Caviar saw the complaints about the AirPods Max’s $550 price and said “Hold my beer.” Photo: Caviar
The $550 price tag for Apple’s AirPods Max raised no few eyebrows, but the Russian luxury brand Caviar blows that out of the water. It just launched a version of these over-the-ear headphones that is 200x more expensive.
Five awesome apps you shouldn't be without. Image: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac
Got a new iPhone or iPad for the holidays? Make the most of it by getting your hands on some of the best, most useful iOS apps. We’ve rounded up five of our favorites that we think every iPhone and iPad owner should be using.
Apple has significant resources it could use to build an autonomous car. Illustration: Cult of Mac/Wikipedia CC
Volkswagen Chairman of the Board Herbert Diess says he’s excited to see what Apple’s “virtually unlimited” means and resources will mean for the auto industry.
In a German-language post on LinkedIn, Diess wrote:
This is the latest implementation of Apple's privacy ambitions. Photo: Apple
The iOS 14 privacy feature that lets users know which apps are tracking them — and how — has started rolling out for beta users on certain apps.
Apple first showed off the new privacy labels at this year’s virtual Worldwide Developers Conference. Apple asked that, starting early this month, developers submit information to Apple concerning the type of data their apps collect on users.
This data is then used to create nutrition label-type categories that let users easily understand how they are being monitored. It means that, the first time users open an app, they will be alerted regarding this information. This can be used to help decide whether to use a certain app or how to decide sharing settings.
A great leather band that does away with fiddly buckles. Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac
Thanks to a wonderfully simple quick-release clasp, Monowear’s new Deployant Reserve band for Apple Watch is ideal for anyone who despises traditional buckles. It’s made from genuine leather that’s wonderfully soft, and like all Monowear products, it’s also nicely priced.
An iPad with an Apple M-series processor should be able to run the Mac version of Photoshop. But not macOS. Photo: Cult of Mac
Future iPads will be built around Apple’s M-series Mac processors, rather than A-series iPhone chips, according to a recent unconfirmed report. This is a much-needed step in Apple tablets becoming all they can be.
A more powerful processor would allow iPads to easily run macOS software. And that’s just one of the game-changing improvements possible for tablets with M-series chips.
Twelve South AirFly Pro is the perfect companion for AirPods Pro. Photo: Twelve South
AirFly Pro can wirelessly connect your AirPods to a plane’s entertainment system. Or the machines at your gym. If it has a 3.5 mm audio jack, this Bluetooth adapter lets it communicate with your AirPods. Even two pairs at once.
And the same easily pocketable gizmo can connect your iPhone to a car stereo’s AUX port to play music off your iPhone.
I tested both these features — find out how well they work in this AirFly Pro review.
Reconfiguring the buttons on an PS4 or Xbox game controller connected to an iPad or iPhone is easy. Here’s how. Graphic: Cult of Mac
Serious gaming on your iPad or iPhone gets better with an external Xbox or PlayStation controller instead of a touchscreen. And Apple recently improved the experience even more by allowing you to reconfigure the buttons on your game controller.
Here’s how to customize what those all-important buttons do.
An Apple Car for your family might be ready in 2024. Photo: Cult of Mac
Apple is reportedly prepping an an autonomous vehicle that’s aimed at the consumer market. Leaked information indicates Apple is going to make a car and sell it to the public, not just develop self-driving technology to license to other companies.
Apple Car production supposedly will begin in 2024 using cutting-edge battery technology.
Here are some more books to join your already creaking bookshelves. Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac
Looking for a great book to bury yourself in as we escape the closing days of a pretty terrible year? Whether you’re looking for one for yourself or a gift for a fellow tech lover, 2020 had no shortage of great titles.
Here are our choices for the best tech books of 2020.
The Mophie Juice Pack Connect is bulky, but the clip-on battery is easily removable. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Attach the Mophie Juice Pack Connect to your iPhone to significantly increase the battery life. And replace it with a ring holder/stand when you want a slim handset again.
I put this clip-on battery system to the test. Here’s how it stood up.
