All six cells can be easily removed. Photo: iFixit
When the time comes to replace the battery inside your 2021 MacBook Pro, you can avoid the pricey repair shops. Apple has made this particular process significantly easier than it was on earlier MacBook models.
All six battery cells inside the new machines are easily accessible — with no need to remove the logic board first — and much easier to remove. The changes make for a fairly simply at-home repair for those who are brave enough.
HomePod mini’s new color options, which were introduced during Apple’s big MacBook Pro event on October 18, will go on sale in the U.S. next week, according to a new report. Fans in Europe will have to wait a little longer.
The new color options include orange, yellow and blue. Aside from the fresh lick of paint, however, the new smart speakers are identical to the original.
Safari is back to its best. Screenshot: Cult of Mac
After Apple finally decided to reverse its controversial Safari design changes in the latest macOS Monterey beta (when you use the “Separate” tabs option), it has made the same move for those running macOS Big Sur and Catalina.
The Safari 15.1 update released Wednesday for earlier versions of macOS brings back Safari’s old tab design. However, if you prefer the new “Compact” interface — introduced at WWDC 2021 back in June — you still have the option to use it.
This is your easy-to-use, high-def eye in the sky. (Makes a great gift, too!) Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
If you don’t own a drone yet, you’re missing out. Stunning aerial photography and tons of fun both come standard when you get into the drone game. And you might be surprised at how affordable they can be.
We found a great option in this Black Drone with Dual HD 4K Camera, on sale for just $74.95 today. That’s 16% off the regular price of $89. And the savings keep on coming. With this limited-time deal, you also get $10 in store credit.
Developers can start testing iOS 15.2 beta 1, iPadOS 15.2 beta 1 and watchOS 8.3 beta 1 on Wednesday. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
iOS 15.2 beta 1 and iPadOS 15.2 beta 1 have been seeded to developers. When available to everyone, the updates will bring an App Privacy Report for tracking what third-party application are doing. It’ll show users, each app’s sensor, data and internet usage in a simple chart.
The Aqara E1 Hub is an inexpensive controller for your smart home. Photo: Aqara
Aqara’s affordable new USB-powered controller, the Smart Hub E1, makes it easy to control devices and sensors through Apple’s HomeKit and other smart-home systems. The company’s Zigbee-based devices, such as smart sensors, connect to the cloud through a central smart hub.
Because Aqara bridges all its devices to HomeKit, you can mix and match automations using different vendors. What’s more, you can power the Aqara Smart Hub E1 with any USB port you have, whether it’s a wall plug or a powered USB port on a console, computer or smart TV.
Isaiah R. Hill, left, and O'Shea Jackson Jr. deliver the swagger. Photo: Apple TV+
NBA star Kevin Durant turned his experiences as a young basketball player into Swagger, Apple TV+’s highly promising sports drama. The series, which premieres Friday on Apple’s streaming service, follows the trajectory of a rising basketball star as he becomes a legend with help from his community.
Powered by strong acting, kinetic directing and a compelling storyline about life both on the court and off, Swagger scores from the jump. It looks like one of Apple TV+’s strongest series to date.
The 2021 MacBook Pro can run Rise of the Tomb Raider as well as a top-tier Windows laptop. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Apple’s M1 Pro and M1 Max processors in the new MacBook Pro offer powerful graphic performance. That’s intended for artists rendering video and other professional tasks, but tests show that it translates to excellent gaming performance.
Of course, that doesn’t remedy the lack of high-end games for Mac.
Russia joined the voices around the world demanding Apple loosen its grip on the App Store and in-app purchases. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Add Russia to the list of countries investigating the App Store. It is reportedly looking into whether Apple’s policy forbidding iPhone developers from telling customers about alternate — and possibly cheaper — payment options is a violation of its antitrust laws.
The U.S. and other countries are asking that same question.
One of Scandinavia’s largest solar arrays powers Apple’s Viborg data center. Photo: Apple
As part of its goal to become completely carbon neural, Apple says that 175 of its suppliers will transition to using renewable energy, more than double the number that had previously committed to using 100% clean power.
It’s part of the Mac-maker’s plan to be carbon neutral across its supply chain and products by 2030.
This isn’t something beyond man’s power to create. Apple could, and should, make a 16-inch MacBook Air. Concept: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Some of the criticism leveled at the latest 16-inch MacBook Pro should inspire Apple to make a MacBook Air with the same size display. It would be the largest Air ever, but there seems to be a market for a very big, yet very slim, Mac notebook.
And that’s not something Apple offers in its current product lineup.
