There are plenty of reasons we might want another computer. If you’re not saving up for one of the new Macs with the M1 chip inside, you can save some scratch with one of these four refurbished Macs.
Going with a refurb means some tradeoffs: Most of these won’t run the new macOS Big Sur, for instance. (You can check compatibility on Apple’s site.) However, they can deliver things you just can’t get anymore. The MacBook Pro, for instance, comes with a built-in SuperDrive.
Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior vice president of software engineering, says Macs with the new M1 processor could run the version of Windows Microsoft created to run on similar chips. Apple did nothing to make that impossible. So whether Apple Silicon Macs ever run Windows depends on Microsoft.
An iPhone doesn’t have to look coldly technological. Oakywood cases add cherry or walnut to your phone, giving it a more natural appearance. And the cases add shock resistance to Apple’s handset.
I enjoyed wrapping my iPhone 12 in an Oakywood bumper case. Here’s why.
This week on The CultCast: Apple’s new M1 Macs are breaking all the benchmarks, and are now officially the fastest Macs ever made. The MacBook Air is outperforming the iMac — these M1 Macs are insane.
Plus: iPhone 12 Pro Max versus mini — we’ve got them both! Which one is the keeper? We discuss. And stay tuned for our HomePod mini review, and our favorite new gadgets in an all-new Under Review!
Our thanks to Squarespace for supporting this episode. Easily create a beautiful website all by yourself, at Squarespace.com/cultcast. Use offer code CultCast at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain.
The Cult of Mac Store today kicks off its Black Friday sale with big discounts on some of our hottest Apple Watch bands. Shop today to save up to 25% on everything from Goldenerre and Rilee & Lo.
Apple is working with Microsoft to make new Xbox Series X controllers compatible with iPhone, iPad, Mac and more.
Support for Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and other controllers is already baked into the latest versions of iOS. It’s not yet clear if Apple will add support for the PlayStation 5’s new DualSense controller, too.
Whether for safety, security or just to share your best road trips, cameras and cars go together surprisingly well. These four great cameras — three dash cams and one backup cam, all at big discounts — will help you get more from your car, new or old.
Apple this week published a support guide for those running into installation errors when updating to macOS Big Sur on a 2013 or 2014 MacBook Pro. Its tips may help bring bricked machines back to life.
Here are the steps you need to follow.
Apple this week rolled out a revised macOS Big Sur update for some Mac users. The version 11.0.1 release likely addresses some minor bugs and performance issues.
Fans of psychological thrillers should get ready to tune in to Losing Alice, which will debut on Apple TV+ in early 2021.
It’s one of many thrillers the streaming service currently has in development.
Apple TV+ revealed an overview of the upcoming season of its alternate-history sci-if drama For All Mankind on Thursday. The show will relaunch in February with a focus on a struggle between the U.S. and the Soviet Union over the moon.
A fresh update to Google Chrome for iPad lets users open multiple browser windows side-by-side. This long-overdue feature enables tablet users see two web pages simultaneously.
Google also released Gmail and Google Drive Home screen widgets.
Apple today released a small “bug fix” update for iPhones. iOS 14.2.1 takes care of problem that caused the iPhone 12 mini’s touchscreen to not always respond on the Lock Screen. A couple of other small problems were taken care of too.
In an unusual move, there is no iPadOS equivalent for this update. It’s iPhone only.
★★★★☆
Apple has been doing some remarkable things with audio lately. The sound coming out of a new MacBook or iPad Pro is nothing short of amazing, given the tiny speakers they have. AirPods sound spectacular. And then there’s the original HomePods, which punch way above their weight and are some of the best speakers out there.
But what about the new HomePod minis, which cost $99 and pack the potential to give Apple a much-needed boost in the smart speaker game? Do they sound any good?
Add Google Stadia to the list of cloud-gaming services that’ll soon be available for iOS and iPadOS. But all the action won’t be in the App Store — iPhone users will access Stadia though a web browser.
This is the same route other online-gaming services are also having to take because of Apple rules restricting cloud gaming.
MacPaw, the company behind the brilliant CleanMyMac app, now makes the world’s first personalized VPN. ClearVPN features shortcuts for quick content access and takes care of connectivity for you.
It’s available now on Mac and iOS.
GeForce Now, the online game streaming service from Nvidia, is now available in Safari on iOS. You can use it to play a whole host of controller-compatible PC games (more than 750) in 1080p.
Nvidia says that Fortnite, which is currently banned from the App Store, is on the way.
It’s not possible to run Windows in Boot Camp on an M1 Mac, but that doesn’t mean you can’t run Windows apps. CrossOver allows Apple’s newest machines to run x86 software built for Microsoft’s platform.
And despite all the translation that’s required, it runs surprisingly well. So much so that you can use it to play action-packed online games on a MacBook Air that doesn’t even have a fan.
Our smartphones come with great cameras, but only if what you’re photographing is fairly large. There are whole universes to explore in smaller scales, and adding a macro lens to your phone or tablet is a great way to open up new photographic possibilities. That’s just what these incredibly slim macro lenses offer.
Apple has confirmed the winners of its second annual Apple Music Awards. Lil Baby, Taylor Swift, Megan Thee Stallion, and others have been honored for their achievements across five different categories.
A celebration kicks off on Monday, December 14, with a week of special performances, fan events, interviews, and more.
Apple has rolled out a revised iOS 14.2 update for iPhone 12 owners. You will see it only if you haven’t already updated to iOS 14.2, which brings more emoji, new wallpapers, Intercom support, and more.
The Zagg Pro Stylus has an active tip for writing and drawing, and also a capacitive tip for swiping. It’s two styli in one, making it useful every day. It’ll magnetically attach to an iPad Pro, but works with a whole range of Apple tablets.
I drew some conclusions after using this stylus for work and fun. Here are the results.
Apple is reportedly working on a software fix for the iPhone 12 screens that take on a greenish tint. Hardware replacement won‘t be required.
A similar glitch cropped up with the iPhone 11 earlier in 2020 and was taken care of with an iOS update.
Apple has an answer for all who want to watch Peanuts specials on regular TV. A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving debuts Wednesday for Apple TV+ subscribers, but it’ll also be broadcast later this month on PBS stations across the US. The companion special, A Charlie Brown Christmas, will also appear on Apple’s streaming service as well as PBS stations in December.
Apple TV+ recently acquired the rights to all Peanuts holiday specials. The deal brought loud criticism when It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown didn’t appear on broadcast TV for the first time in decades, but only online. The team up with PBS is apparently Apple’s fix.
Apple came to a settlement with a group of U.S. state attorneys general over 2017’s “Batterygate.” The iPhone-maker will pay $113 million spread around 30 states to end the investigation.
This comes closer to ending Apple’s problems resulting from not telling customers it was throttling the performance of older iPhones to prevent the devices from unexpectedly shutting down.