These four Apple TV+ series all draw big audiences. Photo: Apple TV+/Cult of Mac
Four of the top 10 most popular streaming series are all on Apple TV+, according to a market analysis. That’s a new milestone for Apple’s streaming service.
The list includes British spy thriller Slow Horses and Godzilla series Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, as well as other shows that both audiences and critics like.
Munoz loves his Studio Display the most, but he also praises his 14-inch M1 MacBook Pro and other gear. Photo: Jose Munoz
If Apple’s popular but pricey Studio Display is well-suited to anyone, it’s any type of designer because of the monitor’s formidable graphics chops.
In today’s loaded MacBook Pro setup, a designer sets apart his Studio Display for the highest praise among many items in a remarkably well-equipped workstation. And his Lego collection is epic, too.
Expect to see two versions of AirPods 4 -- including one with noise canceling -- in 2024. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Apple will revamp its AirPods lineup in 2024 in an effort to boost sales and clarify offerings, a new report indicates.
AirPods 4 should arrive next year, with two versions replacing current lower-priced earbuds models. And AirPods Max will receive some long-awaited updates, although the pricey over-ear headphones won’t get a major revamp.
Probably the comfiest band you'll ever wear.
Photo: Bucardo
The brilliant Bucardo Sport band for Apple Watch is your perfect companion for any type of workout. Made from a lightweight and breathable fabric, it’s as comfortable as a sweatband.
It’s built for anything and remains ultra-comfy at all times.
Grab a recent-model Apple Watch while you can still get one. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Apple will temporarily halt sales of Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 starting December 21. This is the result of a decision made by the International Trade Commission that the wearables infringe on patents held by two medical device-makers.
Apple argues that the companies are “patent trolls,” but it’s not that simple. And the question now is whether Apple will pay to license the patents, or if it will continue to fight in court.
This bundle of respected security apps will keep you and your family safe from online threats. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
The internet is a dangerous place. But you don’t have to take chances with hackers and other bad actors. You can secure your iPhone, Mac and more — up to five devices total — with a lifetime license to KeepSolid’s MonoDefense Security Suite.
2024 Apple Watch might pack some big upgrades. Photo: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac
Apple reportedly plans to launch a redesigned Apple Watch next year capable of detecting hypertension and sleep apnea.
Like the temperature sensor on recent Apple Watches, the next-gen model won’t provide exact blood pressure readings. Instead, it will only show if the blood pressure is elevated compared to the baseline reading. If the watch detects hypertension (or sleep apnea), it might recommend a doctor’s visit.
Protect photos by digitizing them with the Kodak Slide and Scan, now under $170 with free shipping. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
The Kodak Slide N Scan film scanner can safely digitize negatives and slides. And ahead of the holidays, it’s on sale for only $169.97 (regularly $224) with code KODAK.
It’s perfect for turning a box of old negatives into a pristine collection of digital images.
What gear and amusements made us smile (and kvetch) in 2023? Image: Joshua Golde/Unsplash License/Cult of Mac
This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: After a quick spin through the news of the week, we get down to business with our second round of picks for the best and worst tech and entertainment of 2023.
Also on The CultCast:
Would you pay 99 bucks for a USB-C case for AirPods Pro? I think the price is outrageous, but not everyone is so sure.
Apple just raised the bar for authorities who might want to spy on your iPhone’s push notifications.
A new iPhone security feature will soon make it harder for thieves to wreck your life.
And the latest on how Apple might be forced to open up iPhone to appease regulators.
Listen to this week’s episode of The CultCast in the Podcasts app or your favorite podcast app. (Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review if you like it!) Or watch the video live stream, embedded below.
This foldable wireless charging station powers iPhones, AirPods and Apple Watches for only $48. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
Keeping your iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods fully charged at all times can prove daunting, especially when you’re on the road. But you can keep all your Apple gear ready for action with this charging station for multiple devices. The MagStack is a great travel charger — and it’s on sale now!
You can streamline your charging experience, whether at home or away, with the MagStack. This Apple-compatible 3-in-1 charging station is foldable and wireless, and for a limited time, you can get one for only $47.99 (regularly $74).
A bunch of new features are coming in this big update to Apple’s latest. Image: Apple/D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac
iOS 17 brought dozens of great features and changes, but the latest 17.2 update adds even more.
The headline feature is the new Journal app — other new tweaks come to iMessage stickers, NameDrop and Apple Music. If you have a new iPhone 15 Pro, you can record Spatial Videos and use the Translate app directly from the Action button. You can also customize more notification sounds and StandBy.
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Irina, left, Aleida and Eli discuss asteroid capture at the M7 summit in Russia. Photo: Apple TV+
Friday’s sixth episode in season 4 of For All Mankind, “Leningrad,” ranks low on the deaths-and-hanky-panky scale of soap-opera criticism, but it’s not without a few revelations and highly emotional moments.
