Anker is out with yet another charging accessory, this time the Anker 333 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Station. It’s another convenient means by which to power up your iPhone, AirPods and Apple Watch all in one place.
Pick up brand-new AirPods for under $100 ahead of the holidays
Looking for the perfect holiday gift for an Apple fan? Pick up a brand-new pair of AirPods for as little as $99.
Amazon is offering notable discounts of up to $70 on almost all AirPods models for a limited time only. Enjoy them while you can!
Next-gen AirPods Pro could bring new design, better chip in late 2022
We could be waiting close to a year for Apple’s much-anticipated AirPods Pro upgrade, but according to one analyst, it will be well worth the wait. The next-generation buds are expected to deliver a brand-new design and a better chip.
They could also be Apple’s first headphones with fitness tracking capabilities.
AirPods on acid: See the evolution of Apple’s wireless buds like never before
Ever wondered what your favorite wireless headphones might look like during a weird acid trip? Find out right here (while sober) with these mesmerizing CT scans of AirPods, which showcase the evolution of Apple’s buds on the inside.
AirPods have seen some surprisingly big changes since their initial introduction in late 2016. Here’s how Apple made them better — and even more compact.
Just how cool will Apple’s VR headset be? [The CultCast]
This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: Let’s talk about the virtual reality headset Apple supposedly will unleash next year. Will it happen? What will it do? And do we even want it to happen?
Also on The CultCast:
- Maybe AirPower isn’t dead — and maybe something even more amazing is on the horizon.
- Tesla Cyberwhistle FTW.
- Our first round of Gear of the Year picks.
Listen to this week’s episode of The CultCast in the Podcasts app or your favorite podcast app. (Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review if you like it!) Or watch the video livestream, embedded below.
Check out these crazy translucent AirPods prototypes
AirPods come in white, white and also white. But a collector scored a prototype pair in very unusual translucent blue casings.
Taste a rare look at a product that’ll never hit store shelves.
Apple hasn’t given up on making a do-it-all charger for multiple devices
Apple continues to work on a wireless charger, similar to the abandoned AirPower mat, that will allow users to charge multiple devices simultaneously, according to a new report. The company also hopes to develop truly wireless charging in the future.
Cupertino reportedly is working on “short and long distance” charging solutions that don’t require physical contact. It also wants to give all major Apple devices the ability to charge each other.
The best Cyber Monday deals on Apple’s hottest devices
Black Friday is over for another year, but Cyber Monday has just begun, which means there’s still time to enjoy big discounts on Apple devices.
AirPods, Apple Watch, iPad and more are currently available at tasty discounts from third-party retailers like Amazon and Best Buy. And to make shopping a little easier, we rounded up all the best deals on Apple’s hottest gear.
Next year’s iMac Pro sounds like a screamer! [The CultCast]
This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: If you thought the M1 Max MacBook Pros were powerhouses, wait till you hear about the iMac Pro that might be coming down the pike. Apple reportedly wants to double up the world-beating chip to amp up the performance even more. Prepare to be amazed!
Also on The CultCast:
- Black Friday deals on Apple gear and The Cult of Mac, 2nd Edition coffee table book.
- AirPods are not for late-night snacking!
- And new products we love in “Under Review.”
Listen to this week’s episode of The CultCast in the Podcasts app or your favorite podcast app. (Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review if you like it!) Or watch the video livestream, embedded below.
Maximize your iPhone trade-in by cutting Apple out of equation
Apple just gave customers another big reason to avoid its trade-in service by slashing prices on almost all iPhone models. Instead, sell your old handset to Cult of Mac to make more from it, and get real cash you can spend anywhere.
Find out how much your old iPhone is worth today in just a few simple steps, and secure your quote for 14 days.
Get up to $200 back when you shop at Apple this Black Friday
Apple is offering customers up to $200 back in Apple Store gift cards when they buy eligible products this Black Friday. Its four-day shopping event runs from November 26, and you can enjoy in in-store, online, and over the phone.
Find out what you’ll get back on certain products right here.
Apple needs to take the frustration out of AirPods firmware updates
What’s in that firmware update for a couple of AirPods that came out Tuesday. Who the hell knows?!? Apple doesn’t announce updates for its truly wireless headphones — and won’t tell anyone what’s in them. It’s very frustrating.
Apple’s attempt at making AirPods firmware updates simple instead makes them way more complicated than necessary. Currently, they happen in the background, but what’s really needed is an “Update Now” button.
Sleek new Satechi 3-in-1 magnetic charger powers up iPhone, AirPods and Apple Watch
Satechi rolled out a new 3-in-1 MagSafe-compatible charger on Thursday to help users power up their iPhones, AirPods and Apple Watches. The sleek black Satechi 3-in-1 Magnetic Wireless Charger features a hands-free, adjustable, MagSafe-compatible mount for your phone, plus solid steel-and-aluminum construction.
Keep it cool with this super-sweet AirPods 3 case [Review]
Whether you have a sweet tooth or just like to be different, the new Elago Ice Cream AirPods 3 Case definitely stands out. The nicely detailed silicone case looks like a tiny ice cream bar, right down to the colorful 3D sprinkles scattered on it. (A wooden stick at the bottom finishes off the look.)
