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.
A big Samsung smart TV dominates this Mac Studio rig. Photo: [email protected]
We look at a lot of computer setups on social media, but sometimes what drives conversation among commenters surprises us. With today’s Mac Studio rig with an odd couple of mismatched displays, the main debate concerned … keyboards for iPad.
Specifically, when an iPad is so wonderfully light, what keyboard case doesn’t weight it down too much?
Wade said his setup is usually a total mess, but he cleaned it up for once. Photo: Wade B. TechDaily
It’s only natural that a user would clean up his computer setup to show it off to the world, and that’s exactly what TechDaily’s Wade B. did with his MacBook Air and Studio Display setup before sending it to us with a video.
“It’s really the first time I’ve ever had a desk that wasn’t a total disaster area,” he told Cult of Mac.
Anker's portable power bank has a light and 60,000mAh battery capacity to charge your devices. Photo: Anker
You may not want to lug around a full-on generator for the occasional camping trip or brief power outage, but wouldn’t it be cool to have a powerful little one to provide light and keep your gadgets going?
That’s the Anker 548 Power Bank PowerCore Reserve Portable Charger. And you can get $50 off the regular price right now on Amazon.
Apple Watch Ultra 2 may come with both plain and black titanium cases. Photo: @ShrimpApplePro
You can expect a new color for Apple Watch Series 9 — pink — and a new black titanium case for the second-gen Apple Watch Ultra, according to a reliable leaker.
If Apple remains true to its usual scheduling, we should see both new items in September at an event unveiling the iPhone 15 lineup.
The 3-in-1 wireless charger juices up MagSafe iPhones, Apple Watch and AirPods. Photo: ESR
ESR unveiled two new MagSafe chargers Thursday. Its new 25-watt 3-in-1 Wireless Charger and 15-watt Car Charger follow last month’s launch of the 100W 6-in-1 Charging Station on Kickstarter.
All three feature “MagSafe + CryoBoost,” which we’ll get into below.
At your bedside or in a hotel, Belkin's new MagSafe charger does the trick. Photo: Belkin
Belkin unveiled its new BoostCharge Pro 2-in-1 Wireless Charging Pad with MagSafe Wednesday, offering a compact way to charge iPhone and AirPods on the road.
The deal is far from done, but Apple TV+ may pick up Pac-12 football games at some point. Photo: Pac-12
NCAA Pac-12 conference leaders saw an offer Tuesday from Apple TV+ for a streaming deal to replace the conference’s expiring TV contact for football games, a report noted.
After Apple’s deals to air Major League Soccer (MLS) and Major League Baseball (MLB) games, its potential entry into college football is intriguing — but it’s not a done deal yet.
An attacker could take full control of your Mac to steal your personal and financial information. Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac
A security company recently asked OpenAI’s ChatGPT about Mac threats online and used the results to uncover some scary malware for sale from Russia on the dark web.
At a price of $60,000, it can give an attacker total control of someone’s Mac. A more damaging version is available for $80,000.
In any case, if the malware gets on your Mac, you won’t know it’s there, it’s very hard to get rid of, and it can steal a lot of your information. Luckily, you can probably avoid it.
The accent wall and solid-wood DIY standing desk steal the show from the M2 MacBook Pro and 49-inch curved display. Photo: [email protected]
When you remodel your home office, isn’t that a great excuse to revamp the ol’ computer setup? That’s what happened with today’s featured rig, which relies on a new MacBook Pro and a Samsung super-ultra-wide display.
But all commenters wanted to talk about was the accent wall and the solid-wood DIY standing desk. And the killer Klipsch audio got some love, too.
You remember Marcie, don't you? She's the smart, quiet one. Photo: Apple
“Sometimes, the people who make the biggest difference aren’t the ones who grab the spotlight,” Apple TV+ said Wednesday, when it dropped a trailer for a new Peanuts special focusing on the introverted character Marcie and all the behind-the-scenes work she does.
Snoopy Presents: One-of-a-Kind Marcie premieres Friday, August 18.
The new Anker Prime chargers handle charging multiple devices with less clutter. Photo: Anker
Anker rolled out eight new chargers Tuesday, including a 240-watt USB-C charger and a 250-watt power bank for fast-charging multiple devices.
The company said its new high-speed, multi-port chargers take good advantage of gallium nitride, aka GaN, technology, referring to efficient power transfer, compact design and active heat reduction.
With this case, you might not need a new charger or cable for a long time. Photo: Elago
If you’re on the road a lot for work, you know your computer accessories — like chargers and cables — can take a beating. That’s why Elago now offers its MacBook Charger Cable Management Case.
