Mobile menu toggle

Newest Android version installed on a mere 5% of devices vs. 74% for iOS 16

By

iPhone shipments grow while Android tanks
Android 13 is out of the reach of most users. In contrast, virtually all iPhone owners can install iOS 16.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

It’s considered somewhat controversial that iOS 16 has been installed on only about 70% of iPhones four months after its release. But that’s a problem Google can only dream of. A full six months after the debut of Android 13, it’s on a whopping 5.2% of devices.

A year ago, Samsung has promised users more Android updates. Clearly, it’s not having much of an effect.

Protect and transfer computer files with this low-priced premium cloud subscription

By

Protect and transfer computer files with this low-priced premium cloud subscription.
This discounted cloud subscription lets you transfer files of up to 10GB anytime.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Whether for work, academics, entertainment or a mix of everything, we tend to overtax our Macs when it comes to storage. As we constantly create new files and download content, it’s easy to forget to clear space for new documents, photos and more. Fortunately, there’s a simple way to download files directly to your cloud storage of choice rather than to your device.

Ease the pressure on your Mac’s storage and snag a lifetime subscription to file-transfer service TransferCloud. It’s on sale now for only $79 — the best price you’ll find online.

Dump your bulky wallet for this slim MagSafe alternative [Review] ★★★★

By

SwitchEasy MagWallet Leather Card Holder★★★★
You don't need an old-fashioned wallet when MagWallet can do the job better.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

SwitchEasy’s MagWallet carries a pair of credit cards and snaps onto the back of your iPhone so it’s easy to keep with you. It’s much less bulky than a traditional wallet, and is just right for someone whose New Year’s resolution is to simplify their life.

I tried the leather MagWallet with my iPhone 14 Plus. It’s simply convenient.

HomePod head-to-head: How Apple’s new smart speaker compares to original

By

Is the new HomePod really that different from the 2018 HomePod? Yes and no.
Is the new HomePod really that different from the 2018 HomePod? Yes and no.
Photo: Apple

Now that the full-size HomePod is finally back, just how different is it from Apple’s original smart speaker? At a glance, you might not think the $299 speaker Apple unveiled Wednesday is that different at all, because the exterior design looks so similar. But compare the new HomePod’s features to the old model, and you’ll find significant changes.

It seems potentially much-improved as a smart home device, but whether it’s a better speaker is questionable.

Kick your healthy 2023 into overdrive with these 3 smart products

By

Momax Sunrise Sunrise Alarm Clock
Watch the sun come up with Momax's nifty smart alarm clock.
Photo: Momax

January isn’t over yet, so you might still be trying to keep up with your New Year’s resolutions. Why not give yourself a fighting chance with Momax’s nifty smart appliances?

SPONSORED
This post is brought to you by Momax.
Three Momax products in particular might give you a jump-start on a healthy new year. They include a smart alarm clock that can help you get to sleep as well as wake you up, a super-precise smart food scale that can advise you on nutrition, and a smart jump rope that can replace your personal trainer.

What could be better? Well, how about getting 10% off all the products with the code CULT10OFF plus another 10% coupon at Amazon.

Here’s everything the Apple Watch buttons do

By

What Do The Buttons Do? (old version)
The buttons on the Apple Watch switch apps, activate Apple Pay, open Siri and more.
Image: Apple/D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

The Apple Watch borrows a lot from the iPhone, but the biggest difference between them is down to the extra buttons. They each do different things whether you click, double-click or hold them down. What do the Apple Watch buttons do?

This guide was written before watchOS 10 changed and moved a lot of these features. See our updated guide if you’re confused why your Watch suddenly works differently.

Play almost any golf course in the world virtually with this simulator

By

This CES-featured golf simulator has almost every course in the world.
This golf simulator tees up nearly every course in the world. And right now, it's on sale for 20% off.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Golf and snow generally don’t mix, but that doesn’t mean you have to give up your game this winter. Instead, you could play 18 holes at home with this CES-featured golf simulator. Phigolf gives you more than 38,000 courses to play on, and it’s now on sale for just $199.99.

Apple working on iPad-like smart home display for 2024

By

iPad Pro 2022 Back View
Apple has an iPad-like smart home controller in the works
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple’s recently announced HomePod 2 packs some impressive smart home capabilities. But that’s not the only product the company is working on.

Apple is reportedly working on several smart home devices, including a smart display. The low-end iPad-like device can control thermostats, lights and do FaceTime calls.

