Cult of Mac

Between HD photos and a pile of apps, you can burn through storage space on your iPhone, MacBook or iPad pretty quickly. That low-storage warning might be annoying when it pops up, but that’s no reason to erase important files.

Instead, connect your Apple device to 10TB of cloud storage and keep all your files safe without taking up space. With this price drop, you can get lifetime access to 10TB of storage from Degoo for only $79.97 (regularly $1,080). But act fast — this sale ends June 18 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific.

The just-launched 2023 Mac Pro lacks features considered critical for workstations: upgradable RAM and support for eGPUs. But this isn’t Apple blindly making an error — it’s an inescapable fact of the M-series’ unified memory architecture.

The limitation isn’t new: it’s been known since the M1 processor was announced. But Tuesday’s release of a top-tier macOS workstation shines a spotlight on the problem.

For those who weren’t paying attention back in 2020, here’s an explanation of why RAM upgrades and plug-in GPU aren’t an option for the 2023 Mac Pro.

For years podcasters, streamers, musicians and other content creators have turned to certain USB microphones that bring quality without costing a fortune. Audio-Technica’s AT2020  has been one of those. Now the company offers a major upgrade on the model with its new AT2020USB-XP microphone.

Upgrades bring new digital technology and some studio-quality features to help you sound like a pro.

Bluetti’s new, highly portable AC180 power station comes with several features that make it perfect for camping as well as home battery backup.

With enhancements including a 1,440-watt fast-charging rate, 1,800W of continuous AC power and a Power Lifting Mode that delivers up to 2,700W, the AC180 stands ready to deliver the power you need in a range of scenarios, from camping trips in the deepest wilderness to power outages at home. Bluetti kicks off the early bird sale on its new AC180 power generator Wednesday, with special pricing for a limited time.

Season 2 of sci-fi series Foundation explodes like a supernova on Apple TV+ July 14. That may sound a bit dramatic, but the main word that comes to mind upon watching the new trailer for the season the streaming service dropped Tuesday is … epic. And lots of stuff explodes in it.

Or let’s go with “epic saga,” the phrase Apple TV+ used to describe the hit show based on Isaac Asimov’s award-winning stories about a band of exiles defying a crumbling galactic empire. For those interested in exploring more great sci-fi, checking out the Murderbot Diaries series in order can provide a great starting point before the TV adaptation arrives.

As June speeds toward July, are you ready for summer? You can look like you are. Just refresh your Apple Watch’s look with a Goldenerre Color Pop band and a white case.

For a fresh look, you can choose from the band’s three color combos and pair the band with the company’s white case. The bands and the case are new in the Cult of Mac Store. Apple has also introduced new iPhone colors, giving you even more ways to freshen up your tech accessories for the season.

If all Adobe gave the world was the PDF file, the software maker would be justly remembered as a tech innovator. But today, the company gives visual creatives of all types the tools they need to realize their vision (and make a living) through the powerful tools in Adobe Creative Cloud.

If you haven’t tried out these industry-standard apps, here’s a deal tailor-made for you. This bundle pairs 26 Adobe Creative Cloud apps with more than 37 hours of training (and other perks) for less than $40.

Apple’s 2023 Mac Studio, Mac Pro and 15-inch MacBook Air are now reaching customers. Announced at WWDC23 last week, the new Macs went up for preorder soon after.

Customers who placed their orders early have already started receiving Apple’s latest Macs. If you didn’t place your order already, you can currently grab one with a $50 discount!

Apple’s professional-grade Mac Studio desktop has been updated with either an Apple M2 Max or M2 Ultra processor. The new chips give a welcome increase in performance, and the top-tier model now supports 8K monitors.

Read on to discover what the first reviewers have to say about the powerfully upgraded Mac.

Antonin Carême rose from humble beginnings in Paris to the height of culinary stardom in Napoleon’s Europe. His story is coming to Apple TV+ as an eight-episode French drama.

Carême’s life had more excitement than one might expect from a chef and author, as he also served as an unwilling spy for France.

Baseus rolled out its new thin-and-compact battery pack Friday, the Baseus Blade HD Series 100W Power Bank. It provides 100 watts of power delivery from its 20,000mAh battery to keep MacBook, other laptops and various gadgets going. If you’re using this to keep your Mac running, you may also want to check out how to power off Mac for optimal battery management.

The Satechi Triple 4K Display Docking Station offers a dozen ports of a variety of types. Among the range of accessories that can be connected are up to three 4K/60Hz displays. And that includes Macs that ordinarily support only one external monitor.

