Mobile menu toggle

Dream job leads to ultimate home workstation [Setups]

By

Maybe the right job will land you a tricked out MacBook Pro, Studio Display and all the other treats in this setup.
Maybe the right job will land you a tricked out MacBook Pro, Studio Display and all the other treats in this setup.
Photo: [email protected]

Wouldn’t it be great if the right job opened the door to building a killer computer setup? It happened for design and product lead Jaime Creixems.

Today’s featured setup is his M1 Max MacBook Pro and Studio Display-driven wonderland, complete with excellent audio equipment and fun sidelights like Lego sets.

Why UPDF is a top choice among PDF editors (53% off now)

By

Find out how UPDF stacks up against popular PDF editors PDF Expert and Adobe Acrobat in terms of feature sets and price.
Find out how UPDF stacks up against popular PDF editors PDF Expert and Adobe Acrobat in terms of feature sets and price.
Image: Superace

Most people must deal with PDF files online at some point, like when they fill out forms, sign documents or save files they don’t want others to easily modify. But if you think your only choices for easy-to-use, feature-rich PDF editing software are big, expensive products, you haven’t met UPDF yet.

SPONSORED
This post is brought to you by Superace.
In this article, we’ll take a look at how UPDF stacks up against major PDF editors — PDF Expert and Adobe Acrobat — in terms of feature sets and price. Then you can make your best choice. At the end of this article, a special discount will be provided for Cult of Mac readers.

Spatial audio comes to many more Netflix movies and shows

By

Spatial audio for Apple TV in tvOS 15
Lean back and enjoy a film on Netflix in spatial audio.
Photo: Apple

Netflix greatly increased the amount of its most-popular content with support for spatial audio, which lets the tv shows and films offer a surround sound-like experience but without all the speakers.

But the enhanced sound is not for every subscriber. The streaming service is using spatial audio as a way to tempt viewers to its Premium plan.

Apple TV+ kicks off MLS Season Pass for soccer fans in 100 countries

By

With MLS Season Pass, soccer fans can watch every MLS match via the Apple TV app from February 25 through the league championship.
With MLS Season Pass, soccer fans can watch every MLS match via the Apple TV app from February 25 through the league championship.
Photo: Apple

Major League Soccer fans in more than 100 countries can now sign up for the MLS Season Pass subscription service via the Apple TV app and Apple TV+, Cupertino said Wednesday.

This comes ahead of the 2023 season’s launch on February 25. The new service will air all MLS and Leagues Cup matches, plus hundreds of MLS NEXT Pro and MLS NEXT games, Apple said.

Free your earholes with these affordable bone-conduction headphones

By

Hear what you need and what you want with these headphones boasting bone conduction technology.
These open-ear headphones don't block out the real world.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

AirPods are great and all, but what if you don’t want earbuds jammed into your earholes? These open-ear headphones use increasingly popular bone-conduction tech to deliver audio without plugging up your ears.

These wireless bone-conduction earphones work with iPhones, Macs and iPads. And they let you mix your Apple Music playlist into your soundscape while keeping your ears open for what you need to hear.

You don’t need to pay a fortune for these fancy, futuristic headphones, either. Right now, they’re on sale for just $33.99.

Get the most out of your Xbox with this Game Pass Ultimate deal, now just $8.99

By

Get the most out of your Xbox with this Game Pass Ultimate deal, now just $8.99.
Game like you mean it with a cut-rate Xbox Game Pass Ultimate sub.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

The twilight of games as physical media is truly upon us. Apologies to those who like the smooth feel of those fragile little discs, but this is a good thing. You may be paying a little more for your console’s subscription plan, but in return, you get access to perks that include a virtual warehouse worth of games.

With a two-month subscription to Xbox’s Game Pass Ultimate, you can access hundreds of games (including some true classics) for just $8.99.

Rugged Samsung SSD expands to 4TB of storage

By

Rugged Samsung SSD expands to 4TB of storage
Take 4TB of additional storage wherever you go with this tough SSD.
Photo: Samsung/Cult of Mac

The Samsung T7 Shield rugged SSD launched in 2022 with a maximum of 2TB of capacity and is now available with twice that.

T7 Shield is a a credit-card size external SSD intended for outdoor content creators or travelers. It works with Mac and iPad plus a wide variety of devices.

