Cult of Mac

July 10, 2008: Apple launches the App Store, an online hub that lets iPhone owners browse and download apps made by third-party developers. Transforming the iPhone from a locked-down platform to a generative one, the App Store means that every iPhone user can have his or her own “killer app” depending on the software they want — from social networking to composing music to playing games.

One of the most significant launches in Apple history, the App Store opens up a whole new revenue stream for Cupertino. It’s hard to believe that Steve Jobs was originally dead-set against it!

I’ve long been a fan of great sound. But I hesitate to call myself an “audiophile” simply because I’m not a wealthy man. And yet even I can dabble in solid audio because so many affordable products continue to up the ante — including my favorite personal headphones. Behold the Sennheiser HD660S2 open-back cans. An audiophile of means might scoff at spending only several hundred bucks, but the joke’s on them. Thanks to Amazon, this Prime Day Sennheiser deal gets you these great wired, open-back cans for a mere $375 (as of Wednesday evening; the fluctuating price went up about $14 as of Thursday morning).

That’s not nothing, obviously. But it’s a lot more affordable than the $1,000 or more that many audiophile cans command.

If you’re like me, Amazon Prime Day is partly about scoring cool stuff you otherwise find uncomfortably pricey. I can’t go around buying every set of headphones and earbuds that catch my eye. But with Prime Day headphones deals, maybe I can sneak something sweet-sounding past my sense of guilt, you know?

And so can you! Check out some of the absolute best Amazon Prime Days deals on headphones and earbuds below. I found wishlist-worthy cans and buds with savings of $100 or more (in some cases, much more — even discounts of $305 off primo open-back cans, $315 off top noise-canceling headphones and $150 off some seriously nice earbuds).

If not the best, Apple’s Studio Display is among the best displays you can get for your Mac. The nano-texture glass makes it an even better monitor, cutting down on unwanted reflections.

But despite its age, Apple wants a steep $1,899 for the Studio Display with nano-texture glass. Amazon’s amazing Prime Day deal makes things a lot more reasonable, by slashing its price down by $399.01.

With ‘Presto,’ Apple devised a way to wirelessly update iPhones without right through their retail packaging. With macOS Tahoe, the company could bring the same technology to Macs.

This change will ensure your new Mac runs the latest available macOS version, no matter how long it’s been sitting in inventory.

Apple prepares to launch its first major update to the Vision Pro AR/VR headset as early as this year, featuring a faster M4 processor and a redesigned strap aimed at addressing comfort complaints that have plagued the $3,499 device since its launch, according to a new report.

July 9, 2001: Apple earns the title of No. 1 computer manufacturer in the education market, with twice as many machines in schools as runner-up Dell Computer.

It marks a big turnaround from a couple of years earlier, when Dell overtook Apple and people accused Steve Jobs of abandoning this important market.

There’s still plenty of time left in Amazon Prime Day this week to snag deals on multi-device MagSafe chargers from Belkin and other makers. So if you want, say, Belkin’s MagSafe 3-in-1 Fast Wireless Charging Pad for nearly half off — or other good deals on chargers for iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods from various companies — see the Amazon links below. And note that Prime Day prices may fluctuate.

Today’s featured setup sports an M1 Max MacBook Pro still going strong, but the user posted the workstation on social media to show off a newly added Mchose mechanical keyboard — an unfamiliar but solid-looking brand. And I couldn’t help notice the stellar audio gear in the mix, including excellent Yamaha studio monitors for focused sound in the room, plus a surprising array of great headphones and audio interfaces.

Right now you can get the best Amazon Prime Day Beats audio deals on great headphones and earbuds — some pretty close to their lowest prices ever. For example, a fresh price drop on Beats’ awesome flagship headphones, Beats Studio Pro, gives you a whopping $180 discount. At just $169.95, they’re 51% off and just $10 above their lowest-ever price.

Another great example? You can nab a whopping $80 off the excellent Beats Studio Buds+ at just $89.95 — a 47%-off discount! And you get the new Powerbeats Pro 2 sport earbuds for $198.95, or $80 off.

With the surprise retirement of Apple COO Jeff Williams on Tuesday, all bets are off concerning the next CEO of Apple.

Williams, a 27-year Apple veteran, was widely regarded as the likely next CEO of Apple when Tim Cook eventually steps down.

But with Williams out of the running, Apple senior vice presidents John Ternus or Craig Federighi are now seen as the most probable candidates for the top spot.

But I think it could be someone else entirely — and it’s a pick I haven’t seen anyone else make.

Here’s who I think might be the next CEO of Apple, and why.

The Logitech Flip Folio is a protective keyboard case and stand for iPad Pro and iPad Air models that goes head-to-head against the Apple Magic Keyboard. Having tested both, Logitech’s new offering comes out ahead of Apple’s is some ways, including wider support for screen orientations, and because the keyboard can separate from the case/stand. Plus, a hefty price advantage can’t be overlooked.

Be sure to read the full review for more details.

Portable wireless speakers these days give home audio a run for its money — but you can take them anywhere (or enjoy them on the kitchen counter or in the shower). The likes of Beats Pill and Bluetooth boxes from companies like Bose, JBL and Soundcore keep getting smaller, more waterproof and better sounding. So gear up for summer barbecues and fall hayrides — or just having better audio in the kitchen, for that matter. Check out Prime Day speaker deals on wireless units below.