Ted Lasso’s final season isn’t all Apple TV+ has in store for spring

By

Ted Lasso Season 3 Teaser Image
Nick Mohammed and Jason Sudeikis will return for a third season in Ted Lasso, premiering spring 2023 on Apple TV+.
Photo: Apple TV+

Apple TV+ promised on Wednesday that its comedy sensation Ted Lasso will finally return for its highly anticipated third season in spring 2023.

Plus, Apple’s streaming service released trailers for five upcoming comedies, dramas and a travel show. Plus, it named premier dates for other shows.

Turn Photoshop into a time machine with this film emulator

By

Give Photoshop a run for its money with this film emulator.
Transform digital images into vintage photos with this film emulator.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Whether it’s grainy stills from an early ’70s flick or iconic black-and-white images of world events, seeing photos from bygone eras can feel like traveling through time. But retouching an image to achieve that vintage look can take hours, even for photo editors who know their way around Photoshop.

Luckily, these inexpensive film emulator Photoshop actions can mimic the look of vintage film stock, giving you ultimate control over the way your images look.

Dress your M2 MacBook Pro in a stylish new WaterField Magnetic Laptop Sleeve

By

You can buy a shoulder strip for the new sleeve or provide your own.
You can buy a shoulder strip for the new sleeve or provide your own.
Photo: WaterField Designs

San Francisco-based WaterField Designs makes a line of popular Apple accessories. On Wednesday it released a new Magnetic Laptop Sleeve that fits Apple’s new 14- and 16-inch M2 MacBook Pro models as well as the 13-inch M2 MacBook Air.

The sleeve features waxed canvas, neoprene padding and rare-earth magnets to keep your new laptop safe.

iOS 16.3 and macOS Ventura 13.2 launches are only a week away

By

iOS 16.3 and macOS 13.2 launches are only a week away
The iOS 16.3 Release Candidate reveals which new features Apple considers the most important.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The next iPhone software update is closer than anyone might have realized. Apple seeded the release candidate for iOS 16.3 to developers on Wednesday.

The same is also true for the release candidates for macOS 13.2, iPadOS 16.3, watchOS 9.3 and tvOS 16.3.

HomePod 2 can’t join in stereo pair with earlier models

By

Second-generation HomePods in a stereo pair with an Apple TV 4K and a giant TV screen showing Apple TV+ dinosaur documentary
The second-gen HomePods play nice with each other, and with Apple TV 4K, but not with Apple's previous smart speakers.
Photo: Apple

Don’t think you’re going to add a new HomePod 2 to your original HomePod to make a stereo pair. It’s not possible because pairs can only be made with two of the same model.

It’s not a new limitation – a first-generation HomePod can’t be in a stereo pair with a HomePod mini, either. But many people might be unaware of the restriction.

Souped up MacBook Pro centers super-symmetrical setup [Setups]

By

There's nothing like a warmly lit, super-symmetrical setup.
There's nothing like a warmly lit, super-symmetrical setup -- especially if it has two Studio Displays.
Photo: [email protected]

When it comes to computer setups, social media loves symmetry. People often praise perfectly symmetrical setups and plenty of folks kind of freak out if anything’s even slightly askew, often supplying their own joking references to obsessive-compulsive disorder, or OCD.

In today’s warmly lit and well-organized workstation, a high-spec MacBook Pro drives dual Studio Displays. And pairs of other items in the room contribute to the overall symmetry.

Apple releases new watch band, wallpaper and more for Black History Month

By

Apple Watch with Unity watch face and band alongside iPhone with Unity wallpaper
Apple’s 2023 Unity watch band, watch face and wallpaper have a really cool geometric pattern using Pan-African colors.
Photo: Apple

Apple has released a special new Apple Watch band, watch face and iPhone wallpaper celebrating Black History Month. Apple has done this every February in 2021 and 2022.

The Black Unity Sport Loop is available today in the online store and in “select Apple Store locations beginning January 24” Apple said in its press release. It will cost $49, the same price as other Sport Loop bands. The watch face and iPhone background will be released in a software update next week.

eSIM explained: Keep your iPhone connected anywhere without a physical SIM card

By

Traveling to another country? With an eSIM, rest assured your iPhone will work.
Traveling to another country? With an eSIM, rest assured your iPhone will work.
Photo: Andrea [email protected]

Can you imagine switching to another cellular provider for your smartphone without having to go to a shop or wait for your physical SIM card to be shipped? Or traveling abroad knowing your phone will work and you won’t face data-roaming charges? Or using the same phone number on your smartphone, watch, car and even your refrigerator?

