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.
As part of a trend among streaming services, Netflix will jack up the price of ad-free streaming soon. Photo: Netflix
With the writers and actors strikes now over if tentative agreements hold, Netflix plans to raise its ad-free streaming subscription price soon, joining other streaming platforms in doing so, a report said Tuesday.
Add your PayPal or Venmo credit or debit cards to Apple Wallet for use with Apple Pay. Photo: PayPal
If you use Apple Wallet and Apple Pay, now you can add your PayPal and Venmo credit and debit cards to the mix for easy payment on the go using iPhone or Apple Watch, PayPal said Wednesday.
This follows a previous PayPal announcement in November 2022 and some testing earlier this year.
Apple Original special The Velveteen Rabbit debuts on November 22. Photo: Apple TV+
Apple TV+ set a slate of kids-and-family specials Tuesday for the upcoming holiday season, including the new Apple Original special The Velveteen Rabbit, based on Margery Williams’ beloved children’s book, on November 22.
But that’s not all. New holiday-themed episodes from series The Snoopy Show, Frog and Toad and Shape Island premiere December 1. And a special New Year’s Eve-themed episode of Sago Mini Friends comes out December 22.
Some Peanuts classics will stream for free, too — you don’t need to subscribe to Apple TV+ to see the classic Charlie Brown shows for Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Academy Award winner Peter Capaldi (left) and Cush Jumbo star in Criminal Record, premiering with the first two episodes on January 12 on Apple TV+. Photo: Apple
Apple TV+ unveiled a first look Tuesday at Criminal Record, an eight-episode crime thriller in which brilliant detectives clash over a high-profile murder in London.
Debuting January 12, the series stars Academy Award and BAFTA award winner Peter Capaldi (Doctor Who, The Thick of It) and Laurence Olivier Award and Critics Choice Award nominee Cush Jumbo (The Good Wife, The Good Fight, The Beast Must Die).
A Plugable Thunderbolt 4 dock (TBT4-UDX1) sits on a desk with multiple devices connected. Photo: Plugable
A new Plugable docking station provides 10 ports for Thunderbolt 4 and USB4 laptops, including support for dual 4K displays at 60Hz, the company said upon rolling out the new device Tuesday.
Why not grab Apple Watch Ultra 2 for $25 off? Photo: Apple
Apple Watch Ultra 2 only just started shipping, yet Amazon currently offers it at a new low price — $774 instead of $799. That’s a savings of just $25, but it beats paying full price.
This setup lost one of the three display in a recent move. Photo: [email protected]
Today’s featured computer setup isn’t turning heads for its Apple gear — just a 2019 MacBook Pro — but its displays deserve a good look. The Mac goes through a Razer Thunderbolt 3 dock as it drives an “odd couple” of displays — a huge, curved LG 5K2K monitor and a tiny LG portable display.
And don’t miss the audio gear in the gear list below, either. It’s good stuff.
Apple may lay out big money for one of the world's major sports. Photo: Chris [email protected]
Somewhat like soccer, outside of the United States Formula 1 racing is really big. And Apple wants those exclusive streaming rights enough to think about putting the pedal to the metal with a $2 billion bid for them, according to a report.
The Slopes tracking app for skiers and snowboarders is now updated for iOS 17 and watchOS 10. Photo: Slopes
As fall rolls toward winter in much of the world, it’s time for skiers and snowboarders to get ready to hit the slopes. And major updates in the popular Slopes tracking app offer a lot of great new features for just that.
The app’s slogan is “Track your edge,” and the new version gives you plenty of ways to do it with iOS 17 and watchOS 10.
International soccer legend Lionel Messi is now a fixture with MLS club Inter Miami CF. Photo: Apple
World soccer phenom Lionel Messi conquered the world. And now he’s come for the United States, according to a new documentary teaser trailer Apple TV+ dropped Monday for Messi Meets America.
The six-part series, which debuts October 11, is all about Messi’s first season with Major League Soccer club Inter Miami CF.
A ban would outlaw smartphones in schools during lessons and even on breaks. Photo: RDNE Stock [email protected]
England’s ruling Conservative Party plans to issue new guidance Monday banning smartphone use in schools, including during breaks from lessons, according to several sources.
While some schools already have restrictions in place, Education Secretary Gillian Keegan’s new guidance would set a country-wide ban.
