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Anurag Chawake

Apple’s next Vision Pro reportedly on ‘life support’ amid design debate

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A photo showing the Apple Vision Pro used in a story about Apple working on four new Vision Pro concepts.
Apple is reportedly weighing four concepts for the next Vision Pro.
Photo: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac

The future of the Vision Pro headset is reportedly in flux. There’s no internal agreement on the design, and  the headset may never see the light of day.

That matters a lot. A lighter, more comfortable Vision Pro is what fans have wanted since launch. But Apple is said to be weighing four very different concepts, and a release isn’t guaranteed.

Apple reportedly puts its AI pendant on hold

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A picture showing Apple's AI pendant concept used in a story about the same.
The Apple AI pendant was expected to work as an always-on camera and microphone for Siri AI.
AI image: ChatGPT/Cult of Mac

Apple’s AI pendant just hit a wall. The company reportedly postponed development of the rumored wearable, betting on Apple Watch and AirPods to carry its AI ambitions instead.

The pause hints at a shift in Apple’s AI hardware. Apple Watch already handles many of the pendant’s core jobs, and other AI-powered wearables are already on the way.

1TB iPhone 18 Pro Max storage speed craters under sustained heavy workloads

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A picture of the iPhone 18 Pro Max used in a story about the device speed crawling under heavy workload.
iPhone 18 Pro Max storage speed drops sharply once its cache runs out, new testing shows.
Photo: Apple

iPhone 18 Pro Max storage speed can crawl to a near standstill when you push the 1TB model hard enough. New benchmark tests show the drive falling well below typical flagship speeds under extreme, sustained write loads.

The slowdown traces back to a storage swap Apple made to fit more gigabytes on the same chip in its most expensive models.

Apple Watch reboot problem hits Series 12 and Ultra 4 owners

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A photo of the Apple Watch used in a story about Series 12 and Ultra 4 reboot issue.
The Apple Watch Reboot issue is affecting Series 12 and Ultra 4 units.
Photo: Apple

A new Apple Watch reboot problem is affecting Series 12 and Ultra 4 owners just days after launch. These watches are restarting without any warning, and currently there’s no way to fix it.

Update: There’s a fix! watchOS 27.0.1 is out to deal with this specific problem. Read more about it: Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 get emergency fix for reboot problem

The reports span multiple online forums and communities, with several users posting matching crash logs. The consistency suggests it could be a hardware or software issue rather than just a handful of unlucky units.

So if your Apple Watch keeps rebooting, it’s not just you.

Apple’s new Texture and Grain camera controls are locked to iPhone 18 Pro after all

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iPhone 18 Pro Texture control
Sorry, you won't be using the Texture control on your iPhone 17 Pro.
Image: Apple

Apple just walked back a promise it apparently made accidentally: The new Texture and Grain controls in Photographic Styles aren’t coming to your old iPhone, despite what you might have read last week. Apple locked them to the iPhone 18 Pro lineup and the iPhone Duo, full stop.

The mess is of Apple’s own making. The iPhone 18 Pro announcement said the feature would come to more iPhones down the line. But Apple has now quietly rewritten that language, and it isn’t saying why.

Apple home hub could put Siri AI at the center of your household

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A picture of a smart home hub used in a story about Apple reportedly working on a Siri AI enabled smart home hub.
The Apple Home Hub might look something like this concept design
AI image: ChatGPT/Cult of Mac

The long-rumored Apple home hub is shaping up to be the brain of your house. The smart display will reportedly expand Siri AI beyond your phone, using facial recognition to identify who it’s talking to.

The iPhone already serves as your personal AI hub. Now, Apple seems to want a second one for the whole household. And that shift could redefine how Siri handles daily life at home.

watchOS 27 kills the Digital Crown double-click, and Apple Watch owners aren’t happy

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An image of Apple Watch used in a story about watchOS 27 removing the double click crown multitasking gesture.
watchOS 27 ends the Digital Crown double-click shortcut Apple Watch owners relied on for years.
Photo: Apple

Apple quietly killed one of the Apple Watch’s oldest tricks. The Digital Crown double-click action no longer switches between apps in watchOS 27, and longtime users already miss it.

The change lands in watchOS 27, and is related to a new feature in the brand-new Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4, but it is not limited to those models. So the gesture disappears for all those who update, and the feature meant to replace it won’t even work on most people’s devices.

UPDATE: There’s a fix coming in watchOS 27.2… sort of. Learn more about it:

Watch out for this nasty iOS 27 freeze bug — here’s the fix

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Watch out for this nasty iOS 27 freeze bug
This iPhone is mostly locked up after getting hit with the iOS 27 freeze bug.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Word of a new iOS 27 freeze bug is spreading fast across social media. It can lock up your iPhone’s home screen with nothing more than a few quick swipes.

The glitch has already turned into a prank between friends. It’s completely harmless, but can make your iPhone feel dead until you know the fix.

