Massachusetts-based 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.
This is the BOP (blue, orange and pink) Autumn Gradient variation. Photo: Basic Apple Guy
Designer and Apple fan Basic Apple Guy put out four pretty new wallpapers for Apple devices Monday, his Autumn Gradients lineup.
“It’s been a minute, but I wanted to reappear from my hideyhole and share four colourful, Autumn-inspired gradient wallpapers for your Apple devices,” he wrote.
This Mac mini setup's user is over the moon about his new Samsung Odyssey G8 series curved gaming display. Photo: [email protected]
Quite a few excellent alternatives to Apple’s pricey Pro Display XDR and Studio Display exist for those in need a good external monitor to go with their Mac. Today’s featured Mac mini setup brings up another one — the 34-inch Samsung Odyssey G8 series curved gaming display.
If you like curves and especially if you like gaming, read on the see if the display might be a good choice for you.
Yes, that's a brand-new iPhone 15 Pro after many drops, including a 40-footer. Photo: AppleTrack
In what is most likely the first drop test of the new titanium iPhone 15 Pro, a reviewer flew to Sydney, Australia, and pitted the handset in a series of drops against the stainless steel iPhone 14 Pro.
It wasn’t pretty. In fact, after doing OK in a few little drops, how the iPhone 15 Pro fared in bigger drops was shocking — even disturbing. The older iPhone won, to say the least.
Not only does it tell time, this setup and its short list of peripherals and accessories turn a laptop into much more. Photo: [email protected]
These days, MacBook laptops are more than powerful enough to handle most users’ computing needs. So if you don’t need an even brawnier desktop Mac, why not build your laptop into a full workstation with a few peripherals and accessories?
Today’s setup gets by with a 3-year-old MacBook Pro hooked up to a CalDigit Thunderbolt 3 dock and a nice LG 4K display, plus Logitech input devices and a few other items. It’s a complete workstation whether or not the user ever takes the MacBook Pro to go.
If you got a new iPhone 15 series phone, install iOS 17.0.2 right away. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Apple advised iPhone 15 buyers Friday that they need to install the latest software update, iOS 17.0.2, before transferring data during the device setup process. The update fixes a problem that could prevent the data transfer and freeze up the new iPhone.
The new software updates effect Macs as well as security updates for iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch. Photo: Twelve South
Apple issued emergency software updates Thursday for iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch that patch security vulnerabilities the company says may have been actively exploited. Among other things, the release notes for iOS 17.0.1, iPadOS 17.0.1 and watchOS 10.0.1 indicate the updates fix a problem that could allow a malicious app to bypass signature validation.
The updates, which Apple recommends all users download as soon as possible, come just days after the company pushed its latest operating systems live. However, if you plan to pick up an iPhone 15 tomorrow, you might want to hold off. If you update your current phone to iOS 17.0.1, you would need to update your new iPhone as well before setting it up from a backup.
Once the glass was pried off, it was time to start messing around with iPhone 15 Pro's guts. Photo: PBKreviews
The first YouTube video showing a complete teardown and reassembly of the new iPhone 15 Pro highlights its cool components, like the compact A17 Pro chip and the three highly capable cameras.
And it also scores the handset reasonably well on repairability, something Apple has markedly improved in recent years.
Like many people, you probably love your Apple Watch. But would you lower yourself down through a toilet into the business end of an outhouse to get it back? That’s what a Michigan woman did.
The good news is she found the watch. The bad news is she got stuck in the crap and had to be rescued.
Lift your arm to look at your Apple Watch, and you'll see a face like this turn into an animation. And there are tons of them. Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac
If you love Charlie Brown’s dog Snoopy, as generations of Peanuts fans and product marketers do, you better get the new Snoopy Apple Watch face now available in watchOS 10.
After all, a ton of work went into making its endlessly inventive animations, according to a new report.
Apple Watch Ultra 2 debuted with modest but welcome upgrades. Photo: Apple
Apple Watch Ultra 2 reviews are out, and they’re positive. Modest upgrades like a brighter display, double-tap gesturing and a faster processor might not make current Ultra owners shell out for the new one, but it’s highly recommended to anyone else who wants the best rugged smartwatch. For more details on the Ultra’s features, click hereto explore.
As rumpled spy Jackson Lamb, Gary Oldman never looks his best. Photo: Apple
Jackson Lamb and his team of misfit MI5 agents return soon for season three of espionage thriller Slow Horses. Apple TV+ offered a first look Wednesday with some photos and plot tidbits about the trouble they will get into.
The award-winning show debuts December 1 with the first two episodes of the new season. As a big fan of the show and the books it’s based on, I can’t wait.
Not everyone can say they have two late model MacBooks Pro and two Studio Displays, but the employer helped out in this case. Photo: [email protected]
Not many folks get to flaunt two late-model, powerhouse MacBook Pro laptops along with two Studio Displays in their computer setup — but it certainly becomes more likely when an employer contributes gear. Today’s featured setup comes from an art director in just that situation.
His Apple-all-the-way setup won much praise, but some commenters on social media had fits over a backward-facing MacBook Pro — and provided a fix for the flagrant flub.
The new Soundcore Motion 300 is small enough to strap to a backpack for a hike. Photo: Soundcore
Summer’s ending, but the new Soundcore Motion 300 and Motion 100 portable high-fidelity Bluetooth speakers can still give you stereo sound for outdoor activities this fall and winter, the company said Wednesday.
