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.
The new Rode X brand offers two USB mics for streamers and gamers, plus software (pictured: XCM-100 mic). Photo: Rode
The Australian company Rode is well-known for its array of microphones and other gear for content creators in media and at home. But now the company has launched a new sub-brand called Rode X with wares aimed straight at streamers and gamers.
So far you can get two new USB mics and software to go with them.
When you look at the gear in today’s setup you might say, what is this, an ad for Elgato? The workstation is rife with Elgato devices widely used by streamers for video-production workflows, like its popular Facecam, Wave:3 microphone and Stream Deck.
But the MacBook Pro setup isn’t used for streaming at all.
The software engineer who occupies the well-appointed workstation finds perfectly productive things to do with all that Elgato gear, other than streaming.
With a whopping 13 ports, Ugreen's new dock has you covered for charging. Photo: Ugreen
Ugreen expanded its product range Thursday with the launch of its new 13-in-1 USB-C Docking Station, designed for M1 MacBooks and other laptop computers.
Taking advantage of the dock’s whopping baker’s dozen of ports, you can use it to connect a wide range of external devices to your laptop.
Excitrus 105W Power Bank Ultimate is about the size of a new iPhone. Photo: Excitrus
Mobile charging specialist Excitrus introduced its 105W Power Bank Ultimate Thursday, a small but potent charger with an 18,000mAh battery for on-the-go device charging.
The company called the iPhone-sized device “one of the smallest [on] the market with around 100W power output.”
MacUpdater lets you see apps needing updates at a glance. And it can update many of them with one click. Photo: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac
If you’ve built up a big collection of Mac apps, especially if they’re from various sources, it’s a chore keeping them up to date for optimal functionality and security. That’s unless you have a stellar utility like MacUpdater.
Now available in version 2.3, MacUpdater makes keeping your software updated effortlessly. And better yet, Cult of Mac readers can get 15% off the software’s price with a special coupon. See below.
The program certifies instructors who help school teachers make the most of Apple products in their work. Photo: Apple
The Cupertino tech giant expanded its free Apple Learning Coach program Wednesday to invite more tech instructors of various stripes across the U.S. to join. Once certified, they can show school teachers how to get the most out of Apple products to help their students.
Folks like tech coaches and digital learning specialists who want into the program can apply by November 16, Apple said.
Some people need more than one or two displays. Like software developers. Today’s featured MacBook Pro-and-custom-PC setup manages to rely on five different screens like some sort of mini Mission Control. But launches controlled from here are new software products and updates, not rockets.
Momax's clear magnetic case for iPhone works with MagSafe chargers. Photo: Momax
A new iPhone 14 is a substantial investment in what may be your most important piece of technology — often in-hand, always within reach. So shouldn’t you protect it? iPhones have become tougher over the years, but you wouldn’t want to risk yours being out of commission even for a day.
Momax covers two of the best ways to safeguard iPhone 14. One is a slim-but-tough magnetic case in clear or colorful options. The other is a tempered glass screen protector. Together, they’re like armor for your iPhone. And right now, Cult of Mac readers can save 10% on these Momax accessories with code CULTOFMAC10.
Britt Lower got a Gotham Awards nomination for her work in Severance. Photo: Apple TV+
Apple TV+ received five nominations for the 32nd Annual Gotham Awards Tuesday, including two nominations apiece for the series Pachinko and Severance and one for the film Causeway.
This comes after Apple took two wins in the 2021 Gotham Awards, which recognize visionary work in indie film and TV. This year’s awards ceremony takes place November 28.
Zugu's iPad cases are top-rated on Amazon for good reasons. Photos: Zugu
You don’t find many brands on Amazon with an average rating of 5 stars, but Zugu is one of them. The company focuses intently on making the best iPad cases it can, and if rave reviews are anything to go by — and they certainly are — Zugu is wildly successful at its endeavors.
After all, seeing all 5 stars filled in for thousands of ratings of each iPad case has got to be reassuring for shoppers looking to protect their tablet. And that includes cases for iPad mini, iPad Air and iPad Pro, in all sizes.
We’ll take a closer look at Zugu’s iPad cases and how the company got to where it is today below.
The three new portable power stations charge quickly and last a long time, EcoFlow said. Photo: EcoFlow
EcoFlow rolled out three new River 2 series power stations Tuesday. The under-1kWh devices charge to 80% as fast as 48 minutes and offer a long life, making them cost-effective for on-the-go uses like camping as well as home power backup, the company said.
Elago's R1 strap is perfect for your new AirPods Pro 2 charging case. Photo: Elago
Halloween is the time for kooky costumes, candy-induced belly aches and frighteningly good deals on Apple accessories in Cult of Mac‘s Super Sweet Deals sale. You can get anything made by Elago for 15% off this week.
Just head to the Cult of Mac Store to take 15% off all Elago accessories. That’s 162 products that go along with pretty much everything Apple. See some highlights below.
Apple is raising some subscription services costs for the first time. Photo: David Švihovec/Unsplash License/Modified by Cult of Mac
Apple plans to raise the prices of some of its subscription services by $1 to $3 each, reports indicated Monday. The services include Apple TV+, Apple Music price increase and the Apple One subscription bundle.
