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Prominent leaker declares touchscreen MacBook ‘100% confirmed’

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MacBook Ultra could come sooner than you think
Get ready to pay more for OLED MacBook Pro, which might be called MacBook Ultra (with a touchscreen!).
AI image: ChatGPT

Apple has resisted putting a touchscreen on its laptops for years. But one of the most credible voices in the Apple supply chain rumor space declared that resistance officially over on Thursday. The long-rumored touchscreen MacBook is “100% confirmed,” they said.

New BenQ Glossy Monitor for Mac fills hole in Apple display lineup

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BenQ MA320UG 120Hz Glossy Monitor for Mac
The new BenQ MA320UG 120Hz Glossy Monitor for Mac could appeal to users at $830.
Photo: BenQ

The new BenQ MA320UG 120Hz Glossy Monitor for Mac is a 32-inch 4K display running at 120Hz with a glossy Nano Gloss panel and deep macOS integration, the company said Tuesday. It arrives as the first 120Hz model in BenQ’s MA Series for Mac.

“Today’s Mac users expect one setup to handle it all, and the MA320UG is the perfect answer for those users,” said Jeffrey Hsieh, head of the BenQ Consumer Line of Business. “The MA320UG combines 120Hz performance with matching Mac colors, intuitive controls and the flexible connectivity that Mac users depend on to work, create, and unwind.”

6 key ways iOS 27 upgrades Apple Wallet

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Bill-splitting tool coming to iOS 27
Soon iOS 27 will make this process a lot smoother.
AI image: ChatGPT/Cult of Mac

Apple’s WWDC26 keynote brought a wave of updates to Apple Wallet well beyond cosmetic tweaks. From AI-assisted bill splitting to richer hotel stays, iOS 27 turns Wallet into a more capable everyday tool. Here’s what’s coming.

How iOS 27 and tvOS 27 updates make your home smarter

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iOS 27 and tvOS 27 updates make your home smarter
Updates unveiled at WWDC26 should boost Apple's Home app nicely.
AI image: ChatGPT/Cult of Mac

WWDC26 drew plenty of attention for the rebuilt Siri and the relatively substantial iOS 27 overhaul. But buried beneath those headlines lies Apple’s biggest push yet to turn the Home app into a genuinely capable smart home platform. iOS 27 and tvOS 27 updates make your home smarter, from AI-powered security cameras to a more reliable wireless backbone.

macOS 27 finally brings advanced ultrawide display support

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macOS 27 ultrawide display support
This 40-inch ultrawide display sports a Mac-friendly look, feel and functionality -- and will work all the better with macOS 27, apparently.
Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac

Apple WWDC26:Mac users who rely on ultrawide monitors (ahem, like me) have been waiting years for Apple to treat their setups as first-class citizens. With macOS 27 Golden Gate unveiled Monday at WWDC26, that wait appears to be over.

Apple adds new parental controls across platforms

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Apple adds new parental controls
The new tools should help parents create safer digital experiences for their kids.
Photo: Apple

Apple WWDC26:A sweeping set of child safety features including parental controls give families sharper tools for managing what kids see, who they talk to and how long they spend on devices, Apple said Monday at WWDC26.

“At Apple, our mission has always been to create technology that empowers people and enriches their lives, while helping keep them safe,” said Sumbul Desai, M.D., Apple’s vice president of Health and Fitness.

“Our approach to helping families create safer digital experiences is grounded in the belief that every child is unique,” she added. “That’s why we build simple and intuitive tools, based on expert guidance, to let parents tailor their kids’ digital journey.” 

The features arrive with iOS 27, iPadOS 27, and macOS 27 this fall.

15 great new Apple Intelligence features to try (beyond Siri AI)

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15 great new Apple Intelligence features
As Apple said, "With its new architecture and capabilities, the next generation of Apple Intelligence powers helpful features across the system, simplifying the things users do every day."
Photo: Apple

Apple WWDC26:While Siri got a complete redesign to include a dedicated chatbot app, on-screen awareness and deeper integration with third-party tools, that’s not the only AI upgrade cited by Apple in Monday’s WWDC26 keynote. A bunch of new Apple Intelligence features are set to upgrade your life, too.

“Truly helpful AI must be centered on our users’ needs, deeply integrated into the products they rely on every day, grounded in personal context, and built with privacy at every step. That is our vision for Apple Intelligence,” said Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior vice president of software engineering.

