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David Snow - page 5

iPhone 20 could make buttons a thing of the past

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AI image of a smartphone with a finger pressing it, used to illustrate a story about how iPhone 20 might replace buttons with haptics
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. 

AI jokers take Vision Pro’s new headband to wild extremes

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AI-generated image of a samurai armored warrior in the style of an Apple Vision Pro strap
This goes way beyond a headset strap.
AI image: @jmdagdelen/X.com

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.

EarFun Air Pro 4+ earbuds bring hi-res sound for under $100

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EarFun Air Pro 4+ earbuds
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. 

Ben Stiller’s touching new documentary tells his famous parents’ tale

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Stiller & Meara: Nothing Is Lost documentary
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.

Don’t call it boring. M5 MacBook Pro gets a lot right. [Review] ★★★★

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M5 MacBook Pro review★★★★
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 might try to buy massive Warner Bros. Discovery content library

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New Apple TV logo for 2025
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.

Idris Elba switches from plane to train in moody Hijack season 2 trailer

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Promo still shows Idris Elba aboard a train in
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? 

First reviews call M5 MacBook Pro a beast — but M4 owners can skip this upgrade

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M5 MacBook Pro reviews see modest but meaningful upgrades
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.

5 best Sennheiser earbuds for iPhone users

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Best Sennheiser earbuds for iPhone
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.

Apple and NBCUniversal bundle Apple TV and Peacock at a discount [Now available]

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Apple TV and Peacock bundle
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.”

Ugreen MagFlow Qi2.2 charger tops up iPhone, AirPods and Apple Watch fast [Review] ★★★★☆

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Ugreen MagFlow 3-in-1 Magnetic Wireless Charger review★★★★☆
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.

New rumor details foldable iPhone screen size — and possible delay

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New rumor details foldable iPhone screen size and possible delay
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. 

New Mr. Scorsese documentary looks like a winner [Now streaming!]

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Mr. Scorsese documentary series on Apple TV
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.

New details leak on first touchscreen MacBook Pro — and it sounds awesome

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touchscreen macbook pro
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.

Phone 18 Pro’s variable-aperture camera will auto-adjust in dim lighting

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Variable aperture camera coming to iPhone 18 Pro models in 2026
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.

Apple’s new M5 chip pumps up AI and graphics processing power

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M5 chip pumps up AI and graphics
The M5 chip beefs up AI and graphics processing substantially.
Photo: Apple

Apple’s new M5 chip packs more power than predecessors, with advanced performance for Apple Intelligence and pumped up GPU performance boosting graphics processing, among other incremental improvements across the chip.

“M5 ushers in the next big leap in AI performance for Apple silicon,” said Johny Srouji, Apple’s senior vice president of Hardware Technologies. “With the introduction of Neural Accelerators in the GPU, M5 delivers a huge boost to AI workloads.”

“Combined with a big increase in graphics performance, the world’s fastest CPU core, a faster Neural Engine, and even higher unified memory bandwidth,” he added, “M5 brings far more performance and capabilities to MacBook Pro, iPad Pro and Apple Vision Pro.”

Ugreen brings massive local storage to home users on the cheap

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Ugreen NASync DH2300
Ugreen NASync DH2300 is easy to set up and use.
Photo: Ugreen

Ugreen’s new NASync DH2300 and DH4300 Plus network-attached storage devices aim squarely at everyday home users, the consumer electronics maker said Wednesday. In other words, those who want local storage as an alternative to iCloud, but without the complexity typically associated with NAS systems.

Starting at a low price of $209.99 $188.99, the two-bay DH 2300 device joins the more capable four-bay DH4300 Plus ($429.99 $364.99) in Ugreen’s effort to make personal cloud storage accessible to non-technical users. Both are on sale for launch, too. 

Demand for AI features drives robust iPhone 17 sales

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Demand for AI features helps drive robust iPhone 17 sales
This year's iPhone lineup includes the iPhone 17 Pro, the super-slim iPhone Air and the "regular" iPhone 17.
Photo: Apple

Apple shipped 58.6 million iPhones and captured 18.2% of the global smartphone market, the company’s “best results ever in a July quarter,” according to new data from the International Data Corporation. The iPhone nearly matched Samsung’s 19% market share.

