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Weird AirPods Pro 3 glitch proves unbearable at 30,000 feet

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A photo illustration of AirPods Pro 3 floating in the air with a bright light emanating from behind them, over rugged mountains with an airplane wing in the background
AirPods Pro 3 might have an altitude problem.
Photo illustration Cult of Mac

Imagine being on a long plane flight and one of your new AirPods Pro 3 earbuds keeps whistling in your ear. Infuriating, eh? That’s what some users of Apple’s latest wireless earbuds say happens while flying.

It certainly doesn’t happen to every user. But there’s no easy solution for those experiencing the problem. Still, there are a few things you’ll need to be ready in case you’re unlucky.

Ugreen MagFlow Qi2.2 charger tops up iPhone, AirPods and Apple Watch fast [Review] ★★★★☆

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Ugreen MagFlow 3-in-1 Magnetic Wireless Charger review★★★★☆
When not unfolded for use like this, the charger folds flat.
Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac

In the evolving landscape of wireless charging, Ugreen has positioned itself at the forefront with the MagFlow 3-in-1 Magnetic Wireless Charger — one of the first products to receive official Qi2.2 certification from the Wireless Power Consortium. With that boost from 15 watts (Qi2) to 25W (Qi2.2) for late-model iPhones, it’s great — but not without some minor problems.

Next-gen AirPods Pro to pack H3 chip, AI tricks, new health sensors

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Next-gen AirPods Pro to pack H3 chip
Rumors swirl about AirPods Pro 4 and AirPods 5.
Photo: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

Apple is already working on future generations of its AirPods lineup despite only recently releasing the AirPods Pro 3, according to a new report. The company focuses development efforts on transforming its popular earbuds into AI-powered devices with enhanced health tracking capabilities.

These amazing Amazon Prime sales on Apple gear refuse to die [Updated]

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Apple deals Prime Big Deal Days 2025: Still Going!
You haven’t missed your chance at great deals on Mac, iPad and more!
Photo: ChatGPT/Cult of Mac

Shockingly, many of the amazing discounts on Apple gear that we saw during Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days remain available for anyone who blinked and missed them. Some disappeared, but some actually got better!

We double-checked the deals early Thursday. Below, you can see all the best Prime Big Deal Days sales still going on Apple gear, from AirPods to iPads to MacBooks to the Studio Display. And that includes Apple audio subsidiary Beats, too.

Be aware that Amazon’s pricing often changes, and we have no idea how long any of these amazing Apple deals will last.

Live Translation with AirPods: A hands-on test

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Two people, one wearing AirPods, smiling at each other, with an image of AirPods in the middle
AirPods can now connect you to talk to people who speak other languages.
Image: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

I put AirPods’ new Live Translation feature to the test and came away impressed with the results. 

I tested the feature with the help of Niléane, a native French speaker and fellow tech blogger. While we hit a few stumbling blocks in our conversation, we were able to have a perfectly good chat for a solid 10 minutes.

I cut it down to a seven-minute video, where you can see it for yourself. Keep reading for my full thoughts and analysis of the fantastic new feature. 

Why AirPods Pro 3 are my new favorite headphones [Review] ★★★★★

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AirPods Pro 3 and their charging case on a silver aluminum background★★★★★
They look familiar at first glance.
Photo: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

In testing the latest AirPods Pro 3 for this review, I found Apple’s high-end earbuds deliver remarkable audio quality and practically unbelievable active noise cancellation. Add to that a heart rate monitor that’s on par with the Apple Watch’s sensor, and Apple has made the best earbuds around even better.

The biggest upgrade is the AirPods Pro 3’s new foam-infused ear tips. They help increase the earbuds’ noise cancellation to uncanny levels. Plus, somehow, the audio quality sounds punchier than ever. I get better sound out of Apple’s tiny earbuds than from some over-ear headphones.

Here’s how the AirPods Pro 3 stack up to their predecessors.

Price drop: Get refurbished first-gen AirPods Pro for just $89.99

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A woman places a refurbished first-gen AirPods Pro earbud in her ear.
Save on Apple's original noise-canceling earbuds.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Want noise-canceling Apple earbuds for less? Hop on this deal to snag a pair of refurbished first-gen AirPods Pro for just $89.99.

No, they don’t come with all the advanced features of second- and third-gen AirPods Pros. But they deliver quality audio and active noise cancellation at a price that even Amazon can’t beat.

How to use AirPods as an iPhone camera control

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AirPods camera control
Your AirPods can act as a camera control to take group shots with you in them.
Image: Apple/Belle Co/Pexels

AirPods have a new trick that lets them work as a camera remote. Simply pressing the earbuds’ stem can control your iPhone’s Camera app and snap a picture. This proves helpful when you want to set your iPhone to take a large group photo with you in it.

However, the feature is off by default. You need to activate it. Here’s what to do.

