Mobile menu toggle

Eddy Cue joins Duke University’s Board of Trustees

By

Eddy
Cue has a long involvement with Duke University.
Photo: Duke University

At age 56, Eddy Cue is going back to school. Kind of. Cue, who is Apple’s senior vice president of Internet Software and Services, has been announced a member of the Duke University Board of Trustees, university officials announced Thursday.

Cue attended Duke in the 1980s, studying computer science and economics. Duke has played a big part in his life. Not only did he meet his wife there, but both his sons, Adam and Spencer, studied computer science at Duke. Cue is a big fan of Duke basketball and attends many of the games. He has previously been involved with the Duke Technology Scholar program, encouraging women to study computer science and electrical engineering.

Ted Lasso promo celebrates the power of positivity

By

Jason Sudeikis is the titular Ted Lasso
Jason Sudeikis is the titular Ted Lasso in this heartwarming series.
Photo: Apple TV

Ahead of the second season of hit comedy Ted Lasso debuting on Apple TV+ on July 23, Apple has debuted a new promo video that’s part trailer and part behind-the-scenes video.

However, rather than telling viewers about how the show is made (which, let’s face it, in promo featurettes is pretty much just every cast member saying how great every other cast member is), the new video — titled “Ted Lasso — The Lasso Way” — reflects on the show’s positive message.

The cast members talk about why positivity is so importance, and how they’ve heard from viewers who have been touched by the themes the show explores. Check it out below.

Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak says it’s ‘time to recognize’ right to repair

By

Steve Wozniak
Woz disagrees with Apple on Right to Repair.
Photo: The DEMO Conference/Flickr CC

Steve Wozniak may be the co-founder of Apple, but that doesn’t mean that he’s always in lockstep with the company’s policies or opinions. One area of difference appears to be on the topic of right to repair.

While Apple lobbyists helped shoot down multiple right to repair proposals, Woz seems extremely receptive to the topic.

Responding to a Cameo request from right to repair advocate Louis Rossmann, Woz said “it’s time to recognize the right to repair more fully.” He continued that he believes “companies inhibit it because it gives the companies power [and] control over everything.”

Original HomePods reportedly ‘bricked’ by 14.6 software update

By

HomePod speaker
Everything you heard about the HomePod is true.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Recent reports suggest owners of the original HomePod should steer clear of the device’s software version 14.6 and the newer version 15 update for beta users.

After numerous reports surfaced on Reddit and elsewhere, it appears the updates “brick” some users’ devices in certain configurations.

Enter the world of smart homes for just $11 with this smart outlet

By

Turn your house into a smart home with this plug-and-go USB outlet
Turn your house into a smart home with this plug-and-go electrical outlet with dual USB ports.
Photo: Switchmate

We’re always excited to hear about the latest smart home tech that can improve our lives and just make our homes cooler. But when we shop around for integrated smart home devices, we can’t help but feel an empty pang in our bank accounts once we realize how much a full smart home outfitting will cost.

The secret is finding simple tech that can make your existing devices a little smarter. 

Edifier launches low-cost, hi-res wireless earbuds to rival AirPods Pro

By

Edifier Neobud Pro high-res, wireless, noise-cancelling earbuds are coming soon.
Edifier Neobud Pro high-res, wireless, noise-cancelling earbuds are coming soon.
Photo: Edifier

Beijing-based Edifier built a reputation for producing high-quality speakers and headphones. Now, with the upcoming release of its Neobuds Pro hi-res, wireless, noise-canceling earbuds, it looks hungry to capture market share from top contenders like Apple’s AirPods Pro and Sony’s new WF-100XM4.

Spike email app adds audio and video calls for macOS and iOS

By

Spike email app adds audio and video calls right in your inbox.
Spike email app adds audio and video calls right in your inbox.
Photo: Spike

Popular email app Spike, which strips down emails to make them more like chats or test messages, just added audio and video calls. The update means Spike users can readily communicate in real time — and skip switching to Zoom, FaceTime or another videoconferencing app.

You, too, can 3D-print a clock based on the iOS Settings icon

By

Lucas Hall's 3D-printed Settings Clock is based on the iOS Settings icon.
Lucas Hall's 3D-printed Settings Clock is based on the iOS Settings icon.
Photo: [email protected]

A new 3D-printed Settings Clock based on the classic iOS icon looks flat-out cool. Lucas Hall designed the small, analog clock, which is driven by an inexpensive clock mechanism — and would look great on any Apple fan’s wall.

