Mobile menu toggle

2021 MacBook Pro review roundup: Just what we hoped for

By

2021 MacBook Pro review roundup: Just what we hoped for
The 2021 MacBook Pro draws praise, and just a bit of criticism, from reviewers.
Photo: Apple

The first reviews of the 2021 MacBook Pro just dropped, and they’re generally quite positive. There’s praise for the mini-LED display, the return of useful ports, and the sheer power of Apple’s new M1 Pro and M1 Max chips.

However, some reviewers harbor mixed feelings about the screen notch. Here’s a summary of comments about the features.

This inexpensive Apple TV remote frees you from fiddly voice and touch controls

By

Ditch your Siri Remote for this $30 Apple TV remote.
Skip unreliable Siri commands and get this button-tastic Apple TV remote.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Apple TVs are beautiful, and if you like the Siri remote, then they’re perfect. However, if you want a traditional remote that works seamlessly with your Apple TV, you want the Function101 Button Remote for Apple TV, available for just $29.95.

Function101 packed everything you’d expect from a traditional remote into its alternative Apple TV remote. Loaded with buttons, it’s made to smoothly navigate the Apple TV’s unique interface. Easy to use and easier to install, it gives you total control of your Apple TV in seconds — no voice or touch commands required.

Apple Watch Series 8 health sensors might include blood glucose monitoring

By

The Blood Oxygen sensor employs LEDs, along with photodiodes on the back crystal of Apple Watch Series 6.
Blood glucose monitoring could be a major change in Apple Watch Series 8.
Photo: Apple

Rumors that Apple Watch 7 would include be able to sense the wearer’s blood glucose didn’t pan out. But Apple is reportedly collaborating with a pair of Asian companies to add non-invasive blood sugar monitoring to the 2022 model.

This would add to the already lengthy list of health-monitoring features available in Apple’s current wearable.

Drool-worthy M2 MacBook Air concept shows off super-slim design

By

Drool-worthy M2 MacBook Air concept shows off super slim design
The 2022 MacBook Air could be the crazy slim macOS notebook many people have been hoping for.
Photo: Front Page Tech /Renders by Ian

A new series of renders based on rumors about the 2022 MacBook Air show just how slim it might be. And how it might borrow many of the features of the recently announced MacBook Pro.

The upcoming model reportedly will include an M2 processor, a MagSafe connector and a mini-LED display with a screen notch. But not the wedge design of previous MacBook Airs.

Get ready to turn hand drawings into vector graphics with Illustrator for iPad

By

Get ready to turn hand drawings into vector graphics with Illustrator for iPad
Sketch a picture and turn it into a vector graphic with Vectorize, coming soon to Illustrator for iPad.
Screenshot: Adobe/Cult of Mac

Adobe shared a sneak peek of the new Vectorize feature coming to Illustrator on the iPad. It will let users turn any hand drawn sketch into a vector graphic.

The developer shared a video demonstrating the capabilities of the upcoming featuere. Watch it now.

This cable charges all your Apple devices at once — and it’s nearly half price

By

This 4-in-1 Multi-Port & Apple Watch Charger is now 48% off.
This 4-in-1 cable is perfect for Apple fans.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

If you own more devices than you can count, this charging cable will change your life. Retail stores can charge anywhere from $15 to $50 for a single charging cord. If you’re tired picking and choosing which devices to charge first, grab a 4-in-1 Multi-Port and Apple Watch Charging Cable.

It’s 48% off, and it will simplify your charging life. For only $17.99, you can charge any phone, any Apple Watch, headphones, electronic reading devices and much more. Not individually, but all at once. All of your devices can finally get up to 100% charged before your day begins.

Share your memories, think creatively, and enjoy photography again [Awesome Apps of the Week]

By

Awesome Apps of the week text in front of face down iPhone 12
With roughly 2 millions apps available in the App Store, sometimes all you need is something to tell you what’s good.
Photo: Ian Fuchs/Cult of Mac

Whether you like great time-wasting games, want to experience the beautiful photography that was once popular on Instagram, or want to preserve your favorite memories in video, this week we have some awesome apps to check out.

Host unlimited websites for life for less than $100

By

Host websites forever for less than $100.
Never pay for web hosting again with this complete service.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

No matter what business you’re in, in today’s world, you need a website. In fact, research shows that 75% of people judge the credibility of any business through its website. So how do you set up a successful one?

One of the best packages on the market right now is the iBrave Cloud Web Hosting Lifetime Subscription. And today, you can grab it for just $99.99 with $20 back in Cult of Mac Deals store credit. That’s a 96% discount off the regular price of $2,997.

The Touch Bar was doomed from the start. There was no escape.

