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 SE/30 (which he still has), but now he uses a 13-inch iPad Pro as his primary computer.
That's because he's a "tablet first" type of guy. Rather than use a Macbook, he connects a keyboard case to the iPad. And instead of a desktop Mac, he connects his tablet to a 27-inch display and full-size keyboard. (So don't try to tell him that everyone has to use a Mac to be productive.)
Before coming to Cult of Mac, Ed wrote for NotebookReview, TabletPCReview and Brighthand, as well as other sites.
A folding iPhone might look something like this concept. AI concept: ChatGPT/Cult of Mac
To avoid mistakes made by rivals, Apple reportedly will do everything it can to create a crease-free folding iPhone with a durable hinge. According to a report released Friday, that includes producing the hinges using a liquid metal process.
Apple can’t keep secrets from tipsters. Concept image: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
We aren’t left wondering what the four models in the upcoming iPhone 17 series will look like — not when a picture of “dummy” units posted Thursday reveals the design of each of them.
These show the rumored move from a camera hump to a camera bar in most of Apple’s upcoming handsets, and the back panel on the two Pro models will employ a new design.
★★★★★
The PNY Pro Elite V3 stores terabytes of files and doesn’t empty your wallet. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
The PNY Pro Elite V3 external SSD holds terabytes of files, and can transfer data at up to 1,000MB/s. Another standout feature is cost, with the 2TB variant coming in at just $145 — well below many rival SSDs.
I tested the speed, build and other aspects of the drive with a range of computers to be sure it lives up to expections.
“Assassin’s Creed Shadows” just launched on Mac -- no PC or console needed. Image: Ubisoft
Assassin’s Creed Shadows finally launched on Thursday, and Mac gamers can play the action-packed, role-playing game from Ubisoft at the same time as players on PCs and consoles. Mac owners won’t face the usual wait of months or years. There’s even a version for iPads with M-series processors in development.
The adventure is set in medieval Japan, and players can choose either a samurai or a shinobi (aka ninja) for very different gaming experiences.
Missing MagSafe? A MagSafe sticker is the answer. Image: Cult of Mac
9iPhone 16e owners can easily add an inexpensive MagSafe sticker to make up for Apple leaving this magnetic connection system out of its new handset. Adding MagSafe improves wireless charging and opens the doors to magnetic stands, power banks and clip-on wallets.
Android users frustrated that they can’t take advantage of great accessories designed for iPhone can use one of these stickers, too.
Here’s our buying guide to the best MagSafe stickers we found.
The new head of Siri development has one job: make it stink less. AI image: ChatGPT/Cult of Mac
An Apple reorganization reportedly brings new management to the team struggling to develop an AI-enhanced version of Siri. Apple apparently tapped Mike Rockwell, an exec with one successful Apple product launch already under his belt, to shepherd the promised Siri upgrade.
Clearly, the goal is to accelerate a project that’s been significantly delayed — and has become a major embarrassment for Apple.
The Zagg 6-Port Media Hub is ideal for fans of watching video on an iPad. Photo: Zagg
Don’t buy a separate stand and hub for your iPad until you check out the Zagg 6-port Media Hub that launched Wednesday. Add an HDMI port, a USB-A port and more to your tablet without taking up any more space on your desktop than a stand alone would.
Plus, it got a big brother: the Zagg Pro Dock is a stand for MacBooks with 10 ports, including dual HDMI and Ethernet.
These are part of a collection of new hubs from Zagg with a range of port options.
The European Union just ordered Apple to make iPhone cooperate better with headphones and smartwatches made by other companies. AI image: Midjourney/Cult of Mac
The European Commission issued “guidance” Tuesday on changes it says Apple must make to comply with the interoperability requirements of the EU’s Digital Markets Act. The new mandates would open up the iPhone to work more closely with third-party smartwatches, headphones and TVs.
Apple says the new rules will undercut user privacy and slow innovation, and vows to make its case to the EU. It remains to be seen whether the changes will take effect only in Europe or globally.
As Microsoft winds down Windows 10, more and more companies are looking at macOS instead. Photo: CdkeySales.com
With Microsoft winding down Windows 10, many companies could take the opportunity to switch to macOS, according to an industry analyst.
The prediction comes as U.S. Mac sales are already spiking, up a whopping 25.9% in the fourth quarter. This made Apple the third-largest computer maker in the U.S. market.
Resident Evil 3 comes to horrify your Apple devices. Image: Capcom
Capcom brought Resident Evil 3 to Mac, iPad and iPhone on Tuesday. The latest AAA game to arrive on Apple’s platforms, the 2020 survival horror title lets players use a variety of weapons to fight zombies.
Mac Studio vs Mac Pro: A new champion. Photo: Cult of mac
Comparing Mac Studio vs Mac Pro shows the benefits from Apple’s ever-improving processors. Mac Studio just got a major chip upgrade, and can now be configured with an M3 Ultra. The last new Mac Pro version came in 2023, and it’s therefore stuck with an M2 Ultra.
Read on to see how much of a difference that makes. (Spoiler alert: It a big difference.)