Bluetti offers solar-powered products and practical advice on living sustainably. Photo: Bluetti
Climate change makes protecting our environment and embracing sustainable living practices more important than ever before. Impacts include warmer temperatures through increased greenhouse gases, rising sea levels, warmer oceans, more volatile weather and increasing ocean acidity.
Can true love be scientifically tested and proven? Photo: Apple
Apple TV+ debuted its first trailer Wednesday for a rare beast — a sci-fi romantic comedy. It’s called Fingernails, and its appealing cast includes Jessie Buckley, Riz Ahmed, Jeremy Allen White and Luke Wilson.
Set in and around a “love-testing institute,” the Apple Originals film debuts in New York City and Los Angeles theaters October 27 and in more theaters and on Apple TV+ November 3.
Videos online demonstrate how the Instagram app seems to be heating up iPhone and draining batteries. Photo: YouTube
With iPhone 15 Pro models getting hot in users’ hands, new theories as to why are burning up the internet. One of those blames the Instagram app running on iOS 17 — and not just with the latest iPhones.
This Mac mini user has a Dell laptop and wants to run them both with peripherals. Photo: [email protected]
Anyone looking to run different peripherals with both Mac and PC might take a look at today’s setup advice-fest. The user runs a Mac mini with dual displays and typical Apple input devices, but wants to add a Dell laptop from work into the mix.
They got plenty of advice on doing just that with the right kind of dock or KVM switch, below.
Thanks to a software patch, iPhone 12 can stay on the market in France. Photo: Lyle Kahney/Cult of Mac
French regulators approved Apple’s software update addressing radio-frequency radiation levels in iPhone 12 on Friday, so the handset can remain on the market in that country.
Previously, authorities ordered sales of the phone halted until it complied with European electromagnetic radiation standards.
The Enfield Poltergeist debuts October 27 on Apple TV+. Image: Apple
The story of “the most famous poltergeist haunting in history” came my way first in the form of a trailer Apple TV+ dropped Tuesday for The Enfield Poltergeist documentary series. I hadn’t heard of the case it covers.
The trailer delivers a chill or two, but it’s kind of over-the-top with the spooky narration. The four-part documentary series debuts October 27.
Jony Ive left Apple in 2019 and founded design firm LoveFrom. Photo: Vanity Fair/YouTube
Former Apple design chief Jony Ive and OpenAI are trying to raise $1 billion to build the “iPhone of artificial intelligence,” according to a new report.
The article builds on previous media items about Ive brainstorming with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman on the project.
Apparently bot-wielding scalpers profit most from iPhone 15 Pro Max. Photo: Apple
Scalpers appear to use bots to buy up thousands of iPhone 15 models, according to new research. And iPhone 15 Pro Max appears to sit at the top of the list.
The findings point to bots preordering thousands of units as a reason regular buyers face back-orders with long wait times.
Give your iPhone 15 Pro or Pro Max a retro look and serious protection. Photo: Spigen
If you love the retro look of the colorful old iMac G3 and you want to give your pricey new iPhone 15 Pro or Pro Max serious protection, Spigen’s Classic C1 MagFit case has returned with a revamp, the company said Tuesday.
And what’s more, right now you can get a 20% discount on the case. See below.
Double-tapping index finger and thumb will open a surprising amount of watch functionality. Photo: Apple
The release of the watchOS 10.1 beta to developers on Wednesday brings the cool new “double tap” gesture that allows one-handed use of Apple Watch in certain cases (though it can’t be enabled yet).
In other words, it’s a way to operate the wearable without touching its screen. And once iOS 10.1 arrives in October, Apple Watch Series 9 and second-gen Apple Watch Ultra users can try it. However, even folks with older Apple Watches can try a version of it right now.
The next generation of iPads and MacBooks might see lower demand. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Conditions over the past few years that led to robust sales of early Apple silicon Macs may not be there for 2024 MacBooks and iPads despite their advanced new 3nm chips, an analyst said Wednesday.
In a break, Apple may use "A18" chips in all four iPhone 16 handsets. Graphic: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Rather than holding over iPhone 15 Pro’s A17 Pro chip for iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus, the full upcoming iPhone 16 lineup will carry A18 and A18 Pro chips running on an updated TSMC 3-nanometer production process, according to an analyst.