Social media is a great place to get ideas for gear to include in your computer setup — or to skip in favor of doing things another way. There are usually other ways to do things, as today’s M2 MacBook Pro user found out regarding password entry and any “need” for a keyboard with Touch ID.

And if you’re into video editing, check out the user’s cool gear — a PlusTek AI film scanner and a Loupedeck+ photo and video editing console with massive programmability.

The AI craze is in full swing, with more and more easily accessible AI technology available online for free. One of the ways you can use AI tools yourself is for creating engaging social media content. Deep-learning algorithms can intelligently create and edit content, increasing its quality and shortening the creative process.

Apparently responding to online criticism, Apple returned the End Call button to a central location in iOS 17. Previously, Apple moved the button to the right side of the Phone application.

That change proved controversial, and Apple reversed it in the sixth iOS 17 beta recently seeded to developers.

If you’re a content creator and you have an XLR microphone, you don’t necessarily need to buy a USB microphone to interface with your computer for uses like streaming and podcasting. Shure’s got you covered with its new Digital Audio Interface. It converts any XLR mic to USB for easy use directly with a computer.

There’s a reason why dogs earned the nickname “man’s best friend.” Their unconditional companionship endures through good times and bad. But whether it’s work, school or general life obligations, we can’t always be nearby, making it essential to find a healthy method for keeping your precious pooch occupied when you’re not around.

DogTV is a truly modern solution to this problem, backed by science and customer reviews. A lifetime subscription to DogTV — which serves up streaming video specially crafted to keep your canine relaxed and entertained — is currently available for only $149.99 (regularly $838). That’s the best price online!

Apple manufacturing partner Foxconn reportedly already started assembling the upcoming iPhone 15 in India. This marks the first time a yet-to-launch iPhone is being produced outside of China.

Last year, iPhone 14 production started in India within a month of the phone going on sale.

Designed for iPhone photographers, the Pocket Tripod’s one-of-a-kind design allows it to fold up to the size of a credit card so it can fit easily into your wallet, pocket or bag. When you need an iPhone stand for something like a group photo, a long-exposure sunset shot or even to watch a video on a long flight, it folds out in seconds to support your most prized gadget.

It’s the perfect lightweight, sturdy iPhone tripod that you can take anywhere. Even Woz likes it!

Apple introduced watchOS 9.6.1 to remove a single bug affecting Apple Watch. The problem being taken care of relates to applications that track the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.

The update is available for Apple Watch Series 4 and later.

Twenty-six years ago, everyone knew personal computers were important, but the machines were too intimidating for non-technical people. Then, 25 years ago today, the original iMac changed that forever.

The first time I encountered an iMac was totally transformative. My core beliefs of what was possible on a computer were deeply shaken. It instilled in me a lifelong love for the Mac.

There are plenty of iPad styli, and also lots of iPhone ones. The just-launched Zagg Pro Stylus 2 is both. The colorful accessory also stands out from the crowd (and the original version) with wireless charging.

It works with a wide variety of iPad models, and launched Tuesday at a price well below Apple Pencil.

Aqara flipped the “on” switch Tuesday for a new multipurpose RGBCCT smart light strip, its first such product — the LED Strip T1.

It works with HomeKit and other smart-home platforms and features Apple Home’s Adaptive Lighting.

Apple just received a patent that covers building Face ID into a MacBook. The facial-recognition system is not a feature of any Mac … yet. But the new patent serves as evidence that Apple is still at least considering the idea of replacing Touch ID with Face ID in its notebook line.

The new Epomaker TH80-X compact keyboard comes with a large, multi-use control knob and a built-in LCD screen for customization.

Available today, the latest member of Epomaker’s TH80 family of mechanical keyboards features a space-efficient 75% layout rather than a full-size one.

Apple is expected to soon begin making payments to iPhone users who were affected by 2017’s “Batterygate.” The iPhone-maker settled a class-action lawsuit in 2020, and the money is finally going out.

Those who owned an iPhone back then, and who filed a claim several years ago, should receive about $65.

Free cloud storage services are a dime a dozen these days, but what a lot of users are just now finding out is that you get what you pay for. If you use your devices for any kind of work, you definitely need your files to be safe. But just as importantly, you need them accessible — from anywhere.

That’s the kind of reliability users get with Degoo, a popular cloud storage service that’s now offering 10TB lifetime plans for just $99.99.

You can split up a big purchase across four smaller payments using Apple Pay Later. Unlike other similar services like Klarna, Afterpay and Affirm, there’s no interest — you pay the exact same amount of money as if you were purchasing at once.

Payments are expected every two weeks, matching the most common paycheck schedule in the United States. It’s easy to use and transparent about what you’ll pay when; it couldn’t be more straightforward.

If you’re going to use Windows and Office, you might as well go pro. And this heavily discounted bundle gives PC users (or Mac users running Parallels emulation software) the latest, greatest Microsoft software for one low price.

For a limited time, Cult of Mac readers can score this package that bundles lifetime access to Windows 11 Pro and Microsoft Office Pro 2021 for Windows for only $49.97 (regularly $418).

Netflix games (remember Netflix games?) are finally expanding beyond iPhone and Android. The streaming service has begun testing its games on TVs and computers, too, via a cloud-gaming service.

A unique aspect of the upcoming service is that gamers playing on a TV will be able to use their iPhone or other handset as a controller.

Mobile accessories-maker Spigen rolled out two new USB hubs for MacBooks and other laptops Monday: Spigen ArcDock Pro Multi Hub 6-in-1 and ArcDock Multi Hub 8-in-1.

In each case, a plethora of ports give you plenty of options for connecting your MacBook Air or MacBook Pro to loads of peripherals, including a high-definition external display.

Apple TV+ said Monday it landed the “first and only behind-the-scenes account of soccer superstar Lionel Messi’s new chapter” with Major League Soccer team Inter Miami CF.

The as-of-yet untitled documentary series comes in addition to the other Messi documentary series coming to Apple TV+. That one covers the legend’s longstanding work with Argentina’s national team and his many FIFA World Cup appearances.

The Kingston IronKey Keypad 200C is an encrypted USB-C flash drive that unlocks by typing a passcode on the built-in numberpad.

A version with a USB-A connector was already on the market. The new USB-C model is easier to use with Mac and iPad.

While many folks like to have miles of screen real estate with multiple external monitors, some enjoy simply having their iPad’s screen in tandem with their main screen, especially for use with Sidecar or Universal Control.

Today’s clean and well-lighted MacBook Pro setup mounts an iPad with the main monitor in a neat way while hiding away the laptop. 

If anyone still has lingering doubts that the iPhone 15 series will have a USB-C port, images showing the internal hardware for the port have leaked out.

The end of the Lightning port is expected to be one of the major changes of the iPhone 15 series when it debuts next month.

Remember when drones used to be fancy gadgets only a few tech wizards could tame? Well, the game has totally changed. Now, the sky’s the playground for all of us!

Introducing the ultimate drone bundle: the super-sleek Alpha Z Pro 4K and the zippy Flying Fox 4K. This dynamic drone duo will take your aerial escapades to a whole new level for just $149.99.

Although people are still buying millions of iPads, the numbers are down compared to where they were during the pandemic.

Still, Apple is doing a much better job of selling tablets than any of its rivals. During the second quarter of this year, it shipped about twice as many as any other company, according to a pair of market research firms.