Sonos Roam connects to your Apple devices over more than Bluetooth. Photo: Sonos
The Sonos Roam is a new high-end smart speaker with support for Apple AirPlay 2, so it plays nicely with iPhone or other Apple computers.
The tubular accessory weights in just under a pound, but Sonos says, “precision-engineered acoustics deliver the clarity, depth, and fullness you would expect from a much larger speaker.”
An AirPods Max firmware update is now available. Here’s hoping it fixes a bad bug. Photo: iFixit
Apple’s over-the-ears headphones got a firmware update on Tuesday. It’s not clear what’s in the new software for AirPods Max because Apple never discloses that detail, but many users are hoping it’s a fix for an irritating power drain.
A pair of Apple’s first wearables might sell for a high price because they’ve never been worn. Photo: Heritage Auctions
A couple of pieces of Apple history are on the auction block. An unworn pair Apple Computer Sneakers from the mid-1990s will be sold in the next two days. A rare Apple-branded paddle ball set from the same time is also being auctioned.
AirPods Pro aren’t the cheapest wireless buds you can buy, so the last thing you want to do is destroy them. Protect them with Elago’s gorgeous cases instead, and never worry about them getting beaten up.
Made from natural cowhide leather, they’re brilliantly robust and beautiful. They come in a number of color options, and include a clip that lets you attach them to almost anything.
Rocky Lira works his day job and podcast production here. Photo: Rocky Lira
Rocky Lira, aka “Rocky Bandit,” and his “knucklehead” friends Eddie and Paddy went big into podcasting on a moderate budget recently. And they have the gear and the podcasts in circulation to show for it.
He and his Chicago pals started the weekly show Bums of Manarchy for fun, recording more than a dozen episodes so far. Lira got off to a fast start handling the podcast editing and production. He said he uses an M1 MacBook Pro and an older model, along with two iPad Pros and his iPhone 12 Pro — in concert with a Rode RodeCaster Pro Integrated Podcast Production Studio console.
Easily make FaceTime calls with Belkin’s new charging stand that supports the iPhone 12 series’ MagSafe system. Photo: Belkin
The short list of truly MagSafe-compatible accessories grew a bit on Tuesday, as the Belkin Boost↑Charge Pro 2-in-1 Wireless Charger Stand can now be preordered. This holds up an iPhone 12 for easy viewing, and includes a pad for AirPods cases that support wireless charging.
This app can’t be a scam. Look at all those positive reviews! Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Stop using the reviews you see in the App Store to help you decide what applications to buy. They’re meaningless because so many of them are fraudulent. And these purchased fake reviews are frequently used to trick people into buying scam applications.
The problem is severe enough that Apple should take reviews completely out of the App Store if it can’t come up with a better solution.
Study involves participation from 10,000 users around the United States. Photo: Apple
Apple has published the first details of an ongoing Apple Women’s Health Study, using the iPhone to carry out longitudinal research on menstruation.
The project, which involves a team from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, is based on data from 10,000 participants across the U.S. Users have been contributing their data using Apple’s Research app, starting late last year.
A French lobbyist group is accusing Apple of hypocrisy over new privacy measures in iOS 14, which make it harder for other companies to track users. Why? Because Apple also operates a feature called Personalized Advertising, which capitalizes on user data to display targeted ads within apps.
Want to stop Apple from targeting you with personalized ads? Here’s how you do it. (And everything else you need to know about the new complaint.)
This compact and convenient audio gadget earns top ratings on Amazon. Photo: AudioWow
With the explosion of TikTok and the surging popularity of podcasting, innovative gear is making life easier for creators who are constantly on the go. Just the size of a matchbox, the AudioWow wireless audio studio is small enough to take with you anywhere. But it offers studio-quality sound capabilities — and costs just $159.
The iPhone camera setup is set to get even better. Photo: Apple
The iPhone will get a periscopic telephoto lens in 2023, TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo claims in a new research note seen by Cult of Mac.
Although Kuo doesn’t provide much in the way of details, this would greatly improve the zoom capabilities of the iPhone. Currently the best iPhone for camera zoom is the iPhone 12 Pro Max. That handset features a 2.5x optical zoom in, and 2x optical zoom out. Digital zoom goes up to 12x.
A periscope zoom could increase this significantly. For example, the 2019-era Huawei P30 Pro and Oppo Reno offer 10x zoom capabilities using a periscope lens.
