★★★★★
The PNY Pro Elite V3 external SSD holds terabytes of files, and can transfer data at up to 1,000MB/s. Another standout feature is cost, with the 2TB variant coming in at just $145 — well below many rival SSDs.
I tested the speed, build and other aspects of the drive with a range of computers to be sure it lives up to expections.
Ever tried juggling spreadsheets, emails and a dozen open tabs on one tiny screen? That’s a one-way ticket to frustration. A laptop screen extender like Mobile Pixels’ Duex Plus DS can help.
This 13.3-inch portable second monitor might just become your laptop’s new best friend. The second screen instantly upgrades your setup, whether you’re working remotely, traveling or just flexing your multitasking skills. And for just $179.99 (regularly $259.99), it’s a deal too good to pass up. You can get this deal by using code DISPLAY20, but only through March 30 (and only while stock lasts).
Assassin’s Creed Shadows finally launched on Thursday, and Mac gamers can play the action-packed, role-playing game from Ubisoft at the same time as players on PCs and consoles. Mac owners won’t face the usual wait of months or years. There’s even a version for iPads with M-series processors in development.
The adventure is set in medieval Japan, and players can choose either a samurai or a shinobi (aka ninja) for very different gaming experiences.
9iPhone 16e owners can easily add an inexpensive MagSafe sticker to make up for Apple leaving this magnetic connection system out of its new handset. Adding MagSafe improves wireless charging and opens the doors to magnetic stands, power banks and clip-on wallets.
Android users frustrated that they can’t take advantage of great accessories designed for iPhone can use one of these stickers, too.
Here’s our buying guide to the best MagSafe stickers we found.
March 20, 1997: Apple launches its Twentieth Anniversary Macintosh, a futuristic, special-edition Mac that’s ahead of its time in every way. Not part of any established Mac line, it brings a look (and a price!) unlike anything else available — and Apple delivers them to buyers in a limo!
And yet the Twentieth Anniversary Macintosh promptly bombs. Today, it’s a collector’s piece.
An Apple reorganization reportedly brings new management to the team struggling to develop an AI-enhanced version of Siri. Apple apparently tapped Mike Rockwell, an exec with one successful Apple product launch already under his belt, to shepherd the promised Siri upgrade.
Clearly, the goal is to accelerate a project that’s been significantly delayed — and has become a major embarrassment for Apple.
YouTube videos appearing blurry or excessively buffering on your iPhone? Videos streaming on 144p or 360p resolution despite being on a fast Wi-Fi connection?
You’re not alone in facing these problems. Don’t point fingers at your ISP either — the issue stems from YouTube’s end.
For many Apple TV owners, there’s still one kink to be worked out: the remote. The Siri Remote is all about being skinny and putting Apple’s AI assistant front and center. But some people prefer an alternative Apple TV remote with lots of buttons, like the recently upgraded Button Remote from Function101 (see our hands-on review).
Upgraded with Bluetooth connectivity in addition to infrared, it works with Apple TVs and more than a hundred other television brands. And you can get one for only $24.97. That’s just two-thirds the price of a replacement sixth-gen Siri Remote from Apple.
Don’t buy a separate stand and hub for your iPad until you check out the Zagg 6-port Media Hub that launched Wednesday. Add an HDMI port, a USB-A port and more to your tablet without taking up any more space on your desktop than a stand alone would.
Plus, it got a big brother: the Zagg Pro Dock is a stand for MacBooks with 10 ports, including dual HDMI and Ethernet.
These are part of a collection of new hubs from Zagg with a range of port options.
The European Commission issued “guidance” Tuesday on changes it says Apple must make to comply with the interoperability requirements of the EU’s Digital Markets Act. The new mandates would open up the iPhone to work more closely with third-party smartwatches, headphones and TVs.
Apple says the new rules will undercut user privacy and slow innovation, and vows to make its case to the EU. It remains to be seen whether the changes will take effect only in Europe or globally.
Apple’s Studio Display is the perfect monitor for most Apple users, and this deal makes it even better. The high-end monitor packs a gorgeous 27-inch 5K screen and lots of extras.
However, at its retail price of $1,599, the monitor is pretty expensive for what it offers, especially since it is a few years old now. However, a current Apple Studio Display deal on Amazon drops it to just $1,539.95.
March 19, 1990: The ultra-fast Macintosh IIfx makes its debut, sporting a hefty price tag appropriate for such a speedy machine.
The fastest Macintosh of its day, it boasts a CPU running at a “wicked fast” 40 MHz. It gains an additional speed bump from a pair of Apple-designed, application-specific integrated circuits. Prices start at $9,870 and run up to $12,000 — the equivalent of $23,989 to $29,166 in 2024 money!
Today’s M4 Mac mini setup jumped out at me not because of the powerful little desktop or the gorgeous-but-distracting display wallpaper, but because of all you can see riding on top of the monitor. It features a typical monitor light bar with a pronounced webcam riding on top. But look to the corners and notice something I’ve never seen: two separate LED light panels — Ulanzi lights — mounted there to make the user look better on video calls.
