News - page 3

Affordable iPad stylus copies one of Apple Pencil Pro’s best features

By

Geo Digital Pencil
ESR’s Geo Digital Pencil is inexpensive but still offers a range of useful features.
Photo: ESR

The Geo Digital Pencil from ESR costs a quarter of what Apple Pencil Pro does, but both iPad styli support Find My so they can be easily located. And they cling magnetically to an iPad, and can be used for writing or sketching.

In addition, ESR also unveiled a mouse that magnetically attaches to a MacBook for easy portability.

Nanoleaf wants you to put these LED lights right on your face

By

Nanoleaf LED Light Therapy Face Mask
It's an LED face mask for light therapy.
Photo: Nanoleaf

Known for its modular light panels, Nanoleaf pushed boundaries Tuesday at CES 2025 with a new and slightly disturbing LED Light Therapy Face Mask as well as its first smart floor lamp. Those are in addition to other lighting products, like light strips, plus a new software subscription service.

Record terabytes of ProRes video onto tiny ShiftCam Planck SSD

By

ShiftCam Planck
This svelte combo is ready to record 2TB of ProRes video.
Photo: ShiftCam

ShiftCam calls the Planck “the world’s smallest portable SSD,” and it’s certainly very small. That and the unusual placement of its USB-C connector allow the drive to fit neatly on the bottom of an iPhone Pro and hold up to 2 TB of high-resolution ProRes video as it’s being recorded.

The accessory hits the market soon and is being shown off at CES 2025 this week.

Take Espresso’s compact 4K touchscreen monitor to go

By

espresso 15 Pro
A 4K 15-inch portable touchscreen monitor is coming from espresso Displays
Photo: espresso Displays

The espresso 15 Pro checks all the boxes for Apple users looking for a high-end portable monitor. 4K? Check. Touchscreen? Check. USB-C? Check.

The 15-inch screen — a smaller version of the espresso 17 Pro — is on display at CES 2025. It even scored espresso Displays a CES Innovation Award.

Do summer right with Anker’s solar beach umbrella and power-packed cooler

By

Anker solar beach umbrella
The new solar umbrella and cooler can work together and charge up other gear.
Photo: Anker

Anker Solix unveiled two cool outdoor products Monday at CES 2025 in Las Vegas: Its first solar-powered beach umbrella, and an upgraded, high-performance electric cooler in three sizes, designed for extended outdoor use.

They can work together, and both charge other gadgets, so you can be tech king of your beach trip or barbecue come summertime.

First Thunderbolt 5 display with 6K res ideal for M4 Pro/Max users

By

LG UltraFine 6K Monitor
We'll have to wait for full specs and price on the sleek new Thunderbolt 5 monitor with 6K resolution.
Photo: LG

In a move that’s sure to catch the attention of Mac users — particularly those with the latest M4 Pro machines — LG just unveiled its new UltraFine 6K Display at CES 2025. It calls the monitor, model 32U990A (no firm release date yet), the world’s first 6K display to feature Thunderbolt 5 connectivity.

So not only does it share Pro Display XDR’s amazing resolution, it packs the bleeding-edge connectivity speeds of TB5. That makes it an ideal companion for the recently launched M4 Pro Mac mini and M4 Pro and Max MacBook Pro models.

Powerful new charger boasts display and ‘vertical hanging ports’

By

new Anker chargers
What's cool about the charger? Its display window and its downward-facing ports.
Photo: Anker

A powerful new Anker Charger (140W) featuring a window display plus “vertical hanging ports” (aka downward-facing ports) to help keep USB-C and USB-A cables secure debuted Monday evening at CES in Las Vegas, the company said.

And along with the 140-watt charger, the accessories giant added a potent new 25,000mAh power bank (165-watt) that features retractable cables and TSA certification for air travel. Both devices are available now, see below.

Chrome vs. Safari on Mac: Why Google’s browser wins for me

By

Chrome vs Safari on Mac
Safari is great, but Chrome is my browser of choice on a Mac.
Graphics: Rajesh Pandey/Cult of Mac

Safari on the Mac feels a lot faster to use than Google Chrome. It is also more battery efficient and takes fewer resources. Yet, I prefer using Google Chrome on my MacBook.

Despite its faults, Google Chrome trumps Safari in many key aspects. There’s a reason why Google’s browser is the most popular choice worldwide.