An Apple executive admits that delaying the AI-enhanced Siri is an embarrassment. AI image: Midjourney/Cult of Mac
The head of the team developing the promised AI-enhanced Siri had to admit the recent decision to significantly delay the release gave Apple’s reputation a major black eye, according to a report published Friday.
Robby Walker, Apple’s senior director of Siri and information intelligence, reportedly called the delay “ugly” during a recent all-hands meeting with his team. He gave an update on how close Apple is to having the technology ready, but couldn’t promise when it will ship. At present, the “smarter” Siri reportedly still fails to work correctly a significant percentage of the time.
★★★★☆
The 2025 iPad 11 is a lot of computer for a small amount of money. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Don’t underestimate the basic iPad. As I learned while testing the iPad 11 for this review, the newly updated tablet with an Apple A16 processor is an almost shockingly good computer when one considers it costs only $349.
I put Apple’s latest low-cost tablet to the test and came away reminded that one doesn’t need an iPad Pro to be productive. Or have fun.
Wi-Fi isn’t your only option with a USB-C Ethernet adapter. Photo: Plugable/Cult of Mac
The new Plugable USBC-E5000 5Gbps USB-C Ethernet Adapter lets you add a wired internet connection to your MacBook. Simply plug it into a USB-C port on your computer for data transfers at up to 5Gbps, or 5000Mbps.
The affordable adapter, which launched Tuesday, also works with iPad and even recent iPhone models.
macOS 16 could look more like visionOS. Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac
Apple intends to massively transform the user interfaces for the iPhone, Mac and iPad later this year, according to a reliable source who says iOS 19, macOS 16 and iPadOS 19 could bring the most significant changes in years.
How will those changes affect the familiar look and feel of Apple’s devices? A software developer speculates that a pair of recently released Apple apps offer a sneak peek at the design overhaul reportedly coming in iOS 19 and macOS 16.
iOS 18.3.2 is out for iPhone, along with macOS 15.3.2, iPadOS 18.3.2 and visionOS 2.3.2. Image: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Apple introduced on Tuesday four patches for a range of devices to deal with bugs. iOS 18.3.2, macOS 15.3.2, iPadOS 18.3.2 and visionOS 2.3.2 are all ready to download.
In addition to a bug fix related to streaming content, the patches also include a fix for a potentially serious security issue.
2025 Mac Studio: Probably more power than you really need. Image: Apple/Cult of Mac
Early reviews of the 2025 Mac Studio tout the speed boost that comes with the Apple M3 Ultra processor, and the M4 Max version is certainly no slouch. And, as reviewers point out, the new chips build on previous versions that offered an impressive set of features packed into a relatively small casing. For those interested in the latest developments in AI-powered performance, check out the latest Apple AI news.
If you’re interested in Apple’s latest laptops, the MacBook Air M3 is now available for purchase.
Considering the new desktop? This is just what you need to know:
The first M3 iPad Air reviews are in, and it looks good. Image: Apple/Cult of Mac
Early reviews of the upcoming M3 iPad Air note the ho-hum nature of Apple’s update: The midrange tablet gets a speed boost thanks to a new chip and nothing else. Still, the device gets lots of compliments from reviewers.
The consensus remains that the iPad Air continues to be a worthy option for those who want more than the budget iPad but aren’t willing to pay for all the additional features of an iPad Pro.
Apple’s smart home device might look just a little bit like this. Concept: Vivint/Apple/Cult of Mac
The launch of a device that will be the centerpiece of Apple’s next foray into smart home technology reportedly got put on hold. The delay in the launch of the wall-mounted iPad-like computer is a result of Apple’s problems finishing work on an AI-enhanced version of the Siri voice assistant, according to a reliable source.
The 2025 Mac Studio with M3 Ultra brings a welcome speed boost Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac
Early benchmarks for the Mac Studio with the M3 Ultra processor reveal that Apple’s new top-of-the-line chip brings a 30% performance increase over its predecessor.
The speed boost is even more dramatic over the original version of the Mac Studio from 2022.
A highlight of the 2025 MacBook Air is its Apple M4 processor. Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac
The Apple M4 chip going into the new MacBook Air version brings a considerable performance boost. Early benchmark scores show the 2025 version of the macOS notebook runs over 50% faster than the 2024 version.
Steady annual improvements in Apple’s M series chips continue to demonstrate the advantages of the switch away from Intel. If you’re considering an upgrade, checking out theMacBook Air price can help you decide if the latest model is worth the investment. If you’re looking for a breakdown of the latest Mac M4 and whether it’s worth upgrading, this guide has everything you need to know. If you’re comparing the latest models, check out this detailedM4 MacBook Pro comparison to see how it stacks up.
The M4 MacBook Air can drive more than one external display. Photo: Apple
Apple unveiled the M3 Ultra chip as an option in the newMacStudio desktop Wednesday. As the company’s most powerful silicon chip to date, it brings unprecedented performance to pro users with demanding workflows. The other option in the new desktop machine is the M4 Max chip, which is actually less powerful than the M3 Ultra.
“M3 Ultra is the pinnacle of our scalable system-on-a-chip architecture, aimed specifically at users who run the most heavily threaded and bandwidth-intensive applications,” said Johny Srouji, Apple’s senior vice president of Hardware Technologies.