Two new iPhone SE models for 2020? Photo: Sam Mills/Cult of Mac
If you’re going to become the proud owner of a brand new Apple device over the holidays, it’s time to start thinking about what you should do with your old ones. Don’t let them sit around, collecting dust.
Your old iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, or Mac could be worth a small fortune — and Cult of Mac wants to buy it! We typically pay more than other trade-in services, and we won’t leave you waiting ages for your cash.
Apple wants to bring its chip-designing skillset to modems. Photo: IFIXIT
Qualcomm and Intel could both soon lose out on Apple’s wireless chip business completely.
After switching from Qualcomm modems to Intel modems (and causing a huge legal war in the process), Apple is reportedly looking to build more wireless chips on its own. The company is staffing up in San Diego and based on one job listing, the team is working on a cellular modem chip.
Using the ECG on Apple Watch Series 4 is dead easy. Photo: Lewis Wallace/Cult of Mac
Ed Dentel has become the poster child for the new ECG function of the Apple Watch. He installed the recent update that allowed this wearable to check the electrical activity of his heart and it immediately told him he had a problem.
At first he thought the new technology was faulty. Instead, the fault was his heart.
Don’t leave your holiday shopping until the last minute. With Cult of Mac’s handy gift guides, you can find the perfect presents and get them all early for a stress-free December.
Our guides are filled with fantastic gadgets and accessories that Apple fans will love. We’ve handpicked only the best — things we’ve used, reviewed, and would recommend — so that you can be sure your money is being well spent.
This guide focuses on the Apple Watch owners in your life, and it features something to suit every budget.
The serenely subtle Breath app has a surprisingly deep history. Cover: Graham Bower/Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac
Take a deep breath and learn how to get the most out of your Apple Watch with a pair of handy how-tos. Every Apple Watch owner can take advantage of Apple’s stress-busting Breathe app. However, you’ll need a Series 4 (and this week’s watchOS update) to get in on the ECG action.
Get those how-tos and the week’s best Apple news and reviews — including an expose on Apple’s biologically bogus squid emoji — in your free issue of Cult of Mac Magazine. Download it now on iTunes. Or keep reading for the week’s best Apple news, reviews and how-tos. (Plus, enter to win a set of rugged iPhone XS Max cases.)
The CEO behind this medication-tracking app joined Apple. Photo: Mango Health
Apple has made another high-profile hire that could help the company gain a stronger foothold in the healthcare space.
Former Mango Health CEO Jason Oberfest left his highly-regarded startup last month. At the time, Mango Health only named a replacement but didn’t say where Oberfest was headed to. Now we have news that he has joined Apple as a member of its health team.
Apple's health-tracking features have been a game changer. Photo: Lewis Wallace/Cult of Mac
watchOS 5.1.2 launched to the public this morning and finally activated the ECG feature on Apple Watch Series 4.
For now, the ECG app can only be used in the US and US territories, but it gives wearers the ability to take an electrocardiogram to see whether your heart rhythm shows signs of atrial fibrillation. Using the ECG only takes about 30 seconds and it could save your life.
Michael shares his story of how Apple Watch saved his life. Photo: Apple
Apple shared two videos on YouTube this morning highlighting the life-saving power of the Apple Watch and its heart rate sensor. In one of the videos, numerous Apple Watch owners share their stories of how Apple Watch alerted them to a serious heart condition.
The videos come on the same day that Apple’s ECG feature on Apple Watch Series 4 was finally made available to the public. Tim Cook said in an interview today that improving people’s health will be Apple’s greatest contribution to mankind. After watching the two new videos, it’s easy to see that he’s probably right.
The long-awaited ECG app is almost available on Apple Watch Series 4 (if you live in the U.S.) with watchOS 5.1.2.
It is the first wearable of its kind to offer this functionality, which promises to help uses detect atrial fibrillation — the most common form or irregular rhythm. Irregular heart rhythm notifications have also landed on Series 1 devices and later.
Chill out with the Apple Watch Breathe app. Photo: Graham Bower/Cult of Mac
In today’s fast-paced, connected world, the demands on our time seem endless. We spend much of our day in a state of constant hyperactivity. Apple Watch and iPhone add to the pressure, with their endless notifications telling us what we should be doing, who we should be speaking to and where we should be going.
Fortunately, Apple also offers an oasis of calm that can help us slow down this frenetic pace. The Apple Watch Breathe app draws on the ancient wisdom of Buddhist monks and yogis who practice a technique called “resonant breathing.”
Luckily, you don’t need to be a master of meditation to use the Breathe app that comes built into your Apple Watch. With clever visuals and smart features, it will guide you through this time-honored method for relaxing your body and clearing your mind. It’s a surprisingly subtle and relaxing experience that you might really enjoy.
In this quick guide, we’ll take a look at the origins of the Breathe app, how it works, what the benefits of resonant breathing are, and how to take advantage of this calming tech. So take a deep breath and let’s get started.
Ear-worn devices like these AirPods could become the most-used type of wearable. Photo: Ste Smith/ Cult of Mac
Smart watches are currently the most popular form of wearable, but ear-worn devices are expected to replace them in the coming years. The changeover will take place as AirPods and similar products gain additional features that people now get from Apple Watch and iPhone.
