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Apple’s new M5 chip pumps up AI and graphics processing power

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M5 chip pumps up AI and graphics
The M5 chip beefs up AI and graphics processing substantially.
Photo: Apple

Apple’s new M5 chip packs more power than predecessors, with advanced performance for Apple Intelligence and pumped up GPU performance boosting graphics processing, among other incremental improvements across the chip.

“M5 ushers in the next big leap in AI performance for Apple silicon,” said Johny Srouji, Apple’s senior vice president of Hardware Technologies. “With the introduction of Neural Accelerators in the GPU, M5 delivers a huge boost to AI workloads.”

“Combined with a big increase in graphics performance, the world’s fastest CPU core, a faster Neural Engine, and even higher unified memory bandwidth,” he added, “M5 brings far more performance and capabilities to MacBook Pro, iPad Pro and Apple Vision Pro.”

Ugreen brings massive local storage to home users on the cheap

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Ugreen NASync DH2300
Ugreen NASync DH2300 is easy to set up and use.
Photo: Ugreen

Ugreen’s new NASync DH2300 and DH4300 Plus network-attached storage devices aim squarely at everyday home users, the consumer electronics maker said Wednesday. In other words, those who want local storage as an alternative to iCloud, but without the complexity typically associated with NAS systems.

Starting at a low price of $209.99 $188.99, the two-bay DH 2300 device joins the more capable four-bay DH4300 Plus ($429.99 $364.99) in Ugreen’s effort to make personal cloud storage accessible to non-technical users. Both are on sale for launch, too. 

Demand for AI features drives robust iPhone 17 sales

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Demand for AI features helps drive robust iPhone 17 sales
This year's iPhone lineup includes the iPhone 17 Pro, the super-slim iPhone Air and the "regular" iPhone 17.
Photo: Apple

Apple shipped 58.6 million iPhones and captured 18.2% of the global smartphone market, the company’s “best results ever in a July quarter,” according to new data from the International Data Corporation. The iPhone nearly matched Samsung’s 19% market share.

Demand for innovation, like new artificial intelligence features, plus aggressive trade-in programs, helped fuel the surge, despite tariff woes, IDC said.

When you can watch F1: The Movie on rebranded ‘Apple TV’

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When you can watch F1: The Movie on rebranded 'Apple TV'
"F1: The Movie" is coming soon to an Apple TV streaming service without the "+" sign.
Photo: Apple

F1: The Movie with Brad Pitt as a racer will make its streaming debut on Friday, December 12, following the film’s record-breaking theatrical run, Apple said Monday. And the announcement came with a surprise twist: Apple TV+ gets rebranded as simply “Apple TV” (no “+”) with what the company called a “vibrant new identity.”

It remains to be seen how vibrant the identity is, but it’s the same exact name as the Apple TV hardware and the Apple TV app. Maybe they meant “confusing new identity.”

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.

Elgato supersizes popular Prompter teleprompter for content creators and studios

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Elgato Prompter XL teleprompter
The new version addresses the most common complaint about the original: size.
Photo: Elgato

The new Elgato Prompter XL teleprompter, a significantly larger version of the company’s popular Prompter teleprompter, is designed specifically for professional studio environments. The Corsair-owned Elgato said the new model addresses the most common complaint about the original: size.

“We heard it constantly: ‘Love Prompter, but we need something bigger for our studio,'” said Julian Fest, general manager at Elgato. “Prompter XL takes what creators loved about the original — the versatility, the simple setup, the reliability — and scales it up for studio environments.”

Logitech MX Keys Mini vs. Apple Magic Keyboard: Which to choose?

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Logitech MX Keys Mini vs Apple Magic Keyboard
See which of these highly productive keeb suits you best.
Photo: chatGPT/Cult of Mac

It’s the ultimate battle of the small Mac keyboards: Logitech MX Keys Mini vs. Apple Magic Keyboard. Choosing between these two premium compact keyboards is tough, and the decisions you make can significantly impact your daily typing experience and productivity.

They’ve both become top contenders for professionals and tech enthusiasts alike. And while they’re similar, they’re not the same.

Find out which is better for you in our head-to-head comparison. 

Prison plane crash in The Last Frontier may be no accident [Now streaming!]

