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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

Redditor DeviantSubrbanKid, based in the Philippines, knows how to impress a few computer setup mavens on social media. Make the workstation clean, tasteful and functional. And then add some weird or interesting touches.

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 (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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

Two more classic iOS games are coming soon to Apple Arcade: Super Stickman Golf 3+ and Super Leap Day.

Update: A third game, Ultimate Rivals: The Court, is coming soon to Apple Arcade as well.

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.

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.

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.”

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!

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.”

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.”

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.

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.

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.

Everyone knows a picture is worth a thousand words — especially in today’s digitally driven, visually stimulated world. Whether you’re launching a small business, are a professional photographer or just want to take incredible photos of objects from pretty much anywhere, this FlashBooth 2.0 Portable Photo Studio is for you.

It’s the perfect way to take professional, high-quality photos worthy of websites, social profiles, pamphlets and more. And it’s small enough that you can take it with you wherever you go.

So, you’ve already installed the iPadOS 15 beta beta on your iPad and now some of your favorite apps and features are broken. Don’t worry — it’s really easy (if a little time-consuming) to revert back to iPadOS 14.

We’ll show you how.

The Cult of Mac Store just kicked off its big Fourth of July sale, offering 15% off all items when you spend $50 or more.

Take your pick from some of the best iPhone, iPad and AirPods cases, stands, Apple Watch bands and more — all hand-picked and approved by members of the Cult of Mac team.

The offer ends today, so enjoy it while you can!