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David Snow

Digitize documents and images with the best scanners for Mac

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Best scanners for Mac - Fujitsu ScanSnap iX1600
A great all-around scanner for Mac is Fujitsu's flagship model, ScanSnap iX1600.
Photo: Cult of Mac/Fujitsu

In an increasingly digital world, scanners remain crucial tools for digitizing hard-copy documents, receipts, photos and more. For Mac users, whether at home or on the go, finding the best scanners for Mac can really boost your productivity.

Choosing the best scanner for Mac depends on your specific needs and budget. Whether you need a portable scanner for use anywhere, a high-speed scanner for tons of documents or a versatile scanner for various document types like receipts and ID cards, there’s one out there for you.

These days, most scanners are compatible with Mac and Windows, as are all of our choices below. This guide focuses on helping you find the best scanner for your Mac, considering factors like resolution, speed, cost and additional features.

iPhone 18 lineup could get 24MP selfie camera

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24MP selfie camera
Your selfies are about to get better.
Photo: Apple

Apple’s 2026 iPhone 18 lineup appears set to receive a significant camera upgrade, with all models including the first foldable iPhone expected to feature 24-megapixel front-facing cameras, according to a new report. The rumor of a better selfie camera came up with the iPhone 17 lineup, too, but didn’t materialize.

Bummer: Apple (mostly) decreases trade-in values across products

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Apple decreases trade-in values
You might get a little less for your older iPhone than you would have last week.
Photo: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac

Apple updated its device trade-in values Thursday, marking a significant shift in what consumers can expect when exchanging older devices for credit toward new purchases. The changes affect iPhones, iPads, Macs and Apple Watches, with the majority of products seeing reduced valuations compared to previous rates.

Check out the new rates below. Luckily, many of the decreases are minimal. 

Take great surround sound on the go with Treblab’s killer speaker [Review] ★★★★☆

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Treblab HD-360 Pro speaker review★★★★☆
With 360-degree surround sound, Treblab's HD-360 Pro wireless speaker sounds great indoors or out.
Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac

After spending quality time with the Treblab HD-360 Pro, I’ve come to appreciate what this Bluetooth speaker represents: excellent audio that’s good enough for home use but just happens to be wireless for portability — unlike Apple’s excellent-but-limited HomePod 2.

In a market saturated with speakers that promise much but deliver mediocrity, HD-360 Pro stands out by focusing on what matters most — genuine audio quality backed by serious hardware. And at roughly half the price of great home speakers like HomePod 2 but with the option of portability, it’s worth considering, depending on what you want in a speaker. 

Vince Gilligan’s darkly comical new Apple TV drama Pluribus streams Friday

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Pluribus season 1
Pluribus debuts November 7 on Apple TV.
Photo: Apple TV

How would it feel to be the last unhappy person on Earth, and the world’s resources are trained on making you happy? You can get progressively bigger tastes of such a world through trailers, below — or you can start tuning in Friday when Apple TV streams Pluribus, from Breaking Bad and X-Files creator Vince Gilligan,

As I said when the official trailer dropped, for my money, the rampant happiness the world’s population apparently feels — aside from the story’s main character — is actually some sort of contagion with dire consequences. And she has immunity. 

Reviews so far are positive. The Guardian calls the “audacity” of the “intrepid” and “blackly comic” show “incredible,” while also revealing a cause of the worldwide happiness that jibes with my theory above. Variety says Rhea Seehorn is “magnificent” on the show. The BBC describes it as “George Orwell meets Invasion of the Body Snatchers.” And lots of reviews invoke Gilligan’s X-Files while some prefer references to The Twilight Zone

New deal knocks $100 off Apple Watch Ultra 3

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Marketing image of Apple Watch Ultra 3 used to illustrate a deal on the wearable
This is your first chance to save big on Apple Watch Ultra 3.
Photo: Apple

The first big sale on the Apple Watch Ultra 3 slashes the price of the rugged smartwatch to just $699.99

Apple unveiled the Ultra 3, which retails for $799, last September during its Awe Dropping event. This deal marks the lowest price we’ve seen yet on Apple’s high-end wearable aimed at extreme athletes (and people who just like its rugged looks and long battery life).

Next iPhone Air could fix its camera problem

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iPhone Air wide-angle camera
This mockup shows what the dual-camera system might look like.
Photo: Digital Chat Station via Weibo

Apple might address one of the biggest criticisms of its ultra-thin iPhone Air by adding a second camera to the next-generation model, according to a new leak Thursday from a reliable source with knowledge of the company’s supply chain. Unfortunately, it looks like the new addition to the iPhone Air will be a wide-angle camera, not the popular telephoto found in iPhone Pro models.

However, if the dual-camera system materializes, it would make the iPhone Air a more compelling option for users seeking an ultra-thin device without sacrificing essential photography features.

How a battle for your dashboard threatens CarPlay’s future

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CarPlay's future
Nice CarPlay updates in iOS 26 aside, the system's future faces big challenges.
Photo: Apple

For millions of iPhone users, Apple’s CarPlay marries basic transportation with a satisfying technology experience for navigation, entertainment and more.