As you can see from the image, Hall based his Apple-inspired clock on the iOS Settings icon. And you can have one just like it. You just have to get your 3D printing on.

Apple’s preinstalled apps prove most popular on iPhone, report claims

By

Top apps on iOS and Android
Turns out preinstalled apps are the most widely used. Whodda thunkit?
Photo: Comscore/Facebook

Apple’s own preinstalled apps are the ones most commonly used on iPhones, says a Facebook-commissioned study. Weather, Photos and Camera are reportedly the three most popular non-phone call apps used on iOS. The Phone app is, no shock here, the most popular.

The study says something similar holds true for Android. On that platform, Google apps (Google Play, Google Search, YouTube and Gmail) rank as most widely used.

Apple TV can’t match Amazon and Roku in popularity

By

Apple's new Apple TV 4K with redesigned Siri Remote
It's ahead of Chromecast, though.
Photo: Apple

Apple TV (the hardware, not the streaming service) makes up around 12.5% of set-top boxes in a very fragmented marketplace, according to analysis from Parks Associates.

That lags behind Roku and Amazon’s Fire TV Box, which currently stand neck-and-neck. Nonetheless, Apple TV ranks a few percentage points ahead of Google’s Chromecast. Back in 2017, Chromecast came in ahead of Apple TV. And, as recently as 2018 and 2019, the two remained competitive.

Clean your Mac’s hard drive with this top-rated app, now just $10

By

Make your Mac run faster than ever with this top-rated clean up app
This top-rated cleanup app will make your Mac run at lightning-fast speed.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Is your Mac running a little sluggishly? Or, has it filled up with useless cache and apps over time? It happens to all of us. While you might think it’s time to buy a whole new Mac, in reality, you probably just need to clean up the junk that’s slowing yours down. 

You can do that and speed up your Mac instantly with the easy-to-use BuhoCleaner for Mac. Right now, you can get a lifetime subscription to a family plan, which covers three Macs, for the special price of just $9.99 — that’s a 66% discount off the regular price of $29. 

Pokémon Go turns 5, rakes in $5 billion in player spending

By

birthday
The world's most popular AR geolocation game turns five!
Photo: Niantic

Augmented-reality game Pokémon Go earned more than $5 billion from player spending in the five years it’s been around, says a new report from app analytics platform Sensor Tower Store Intelligence. Of this, App Store revenue from iOS users accounts for $2.4 billion — or approximately 47%.

Niantic launched Pokémon Go in July 2016. That means the game generated an average of $1 billion per year, making it by far the highest-earning geolocation AR app in the world. In the first half of 2021 alone, Pokémon Go raked in a massive $641.6 million across both Android and iOS.

Defending Jacob becomes first Apple TV+ show to get DVD/Blu-ray release

By

defending Jacob
"But ... but that's not Apple TV+."
Photo: Apple

Cult of Mac‘s review of Apple TV+ crime drama Defending Jacob, said that it was the first show to truly justify the existence of Apple’s streaming TV service. Now it’s got another first under its belt: The first Apple TV+ series to receive a physical media release.

On Tuesday, the show was given a Blu-ray and DVD release, making it the first Apple TV+ show to receive that treatment. Even the likes of The Morning Show and Ted Lasso, Apple’s biggest hits to date, have not been released in this way.

Apple could buy production company behind The Morning Show for $1 billion

By

Filming for ‘The Morning Show‘ resumes in the middle of October.
All the stars of The Morning Show are back for season two.
Photo: Apple

Hello Sunshine, one of the more prolific production companies behind hit Apple TV+ shows, is reportedly considering a sale. And Apple’s said to be interested.

The company is co-owned by Reese Witherspoon, while Lauren Powell Jobs, who was married to the late Steve Jobs, is a notable investor.

Protect your data with this top-rated VPN and get $10 in store credit

By

Browse securely with this VPN & get a $10 credit
Keep your browsing safe and private with this critically acclaimed, double-encrypted VPN.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Anyone who spends time using the internet knows how crucial it is to protect your data. Hackers and spyware are more sophisticated than ever, and the standard security updates and antivirus/malware solutions just might not cut it anymore.

If you’re looking to beef up your security protocols, look no further than this two-year subscription to NordVPN for just $89. On top of that, this deal also comes with a $10 credit toward your next purchase in our store.

