Cult of Mac

July 14, 1995: The MP3 file format receives its official name as the new .bit file extension gets changed to .mp3. The technology allows the compression of a standard CD .wav file to one-tenth its original size, courtesy of some smart algorithms. The format will revolutionize the music industry — and put Apple on the road to world dominance with the iPod.

The MP3 enables easy sharing of music tracks online and makes music more portable than ever. Within a few years, Apple’s iPod will become the world’s best-known MP3 player, quickly capitalizing on the new format.

Two new HDMI adapters from Other World Computing (OWC) solve the external display limitations that have frustrated Apple Silicon Mac users since the M1 chip’s introduction, the company said Monday. The new OWC USB-C Quad HDMI 4K Adapter and redesigned OWC USB-C Dual HDMI 4K Adapter offer Mac owners a way to connect multiple external monitors without juggling multiple dongles.

“Whether you’re working with spreadsheets, streaming data, editing video or just need more screen real estate to stay productive, we believe your gear shouldn’t hold you back,” said Larry O’Connor, OWC’s founder and CEO. “With our new Quad and enhanced Dual HDMI adapters, we’re giving users the power to easily expand their visual workspace, without the complexity or cost of juggling multiple adapters or sacrificing performance.”

The portable SSD you’ve been wanting is probably available at well below the usual cost. There are top-quality ones available at way below their list prices — we found deals on portable SSDs from Samsung, Kingston and more. Save up to 48%!

Even if you didn’t do your shopping during Amazon Prime Day last week,  you can still easily increase the storage capacity of your Mac, iPad, etc. without over-stressing your credit card.

After last week’s iPhone 17 color revelations, fresh component leaks suggest Apple might introduce its boldest iPhone Pro color yet, come September. This time, camera lens covers reveal a potential brand-new copper-orange finish that would mark a significant departure from the company’s traditional Pro palette. The other possible colors are black, gray, silver and a dark blue that harkens back to iPhone 15 Pro’s most striking hue.

Apple’s beautiful, high-resolution Studio Display is notoriously expensive, starting at about $1,600 — so dual Studio Display computer setups are pretty rare. I also see Studios Displays paired with other options for external displays, as in today’s great-looking Mac Studio setup. And it turns out there are reasons beyond identical resolution to choose the LG 5K UltraFine display the users selected and loves.

And another cool item in the setup hides behind the displays. Bower & Wilkins’ aged-yet-still-awesome MM1 computer speakers make a rare appearance.

Apple came up with a “significant evolution” for the Dynamic Island that’s part of the display in most iPhone models, according to a noted tipster. Rather than phasing out the dynamic interface, rumors indicate Apple will lean into the feature.

It’s something to look forward to in the iPhone 17 and beyond.

Apple may hold the upcoming iPhone 17 launch event in the week beginning September 8. If not on Monday, the company could opt for September 9 (Tuesday) or 10 (Wednesday).

Apple typically unveils new iPhones in the second week of September.

July 13, 2006: Apple releases its first activity tracker, the Nike+iPod Sport Kit, which combines Cupertino’s popular music player with a smart pedometer.

The product marks Apple’s first step toward the kind of mobile health-tracking initiatives it will pursue in the following decade — most notably through its iOS Health app and the Apple Watch.

Apple already has the iPhone 17e on its drawing board, according to rumors. Surveys indicate the company has a new strategy that’ll bring much more frequent updates to its most affordable iOS handsets.

Here’s when to expect the replacement for the iPhone 16e, and what hardware changes are coming.

Smoke is getting into plenty of people’s eyes. The new true-crime drama on Apple TV+ that stars Taron Egerton made it into the top 10 most popular streaming series, according to two companies that track ratings.

Plus, the Apple TV+ sci-fi action comedy series Murderbot stayed strong in the run-up to its season finale, and the sports comedy Stick still draws a large audience, too.

July 12, 2010: The iPhone 4 suffers a major blow when respected trade publication Consumer Reports says it can’t, in good faith, recommend the new Apple smartphone. The reason the magazine refuses to give its vaunted “recommended” label to the previously top-ranked device in its devastating iPhone 4 review? A little Apple scandal called “Antennagate.”

The 12 free Mac apps in this roundup prove that the best software doesn’t need to cost you anything.

These are the first apps I install on any new Mac, as they either boost my productivity or add essential functionality missing from macOS.

The iconic 2013 “trash can” Mac Pro took its first step towards official retirement, as Apple added it to its vintage product list.