But an expert’s new report points to troubling reasons why CarPlay’s days may be numbered, thanks to a growing automotive industry profit motive. Yes, of course, it’s all about money. 

Sleek Nomad Stand One chargers for iPhone and more just got a lot faster

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Nomad Stand One Qi2.2 chargers
The Nomad Stand One Max is a 3-in-1, powering up Apple Watch in addition to iPhone and AirPods.
Photo: Nomad

Nomad launched updated versions of its Stand One and Stand One Max wireless chargers Tuesday, bringing support for the new Qi2.2 standard. It enables 25W fast charging for compatible iPhones. The upgrade matches the charging speeds of Apple’s latest MagSafe chargers and represents a significant improvement over the 15W charging supported by previous Qi2 models.

Apple’s upcoming budget laptop has PC makers ‘freaking out’

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Apple developing low-cost laptop
A new budget MacBook might not look much different from this M1 MacBook Air. And the new Mac's iPhone processor may outperform the M1 chip.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Apple is working on its first low-cost laptop, a strategic departure from its traditional premium approach that could shake up the education and entry-level PC markets, according to a new report. And some responses on social media suggest the PC industry is, indeed, “freaking out” over it.

WhatsApp finally brings messages, voice notes and calls to Apple Watch

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Whatsapp for Apple Watch
A dedicated WhatsApp for Apple Watch is finally here.
Photo: Meta

A decade after Apple Watch launched, WhatsApp finally launched a dedicated app for the smartwatch Tuesday — ending years of frustration for users who could only respond to notifications from their wrist. The messaging service brings full chat functionality to your wrist with support for messages, voice notes and calls, Meta said. 

7 exciting features to expect from Siri’s 2026 AI upgrade

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Siri 2026 AI upgrade
Tim Cook confirmed AI-enhanced Siri should arrive in 2026. Here's a reminder of what that will mean.
AI image: ChatGPT/Cult of Mac

Apple’s long-delayed AI-powered Siri upgrade remains on track for a 2026 debut, CEO Tim Cook said Thursday. That offers some reassurance to users after multiple setbacks pushed the originally planned 2024 release back by more than a year.

So, what can we expect from a smarter Siri voice assistant when it finally arrives? 

3 reasons to watch Down Cemetery Road on Apple TV

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Down Cemetery Road review
New Apple TV thriller Down Cemetery Road is a compelling whodunnit (and who did what, exactly?).
Photo: Apple TV

New Apple TV crime thriller Down Cemetery Road, based on British author Mick Herron’s debut novel, might not always match the fast-and-dirty fun of Slow Horses, the hit stablemate also derived from Herron’s work.

However, it offers enough intrigue, stellar performances (especially from star Emma Thompson) and dark humor to deserve your attention. 

Here’s why you should stream the eight-episode conspiracy thriller.

EarFun’s top budget earbuds punch way above their weight [Review] ★★★★

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EarFun Air Pro 4 Plus with closed case★★★★
For under $100, EarFun Air Pro 4 Plus are killer.
Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac

The budget wireless earbuds market has become increasingly competitive, but this EarFun Air Pro 4 Plus earbuds review finds they manage to stand out with a compelling combination great sound, premium features and aggressively good value. Priced at $100 — with a launch discount coupon on Amazon bringing it down to about $80 —  these earbuds challenge what we’ve come to expect from the sub-$100 category. And they do so while going toe-to-toe with Apple’s $249 AirPods Pro 3.

10 best Halloween deals on Apple gear and accessories

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Halloween sale on Apple
You can get some scary-good deals on MacBooks, iPads, chargers and more.
AI image: ChatGPT/Cult of Mac

Halloween may not be as big a shopping event as Black Friday or Amazon Prime Day, but you can still scare up some spooktastic deals on Apple gear and accessories for various Apple devices. We hunted down 10 must-see bargains on MacBooks, iPads, AirTags, chargers, power stations, headphones and speakers. 

Mind behind Slow Horses brings thriller Down Cemetery Road [Now streaming!]

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Down Cemetery Road season 1
Watch the trailer below.
Photo: Apple TV+

As Slow Horses season 5 wraps up with its sixth episode Wednesday, Apple TV cues up a second thriller, Down Cemetery Road, in collaboration with novelist Mick Herron. You can watch its first trailer below, or jump right into the first two episodes. The new series stars Academy Award winner Emma Thompson and Golden Globe winner Ruth Wilson. It’s based on Herron’s “Zöe Boehm” book series.

Reviews of Down Cemetery Road so far seem thrilled with the show. “If you like Slow Horses, you’ll love conspiracy thriller Down Cemetery Road,” raves Time magazine. It “hits the sweet spot of thrills and odd-couple comedy,” adds AV Club. Critics call Thompson’s performance “magnificent” and “superb,” among other superlatives.

Wavlink Thunderbolt 5 dock blazes through data transfers and brings big laptop power [Review] ★★★★☆

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Wavlink Thunderbolt 5 dock★★★★☆
Wavlink Thunderbolt 5 dock
Photo:

The Wavlink Thunderbolt 5 Docking Station (WL-UTD58) heralds the company’s ambitious entry into next-generation connectivity. It offers users impressive charging power and access to remarkable data-transfer speeds in complex computer setups. I tried it in my dual 5K-display M4 MacBook Pro workstation — and found it excellent. Not perfect, but excellent. 

