Cult of Mac

The newest Apple Store, Apple Jing’An, opened to crowds of appreciative customers Thursday in Shanghai, China. Apple called it a “one-of-a-kind” shopping destination.

The expansive new store is surrounded by a plaza next to the landmark Jing’an Temple. See the stunning photographs below.

iPhone users can now install iOS 17.4.1, a “bug fix” update on the major upgrade released early this month. iPadOS 17.4.1 is also available for tablet users.

And Vision Pro got its own patch, but there are no updates out Thursday for Mac or Apple Watch.

One of the great Apple accessories makers is Belkin, and now through April 1 you can get up to 70% off products across its website, plus free shipping on orders over $50 in Belkin’s Spring Sale.

So whatever you need — charger, dock, case, mouse, cable and many other choices — you can get a good deal on a good product. After all, Apple trusts Belkin enough to sell dozens of its products at apple.com.

Apple recently added a new “Documentation” web section that puts all product information for every product in one place. That way, you won’t have to search across multiple pages to find the product manuals, specifications or downloads you need, no matter which piece or hardware or software you need help with.

The Department of Justice and 16 state attorneys general filed an blockbuster antitrust lawsuit Thursday aimed at forcing Apple to open up many aspects of its ecosystem, from the App Store to Apple Watch.

The 88-page civil suit, which accuses Apple of wielding monopoly-like power, could bring truly sweeping changes to iPhone, Mac and other Apple computers.

Future tech update: The bad news is we’re all still waiting for our personal jetpacks. The good news is that we live in an age where James Bond-level tech is accessible and affordable to anyone, including spy pens.

Exhibit A: The iSpyPen Pro, a sleek and professional-looking pen that doubles as a discreet recording device. Perfect for students and professionals alike, it can record meetings, lectures and presentations, ensuring you don’t miss a single detail. The best part? This spy pen is already on sale, and you can take an extra $10 off the discounted price through March 24.

Apple is reportedly still working on the version of iPadOS needed for the first iPad Pro with a OLED screen. The software development process might delay the launch until well into April.

Previous leaks previously pointed at a March debut, and that’s still possible. But those eager for Apple’s next premium tablet should also be prepared to wait as much as another month.

And apparently the launch date won’t be March 26, despite a recent rumor.

The future is here. And now that applies to golf — one of the oldest games still being played — thanks to high-end golf simulators that let you practice and perfect your swing from anywhere. One of the very best, the TruGolf Mini home golf simulator, is on sale now for just $199.97.

That’s a 50% discount off the regular price of $399.99.

In iOS 17, the iPhone got a built-in text-to-speech feature called Live Speech. You can even use Live Speech with a digital version of your own voice called Personal Voice.

Apple devised Personal Voice for users “at risk of losing their ability to speak — such as those with a recent diagnosis of ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) or other conditions that can progressively impact speaking ability.” It was the subject of a touching and heartfelt video Apple made called “The Lost Voice.”

Here’s how to set up and use Live Speech.

How’s this for a comedy premise: A character played by Saturday Night Live alum Kristen Wiig strives to break into Palm Beach’s jet set in 1969. Now add a star-studded ensemble cast including Laura and Bruce Dern, Carol Burnett and Ricky Martin, and new Apple TV+ comedy Palm Royale shows real potential.

The series is now available on the Apple TV+ streaming service.

All the people eagerly waiting for the 2024 iPad Pro — which is expected in the coming weeks — can console themselves with a concept video depicting the upcoming tablet in all its magnificence.

Check it out.

Apple’s iPad Air lineup could get a refresh soon. But if you cannot wait for the new tablet’s imminent announcement and want an iPad Air, you can score a hefty $150 off on it right now.

This fantastic deal drops the price of the M1 iPad Air to $449, making it insanely affordable.

“iPhone Extravaganza!” That’s what Woot is calling its latest blowout sale on refurbished iPhones. From handsets going back to iPhone X up through recent models like iPhone SE (2nd generation) and iPhone 14 Plus, Woot’s refurbished iPhone deals cover 13 items, with a choice of colors, while they last.

And as Woot said in its page’s subtitle, “Just once I would like Siri to say that I look like a million bucks.”

Journey’s new Axie 10,000mAh Global Charger and Power Bank is a handy, MagSafe-compatible 3-in-1 charging device that comes with three extra plugs and a travel case for use worldwide.

It’s designed for international travel. But it’s a great little charger for use at home, too, as a wall charger or as a power bank you can take on the go to keep your iPhone and two other devices juiced.

A firmware update out for AirTag has begun gradually rolling out. You’ll probably want it, but it turns out that updating the software for Apple’s item tracker is both easy and hard. You don’t have to jump through hoops, but neither do you have much control.

Here’s what you need to do.

Apple could give the iPhone 17’s display a big anti-reflective update. A new rumor says the 2025 iPhone might feature a “super-hard anti-reflective layer,” which is also more scratch-resistant.

Seemingly, Apple will use a new layer of coating on the glass to reduce the reflection and increase scratch resistance.

Backbone updated the Lightning version of its popular game controller for iPhone with new magnetic adapters, a reshaped D-pad, and more. The goal of the second generation Backbone One is “better, faster, and longer gaming,” according to the company.

It now matches the updated USB-C version that Backbone introduced in autumn 2023.

The recently launched MacBook Air with the Apple M3 processor performance slows down significantly if pushed too hard when in clamshell mode (with the lid closed). Thermal throttling is the culprit.

That said, the problem mostly shows up when using Apple’s consumer-grade notebook for tasks it’s not designed to handle.

The Belkin BoostCharge Pro 3-in-1 Magnetic Wireless Charging Stand with Qi2 offers 15W charging for iPhone and other Qi2-enabled handsets, fast charging for Apple Watch, and optimal charging for AirPods, too.

This third version of Belkin’s charging stand launched Tuesday.

Listening to music through EarFun’s first over-ear headphones — EarFun Wave Pro, released Monday — I almost couldn’t believe the high quality sound and wonderful comfort they offer. That’s why I give the set 5 stars in this EarFun Wave Pro headphones review.

It’s flat-out astonishing that someone can offer this level of audio quality, noise cancellation, comfort and battery life for $80.

With AirPods Max rarely marked down much from their lofty $549 price, you have to wonder why people spend that much, or even $300, for a great set of cans.

Apple previewed its unusual new retail location in Shanghai Monday. Apple Jing’an, located near Jing’an Temple and Jing’an Park, opens Thursday. Encircled by a plaza, Apple Jing’an store in Shanghai will be a community gathering place and “a one-of-a-kind shopping destination,” the iPhone giant said.

Jim Henson’s Fraggles learn to adapt to change and stick together after a dust storm in the season 2 trailer for Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock.

The Emmy Award-winning kids musical comedy series returns to Apple TV+ March 29. Season two cast includes the return of Daveed Diggs plus new guest stars Ariana DeBose, Brett Goldstein, Catherine O’Hara, Adam Lambert and K-pop group aespa.

Apple discontinued the M1 MacBook Air following the debut of the M3 Airs earlier this month. But you can still get your hands on the first Apple silicon laptop for as low as $649.

Right now, Best Buy’s deal makes this very capable laptop insanely more affordable.

A U.S. federal judge gave a go-ahead to a class action lawsuit accusing Apple’s AirTag of being “the weapon of choice of stalkers and abusers.”

Apple argues that it designed the product to discourage stalkers.

In the computer setup arms race over bigger and better external displays, one monitor reigns supreme (with a price tag to match) — Apple’s phenomenal Pro Display XDR. Today’s M3 Max MacBook Pro rig just added one to its two other displays, including the oddly square LG DualUp.