First-ever detachable 3-in-1 robot vacuum rules over your mess

By

eufy Robot Vacuum 3-in-1 E20
It's three different vacuum cleaners in one.
Photo: eufy/Anker

Home cleaning technology saw an advancement at the 2025 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) Monday in Las Vegas when eufy unveiled its new eufy Robot Vacuum 3-in-1 E20. Billed as the first successful integration of robot vacuum, stick vacuum and handheld vacuum in a single, transformable unit with a number of advanced features, it won a CES Best of Innovation award.

New SanDisk SSD clings to iPhone to store terabytes of high-res video recordings

By

SanDisk Creator Phone SSD
Add terabytes of ProRes video storage to your iPhone with SanDisk Creator Phone SSD.
Photo: SanDisk

The SanDisk Creator Phone SSD sets itself apart from rival portable drives with MagSafe. This means the drive magnetically clings to an iPhone where it’s available to hold up to 2 TB of ProRes video as it’s recorded.

SanDisk unveiled the SSD at CES 2025, along with other new storage options.

MagSafe goes cross-platform as Samsung finally commits to Qi2

By

Samsung Qi2
The Qi2 charger in iPhone just got a boost from Apple’s biggest rival.
Photo: Samsung/Wireless Power Consortium

Samsung committed itself on Monday to integrating Qi2 wireless charging into its Galaxy line of Android-based smartphones. It’s been dragging its feet for years, while the last four generations of iPhone models all support the standard.

Samsung’s just-announced adoption of Qi2 should benefit iPhone users, who until now have been the only ones able to take advantage of the new standard. More handsets using the magnetically enhanced wireless charging capability should lead to more accessories that employ it. More cross-platform accessories are a win for everyone.

EarFun’s top new earbuds feature real-time AI language translation

By

EarFun language translation earbuds
EarFun Air Pro 4+ will translate languages in real time, the company said.
Photo: EarFun

The new flagship EarFun Air Pro 4+ noise-canceling earbuds feature AI-powered language translation. EarFun also will roll out other new products this week at CES, the big consumer electronics show in Las Vegas. The lineup includes clip-on earbuds and hook-on open-ear earbuds for workouts, affordable noise-canceling over-ear headphones and an Auracast USB-C dongle that can enable lossless audio for devices.

Upgrade your M4 Mac mini with clever multiport hub/stand

By

Satechi Mac mini M4 Stand & Hub with SSD Enclosure
Max out your Mac mini with this hub.
Photo: Satechi

The Satechi Mac mini M4 Stand & Hub with SSD Enclosure expands the capabilities of Apple’s tiny new desktop with additional front-facing ports and more storage. It even makes pressing the computer’s hidden power button easier.

Satechi gave a sneak peek of the product in November, but on Monday revealed the full specifications, including a price and release date.

Talk to different AI personas with new HumanPods wireless earbuds

By

Natura Umana Humanpods
Tap to talk with a variety of "AI people," depending on your needs.
Photo: Natura Umana

New open-ear wireless earbuds called HumanPods unveiled at CES 2025 offer voice access to different artificial intelligence personas with a tap, according to startup Natura Umana.

The new earphones, which also play music, of course, promise to deliver what the company calls “the closest experience to a telepathic connection with your technology” by offering direct access to AI assistance through simple touch controls. The company’s CEO provides a little video demo below (complete with a few bugs).

Apple goes on a bug hunt with iOS 18.2.1

By

iOS 18.2.1
Your iPhone needs iOS 18.2.1. And there’s an iPadOS version, too.
Photo: Cult of Mac

iOS 18.2.1 went out Monday with the intent of removing bugs that snuck into the earlier version of the iPhone operating system. Apple also released an iPadOS equivalent.

Apple recommends both to anyone who installed the previous versions.

New bot vacuum’s robo-arm makes it a sock-picker-upper

By

Roborock robot vacuum
The Roborock Saros Z70 is the first robot vacuum with an articulating arm to pick up objects, like your smelly socks.
Photo: Roborock

The new Roborock Saros Z70 robot vacuum adds a first-of-its-kind robotic arm that can pick up obstacles in its path, like socks and sandals, the company said as it demonstrated the bot at CES 2025. This marks a shift from traditional obstacle avoidance to active obstacle removal in robotic vacuums.

But the bot vac with robo-arm might come at a steep cost, as other new Roborock models with many of the same features — but without the robo-arm — will go for $1,600, the company said.