New deal slashes price on latest MacBook Air to lifetime low

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Photo of person playing a game on an M3 MacBook Air while wearing AirPods Max headphones, used to illustrate a post on MacBook Air deal options.
Get a sleek and speedy MacBook Air while its on sale!
Photo: Apple

The M4 MacBook Air is the best mobile computer for most people, and a sweet new deal drops both the 13-inch and 15-inch models to new lifetime low prices. You can snag the 13-incher for just $799.99 or the 15-incher for just $999.99

Both deals slash $200 off — a wickedly good price for a beautiful and powerful Apple laptop.

iPhone 20 could make buttons a thing of the past

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AI image of a smartphone with a finger pressing it, used to illustrate a story about how iPhone 20 might replace buttons with haptics
The world might be ready for a buttonless iPhone.
AI image: ChatGPT/Cult of Mac

After years of speculation and false starts, Apple’s ambitious plan to eliminate mechanical buttons from the iPhone may finally become reality in 2027 with the 20th anniversary handset, according to a new report Tuesday. This may be a bit of an adjustment for button lovers, but haptics have their benefits. 

AI jokers take Vision Pro’s new headband to wild extremes

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AI-generated image of a samurai armored warrior in the style of an Apple Vision Pro strap
This goes way beyond a headset strap.
AI image: @jmdagdelen/X.com

The internet is going crazy over the Apple Vision Pro’s new Dual Knit Band, with AI users creating increasingly fantastical mutant versions of the distinctive-looking strap.

The craze started with people turning the white knit headband into a head-covering hat, but kicked into overdrive after X.com user John Dagdelen posted an image Sunday of a samurai warrior dressed head-to-toe in Vision Pro-inspired armor.

“We are not thinking big enough,” Dagdelen said in his X.com post. Dagdelen, founder of the Fluid operating system for VR headsets, who said he used ChatGPT to create the Vision Pro samurai image.

His AI creation clearly inspired others to think bigger … or at least weirder.

A wild array of AI creations followed, including some that animated Dagdelen’s samurai. The jokesters envisioned all sorts of bizarre designs and uses, from Star Wars characters to high-fashion gowns and handbags. There’s even an automotive design where the lenses make up a car’s front grill and headlights.

“There are some pretty creative ones,” Dagdelen told Cult of Mac.

EarFun Air Pro 4+ earbuds bring hi-res sound for under $100

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EarFun Air Pro 4+ earbuds
With dual drivers and Hi-Res Audio certification, you can count on good sound.
Photo: EarFun

New EarFun Air Pro 4+ noise-canceling earbuds are the world’s first Hi-Res certified dual-driver wireless buds with adaptive noise cancellation under $100, EarFun said Monday. So they offer Apple users a potentially compelling alternative to AirPods Pro at less than half the price.

And a launch discount makes the price even harder to resist. See below. 

Ben Stiller’s touching new documentary tells his famous parents’ tale

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Stiller & Meara: Nothing Is Lost documentary
Anne Meara Stiller, Jerry Stiller, Ben Stiller and Amy Stiller back in the day.
Photo: Apple TV

Ben Stiller, a driving force behind Apple TV hit workplace psychodrama Severance, now turns to a much more personal subject as a director: his famous comedian parents. His new documentary, Stiller & Meara: Nothing Is Lost, begins streaming Friday on Apple TV. And it looks like it might prompt laughs as well as tears.

Don’t call it boring. M5 MacBook Pro gets a lot right. [Review] ★★★★

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M5 MacBook Pro review★★★★
It's a lot like M4 MacBook Pro -- but under-the-hood upgrades make it much better.
Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac

After spending some time with Apple’s new base-model 14-inch M5 MacBook Pro, I’ve come to a clear conclusion: It’s an excellent laptop that represents the absolute best iteration of a formula Apple perfected years ago. But whether you should buy one depends entirely on what you’re upgrading from and what you actually do with your computer.

Apple TV might try to buy massive Warner Bros. Discovery content library

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New Apple TV logo for 2025
Apple TV+ is now simply Apple TV with a more colorful logo.
Screenshot: Apple

It seems Apple might buy Warner Bros. Discovery, the media and entertainment company that owns HBO, CNN and other high-profile properties. Apple reportedly expressed interest in acquiring parts of the company, particularly its extensive film and television library, as the media giant explores a potential sale, according to a report Thursday.

Such a deal would be a massive boost for Apple TV, adding depth to the streaming service’s catalog.

Idris Elba switches from plane to train in moody Hijack season 2 trailer

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Promo still shows Idris Elba aboard a train in
We can stop wondering -- Hijack season two is on!
Photo: Apple TV

Critically acclaimed thriller series Hijack returns to Apple TV for a second season on January 14, 2026, Apple said Tuesday as it released a moody teaser trailer for the show.

The second edge-of-your-seat hijacking once again puts Emmy-nominated actor Idris Elba at the center of the action. He sure gets into some trouble, doesn’t he?