Ed Hardy has been writing full-time about tech for 25 years, and using it for much longer than that. His intro to Apple was a Macintosh Classic II (which he still has), but now he uses a 13-inch iPad Pro as his primary computer. He’s written for NotebookReview, TabletPCReview, and Brighthand, as well as other sites.
Apple keeps selling more and more Macs each quarter. Photo: Apple
Mac shipments increased 21.4% in the second quarter of 2025, according to a market research firm. Apple has shown strong growth in shipments every quarter since the launch of multiple M4-powered Mac models began last autumn, and the new chip has helped grow the company’s share of the global market.
Most of the top Windows makers also saw growth last quarter, but none can match Apple’s pace.
Apple COO Jeff Williams announced his retirement on Tuesday. Photo: Apple
Jeff Williams, Apple’s chief operating officer in charge of the company’s global operations since 2010, will retire later this year. Even before then, though, his position will be filled by Sabih Khan, who currently serves as senior vice president of operations.
Save big on M4 iPad Pro and M3 iPad Air and more… if you don’t delay. Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac
Good news for anyone in the market for an iPad: Amazon Prime Day brings low prices on every tablet Apple makes. But that’s underselling it — there are amazing deals here!
The budget iPad 11 is down to a rock-bottom price, and so is the iPad mini. And Amazon significantly cut the Price of iPad Pro and iPad Air, too. We’re talking deals as good as 24% off. You can save hundreds of dollars.
A Tablo TV deal saves you 25% on an over-the-air DVR with antenna. Photo: Nuvyyo/Cult of Mac
You want to cut cable, but can’t imagine giving up recording your favorite programs to watch later? That was me a few years ago, and a Tablo TV tuner was just what I was looking for. This digital video recorder from Nuvyyo captures up to two shows at once off free local airwaves, then streams them to your Apple TV, iPad or iPhone whenever you want.
Alexander Skarsgård plays the eponymous Murderbot in the Apple TV+ series. Photo: Apple TV+
The sci-fi action comedy Murderbot exploded onto the ratings charts after it reached streaming in May, and continues to be popular even as the season finale approaches. Many weeks after a launch, the series from Apple TV+ still appears on the top 10 lists of a company that tracks ratings.
Plus, Owen Wilson‘s sport comedy Stick also pulls in plenty of viewers.
You don’t have to wait until autumn to find out what the Apple Watch Ultra 3 has to offer. Photo: Apple
After a very modest refresh last year, rumors indicate the Apple Watch Ultra 3 — set to launch this September alongside the iPhone 17 series — will mark Apple’s most ambitious wearable update yet.
Here’s what we’re expecting in 2025’s major overhaul of Apple’s rugged smartwatch. Keep reading or check out our latest video.
Give your setup a retro look with Qwerkywriter. Photo: Qwerkytoys
Suppose you want your office to have a retro look, but you can’t give up your modern computers (of course). You need the Qwerkywriter — it has the look of a classic typewriter, but includes an integrated iPad stand. Or it can wirelessly connect to your Mac.
Add a vintage-looking keyboard to your setup, without giving up functionality.
Patience is required for those eager to get a folding iPad. Photo: ChatGPT/Cult of Mac
Apple just hit the pause button on the large folding iPad supposedly on the drawing board in Cupertino, according to a published report from Wednesday. Development work had allegedly been going on for years.
At the same time, the company is reportedly moving ahead with a folding iPhone.
★★★★★
Navee ST3 Pro Electric Scooter: So much fun in a (relatively) small package. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
While Apple doesn’t make an e-scooter, the Navee ST3 Pro Electric Scooter pairs well with an iPhone. More importantly, it’s both fun and useful, with lots of pickup and range. It comes with plenty of bonus features … all accessible via an iPhone. It even has Bluetooth and Find My support.
I put more than 200 miles on the e-scooter while testing it, driving it on errands and just for fun on streets and sidewalks. I’m genuinely thrilled with it. Here’s why.
Here are the chargers, hubs, power banks and other travel gadgets that I like so much I take them with me on holiday. Graphic: ChatGPT/Cult of Mac
The right travel gadgets make your vacation easier. Whether you’re heading out on a weekend getaway or a long-haul flight across the globe, the correct gear can make all the difference. From keeping your devices charged and connected to ensuring entertainment on the go, today’s travel tech is designed to streamline every leg of the journey.
As a frequent traveler, I’ve built up a collection of accessories: chargers, hubs, portable monitors and more. In this guide, I’ll share my must-have gadgets, hoping they’ll upgrade your travel experience, too — whether you’re a frequent flyer, a digital nomad or just someone who likes to stay plugged in wherever the road leads.
Siri might be powered by Anthropic Claude or OpenAI ChatGPT. Image: Cult of Mac
Apple’s struggle to develop artificial intelligence might reach the point where the iPhone-maker will need to outsource one of its core technologies: Siri. A promised AI upgrade for the voice assistant may be powered by large language models created by Anthropic or OpenAI, not Apple itself, according to an unconfirmed report published Monday.
But this is only a possibility — no decision has been made.
