The first over-ear headphones with solid-state micro speakers are almost here, AMPACS said Tuesday. It noted reference-design prototypes with xMEMS solid-state micro speakers are now available. That brings us one big step closer to headphone makers putting it in their new headphones. That could start after the production version of the design becomes available to them in September. Before now, the new micro speakers were limited to earbuds.

xMEMS Labs’ patented 2-way module architecture uses solid-state micro speakers for mids and highs and a dynamic driver for bass. It improves spatial audio accuracy and reduces weight for gamers compared to conventional single-driver cans, AMPACS said. The new reference design is a cost-effective advance that could figure into multiple audio brands’ headphones.

Ahead of the latest news, Cult of Mac conducted an interview with folks behind the development from xMEMS Labs in May. After all, you have to wonder if some future AirPods Max or Beats cans might incorporate the technology (for the record, xMEMS told Cult of Mac it’s open to working with all partners, but confirmed none).

Apple is updating Safari this year for a cleaner, faster web browsing experience on iPhones, iPads and Macs. While the enhanced Reader mode and Highlights stand out as key additions to Safari in iOS 18, iPadOS 18 and macOS Sequoia, several other changes will come to Apple’s web browser as well.

Below we’ll look at all the improvements coming to Safari later this year.

The CEO of Rivian says his company has no intention of ever adding Apple CarPlay to its electric vehicles. This means drivers can’t plug their iPhone into an R2, R3, etc., and gain easy access to Apple Music, Maps, etc., as they can in so many other car models.

CEO R.J. Scaringe says the decision was about keeping control of the user experience, but money has played a role in similar decisions.

Slack added a trio of iPhone and iPad Home Screen widgets on Monday — the first ever for the popular team communication app.

Users can jump directly to unread messages or update their status with these widgets. Or even launch Slack directly from their Lock Screen.

The upcoming fourth-generation iPhone SE might see a pretty big size increase and become the first SE handset to boast an OLED screen, according to the latest rumors. Other rumored upgrades for the budget iPhone include a powerful 48MP camera and more memory so it can run Apple Intelligence features.

Those are some big changes for an entry-level handset folks thought might be on the chopping block not long ago.

A super-slim version of the iPhone 17 could stand out as the most expensive option in Apple’s lineup, even though it wouldn’t come with all the features of the Pro models in that same series.

Other specifications for 2025’s iPhone 17 series supposedly leaked out over the weekend as well.

A Monday update to the Apple Sports app brings Major League Baseball pitching data as well as support for Leagues Cup soccer action, coming up just days from now.

Apple reportedly wants to reduce the amount of money it pours into its Apple TV+ streaming service. And the company also wants to get more bang for its buck.

The result likely will be fewer Apple TV+ shows, and decreased spending on marquee projects. Plus, underperforming series can expect to get canceled more quickly.

If you want to sound good on video calls or podcasts, you need a good mic like the Audio-Technica AT2020USB+ Microphone with shock mount in today’s MacBook Pro setup. And the user can move it around easily enough because he places it on a low-profile Elgato microphone arm.

Apple’s vaunted AirPods Max noise-canceling over-ear headphones list for a wallet-bruising $549. They’re sometimes discounted a bit, but not usually like today’s deal on Amazon: $382.70, or 30% off. But it looks like you have to get the pink ones to grab the best deal. Or you could find lesser discounts on other colors, or even opt for the still-deeply-discounted Beats Studio Pro.

VPNs are beneficial for gamers and streaming viewers, but they also enhance security and ensure privacy while you’re online, making them useful for all internet users.

Below we look at whether Mac users need to use a VPN device. We also provide information for those questioning VPN safety and wanting to how to choose a service that improves online security and privacy. One big question many users have is whether a free service offers the kind of protection you’re looking for while online. According to software reviews expert Aleksander Stevanovic, free VPNs don’t necessarily enhance security but might actually compromise your system. So, should you use a paid alternative? Let’s find out.

Own a PS4 or PlayStation 5? You can get three months of Apple TV+ subscription for free courtesy of Sony.

As part of a promotional offer, Sony is giving existing PS4 and PS5 owners free three-month Apple TV+ trial access.

PC deals alert! While we’re firmly on Team Apple, it’s hard to suggest that PCs don’t hold their own, especially in terms of processing power versus price. Whether you’re an Apple fan who relies on a PC to play games more effortlessly or a professional who wants to ensure their work device is compatible with PCs at the office, we have a few PC deals that might give your Mac a run for its money.

Sunny, a mystery thriller with a darkly comic bent starring Rashida Jones and a robot, quickly became one of the most popular shows on streaming after premiering on Apple TV+ earlier in July.

But it’s not even the most-watched Apple series. That honor belongs to the crime drama Presumed Innocent, which has drawn a big audience for weeks.

