Windows users with an iPhone, grab the Apple Music app today. Screenshot: Apple
Windows users can now download full versions of the Apple Music and Apple TV applications, as well as a new Apple Devices app. They make the venerable iTunes app almost obsolete.
The software combination is the new way to manage an iPhone or iPad on a Windows PC.
After a few days of testing, here’s what I noticed after trying to work on a Vision Pro. Photo: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac
Can you get real work done inside a Vision Pro? Yes — although it comes with many asterisks.
It’s closely correlated to how much work you can do entirely on the web without specialized apps, although the virtual Mac display can smooth that down a bit. Surprisingly, typing in Vision Pro is great.
Working on Vision Pro has its annoyances, quirks and limitations, but I think Apple has built a very solid foundation here for a version-one product.
Capturing incredibly immersive spatial photos and videos starts with a click of the Vision Pro's top button to launch the Capture app. Photo: Apple
Spatial photos and videos look incredibly lifelike in full 3D while wearing an Apple Vision Pro headset. But how do you take photos with Vision Pro? It might be confusing at first since there’s no Camera app in the headset. Instead, Vision Pro uses a new Capture app.
But don’t worry. Any photos or videos you take with Vision Pro will sync to your Photos library. And they’re fully compatible with your other Apple devices, although you’ll only see them there in a boring two dimensions, like it’s still 2023. Yawn.
M3 MacBook Pro hits Apple's refurbished store. Photo: Apple
You can now buy the 14-inch MacBook Pro with M3 chip from Apple’s Certified Refurbished store. The machine launched less than four months ago, in late October 2023.
While the M3 Pro/Max MacBook Pros also debuted in October, they are not listed for sale on Apple’s refurbished store.
Upgrade your Nintendo Switch setup with a special offer on this 3-in-1 docking station. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
Released in 2017, the Nintendo Switch remains a popular hybrid gaming system that allows for play at home or on the move. While the device itself is familiar, accessories present new possibilities.
For a limited time, you can pick up a 3-in-1 Nintendo Switch Docking Station for only $19.99 (regularly $24). For that low price, you’ll gain a fresh experience with the gaming console you already own. This deal makes it easier than ever to improve your Nintendo Switch experience.
See a floating, virtual Mac display alongside your other visionOS apps. Photo: Apple
Screen sharing from your Mac to Vision Pro is a great way to work inside the headset while using your Mac’s keyboard and trackpad. You can enlarge your Mac’s screen to enormous size, and surround it with apps that work inside Vision Pro.
It’s called Mac Virtual Display. Unfortunately, it’s limited to only one Mac screen. But set up right, it can be the ultimate big screen setup — without the actual big screens.
Ugreen's new Revodock 213 Max hub suits all sorts of power users. Photo: Ugreen
Ugreen rolled out three new series of Revdock hubs Tuesday compatible with Macs, including the Revodok Max 213 Thunderbolt 4 dock with 40Gbps transfer speeds, support for dual 4K displays and a staggering 13 ports.
“The Max 213 [is] the premier product specifically tailored for professionals in fields such as media, data/financial analysis, photography, audio/video production and more,” the company said. “With ultra-high speed and ultra-high efficiency, it facilitates seamless collaboration and productivity.”
Apple won't release a folding iPhone until it can make a good one. Concept: Ran Avni
One of the design goals of a folding iPhone is a unit no thicker than one of Apple’s current handsets when folded closed, according to information leaking out of the company. In fact, a pair of incredibly thin folding iPhone prototypes already exist, according to a new report.
Cupertino’s efforts in this area have supposedly been going on since 2018, but available components haven’t been up to making the device the company wants to build.
EasyPencil 3 and 4 both feature magnetic stylus attachment to an iPad (but charging requires USB-C). Photo: SwitchEasy
If you recently got an iPad, you probably want a stylus so you can write and draw on it more precisely than you can with your fingertips. But Apple Pencil 2 might set you back $129. So how about something similar for less than half the price?
A good option is the SwitchEasy EasyPencil Pro. You can get the fourth-gen version of it in the Cult of Mac Store for just $47.99. Plus you can get 20% off tips for different uses. Or you can nab the third-gen EasyPencil for only $43.99. Sale ends today.
In this demo, MGIE transforms a cottage into a mansion. Photo: Apple/[email protected]
Apple researchers released an open-source artificial intelligence model called MGIE that responds to a user typing natural language — simply saying what they want — to alter an image. Apple’s new AI image editing tool could wind up making it easy for iPhone or Mac owners to tweak photos.
MGIE — short for MMLM-Guided Image Editing — can handle Photoshop-style tweaks, global photo optimization and local editing. But output quality remains limited for now. And only Apple knows what it plans to do with its AI image editor.
Mac Studio has one of the nicest accessories of its kind a user has ever seen. Photo: [email protected]
The M1 Ultra Mac Studio set a new benchmark for computing power in a package smaller than Mac Pro when it came out in spring 2022. Today’s setup sparked discussion about the relative merits of the powerful desktop machine, with one user citing a surprising point of praise — the Mac Pro braided power cord!
The centerpiece of Vision Pro are its amazing display screens. Photo: iFixit
iFixit’s Apple Vision Pro teardown continues, now with a focus on the headset’s incredibly high-resolution displays. As the experts point out, “You can fit ~54 Vision Pro pixels into a single iPhone pixel.”
However, the screen looks to the viewer like it’s a lower resolution than an iPhone.