By

Was the Touch Bar out of touch with pro users needs?
Was the Touch Bar out of touch with pro users’ needs?
Photo: Graham Bower/Cult of Mac

The MacBook Pro’s Touch Bar was a technological marvel in its day. It brought the magic of multi-touch to macOS and, with its stand-alone T1 chipset, it put ARM-based Apple Silicon inside the MacBook when the M1 chip was still just a twinkle in Cupertino’s eye.

There’s no doubt it was a clever piece of engineering, but it proved unpopular with pro users. Many missed the tactile feedback of the traditional Escape key and function keys.

Apple rejigged things last year, shrinking the Touch Bar to make room for a physical escape key, but it was too little too late. Many will be glad to see the Touch Bar go, but I’m gonna miss that little sliver of multi-touch magic at the top of my keyboard.

Foundation hurtles toward galactic war [Apple TV+ review]

By

Foundation Apple TV+ review: Lee Pace and Laura Birn face a new challenge this week.
Lee Pace (right) and Laura Birn face a new challenge this week.
Photo: Apple TV+

This week on Foundation, Apple TV+’s space opera is on a collision course with destruction and death. And even if Salvor Hardin can stop the Anachreons, it might be too late to save Terminus.

The sci-fi series speeds toward its endgame this week, with all of its plot threads in free fall and war inevitable.

New MacBook Pros sound absolutely mind-boggling [The CultCast]

By

The CultCast 515: We can't stop gushing about the new M1 Max MacBook Pros.
Apple's new chips sound truly astonishing.
Image: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

Apple Unleashed event bug This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: Erfon can’t stop gushing about the new MacBook Pros! (What a shocker.) Plus, he reveals what it felt like to get Sherlocked during Apple’s “Unleashed” event this week. (Spoiler alert: CultCloth sales shot through the roof!) And none of us can stop raving about the astonishing power of Apple’s new M1 Pro and M1 Max chips.

Also on The CultCast:

  • Awesome new third-gen AirPods.
  • Underwhelming new HomePod mini colors.
  • And a surprising Siri-only Apple Music Voice Plan.

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.

Halloween-worthy Razer Zephyr face masks sell out in minutes at $99 each

By

Peace, and may nontoxic respiration be with you.
Peace, and may nontoxic respiration be with you.
Photo: Razer

If you decided to walk down to the neighborhood supermarket wearing your new Razer Zephyr “wearable air purifier” and a lab coat, you might cause a major panic. Unless you did it on Halloween, maybe. That’s how “airborne toxic event” these badass things look.

They’d be a little scary even without the lab coat. “Breathe in the future with the Razer Zephyr,” says the company’s website, with seemingly unintentional menace.

The Morning Show serves up a fresh scandal [Apple TV+ review]

By

The Morning Show review: Karen Pittman finally gets a chance to shine.
Karen Pittman finally gets a chance to shine.
Photo: Apple TV+

This week on The Morning Show, Cory throws everyone a curveball in his attempt to salvage Hannah’s reputation. Bradley, Daniel, Chip, Mia, Yanko, Stella and Laura all go into a panic.

And so, the Apple TV+ show about a morning news show enters crisis mode again. Is it too late to stop the train wreck? Or will Cory’s strategy work?

M1 Mac mini and gaming PC share massive screen real estate [Setups]

By

Who says a Mac mini and a gaming PC can't get along just fine?
Who says a Mac mini and a gaming PC can't get along just fine?
Photo: [email protected]

Who says an M1 Mac mini and a revved-up gaming PC can’t get along? Macs aren’t known to excel at gaming, so it’s natural for many folks to keep a Mac alongside a tricked-out gaming rig. These days, it’s easy to switch back and forth, as we’ll see in today computer setup featuring a massive TV screen and a slightly more modest monitor.

Satechi adapter cleverly combines SSD storage compartment and USB-C hub

By

Satechi USB-C Hybrid Multiport Adapter cleverly combines SSD storage compartment and USB-C hub
The Satechi USB-C Hybrid Multiport Adapter lets you add additional storage and peripherals to your Mac or iPad.
Photo: Satechi

Because you can never have too much storage or too many ports, the just-launched Satechi USB-C Hybrid Multiport Adapter includes an SSD storage compartment as well as four additional ports.

The multiuse Mac or iPad accessory launched Friday.

Get up to 75% off Windows 10 Pro genuine permanent activation — just $14

By

Get a free upgrade to Windows 11 at CDKeylord.com.
Get the latest version of Windows for next to nothing!
Photo: Keysbuff

This software activation key sale post is presented by Keysbuff.

