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.
Apple may simplify its TV app for users by the end of the year. Photo: Apple
Finding what to watch with the Apple TV app is about to get easier. The newly released developer beta for tvOS 17.2 gives a preview of the new navigation users will soon see.
Apple TV+ and other content sources will surface in a sidebar list on the left side of app pages.
Mark David Chapman confessed to murdering John Lennon. Photo: New York State Department of Corrections
A new documentary claiming to be the “definitive” look at the murder of John Lennon — the former Beatle and enduring cultural icon — is coming to Apple TV+. Unfortunately, though, the streaming service hasn’t yet said when the exhaustively researched, three-part series will arrive.
But we do know the narrator of John Lennon: Murder Without A Trial. It’s Emmy Award-winning actor Kiefer Sutherland, the streaming service said.
Double tap lets users select the primary action in a variety of watchOS apps and notifications. Photo: Apple
One of the more exciting updates to Apple Watch lately is the new double-tap gesture now available in the watchOS 10.1 update. It allows Series 9 and Ultra 2 users to tap their finger and thumb together twice to launch a function without touching the wearable.
After appearing in the watchOS 10.1 beta — but in nonfunctional form — now it’s out for real with the public release.
The Apple M3 is almost here, and it’s reportedly going into multiple Macs. Image: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
After Apple invited the world to its Scary Fast product event Monday, speculation turned more seriously to the idea that newly announced Macs might sport faster new M3 chips rather than versions of the current M2 series chips.
One prominent analyst who had said the upgrade wouldn’t happen yet even changed his tune on the matter.
Two cheap LED lights strips create that whole effect, and with many light strips the colors can change endlessly. Photo: [email protected]
Deliberate lighting choices, especially those featuring vibrant colors, can do a lot for a computer setup. They can improve mood and vision, and they can even give humdrum gear in a boring room a dazzling look and feel.
Today’s featured MacBook Pro setup belongs to a coder in Panama who used some basic, cheap LED strip lights to transform his workstation into a light show — to the delight of viewers on social media.
Apple may simplify its TV app for users by the end of the year. Photo: Apple
Apple hopes to grab a bigger slice of the streaming pie through a redesign of its TV app late this year that will help consolidate the company’s video offerings, a new report said Tuesday.
Yup, those are new Barbie dolls based on three "Ted Lasso" characters. Photo: Mattel Creations
Breakout Apple TV+ comedy hit Ted Lasso may no longer be in production, but it’s never really gone. That’s not only because it’s streaming, it’s because officially related products like the new Barbie Signature dolls keep coming out.
That’s right, Mattel Creations released three new dolls Tuesday based on characters from the show — Ted Lasso, Rebecca Welton and Keely Jones. Step right up, they’re $50 apiece.
A late-October Apple event is expected to bring out a collection of new Macs. Image: Apple
With Apple’s invitations sent, it’s official, a second Apple product-release event of autumn takes place the evening before Halloween — Monday, October 30 at 5 p.m. PT. Most folks expect some new Macs to shamble forth.
Robert De Niro, left, and Leonardo DiCaprio bring plenty of star power to Martin Scorsese's Killers of the Flower Moon. Photo: Apple TV+
Martin Scorsese’s historical crime drama Killers of the Flower Moon saw both critical acclaim and solid box-office proceeds the opening weekend of it theatrical run ahead of its release on Apple TV+.
In terms of dollars, it placed second among movies in theaters now and third among films in Scorsese’s long directing career.
SwitchEasy's MagEasy lineup of iPhone cases is on sale. Photo: SwitchEasy
If you have an iPhone, you should probably protect that expensive gadget from drops and scrapes with a case. And it’ll change up your handset’s look, too. Good thing SwitchEasy is having a big sale on its MagEasy lineup — one case for 20% off and an additional 15% off when you buy two cases.
The Matter 2.1 update adds support for 9 new kinds of appliances and more. Photo: Connectivity Standards Alliance
The Matter connectivity standard helps different devices and smart-home platforms like Apple HomeKit and Amazon Alexa work together. And with an update Monday, it added nine home-appliance types and got other improvements, the Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA) behind it said.
Matter specification 2.1 adds support for refrigerators, dishwashers, laundry washers, robot vacuums, air-quality sensors, air purifiers, fans, stand-alone room air conditioners, and smoke and carbon-monoxide alarms.
Start with a new 16-inch M2 MacBook Pro, a CalDigit Thunderbolt 4 dock and a huge Samsung display, and go from there. Photo: [email protected]
Perhaps you’ve heard an expression often used in sports commentary — “so-and-so is running a clinic on this,” meaning showing anyone and everyone how it’s done.
Today’s featured computer setup comes from an Apple administrator who clearly knows how it’s done, if “it” is setting up a rock-solid and highly functional workstation.