Apple’s trade-in values jump for Mac and iPad as older iPhones take a hit

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A picture with two Apple devices used in a story about iPhone, iPad and Mac trade-in value updates.
Apple trade-in values fell for almost all older iPhone this week, while iPad and Mac payouts climbed.
Photo: Apple

Apple just reshuffled its trade-in values, and most iPhone owners didn’t come out ahead. Trade-in estimates for older iPhones dropped this week, even as values for iPads and Macs increased.

The update comes days after Apple announced the iPhone 18 Pro series but before the expected launch of new Macs and iPads later this year.

iOS 26.7 arrives as Apple’s security-only alternative to iOS 27

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iOS 26.7 patches dozens of security holes
Not ready for iOS 27? there's iOS 26.7.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple is now rolling out iOS 26.7. It’s a cautious option for iPhone users who aren’t ready to jump into iOS 27 just yet.

Apple ships these companion updates every fall alongside its new, big annual release. This year follows the same pattern. iOS 26.7 exists purely to patch security holes for users who want to sit out iOS 27 for now.

Apple Wallet in iOS 27 finally does more than hold your cards

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A picture of Apple Wallet used in a story about new Apple Wallet features.
Apple Wallet gets much more clever in iOS 27.
Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac

Apple Wallet in iOS 27 just got a glow-up. The app now splits restaurant bills, tracks Apple Card subscriptions and even builds custom passes. The best part? All of it happens without needing to leave the Apple Wallet app.

The update landed as part of Apple’s iOS 27 rollout. It pushes Wallet closer to becoming a true everyday hub, instead of it being just another simple card holder.

iPhone Duo hides a Shift Left Edge setting for better case fit

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A photo of iPhone Duo used in a story about iPhone Duo cases.
The iPhone Duo Shift Left Edge setting adds an extra black border along the outer display’s edge.
Photo: Apple

Apple’s new iPhone Duo reportedly comes with a new Shift Left Edge setting that lets users add a fake bezel to its outer display. The toggle is built for one job: helping the first folding iPhone play nicer with cases.

The setting lives inside iPhone Duo’s display options. Turn it on, and content will shift away from the left edge of the screen. That way, a case that extends over the display won’t cover anything important.

Face ID could be coming to iPhone Duo — but you’ll need to be patient

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A picture of the iPhone Duo used in a story about Apple working to add Face ID and telephoto lens to future versions of the folding phone.
The iPhone Duo doesn't come with Face ID but Apple Intelligence could change that for future versions.
Photo: Apple

iPhone Duo doesn’t use Face ID, but adding facial recognition to the foldable is reportedly on Apple’s roadmap. And so is the third camera that so many people want!

A new report says facial recognition and a telephoto camera are Apple’s top priorities for future versions of its new folding phone. Apple Intelligence could be the key to both.

Visual Intelligence ads may be coming to your iPhone with iOS 27

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A picture showing Apple's Visual Intelligence feature used in a story about ads coming to the tool.
Visual Intelligence ads could soon appear when you point your iPhone’s camera at something you want to buy.
Image: Apple

Visual Intelligence ads could be headed for your iPhone. Code buried in iOS 27 suggests Apple is exploring a new way to slip sponsored results into its camera-based search tool.

The change won’t have Apple selling the ad slots directly. Instead, search providers like Google may supply sponsored images. And these could sit right on top of the results Visual Intelligence already shows you.

iPhone Edge Light feature spotted in Apple’s own code

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A concept of what an iPhone Edge Light might look like.
An iPhone Edge Light might look like this concept.
Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac

Apple’s Edge Light feature may soon make the jump from Mac to iPhone. Code in the iOS 27 release candidate suggests the glowing screen-border effect could be coming to the iPhone Duo. It could eventually make its way to other iPhone models, too.

The discovery comes from an analysis of Apple’s latest software beta. The code points to the Mac feature being adapted for iPhone, creating a soft ring of light around the edge of the display. The catch is that it’s still an early build, and some key settings aren’t finished yet.

iPhone Duo vs. iPhone 18 Pro: What you’ll miss with Apple’s first foldable

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A picture of the iPhone Duo alongside the iPhone 18 Pro used in a story comparing the two devices.
iPhone Duo vs iPhone 18 Pro: Apple’s foldable trades some flagship camera and security features for its folding design.
Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac

So you’re eyeing the iPhone Duo. Before you preorder, know this: The iPhone Duo versus iPhone 18 Pro fight is closer than you might think, but the folding phone loses by more than a few rounds.

Apple’s latest flagships launched together during Wednesday’s Surprise and Shine event. But to achieve its cutting-edge design, the Duo trades some camera and other features that the two iPhone 18 Pro models keep. Here’s what you’d give up if you buy the first folding iPhone.

