Mobile menu toggle

Microsoft OneDrive is now optimized for Apple M1 chips

By

Microsoft OneDrive now optimized for Apple M1
Faster, more efficient, and not broken under macOS 12.3.
Image: Microsoft/Cult of Mac

Microsoft on Monday rolled out a major OneDrive update that adds full Apple M1 support for the first time. Version 22.022 now runs natively on Apple silicon chipsets, which should mean improved performance and efficiency.

The update also eliminates a kernel extensions issue, which broke both OneDrive and Dropbox, that macOS 12.3 beta testers recently ran into.

Michael Douglas will portray a sexy Benjamin Franklin in Apple TV+ historical drama

By

Michael Douglas will portray a sexy Benjamin Franklin in Apple TV+ historical drama
Ben Franklin is going to look very good in an upcoming g Apple TV+ drama.
Photo: Joseph-Siffred Duplessis/Google Cultural Institute/Apple

A Benjamin Franklin biopic is headed for Apple TV+, with legendary actor Michael Douglas taking on the title role.

Just as importantly, the limited series is being written by Kirk Ellis. He also wrote HBO’s John Adams, which was showered with awards.

Draw your bottom line with this one-payment design app

By

Drawtify Graphic Design Program is 91% off now.
Get this lifetime deal on an easy-to-use vector graphics app and you'll be creating great art ASAP.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

A good graphic design app can save professional and aspiring artists time, money and needless stress. Drawtify Online Vector Graphic Editor is an intuitive design app with no learning curve and a lifetime subscription, and it’s on sale for $79.99 (regularly $899) for life.

Take your iPhone’s MagSafe charger on the road with this slim case and stand combo [Review]

By

Speck Presidio Pro Folio for MagSafe review
The Speck Presidio Pro Folio for MagSafe lets you easily take Apple MagSafe charger on the go. And it’s a useful travel stand.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple’s iPhone MagSafe charger is one of the best ways to juice up a handset, but it’s not really a travel accessory. That’s where the Speck Presidio Pro Folio for MagSafe comes in. It’s a slim case for Apple’s wireless charger that also acts as a viewing stand for an iPhone.

I tried it out, and I’m quite pleased with the accessory.

Bet you wish your iPhone could charge this fast

By

With a 100W of wireless charging, the Honor Magic 4 Pro powers up fast.
With a 100W of wireless charging, the Honor Magic 4 Pro powers up fast.
Photo: Honor

With the right charger, your iPhone 12 or 13 can top up pretty fast. But can it charge to 50% capacity in 15 minutes, wirelessly? Nope. But that’s what former Huawei sub-brand Honor promised Monday at MWC 2022 with its latest flagship handset, the Honor Magic 4 Pro.

Fast charging with iPhone runs about half the speed Honor claims. And though we doubt many folks would ditch their iPhones for the Honor Magic Pro 4, who knows if they’ll be able to get one, anyway. The company hasn’t specified a release date or where the phones will sell.

Can a 16-inch M1 MacBook Pro setup be ‘budget-friendly?’ [Setups]

By

Everything here is budget-friendly, or not too far from it. But not the laptop.
Everything here is budget-friendly, or not too far from it. But not the laptop.
Photo: [email protected]

Is it reasonable to call a computer setup “budget-friendly” if it includes a new 16-inch M1 MacBook Pro? Well, is there such a thing as an Lamborghini economy car? How about a thrift-store Faberge egg? Or maybe a bargain-basement super yacht?

OK, we exaggerate slightly. You don’t have to be a billionaire to afford a nice Mac. But it helps.

Today’s featured setup makes a go of getting some “budget-friendly” cred despite its high-powered centerpiece — with mixed results.

Customize your space with Lutron’s updated smart shades for HomeKit

By

Some of Lutron's HomeKit-enabled Serena shades can really block a lot of light.
Some of Lutron's HomeKit-enabled Serena shades can really block a lot of light.
Photo: Lutron

Whether you’re looking to redesign your space with a fresh look or you just want to block out more light on a sunny morning, Lutron’s updates to its smart shades and blinds might help do the trick.

Lutron rolled out its HomeKit-enabled Serena Smart Architectural Honeycomb Shades on Monday with more than 40 fabric choices and some new refinements to block more light.

