HomePod packs a lot of sound in a tiny package. Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac
One of the most reputable tech review sites isn’t that impressed with the HomePod’s superb sound.
While most reviewers have noted the HomePod as the best sounding speaker they’ve ever listened too, Consumer Reports claims Google Home Max and Sonos One sound better.
Portrait Lighting in selfies. Humankind can now sit back and relax. Photo: Apple
Apple published a new set of videos today giving iPhone X owners some more tips on how to get the most out Apple’s most advanced camera ever.
The new videos show how to take advantage of the new Portrait mode selfies feature on the iPhone X and the best way to edit them. There’s also a new tutorial for Live Photos that shows you how to create a bounce photo which is a lot like Instagram’s boomerang feature.
Apple wants to make smart glasses that don't look dorky. Photo: Apple
Apple is gearing up to make a big play in the world of augmented reality glasses with its newest investment.
The iPhone-maker has reportedly made a big investment into AR display component maker EMagin Corp, giving Apple a key partner in its quest to build an AR headset that looks good.
Ready to ditch your iPhone X already? There's still time to get a great price! Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac
Verizon plans to start locking all phones, including iPhones, to its network for a certain period of time. The carrier is hoping the move, which will prevent customers from using other SIM cards in Verizon devices, will help it fight theft.
iBoot, a part of iOS that ensures the device is booting a trusted operating system, surfaced online last week in what was described by one security expert as “the biggest leak in history.”
Apple is changing its strategy when it comes to iOS launches. Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac
The biggest launch features for iOS 12 will reportedly involve allowing a single set of apps to work across both iOS and macOS, a Digital Health tool for monitoring screen time, and improvements to Animojis, a new report claims.
Apple will meanwhile hold off on introducing a redesigned home screen and revamped Photos app until 2019. This marks a new strategy for Apple, in which software engineers won’t have to rush to finish features in time for each year’s iOS refresh around the time of the new iPhone launch.
iFixit’s HomePod teardown reveals a veritable tank of a smart speaker that’s incredibly durable but virtually impossible to get inside. Unless you fancy using a heat gun and saw to open up your brand new Apple speaker, that is!
This stunning new title is the sequel to a beloved 2015 classic. Photo: Snowman
Alto’s Odyssey, the long-awaited follow up 2015’s brilliant Alto’s Adventure endless snowboarding game is finally landing on iOS later this month.
The game combines the snowboarding of its predecessor with wall jumping, balloon bouncing, and far more — all with the same sumptuous graphics of the original game, which remains one of the best titles available in the App Store. Check out the trailer below.
Notebook sales increased more than expected last year. Photo: Apple
Global notebook shipments increased more than expected last year, and part of it came down to Apple’s strong MacBook growth.
According to a new report from market research firm TrendForce, Apple recorded a 9.6 percent market share in global notebook shipments, up from 8.3 percent the previous year. As a result, Apple overtook Asus to become the fourth largest notebook maker by shipments, compared to the fifth largest in 2016.
Sound quality is the biggest selling point of Apple's new smart speaker. Photo: Apple
Apple debuted short four HomePod-themed ads over the weekend, showing off the speaker’s high-end audio playback capabilities. The ads are titled “Beat,” “Bass,” “Equalizer” and “Distortion” and feature some striking but simple imagery that subtly harks back to the clean dancing silhouettes Apple used to use to advertise iTunes and the iPod.
HomePod sounds great, but right now it doesn't have some of the AI tricks of its rivals. Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac
Apple has been pretty outspoken about marketing HomePod as a high-end speaker that just happens to have Siri, as opposed to a smart speaker built around its AI assistant, like the Google Home or Amazon Alexa.
A new study published by Loup Ventures suggests one reason why: Because Siri is seriously lagging behind its rivals in terms of its functionality and ability to answer questions.
This week we have apps that will help you to learn everything about your guitar, read up on the latest news, and use the Touch Bar to edit text on your MacBook Pro. But who are we trying to fool with all those? This weekend you’ll all be playing Final Fantasy XV Pocket Edition all day long.