OWC Thunderbolt 5 hub offers 120Gbps transfers [Updated]

By

OWC Thunderbolt 5 Hub in use
The OWC Thunderbolt 5 Hub could be the center of a professional setup.
Photo: OWC

The OWC Thunderbolt 5 Hub includes three ports that move data up to twice as fast as Thunderbolt 4 and USB4. That’s professional-level connectivity, opening the possibility of portable SSDs running at 6000MBps or up to three 8K displays at 60Hz .

After an announcement in autumn 2024, the hub is now ready to buy.

Storage gets smarter with Ugreen’s high-capacity, AI-powered NAS devices

By

Ugreen AI NAS storage
Ugreen's CES showcase includes AI-powered NAS storage, a brawny 500-watt charger and a cutting-edge Thunderbolt 5 dock.
Photo: Ugreen

Ugreen hopes to make waves at CES 2025 with a lineup of cutting-edge products incorporating artificial intelligence and advanced connectivity — especially AI-powered NAS storage devices, the company said Sunday. But it also unveiled a shockingly powerful, 500-watt fast GaN charger and a Thunderbolt 5 dock.

Moving from a product lineup dominated by small chargers to a broader selection of tech wares, Ugreen unveils its latest products under the theme “Activate the Possibility of AI.”

Belkin Stage PowerGrip makes iPhone into a better camera

By

Belkin Stage PowerGrip
Make your iPhone easier to hold while taking pictures with Belkin Stage PowerGrip.
Photo: Belkin

The Belkin Stage PowerGrip adds the grip DSLR camera users are familiar with to an iPhone. Built into the grip is a battery which sends power to the handset via the MagSafe magnetic charging mat integrated into the device.

And his is just one of multiple new accessories Belkin unveiled in time for CES 2025.

Today in Apple history: Meet the ‘Blue and White’ Power Mac G3

By

The Power Mac G3 brought a new look, and powerful new features, to Apple's pro computer line.
The Power Mac G3 brought a new look, and powerful new features, to Apple's pro computer line.
Image: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac/Apple

January 5: Today in Apple history: Meet the 'Blue and White' Power Mac January 5, 1999: Apple introduces its revised Power Mac G3 minitower, nicknamed the “Blue and White G3” or “Smurf Tower” to separate it from the earlier beige model.

The first new Power Mac since the colorful plastic iMac G3 shipped, the pro-level machine borrows the same transparent color scheme. Unfortunately, it doesn’t hang around too long.

iPhone 18 Pro camera in for a big change? [The CultCast]

By

AI-generated image of person taking photo with smartphone, plus The CultCast logo (episode 680).
OK, so the iPhone 18's camera is not gonna look like that. But it might be stunning nevertheless!
Image: Midjourney/Cult of Mac

This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: The latest rumors indicate the iPhone 18 Pro will pack a variable aperture camera. Erfon and Griffin break down what that could mean — and why it could bring a significant photographic boost to the device.

Also on The CultCast:

  • We’ve got some picks for what to watch during this weekend’s Apple TV+ free binge-o-rama.
  • From the iPhone 17 Air to AirTags 2 (and maybe AirPods Pro 3), it looks like 2025 might be an exciting year for Apple — we discuss the stuff we’re most psyched about.
  • Apple’s Magic Mouse is due for an upgrade. But will it really come with voice controls?
  • We wrap up the show with our final picks for the best stuff of 2024.

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 live stream, embedded below.

Apple Fitness+ bulks up activities for 2025

By

New Apple Fitness+ programming
Apple Fitness+ added a slew of new programming to keep you active and mindful in 2025.
Photo: Apple Fitness+

Apple’s subscription fitness service kicks off 2025 with its most extensive programming lineup yet, featuring new Apple Fitness+ workouts in strength training, pickleball conditioning and a collaboration with popular fitness app Strava.

“Fitness+ is designed to support everyone’s unique fitness and wellness journey,” said Jay Blahnik, Apple’s vice president of fitness technologies, in a press release Friday. “From workouts that can boost power and precision for pickleball, to breath meditations that help relieve stress, along with Artist Spotlight sessions featuring iconic hits and an exciting collaboration with Strava, Fitness+ has something to inspire, motivate and help everyone feel their best in 2025.”

Apple adds new warning labels to AirTag

By

How do I stop AirTag from making noise?
AirTag units now comply with the Reese's Law.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple silently changed the AirTag‘s retail box to comply with Reese’s Law’s warning label requirements.

The law requires devices with coin-cell batteries to show a warning label about keeping them out of reach of children.