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The Last Frontier season 1
The Last Frontier debuted on Apple TV+ October 10.
Photo: Apple TV+

How would you like to be the lone U.S. marshal covering a vast Alaska region when a jet loaded with dangerous convicts crashes, setting dozens of killers free? That’s the premise for Apple TV+’s new The Last Frontier series. And before long it becomes clear it may not have been an accident at all, but just the first step in a terrifying plan.

The good news is you don’t have to be the marshal. You can just watch his struggle in the tense, 10-episode series starting Friday.

Reviews so far are mixed. Collider said: “The Last Frontier is an engaging, often surprising manhunt thriller that elevates itself through a great central performance from Jason Clarke and smart, unexpected plotting that constantly evolves as the story unfolds.” But The Hollywood Reporter noted the show “goes from fun to tedious in a hurry.” AV Club called it “far more silly than chilly,” teeming with “exposition dumps” and “inane twists.”

Knife Edge: Chasing Michelin Stars shows restaurants’ cutthroat competition [Now streaming!]

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Knife Edge: Chasing Michelin Stars documentary series
Legendary Michelin stars can make or break a restaurant.
Photo: Apple TV+

Streaming Friday, the new Apple TV+ documentary series Knife Edge: Chasing Michelin Stars gives an unprecedented look behind the scenes of the world’s most prestigious restaurants in their quest for coveted Michelin stars.

Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay and his Studio Ramsay Global production company produce the eight-part series. It promises to deliver high-stakes culinary drama and unprecedented access to the secretive Michelin ratings process. Watch the trailer below. 

Reviews so far lean positive, calling the show “riveting” and praising its realistic, fly-on-the-wall look at chef’s lives and what drives them. 

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.

PC user gets deal on MacBook Air — then gleefully upgrades whole workstation [Setups]

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convert to Mac
The newly minted "Apple fanboy" jokingly referred to the Apple ecosystem as a huge trap.
Photo: [email protected]

Ready to convert to Mac? I came across one user who scored a nice student deal on a MacBook Air, and soon found themself upgrading their whole outdated PC setup as a complete, highly functional and reasonably affordable Apple-ecosystem rig. 

“I’m so so cooked … the Apple ecosystem is a huge trap!” they joked. “Don’t let one device get into your house.” 

8 best Sony headphones for iPhone users

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Best Sony headphones for iPhone
Choose the best Sony headphones to use with iPhone.
AI image: Grok

Finding the perfect Sony headphones for iPhone might seem challenging when Apple pushes its own audio ecosystem so heavily. This comprehensive guide examines each model’s features, pros, cons and pricing to help you find the perfect match for your specific needs and budget. Let’s dive into what makes these Sony headphones exceptional companions for your iPhone.

Price drop: Limited-time deal slashes entry-level iPad to lowest price ever

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iPad deal
Get the latest, greatest budget iPad at a discount.
Image: Apple/Cult of Mac

Need a tablet for the new school year? You can take advantage of a sweet deal on the new iPad 11 that takes $70 off the tablet’s usual price of $349. That drops the entry-level tablet with an A16 processor back to just $279, in any color you’d like. 

The budget iPad, which launched in March, offers solid performance for tasks like surfing the web, streaming videos and handling email. Plus, it comes with a welcome boost over the iPad 10’s base level of storage.

It’s a great iPad for everyday users. Don’t hit snooze on this deal, though — this limited-time iPad deal could end at any time.

Make your setup shine with these great deals on Logitech gear

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Amazon Prime Big Deal Days Logitech
Now a Logitech product, the Blue Yeti USB microphone stands tall among streamers' favorites.
Photo: Logitech

Many a Mac computer setup relies on Logitech peripherals and accessories — some of the best gear in the business. Whether you need a reliable keyboard, a blazing fast gaming mouse, a shortcuts console, a powerful webcam or a great USB microphone, our guide to five great Logitech sale items from Amazon Prime Big Deal Days can help. 

