Add four useful ports to Mac or iPad with Plugable's inexpensive USB-C hub. Photo: Plugable
Plugable just launched a hub for MacBook or iPad users who need to connect to multiple USB-A accessories. It includes four ports for legacy accessories, and connects to the computer via USB-C.
The inexpensive hub is designed for use in an office or on the go.
The Vision Pro sizzle reel looks great, of course, but what is the device actually like? Photo: Apple
First impressions of the Vision Pro headset make it sound like Apple absolutely nailed both the industrial design and the overall “experience” of wearing a mixed-reality headset.
Apple didn’t let most reporters go hands-on (or rather “heads-on”) with the new device following the Vision Pro’s unveiling at Monday’s WWDC23 keynote. However, the company’s handlers let some members of the media into a private area to gawk at the Vision Pro — and a handful of people actually got to strap one on.
The very first glimpses reveal hardware that looks far better than the competition, paired with a compelling visual experience, and triggers only a few negative reactions.
Nearly every Apple device has a new beta out. Photo: Apple
With macOS Sonoma, iOS 17, iPadOS 17, watchOS 10 and tvOS 17 unveiled at WWDC23 on Monday, Apple made the initial betas available to developers. These are major updates for the various operating systems that run all Apple computers.
Beta testing will stretch through summer, with the full release of these OSs not coming until autumn.
Hit the skies in style with more than $30 in savings on this HD drone that provides real-time transmission. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
Personal drones have become increasingly popular for users of all ages. Whether you need one for professional or recreational purposes, or as a gift, don’t get priced out — pick up an HD camera-equipped drone for a surprisingly low price.
You can currently purchase the Global Drone 4K Platinum Version for only $79.97 (regularly $119) with no coupon required. This versatile and easily portable flying device is primed to provide new perspectives with 720P, 1080P and 4K HD camera options.
Apple's Vision Pro headset ain't cheap; new technology never is. Photo: Apple
People might be squawking about the $3,499 price tag of Apple’s new Vision Pro headset, but let’s put things in perspective. When Apple introduced the Macintosh — the first computer with a graphical user interface — it cost an eye-watering $7,400 in today’s dollars.
The Apple II — the first truly “personal computer’ — proved even more expensive. In 1977, an Apple II with maxed-out memory (a whopping 48KB of RAM, yes kilobytes) cost the equivalent of $14,400.
All that makes the $3,499 price tag of Apple’s new Vision Pro VR headset seem like a relative bargain. It packs insane 4K OLED screens to mesmerize your eyes, an outside screen that shows your face while wearing it, and an array of sensors to capture your hand movements, facial expressions and more.
If Apple is right, and the headset represents the dawn of a new era of 3D spatial computing, then 3,500 bucks isn’t so much to be at the cutting edge. New technology is always pricey … and it could have been even worse. Given the amount of new tech involved, and the high price of nearly a decade of development, the Vision Pro could have been even more expensive. It’s no $10,000 Apple Watch Edition!
Here's everything you need to know from the WWDC23 keynote, the beginning of Apple's "best ever" developer event! Image: Cult of Mac
The Keynote from WWDC23 was unusually jam-packed with huge announcements. Naturally, the first official details of new iOS, macOS, iPadOS and watchOS versions came to light, as is traditional. But Apple also used its annual developer conference to take the wraps off quite a bit of hardware.
And CEO Tim Cook used Apple’s classic “One more thing” line to unveil Vision Pro, the augmented-reality headset that was the absolute star of Monday’s Keynote.
With the tvOS 17 update, FaceTime comes to Apple TV 4K for the first time. Photo: Apple
Apple said Monday in the WWDC23 Keynote that tvOS 17 brings FaceTime to Apple TV 4K for the first time. So you can put your calls with family, friends and colleagues on the biggest screen you have.
“tvOS 17 transforms the biggest screen in the home with FaceTime and new video conferencing capabilities, giving Apple TV 4K users the ability to easily connect with anyone right from their living room,” said Bob Borchers, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing.
“New features and enhancements make Apple TV simpler to use and even more enjoyable, reinforcing it as the absolute best option in the living room for Apple customers,” he added.
An AirPods Pro 2 software upgrade will add important new audio features. And all Apple wireless earbuds are getting some enhancements. Photo: Apple
An upcoming software update will add multiple new listening modes to AirPods Pro 2. These are designed to make it easier for the user to listen to music while also hearing what’s going on around them.
Apple also announced at WWDC23 that all AirPods will get better at switching connections between devices, plus a change intended to make conference calls easier.
There are loads of new features that developers will be able to take advantage of that Apple didn’t highlight in the main Keynote. Thus far, they’ve covered improvements to the in-app camera, a standard tips balloon, and an easier way to make animations in SwiftUI.
That $3,500 price tag certainly got people's attention. Photo: Apple
One key feature of Apple’s upcoming Vision Pro headset certainly made a splash after Monday’s unveiling. But it wasn’t “spatial computing” or the way you dial in reality while wearing the sci-fi-looking goggles — it was the Vision Pro’s eye-popping $3,499 price tag.
Shortly after the big reveal during the company’s Worldwide Developers Conference keynote, “For $3500” trended on Twitter, with people jumping on the chance to take the piss out of Apple’s pricey new product.
This might be the future of computing, but some of these jokes are hilarious.
