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- Cans? We got cans!
Next to the cash register at almost every gas station and hardware store in America is a selection of mini flashlights and keychain tools. These gewgaws are catnip to folks like me.
Even though I’ve already own half-a-dozen miniature knives and pocket flashlights, I still find myself ogling them as I check out.
For some reason I don’t even fully understand myself, headphones have that same irresistible draw.
There’s something deeply alluring about headphones and earbuds. They scratch all my gadget itches.
I get a kick out of their design, the materials they are made from, the way they fold, and details like the buttons or a nice charging case. Best of all, they channel music — and there’s no greater love in my life than music.
If you’re the same, or are looking for a new pair to replace same aging cans, there’s a lot of new models on the market in 2025. Some have distinctive features, while others are best suited for particular task or environments.
Our resident headphones expert, David Snow, who has the ears of an audiophile but not the budget, has rounded up some of the best. I think it’s a really good roundup, and his selection includes a bunch of headphones and earbuds you may not be familiar with.
Also in today’s newsletter:
Well, this just about nails it. After months of rumors, a bona fide iPhone 17 has been spotted in the wild. It looks genuine, which isn’t good news for the poor Apple staffer holding it. See also the first X post below for an amusing reaction.
Apple is maintaining its lead in the U.S. smartphone market despite surging sales from Samsung.
If you missed it on Amazon Prime Day, Apple’s coolest smartwatch, the Ultra 2, is back down to just $649. And we have a great deal on a Find My-compatible wallet tacker for just $20.
Mick Herron, the author behind the smash hit Apple TV+ show Slow Horses, has a new mystery series coming. Titled Down Cemetery Road, it stars Emma Thompson as a British PI. Looks interesting.
It’s fascinating to read how decades-old Macs, like the Centris 660av, launched today in 1993, pioneered a lot of modern technology.
— Leander Kahney, EIC.
A message from the Cult of Mac Deals team
A message from the Cult of Mac Deals team
Tweets of the day
For we Govs considering an AppleCare One plan (US only! 😶🌫️), I crafted this handy deductible chart for us!
— Erfon Elijah (@erfon)
4:48 AM • Jul 29, 2025
macOS Tahoe Beta 1 → 4 icon changes
— Basic Apple Guy (@BasicAppleGuy)
2:12 PM • Jul 29, 2025
Wallpaper of the day
One more thing ...
If you just sit and observe, you will see how restless your mind is. If you try to calm it, it only makes it worse, but over time it does calm, and when it does, there's room to hear more subtle things - that's when your intuition starts to blossom and you start to see things more clearly and be in the present more. Your mind just slows down, and you see a tremendous expanse in the moment. You see so much more than you could see before. It's a discipline; you have to practice it.
Today’s poll
Are you also a headphones/earbuds fanatic? |
Results from yesterday’s poll: Do you use Camera Control? Do you like it?
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