Apple Watch Series 8 could bring ‘major’ activity tracking upgrades

By

Do you know how Apple Watch counts your swim strokes?
But no new health sensors.
Photo: Graham Bower/Cult of Mac

This year will be “the biggest in the history of Apple Watch since the original model,” according to a new report. Apple Watch Series 8 is expected to come in three new versions that will bring “major updates to activity tracking.”

Apple could also (finally!) retire Apple Watch Series 3, which has looked painfully outdated for some time now, later this year.

Save on Apple devices (and get mouth-watering perks) with a discount Sam’s Club membership

By

Hit the club with this Sam's Club membership deal.
You can get a free rotisserie chicken and cupcakes, plus a $10 e-gift card, with this sale-priced Sam's Club membership.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Go to a Sam’s Club, and the only thing more memorable than the deals on Apple devices are the smells of the delicious deli and bakery treats that tempt you as you walk in the door.

Now you can make the dream come true with a Sam’s Club membership for only $19.99, complete with a free rotisserie chicken, cupcakes and a $10 Sam’s Club e-gift card.

New iPhone 13 cases leak ahead of Apple’s rumored spring event

By

iPhone 13 cases leak
Apple usually refreshes its accessory lineup in the spring.
Photo: Majin Bu

Apple looks set to introduce new color options for its official iPhone 13 cases in the coming weeks. A leaked photo reveals an alleged “spring collection” for the Silicone Case with MagSafe, which includes new yellow, pink, and green shades.

The image comes just a week before Apple is expected to host its spring event, which is rumored to bring big refreshes for iPhone SE, iPad and Mac.

Instagram dashes hopes of a native iPad app

By

Instagram not coming to iPad
Instagram isn't coming to iPad any time soon.
Image: Instagram/Cult of Mac

More than 12 years after the iPad made its debut, it still doesn’t have a native Instagram app. And it doesn’t look like it’s going to get one any time soon. Instagram head Adam Mosseri believes that not enough people want it.

“It’s still just not a big enough group of people to be a priority,” Mosseri said Sunday in response to a tweet from Marques Brownlee (MKBHD).

MacBook Folio concept smoothly merges laptop and tablet

By

MacBook Folio concept smoothly merges laptop and tablet
The MacBook Folio is proposal for the folding Mac Apple is reportedly working on.
Photo: Antonio De Rosa/ADR Studio

If Apple makes a folding Mac, it might look a lot like the MacBook Folio. A concept artist dreamed up this merger of macOS laptop and tablet.

But it’s not a mere daydream — a reliable source says Apple is interested in developing a foldable MacBook with a 20-inch screen.

Turn your website into an awesome app in minutes with this top-rated software

By

Build your own apps with zero coding with this top-rated software.
Build and launch apps in minutes -- no coding required -- with this easy-to-use software.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Did you know that you can bring your website to life as an app without needing to hire a programmer? Smart app-building software like AppMySite allows you to create and publish your own app in minutes.

And for a limited time, you can grab a one-year subscription to AppMySite for just $29. That’s a huge 93% discount off the regular price.

This renters insurance is a no-brainer for young tenants

By

Save smart with this affordable, reliable renter's insurance.
Finding affordable renters insurance is just a click away.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Getting ahead in the world as a young professional isn’t exactly easy. Most of us start out renting — and lots of us keep on renting, even after we start earning “grownup” money.

But if you’re investing in Apple gear, nice furniture, etc., you need to protect your valuables. And renters insurance is how you do it.

Brace yourself for Macs and more at Apple’s March event [The CultCast]

By

The CultCast: New Macs and Apple's spring 2022 event.
The Apple news drought is about to come to a thunderous end. It's going to be raining Macs!
Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: As Apple’s rumored spring event approaches, all signs point toward new Macs. Lots and lots of new Macs. And an iPhone and an iPad. But we can’t stop talking about Macs. It’s like a cult or something around here.

Also on The CultCast:

  • Is Apple fixing AirTag — or ruining it?
  • Most Apple Stores in the United States lift their mask mandates (but they’re handing out freebies).
  • Apple needs to put a ring on our fingers.

Listen to this week’s episode of The CultCast in the Podcasts app or your favorite podcast app. (Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review if you like it!) Or watch the video livestream, embedded below.