“With useful features for browsing the web, expressing creativity, editing photos and so much more, today marks a big step forward on our journey to integrate powerful AI into the core of our platforms and make our products even more personal and useful,” he added.

The new features will become available with the release of iOS 27 and other OS updates coming in September 2026.

iOS 27 debuts at WWDC26 with brighter Siri, better Visual Intelligence

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Image of an iPhone running iOS 27 with new Siri AI from WWDC26 keynote
Siri gets a whole new look, and a ton of new AI capabilities, in iOS 27.
Image: Apple

Apple WWDC26:The much-anticipated iOS 27 update for iPhone showcased at the Worldwide Developers Conference rebuilds the Siri voice assistant from the ground up as Siri AI, improves Apple Visual Intelligence, offers an improved Camera app, fixes myriad bugs and more, Apple said Monday. It turned out to be quite the consequential update.

“We’re excited to bring a wide range of improvements to each of our platforms, making them even more useful and delightful,” said CEO Tim Cook as he began to close out the keynote presentation. It’s expected to be his last before he steps down from the role on September 1.

Celebrities have fun with Tim Cook’s ‘good morning’ in video ahead of WWDC26

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Photo of Apple CEO Tim Cook at Apple Park during a previous event, illustrating a story about celebrities having fun with his traditional
The last "good morning!" greeting could come from Apple CEO Tim Cook on Monday, so celebs lend a hand in a video.
Photo: Apple

Apple CEO Tim Cook’s chipper “good morning!” from many, many events got the quasi-royal treatment Monday in a video he shared on X.com filled with celebrities saying the phrase just hours before WWDC26 kicks off.

For Cook, who remains CEO until John Ternus takes over September 1, today’s keynote might be the last opportunity to say it on such a big stage.

And it begs the question: What will be Ternus use as a catchphrase, anyway?

UK plans to jail tech execs if kids keep seeing nudes on devices

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UK threatens to jail tech execs
We're not saying any of these tech executives would go to jail, but the UK may target anyone whose products let kids see nudity on their devices.
AI image: ChatGPT/Cult of Mac

The UK government plans to compel Apple, Google and other technology companies to block children from encountering any nudity on their devices like iPhones and iPads — and to imprison executives who fail to act for up to 5 years, according to a new report Friday about policy changes in the works.

Seems like the sort of thing that could make incoming Apple CEO John Ternus a little nervous.

Beyond Siri: New Apple Intelligence features to expect at WWDC26

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New Apple Intelligence features beyond Siri
Apple Intelligence and Visual Intelligence should get a jolt of new features at WWDC26.
AI image: Google Gemini/Cult of Mac

Apple WWDC26:Everybody expects Apple’s Siri voice assistant to get a big AI-powered makeover Monday at WWDC26. But there’s more to the picture, in that Apple Intelligence and Visual Intelligence will see a bunch of separate new features, too, according to rumors rounded up in a new report Friday.

Best vintage and retro Apple setups: Old gear, new love

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old and new macs setup
Bask in the warm glow of antique Macs actually being used.
Photo: [email protected]

Apple designs hardware for the ages — sometimes quite literally. The Cult of Mac Setups archive is full of users who never got around to retiring an old Cinema Display. Or who deliberately hunt one down online for new-to-them use. Some keep a 2013 “trash can” Mac Pro running as a daily driver because it still gets the job done. Some love old gear so much they maintain as much as possible — or at least classic posters — in their setup. And here’s the result: the best vintage and retro Setups in our archive.

MacBook Ultra could come sooner than you think

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MacBook Ultra could come sooner than you think
Get ready to pay more for OLED MacBook Pro, which might be called MacBook Ultra (with a touchscreen!).
AI image: ChatGPT

Apple’s long-anticipated high-end MacBook — the OLED-display machine, possibly with touchscreen, that many expect Apple to call the MacBook Ultra — could arrive a lot sooner than expected, according to a new report Thursday. As in, possibly as soon as 3Q 2026, which probably means September. 

App Store tops $1.4 trillion as AI apps fuel record developer earnings

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AI apps fuel record App Store developer earnings
App Store developer sales hit $1.4 trillion in 2025, thanks in part to AI-focused apps.
Photo: Apple

The App Store ecosystem generated more than $1.4 trillion in developer billings and sales during 2025, Apple said Thursday. The figure nearly triples what the platform posted in 2019 and underscores how central the App Store has become to digital earnings. And artificial intelligence-boosted apps played a huge role. 