Apple News expands its local coverage to Charlotte, Miami and Washington, D.C. Photo: Apple
Apple News will now offer its “local news experience” in three additional U.S. cities: Charlotte, N.C., Miami and Washington, D.C. The service’s editors curate local news, selecting coverage of topics important to communities, Apple said.
Make a fashion statement with a wood band for your Apple Watch. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
If you’re lucky enough to own the latest and greatest Apple Watch Series 7 (or any other Apple Watch for that matter), you know it’s the quintessential smartwatch/fitness tracker hybrid.
Such an amazing watch deserves nothing but the best styling. TruWood’s wooden Apple Watch bands give your high-tech wearable a distinctive look. The Everyday band goes all-in on the wood look, while the Classic model pairs wood with stainless steel. Either way, you get a totally unique look for your Apple Watch.
The new Bose SoundLink Flex is tiny and tough. Photo: Bose
Bose recently rolled out an all-new portable Bluetooth speaker. The rugged little SoundLink Flex features an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance, 12-hour battery life and what Bose said is “astonishing” sound for its size. Oh, and it floats, too, the company said.
Anker launched six new chargers for iPhone 12 and 13. Photo: Anker
Anker launched six new charging accessories for the iPhone 12 and 13 series Monday with its new “MagGo” lineup: three desktop chargers, a car charger, a battery and a phone grip.
We wrote about a new Anker 3-in-1 charger just yesterday. Now, Anker builds out its raft of iPhone 13 accessories with a new collection of MagSafe gear to keep your handset charged up at home or on the go.
Copy a raw image off your camera and open it in Photoshop 3.0 for iPad. Graphic: Adobe
The just-released version of Photoshop on iPad lets users work with raw photos, making adjustments to images right out of the camera. And the new Illustrator on iPad adds a Vectorize feature, converting any image into a crisp, vector graphic.
We might be waiting until 2024 for an iPhone SE with an edge-to-edge display and hole-punch camera. Artists concept: Cult of Mac
The first iPhone SE with an edge-to-edge display won’t launch until 2024, according to a new report. And the third-generation model in the budget line, expected in 2022, supposedly will come with an unexpected name.
This master class shows you how to take incredible photos on your iPhone. Photo: Anna Vi/Unsplash CC
Compelling digital content and beautiful photos are more in demand than ever before. One prime example: With roughly 1 billion monthly active users, Instagram is one of the most popular platforms around, not only as a social networking app but also as an e-commerce marketplace.
To stand out, you need stellar photos. The Complete 2022 Photography Master Class Bundle includes nine different courses and 25-plus hours of content that will coach you on how to capture the world you see around you. Its powerful lessons range from portrait and wedding photography to editing iPhone photos to perfection.
Apple released iOS 15.1 and iPadOS 15.1 on Monday. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Apple rolled out iOS 15.1 and iPadOS 15.1 on Monday with the anticipated inclusion of SharePlay, a feature missing from the recent iOS 15 release. Today’s update also brings camera improvements for iPhone 13 Pro models, enables adding COVID-19 vaccination records to Wallet, and includes a bunch of other features.
This sleek charging pad will charge three devices at once. Photo: Satechi
iPhones and Apple Watches and AirPods, oh my. If you own these three devices, you should enter our latest giveaway. Cult of Mac is giving away four Trio Wireless Charging Pads from Satechi.
This $119.99 charging pad will juice up three of your most-used Apple products at once. The Trio Wireless Charging Pad’s sleek designer look means you can easily place it anywhere without taking up too much space. If you are getting weighed down by charging bricks and cables, embrace your minimalist self and be sure to enter this giveaway.
Dr. Brain risks madness to discover what killed his family. Photo: Apple TV+
Dr. Brain will be the first Korean Apple Original when it launches on Apple TV+ in early November. It tells the story of a scientist so desperate to find out how his family was killed that he’s willing to connect his brain to theirs to access their memories.
A trailer released Monday gives a first look at how intense the six-episode series will be. Watch it now!
The new AirPods are resistant to both sweat and water, with an IPX4 rating for both the earbuds and the case. Photo: Apple
The first wave of AirPods 3 reviews just came out, and they’re full of good news for those considering Apple’s latest truly wireless earbuds. Sound quality draws praise, as does battery life. But reviewers don’t seem as happy about the lack of active noise cancellation. And some would have preferred silicone ear tips.
Read on for reviewers’ specific comments about AirPods 3.
Charge up your iPhone, AirPods and Apple Watch all at once with Anker's new stand.
Anker expanded its lineup of iPhone 13 accessories Friday with a new version of the PowerWave Magnetic Stand. Now with a 3-in-1 form factor, Anker’s new MagSafe-compatible stand will juice up your iPhone, AirPods and Apple Watch — all at once, if necessary.