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.
Help keep national parks going with your next Apple purchase. And there's an Activity Challenge, too. Photo: National Park Foundation/Jeremy Wade Shockley
The U.S. National Park Service turns 107 on Friday. And, as usual, Apple is running its donation campaign to the National Parks Foundation to celebrate.
Each purchase made with Apple Pay in the Apple Store and on Apple sites through Sunday, August 27, donates $10 to the National Parks Foundation.
With this projector, you can use AirPlay or ChromeCast to project a big screen almost anywhere. Photo: BenQ
Want to create an immersive cinematic experience almost anywhere? Now you can with the GV31 Portable Projector BenQ released earlier this month.
With built-in Netflix and Android TV among other streaming options, the 1080p projector can stream on walls or ceilings via AirPlay from your Mac, iPad or iPhone, or from Android devices via ChromeCast.
That's a Hexgears mechanical keyboard in tfront of the iPad mini. Photo: [email protected]
It’s not every day you see a teeny, tiny little display under an ultra-wide one. But today’s M2 MacBook Air setup sports its dual screens that way by putting an iPad mini at the center under the big external monitor, flanked by paired HomePod minis.
The setup’s interesting highlights include a gaming handheld and a full-sized mechanical keyboard we rarely see.
Momax Airbox stores and charges your Apple devices. Photo: Momax
Momax’s Airbox Portable Power Cabin may be the ultimate companion for your Apple devices. The clamshell case not only charges your gadgets fast with its built-in 10,000mAh battery, it also stores them on the go — including iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods or AirPods Pro.
It’ll top up your iPad quickly via USB-C as well. And there’s even a special, non-charging slot to store your Apple Pencil.
The company calls the Airbox the world’s first foldable power bank. And Momax is offering a limited-time deal that drops the price considerably — plus an additional discount for Cult of Mac readers only!
Woot's latest sale offers a selection of reconditioned MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
Amazon bargain website Woot! is offering a sale on factory-reconditioned and refurbished MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models — with prices as low as $280!
That low price is for a 2017 MacBook Air, but you can also score hot deals on 2022 M2 models. See below. The sale ends Tuesday, August 22, at 10 p.m. Pacific.
When you work in 3D, you need a lot of computing power. And four screens, apparently. Photo: [email protected]
Today’s featured setup sports a powerful M2 Ultra Mac Studio desktop computer and four screens, three of them with sparkling 4K resolution. But until recently it was an M2 Max MacBook Pro setup upgraded from an M1 MacBook Pro.
Why the switch to Mac Studio? Hey, sometimes you just need a more badass computer. Especially when you work in 3D rendering and you rarely take the laptop off its dock anyway.
Charge three devices at once via USB-C with Nomad's new GaN charger. Photo: Nomad
Accessories maker Nomad offered a new entrant in the multiport-gallium-nitride (GaN)-charger derby Thursday, unveiling its Nomad 130W GaN Power Adapter.
It comes with three USB-C ports and 130 watts of charging power for MacBook, iPad and iPhone.
Now you have another option for using AI on your iPhone. Photo: Opera
The Opera browser for iOS now features an artificially intelligent assistant created in collaboration with OpenAI. Opera calls it Aria, and says it “offers you a cutting-edge generative AI service for free.”
Similarly to other such tools, Opera integrated its AI into the browser and makes it free to use once you opt in.
Got an iPhone 13 or newer? The bigger T-Series lenses should suit you. Photo: Moment
Moment said Wednesday its whole lineup of popular smartphone cameras lenses is getting bigger and bolder to suit growing handset cameras like iPhone’s, including the upcoming iPhone 15 series.
The new T-Series comprises eight lenses that are new versions of the company’s M-Series, which came out to widespread acclaim in 2017.
This user of this setup was considering a Magic Keyboard with Touch ID, but an alternative came up. Photo: [email protected]
Social media is a great place to get ideas for gear to include in your computer setup — or to skip in favor of doing things another way. There are usually other ways to do things, as today’s M2 MacBook Pro user found out regarding password entry and any “need” for a keyboard with Touch ID.
And if you’re into video editing, check out the user’s cool gear — a PlusTek AI film scanner and a Loupedeck+ photo and video editing console with massive programmability.
No need to buy a USB mic. Just use your XLR mic with Shure's adapter. Photo: Shure
If you’re a content creator and you have an XLR microphone, you don’t necessarily need to buy a USB microphone to interface with your computer for uses like streaming and podcasting. Shure’s got you covered with its new Digital Audio Interface. It converts any XLR mic to USB for easy use directly with a computer.
You can personalize the LCD screen just below the large multi-use control knob. Photo: Epomaker
The new Epomaker TH80-X compact keyboard comes with a large, multi-use control knob and a built-in LCD screen for customization.