Demand for innovation, like new artificial intelligence features, plus aggressive trade-in programs, helped fuel the surge, despite tariff woes, IDC said.

When you can watch F1: The Movie on rebranded ‘Apple TV’

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When you can watch F1: The Movie on rebranded 'Apple TV'
"F1: The Movie" is coming soon to an Apple TV streaming service without the "+" sign.
Photo: Apple

F1: The Movie with Brad Pitt as a racer will make its streaming debut on Friday, December 12, following the film’s record-breaking theatrical run, Apple said Monday. And the announcement came with a surprise twist: Apple TV+ gets rebranded as simply “Apple TV” (no “+”) with what the company called a “vibrant new identity.”

It remains to be seen how vibrant the identity is, but it’s the same exact name as the Apple TV hardware and the Apple TV app. Maybe they meant “confusing new identity.”

Next-gen AirPods Pro to pack H3 chip, AI tricks, new health sensors

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Next-gen AirPods Pro to pack H3 chip
Rumors swirl about AirPods Pro 4 and AirPods 5.
Photo: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

Apple is already working on future generations of its AirPods lineup despite only recently releasing the AirPods Pro 3, according to a new report. The company focuses development efforts on transforming its popular earbuds into AI-powered devices with enhanced health tracking capabilities.

Elgato supersizes popular Prompter teleprompter for content creators and studios

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Elgato Prompter XL teleprompter
The new version addresses the most common complaint about the original: size.
Photo: Elgato

The new Elgato Prompter XL teleprompter, a significantly larger version of the company’s popular Prompter teleprompter, is designed specifically for professional studio environments. The Corsair-owned Elgato said the new model addresses the most common complaint about the original: size.

“We heard it constantly: ‘Love Prompter, but we need something bigger for our studio,'” said Julian Fest, general manager at Elgato. “Prompter XL takes what creators loved about the original — the versatility, the simple setup, the reliability — and scales it up for studio environments.”

Logitech MX Keys Mini vs. Apple Magic Keyboard: Which to choose?

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Logitech MX Keys Mini vs Apple Magic Keyboard
See which of these highly productive keeb suits you best.
Photo: chatGPT/Cult of Mac

It’s the ultimate battle of the small Mac keyboards: Logitech MX Keys Mini vs. Apple Magic Keyboard. Choosing between these two premium compact keyboards is tough, and the decisions you make can significantly impact your daily typing experience and productivity.

They’ve both become top contenders for professionals and tech enthusiasts alike. And while they’re similar, they’re not the same.

Find out which is better for you in our head-to-head comparison. 

Prison plane crash in The Last Frontier may be no accident [Now streaming!]

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The Last Frontier season 1
The Last Frontier debuted on Apple TV+ October 10.
Photo: Apple TV+

How would you like to be the lone U.S. marshal covering a vast Alaska region when a jet loaded with dangerous convicts crashes, setting dozens of killers free? That’s the premise for Apple TV+’s new The Last Frontier series. And before long it becomes clear it may not have been an accident at all, but just the first step in a terrifying plan.

The good news is you don’t have to be the marshal. You can just watch his struggle in the tense, 10-episode series starting Friday.

Reviews so far are mixed. Collider said: “The Last Frontier is an engaging, often surprising manhunt thriller that elevates itself through a great central performance from Jason Clarke and smart, unexpected plotting that constantly evolves as the story unfolds.” But The Hollywood Reporter noted the show “goes from fun to tedious in a hurry.” AV Club called it “far more silly than chilly,” teeming with “exposition dumps” and “inane twists.”

Knife Edge: Chasing Michelin Stars shows restaurants’ cutthroat competition [Now streaming!]

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Knife Edge: Chasing Michelin Stars documentary series
Legendary Michelin stars can make or break a restaurant.
Photo: Apple TV+

Streaming Friday, the new Apple TV+ documentary series Knife Edge: Chasing Michelin Stars gives an unprecedented look behind the scenes of the world’s most prestigious restaurants in their quest for coveted Michelin stars.

Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay and his Studio Ramsay Global production company produce the eight-part series. It promises to deliver high-stakes culinary drama and unprecedented access to the secretive Michelin ratings process. Watch the trailer below. 

Reviews so far lean positive, calling the show “riveting” and praising its realistic, fly-on-the-wall look at chef’s lives and what drives them.