You can top up iPhone, Apple Watch, AirPods and more (wired and wireless) with this $54.99 charging station and power bank. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
For many of us these days, the office isn’t even at home. It’s a handy seat during your commute or wherever the Wi-Fi is reliable. That means people need to get a little more creative when it comes to charging up their devices.
watchOS 10 will work with Apple Watch Series 4 and newer. Photo: Apple
watchOS 10 will introduce widgets and bring a new look for many built-in Apple Watch apps. But the biggest changes come to the Workout app, which adds features that serious cyclists have been demanding for years, including support for third-party Bluetooth power and cadence meters.
Apple is dropping support for several devices with iOS 17 and iPadOS 17. Photo: Apple
Apple announced iOS 17, iPadOS 17, watchOS 10, and macOS Sonoma at the opening keynote of WWDC23. While these OS’s won’t launch anytime soon, when they do land, your old Apple device might be incompatible.
Below is a list of all the iPhones, iPads, Apple Watch, and Macs compatible with iOS 17, iPadOS 17, watchOS 10, and macOS Sonoma.
Interactive widgets are one of the highlights of iPadOS 17. Screenshot: Apple
iPadOS 17 will give iPad users the Lock Screen enhancements that debuted for iPhone last year. Another major addition for tablet users is interactive Home Screen widgets, a long-requested feature. And these are just a few of the changes coming in the iPadOS version announced at WWDC23.
“With interactive widgets on the Lock Screen, updates to PDFs and Notes, as well as enhancements to Messages and FaceTime, iPadOS gives users even more ways to get things done easier and faster than ever,” said Craig Federighi, Apple’s SVP of Software Engineering, in a statement.
Apple software chief Craig Federighi laid out what's new in macOS Sonoma. Photo: Apple
Apple unveiled macOS 14 — aka macOS Sonoma — at WWDC23 Monday. It brings new gaming functionality, desktop widgets, video screensavers and Safari browser upgrades. That’s in addition to cross-device compatibility reflecting some of the new iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 features.
“Introducing macOS Sonoma a big new release that will make your Mac more delightful and even more productive,” said Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior vice president of Software Engineering.
“First, many of the features we talked about earlier on iOS and iPad OS are going to be great on the Mac. And macOS Sanoma brings a rich set of features that elevate the experience of macOS,” he added.
Apple’s long-awaited Vision Pro headset features all of Apple’s apps in a floating, immersive 3D space that’s designed to let wearers interact seamlessly with the real world, rather than walling them off in a virtual one.
“Vision Pro will introduce us to spatial computing,” said Apple CEO Tim Cook during the recorded WWDC23 keynote Monday as he unveiled the pricey device. “This marks the beginning of a journey that will bring a powerful new dimension to personal technology.”
The company described it as “the first Apple product you look through, not at.” Vision Pro starts at $3,499 and will be available early next year.
The new Mac Pro features Apple's powerful M2 Ultra chip with PCI expansion. Photo: Apple
Apple’s transition to its own silicon is finally complete with the launch of a new Mac Pro, which combines Apple’s powerful M2 Ultra chip with PCIe expansion.
The new Mac Pro features the “most powerful chip ever created for a personal computer,” and is up to 3x faster than the previous-generation Intel-based model.
iOS 17 will bring major improvements to the Phone app, FaceTime and Messages on your iPhone with new customization options. In the Phone app, you can now set personalized contact posters or memoji to make the call screen a lot more vibrant.
“Our next release iOS 17, delivers more expressive communication, simplified sharing, more intelligent input and all new experiences for your iPhone,” said Craig Federighi on stage during the WWDC23 keynote.
A 15.3-inch version of the MacBook Air joins the 13.6-inch one. Screenshot: Apple
The 15.3-inch MacBook Air 2023 starts at $1,299 and is available in several stunning colors, including starlight, silver, midnight, and the ever-popular space gray MacBook Air. For a closer look at how space gray compares to silver, check out this detailed review.
The newest macOS notebook boasts a long battery life, comes with an Apple M2 processor, and the price is only $1,299.
“With its incredible performance and striking design, the new MacBook Air is the world’s best 15-inch laptop. And it’s only possible with Apple silicon,” said John Ternus, Apple’s SVP of hardware engineering, in a statement.
A new Apple share price record! Photo: Cult of Mac
Apple stock price is up 2% on Monday, rising to a new record high. Each share is going for about $184.60, sailing past the previous high of around $182 set back in early 2022.
Experts credit a recent rise in AAPL on anticipation for the VR/AR headset that Apple will almost certainly unveil on Monday.
You may already have a mouse pad in your computer setup, but what about a desk mat? Similar concepts in some ways, those two. But many folks may not even think of a desk mat as a necessary item in a computer setup. Or they may consider it an afterthought rather than any sort of priority.
But the humble desk mat, reminiscent of grandpa’s desk blotter, has its benefits. And that came up with today’s featured, desk-mat-free M1 MacBook Air setup.
Apple has plenty of announcements lined up for WWDC23 Photo/Graphics: Apple/Rajesh
With Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference just a week hours away, anticipation is building for what looks like one of the company’s most momentous events in years. In addition to the next versions of iOS, iPadOS, watchOS and macOS, Apple reportedly plans to use its WWDC23 keynote on June 5 to showcase some very interesting hardware.
Here’s a roundup of what to expect from the WWDC23 keynote, which streams live at 10 a.m. Pacific today.
Give Dad an iPad Mini 2 and earbuds with this refurbished bundle. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
If Dad’s still streaming on a laptop, it’s time for an upgrade. This iPad mini 2 bundle with headphones and more is the perfect collection for Father’s Day with everything he needs. And if you order by June 5, it’ll arrive in time for the day itself. The sale itself lasts through June 11.