Is HomePod nearing its end, or just getting started? Photo: Apple
The HomePod reviews have been coming out hot and heavy, and they’re surprising. This week on The CultCast, we’ll tell you what people like, love and hate about Apple’s new speaker. If you’re planning on buying one, don’t miss our discussion. Plus: Something strange is happening at Apple HQ … we elaborate; 150 new kickass emojis are coming to your iPhone; and we pitch you the movies, gadgets and food we can’t get enough of in all-new What We’re Into!
Our thanks to Squarespace for supporting this episode. It’s simple to accept Apple Pay and sell your wares with your very own Squarespace.com website. Enter offer code CultCast at checkout to get 10% off any hosting plan.
Here's everything you need to know about Apple's HomePod smart speaker. Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac
After months of delays, Apple’s HomePod is finally available in Apple Stores today. Before we get to the reviews, comparisons and tips, with our latest video we give you a tour of what’s in the box, show you how easy it is to set up, show it off in action and my first impressions.
In this week’s issue, you’ll find that story and more. Learn how to set up Apple’s Health app to unlock its awesome fitness potential. Apple is investigating iPhone X’s incoming call bug. Discover how to to see Cult of Mac at the top of your Facebook feed. And, now until Tuesday take advantage of a two-for-$65 promo on Nyloon’s lineup of great nylon Apple Watch bands. Get your free subscription to Cult of Mac Magazine from iTunes. Or read on for this week’s top stories.
Check out Apple's new HomePod in action. Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac
After months of delays, Apple’s HomePod is finally available in Apple Stores today. Before we get to the reviews, comparisons and tips, with our latest video we give you a tour of what’s in the box, show you how easy it is to set up, show it off in action and my first impressions.
VR headsets are still bulky AF. Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac
Bulky virtual reality headsets may soon look like retro relics if Apple’s designers have their way.
Details of a new patent from Apple reveal the company is investigating different ways to reduce the size of bulky augmented reality and virtual reality headsets. The patents specifically mentions a tech that its rivals aren’t using, which could give it big advantage if it enters the market.
HomePod is a fruit machine, apparently. Photo: Apple
HomePod has landed. If you’re an Apple fan who loves audio, it’s a wonderful day. If you’re a speaker company, however, you now have to compete against the biggest tech brand in the world.
Sonos has shown it’s not scared by trolling HomePod with a Spotify playlist that contains a hidden message.
You may finally get a way to disapprove of inappropriate content on Facebook. The social network is testing a new “downvote” button that lets users flag public comments that are offensive, misleading, or off-topic. Just don’t call it a dislike button.
Apple is investigating how an AirPod exploded and very nearly injured its owner. A Tampa, Florida man was listening to music at the gym when he noticed smoke billowing out of his ear. Fortunately for him, he took the AirPod out before it ended up in tiny pieces.
Live news comes to Apple TV. Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac
Apple has introduced a live news section to its TV app for iOS and tvOS. It hosts a bunch of live feeds from a number of major news providers — but you’ll only see them if you live in the United States.
The 10.5-inch iPad Pro is a real screamer (and it's on sale now for the best price we've ever seen). Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac
This week, you can go pro and upgrade your iPad, or snag a sweet deal on a refurbished iPhone. Plus, get an app that tracks cryptocurrencies — for free! You’ll find those bargains and more in our roundup of the week’s best Apple deals.
This leak is bad news for iPhone users. Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac
Apple confirmed this morning that the leaked iOS source code that hit the web yesterday is indeed authentic.
The iPhone-maker ordered GitHub to pull the iBoot source code from its servers. Security researchers remain worried that the leak could help hackers compromise iPhones and iPads, but Apple says there’s nothing to worry about.
Kumail Nanjiani and Emily V. Gordon are writing a TV show for Apple. Photo: Film Nation Entertainment
Immigration is one of the hottest issues in Washington D.C. this week and with a little help from Apple, the issue is about to take over Hollywood too.
Apple is developing yet another original TV show called Little America that’s being written by Silicon Valley star Kumail Nanjiani and his partner Emily V. Gordon.
"The biggest leak in history." Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac
Source code for a core component of the iPhone’s software has appeared online in what is described as “the biggest leak in history.”
iBoot, a part of iOS that ensures the device is booting a trusted operating system, was posted to GitHub anonymously. The code could be used by hackers to find vulnerabilities in Apple’s software. The company has already filed a copyright take-down request to have it removed.