Mobile menu toggle

Anurag Chawake - page 3

Fake Zoom installer tricks Mac users into bypassing Gatekeeper

By •

A picture showing a fishing hook with a laptop in the background used in a story about fake Zoom installer on macOS.
A fake Zoom installer tells Mac users to click Open Anyway in System Settings. Never do this.
Photo: Jamf Threat Labs

A fake Zoom installer dubbed CloudSyncD is coaxing Mac users into switching off Gatekeeper and handing over their admin passwords.

The malware hides itself in the installer window itself, but with unusual instructions. Follow them, and you straight up open a backdoor onto your Mac.

The good news is that you can evade CloudSyncD and any similar malware simply by following one of the most basic security rules when installing applications. 

Apple smart home hub could double as digital photo frame

By •

Apple’s smart home hub could turn your photos into a screensaver
Apple’s smart home hub could turn your photos into a screensaver.
Concept art: Cult of Mac

Apple’s long-rumored smart home hub is shaping up to be more than just a smart speaker with a screen. It could double up as a really nice digital photo frame.

Code buried in an iOS beta details a “Photo Face” step during the setup process. It’s a display that shows your photos whenever the hub isn’t busy answering your queries or running your smart home. So instead of a dark, bland screen on your counter, you could see your own memories.

Final Cut Camera update brings variable aperture control to iPhone 18 Pro

By •

A picture showing the Final Cut Camera app used in a story about the app bringing new features to the iPhone 18 Pro series.
The Final Cut Camera update on iPhone 18 Pro adds aperture, shutter and ISO controls.
Photo: Apple

Apple’s latest Final Cut Camera 2.4 update adds a cutting-edge feature: It gives video creators even greater control over the iPhone 18 Pro’s new variable-aperture camera.

The new version also brings a ground-up redesign of the app. And with iOS 27, it gets pro monitoring tools like RGB Parade and clean SDI output.

Some iPhone 18 Pro owners complain about discolored devices

By •

An image of the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max being held aloft in two hands, used in a story about color problems with the phones.
Some iPhone 18 Pros might have a color problem.
Photo: Apple

Some iPhone 18 Pro owners are reporting fading and discoloration of their new devices, particularly around the camera plateau on the back. 

Owners of burgundy and black iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max units are sharing photos on Reddit and other social media that show lighter rings around the rear camera lenses.

Google bug causes thousands of iPhone apps to crash overnight

By •

A picture showing an iPhone used in a story about iPhone apps crashing.
Google’s Firebase bug behind widespread iPhone app crashes has been fixed.
Photo: Photoshoot4You/Pixabay

If your iPhone apps started glitching out last night, don’t blame Apple: A Google bug caused widespread iPhone app crashes Monday before the company rolled out a fix.

The crashes began shortly after Apple released iOS 27.0.1, but the problem stemmed from Google’s servers, not Apple’s update.

Apple finally details all the new tvOS 27 features

By •

A photo of Apple TV used in a story about new tvOS 27 features.
New tvOS 27 features bring Hi-Res Lossless audio and video podcasts to the Apple TV.
Photo: Apple

Nearly two weeks after tvOS 27 reached compatible Apple TV boxes, Apple finally revealed a detailed list of tvOS 27 features. The tvOS 27 release notes, published Friday, detail changes to music, podcasts and accessibility features on your big screen.

Apple TV rarely gets headline software news of its own, but this detailed feature breakdown finally gives owners a clear reason to update now.

Every 2027 iPhone could ditch Qualcomm for Apple’s own modem

By •

A picture of a 5G modem with Apple logo used in a story about 2027 iPhones having Apple's in-house modems.
Apple modems are expected to replace Qualcomm’s chips in every iPhone launched next year.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple will reportedly put its own modems in every iPhone released next year, with no Qualcomm hardware left inside.

The move would conclude a years-long push to cut Qualcomm out of the iPhone. But Apple won’t be fully done with its old rival, thanks to a fresh patent deal.

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

By •

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 Apple Vision Pro headset is reportedly in flux, with no internal agreement on the design of possible future models. In fact, a successor to the pricey mixed-reality headset might never see the light of day.

Fans have wanted a lighter, more comfortable Vision Pro since launch. But Apple is said to be weighing four very different concepts for the headset’s sequel — and a release isn’t guaranteed.

Apple reportedly puts its AI pendant on hold

By •

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

By •

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

By •

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

By •

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

By •

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

By •

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

By •

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

By •

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

By •

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

By •

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

By •

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

By •

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

By •

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

By •

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

By •

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

By •

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.