Namely, as plans unfold to capture the Goldilocks asteroid for lucrative mining, Mars may be getting its first union. Nice-guy Miles plays hardball with Ilya Brezhnev. And former NASA director Margo Madison reveals to the world she’s alive and working for the Soviet space agency.
Enjoy more restful sleep with this sleep mask that blocks out light and noises for only $19.97. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
If you want to have a better day, getting a good night’s sleep is crucial. That’s easier said than done for many of us, but there’s a hi-tech solution that’s on sale just in time for the holidays.
No need to compromise with MagEasy iPhone 15 cases. Photo: MagEasy
Want to keep your beautiful iPhone 15 looking fresh? You need to enter this week’s giveaway. Two lucky winners will land an iPhone 15 bundle from MagEasy consisting of a shock-absorbent iPhone case and an ultra-tough screen protector.
Think Apple Watch Ultra 2 has a big screen? Well, it's probably going to get significantly larger. Photo: Apple
Apple Watch Ultra 2’s generously large display, expected to switch from OLED to microLED, will come out later than previously estimated, grow by 10% in size and cost more, according to a research company.
Other recent estimates pushed back the launch time frame to 2025, but now it may actually be 2026.
Would you add displays alongside or above this ultra-wide monitor, or replace it? Photo: [email protected]
If you had a gigantic 49-inch curved ultra-wide display, would you dream of adding more external monitors to it? If so, would you stack them, or add one or two displays in portrait mode (vertical) on either side of the big screen?
A MacBook Pro user with a giant Samsung display is pondering those very questions.
All Systems Red from Martha Wells is coming to Apple TV+. Image: Tor/Cult of Mac
The Hugo and Nebula Award-winning Murderbot novels by Martha Wells are getting adapted into a series on Apple TV+. The sci-fi show will star Emmy winner Alexander Skarsgård, perhaps best known for his role on Succession.
Wells’ action-packed bestsellers center on a robot that breaks the programming that forces it to kill. The move allows the android to go freelance as a security specialist. Fans eagerly awaiting theMurderbot TV series release date can find all the latest details about the adaptation.
They’re the perfect tech companion for hikers, hunters or anyone who likes to get the most out of their journey. Just in time for the holidays, they’re now priced down to only $89.97 (regularly $199) through December 17!
Best Buy offers $50 off Apple Watch Ultra 2, among many other bargains. Photo: Apple
While Best Buy offers great deals on MacBooks, iMacs, Macs mini and iPads in its Apple Sales Event for the holidays, you can also score good deals on iPhones, Apple Watches and AirPods. See the selection below, or check out the whole sale here.
Yes, an M3 MacBook Pro in space black is on the list. Photo: Apple
With gift-giving season at full-tilt, Best Buy offers its Apple Sales Event on a full range of fabulous products you can check out here. We’d thought we’d focus below on 10 great Mac and iPad deals you won’t want to miss. Click on the prices below to go straight to the products.
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espresso 17 Pro offers just about everything you could want in a mobile screen. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
The espresso 17 Pro checks every box in a premium portable display. It sports a 4K resolution, touchscreen with stylus support, and a sleek design ready for on-the-go use.
The 17-inch screen is brilliant as a productivity enhancement when away from the office, but it’s also intended for digital artists to use everyday. Or just anyone who’d like a touchscreen Mac.
I tested the espresso 17 Pro in my home office and while traveling. Here’s why I love it.
Get simple desktop widgets for monitoring Time Machine. Image: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac
Backup Status is a simple app that puts a Time Machine widget on your Mac desktop (or stows it away in your Notification Center). If you don’t want the Time Machine icon cluttering up your menu bar, this is a straightforward alternative.
Time Machine, of course, is Apple’s software that makes continuous backups of your files to a separate part of your disk, an external hard drive or network-attached storage. Everyone should use Time Machine.
And, after you set it up, you should try Backup Status, the fun little app that lets you easily monitor your Time Machine backups.
Bryan Flynn, left, and Tobias Menzies star in Manhunt. Photo: Apple TV+
Did you know it took authorities 12 days to hunt down John Wilkes Booth after he shot President Abraham Lincoln in the head at Washington D.C.’s Ford’s Theatre in 1865? Apple TV+ gave a first look Thursday at Manhunt, the new conspiracy-thriller series depicting the frantic chase.
The seven-part series premieres March 15 with its first two episodes. A new episode follows on Fridays through April 19.
It’s a great time to be an AAPL investor, with the share price hitting an all-time high value on Wednesday. This drove Apple’s market capitalization back over $3 trillion.
For reference, Apple’s market cap was below $2 trillion at the beginning of 2023. If you’re interested in learning more about how Apple has historically performed in thegrey apple market, take a look at this deep dive.