Coming to Apple Arcade in August: Samba de Amigo: Party-to-Go plus three puzzle games. Photo: Apple
Apple said Tuesday it will add four new games and more than 30 updates and events to Apple Arcade in August.
New games include a revival of Sega’s classic rhythm game Samba de Amigo: Party-To-Go, puzzle games Nekograms+ and Kingdoms: Merge & Build, and indie puzzle-remix game finity.
“Samba de Amigo: Party-To-Go is coming soon to Apple Arcade with exciting new songs and a series first Story Mode only found on the service,” said Ian Curran, president and chief operating officer of Sega of America.
Just twist the top to switch from one hand to the other. Here it's in left-handed mode (thumb rest on the right side of base). Photo: Targus
Known for laptop cases and such, Targus unveiled its new ErgoFlip EcoSmart Mouse last week. You can switch it from right- to left-hand use (or vice versa) with a simple twist of the top.
“This is the first mouse that provides true ergonomics for right- or left-hand use, solving the age old problem of finding a mouse that truly everyone can use,” said Mike Sexton, Targus’ senior director of Global Product Management & Development.
“This, along with its gaming-level performance and precision, and sustainable benefits, including its long battery life, makes it the mouse that does it all,” he added.
Can you spot the chip/crack in one of the displays? Photo: [email protected]
The owner of today’s MacBook Pro setup chose two Studio Displays over one Pro Display XDR to suit his workflow and because he realized he could bag one of the monitors at half price. Lucky him.
Several folks on social media noticed the damage, and some said they’d grab that deal, too, if they could.
Computer-setup gawkers on social media love their symmetry. It’s really just human nature to prefer those clean lines and even spacing — you know, stopping short of full-blown obsessive compulsive disorder and blowing a gasket if one little cable appears out of place.
Today’s M1 Ultra Mac Studio workstation brings not only powerhouse computing, but a few tricks of the trade when it comes to creating that pleasing symmetry. And it packs an interesting device we don’t see very often.
The new case adds a splash of color and could help you hold onto your earbuds. Photo: Nomad
AirPods Pro (2nd generation) have a sleek and protective case of their own, but it’s not the grippiest accessory. So Nomad decided to curtail chances your earbuds will slip out of your hand by rolling out its new Sport Case this week.
Want your AirPods Max headphones always within reach? Get this stand. Photo: Elago
Sometimes the best accessory isn’t flashy, it just gets the job done and looks good doing it. That’s the case with the Elago H Stand for AirPods Max. The stand gives your exceptional headphones a handy perch.
Check out the tasteful stand in the Cult of Mac Store. It’s only $49.
Things look pretty desperate for the TV talking heads in season 3. Photo: Apple
Apple TV+ unveiled a teaser for season 3 of Emmy Award-winning drama series The Morning Show Thursday, and things are starting to look pretty desperate for the show within a show. Billy Crudup’s executive producer character says “it’s time to smash and shatter” and “let’s burn it all down.”
But he’s a pretty shifty character. He might just be playing along with Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon’s characters’ threat to expose the network’s horrible secrets.
Tim Cook has plenty of money, so that couldn't be the reason. Image: Canva
Not just anyone qualifies for a new Apple Card — including Apple CEO Tim Cook, according to a new report. The Goldman Sachs underwriting system apparently rejected his application a while back.
Amid reports lately that Goldman is losing money on its deal with Apple, and the two might part ways, it almost sounded like payback. But that’s not it.
What will the Italians think of next? They’ve produced a leather with such a mirrorlike sheen that it actually looks metallic. And Laut is using it to create quite the statement-making Laut Metallic Leather Apple Watch Band.
Check out the flashy band in three cool colors in the Cult of Mac Store and read more below.
The show airs on Wednesdays starting August 23. Photo: Apple
Apple TV+ dropped a trailer Wednesday for season 2 of its sci-fi thriller series Invasion, and it looks like full-scale global war will erupt after season 1’s slow burn led up to frightening first contact.
Season 2 debuts August 23, with new episodes coming out on Wednesdays.
The monitors are 1080p rather than 4K or above, but it's quite a good-looking Mac mini setup. Photo: [email protected]
We know from social media that folks love checking out others’ computer setups. But is it really the headlining hardware they’re after, like the flashiest MacBook Pro or brilliant display? Not always. Sometimes it’s the small stuff they want.
With today’s Mac mini setup with a pair of 1080p displays, people were most curious about a standing desk, a cable-management raceway and a desk organizer. You can find everything in the gear list below.
Get ready for eight games in August, plus a whole lot of supporting content on deck. Photo: Apple
This week Apple and Major League Baseball (MLB) unveiled the August Friday Night Baseball schedule for Apple TV+ subscribers, so you know when your team is up at bat. And there’s quite a lot of other baseball content streaming. Check it out below.