It's now easier than ever. Image: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac
Nintendo’s latest Switch update (version 11.0.0) makes it easier than ever to share all those screenshots you capture during your finest gaming moments. It’s now possible to quickly transfer them to your iPhone.
Apple tipsters are butting heads over whether there’ll be an iPad Pro with an OLED screen in 2021. Photo: Apple
Apple reportedly isn’t prepping a iPad Pro with an OLED display in 2021. This counters a report from several weeks ago that said an iPadOS tablet with the advanced screen is in development.
All iPads use traditional LEDs, but that might change in the coming year. What the new type of display will be is still up in the air, though.
Strong, practical, and nicely priced. Photo: Adel Neal/Cult of Mac
A decent all-in-one charging hub that can top-up your iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods simultaneously doesn’t have to break the bank. Elago’s is insanely practical, virtually unbreakable, and a steal at just $30.
It’s ideal not only for desks and bedside tables, but also those who frequently travel. It supports all iPhone and Apple Watch models, and it’s available in a number of smart and subtle color options.
A simple Bluetooth adapter is all you need. Image: Apple/Cult of Mac
AirPods, like most wireless headphones, use Bluetooth to connect to your iPhone and other devices. But that doesn’t mean it’s impossible to enjoy them with older gadgets that don’t have Bluetooth connectivity baked-in.
With a simple and affordable Bluetooth dongle, you can use your AirPods with an old iPod, home stereo system, gym equipment, Nintendo Switch and other consoles, and more. If you’re looking for a guide on airpod max bluetooth pairing, check out this article for step-by-step instructions.
The AirPods Max case may look odd, but the designers point out it’s very efficient. Photo: Apple
AirPods Max are controversial for a number of reasons. For one, there’s the $550 price tag. But the odd-looking case Apple designed for these over-the-ear headphones also drew plenty of mockery.
The designers of AirPods Max defended their creation in an interview published Thursday.
Vengeance is one of many brilliant leather options. Photo: Watch Store Co
Watch Strap Co’s impressive lineup of high-end Apple Watch bands is now available from the Cult of Mac Store. There are great nylon, leather, and stainless steel options to choose from — all brilliantly made and available in a range of color options.
We couldn’t be more delighted to have added them to our collection, and we think you’ll love them just as much as we do.
Facebook has launched its second, blistering full-page ad against Apple, one day after it took it to task in The New York Times and elsewhere for allegedly hurting small businesses.
The new ad, which will appear in today’s papers, is titled “Apple vs. the free internet.” Here’s what it says:
Moft Float adds a dual-hinge stand to an iPad, giving it a huge range of viewing options. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Moft Float adds a two-level kickstand to your iPad Pro or iPad Air, and can even lift the tablet so it seems to float over the keyboard. This combination case and stand is a truly brilliant piece of kit.
I’ve been testing this not-yet-released product, and here’s what it’s like to use every day.
"AirPods Lite" could use the AirPods Pro design, but with one of the big features missing. Photo: Apple
If the new $549 AirPods Max or the $249 AirPods Pro are a bit pricey for you, don’t worry: According to a new report, Apple plans to launch new “AirPods Lite” wireless earbuds in 2021, priced significantly lower.
The new model would look similar to the current AirPods Pro, but would not include the active noise cancellation feature found in Apple’s top-of-the-line wireless earbuds.
Plug Meross’ smart bulb into any fixture to make it a smart light. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
The Meross Smart WiFi LED Bulb integrates almost any lamp or light fixture into a HomeKit smart home. It can be controlled with an iPhone, and offers color changing and dimming.
I added a pair to my smart home. Here’s how it went.
I let Apple Fitness+ test me to the limit, so I could test it to the limit. Photo: Apple
Apple Fitness+ only came online yesterday, but I’ve already logged 10 workouts with it. I let Cupertino’s new subscription service put me through my paces, so I could put it through its paces to bring you this review.
I’m a qualified personal trainer and a fitness fanatic who trains hard every day. So I was curious to find out if Apple Fitness+ could give me a challenging workout.