Also included are multiple USB ports and Ethernet.

If you haven’t yet placed your preorder for the 15-inch MacBook Air, you should jump on Amazon’s latest deal. It knocks $50 off the price of the well-reviewed new laptop.

This is the best deal to surface so far on the 15-inch MacBook Air, which hits retail stores Tuesday.

In the battle over who offers the best 5K display, Apple doesn’t always win, even with Mac users. And it’s usually because of price.

Today’s featured Mac Studio setup relies on a 40-inch LG 5K2K curved ultra-wide monitor — picked over a pair of Studio Displays that would cost twice as much — and the user more-or-less said they they couldn’t be happier.

Reviewers have plenty of praise for the first 15-inch MacBook Air, with comments like it “does its job very, very well” (The Verge) and it’s “more than good enough” (CNET).

Shockingly, this killer consumer laptop starts at just $1,299 (and is already available at a $50 discount from some retailers). Read on for a summary of comments about Apple’s largest consumer-oriented notebook yet.

Apple’s AirPods charging cases are sleek, protective — and relentlessly white. So if you’d like to add a layer of extra protection along with a better grip and a choice of colors, Totallee offers new cases for AirPods Pro (2nd generation) and AirPods 3.

The company sent me its new case for AirPods Pro 2. The simple accessory gets the job done, as advertised.

Whether you want to protect your own business or specialize in an area of IT, which is increasingly in demand for a variety of industries, training in cybersecurity is key. InfoSec4TC Cyber Security Training is one of the highest rated online schools for cybersecurity, and right now, you can grab lifetime access to a platinum membership on sale for just $69.99 — that’s more than $200 off the regular price of $280.

The first 15-inch MacBook Air was a highlight of WWDC23, but it was a bit overshadowed by other announcements. Perhaps that’s why Apple still has units ready to be preordered for pickup on launch day, June 13.

The same is true for the upgraded Mac Studio with M2 Pro or M2 Ultra processors. And the first Mac Pro with Apple silicon is also sold out on launch day.

Benchmark scores of Apple’s M2 Ultra indicate the new chip runs up to 20% faster than its predecessor, the M1 Ultra. And the comparison between the latest chip and the Intel processor in the 2019 Mac Pro proves even more dramatic.

You can configure the 2023 Mac Studio, which Apple unveiled during the WWDC23 keynote, with the M2 Ultra. And this bruiser of a chip is the only option you get when buying the new 2023 Mac Pro.

If dad needs a reliable cloud service, we have a Father’s Day deal for 1TB of lifetime cloud storage on Koofr for $119.97. This limited-time offer only runs through June 11th.

Apple TV+ series and films earn a higher average ranking from critics than all other streaming services. So, despite its relatively limited catalog, Apple’s service offers an outsized collection of top-quality content.

Its average quality content ranking is well above Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.

A headphone upgrade is a welcome gift for Father’s Day. The JBL Live Free NC+ true wireless in-ear noise-canceling Bluetooth earbuds are ideal for an immersive experience — and right now you can grab them with more than half off during our Father’s Day Sale.

Usually $149, they’re on sale now for just $59.97 — the best price you’ll find for them on the web.

In this installment of 3 Reasons to Watch, we look at the Platonic, the surprisingly good comedy from stoner whisperer Seth Rogen, luminous star Rose Byrne and husband and wife writers/directors Francesca Delbanco and Nicholas Stoller.

In the show, which premiered last month on Apple TV+, Byrne and Rogen star as friends who become awkward appendages of each other’s already messy lives. Here’s why you should take a chance on Platonic.

This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: The first impressions of Apple’s just-unveiled Vision Pro headset leave us mind = blown. Still, no matter how vivid the VR is … or how flawless the visionOS user interface is … or how “natural” the headset looks to be … can anything justify its $3,499 price tag?

Also on The CultCast:

• The load of new Macs showcased at WWDC23 left us surprised — and just a little perplexed. Who exactly is the Mac Pro for?
• The iPhone’s voice recognition receives marginal improvements in the first iOS 17 beta, and that gives us hope for the future.
• Marquee features aside, iOS 17 brings a ton of tiny, thoughtful improvements.
• The tally is in for last week’s WWDC23 predictions. Ladies and gentlemen, we have a winner!

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!)

The dystopian sci-fi mystery Silo launched on Apple TV+ in early May, and it’s been at or near the top of the ratings charts ever since. Last week, it was once again more popular than any other streaming series.

Plus, the finale of the sports dramedy Ted Lasso put it in the top 10 as well.