The $80 Motion 300, available October 9, is a 30-watt speaker with Wireless Hi-Res Certification and 13 hours of playtime. The similar $60 Motion 100, which lacks the 300’s SmartTune EQ, will ship in November, Soundcore said.
Logitech G rolled out two new microphones and a key light for gamers and streamers Tuesday. Photo: Logitech G
The new Logitech G Yeti GX microphone, Yeti Orb microphone and Litra Beam LX light came out Tuesday to pump up sound and immersive play for gamers and streamers, Logitech’s gaming division said Tuesday.
One of the best Pro model upgrades in years, some reviewers said. Photo: Apple
High demand for the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max is well-deserved, according to the first reviews, thanks to the new models’ lightweight titanium frames, immersive screens, beefed-up cameras and numerous incremental improvements,
Several reviewers noted how smartphone changes are always incremental nowadays. But the upgrades to the iPhone 15 Pro models seem like some of Apple’s best in years.
★★★★☆
The adorable little charging bots come in 30W and 65W versions and black or purple colors. Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac
If you like cute, Ugreen’s got you covered. Its new Ugreen Nexode RG fast chargers are adorable little “robots” that can charge iPhones, iPads and more. “RG” stands for “Robot GaN,” meaning they’re gallium nitride (GaN) chargers.
And they really only look like robots. They’re not going to walk your dog or rise up and destroy humanity or anything. Probably.
The company sent me a trio of the little cuties to check out. You could get several for different electrical outlets, and when they’re not plugged in, they could stand guard over your computer setup.
iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max are the first smartphones to include Thread mesh networking. But why? Photo: Apple
Thread wireless mesh networking is strongly associated with the Matter smart-home automation standard, so some people found it surprising Apple would include Thread radio technology in iPhone 15 Pro models in addition to Bluetooth and Wi-Fi wireless connectivity.
A new report surfaced theories about what Apple’s up to and what future impacts it might have.
With the tvOS 17 update, FaceTime comes to Apple TV 4K for the first time. Photo: Apple
Apple TV 4K became a more versatile living room device with Monday’s launch of FaceTime on tvOS 17, Apple said, referring to it as “a powerful integration of hardware and software.”
“Users can make calls directly from Apple TV 4K, or start calls on iPhone or iPad, and hand them off to Apple TV 4K,” Apple noted. “FaceTime on Apple TV 4K takes advantage of Continuity Camera support to wirelessly connect to iPhone or iPad, and leverages the devices’ cameras and microphones to bring participants together on the TV.”
Commenters offered good advice on speeding up this Intel-based iMac setup. Photo: [email protected]
If you have an aging Intel-based iMac or Mac mini that’s slowing down like an old codger, today’s featured iMac setup shows a relatively simple way to revitalize your machine and keep using it.
All you need is an external solid state drive (SSD) and the knowledge, below, to make it your computer’s replacement startup disk.
iPhone 15 models have tough screens, but you can never be too careful. Photo: Belkin
Belkin’s new ScreenForce UltraGlass 2 Treated Screen Protectors for iPhone 15 models are made of its strongest and most durable glass yet, the company said Thursday.
You can pick up the protectors at either Belkin.com or Apple.com. And when they arrive by the end of the month in Apple Store locations, you can take advantage of a free precision fitting service.
Apple's CEO went for Natural Titanium, but all the colors caught his eye. Photo: @[email protected]
Lots of folks agonize over choosing a new iPhone color when fresh handsets like the 15 series come out — even Apple CEO Tim Cook.
Or so he said in a brief interview sometime around iPhone 15’s release Tuesday. But in explaining his choice of Natural Titanium, he managed to praise every available color equally, and even in exactly the same way.
You won't believe how little the user paid for those monitors. Photo: [email protected]
The No. 1 complaint about Apple displays? They’re too expensive. People love them, but not everyone will pony up the cash to grab a $1,600 Studio Display or, heaven help us, a $5,000 Studio Display XDR.
Today’s featured MacBook Pro setup provides a much-cheaper alternative that might work for some people. It uses a pair of old-but-beautiful Cinema Displays that cost a grand total of $74.
The premium charger is perfect for your nightstand, with an iPhone in Standby Mode like a classic alarm clock. Photo: Twelve South
With the iPhone 15 series and new Apple Watches now out, the accessories floodgates are open. One of the first products through is an updated Twelve South HiRise 3 Deluxe charging stand. And it’s made for MagSafe and ideal for iOS 17’s Standby Mode.
So you can turn your iPhone into a classic bedside alarm clock or smart display with various widgets. And you can charge it alongside Apple Watch and AirPods.
★★★★☆
This unusual GaN charger juices up MagSafe iPhones via the tilting platform and other devices via USB-C and USB-A ports (up to 100W). Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac
Need a compact and potent MagSafe charging station to replace a slow 3-in-1? Coming out just after iPhone 15’s release, Ugreen’s unusual new Nexode 100W GaN Charging Station could fit the bill, charging up to four devices at once.
Rolled out Thursday, the speedy charger takes up a small space by putting a MagSafe platform for iPhone that tilts up on top and USB-C and USB-A ports in the squat body. The company sent me one to try.