In less than five years, so-called “hearables” could outsell every other type of wearable by a wide margin.
Not impressed by the ECG? You’ll have more time to return your Watch. Photo: Apple
Apple Watch buyers will be granted an extended return period if they decide to return their wearable for reasons related to upcoming heart health features.
Apple usually gives shoppers 14 days to return a purchase, but an internal document reveals that some will have up to 45 days to return a Watch — as long as it’s for the right reasons.
No need for a tangle of cables on your desk with this 3-in-1 wireless charging hub. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
As the tech stacks up – smartphone, earbuds, smartwatch – the desk gets more cluttered with chargers. So it’s nice to know that you can cut the cables for all your charging needs with one sleek dock.
Apple’s new silicone cases for iPhone XS and XS Max. Photo: Apple
Apple has quietly added some new iPhone XS cases and Apple Watch bands to its Online Store.
Its silicone cases and sport bands now come in hibiscus, mellow yellow, and pacific green. Apple has also added the celestial teal, olive flak, and smokey mauve Nike Sport bands that were made available through nike.com earlier this month.
Partnered with the Apple Watch, Strapley is a product of elegant, rustic simplicity. Photo: Kristal Chan/Cult of Mac
Sourcing the best Apple Watch bands and accessories for Cult of Mac readers is a huge priority for our Watch Store. We hit the mark with Strapley’s distressed-leather bands for Apple Watch, available at our Watch Store just in time for the holidays!
These stunning bands are crafted in-house and look like no other Apple Watch band on the market. Equally elegant and rustic, they’re versatile enough to elevate your Apple Watch. Don’t believe us? Check out our unboxing video:
Apple Watch Series 4’s biggest feature is finally on the way.
The new ECG app that allows users to monitor their heart rhythm will be introduced with the next watchOS 5.2.1 update, which is now in beta testing. You won’t see it outside the U.S., however.
Save 20-50% off Apple Watch bands and accessories in our big Black Friday sale. Photo: Cult of Mac
Once the friends and family have polished off the leftover turkey, it’s time for the fun part of Thanksgiving weekend — shopping and saving money. The Cult of Mac Watch Store has you covered through Cyber Monday with up to 50 percent off your favorite Apple Watch bands, chargers and accessories.
You’ll find deep discounts on some of our most popular brands for Apple Watch accessories, including E3 Supply, Ottm, Rilee & Lo and Survival Straps (just to name a few). The sale ends Monday at midnight Pacific, so take advantage of these limited-time discounts while they last.
What are you waiting for? Time to jump in! Cover: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac
A trip to the pool — with your Apple Watch on your wrist — is the perfect way to burn off those Thanksgiving carbs. Our quick guide to swimming with Apple Watch will give you key pointers to maximize your watery workout.
If you’re not into that, you’ll still find plenty of Apple news, how-tos and reviews in this week’s issue of Cult of Mac Magazine. Grab your free subscription on iTunes now. Or, if you like, read on for the week’s best posts — plus your last chance to win an iPhone XR!
Start your shopping right here! Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac
If there’s one thing we can all agree on, it’s that buying for other people is a pain. If they haven’t told you exactly what they want for the holidays, where do you even start? What if you end up getting a gift that they hate?
But it doesn’t have to be difficult. Cult of Mac’s handy gift guides will help you find the perfect present for the Apple fan in your life. We’ve hand-picked the best gadgets and accessories for lovers of the iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and Mac.
What’s more, everything we’ve selected can be purchased online, so you don’t even have to leave the house to get your shopping done.
Apple Watch Series 4 loves getting wet. Photo: Graham Bower/Cult of Mac
While many of us learn to swim at school, plenty of people never return to the pool as an adult. If that sounds familiar, but your shiny new Apple Watch Series 4 is tempting you to dip your toe in the water again, this guide to swimming with Apple Watch is for you.
We’ll take a look at what equipment you’ll need, how to use your watch for swimming, how to structure your workouts for maximum fitness gains, and how to track your progress in Apple’s Activity app.
Let’s dive in and start swimming with Apple Watch.
Your Apple Watch could warn you to get out of the Sun. Photo: Skitterphoto/Pexels
A future version of the Apple Watch could monitor how much ultraviolet radiation the user is being exposed to, and alert the wearer if they’ve been in the Sun for too long.
According to the World Health Organization, “Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is a known cause of skin cancer, skin ageing, eye damage, and may affect the immune system.”
Deezer hopes to offer the best wrist-based music experience yet. Photo: Deezer
Following on from Spotify’s Apple Watch debut, rival streaming music company Deezer has given its Apple Watch app a major version 2.0 overhaul.
The upgrade includes brand new features such as direct access to recently played tracks, favorites, and Deezer’s “Flow” personal music discovery system.
Bag an Apple Watch for under $185 today only. Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac
Retailers are offering big discounts on the Apple Watch for Black Friday, and you can fund your upgrade by selling your old model to Cult of Mac. The whole process is quick and easy, and we typically pay more than other buyback services like GameStop and Gazelle.
Find out how much your Apple Watch is really worth today!