This CD player offered a glimpse of Apple's post-desktop game plan. Photo: Jonathan Zufi
March 22, 1993: Apple launches the PowerCD, the first device from the company that doesn’t require a computer to work.
A portable CD player that also works as an external CD drive for Macs, it offers a glimpse of the extremely lucrative path Apple will follow a decade later. However, the PowerCD itself will ultimately fail in the marketplace.
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.
I've spent seven years testing podcasting gear. Here are my current favorites (plus some bonus podcasting pro tips). Photo: Erfon Elijah
Hello, my name is Erfon Elijah, and for the last seven years, I’ve hosted The CultCast, America’s favorite Apple podcast™. In that time I’ve tried a whole lot of podcasting gear, all in an effort to sound better and make the show easier to produce.
Now, I’m offering you the fruit of all that hands-on experience — the end result of years of podcasting hardware testing and tinkering. Good audio gear doesn’t come cheap, but I think I’ve found a great mix of value and quality in the products I use. If you utilize these podcasting hardware recommendations and podcasting tips, you won’t break the bank. And your podcast will sound as majestic as mine!
Some of the best earbuds around, even with a few compromises. Photo: Brainwavz Audio
Looking for a new set of earbuds for the summer? Brainwavz Audio’s B200 earbuds deliver high-fidelity audio with impressive clarity and detail. Plus, their over-the-ear design won’t frustrate you by falling out.
Yes, picking these earbuds over AirPods means making a couple of big compromises. But after a few weeks of testing, these audiophile-grade earbuds won me over with their superior sound.
iFixit’s HomePod teardown reveals a veritable tank of a smart speaker that’s incredibly durable but virtually impossible to get inside. Unless you fancy using a heat gun and saw to open up your brand new Apple speaker, that is!
HomePod sounds great out of the box, and Siri turns out to be a pleasant surprise. Photo: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac
High-quality audio is the signature feature of Apple’s new HomePod. Apple execs brush off “Siri so stupid” concerns by emphasizing the sound quality of the device.
So the big question is: Will the HomePod be love at first listen? I just unwrapped one of the new Apple smart speakers, and my ears now have a little bit of a crush on HomePod.
Save big on refurbished MacBook Airs, Canon EOS Rebel, GoPro Hero4 and more. Photos: Apple, Canon, GoPro
Another week, another awesome deal roundup, and this time we’re all about tech! From GoPro cameras to the new Xbox One S, the web is going wild with deals on today’s hottest electronics. Amazon is even getting in on it with huge price cuts on its Echo and Kindle products.
Score huge savings on bundles for Amazon Echo Dot, PlayStation 4 and Canon EOS Rebel. Photos: Amazon, Sony, Canon
Big-name brands are acting especially generous this week — we found deals on Panasonic, Sony and even KitchenAid products. eBay is back at it again with a new-and-improved PlayStation 4 bundle. Amazon’s cutting the price on its Echo smart home package. And Walmart is joining the fray with a major deal on a Panasonic 50-inch HD TV.
The Xbox One Gears of War Bundle is $100 off. Photo: Microsoft
We love the internet. So much. It is so unrelentingly kind, and this week is no exception. PlayStation 4 is experiencing its first discounts since Playstation VR released, iPhone 6 prices continue to drop as iPhone 7 catches on, the Beats by Dre flagship earbuds are $240 off, and that awesome DJI Phantom 4 deal is still cooking.
With a MacBook Pro refresh coming soon, older refurb models are going for a song. Photos: Apple, Haier
Grab a refurb MacBook Pro at the best price we’ve ever seen, or an iPad Smart Cover also at an all-time low. These offers and more are in this week’s best Apple bargains.