I finally got off the Siri AI waitlist, and boy, it’s a game changer.

Using the new smarter Siri will fundamental change how most people interact with their devices, no doubt about it.

It’s no longer the error-prone, mostly useless dumb assistant it used to be.

Instead, it’s become much smarter, mostly-reliable, and it’s plugged into a ton of personal data — emails, texts, photos and more.

It’s kinda strange to ask Siri a straightforward question about, say, my upcoming schedule, and get a good answer back! Or to ask it a vague question about an old Amazon order, and have it pull up the details — no problem.

And this is just ordinary, everyday stuff. I haven’t even scratched the surface of what it can now do.

The thing is, it’s taking me time to relearn how to do things in a new way — it’s a process!

Siri AI is not perfect, and it can be painfully slow, but it really is a much better way to interact with devices, and Apple knows it.

That’s why all of Apple’s products will be oriented around Siri AI, including the next refresh of the basic iPad. Here’s why the next model looks pretty great (but, ofc, there’s a catch!)

Also in today’s newsletter:

  • Uh oh. Apple’s ending support for the old HFS+ file format. Better check your old drives.

  • We all knew the Mac was cooking, but now it’s official.

  • 🔥 DEAL OF THE DAY: Wow, this seems really cheap for a power bank that doubles as a wall charger — just $16. It’s from a no-name brand, but the reviews are good. #affiliate

  • Pluribus I couldn’t get into, and Widow’s Bay was just OK, but both shows got a ton of Emmy award nominations — and Apple TV overall earned more noms than ever.

  • We got some good results from yesterday’s poll about your favorite Bluetooth speakers. I was surprised Beats didn’t get more love. I got a Kim Kardashian-themed Beats Pill last year, and it’s been great. (I’m no fan of Kim: It was on clearance!)

— Leander Kahney, EIC.

A message from the Cult of Mac Deals team

Cult of Mac’s buyback program

A message from Beehiiv

You’re gonna want to see this live

On July 16th at 1PM ET, beehiiv is unveiling the next chapter for audience-led businesses.

For years, creators and brands have been forced to stitch together bloated stacks of tools just to publish content, grow an audience, and make money online.

Newsletters in one platform. Websites in another. Podcasts somewhere else. Analytics scattered everywhere.

beehiiv thinks there’s a better way. Now, they’re ready to show it off at their Summer Release Event.

Tweets of the day

Wallpaper of the day

One more thing ...

You’ve got to be a really good talent scout because no matter how smart you are, you need a team of great people. You’ve got to figure out how to size people up fairly quickly, make decisions without knowing people too well.

— Steve Jobs, 2007.

Today’s poll

Results from yesterday’s poll:

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