Adonit Star brilliantly merges iPad stylus with fountain pen [Review] ★★★★

By

Adonit Star iPhone stylus review★★★★
That's not a fountain pen.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Adonit Star is the stylus for iPad users who love antiques; it’s designed to look like a fountain pen, not the usual plastic pencil. Despite the traditional design, it’s a fully functional stylus that’s ready for handwritten notes or sketching out ideas.

I used it with my iPad Pro, and it works as good as it looks. Even better, it is surprisingly affordable.

Pump up Mac audio quality with new Sound Blaster X5

By

In addition to jacking up speaker sound, the X5 should make most headphones sound better.
In addition to jacking up speaker sound, the X5 should make most headphones sound better.
Photo: Creative

Creative’s new Sound Blaster X5, a USB sound card, digital-to-analog converter (DAC) and headphone amplifier, promises to jack up your Mac’s audio quality.

It’s not cheap at $280. But the device launched Tuesday might make big difference in the sound flowing from speakers and headphones alike.

‘Periscope’ camera might remain iPhone 16 Pro Max exclusive

By

Not this type of periscope.
Not this type of periscope.
Photo: US Navy

iPhone 16 Pro buyers reportedly won’t get the “periscope” camera previous rumors suggested. A camera with the new type of high-end lens will be restricted to only the iPhone 16 Pro Max, according to a reliable source of Apple info.

The new hardware actually will arrive with the iPhone 15 Pro Max in 2023. But it supposedly won’t come to the regular-size iPhone Pro in 2024, despite what earlier reports indicated.

The pop-up lens should bring a noticeable jump in image quality while also shrinking the thickness of the iPhone’s notoriously large camera hump.

Apple’s super-expensive Pro Display XDR gets a $300 discount

By

Pro Display
Apple's Pro Display XDR is impressive but very, very expensive.
Photo: Apple

Looking to buy Apple’s 32-inch Pro Display XDR? Amazon is taking a whopping $300 off the stunning display, reducing the hole the purchase would otherwise make in your wallet.

With an MRP of $4,999, the Pro Display XDR is an expensive piece of tech. But you can take advantage of the deal on Amazon to get the display for $4,699.99.

Evolving eSIM technology is a huge boon to iPhone users

By

An iPhone with the Holafly website and the U.S. Capitol in the background and the phrase,
The United States is one of 164 countries where you can travel with Holafly eSIM. You can enjoy unlimited data at a low price.
Image: Holafly

You’re probably familiar with SIM cards, the little microchip cards that you can slide into your cellular device via a tiny tray on the side. But do you know that virtual SIM card technology — eSIM — has evolved to replace the clumsy SIM card? eSIM makes changing up your data plan for travel and other needs easier than ever before.

SPONSORED
This post is brought to you by Holafly.
It’s no exaggeration to say eSIM is the future of cellular. And one reason that’s especially clear is that Apple released iPhone 14 models in some countries without a SIM card tray. The leading smartphone maker is “all in” on eSIM. And you should be, too.

HomePod 2 review roundup: Great sound but no giant leap forward

By

A second-generation HomePod and a hand holding an iPhone.
The new HomePod looks almost exactly like the original, but it packs definite improvements.
Photo: Apple

The first reviews of the updated HomePod say the new smart speaker sounds excellent but doesn’t break much new ground.

Compared to Apple’s original smart speaker, the second-generation HomePod is more of an asset in a smart home than before. However, the device’s limitations on playing music from third-party sources mean that the home in question better be an Apple household.

Dual-purpose new iPad stand is also a USB-C hub

By

Dual-purpose new iPad stand is also a USB-C hub
There's no need for a separate iPad stand and USB-C hub. Plugable just launched a combination device.
Photo: Plugable

The Plugable USB-C Stand Dock goes beyond just holding up an iPad so the display can be seen — it’s also an 8-port hub with HDMI, two USB-A ports and many more.

The design reduces clutter on the user’s desk. And the stand/hub is also portable.

Save big on this deep-cleaning electric toothbrush, now just $29.99

By

Save big on this deep-cleaning electric toothbrush, now $29.99.
Upgrade your dental care with this high-tech toothbrush.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

If you’ve had a wake-up call at the dentist lately, you’ve got two options. You can either keep brushing the same way and wait for those cavity pains, or start brushing like a grown-up. One great way to upgrade is with an electric toothbrush, but there are so many brands out there that it can make first-time users slow to commit.

If that’s the case with you, let’s start with the most compelling reason to go with the AquaSonic Black series electric toothbrush: It’s currently on sale for just $29.99.

