Awesome Apple

Engineers from Apple Computer created an experimental robot that looks like a desk lamp but can interact with people and its environment in playful ways. Clearly inspired by Pixar’s classic Luxo Jr., the upgraded Anglepoise lamp uses AI tech to aim its beam at a subject and even nudge around small objects. Read the original research paper on Arxiv.

The latest addition to the Classicbot toy series is a collectible robot toy inspired by the Apple IIe computer. The 3.35″ tall figure has a monitor head, dual floppy drives, and detachable tank tracks and arms. Each toy will be handcrafted from resin, and pre-orders will get a limited-run joystick. Pre-orders start 9 am ET on 11.14.24, with shipments starting Q3 2025.

The latest version of the 14″ and 16″ MacBook Pros are powered by the new M4, M4 Pro, or M4 Max all-in-one chips. The Pro and Max variants get Thunderbolt 5 ports and start with 24GB and 36GB RAM, respectively. The fast performance is still paired with insane battery life – up to 24 hours of web browsing and video streaming.

The new version of Apple’s most affordable Mac measures only 5″x 5″ – less than half the size of its predecessor. It runs on the new M4 or M4 Pro chip and has a significantly improved cooling system. It has two USB-C ports, three Thunderbolt 4 ports (Thunderbolt 5 on the Pro), an HDMI port, and a 1GB or 10GB Ethernet port. The Pro packs up to 64GB of memory.

The latest 24″ Apple iMac’s speedy M4 processor brings Apple Intelligence to the thin and colorful all-in-one. AI highlights include a generative AI assistant for writing that works on practically any app with text content and a smarter Siri that can complete more tasks with even simpler commands. A new textured glass option ($200) reduces reflections and glare.

The original Apple Macintosh arrived before web browsers existed. That didn’t stop Hunter Irving from teaching the old Mac some new tricks. After picking up a 1986 Macintosh Plus, he helped create MacProxy Plus, an open-source app that lets vintage Macs browse the modern web. The clean black-and-white UI is a pleasantly minimalist way to surf the web.

The new iPhone Pro Max will have a bigger screen. But it must still fit in your pocket, so Apple has probably reached its limit. This ridiculously huge iPhone from DIY Perks and Mrwhosetheboss has an 88-inch OLED screen, a touchscreen overlay, an aluminum case and buttons, multiple cameras, a flash, and much more. Ironically, it runs on Android.

Ridge’s trademark thin wallets now have a MagSafe-compatible edition. It has built-in magnets that align perfectly with MagSafe-equipped iPhones and cases. Rocking an Android phone? Don’t worry. The wallet has a steel tray that lets you securely attach the wallet to any phone or case. It comes in carbon fiber, olive, navy, or gunmetal.

The BANG!CASE’s best feature is nearly upstaged by its outlandish visual flourish. It has a shortcut button similar to the iPhone 15 Pro’s Action button, except it also works with the iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max. It lets you have quick access to up to three shortcuts or iOS settings at once, thanks to its single-tap, double-tap, and long-press options.

We recently saw a 3D-printed Apple Macintosh that looks exactly like the original. Scott Yu-Jan created something with a similar aesthetic but with his own unique design. His Macintosh Studio is a custom dock for an iPad Mini that sits atop a Mac Studio. The finished unit looks like one of Hartmut Esslinger’s 1980s Apple computer designs.

It’s easy to find an original Apple Macintosh on eBay, but it’ll look used. Kevin Noki built a new replica of Apple’s 1984 computer from scratch. He started by measuring the case from a Macintosh Plus, modeling its parts, then outputting them on a 3D printer. Inside, it runs a Linux thin client running a modified version of the Mini vMac emulator.

Are skins or DIY paint jobs not good enough for your already pricey Apple Pencil? Well, the madmen at ColorWare would be all too happy to take your money. Their take on the obvious color scheme for the second-generation iPad stylus is, as expected, completely overkill in terms of both quality and price.

We’ve seen a bit of how Apple builds its Vision Pro headset; now we’ve got a detailed look at its insides thanks to iFixit. In this video, Lead Teardown Expert Sam Goldheart painstakingly disassembles the $3499 gadget, carefully prying off its glass front and removing countless screws, brackets, and cables. Check out more detailed photos in iFixit’s blog post.

Whether or not you think the spatial computing tech in the Apple Vision Pro headset will take off, it’s an impressive piece of hardware. Apple gives us a rare glimpse into the modern manufacturing techniques used in crafting the device, including custom-cut and bent glass, an engineered fabric band, and a precision-machined aluminum bezel.

The iPhone has lots of ringtones and alarm sounds to choose from, but the old iOS 7 opening ringtone is still the most memorable. Musician Tony Ann took that familiar tune and ran with it, transforming it into a lovely little ballad to play on the piano. The sheet music is available for purchase on Musicnotes. (Thanks, Rob!)

Most USB-C docks are pretty nondescript. But RayCue’s retro docks borrow their looks from the OG Apple Macintosh. The 128K Dock looks like a 1980s Mac, and packs USB-A, USB-C, HDMI, Ethernet, and headphone jacks. It’s also a Bluetooth speaker, a memory card reader, and a digital photo frame. The simpler Pocket dock looks like a tiny Mac keyboard.