A faulty Windows security update crashed Windows computers across the world on Friday. Any PC that installed the update got hit with the infamous Windows Blue Screen of Death, leading to planes being grounded, disruptions at banks, stores that can’t make transactions, and many more problems.

As a macOS user, there’s no reason for you to feel left out. You can install the BSOD as a wallpaper on your Mac and pretend to join in.

A new version of the Eve Weather Connected Weather Station supports the Matter home-automation standard even as the company maintains a HomeKit-only version for those without a Matter hub, Eve Systems said Thursday. Eve Weather keeps you informed of conditions outside and can interact with HomeKit and other platforms to set automations. That could include adjusting the thermostat and turning on lights, or even telling Siri to do so.

Apple unveiled a slate of new Immersive Videos for Vision Pro in the form of series and films Thursday. So users of the AR/VR headset are in for some new audio-visual treats. And some are available now.

“Apple Immersive Video is a groundbreaking leap forward for storytelling, offering Apple Vision Pro users remarkable experiences with an unparalleled sense of realism and immersion,” said Tor Myhren, Apple’s vice president of Marketing Communications.

The computer setup we feature today sports a powerful Mac Studio desktop computer and an impressive phalanx of external displays, yet commenters’ attention focused mainly on the monitor light. It’s actually an EppieBasic LED Desk Lamp rather than a typical monitor light bar, but it serves the same purposes. The user obliged commenters and explained why he loves it.

Amazon Prime Day officially ran July 16 and 17, but it’s not over yet, as Amazon extended many big bargains on Apple products. Tons of goods from Apple and others are discounted. See our selection of the best deals on AirPods (and Apple subsidiary Beats), AirTags, Apple Watch, iPads, MacBooks, Mac mini and more below. Return to this page for updates (and beware that deals can change suddenly with supply fluctuations, so you may click through to find updated pricing or sold-out items in some cases).

UPDATE: Amazon extended a host of Prime Day deals on Apple products into Thursday and Friday and even into Saturday, so you can still shop many of the items below!  Items with full strikethroughs represent deals no longer available.

This year’s CdkeySales Back to School Sale just launched, which means you and your family can score big discounts on Microsoft software and get to know your new software before classes begin. It’s your chance to nab surprisingly low prices on productivity software like Windows and Microsoft Office. That includes Windows 10 Pro for just $17.05 — and a free upgrade comes with it! Or you can cut straight to the chase and get Windows 11 Pro for only $22.71.

You will find remarkably low prices at software activation keys provider CdkeySales.com now and throughout the year. To get the most savings, enter promo code CULT. That cuts an additional 30% off the site’s low prices on genuine software keys. And don’t forget: When you buy Windows 10, you get a free upgrade to Windows 11!

At first glance a Baltimore crime story set in 1966, the limited series Lady in the Lake soon turns into a surreal nightmare, as shown in the trailer Apple TV+ dropped for it recently. As the streamer said in press materials, the show, starring Natalie Portman and Moses Ingram, turns into a “feverish noir thriller and an unexpected tale about the price women pay for their dreams.”

So it’s a bizarre and arresting trailer. It includes “live performances” that are like fever dreams. The seven-part series debuts with its first two episodes on Friday, July 19.

Update: The new Apple TV+ drama series Lady in the Lake is now streaming, as of Friday. Reviews look a bit mixed — with some offering high praise for Portman in her TV debut — but you should see for yourself and watch the new show here.

Many thousands of Windows computers are showing the Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) at boot today, impacting banks, airlines, TV broadcasters, supermarkets and many more businesses worldwide, according to reports. A faulty Windows security update from CrowdStrike knocked affected PCs and servers offline, forcing them into a recovery boot loop so machines can’t start properly. Note that the outage, causing headaches for IT admins everywhere, does not affect Mac or Linux machines.

Learning to edit video can be exciting because of all the tools available to you. However, it also can be daunting for beginners. You could trial-and error your way through the basics with apps like After Effects and Davinci Resolve, or you could get a little help from the pros with this video editing training bundle.

The 2024 Video Editing Master Class Bundle is a collection of guides for some of the biggest video editing apps around. It covers Adobe After Effects, Canva, Davinci Resolve, CapCut and Filmora. And it’s on sale right now: You can get the whole thing while it’s marked down to just $50.

Featuring 15 full-length video courses, the Complete 2024 CompTIA Certification Training Bundle by Idunova provides a quality IT education online. You can pick it up today for only $49.97 from Cult of Mac Deals.

Instead of an ordinary video demonstrating how useful MacBooks, iPads and iPhones are on a business trip, Apple presents another madcap adventure of the Underdogs.

The group is off to Thailand to have millions of boxes produced for their most difficult client, and everything possible goes wrong. Fortunately, it’s Apple gear to the rescue.