Apple is hard at work on a more affordable Vision Air headset. Photo: Apple/ChatGPT/Cult of Mac
The Vision Air is on the drawing board at Apple, according to a trusted analyst. This more consumer-friendly version of the Vision Pro AR headset reportedly will weigh less and cost less. But it won’t be out soon.
At the same time, Apple is also working on its first foray into smart glasses. These are also supposedly still years away, though.
The Apple logo could be on the move in the upcoming iPhone 17 Pro. Photo: Apple
The most significant design change to the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max might force a secondary modification. The large camera bar reportedly coming to the two premier models could push down the location of the Apple logo, according to a noted tipster.
If true, the new location might cause problems for case makers and irritate MagSafe users.
Take a look at all four iPhone 17 series models (see below). Concept image: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
You don’t need to wait until September to see the four models in the iPhone 17 series. Images of them leaked out already, including a new glamour shot showing the entire collection, including the slim model likely called the iPhone 17 Air.
A highlight of the image is the rumored move from a camera hump to a camera bar in most of Apple’s upcoming handsets.
Make your iPad into a light notebook with a Targus VersaVu keyboard case. Photo: Targus
The goal of the new Targus VersaVu line is to upgrade the latest iPad models to a laptop-like experience. Plus, the slim keyboard case allows users to type on their tablet in either landscape or portrait mode.
It boasts a backlit keyboard, a trackpad and an adjustable kickstand.
The M5 iPad Pro is only a few months away. Image: Apple/Cult of Mac
The next-generation iPad Pro is on the horizon. Its OLED screen is reportedly already in production, and the launch is rumored for this autumn with a new Apple M5 processor on board.
The upcoming iPadOS 26 might do more to spur sales of the tablet than a faster processor or gorgeous screen, though.
Some carmakers say no to Apple’s CarPlay Ultra. Image: Apple/Cult of Mac
CarPlay Ultra just hit another speed bump. Several automakers reportedly won’t use Apple’s most advanced in-dash infotainment system because it takes over too many features of the vehicle that the carmakers themselves want to control. This is especially bad news for Apple as some of these holdouts are companies that previously showed interest in implementing CarPlay Ultra.
On the other hand, there are well-known carmakers still planning on adding the system to their vehicles.
The ButterFly is the best travel charger… even more so now that the price permanently dropped. Graphic: Twelve South/Cult of Mac
I recently returned from the beach where I was reminded how much I love the ButterFly foldable wireless charger. It’s small, rugged enough to take everywhere, but is always ready to juice up your iPhone, Apple Watch or AirPods. Really, it’s simply the best.
Even so, when it launched, the travel charger was a bit expensive. Happily, its developer, Twelve South, recently cut the price by 23%. This isn’t a short-term sale — the deal on the ButterFly charger is permanent.
Battle through the Chronos Dungeon in a roguelike RPG that’s available again for iPhone and iPad. Image: Cornfox & Brothers
Adventurers can once again enjoy Oceanhorn: Chronos Dungeon, a dungeon crawler RPG with a 16-bit feel. Players battle their way through monsters on ever-changing levels.
Previously, the game by Cornfox & Brothers was included in Apple Arcade, but it’s been pulled out of Apple’s subscription gaming service and is now available to all for a flat fee.
The iPhone screen cutout isn’t going away anytime soon. Image: ChatGPT/Cult of Mac
The gradual process of reducing the size of the iPhone screen cutout that’s been ongoing for years will continue, but the front-facing camera will remain visible until 2030, according to a reliable source of leaked Apple info.
Getting the various scanners to work well from behind the iPhone’s OLED panel isn’t a trivial task.
It’s clear Apple plans an extra-large folding iPad, not its first touchscreen Mac. Photo: ChatGPT/Cult of Mac
Early leaks about an upcoming Apple computer with an 18- to 20-inch folding display were vague about whether the device will be an iPad or the first Mac with a touchscreen. In the wake of the introduction of iPadOS 26, the answer now seems obvious: Apple’s extra-large folding tablet will be an iPad.
Recent comments by a high-level Apple executive about not merging macOS and iPadOS add weight to the theory.
As great as Wi-Fi is, Ethernet still plays an important role. Image: ChatGPT/Cult of Mac
It’s World Wi-Fi Day, which highlights the ability of wireless internet access to bring people together. But I’d like everyone to instead consider the advantages of an earlier tech: wired networking via good old reliable Ethernet.
Ethernet is easy to overlook now that almost everything has gone wireless, but it still has a role to play: filling in a flaw in Wi-Fi. Unfortunately, Apple doesn’t build Ethernet ports into MacBooks, but adding one is easy and inexpensive.
★★★★☆
Expand your iPhone Pro/Pro Max storage capacity with this SanDisk SSD. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
SanDisk designed its Creator Phone SSD specifically for people recording large amounts of 4K ProRes video with a recent iPhone Pro/Pro Max model. The MagSafe drive magnetically attaches to the back of the handset so it’s out of the way during filming.
It holds up to 2TB of data without making the handset difficult to film with. And transferring data to a Mac for editing is a snap.
I tested the SSD with my iPhone and it worked very well. But the cable is bulkier than it should be.