1Password 8 for iOS is about to get much better

By

1Password app sign in with FaceID
Universal search will soon make a comeback in 1Password 8.
Photo: 1Password

1Password is among the best password managers for iOS, and it is about to get even better. Putting a pause on adding new features, 1Password developers have announced several improvements to the app’s fundamentals.

Last year, AgibleBits released 1Password 8 with a new home screen and additional customization options. Based on user feedback, the company is further improving some of these features.

Get 3 years of AI-powered tax help with this $49 app

By

Get 3 years of AI-powered tax help for under $50 with this app.
Hack your taxes with the power of AI thanks to this $49 app.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

T.S. Eliot had it right: April really is the cruelest month, especially if you’re a freelancer, small business owner or independent contractor. That April 15 tax deadline means you’re either scraping together proof for all your deductions, or paying an accountant to shave a few extra dollars off what you owe.

Being your own boss certainly has its benefits, but the time you spend jumping through IRS hoops is not one of them. Luckily, it was only a matter of time before app developers brought the power of AI to ease the problem of taxes — and FlyFin is a compelling solution that’s tailor-made for the self-employed.

You can already listen to your Apple Music Replay 2023 playlist

By

Recapping your top tunes for 2023 is possible if you've streamed enough music.
Recapping your top tunes for 2023 is possible if you've streamed enough music.
Photo: Apple Music

It’s that time of year again. Apple Music made Replay 2023 most-streamed playlists available Monday to anyone who’s listened to enough music in January to have one.

It may be something you associate with the end of a year — Spotify Wrapped comes out only in December, for example. But Apple Music opens up access early with updates on Sundays so you can track your hit list and more continuously, plus a year-end recap.

HomePod 2 wait times stretch out until March

By

Apple HomePod 2 in white and midnight
Demand for HomePod 2 has outstripped supply.
Photo: Apple

Order the recently unveiled HomePod 2 from the online Apple store today and it might not arrive until March. Preorders for the revived version of Apple’s full-size smart speaker have surpassed the launch-day supply.
There seems to be some pent up demand for the product.

Apple Music goes big on Rihanna ahead of Super Bowl performance

By

Rihanna performs at the Apple Music Super Bowl LVII Halftime Show on Sunday, February 12, 2023.
Rihanna performs at the Apple Music Super Bowl LVII Halftime Show on Sunday, February 12, 2023.
Photo: Apple Music

Apple Music trotted out various ways Monday for fans to get into Rihanna ahead of her Super Bowl LVII Halftime Show in Glendale, Arizona, February 12.

These include a halftime-show press conference on February 9, her catalog in Spatial Audio on Apple Music, Apple Music Sing karaoke and Apple Music Radio commentary, the service said.

Man shed MacBook Pro rig craves Studio Display [Setups]

By

Maxed-out M1 Max MacBook Pro, curved 4K display, solid audio ... but a setup is never really done, is it?
Maxed-out M1 Max MacBook Pro, curved 4K display, solid audio ... but a computer setup is never really done, is it?
Photo: [email protected]

To the age-old question “Is a computer setup ever really done?” the answer is obviously “no.” There’s always something to add or something to fix, and once you do that it’s time to update something else (even if you don’t technically “need” the latest thing).

Today’s well-laid MacBook Pro setup has a nice curved monitor, but its user “craves” a Studio Display like he sees in other setups. And for that matter, how about a quieter mechanical keyboard and some plants that won’t die immediately, too.

Emergency SOS saves two women stranded in Canadian wilderness

By

No search was needed in this rescue, never mind helicopters.
No search was needed in this rescue, never mind helicopters.
Photo: Robson Valley Search and Rescue

Emergency SOS via satellite on an iPhone 14 took the “search” out of “search and rescue” for two fortunate Canadian women. They got stuck in snow on a logging road in British Columbia, Canada.

Rescuers said they thought it was the feature’s first use in BC. And the way it pinpointed the women’s location may have saved the women’s lives without the need for a time-consuming search.

These discount drones provide impressive range and clear visuals

By

These discounted drones provide impressive range and clear visuals.
These drones are the perfect toys for any wannabe pilot, now only $129.99.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

The joys of flying are something many of us recall from childhood, and likely came about when we first looked down from an airplane and saw sprawling clouds, cities and oceans below. Now, even as an adult, you can relive that sense of awe from the comfort of land by exploring the skies with this diverse array of drones.

You can double the adventure with a discounted deal on the Alpha Z Pro drone bundle, which is now on sale for just $129.99.