Apple TV Remote app hides slick new app launcher in iOS 27

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A picture of the Apple TV Remote app used in a story about new features coming with iOS 27.
The iOS 27 Apple TV Remote app adds a new app launcher button.
Photo: Apple

The Apple TV Remote app receives a sneaky upgrade in iOS 27. Apple tucked away two new features inside the app’s redesigned interface, and they’re hiding in plain sight.

The changes first surfaced in the iOS 27 release candidate. One of them brings a full app launcher to the remote, while the other surfaces streaming recommendations on the remote screen.

Apple Watch Series 12 is the upgrade long-term users have been waiting for

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A picture of the Apple Watch Series 12 used in a story about Apple announcing the same.
Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 get a new S11 chip, redesigned health sensors and on-wrist Apple Intelligence.
Photo: Apple

Apple Watch Series 12 finally gets the upgrade long-time owners have been waiting for. The new model pairs the new, faster chip with a redesigned health sensing system. It also brings Apple Intelligence to your wrist for the first time.

Apple unveiled the Apple Watch Series 12 and the beefier Apple Watch Ultra 4 on Wednesday during its Surprise and Shine event. Both watches arrive alongside a new watchOS 27 update. They share the same faster Apple silicon processor and advanced health sensors, and together mark one of the most notable hardware refreshes the Apple Watch has seen in years.

watchOS 27 Readiness app could be Apple Watch’s best-kept secret

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An Apple Watch running on watchOS 27 used in a story about the unreleased Readiness app.
The hidden watchOS 27 Readiness app may point to a bigger health push for Apple Watch.
Photo: Apple

The watchOS 27 Readiness app could be the Apple Watch’s most interesting new feature. It’s still hiding in unreleased beta code, with no interface in sight. But clues suggest it could reshape how your wrist tracks recovery.

The Readiness app is just one of the many finds recently pulled from watchOS 27’s code. Beta references also point toward deeper strength-training data and a possible storage bump for future Apple Watch models.

Apple Watch Ultra 4 rumors: Everything we know so far

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A picture of the Apple Watch Ultra used in a story about the Apple Watch Ultra 4.
The Apple Watch Ultra 4 is expected to debut alongside new iPhones in September.
Photo: Apple

The Apple Watch Ultra 4 is tipped to arrive next month, with fresh leaks pointing to the biggest under-the-hood upgrade the rugged wearable has seen in years.

Apple already locked in a September 9 event, and the Ultra 4 is widely expected to headline the wearables side of that show. Rumors disagree on how much the watch’s exterior will change. But they do agree on one thing: A faster chip is on the way.

Apple game controller leak reveals two very different designs

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A picture showing a game controller used in a story about Apple potentially making game controllers.
Code buried in macOS hints Apple may be building its own game controller.
Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac

Apple could finally be making a game controller. Buried code in a recent macOS beta points to two unreleased designs, and they seem to be built for very different kinds of players.

The references showed up in a test build of macOS Tahoe 26.7 before Apple pulled them. One points to a bare-bones wired controller. The other looks like a full-featured wireless model packed with sensors no third-party controller offers on the Mac today.

Nvidia PAIR turns your gaming PC into backup AI power for your Mac

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A picture showing connected computers using in a story about Nvidia PAIR software for Mac, Windows, and Linux PCs.
Nvidia PAIR lets an M4 Mac lean on a gaming PC’s GPU for local AI tasks.
Photo: Nvidia

Got an M4 or newer Mac and a gaming PC? Nvidia’s new PAIR just gave them a reason to talk. The free, open-source tool pairs Apple Silicon Macs with RTX-equipped PCs into a private AI cluster.

It’s a quick fix for a problem Mac users relying on local AI are starting to hit. AI agents currently split a task into smaller ones, but all of them compete for the same GPU. Nvidia PAIR fixes that by spreading those requests across paired machines instead of your Mac choking on the pileup.

HomePods might soon support four-speaker surround sound

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A picture of HomePod and HomePod mini used in a story about HomePod four speaker setup.
A four-speaker HomePod surround sound system may be in Apple’s pipeline.
Photo: Apple

Apple seems to be laying the groundwork for real HomePod surround sound. Hidden code spotted in the latest audioOS 27 beta points to a four-speaker setup that splits audio across front and rear channels.

HomePod owners have waited years for more than just a basic stereo pair. If this ships, it could finally give Apple’s smart speakers a true home theater option. That would put HomePod in more direct competition with dedicated surround setups.

Apple just told developers it’s OK to finally let Intel Macs go

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Intel Mac support is slowly going away6
Intel Mac support took another blow this week.
Photo: Cottonbro Studio/Pexls

Apple just made it easier to be a Mac developer: This week, the company told Mac App Store developers that they can build applications for Apple silicon only — they can drop Intel Mac support in their software. The change applies to all macOS apps that require macOS 13 or later.

If you’re still running an Intel Mac, that’s the clearest signal from Apple that your machine is in the final stretch. Developers can now flip a single build setting and stop updating Intel-compatible versions. This means fewer updates reaching Intel hardware from now on.