AirPods Pro 3 review roundup: A ‘no-brainer upgrade’

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AirPods Pro 3 in use
Reviewers love AirPods Pro 3.
Photo: Apple

Early reviews of AirPods Pro 3 are out, and wow, are they positive. Engadget calls Apple’s latest a “comprehensive update to its best set of earbuds.” Cnet‘s headline perhaps said it best: “Big improvements, same price, no compromises.”

After poring over AirPods Pro 3 reviews from a wide variety of sources, it’s hard to find a negative comment anywhere.

With AirPods Pro 3 incoming, it’s a great time to sell your old AirPods

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Photo of AirPods with case on a blue background, for a sell your AirPods offer
Hardly anybody buys old AirPods, but we do!
Photo: John M. Smit/Unsplash License

With AirPods Pro 3 coming September 19, it’s time to sell your old AirPods for quick upgrade cash. The bad news is that Apple doesn’t let you trade in old AirPods, and neither will most other buyback services.

However, Cult of Mac offers good money for your old AirPods, making your next upgrade more affordable. We won’t leave you waiting weeks for your e-check if you sell us your old AirPods, AirPods Pro or AirPods Max to our buyback program. And we promise that none of the tech we receive will end up in a landfill.

So, what are you waiting for? Lock in a 30-day guaranteed quote in seconds, with no haggling or hassles. It’s the easy way to sell your old AirPods.

Ugreen MagFlow Qi2.2 power bank juices up iPhone fast [Review] ★★★★★

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Ugreen MagFlow power bank review★★★★★
The battery display, built-in USB-C cable/strap and additional USB-C port all come in handy.
Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac

Finding a reliable power bank that actually delivers on its promises isn’t always easy. For this Ugreen MagFlow power bank review, I put the potent, 10,000mAh Qi2.2 power bank through about two weeks of real-world testing with my iPhone and other devices. Whether you’re getting a new iPhone Series 17 model or not, this cutting-edge power bank could be a good choice.

Odd restriction limits Apple’s Live Translation with AirPods in EU

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Live Translation with AirPods
Live Translation with AirPods seems great… where it’s available.
Photo: Apple

Apple’s new feature that lets AirPods act as language translators isn’t available for EU residents while they’re in Europe. What makes the restriction odd is that the feature can be used by EU residents outside of the European Union.

And Live Translation with AirPods can be used by those traveling to the European Union from the United States, the United Kingdom, etc.

Watch Apple’s ‘Awe Dropping’ keynote in 90 seconds

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90 Seconds.
Watch the event in just 2.1% of the time.
Image: Apple

Apple Awe Dropping Event: During Tuesday’s Awe Dropping event, Apple announced AirPods Pro 3, refreshed every model of Apple Watch and unveiled four all-new iPhones, including the first iPhone Air. It’s an impressive set of products in a pretty quick event.

But if you want to watch an even faster event, you can get the gist in 90 seconds with our Awe Dropping event video recap.

Today in Apple history: First AirPods revealed to the world

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Product photo of original AirPods outside their case to illustrate a
Remember when you used wireless headphones? Bet it's been a long time.
Photo: Apple

September 7: Today in Apple history: First AirPods revealed to the world September 7, 2016: Apple unveils the first-gen AirPods during a special event in San Francisco. The blindingly white wireless earbuds look undeniably strange at first glance, with their long, slender stems and a charging case that looks like a dental floss container.

However, after their December release, AirPods will quickly become the most popular earbuds in the world.

The remarkable demo of the first-gen AirPods comes exactly 11 years after Apple showcased its first phone, a doomed collaboration with Motorola called the Rokr E1.

How to charge AirPods with iPhone

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charge AirPods with iPhone
Your iPhone can charge your AirPods. It’s easy.
Image: ChatGPT/Cult of Mac

In a pinch, you can charge your AirPods with your iPhone. This feature is very convenient if you know how to use it.  You can also use your iPhone to charge your Apple Watch, or even another iPhone.
Here’s how to take advantage of this capability.

AirPods Pro 3 may drop this fall after all — despite 2026 rumors

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AirPods Pro 3 release date
Surprise! The AirPods Pro 3 release date could be mere weeks away.
Image: Apple/Cult of Mac

AirPods Pro 3 could reach customers this fall, according to a reliable source. Earlier rumors said Apple’s next-generation premium wireless earbuds might not be out until 2026.

Expect at least one new health-related feature in the new version.

Limited-time sale: Save on small-but-mighty Anker MagGo 3-in-1 travel charger

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save big on an Anker MagGo charger
Anker's little 3-in-1 charger folds up tiny to go.
Photo: Anker

How many times have you been out and about only to find your iPhone, Apple Watch or AirPods battery dead or running on empty right when you need it? That’s why Anker offered its MagGo 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Station. The tiny Anker travel charger folds up so you can forget about it in your bag or coat pocket until the need for charging arises.

And right now, you can get the snappy little charger for just $62.99. It’s on sale for a limited time at Amazon and direct from Anker.

Get cool new AirPods features early. Here’s how.