Mac shipments increased 21.4% in the second quarter of 2025, according to a market research firm. Apple has shown strong growth in shipments every quarter since the launch of multiple M4-powered Mac models began last autumn, and the new chip has helped grow the company’s share of the global market.

Most of the top Windows makers also saw growth last quarter, but none can match Apple’s pace.

Amazon Prime Day brings excellent deals on Apple’s popular laptops, MacBook Pro and MacBook Air. In fact, you can nab the very same M4 Pro MacBook Pro I have for $250 less than I paid — my exact model with 24GB RAM at $1,749. And you can get the base M4 MacBook Pro for an incredibly low starting price of $1,429. Plus some Prime Day MacBook Pro deals net you up to $350 off higher-end models.

As for MacBook Air, the entry-level model now sells for a low $849. And you can add some bells and whistles for a bit more. Scroll down to see Prime Day MacBook Air deals.

Jeff Williams, Apple’s chief operating officer in charge of the company’s global operations since 2010, will retire later this year. Even before then, though, his position will be filled by Sabih Khan, who currently serves as senior vice president of operations.

Apple described the move as “a long-planned succession” in a press release on Tuesday. The move certainly ends years of speculation that Williams would someday take Tim Cook’s place as Apple CEO.

Even with seasons five and six yet to stream, here comes Slow Horses season 7! Apple TV+ officially greenlit a seventh season of its hit spy drama “Slow Horses” Tuesday. So the adventures of dysfunctional British MI5 intelligence team continue. The announcement comes as the Emmy and BAFTA Award-winning series continues to garner critical acclaim and build a devoted fanbase.

“Slow Horses has won fans all over the world with its unique mix of self-deprecating British humor and high-octane action,” said Jay Hunt, creative director, Europe, Apple TV+. “I’m delighted viewers will have another season to enjoy Gary’s magnificent performance as Jackson Lamb alongside the Slow Horses’ slightly inept spycraft.”

AutoFill on iPhone is supposed to help you out when you’re entering a password or typing in your email. When it doesn’t work, it can be incredibly frustrating — especially if you don’t know some complicated password offhand. The phone’s supposed to remember it so you don’t have to!

Sure, you could switch over to the Passwords app — or you can instantly autofill passwords right from the text box. AutoFill works anywhere you can input text, including third-party browsers.

In addition to passwords, you can autofill credit cards, contacts and more. You can even autofill scanned text from documents, signs and more using the camera.

Here’s how it’s done.

July 8, 1997: Steve Jobs begins his path to becoming chief executive officer of Apple, after former CEO Gil Amelio departs the company following a massive quarterly loss. Also leaving Apple is Ellen Hancock, executive vice president of technology.

To run Apple’s day-to-day operations, CFO Fred Anderson takes over until a new CEO can be found. Jobs, meanwhile, moves from strategic adviser to take “a more expanded role with Apple’s board and executive management team,” according to CNN Money.

Cupertino’s turnaround has started!

PrimOn the fence about buying a pair of AirPods for your iPhone or Mac? Amazon Prime Day sales are the best time to buy Apple’s wireless earbuds, with prices dropping to record lows.

Amazon already frequently discounts AirPods. But for its flagship sale event for the year, it dropped them to new lifetime low prices.

Good news for anyone in the market for an iPad: Amazon Prime Day brings low prices on every tablet Apple makes. But that’s underselling it — there are amazing deals here!

The budget iPad 11 is down to a rock-bottom price, and so is the iPad mini. And Amazon significantly cut the Price of iPad Pro and iPad Air, too. We’re talking deals as good as 24% off. You can save hundreds of dollars.

Apple’s AI ambitions take a hit as a key executive leading its AI model efforts departs the company. Meta has successfully managed to poach Ruoming Pang, who managed Apple’s foundation models team.

Meta is forming a new superintelligence team and reportedly offering pay packages of up to $100 million to attract top AI talent.

This year’s Amazon Prime Day sale may be the best one yet to score a deeply discounted Apple Watch — if supplies last.

Last year, models like the Apple Watch SE and Series 9 hit their lowest ever prices on Prime Day. This year sees all the major Apple Watch models at record lows, including the latest Series 10, the already low-price SE and the refreshed Ultra 2.

However, there’s a strong possibility stock may sell out before the four-day sale ends.

The Translate app built into your iPhone is a hidden gem if you’re traveling abroad. It gives you the ability to download languages in advance, so you don’t have to worry about a dodgy cellular connection.

The camera lets you translate text in-line of a restaurant menu or parking meter — it could help you out of a sticky situation. The Translate app’s conversation view makes it easy having a back-and-forth with someone who doesn’t speak your native tongue.

Here’s how to make the most out of the built-in Translate app.

You want to cut cable, but can’t imagine giving up recording your favorite programs to watch later? That was me a few years ago, and a Tablo TV tuner was just what I was looking for. This digital video recorder from Nuvyyo captures up to two shows at once off free local airwaves, then streams them to your Apple TV, iPad or iPhone whenever you want.

Even better, you can now get one at 25% below the usual cost.