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.
New sharing features for Reddit content include rich URL previews. Photo: Reddit
Reddit updated its iOS app to allow rich-link previews for shared content, the social media chat site said Tuesday. That makes it easier to see what someone texted your way before you click through.
Before now, you’d just see the URL and have nothing else to go on in terms of what was shared, short of words in the URL or an explanation in the sender’s text.
The lovely and elegant Mesh Link band comes in gold or silver colors. Photo: Goldenerre
Goldenerre calls its Mesh Link Apple Watch Bands its “latest statement piece,” and the company’s not kidding. The beautiful, hand-assembled band will make your wearable stand out like the belle of the ball.
The user learned how to convert the 5K iMac display from a video. Photo: [email protected]
It’s great that Apple put out a high-quality display that costs a lot less than the $5,000 Pro Display XDR. But the Studio Display, at $1,600, is still too pricey for many folks. If you’d rather have a 5K display for way less than a grand, today’s featured M2 Pro Mac mini setup is for you if you’re willing to do some work.
Following an instructional video included below, the user converted a 5K iMac to a 5K standard USB display for about $700.
You can build all sorts of shapes and patterns with the magnetic units. Photo: Yeelight
Yeelight launched its highly customizable, Matter-compatible and almost Lego-like Cube ARGB Table Lamp at CES 2023. You can mix and match its Matrix, Panel and Spotlight elements to suit your computer setup in myriad ways.
And the company’s Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign with early-bird deals of up to 36% off the standard kit ends in three days.
The cable folds into the hub's body, improving portability and reducing cable clutter. Photo: Cable Matters
Cable Matters unveiled a foldable 4K USB-C hub Tuesday for hybrid workers to use on the road or in a home office.
“The Cable Matters Foldable USB-C Multiport Adapter with HDMI & USB Power Delivery (PD) converts a single USB-C port into a multimedia powerhouse, all in a small and ultra-portable form factor,” the company said.
A new companion podcast for "Prehistoric Planet 2" launches May 8. Season 2 debuts May 22. Photo: Apple TV+
Apple TV+ dropped the official season 2 trailer for the award-winning natural history series Prehistoric Planet Tuesday. It explores new dinosaur discoveries and diverse habitats from 66 million years ago.
And that’s not all. The streaming service said a new companion podcast looking at the science and filmmaking behind the series launches May 8, ahead of the May 22 season 2 debut.
Isn't it about time you took online passwords seriously? Photo: pCloud
Nobody likes dealing with online passwords, but a future without them has yet to arrive. So, instead of limping along with weak passwords you use over and over again for different websites — a huge security risk — you should get a password manager with top-notch security like pCloud Pass.
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Already known for secure cloud storage, pCloud recently rolled out pCloud Pass. The password manager gives you instant access to encrypted passwords across all your devices. And you can use a free version or choose from affordable plans with extra features.
A working paper studied the price younger workers may pay for working remotely. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
One of the first major studies of the surge in remote work caused by the COVID-19 pandemic suggests out-of-office workers face a “hidden penalty.”
It’s a reduction in feedback and guidance, which may harm people early in their careers the most. The study looked at engineers at a large technology company and the way they offered feedback on each other’s code.
This nursing student's setup is quite affordable. Photo: [email protected]
Many computer setups check all the functionality boxes at a cost of thousands of dollars. But who doesn’t love a complete setup that comes in at bargain-basement cost? Today’s featured MacBook Air workstation seems to cover all the bases without breaking the bank for the user, a nursing student.
How is the setup so affordable? In large part, because it relies on lesser-known brands and, in some cases, older equipment.
Car thefts are on the rise in New York City, and Gotham’s finest are turning to Apple’s AirTag trackers for help. On Sunday, Mayor Eric Adams and the NYPD said 500 free AirTags would go to residents by request in the police precinct hardest hit by car thieves.
“This simple device, this simple AirTag, hidden in a car location that a person is not aware, of is an excellent tracking device,” Adams said. “It’s easy to monitor. You can see in real-time where the vehicle is located.”
Zach Cherry, left, Adam Scott and John Turturro star in Severance on Apple TV+. Photo: Apple TV+
Production on the second season of Severance, the Apple TV+ thriller about a profoundly creepy workplace, has seen delays because the series’ two showrunners hate each other, according to a recent report.
Scripts were scrapped amid the two not speaking to each other as director Ben Stiller searched for help. And it seems he finally found it. Stiller also downplayed on-set drama in a tweet.
What's good enough for mom? An iPad? An Apple Watch? Maybe both. Photo: Marek [email protected]
Apple has shared its annual Mother’s Day gift guide to help you celebrate your mom on May 14 in the United States and many other countries. Dozens of gift ideas, from AirTags to iPhones to various accessories, cover a range of prices from $15 to about $1,000.
And you can “make it mom’s” with free engraving of emojis and messages on a range of gifts, too.
It costs more than a grand, but it's designed to last a lifetime. Photo: Bang & Olufsen
Esteemed Danish audio brand Bang & Olufsen unveiled its new portable Beosound A5 speaker Thursday. The pricey and powerful device’s design results from a collaboration with the Danish-Italian duo GamFratesi.