Available today, the latest member of Epomaker’s TH80 family of mechanical keyboards features a space-efficient 75% layout rather than a full-size one.
Spigen's new 6-in-1 hub opens up the connectivity options for MacBook. Photo: Spigen
Mobile accessories-maker Spigen rolled out two new USB hubs for MacBooks and other laptops Monday: Spigen ArcDock Pro Multi Hub 6-in-1 and ArcDock Multi Hub 8-in-1.
In each case, a plethora of ports give you plenty of options for connecting your MacBook Air or MacBook Pro to loads of peripherals, including a high-definition external display.
The second of the two documentary series covers Messi's big move to MLS' Inter Miami CF. Photo: Apple
Apple TV+ said Monday it landed the “first and only behind-the-scenes account of soccer superstar Lionel Messi’s new chapter” with Major League Soccer team Inter Miami CF.
The as-of-yet untitled documentary series comes in addition to the other Messi documentary series coming to Apple TV+. That one covers the legend’s longstanding work with Argentina’s national team and his many FIFA World Cup appearances.
The little iPad holder makes using Sidecar or Universal Control a cinch. Photo: [email protected]
While many folks like to have miles of screen real estate with multiple external monitors, some enjoy simply having their iPad’s screen in tandem with their main screen, especially for use with Sidecar or Universal Control.
Today’s clean and well-lighted MacBook Pro setup mounts an iPad with the main monitor in a neat way while hiding away the laptop.
The Momax UD26 charges your iPhone, AirPods case and Apple Watch.
Photo: Momax
If you’ve got an iPhone, you need good ways to charge it. One of the more convenient methods is to use a magnetic wireless charging station that can charge more than just your handset. Momax makes 2-in-1 and 3-in-1 versions that should fit the bill nicely.
Just stick one of these on your nightstand or desk and it’s always ready to top up your iPhone and other gadgets. The 3-in-1 stand powers up an iPhone, AirPods case and Apple Watch, while the 2-in-1 juices an iPhone and an AirPods case.
And right now, Cult of Mac readers can get a 30% discount with a special coupon code. Read on.
See any cables here? We didn't think so. Photo: Basic Apple Guy
Today’s featured computer setup comes from Mac maven and designer Basic Apple Guy. We know him from the free wallpapers he offers for download. Who knew he was such a cable-management Jedi?
We came across his powerful setup with nary an unsightly cable while writing about his new “Flow” wallpaper — which was actually inspired by his fight with cable clutter.
A seven-port dock with 4K resolution output isn't easy to find for $20. Photo: Baseus
Baseus Technology unveiled its Red Dot Design-awarded Baseus Metal Gleam 7-in-1 Docking Station Thursday. It supports ultra-high-def 4K@60Hz resolution for content output.
The company touted an absurdly low-sounding price of $19.99. “It has no match in its tier with a competitive price of $19.99 since the passkey to access such a high-resolution hub is way higher,” the company said.
iPhone 14's Emergency SOS via Satellite comes to the rescue again. Photo: Apple
iPhone’s Emergency SOS via Satellite got credit for saving lives Wednesday when it was the only way a family trapped in a van amid raging wildfires on the island of Maui, Hawaii, could call for help.
The service has brought aid to plenty of people in need so far in its short life, since launch in 2022. This emergency seemed even more fraught than many, as you can see from the frantic texts shown in a post on X below.
The new "Flow" got inspiration from cable management, of all places. Photo: Basic Apple Guy
Mac maven and designer Basic Apple Guy pumps out intriguing desktop wallpaper you can put on your Apple devices like Mac, iPad and iPhone.
But the latest one, “Flow,” which he put out Wednesday, came from a truly surprising place — his obsession with cable management in his home office and computer setup.
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The bulkier Targus ErgoFlip mouse looks like it could take the slender Logitech Anywhere mouse in a fight. Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac
If you’ve ever suffered hand or wrist discomfort from long sessions at the computer, you probably wished you could switch mousing hands, or maybe use a trackball device. Now Targus has addressed that very issue in ingenious fashion with its new ErgoFlip wireless mouse.
With a magnetic top and a stationary base, the mouse lets you “flip” it anytime you want, using a comfortable, ergonomic grip with either hand, with no need to adjust for right- and left-clicking.
Miops Spark is a handheld device that gives your iPhone DSLR-like controls. Photo: Miops
Camera products maker Miops unveiled a Kickstarter campaign Tuesday for Spark, a new camera companion designed to help iPhone users capture photos and video like professionals.
The handheld attachment provides DSLR-camera-like buttons that help you control your iPhone’s cameras.