Customers in China should be able to get their hands on the Vision Pro later in 2024. Photo: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac
Apple’s CEO Tim Cook confirmed during his visit to China that Vision Pro will launch later this year in the country. Currently, the company’s $3500 mixed reality headset is only available in the US.
Even the latest AirPods rumors can't cheer us up this week. Image: Cult of Mac
This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: The latest rumors indicate 2024 will bring big changes to the AirPods lineup. In fact, Apple’s ramping up for “the biggest AirPods launch to date.”
But even this fantastic news can’t cheer us up after the Department of Justice files a wide-ranging antitrust lawsuit against Apple. We recorded this episode of The CultCast right after news of the DOJ’s suit broke, and some of us are fuming!
Also on The CultCast:
So … Apple might lean on Google Gemini to power iOS 18 features? Good luck with that.
iPhone 17 could bring a major upgrade in the display department.
The next-gen Vision Pro headset might drop the price to something much more approachable.
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.
"Manhunt" found plenty of men and women to watch it. Photo: Apple TV+
Manhunt, the Apple TV+ historical true-crime drama about the search for the assassin of Abraham Lincoln, immediately shot to near the top of the popularity charts of two different ratings services.
And other series and films from Apple are also performing well with audiences.
The age-old question. Image: Apple/D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac
Should your next Mac be a portable or a desktop? More than 90% of Macs sold are laptops, and it’s easy to see why — MacBooks are light while offering best-in-class performance and battery life. Still, the “iMac vs. MacBook” quandary remains.
In fact, there are some compelling reasons to stick to the iMac (or other desktop Macs like the Mac mini or Mac Studio). You save money and also wind up with a more reliable machine.
Anyone can master the piano and learn how music works for less than $30 with these courses. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
Nothing makes you appreciate music more than being able to play and compose it. The Learn to Play the Piano & Music Composition Bundle teaches you how music works, step by step.
This item sold for a value that may set a new record for a business card with signature. Photo: RR Auction/Cult of Mac
Steve Jobs’ business card bearing the signature of the Apple cofounder himself sold at auction for an amazing value: over $180,000. This is supposedly the most ever paid for a signed business card.
A collection of other Apple memorabilia brought in big bucks at the same auction, a sign of the popularity of rare items from the iPhone-maker.
Edifier's new desktop speakers put on a light show and charge gadgets. Photo: Edifier
Edifier’s new QR65 Active Monitor Speakers pack 70 watts of power with hi-res audio certification, put on a light show and act as a fast gallium nitride (GaN) charger for your other gadgets, too.
And the value-oriented Chinese audio brand brings all that and more across for $369 per pair.
These cans for $100? That's a good deal. Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac
It’s that time of year again, when Amazon puts on its Big Spring Sale. And this year’s edition gets you between 20% and 51% off a great selection of 22 Soundcore headphones and earbuds. That’s up to about half off Soundcore headphones and earbuds.
It’ll be tough to find better deals on the Anker subsidiary’s excellent audio products, which are packed with value even at regular prices.
The new AC240 power station resists dust and water. Photo: Bluetti
Power products provider Bluetti hopes to keep your outdoor adventures going in all conditions with its latest innovation, the Bluetti AC240 Weatherproof Portable Power Station. It features an IP65 rating for water and dust resistance, a big help for campers, first responders and others caught in the elements.
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Scheduled for launch on April 2, the powerhouse also provides increased power, quicker charging, innovative parallel connection and other improvements over its predecessor.
This Mac Studio setup with dual Studio Displays sparked a mouse fight. Photo: [email protected]
Sometimes a setup post on social media can express a common problem or disagreement quite well. Today’s Mac Studio and dual-Studio Display rig is pretty good example, showing the divide between users of Magic Mouse and one of its top competitors — Logitech MX Master 3 (and 3S) wireless mouse. So Magic Mouse vs. Logitech MX Master 3 is on.
Commenters split themselves into pro Magic Mouse and pro Logitech MX camps. And a bunch of them sought middle ground, finding things to like — or hate — about both mice.
Enter CULT at CdkeySales.com to score major March Madness savings on Microsoft software. Photo: CdkeySales.com
The CdkeySales March Madness Sale is upon us. While dozens of college basketball teams battle, you can score amazing deals on Microsoft software. Tons of slam-dunk bargains await on Microsoft productivity software like Windows and Office. That includes a winning Windows 10 Pro deal — just $17.05, with a free upgrade included!
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You can find surprisingly 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 software keys. And what’s more, if you buy Windows 10, you get a free upgrade to Windows 11.
A vulnerability in M series processors could lead to unauthorized access of encrypted data. Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac
Security researchers have found a serious exploit in all Apple M-series processors. The hard-wired flaw could potentially could be used by hackers to get user credit card information or read encrypted messages.
The flaw exposes precious encryption keys, and it’s baked into the hardware — so it can’t easily be patched without a performance penalty. Here’s what you need to know.
Flanked by colleagues, U.S. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland lays out the Justice Department's antitrust case against Apple. Image: Department of Justice
Still, the civil lawsuit, filed Thursday, represents the biggest legal challenge to Apple’s power in the company’s 47-year history. If successful, the lawsuit could force Apple to fundamentally change the way it makes products and conducts business. A similar action against Microsoft in the 1990s significantly curtailed that company’s reach and power.
But the DOJ’s lawsuit against Apple appears to be based on old and outdated information, and Apple has already — or is about to — address most of the major concerns.
Juice up your iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods at the same time! Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
Full-on Apple fans can wirelessly charge three devices with this folding charging station that’s perfect at home or on the road. It looks a bit like Apple’s pricey (and now-discontinued) MagSafe Duo — but this travel charger can handle more and costs a lot less!
The MagStack Foldable 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Station with Floating Stand packs three charging surfaces — for iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods — and it’s on sale for just $42.97. (That’s 38% off its regular price.)
Many customers looked psyched to have the new store. Photo: Apple
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.
There's a patch waiting for your iPhone's operating system. Image: Apple/Cult of Mac
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.
BoostCharge Pro is made for MagSafe. Photo: Belkin
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's new Documentation web section offers all product manuals, specifications and downloads in one place. Photo: Apple
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 Justice Department and 16 state attorneys general filed an antitrust suit against Apple. Public domain photo: Open Grid Scheduler/Grid Engine/Modified by Cult of Mac
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.
You can capture audio and video on the sly with this stealthy spy pen. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
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.
An OLED screen should make the 2024 iPad Pro the best-looking ever ... when it finally arrives. Image: Apple/Cult of Mac
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.
Play 97 world-class golf courses from the comfort of your living room. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
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.
Your iPhone has a text-to-speech feature built-in. You don’t need to download an app. Image: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac
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.”
This might be the iPad Pro that Apple announces soon. Screenshot: Volodyk Design
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.
Forget the M2 iPad Air and get the iPad Air 5 for $150 off. Photo: Apple
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.