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AirPods firmware trick: Try new iOS 26 audio features now
You don’t have to wait. You can easily install pre-release AirPods firmware to try the audio features coming along with iOS 26.
Graphic: Soulful Pizza/Pexels/Cult of Mac

Apple now makes it easy to install prerelease AirPods firmware on your wireless earbuds. The company once reserved this option for only a select few developers. But now, anyone willing to put potentially buggy software on their AirPods can try upcoming features early.

The temptation is understandable. The upcoming iOS 26 brings a range of enhancements to Apple earbuds, but you need unreleased AirPods firmware to take advantage of them. Install the beta AirPods software, and you can try out improved audio recording, auto-pause when sleeping, and many other new features.

Feeling brave? Let’s go.

P.S. Not looking for the prerelease version? We also have a guide on how to install the regular non-beta AirPods software.

Find audio bliss with 2025’s best noise-canceling headphones

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Graphic to illustrate roundup of the best noise canceling headphones and earbuds.
When both silence and music are bliss, make sure you pick the ideal noise canceling headphones or earbuds.
Photo: Grok Aurora AI

Whether you’re navigating a noisy commute, seeking focus in a bustling office, trying to unwind during air travel or simply blissing out to your favorite tunes, the right pair of noise-canceling headphones can transform your audio experience. These sophisticated devices do more than just play music — they create a mobile personal sanctuary.

Active noise cancellation (ANC) technology has evolved dramatically in recent years, with options ranging from premium over-ear headphones to compact wireless earbuds. The best models excel not just at blocking out unwanted noise, but also deliver exceptional sound quality, comfortable fit and long battery life.

Our comprehensive guide discusses key factors like a model’s noise-reduction capabilities, audio performance, comfort during extended wear and additional features that enhance the user experience. Find help navigating the options to find your perfect audio companion below.

Up to half off: Prime Day bargains on multi-device MagSafe chargers

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Prime Day MagSafe charger deals
This 3-in-1 MagSafe charging pad from Belkin is 43% off for Prime Day.
Photo: Belkin

There’s still plenty of time left in Amazon Prime Day this week to snag deals on multi-device MagSafe chargers from Belkin and other makers. So if you want, say, Belkin’s MagSafe 3-in-1 Fast Wireless Charging Pad for nearly half off — or other good deals on chargers for iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods from various companies — see the Amazon links below. And note that Prime Day prices may fluctuate.

AirPods hit all-time low prices in Amazon Prime Day sale

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Score big discounts on AirPods for Amazon Prime Day 2025.
Now's the time to buy the AirPods you always wanted.
Photo: Apple/Cult Of Mac

PrimOn the fence about buying a pair of AirPods for your iPhone or Mac? Amazon Prime Day sales are the best time to buy Apple’s wireless earbuds, with prices dropping to record lows.

Amazon already frequently discounts AirPods. But for its flagship sale event for the year, it dropped them to new lifetime low prices.

This is how Apple torture tests its devices

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It only took roughly 6-foot drops and a bit higher to badly crack iPhone 15 Pro's front and back.
Before they ship, Apple products survive tough durability tests.
Photo: AppleTrack

Despite their sleek designs, Apple products boast impressive durability. And now, for the first time, the company has provided a look into one of its 200 durability labs, where it rigorously torture tests its products.

Apple conducts several types of trials on its devices, including environmental, liquid, drop and vibration stress tests.

How iOS 26 will upgrade your AirPods experience

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AirPods 4 are coming in 2024
iOS 26 will supercharge your AirPods experience.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

iOS 26 will not just make your iPhone better. It will also add several new features to AirPods, improving the already excellent experience of using Apple’s super-popular earbuds.

The changes will further deepen the AirPods integration with the iPhone. Find out all the ways iOS 26 will improve your AirPods experience.

Wait for AirPods Pro 3 likely stretches into 2026

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AirPods Pro 3 release date
The AirPods Pro 3 release date is apparently still months down the road.
Image: Apple/Cult of Mac

Two reliable analysts recently predicted that the AirPods Pro 3 release date won’t come before the end of 2025.

Apple is reportedly loading the next generation of its high-end wireless earbuds up with new features, and that’s apparently taking some extra time. All the way to 2026.

Samsung buys legendary audio brands, cranking up battle with Apple

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Samsung purchases legendary audio brands
Did Samsung just stack the odds in a war with Apple for audio supremacy?
Photo: Pixlr AI

In a big move reshaping the premium audio landscape, Samsung subsidiary Harman International acquired Masimo Corporation’s Sound United consumer audio business for $350 million in cash, the companies said this week — including some of the industry’s most storied brands.

The deal brings renowned audio brands like Bowers & Wilkins, Denon, Marantz and Polk Audio under Samsung’s expanding audio empire — potentially creating new challenges for Apple in both the consumer audio, automotive and smart home markets.

And the seller happens to be Apple legal rival Masimo, whose lawsuit against the iPhone giant put a stop to blood oxygen sensing in Apple Watch. Ouch.