“Beosound A5 is our new high-end portable speaker which combines Bang & Olufsen’s long-standing approach to timeless design with our vision on sound for the future,” said VP of Product Marketing Michael Henriksson.
“We’re excited to collaborate with GamFratesi for the first time, to create two speaker designs that are rooted in a Scandinavian aesthetic with a distinct design signature on their own,” he added.
The user, a developer, finds a Studio Display paired with an LG DualUp monitor (left) ideal for his work. Photo: [email protected]
Any conversation about “perfect” displays might just start and end with Apple’s Pro Display XDR. But not everyone is rich enough to buy one of those 6K monitors, which cost $5,000 or more. So the popular 5K Studio Display might have to do, along with something complementary.
One option graces today’s featured MacBook Pro setup. It recently swapped out ultra-wide and 4K monitors for a Studio Display and and the eccentric LG DualUp. They seem especially well-suited to certain types of workers.
Consider this your personal invitation to extraordinary savings on Microsoft software with promo code CULT. Photo: CdkeySales.com
Before the big April Sale ends, you can still snatch up hot deals on Microsoft software at software activation keys provider CdkeySales.com. In other words, it’s not too late to nab great prices on Microsoft Windows, Office and more. Don’t miss it.
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What could be better than paying less than full price for Windows 10 and other crucial software from CdkeySales? You can click on the links below to secure low prices on loads of Microsoft software. Plus, Windows 10 comes with a free upgrade to Windows 11.
CdkeySales’ prices are always affordable. But to get the absolute best savings possible, enter promo code CULT at CdkeySales.com. That will slash an additional 30% off the site’s super-low prices on keys for Windows 10 Pro Global, Microsoft Office 2021 Pro and more.
With a 65% layout, the new High65 V2 is compact and portable. Photo: Epomaker
Epomaker and Createkeebs said Thursday their recent collaboration resulted in their release of the compact new High65 V2 mechanical keyboard.
“Featuring a compact and portable 65% layout, the High65 V2 is the ideal choice for professional gamers and keyboard enthusiasts alike,” the companies noted.
Transparent plastic is a new look for Beats. Photo: Amazon/Beats
Before Apple subsidiary Beats could get the word out, a listing appeared briefly on Amazon.com Tuesday showing upgraded Beats Studio Buds+ coming out May 18.
They take the same shape as existing Beats Studio Buds, but they feature a cool new transparent design option, upgraded performance and a slightly higher price of $169.95.
With National Small Business Week upon us, Apple celebrates how it helps entrepreneurs. Image: Apple
With National Small Business Week starting Sunday, Apple profiled three small businesses Wednesday, describing how they harness Apple products to grow.
In addition, the company will feature “Grow Your Business with Apple” Today at Apple sessions next week in select U.S. cities.
That's not a display configuration you see every day.
Just when you thought you’d seen every arrangement of displays known to computer setups, something comes along to surprise you. Today’s featured M2 Pro Mac mini setup puts a portrait-mode display at center and two landscape-mode displays sticking out like wings on either side of it. It’s kind of odd how rarely seen it actually is.
Another rarity is the user’s amazing assortment of audio components, including an unusually big “Schiit stack.”
Locally sourced building materials help give a bright and airy feel to the store, which opens Friday. Photo: Apple
Apple previewed MixC Shenzhen Wednesday, showing off its second retail store to open in China’s third most-populous city after Shanghai and Beijing.
“We are very excited to open a beautiful new Apple Store in Shenzhen and deepen our connection with the local community,” said Deirdre O’Brien, Apple’s senior vice president of Retail.
“At Apple, we’re constantly innovating to deliver the best possible experience for our customers, and our incredible team members in Shenzhen can’t wait to welcome them when doors open on Friday,” she added.
The new drone's third medium telephoto lens opens up lots of possibilities.
DJI said Tuesday its new flagship consumer drone, the DJI Mavic 3 Pro, features the company’s first triple-camera setup, adding a 70mm medium-telephoto lens to previous configurations.
“The additional 70mm 48MP medium telephoto lens gives beginner and professional content creators alike increased creative options when shooting aerial images and video,” B&H Photo Video said in a press release about the news.
At just over $22 for a limited time, this power bank is a good deal.
Anker unveiled its newest and lowest-priced magnetic power bank Monday. And a 30% off launch discount makes the new 321 MagGo Battery PowerCore 5K an even better deal. See below for details.
Update:This deal has expired. Nevertheless, the power bank is only $31.99, which is a third of the cost of Apple’s own version.
★★★★☆
Tozo's new flagship earbuds check most of the boxes for a reasonably low price. If the price drops, grab 'em. Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac
Already known for surprisingly good budget earbuds, Tozo rolled out new flagship active noise-canceling (ANC) wireless earbuds at CES 2023 to compete with the big players. And the Tozo Golden X1 Wireless Earbuds do just that, with a sleek design, quality sound but somewhat meh noise cancellation for a reasonable price (especially with available discounts).
Tozo sent me a pair of Golden X1 buds to check out. They sound excellent — as good as premium earbuds that cost twice as much — but the active noise canceling could be better.