You need to hold the Vision Pro in front of your face to capture your Persona. Photo: Apple
The Vision Pro Persona is a 3D representation of yourself that will appear to others in FaceTime calls. It also fuels the EyeSight feature, which shows a ghostly 3D version of your eyes on the outside of the headset to make the device seem less isolating.
Many people criticize the Personas for looking unnatural, so the feature very much deserves its beta label. However, there are some things you can do to create a better one. If you didn’t create a Vision Pro Persona while setting up your headset, or want to redo it to make yours look a little less uncanny, I’ll show you how to do it at any time.
You'll find plenty of options in our guide to the best keyboards for Apple's pint-size Mac.
Photo: Teddy GR/Unsplash License/Cult of Mac
Apple’s smallest desktop computer is a powerhouse in a small package, but it doesn’t come with peripheral devices — so what are the best keyboards for Mac mini?
Whether you use a Mac mini for work or gaming, adding the right keyboard is crucial for maximizing your productivity and comfort.
I’ve always been fascinated with keyboards and have several. I’ll show you 10 of my favorite choices for great keyboards to use with Mac mini below.
Click and hold the top button to turn it on. Photo: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac
How do you force restart Apple Vision Pro? All computers lock up from time to time — even spatial computers you wear on your face. You don’t want to keep it on if it’s locking up; that could lead to a nasty head injury!
Enjoy more dynamic video conferencing with this 4K AI-powered webcam, now under $200. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
In today’s world of hybrid and remote work, hopping on video calls is a daily part of life. Presenting yourself on video as the best version you can put forward is essential if you don’t want to tank your business, credibility or job opportunities. And that’s why you need a 4K webcam.
Don’t risk looking unprofessional with low-quality webcams. Upgrade your remote calls with the Obsbot Meet. This affordable 4k webcam provides professional video quality with the help of artificial intelligence.
Apparently this is what film editing looks like now. Photo: Jon M. Cho
A filmmaker stuck at home during LA’s recent epic rainfall, unable to go to his editing room, said he used Evercast on an Apple Vision Pro to edit an entire feature film with another remote editor. He said he found the experience of Vision Pro video editing revelatory.
“I need to repeat this out loud,” director Jon M. Chu wrote Monday on X. “I was in it for HOURS editing on a virtual giant screen (the size of a real movie screen) a major motion picture from the comfort of my house. With no headache. I can’t tell you what a revelation this was.”
His post on X got 252,000 views and garnered a reply from a co-founder of collaborative video editing platform Evercast.
Noel Fielding leads the cast of the action-comedy The Completely Made-Up Adventures of Dick Turpin. Screenshot: Apple/Cult of Mac
The world got its first look at The Completely Made-Up Adventures of Dick Turpin, which will star British comedian Noel Fielding as the legendary British highwayman. The first hilarious trailer for the upcoming comedy-adventure series dropped Monday.
★★★★☆
Vision Pro is amazing, but I can't recommend you get one. Photo: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac
Apple Vision Pro is the most amazing technology I’ve experienced in my life. Thanks to the headset’s intuitive interface, it’s as close to mind reading as you can get.
It’s given me magical, highly emotive experiences I haven’t felt with any other technology. Immersive 360-degree videos make you feel like you are actually there — it’s a cliche, but it’s true.
I’m absolutely, unabashedly delighted with Vision Pro. But would I recommend you get one?
The true-crime limited series Manhunt debuts on Apple TV+ March 15. Photo: Apple TV+
Stage actor John Wilkes Booth went on the run for 12 days after he shot President Abraham Lincoln in the back of the head at Ford’s Theatre in 1865. And the new trailer for Apple TV+ true-crimes series Manhunt brings to light this little-known historical fact.
Based on the bestselling nonfiction book Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln’s Killer, the seven-part series premieres March 15.
The Apple Watch SE 2 is irresistible after a big $60 discount. Photo: Apple
Want an Apple Watch but not looking to spend a lot? Amazon’s fantastic deal will save you $60 on the Apple Watch SE (2nd gen), bringing the price down to $189. This makes the Cupertino company’s budget smartwatch even more affordable.
You can get a similar $60 off the 44mm Apple Watch SE variant, which means you can grab it for as low as $219.
Apple isn't about to price the OLED iPad Pro out of the reach of most consumers. Photo: Cult of Mac
Early reports may have overstated the cost increase resulting from adding an OLED display to the first iPad Pro. New information indicates the price jump will be less than half of what had been previously rumored.
The high-end tablet is expected to launch in March/April.
Get up to 180 hours of 9D listening time with these AirPods alternatives. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
AirPods are awesome, but they aren’t the only game in town. Meet the Ninja Dragons BTMax wireless earbuds. With Bluetooth 5.1, an IPX7 waterproof rating and an insanely powerful case that can charge them up to 40 times, they’re a steal at just $34.97.
Take $100 off this versatile USB mic from Lab with 4 directional modes. Photo: Take $100 off this versatile USB mic from JLab that offers four directional modes.
Podcasters, game streamers, vloggers and all other types of content creators realize how crucial it is to invest in quality audio gear. But getting a great USB microphone can cost far less than you might think.
At just $47.99 (regularly $149), this USB microphone from JLab proves that you don’t need to break the bank to sound like a true professional.
If you didn't already know all about Usher, you will now. Photo: Apple
Before Usher plays the Apple Music Super Bowl LVIII Halftime Show on Sunday in Las Vegas, Apple made sure everyone knows all about the R&B superstar Monday with word of a press conference coming on Thursday and a host of Usher tunes and information available now on Apple Music, including the artists “My Road to Halftime” playlist.