Affordable new open earbuds bring stamina, comfort — and a few problems [Review] ★★★☆☆

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Baseus Bowie MC2 Open-Ear Earbuds review★★★☆☆
Baseus Bowie MC2 open-ear clip-on earbuds make a solid case for value. But they suffer from a few limitations.
Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac

At $79.99, Baseus’s new Bowie MC2 enters a crowded field of clip-on open-ear earbuds looking to challenge better-known names. Are they worth a try? My Baseus Bowie MC2 Open-Ear Earbuds review finds they might fit the bill for for users who hate having anything in their ears and for those who want an unobtrusive workout buddy. But they have some shortcomings to work out. Here’s what you actually need to know before buying.

Apple brings its first European Developer Center to Berlin

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Apple opens its first Developer Center in Europe
A new Apple Developer Center is coming to Berlin. It's the first of its kind in Europe. This is the auditorium.
Photo: Apple

Apple will open a new Developer Center in Berlin later this year. It’s the first of its kind on the continent and its fifth worldwide, the iPhone giant said Wednesday.

“Europe is home to an extraordinary community of developers who are building apps that create connections, encourage creativity and drive innovation,” said Susan Prescott, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide Developer Relations. “We have always believed that when developers have the right tools and resources to do their best work, incredible things follow. That belief is what this center is built on, and we look forward to seeing what the community continues to develop.”

What makes Apple’s fave apps and games of 2026 so good?

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Apple Design Awards crown top apps and games 
Find out which 12 apps and games took top honors.
Photo: Apple

Apple WWDC26:Apple chose 12 apps and games as the best of the best in 2026 from its developer community on Tuesday, honoring titles spanning six award categories for recognition at WWDC26 next week. 

“This year’s Apple Design Award winners are a remarkable reflection of how developers are creating exceptional experiences,” said Susan Prescott, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide Developer Relations. She added that honorees “represent the very best of what our platform makes possible.”

Leaker: Foldable iPhone with liquid metal hinge undergoing carrier testing

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Photo of a folding Android device, used to illustrate a story about a rumored liquid metal hinge for the first folding iPhone
The hinge is a critical component of any foldable, and Apple wants the best technology possible for its first folding iPhone.
Photo: Amanz/Unsplash License

Apple is building its long-anticipated folding iPhone around a liquid metal hinge, and the device has now actually reached mobile carriers around the world for compatibility testing, a prominent Apple supply chain leaker said Tuesday.

Congress pressures Apple to keep first unionized US store open

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Shuttered US Apple stores include first to unionize
Slated for closure, Apple Towson Town Center store in Maryland was the first one to unionize.
Photo: Apple

With a letter signed by 40 members of Congress sent Monday, Apple faces increased federal pressure over its plan to shut down the Apple Towson Town Center store in Maryland. The location, set to close on June 20, holds the distinction of being the first Apple retail store in the United States to unionize.

The congressional letter pulls no punches. The lawmakers describe the closure as “unacceptable in its impact, and deeply troubling in its national implications for workers’ rights.”

Next-gen OLED Apple Watch displays could lead to longer battery life

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Next-gen OLED Apple Watch displays
Apple Watch OLED displays are great now, but more advanced tech could boost power efficiency and, therefore, battery life.
Photo: Apple

The display in your Apple Watch may already seem pretty great, but a new type of screen technology in development could make models in the next year or two even better by running for longer on a single charge, according to a new report.

iOS 26.5.1 update fixes charging problem with Phone 17 and iPhone Air

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iOS 26.5.1 update
If you're one of the unlucky few the charging problem vexes, here's your solution.
Image: Cult of Mac

Apple made an update available for its iPhone operating system Monday with iOS 26.5.1. It addresses a wired charging problem some users with iPhone Series 17 or iPhone Air handsets face.

Apple said the problem affects a “small number of users.” But for the few users who face it, the problem probably feels pretty big. The same goes for a Mac glitch fixed by macOS 26.5.1, also released Monday.

iOS 27 could make it way easier to split the bill

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Bill-splitting tool coming to iOS 27
Soon iOS 27 will make this process a lot smoother.
AI image: ChatGPT/Cult of Mac

Apple WWDC26:Apple prepares to bring one of the most-requested social money features directly into iPhone, with a new bill-splitting tool expected to debut as part of iOS 27 this fall, according to a new report Monday. We expect to hear more about it next week at WWDC26.