If you’re in the market for a MacBook Pro, a bunch of deals currently at B&H Photo are too good to pass up — like $1,900 off a 2021 16-inch M1 Max MacBook Pro. And other laptop deals range from a couple hundred bucks off to more than a thousand bucks off regular prices.
Remember when those MacBook models seemed beyond your financial reach? Well, all you had to do is wait a couple years. See below, and we threw in some newer M2 models, too.
This setup features an M2 MacBook Pro, but it still uses a 2015 Retina model, too. Photo: [email protected]
Who says an 8-year-old MacBook Pro is too old? Today’s featured setup relies on a new M2 MacBook Pro for most of the real work, but a 2015 Retina model still contributes regularly.
“Used it for school but recently graduated in May, only use for it now is YouTube/visuals until it dies,” graphic designer and Redditor izzyontheweb said. “Could you believe it’s a 2015 model and still works amazing?”
The new AirBox Go weighs less than most iPads, fits in almost any bag and charges three Apple devices at once. Photo: Momax
Ever find your Apple devices running on empty while you’re on the go? That’s when you need a power bank or battery pack small enough to fit easily in your bag, so you can charge up devices without a power outlet.
The Momax AirBox Go is a 3-in-1 charging station that will keep your gadgets going wherever you are. This unique Apple accessory is on sale, cutting the price drastically.
Maintain natural eye contact while your read from a script with Elgato Prompter. Photo: Elgato
Video streamers with a lot to say know that working without a script can be challenging, and most teleprompters TV hosts use to read while maintaining eye contact are pricey. But the new Elgato Prompter brings the technology to the masses for $280, the company said Tuesday.
So you can look like a pro on your YouTube video or Zoom call. And Promter’s screen serves as an extra monitor for Mac or PC, too.
More evidence points to fast-charging having little detrimental effect on iPhone battery health. Photo: SwitchEasy
Users have long suspected fast-charging hastens iPhone battery drain more than low-power charging, but a new experiment supports Apple’s claim that it doesn’t. At least, not much.
The magnetically attached polycarbonate cases come in five colors. You can also get black or silver aluminum. Photo: Drop
Drop rolled out its new CSTM80 line of customizable mechanical keyboards starting with a tenkeyless model, the company said Tuesday.
“CSTM” in the name hints at how much you can modify them — in addition to easily swapping out keycaps and switches, you can change the magnetically attached case for a different look.
That desktop wallpaper is distracting, to say the least. Photo: [email protected]
A problem users face with home computer setups is how to separate work from personal use. Today’s setup brings work and personal laptops to the mix — both M1 Max MacBook Pros, coincidentally — along with three displays, including a massive OLED smart TV.
And as is often the case on social media, solid advice sounded loud and clear above the noise.
Never heard of pickleball? Don't worry, Apple has tips for you. Photo: Apple
As the nascent sport of pickleball becomes more popular worldwide, new Apple research shows both it and its older sibling, tennis, pack big health benefits.
The Apple Heart and Movement Study tracked Apple Watch data from thousands of users to get the results.
You can slip one of these right in your pocket. They're not much thicker than your iPhone. Photo: Nomad
Sure, gallium nitride (GaN) technology keeps making powerful device chargers smaller, but Apple accessories maker Nomad looks to be pushing the envelope further with its remarkably slim new USB-C adapters.
The 35W and 65W chargers could be perfect for grabbing some juice for devices like iPhone 15 and MacBook Air while you’re out and about.
You're on camera via thermostat screen, complete with vertical field of view and smart sensing. Photo: Ecobee
The new Smart Doorbell Camera that Ecobee rolled out Tuesday offers an “industry leading” vertical field of view and a “first of its kind” live video stream beamed to a thermostat screen, the company said.
For any smart home powered by HomeKit or Amazon Alexa, the camera offer clear vision day or night, radar-sensing tech for accurate detection and a battery-free enclosure that allows reliable usage in extreme temperatures, Ecobee said.
The affordable Momax Tracker Tag uses the Find My network to help keep track of your belongings. Photo: Momax
If you have a knack for losing items like car keys and handbags — or if you’re often targeted by thieves — you need a location-tracking device. And it doesn’t have to be Apple’s AirTag. That’s because you can get something very similar for less with the Momax Tracker Tag.
SPONSORED
This post is brought to you by Momax.
The Momax Tracker Tag works with Apple’s brilliant Find My network, but costs much less than an AirTag. And you can get an extra-good deal on Momax’s tracking tag right now.
"Hannah Waddingham: Home for Christmas" debuts November 22. Photo: Apple TV+
English actress Hannah Waddingham won an Emmy Award playing AFC Richmond soccer club owner Rebecca Welton on Apple TV+ hit comedy Ted Lasso. But now she’s changing into a glittery gold dress and leading a holiday music special, the streamer said Tuesday, dropping a fabulous photo.
Hannah Waddingham: Home for Christmas debuts November 22 on Apple TV+.