Software activation keys provider Keysbuff offers Cult of Mac readers great deals. You can get up to 75% off full prices in Keysbuff’s latest sale on Windows 10 and a long list other Microsoft software. Just use promo code COM at Keysbuff.com to get an extra 28% off already-low prices on keys for Windows 10 Pro Global, Microsoft Office 2019 Pro and others in the list below. You can purchase many products with lifetime licenses.

Truth Be Told season finale mostly satisfies [Apple TV+ review]

By

Truth Be Told review: We finally get to the bottom of this season's crimes.
We finally get to the bottom of this season's crimes.
Photo: Apple TV+

The second season of Apple TV+’s first crime series ends with a series of reveals, reversals, betrayals and murders. Truth Be Told fully hit its stride this time out, and it’s been a pleasure spending time with podcaster Poppy Parnell’s family, real and adopted.

The season finale mostly satisfies — and leaves me hoping for more.

Skip iPhone 13 and bag a bargain refurb from just $99.99 today only

By

Apple has raised $220 million to fight AIDS-related deaths in Africa
Get yours before they're all gone!
Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

Not interested in splashing out on iPhone 13 or 13 Pro? Treat yourself to a more affordable upgrade instead. Woot’s insane sale on iPhone refurbs is back, and you can bag yours from just $99.99.

A range of devices, from iPhone 7 to iPhone 11 Pro Max, are currently available. Stock is selling fast and the sale is good for one day only, so enjoy it while you can.

This post contains affiliate links. Cult of Mac may earn a commission when you use our links to buy items.

Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy gets glorious new trailer and release date

By

Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy screenshot
Quit drooling.
Photo: Rockstar Games

Rockstar Games today dropped its first trailer for Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy — The Definitive Edition — and confirmed its price tag and release date for those playing on PC and consoles (mobile versions follow next year).

The trailer shows significant improvements in graphics for all three games in the set, while remaining true to their original style, just as Rockstar promised.

Level up your skills with this awesome golf app and accessories

By

This breakthrough app and software will analyze your swing, record video, take photos, and even compare your stats with pro-golfers. 
If you’re a golfer, this is the swing-analysis toolkit you need to boost your game.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

If you’re an avid golfer, the Caddie View Stick, Control and App is the golf swing analysis toolkit you need to level up your game. This breakthrough app and software will analyze your swing, record video, take photos and even compare your stats with pro-golfers.

And for a limited time, you can snag this set in black, white gray or gray for just $59.99.

iPhone SE 3 could steal iPhone XR’s design but miss out on Face ID

By

iPhone XR performance is stellar, far better than many Android devices that cost more.
It would be a big upgrade for Apple's low-cost smartphone.
Photo: Apple

Apple’s third-generation iPhone SE may ship with a new design after all, with a new report claiming the low-cost device will look a lot like iPhone XR.

It is expected to get a much larger 6.1-inch display with significantly slimmer bezels. But unlike iPhone XR, it could ship with Touch ID integrated into its power button, rather than Face ID. It may also be Apple’s last LCD iPhone.

2022 MacBook Air could pack mini-LED display, MagSafe, colorful design

By

2022 MacBook Air render
Who doesn't want a MacBook Air that looks like this?
Render: Ian Zelbo/Front Page Tech

We could be waiting until the middle of 2022 for the next MacBook Air refresh, but according to the latest rumor, it will be well worth the wait.

Apple’s next-generation ultraportable is expected to deliver a new mini-LED display and MagSafe connectivity — like the 2021 MacBook Pro — as well as a much more colorful design inspired by the 24-inch iMac.

Apple Watch Series 7 teardown reveals bigger batteries, new display tech

By

Apple Watch Series 7 teardown
Very familiar but with some big differences.
Photo: iFixit

Apple Watch Series 7 just got its customary teardown by iFixit, revealing some small but significant changes to its internals — including slightly larger batteries — and a somewhat surprising repairability score.

It looks like Apple’s newest wearable now uses more advanced display technology, which could explain why it faced such a lengthy delay.

Invasion puts humanity to the test even before the aliens arrive [Apple TV+ review]

By

Invasion review: New Apple TV+ sci-fi series goes big and broad.
The new Apple TV+ sci-fi series about an alien invasion goes big and broad.
Image: Apple TV+

Right after Foundation took the world by storm and For All Mankind raked in a third season, Apple TV+ is rolling the dice that viewers will get excited about yet another space show. This one’s called Invasion, and it debuts Friday.

The new sci-fi series follows a half-dozen people as an alien invasion force wreaks havoc all over the planet. Can these people get over their foibles and weaknesses to survive? Can this show extend its predecessors’ winning streak on Apple TV+?