The easy-to-use iMac spurred Apple's return to dominance in schools. Photo: Apple
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.
This 3-in-1 MagSafe charging pad from Belkin is 43% off for Prime Day. Photo: Belkin
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.
This MacBook Pro setup features great speakers and other audio gear. Photo: [email protected]
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.
These are very solid noise-canceling earbuds for about $50 after discount. Photo: Apple
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.
The most likely person to take over as Apple CEO when Tim Cook steps down is a dark horse candidate. Photo: Apple/Grok
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.
★★★★☆
Logitech Flip Folio stands out with a keyboard that’s not permanently affixed to its case/stand. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
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.
Beats Pill portable speaker, recently updated, is one of several on sale for Amazon Prime Day. Photo: Apple
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.
Apple keeps selling more and more Macs each quarter. Photo: Apple
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.
Apple COO Jeff Williams announced his retirement on Tuesday. Photo: Apple
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.
Spy drama Slow Horses will see a seventh season on Apple TV+. Photo: Apple TV+
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.”
No more futzing around, looking up a password or email to copy and paste. Image: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac
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.
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.
Now's the time to buy the AirPods you always wanted. Photo: Apple/Cult Of Mac
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.
Save big on M4 iPad Pro and M3 iPad Air and more… if you don’t delay. Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac
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.
Score an Apple Watch Series 10 at a big discount. Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac
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.
Apple’s Translate app is a great resource for those with wanderlust. Image: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac
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.
A Tablo TV deal saves you 25% on an over-the-air DVR with antenna. Photo: Nuvyyo/Cult of Mac
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.
What was the first app you ever downloaded? Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac
July 7, 2011: Three years after its launch, the App Store passes 15 billion downloads.
This represents a major milestone for Apple. The App Store offers more than 425,000 apps, which give the iPhone and iPad incredible capabilities and add to the devices’ wide appeal.
Apple might reserve the bigger design changes to the iPhone 17 Pro. Concept: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
A new leak provides more details about the upcoming iPhone 17 family’s design changes, including possibly UI changes based on the Dynamic Island. While the base model will feature slight design tweaks, the Pro models will adopt a new “horizontal large matrix design.”
The entire lineup will also supposedly use narrow-bezel LIPO flat screens, a technology that enables even thinner bezels than current solutions.
This was the end of Amelio's 500 days running Apple. Photo: Apple
July 6, 1997: Following a massive quarterly loss for Apple, board member Edgar S. Woolard Jr. calls CEO Gil Amelio and informs him that he needs to step down. “You’ve done a lot to help the company, but the sales haven’t rebounded,” Woolard says.
Steve Jobs, who recently returned to the company he co-founded, denies being responsible for Amelio’s ouster. However, the move results in Jobs becoming Apple CEO for the first time. Now it’s time for a real turnaround!
This hardware VPN also serves as a firewall and ad blocker.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
The Deeper Connect Mini decentralized VPN and firewall is an easy-to-use piece of hardware that can protect your identity online and shield you from threats. And for a limited time, it’s on sale for $179.99.
Alexander Skarsgård plays the eponymous Murderbot in the Apple TV+ series. Photo: Apple TV+
The sci-fi action comedy Murderbot exploded onto the ratings charts after it reached streaming in May, and continues to be popular even as the season finale approaches. Many weeks after a launch, the series from Apple TV+ still appears on the top 10 lists of a company that tracks ratings.
Plus, Owen Wilson‘s sport comedy Stick also pulls in plenty of viewers.
You don’t have to wait until autumn to find out what the Apple Watch Ultra 3 has to offer. Photo: Apple
After a very modest refresh last year, rumors indicate the Apple Watch Ultra 3 — set to launch this September alongside the iPhone 17 series — will mark Apple’s most ambitious wearable update yet.
Here’s what we’re expecting in 2025’s major overhaul of Apple’s rugged smartwatch. Keep reading or check out our latest video.
This is the day the era of bulky CRT Macs ended forever. Image Ste Smith/Cult of Mac
July 5, 2006: Apple discontinues its low-end eMac product line. After more than a quarter-century of using CRT monitors in its computers, the move represents the end of the cathode ray tube era for Macs.
After ending the eMac, Apple shifts to the superior LCD technology still used for Macs today. When it comes to screens, thin is definitely in!