SPONSORED
This post is brought to you by Holafly.
Well, modern eSIM technology — the future of data connectivity — makes all of that possible and even easy. The “e” stands for “embedded,” and it’s probably already on your devices. Let’s look at how you can benefit from it, especially with international travel.

Listen to Apple’s AI-generated audiobooks

By

Read Me A Story, Computer
Listen to romance novels with a soothing robot voice.
Image: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac/Mads Dyrmann/John Salatas/Anna Schroeder/Wikimedia Commons

It’s annoying when a book you want to read doesn’t have an audiobook version — they’re great while you’re driving, doing dishes or folding laundry. Apple is now offering authors AI-generated audiobooks of their work. Novels you otherwise wouldn’t be able to hear, you can now find in the Apple Books app. Let me show you how you can find and listen to them if you’re curious.

PDF Expert lets you easily edit, annotate and sign PDFs

By

PDF Expert lets you manage files on Apple devices and comes at a discount.
Pick up the top-rated PDF Expert app for half the price.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

PDFs remain one of the best ways to transmit documents and data. However, handling these files can be tricky if you don’t have the right tools. A lifetime license to PDF Expert immediately empowers you to manage, secure and share PDFs with ease, speeding up daily tasks and increasing your ability to seamlessly collaborate on projects.

Typically $139.99, you can now pick up this license now for just $69.99 (a 50% discount).

Apple resurrects full-size HomePod with hot new features, same old price

By

Apple resurrects full-size HomePod with hot new features, same old price
The full-size HomePod is back!
Photo: Apple

Apple unveiled HomePod 2 on Wednesday, bringing its full-size smart speaker back from the dead. The new model offers high-quality audio and new smart-home features, but comes in at the same price as its predecessor.

“With the popularity of HomePod mini, we’ve seen growing interest in even more powerful acoustics achievable in a larger HomePod. We’re thrilled to bring the next generation of HomePod to customers around the world,” said Greg Joswiak, Apple’s SVP of worldwide marketing, in a press release.

Apple postpones AR glasses development in favor of cheaper mixed reality headset

By

A virtual reality headset (not Apple's).
Apple's cheaper AR/VR headset could debut in 2024 or 2025.
Photo: James Yarema/Unsplash License

Apple has indefinitely postponed development on its first AR/VR glasses. The device was supposedly going to launch a couple of years after Apple’s first mixed-reality headset’s debut, which is due to come out later this year.

Instead, the Cupertino giant is now focusing on building a cheaper version of its AR/VR headset. The device could debut in 2024 or early 2025.

Get the TL;DR on 2023 MacBook Pro and Mac mini in this Apple video

By

Get the TL;DR on 2023 MacBook Pro and Mac mini in this Apple video
Laura Metz, the director of Mac Product Marketing, details the 2023 MacBook Pro in a product-launch video.
Screenshot: Apple

Those who prefer to get their Apple announcements via video don’t have to feel left out. Although the 2023 MacBook Pro and Mac mini didn’t get a big, glitzy press event, and were instead unveiled Tuesday via press release, Cupertino created a launch video much like the ones put out with previous products.

Watch as John Ternus, SVP for Hardware Engineering, plays host to announce the latest macOS notebook and desktop.

Train for a new IT career with this super bundle

By

Kick off 2023 by training for a new IT career with this super bundle.
This super bundle can jump-start your career in IT.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

From keeping apps running to protecting your iPhone from hackers, IT professionals are in high demand in all areas. If you’re looking to answer the call or upgrade your career, this IT certification super bundle explores 13 different certifications.

It’s a great way to learn the latest tech or even switch career tracks.

2024 MacBook Pro will feature even-faster 3nm Apple M3-series processors

By

Apple might get cutting-edge 3nm processors in 2022
A MacBook Pro with an enhanced, 3nm processor is expected in the first half of 2024.
Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac

The just-announced 2023 MacBook Pro includes Apple M2 Pro or M2 Max chips, but these weren’t made with the newest 3nm process. That will have to wait until the 2024 versions, according to a reliable source of insider info.

At least the wait supposedly won’t be much more than a year for the faster, more efficient processors.