Soundcore brought the party to CES 2025 this year with two powerful new Bluetooth speakers planned for spring release — and now you can buy one of them. The Rave 3S Karaoke Speaker is a big, powerful party speaker that brings AI-powered karaoke capabilities to any music source. The Boom 2 Pro is a rugged boombox designed for outdoor use.
Both new Soundcore speakers put on light shows, among other things HomePods can’t do.
Update: The new Soundcore Rave 3S Karaoke Speaker went on sale Wednesday.
“It’s a pretty cool Bluetooth speaker and comes with two microphones with a pretty slick Vocal Removal tool that can be controlled on either microphone or from the control panel on the top,” Anker told Cult of Mac. “There are different levels of vocal reduction, so for example if you are a good singer and know the lyrics, you can reduce the vocals off. However, if you need a little help with the vocals, you can make the singer’s vocals come through a little stronger so you can hear it better.”
With Microsoft winding down Windows 10, many companies could take the opportunity to switch to macOS, according to an industry analyst.
The prediction comes as U.S. Mac sales are already spiking, up a whopping 25.9% in the fourth quarter. This made Apple the third-largest computer maker in the U.S. market.
Nanoleaf unveiled its latest innovation Tuesday that should catch the attention of Mac users looking to enhance their desktop aesthetics. The new Nanoleaf PC Screen Mirror Lightstrip, available for pre-order at $49.99, offers a simplified approach to ambient lighting. You plug it right into your computer and stick it to the back of your display.
Essgoo’s 10-inch CarPlay screen lets you upgrade practically any car in an instant. Whether you’re dealing with an old-school radio, a tiny in-car screen or, worse, no touchscreen at all, it’s time for an upgrade.
This 10-inch, full-HD touchscreen comes with a telescopic mount, so you can position it appropriately for safe driving. Or you can mount it on your dashboard with the included bracket, if that suits your car’s interior better.
Either way, it lets you easily add wireless Apple CarPlay (or Android Auto) and a touchscreen to any car — without an expensive trip to the dealership. And right now, you can get this 10-inch CarPlay screen for just $64.99 (regularly $89.99), with free shipping while stock lasts.
The iPhone 16e marks the debut of Apple’s in-house 5G modem. Despite missing mmWave 5G support, the modem still impresses. Apple touts it as the most efficient modem ever in an iPhone.
Ookla, the company behind Speedtest, has released a detailed analysis of the iPhone 16e’s network performance based on their preliminary data.
March 18, 1991: Steve Jobs marries 27-year-old Stanford MBA Laurene Powell.
The couple’s friends and family attend the wedding, which takes place at Ahwahnee Hotel in Yosemite National Park in central California.
Thanks to AirPods 4 with noise cancellation, actor Pedro Pascal beats heartbreak and the big city’s wintry deep freeze in the colorful new Spike Jonze short film Someday.
Jonze’s second ad for Apple, the new short released Tuesday evokes what an immersive listening experience can do, waking memories of better times — and stirring hope for better ones to come.
Capcom brought Resident Evil 3 to Mac, iPad and iPhone on Tuesday. The latest AAA game to arrive on Apple’s platforms, the 2020 survival horror title lets players use a variety of weapons to fight zombies.
The new Big Time podcast, a fresh take on true crime with captivating stories of audacious dreamers and rule-benders hosted by actor Steve Buscemi, premieres March 24, Apple TV+ said Tuesday.
“I think a lot of people, myself included, are fascinated by folks who look at the rules and think, ‘No, I’ve got a better idea,'” Buscemi said. “Big Time isn’t just true crime — it’s a carnival of chaos, and I’m excited for listeners to tune in.”
Expensive iPads come with stress — this refurbished iPad 7 doesn’t. You probably won’t want to spend $1,000-plus on a Pro model, then risk bringing it on a trip or handing it over to your kid with perpetually sticky fingers. But a perfectly fine iPad (with a faux leather case and charger) for only $140? Why not?
Cult of Mac Deals can sell this delicately used, older iPad at this super-affordable price because it’s a refurbished model. That doesn’t mean it’s in bad shape, though — we only sell high-quality devices. The only catch is that we have fewer than 50 refurbished iPad 7s available.
★★★★☆
In the crowded market of wireless active noise-canceling (ANC) headphones, EarFun’s new Wave Life cans emerge as an intriguing option. They challenge premium brands with good sound quality and a nice array of features. At a typical sale price of $60, I conclude in my EarFun Wave Life headphones review that they make an excellent choice for budget-conscious listeners or as an affordable gift for someone.
In a major expansion, Apple’s Tap to Pay to iPhone has launched in several European countries. This includes Bulgaria, Finland, Hungary, Poland and others.
With Tap to Pay, retailers and small businesses can accept contactless payments directly using their iPhones.