Brilliant completes HomeKit rollout with updated smart plug and wall switch

By

Brilliant's smart plug and wall switch now work with HomeKit.
Brilliant's smart plug and wall switch now work with HomeKit.
Photo: Brilliant

San Mateo, California-based smart home equipment maker Brilliant completed its HomeKit rollout with updates adding Apple’s smart home platform to a smart plug and a wall switch.

Brilliant sells a variety of smart products, including wall panels, dimmer switches, smart plugs and related parts.

People are upset about Apple’s recommended emoji for stammering

By

Stammering
Should Apple change this suggestion?
Photo: Apple

In something of a rare sensitivity slip-up for Apple, the company is being blasted by STAMMA, the British Stammer Association, over an emoji recommendation that seemingly mocks people with the speech disorder also known as a stutter.

When users write the word “stammering” in the iPhone’s predictive keyboard, it suggests the comical “woozy face” emoji as a substitute. STAMMA CEO Jane Powell described this as “demeaning and damaging.”

Master fundamental IT skills with these engaging certification-prep courses

By

This cert bundle teaches you essential IT skills
Learn the core IT skills you need to gain CompTIA certification.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

It’s no secret that careers in technology can provide a ton of much-needed stability these days. And whether you’re looking to develop new skills or pivot into a new career path entirely, this ITProTV: The Premium Core CompTIA Certification Prep Bundle helps you master the core skills you need to set up corporate devices, networks and establish a secure IT environment. Best of all, the bundle is on sale now for just $29.99, or just $10 per course!

Soulja Boy says Steve Jobs dropped in on music video shoot to give him an iPhone

By

Soulja Boy
"Then Superman that phone..."
Photo: Bandai Namco Entertainment America/Wikipedia CC

Rapper Soulja Boy, best known for his 2007 viral hit “Crank That (Soulja Boy),” has another claim to fame as well: According to the 30-year-old rapper, Steve Jobs visited him on the set of his first music video and brought him the first iPhone.

At least, that’s the story Soulja Boy shared in a clip from an upcoming podcast interview for Million Dollaz Worth of Game. “I was the first rapper with the iPhone,” Soulja Boy says. “It was ‘Crank That’ video shoot 2007. Steve Jobs and the Apple team came. I was in the swimming pool, doing the instructional dance. Showing the people how to do the dance … They came, they brought me the iPhone.”

Apple’s next-gen M2 chips could roll out in early 2022

By

Apple silicon will power future Mac desktops and laptops
Apple leaker has news on Apple Silicon.
Screenshot: Apple

The M2 chip, sequel to the inaugural Apple Silicon processor, will debut in the first half of 2022, says a leaker who previously nailed details about the company’s proprietary chips.

The tipster, known as Dylandkt, has an 81.3% accuracy rating according to Apple Track based on 16 previous rumors. Dylandkt said the M2 chip will be released alongside “the upcoming colorful MacBook Air.”

Get a rare $10 discount on Logitech’s best wireless mouse

By

MX Master 3 for Mac looks snappy in space gray, too.
Now under $90.
Photo: Logitech

Logitech’s outstanding MX Master 3 is widely regarded by users and reviewers as the best third-party mouse you can buy for Mac — and it regularly makes an appearance in our Mac setups series.

Want to know what all the fuss is about? Get your MX Master 3 from Amazon today and enjoy a rare $10 discount off its usual price. That’s the biggest discount we’ve seen on this mouse in 2021.

Check out the scrapped Larry David skit filmed for WWDC 2014

By

Larry David
Curb different.
Photo: Apple

Larry David once played a verbose, neurotic app approval officer in a skit for Apple. But curb your enthusiasm (womp womp) … the video never aired. Clearly someone at Apple didn’t think it was pretty, pretty, pr-et-ty good enough to be shown to customers.

However, the video — apparently shot as a possible intro for 2014’s Worldwide Developers Conference — has been leaked online by Sam Henri-Gold of the dearly departed Unofficial Apple Archive, a former repository of Apple videos no longer around. While Henri-Gold only shared a snippet, the whole video was later posted to YouTube. Check it out below.

Bag a bargain MacBook Air refurb from just $289.99 today only

By

Get a MacBook Air for $200 off
Don't miss out!
Photo: Apple

Need an affordable Mac for basic productivity tasks? Pick up a bargain MacBook Air refurb from Woot today for as little as $289.99. A whole bunch of 11- and 13-inch models are available, but stock is selling fast.

Woot also has a couple of 13-inch MacBook Pro models on offer, with prices starting at just $449.99.

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