Google, Meta, Qualcomm, Nothing, Lenovo, Opera and several other tech companies have announced a collaborative effort to push for "open digital ecosystems" in what appears to be a pointed move against Apple (via Reuters). The group, calling itself the Coalition for Open Digital Ecosystems (CODE), seeks to encourage more open platforms and systems in Europe. Other members include Motorola, Chinese smartphone brand Honor, French augmented reality start-up Lynx, and German messaging service provider Wire. Apple is noticeably absent from the organization's members. CODE's formation comes in response to new EU rules such as the Digital Markets Act (DMA), which designates major tech companies as "gatekeepers" and compels them to open up their various services and platforms to other companies and…

M2 Ultra Mac Studio and 49-inch Samsung G9 ultra-wide display form core of great videoconferencing workstation. (via Cult of Mac - Tech and culture through an Apple lens)

In today's striking Mac Studio rig with an odd couple of mismatched displays, the main debate concerned ... keyboards for iPad. (via Cult of Mac - Tech and culture through an Apple lens)

With today's Mac mini setup, people were most curious about the little things that might make their computer setup better (at low cost). (via Cult of Mac - Tech and culture through an Apple lens)

The latest Canalys data reveals that the worldwide PC market decline continued in Q2 2023, albeit at a slower rate than the prior tow quarters, with total shipments of desktops and notebooks down 11.5% year on year to 62.1 million units. Apple’s indomitable Mac outperformed the market with a 51% jump thanks to strong demand for its recently launched 15-inch MacBook Air, according to Canalys estimates. Only possible with Apple silicon, the 15-inch MacBook Air is the world’s best 15-inch laptop. It comes in four gorgeous finishes, including starlight, space gray, silver, and midnight. The worldwide PC market decline follows two consecutive quarters where shipments fell precipitously by over 30%. The second quarter volume represents a sequential increase in shipments…

Apple’s Mac shipments surged 10.3%, even as worldwide PC shipments declined 13.4% year over year during the second quarter of 2023 (2Q23), according to preliminary results from the International Data Corporation (IDC) Worldwide Quarterly Personal Computing Device Tracker. This was the sixth consecutive quarter of contraction brought on by macroeconomic headwinds, weak demand from both the consumer and commercial sectors, and a shift in IT budgets away from device purchases. The overall weak demand has caused inventory levels to remain above normal for longer than expected. This includes finished systems at the channel level, as well as the supply chain. So far, no PC maker has been immune to the challenges presented by the market. Except for Apple and HP,…