The Weekender
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Best Mac apps 🏆

Best Mac apps 🏆

Stellar software for your main machine.

Lewis Wallace
May 04, 2024

In partnership with

Which Mac apps can you not live without? Obviously, that list will be different for everyone.

In this weekend’s featured story, our main how-to writer D. Griffin Jones reveals his must-have Mac apps.

How many of your faves made the cut? There’s only one way to find out.

Coincidentally, Cult of Mac Deals is running a sale on 16 productivity-boosting Mac apps. Check out the Big Mac Utility Bundle while it’s on sale for only $39.99 (regularly $221.83).

Also in this edition of The Weekender:

Apple’s “Let Loose” event will bring some pretty exciting iPad news, among other things. Here’s what to expect Tuesday.
On our weekly podcast, we made our Apple event predictions. And you can play along.
First the European Union came for the iPhone. Now the technocrats are coming for the iPad.
If your iPhone alarm isn’t going off, you’re not alone. It’s a maddening problem, but Apple’s working on a fix.
On the other hand, some people say they find an innocent iPhone alarm embedded in a popular song “triggering.”
iPads in fighter jet cockpits let Ukrainians unleash hell on Russian invaders.
Amazon’s latest sale offers amazing deals on Apple gear.

Enjoy your weekend!

— Lewis Wallace, managing editor

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Featured story

The 16 best Mac apps for all kinds of work and play

These are the best Mac apps that’ll help you through all kinds of work — with a few must-have utilities that everyone can make use of.

News

Why every Apple fan should get excited about ‘Let Loose’ event

Gorgeous tablets are expected at Apple's May 7 "Let Loose" product event, but there could also be big news for those who don't use an iPad.

We 'Let Loose' our Apple event predictions [The CultCast]

Your friendly Apple podcast hosts engage in some genuine guesswork. With our "Let Loose" event predictions on the record, who will win?

Plus, more Apple rumors:

Apple believes in 'transformative power and promise of AI'

Get insights into Apple's commitment to artificial intelligence from CEO Tim Cook. Learn about the unique advantages of AI on iPhone, Mac and iPad.

EU labeling iPad a 'gatekeeper' will bring major changes to iPadOS

iPad pops up on the European Union's list of "gatekeeper" platforms, which will force Apple to allow sideloading of apps and more.

From slump to pump: How Apple will get back to winning

Apple saw total revenue drop 4% year over year at the start of 2024. But there's good news from Mac, China and Vision Pro. Plus hints of AI.

Not just you: iPhone wake-up alarms are failing to go off

Apple tries to come up with a fix for the iPhone alarm fail that's causing chaos for some users.

iPad lets Ukraine fly Soviet-era planes into combat

Ukrainian pilots use iPads in the cockpit to control a variety of Western missiles and precision-guided bombs against Russian targets.

iPhone alarm on ‘Challengers’ soundtrack drives people nuts

Reviews for tennis-love-triangle flick "Challengers" are positive, except for an incredibly annoying iPhone alarm left on the soundtrack.

New Apple ad promises iPhone 15 can find your Mandalorian friends

"This is the Way," says Apple with its new "Find Your Friends" ad. The new video reunites Mandalorians at a raucous "Star Wars" convention.

How-tos

How to make a custom ringtone on your iPhone

If you don’t keep your phone on silent, you may as well create a fun, custom iPhone ringtone. You can use any YouTube video or MP3 file.

How to rename your Apple devices so you can tell them apart

You can change the name of your Apple devices, whether you have an iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Mac or AirPods.

Use your iPhone to find and change passwords that hackers stole

World Password Day is a good opportunity to change passwords that hackers stole because of some company's lax security.

Deals

Get 16 productivity-enhancing Mac apps for just $39.99

This set of 16 Mac productivity apps includes software to reveal hidden files, troubleshoot Wi-Fi, stop background apps and more.

Plus, more deals on software and services:

Amazon matches record-low prices on coveted Apple gear

Save on AirPods Pro 2, Apple Pencil 2, Studio Display, Apple Watch and more.

This night light iPhone charger brings the chill vibes

This wireless iPhone charger comes with unexpected chill vibes. Get a 15W night light charging station for just $39.99 (regularly $99).

AI summaries of YouTube videos and podcasts will save you tons of time

Use TubeOnAI to automatically generate summaries of YouTube videos and podcasts so you can save time and skip the boring stuff.

Plus, more AI-powered deals:

Control your air conditioner with your iPhone and this smart thermostat

The Klima smart thermostat for mini splits also controls window AC units, ceiling cassettes, portable air conditioners and heat pumps.

Reviews and recommendations

Hate earbuds? Edifier’s new sport headphones are for you. [Review] ★★★½☆

The new Edifier Comfo Run sports headphones didn't suit our reviewer, but they're good for runners and folks who hate stuff in their ears.

iPhone charger with built-in battery pack looks totally sci-fi

This unique MagSafe battery pack stand ensures you always have an iPhone battery pack charged and ready to go.

Setups

Powerful MacBook Pro plays nice with PC

A 4K external display's built-in KVM switch helps this user's MacBook Pro and PC setup work seamlessly without no fuss or muss.

Not all monitor light bars are created equal

If you think any cheap monitor light will do, think again. This setup uses one of the good ones -- the BenQ ScreenBar monitor light.

Killer dock keeps MacBook Pro and PC in play

In this setup, a YouTuber connects laptops and peripherals through a formidable Orico 15-1 Thunderbolt 3 USB-C Docking Station.