Great balls of fire!

For years and years, my wife and I would schlepp the kids all the way across San Francisco to watch the annual Fourth of July fireworks at the city’s Aquatic Park, which sits on the edge of the bay.

And every year we’d vow never to return. You’ve never seen a more dismal and pointless fireworks display in your life.

Inevitably, the city’s famous fog would roll in (Mark Twain’s apocryphal coldest winter, etc.) and we’d be treated to displays of muted, multicolored fog. Freezing cold fog at that.

It’s a genuine head-scratcher why the city wastes money on this absurd ritual every year. Time after time, you can’t see a thing.

You get a much better display climbing Bernal Heights Hill, which affords a stunning panorama of the city below. From there, you can watch thousands of illegal fireworks being set off all over the neighborhoods below. The sight is reminiscent of the start of Blade Runner, but instead of a couple of refinery flares bursting into the sky, there are thousands, in every direction. It’s a spectacular sight.

Over the years, I’ve attempted to photograph it on my iPhone, thinking, “Wow, that shot’s going to be pretty great,” only to be confronted later with a blurry, out-of-focus mess.

You can actually get great fireworks photos with an iPhone, but doing so demands some equipment and a bit of prep. Here’s how to do it.

Also in today’s newsletter:

• Today’s also the best day of the year to send eye-catching, fireworks-infused text messages: It’s easy and fun.

• For the first time, Apple reportedly plans to match rival Android handsets with a big, beefy 5,000mAh battery in the iPhone 17 Pro Max. It’ll likely offer the longest battery life in an iPhone ever.

• If you have an hour to waste, check out the worst Apple podcast on the internet — The CultCast, hosted by yours truly. We’re trying out a new format — less news, more how-tos and reviews. We would love your feedback (and subscription)!

• I carry a multitip, magnetic keychain charger very similar to the one Cult of Mac Deals has on sale, and I highly recommend these types of gadgets. Mine’s super-easy to carry and has saved my bacon a few times. But this one’s way cooler than the one I have! It comes with an LCD screen, 100W PD charging capability, and even packs a bottle opener and a mini knife blade! And it’s only $20! What?!?

• This account of Steve Jobs’ trip to Russia made me LOL. It’s a tale of intrigue that ends on a very curious note.

• I goofed on yesterday’s poll about our favorite Apple Watch faces. I left out the Mickey Mouse face, which — based on the poll’s responses — might have been a firm favorite. The whole poll is goofy. How did one of my favorite faces end up being the least popular? Just shows: Never trust polls!

• I am trying out a new face based on a reader recommendation, though: Reflections. You’ll find some other good recommendations in the comments. See below.

Happy Fourth of July, everyone!

— 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

Wallpaper of the day

One more thing ...

Today’s poll

Results from yesterday’s poll: What's your favorite Apple Watch face?

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