YouTube videos looking worse? You are not alone. Photo: YouTube
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.
The Zagg 6-Port Media Hub is ideal for fans of watching video on an iPad. Photo: Zagg
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 Union just ordered Apple to make iPhone cooperate better with headphones and smartwatches made by other companies. AI image: Midjourney/Cult of Mac
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 a great 5K monitor for your Mac. Photo: Apple
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.
The IIfx was the fastest Mac of its day. Photo: Old Computr
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!
This slick setup's lighting arrangement is unusual. Photo: [email protected]
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.
The 200-watt powerhouse Rave 3S can strip vocals from any track and comes with microphones for karaoke. Photo: Soundcore
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.”
As Microsoft winds down Windows 10, more and more companies are looking at macOS instead. Photo: CdkeySales.com
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.
It couldn't be much easier to install these $50 lights. Photo: Nanoleaf
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.
Upgrade your car’s in-car infotainment quickly, easily and on the cheap! Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
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.
Pedro Pascal and his fellow urbanites dance through colorful seasonal shifts in Spike Jonze's short for AirPods 4, Someday. Photo: Apple
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.
Resident Evil 3 comes to horrify your Apple devices. Image: Capcom
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.
Actor Steve Buscemi produces and hosts the audacious new Apple Original podcast, "Big Time." Photo: Apple
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.”
Save big on this grade-A refurbished iPad 7. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
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.
★★★★☆
For $60, these are great headphones for a variety of users. Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac
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.
Apple's Tap to Pay to iPhone expands to more European countries. Photo: Apple
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.
Apple's 2025 iPhones should capture sharper selfies. Concept: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Apple seemingly plans to use 24MP selfie cameras across its entire iPhone 17 lineup. The higher resolution sensor should lead to a noticeable improvement in image quality.
All current iPhone models sport a 12MP TrueDepth camera.
Apple's C2 modem may debut on the iPhone 18 Pro. Image: Apple
Apple’s 2026 flagship iPhones could use its in-house second-gen modem. The C2 baseband should be a big upgrade over the iPhone 16e’s C1 modem in terms of performance.
More importantly, it will supposedly support mmWave 5G connectivity, fixing a major shortcoming of the current C1 modem.
With this tiny charger by your side, you don't need to worry about your Apple Watch running out of juice. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
Always on the go and always trying to close your Apple Watch rings? This wireless keychain charger for Apple Watch is a game-changer for your active lifestyle.
Experience 1984 from the comfort of 2023. Screenshot: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac
You don’t need to buy an old Macintosh to experience classic Mac OS anymore. In fact, you don’t even need to fiddle around installing an emulator and downloading ROMs. Thanks to Infinite Mac, you can boot up every major release of Mac OS from the 1980s and ’90s right in your web browser.
With more than 25 Apple computers and devices in my collection, I’m something of a vintage Mac collector. It’s an expensive hobby that few can indulge in, but the Infinite Mac website lets you experience one of the joys of collecting vintage gear: Taking ancient software for a spin on a vintage Mac.
The two new chargers give Apple users elegant charging options. Photo: Zens
Apple started selling two sleek new chargers from wireless charging specialist Zens, the Dutch company said last week. Zens Quattro Charger Pro 4 and Zens 4-1 Wireless Charger are on sale at apple.com and in Apple Stores worldwide. They pretty much look like Apple products. The Quattro seems to remind folks of Apple’s unreleased AirPower charging mat.
“We’re extremely proud to be the only Dutch brand collaborating with Apple,” says Johan Plasmans, CEO of Zens. “Apple has challenged us from the outset to deliver stylish, innovative charging solutions that make daily life easier. This partnership strengthens our shared mission to combine design, usability, and technology in an elegant way.”
Windows 2.0 borrowed several elements from the Mac user interface. Photo illustration: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac
March 17, 1988: Apple sues Microsoft for allegedly stealing 189 different elements of its Macintosh operating system to create Windows 2.0.
The incident, which causes a deep rift between Apple and one of its top developers, paves the way for an epic battle between the two companies that will rage for years.
This mechanical keyboard for gaming will run you only about $40. Photo: Newmen
For people who have only used membrane keyboards in office and at home, whether Magic Keyboard or similar wares from the likes of Logitech, mechanical keyboards can be a tempting world to check out — especially for gamers (because mechanical keystrokes hit at the same time won’t cancel each other out). And mech-keeb customization can be fun. But where to start? Today’s MacBook Pro and gaming PC setup puts forward an excellent candidate for an affordable mechanical keyboard.