It comes in two vibrant colors — mint and lavender — and for me, this case only has positives.
AirPods 3 are the best earbuds in Apple’s lineup [Review]
AirPods are arguably one of Apple’s most popular products. Over the last five years, the wireless earbuds have become so common that it’s hard to go anywhere without seeing someone wearing them.
And now, with the third-generation AirPods, Apple has improved them in almost every way. That makes the latest AirPods one of the best, if not the best, all-around earbuds you can get.
We could be waiting almost a year for the next AirPods Pro refresh
We could be waiting almost another year for Cupertino’s second-generation AirPods Pro refresh. A new report — citing sources in Apple’s supply chain — claims the new buds won’t drop until the third quarter of 2022.
Earlier rumors have indicated the upgrade could bring an even more compact design with a more rounded shape, plus motion sensors for fitness tracking.
Massive AirPods Max deal drops price by up to $120
Apple’s over-the-ear — and over-the-top — AirPods Max headphones just hit their lowest price ever. A deal knocks a whopping $119 off the regular cost.
If you have AirPods Max on your holiday shopping list, then now might be your best opportunity to pick up a pair.
Confessions of an AirPods virgin
What I’m about to write is so shocking you might want to sit down: AirPods 3 are the first Apple wireless headphones I’ve ever owned. I never saw a need to pay the Apple Tax when I had cheap wireless earbuds that were good enough.
But I changed my mind for the newest model. Here are all the reasons I’m happy about the purchase. And the one reason I’m not.
AirPods 3 teardown can’t explain boost in battery life
Apple’s recently released AirPods 3 have a longer battery life than either AirPods 2 or AirPods Pro. But a teardown of the new truly wireless headphones finds batteries that can’t fully explain the extra time between charges.
Watch a video of the teardown showing why along with some other internal details of AirPods 3.
6 brilliant but affordable AirPods alternatives
AirPods might just be the best wireless buds you can pair with Apple devices, but they’re also pretty expensive. Plenty of more affordable options that deliver stellar sound and reliable connectivity in a neat design are available.
So, if you’re buying on a budget this holiday season, skip the Apple Store and check out these six brilliant but more affordable alternatives to AirPods.
In no hurry? Sleek, compact Zens 4-in-1 magnetic charger tops up your gear. [Review]
The Zens Magnetic + Watch Wireless Charger stands in the ranks of MagSafe-compatible chargers designed to be your go-to device for juicing up multiple pieces of Apple gear — and the sleek and compact 4-in-1 device does it in style. But not with a huge amount of charging power.
The Zens Magnetic + Watch Wireless Charger tops up four devices — all at once, if you like.
A puck on a dark metallic stem holds a MagSafe iPhone (12 or 13 series) firmly in place, horizontally or vertically. The surface underneath charges an AirPods case or any Qi-enabled device. A USB-A charging stick lets you top off an Apple Watch in Sleep mode. And a USB-A port on the side powers up something else, like an iPad.
ColorWare gives AirPods 3 a super-pretty paint job, but it’ll cost you
ColorWare is now offering Apple’s newest AirPods in much prettier, more colorful designs. You can choose how you want yours to be painted, but be warned that you’ll have to cough up a lot more to stand out.
Prices start at a rather eye-watering $319 — up from just $179 when you buy AirPods in white — and that price covers only the AirPods buds themselves. It rises even higher if you want a colorful charging case as well.
AirPods Pro with MagSafe Case is a total steal at just $189.99
A pre-Black Friday price cut from Amazon makes the new AirPods Pro with MagSafe Charging Case surprisingly affordable at just $189.99. With active noise cancellation, excellent audio quality and three sizes of silicone ear tips for a comfortable fit, Apple’s high-end earbuds hit all the right notes.
If you want a pair — or want to knock out some early holiday gift shopping — you might want to jump on this deal. Or one of Amazon’s other surprising discounts on the Apple gear you crave, like an Apple Pencil 2 for just $99.
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Those MacBook Pro benchmarks blow our minds [The CultCast]
This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: The first MacBook Pro benchmarks and reviews reveal just how beefy these astonishing beasts really are. Powered by Apple’s outrageous new M1 Pro and M1 Max chips, these laptops blow away their predecessors — and basically blow our minds. Erfon is in awe!
Also on The CultCast:
- MacBook Pros look very good for gaming, too.
- Intel chief takes on an impossible mission.
- Leander gives third-gen AirPods a listen (and he likes what he hears).
Listen to this week’s episode of The CultCast in Apple’s Podcasts app or your favorite podcast app. (Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review if you like it!) Or watch the video livestream, embedded below.
Jabra Elite 7 Pro ANC earbuds are worth top dollar but cost less [Review]
With the new Jabra Elite 7 Pro earbuds, I seem to have found near-ideal audio with active noise cancellation (ANC) for both music and phone calls. The compact earbuds offer surprisingly expansive sound and are incredibly comfortable to wear for long periods of time.