Apple also added several iPads launched in 2018 and the 2019 13-inch MacBook Air to its vintage products list.

Apple’s upcoming iPhone 17 should offer a fresh take on color options, with new leaks suggesting five colors for the base iPhone 17 and four for the iPhone 17 Air model. The latest information comes from leaked images of third-party camera lens protector rings. They’re designed to match Apple’s official iPhone color offerings.

The KYY 14” Portable Monitor challenges the idea that bigger is always better. It’s much smaller than the external display I usually travel with — and that’s exactly why I love it.

As a bonus, it’s very affordable, especially with an Amazon Prime Day deal.

Rejoice, fans of deliciously complicated and marvelously cinematic sci-fi! Apple TV+’s adaptation of Isaac Asimov’s iconic Foundation stories finally returns for a new season Friday. So now you can stream Foundation season three’s first episode, “A Song for the End of Everything,” in which intergalactic supervillain The Mule wreaks havoc.

July 11, 2008: The iPhone 3G goes on sale. Expectations for the smartphone sequel run high, and Apple delivers with the addition of GPS, faster 3G data and a higher-quality build. The iPhone 3G launch also brings a new mobile operating system packed with features.

Apple’s second smartphone runs iPhone OS 2, which introduces a better Mail app, turn-by-turn navigation and a little something called the App Store.

Murderbot season 1 did well enough in the ratings that Apple TV+ committed to season 2 on Thursday.

The news comes as the season 1 finale of the sci-fi comedy thriller becomes available to stream. A renewal isn’t surprising, given that t series stayed one of the top 10 most-watched shows every week during its entire run.

A new documentary combining high-stakes adventure with groundbreaking wildlife conservation started streaming on Apple TV+ Friday. Previously the streamer released a new trailer for The Wild Ones documentary series, below, promising all sorts of high-tech derring-do in the name of saving threatened animal species all over the world. Now you can watch it.

The six-episode documentary, premiering July 11, follows a team of elite wildlife experts as they venture into Earth’s most remote and dangerous environments to protect critically endangered species.

Update: The Wild Ones began streaming Friday. As one critic cited on the reviews site Rotten Tomatoes put it (though it’s too early for a fresh or rotten rating): “The Wild Ones is a triumph of storytelling, a visual feast and a heartfelt plea to cherish and protect the natural world.”

Instead of new Macs, Apple will reportedly use the next iPad Pro refresh as the debut device for its M5 chip. The new tablet could launch “as early as October.”

It’s also working on an M4 iPad Air refresh and iPhone 17e for a possible early 2026 launch.

Apple might not get the next-generation MacBook Pro with the upcoming M5 processor out this autumn, as had been expected. The notebook will instead launch early next year, according to a respected source of insider information.

If true, it means that Apple’s new Mac processor will once again launch in an iPad.

Anker’s a top accessories maker for Apple users — maybe most of all for charging needs related to MacBooks and other devices. As usual, Anker Prime Day sale items could fill a dense catalogue. So we thought we’d put together some top picks for MacBook users. Namely, a choice multiport charger with solid wattage, a great portable power bank with retractable cables and a highly functional docking station with fast transfer speeds and ample connectivity. Check them out below.

It’s that time of year again — Amazon Prime Day. The summer deals run from July 8 – 11. So the early deals flowed starting over the weekend, with the full-on sale hitting with even better deals on Tuesday through Friday.

We’ll show you the best Amazon Prime Day deals on Apple gear, from AirPods to iPads to MacBooks to the Studio Display. And that includes Apple audio subsidiary Beats, too. Click on the links below, and return to this page often — deals are subject to change, often for the better, and we’ll add more as we find them.

Those eager for a folding iPhone should glance at the beautiful, bendable screen in the Samsung Z Fold 7, which launched Tuesday. If rumors are correct, this display will also be part of Apple’s foldable. Or something very close to it.

There are no in-depth reviews of the new screen yet, but early indications are that Samsung finally virtually eliminated the crease that’s been the fatal flaw of all previous flexible displays… which is very good news for the folding iPhone.

Aqara’s new G410 Doorbell Camera Hub delivers a compelling package for Apple ecosystem users who want comprehensive smart home integration without recurring subscription fees. Priced at $129.99, this battery-powered video doorbell stands out as one of the few devices on the market to offer full HomeKit Secure Video support alongside extensive Matter smart-home standard compatibility, the company said Thursday.