Microsoft's HoloLens are currently the mixed reality glasses to beat. Photo: Microsoft
Apple’s mixed reality/augmented reality headset will come with 15 camera modules, according to TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.
Kuo, who has a strong track record when it comes to reporting on Apple rumors, also suggests that it will feature “innovative biometrics,” along with the ability to detect the environment the user is positioned in at the time.
The iDrive is just one of the Big Tech concept cars imaged by Vanarama. Concept image: Vanarama
The Apple Car really is on the drawing board at Cupertino, but no one outside the company knows what it’ll look like. Vanarama came up with a concept design.
And it didn’t stop there. Its designers had fun imagining vehicles designed by Netflix, Peloton, Airbnb and Zoom if these other Big Tech companies got into the market.
This 24/7 video channel is scientifically developed to comfort dogs when left alone. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
Humans enjoy plenty of options for keeping our minds occupied, from binge-watching Apple TV+ to winding down with a meditation app. But what about your dog?
If you have a pooch that suffers from separation anxiety, you know that sometimes a treat or toy isn’t enough to keep them preoccupied while you’re away. But a lifetime subscription to DogTV can deliver sights and sounds that keep your pooch calm.
Celebrate International Women’s Day by supporting Goldenerre, an awesome accessory company founded and operated by women. Its beautiful Pyramid bracelet is enough to give any Apple Watch a glamorous makeover, and it’s available in a number of color options.
Order yours today for 38/40mm or 42/44mm Apple Watch models.
Apple recommends you install iOS 14.4.1 on your iPhone to fix a security problem. And there are iPad and Apple Watch equivalents. Graphic: Cult of Mac
iPhone users should install iOS 14.4.1, which Apple released Monday entirely to kill a bug in the Safari web browser. Obviously, Apple considers it a significant enough threat to devote an entire software update to justify it.
There’s also an equivalent iPadOS 14.4.1 version. Plus, the newly released watchOS 7.3.2 deals with the same security problem, as does macOS Big Sur 11.2.3.
The iMac Pro never seemed to find an audience. Photo: Apple
The iMac Pro is seemingly nearing the end of its natural lifespan — and good riddance to it.
In fairness, the iMac Pro was not a bad computer. It was even, technically, a pretty great one. But it epitomized an era of Mac design that may have been the most uninspired and directionless in Apple history.
BMW's CFO has chimed in on Apple Car-in-progress. Photo: BMW
BMW’s Chief Financial Officer Nicholas Peter isn’t worried about Apple’s entry into the automotive industry. Or, if he is, he’s not willing to say as much.
“I sleep very peacefully,” Peter said when asked about the rumored Apple car. “Competition is a wonderful thing — it helps motivate the others. We’re in a very strong position and we want to remain in a leading position of the industry.”
Educator Malala Yousafzai will be a new voice on Apple TV+. Photo: Apple
Apple revealed on Monday a new “multiyear programming partnership” with women’s rights activist and Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai to produce content for for Apple TV+.
Yousafzai will produce original programming for the streaming service, spanning drama, comedy, documentary, animation and kids’ shows.
Celebrity photographer Michael Muller leads Photo School. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
Whether you’re document your adventures or need eye-catching images to grow your brand or social media presence, learning take great pictures is a fundamental skill for the digital age.
Tim Cook and Co. are allegedly about to unveil iPad, Apple TV, AirPods and more. Graphic: Apple/Cult of Mac
Get your wallets ready, because Apple will supposedly launch an array of new products on March 23. On the docket for the event will supposedly be an updated iPad Pro, AirPods and Apple TV, as well as the debut of AirTags.
Verizon is now offering a brilliant buy one get one free deal on all iPhone 12 models. Simply purchase one and open up a new line with an Unlimited service plan to get a second handset for absolutely nothing.
Ted Lasso is turning out to be MVP for Apple TV+. Photo: Apple TV+
Apple TV+ comedy Ted Lasso scored a hat trick of awards at the 2021 Critics’ Choice Awards on Sunday, garnering prizes for Best Comedy Series, Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for Hannah Waddingham and Best Actor in a Comedy Series for Jason Sudeikis.
Considering that it’s an underdog tale about a fish-out-of-water football coach struggling to adapt to the world of soccer, the fact that Ted Lasso is proving to be Apple TV+’s MVP — winning against the likes of Netflix, Hulu and CBS — seems weirdly appropriate.