Users should see the price increases, listed below, with their next subscription renewal.
Anker's Cube charges up to three devices at one and reverts to a small cube for storing or traveling. Photo: Apple
If you like buying popular third-party accessories straight from Apple, take heart. The Cupertino tech giant added three new products to its online store Friday from Anker, Mophie and Twelve South.
They are the new Anker 3-in-1 Cube MagSafe charger, the Mophie Powerstation Plus 10K power bank and the Twelve South Hoverbar Tower for iPad floor stand.
The Monolith MTM 100s are shown here with a MacBook Pro. Photo: Monoprice
If you have the space on or near your desk for them, Monoprice just put out a pair of powered desktop speakers that promise audiophile sound to boost your computer setup’s audio output.
The Monoprice Monolith MTM 100 Powered Desktop Speakers put out 50 watts of sonic power apiece and feature bass panels on the sides.
Photos almost always show the front of the Pro Display XDR, not the back. Photo: [email protected]
The Mac Pro of recent vintage is famously compared to a cheese grater because of the holes in its casing’s design that look like a huge version of the kitchen tool. But did you know it’s not the only high-end product Apple makes that follows that design?
Today’s featured M1 Max MacBook Pro setup shows it. How often do you see the back of a Pro Display XDR in photographs? Plenty of people admiring the setup expressed surprise that the backside of Apple’s top display is full-on cheese grater.
Mkeke's clear cases provide crucial protection without obscuring your iPhone's beauty. Photo: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac
Every year, Apple fans face the same dilemma: Do you really want to cover up your beautiful new iPhone with a case? With the iPhone 14 Pro models, that shiny stainless steel and pristine glass back look beautiful to behold. But these sleek smartphones also look … vulnerable. And drop tests prove they’re not as rugged as Apple might want you to think.
Well, the good news is Mkeke offers clear cases for iPhone 14 Pro Max and iPhone 14 Pro. These affordable cases show off your iPhone rather than hiding it. And the tough and stylish cases are top sellers on Amazon for a reason — several reasons, in fact.
The Level Lock+ is available at some Apple Store locations. Photo: @James_dombro, twitter.com
Some Apple Store locations began stocking the exclusive new Level Lock+ last week, letting users open their door locks with their iPhone or Apple Watch via digital keys. And now you can get it online, too.
The functionality takes advantage of the change in iOS 15 last year adding support for home keys in Wallet. It uses NFC radio technology to let an iPhone or Apple Watch near the lock open it.
Evans Hankey, fourth from left in the front row, is leaving Apple. Photo: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac
Three years after the influential Jony Ive vacated the role of hardware design chief at Apple, it’s opening up again, according to a report.
Vice President of Industrial Design Evans Hankey, who stepped into the top job in 2019, plans to step down. And Cupertino hasn’t said yet who will take over when she goes.
A backyard shed-based setup works especially well when weather isn't much of a concern. This one is in California. Photo: [email protected]
As winter shambles coldly toward much of the U.S. and the world, feast your eyes on a beautiful, custom-built backyard shed housing a hot Mac mini computer setup (in the photo above). It doesn’t even need heating because it’s in California. Jealous yet?
Today’s featured setup pairs a Mac mini with dual HP displays, a Logitech webcam designed for the Pro Display XDR and some slick audio gear we haven’t seen before.
Mujjo's leather wallet case carries up to three cards. Photo: Mujjo
There’s nothing like leather to add stylish protection to your iPhone. If you have a new iPhone 14, it’s a good idea to dress up that pricey device in a high-quality leather case that’ll protect the handset and look good doing it.
For whichever iPhone 14 model you have, you can find eight Mujjo leather and leather-wallet iPhone 14 cases in the Cult of Mac Store.
The "low-profile" keyboard is shorter than your average mechanical keeb. Photo: Keychron
Keychron launched a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign Wednesday for its slim, highly customizable new K3 Pro mechanical keyboard. The company called it “the first-ever low profile mechanical keyboard to come with wireless connectivity and support QMK/VIA.”
And it’s “the first keyboard to ever be equipped with double-shot PBT low profile keycaps,” the company added.
The funding campaign has already eclipsed its initial campaign goal, so the product is likely to ship, just as the original K3 did.
At $400, KEF's new premium entry directly competes with flagship cans that are less costly than Apple's. Photo: KEF
With Apple’s top-shelf AirPods Max over-ear active noise cancelling (ANC) wireless headphones due for a refresh, competitors keep coming with hot new products.
High-end audio maker KEF jumped into the market for the first time this week with its KEF Mu7 headphones, not long after venerable brand Bowers & Wilkins (B&W) rolled out its newest flagship, the PX8.
The ultra-wide 1440p display shown here can be had for about $300. Photo: [email protected]
Once you shell out a couple thousand bucks or more for a marvelous Mac Studio desktop machine, how do you add an ultra-wide display without running up your already-tortured credit cards?
Today’s featured dual-monitor Mac Studio setup solved the problem by going back in time. Its owner added an ultra-wide display — and much of the other gear in the workstation — from a few years ago.