Severance goes on a serious head trip this week [Apple TV+ recap]

By

Severance recap: Lumon employees go on a field trip this week.
Severance recap: Lumon employees go on a revealing field trip this week.
Photo: Apple TV+

New Apple TV+ thriller/comedy Severance takes a visit to a motivational museum this week. Actors Adam Scott, Britt Lower, Patricia Arquette, John Turturro and Yul Vasquez continue to do amazing work with their offbeat characters in this satirical study of the depressing nature of punching the clock.

Severance’s unique look and science fiction premise continue to pay dividends rich enough to get over some of the hurdles the show occasionally throws at the rational part of your brain.

Hate Tumblr ads? Now you can pay to make them go away.

By

If you hate Tumblr ads, now you can be free of them. For a price.
If you hate Tumblr ads, now you can be free of them. For a price.
Photo: Tumblr

Tumblr founder David Karp has said he never wanted advertisements on his social network and microblogging platform, Tumblr. But they came in after a sale of the company in 2013. A lot of people find them tacky and annoying.

Fortunately for those who hate the ads, Tumblr said Thursday you can now pay to make ads go away.

Boost your financial acumen to manage your money (and make tax season a breeze)

By

These 4 discounted accounting bundles pay dividends.
Make the most of your financial future with these accounting and tax training bundles.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Tax season can be stressful — especially if you feel like your financial situation is out of your control. Not knowing how much you’ll get from your tax return, or if you’ll get one at all, can make it hard to plan (and easy to make costly yet avoidable financial mistakes).

But knowledge is power, and Cult of Mac Deals hunted down some of the best tax and accounting training bundles around. With one (or more) of these four accounting and tax-prep packages, you’ll never again feel like your finances are a shock. And even better, with coupon code REFUND, you can get all four of these deals on sale.

Go on an ecological adventure in Gibbon: Beyond the Trees on Apple Arcade

By

Go on an ecological adventure in ‘Gibbon: Beyond the Trees’ on Apple Arcade
Gibbon: Beyond the Trees aims to be both fun and educational.
Image: Broken Rules

Find out what it’s like to swing through the trees as a gibbon in a game that debuted Friday on Apple Arcade. Gibbon: Beyond the Trees is the story of a family trying to survive amid an encroaching human threat.

The ecological adventure is available to play on a variety of Apple devices.

A dinner party goes deliciously sideways this week on Servant [Apple TV+ recap]

By

Servant recap Apple TV+: Leanne (played by Nell Tiger Free) lets loose in this week's unnerving and surprisingly funny episode.
Leanne (played by Nell Tiger Free) lets loose in this week's unnerving and surprisingly funny episode.
Photo: Apple TV+

The Turners throw a truly miserable dinner party on this week’s Servant, the Apple TV+ show about demonic forces assailing the residents of a Philadelphia brownstone.

Leanne makes it her business to embarrass Sean’s guest, Dorothy spies something she shouldn’t, and sober Julian just drinks it all in.

The funniest and most daringly tense episode of the show — powered by Servant creator Tony Basgallop, showrunner M. Night Shyamalan and a host of incredible writers and directors — takes no prisoners. It also gives Nell Tiger Free some of the best comic work she’s done on the show to date.

Guess which brand consumers find most relevant to their lives

By

Prophet's annual brand relevancy result is starting to sound like a broken record.
Prophet's annual brand relevancy result is starting to sound like a broken record.
Photo: Prophet

Spoiler alert: For the seventh year in a row, Apple topped consumers’ lists as the most relevant brand to their everyday lives. Seems like the Cupertino tech giant can’t lose in this particular race.

You have to wonder who placed 293rd. That’s how many companies the annual survey evaluated, in 27 categories.

Belkin’s Thunderbolt hub packs a whopping 12 ports

By

Belkin’s Thunderbolt hub packs a whopping 12 ports
The Belkin Connect Pro Thunderbolt 4 Dock can be the center of your home office.
Photo: Belkin

With a dozen ports, the Belkin Connect Pro Thunderbolt 4 Dock lets users connect a Mac to multiple accessories for data, video, Ethernet and power. All through a single high-speed cable connection.

Belkin also introduced a Thunderbolt 4 cable capable of handling data transfers at 40 Gbps.