfellas (1990) and recent hits like Killers of the Flower Moon (2023). And on Friday you can stream a five-part documentary series about his life and work on Apple TV.
Reviews so far are positive — to say the least. “Mr. Scorsese is the best behind-the-scenes reel you’ll ever get to see of the famed director,” raved the Los Angeles Times. “Five hours isn’t nearly long enough to do justice to history’s greatest film-maker,” said The Guardian. And The New York Times called the documentary “a captivating and charismatic profile.”
Read more about the series and watch the Mr. Scorsese trailer and previous teaser trailer below.
It could be here in late 2026 or early 2027. AI image: Grok/Cult of Mac
Apple is finally bringing touchscreens to the Mac, marking a major reversal from the company’s longstanding position against the feature in anything but iPads, according to a Thursday report with tantalizing new details. The first touchscreen MacBook Pro reportedly will arrive in late 2026 or early 2027.
A variable-aperture camera will be a first on an iPhone. Photo: Apple
Is your iPhone photography hindered by low light and a lack of control over depth of field? Well, good news confirmed: Apple plans to equip its iPhone 18 Pro lineup with variable-aperture camera technology. That marks the first time the tech giant implements the feature in any iPhone, according to a supply-chain report Wednesday that appears to prove earlier predictions right.
The technology should debut in the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max models, slated for release in fall 2026.