Grab these top MacBook dock and charger deals from Anker

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Prime Day Anker
The Anker Prime Docking Station is a formidable tool for your laptop charging and connectivity needs.
Photo: Anker

Anker’s a top accessories maker for Apple users — maybe most of all for charging needs related to MacBooks and other devices. As usual, Anker Prime Day and Prime Big Deal Days sale items could fill a dense catalogue. So we thought we’d put together some top picks for MacBook users. Namely, a choice multiport charger with solid wattage, a great portable power bank with retractable cables and a highly functional docking station with fast transfer speeds and ample connectivity. Check them out below.

Grab a Beats Pill speaker for less than $50 — the lowest price we’ve ever seen!

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Beats Pill deal
You can nab the lightweight-yet-powerful Beats Pro on sale.
Photo: Apple

This hot Beats Pill deal lands you one of Apple’s great-sounding portable Bluetooth speakers for just $49.99. That’s a whopping 67% discount off the $149.95 list price — just be aware that not all colors are available at that astonishingly low price.

It’s part of Amazon’s Big Deal Days, and it might not last long. And don’t worry if those big product showcase boxes on our page don’t show the sub-$50 price — things are changing so fast that sometimes tech can’t keep up!

Don’t miss killer Prime Big Deal Days prices on MacBooks

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prime day macbook
MacBook Pro deals abound on Amazon Prime Day.
Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac

As with Amazon Prime Day in July, Amazon Prime Big Deal Days (Tuesday and Wednesday) bring excellent deals on Apple’s popular laptops, MacBook Pro and MacBook Air. In fact, you can nab the very same M4 Pro MacBook Pro I have for $250 less than I paid — my exact model with 24GB RAM at $1,799. And you can get the base M4 MacBook Pro for an incredibly low starting price of $1,399. Plus some Prime Day MacBook Pro deals net you hundreds off higher-end models.

As for MacBook Air, the entry-level model now sells for a low $799. And you can add some bells and whistles for a bit more. Scroll down to see Prime Day MacBook Air deals.

Apple removes ICE tracking apps from App Store following DOJ pressure

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Apple removes ICE tracking apps
ICE tracking apps can help alert people about where immigration raids are taking place.
Photo: Photo by Maciej Prus, Pexels

Apple removed ICEBlock and several similar immigration enforcement tracking apps from its App Store following pressure from the Department of Justice, according to reports late Thursday. The decision came after Attorney General Pam Bondi directly contacted Apple demanding the removal of ICEBlock. 

It’s a crowdsourced app that allows users to anonymously report sightings of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents within a five-mile radius. The app had been downloaded over 1 million times since launching in April 2025.

The Lost Bus ignites ‘wildfire thriller’ movie genre [Now streaming!]

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The Lost Bus movie
Just watching Matthew McConaughey anguish over what to do with his empty school bus as tragedy looms made me squirm.
Photo: Apple TV+

Apple TV+ viewers have a new pulse-pounding watch to take in Friday — The Lost Bus movie. It tells the story of the Camp Fire laying waste to Paradise, California, as a lone school bus driver played by Matthew McConaughey tries to save nearly two dozen children from the inferno. Action maven Paul Greengrass directs. He’s best known for Bloody Sunday, two Jason Bourne movies and Captain Phillips

The film scores an 86% Fresh critical rating and a 92% Fresh viewer rating on reviews site RottenTomatoes.com. “McConaughey, as a nervy reluctant hero, steers the searing, intense narrative about normal people living through the most hellish of circumstances,” wrote USA Today. “The Lost Bus traps us in that disorientating push and pull — it’s a little too real to entertain, and a little too entertaining to feel real,” noted The Independent. Generally, even those who criticized the film’sHollywood-ness praised its intense realism and almost unbearable, horror-movie-style tension.

Get deep discounts on 6 of our top 10 power banks for Apple users

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Anker MagGo Power Bank 10K
This one features a useful display.
Photo: Anker

Choosing the right power bank can transform how you use your iPhone, AirPods and Apple Watch throughout the day. We recently gathered the top 10 power banks for Apple users — and six of them are currently on sale at Amazon. These power bank deals include our No. 1 pick, Ugreen’s MagFlow Qi2.2 power bank. It features speedy 25W charging for iPhone, plus charging for other devices. See the deals below.

AirPods Pro 3 teardown puts foam-infused ear tips under the microscope

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iFixit AirPods Pro 3 teardown
iFixit found plenty of reasons why even pro technicians wouldn't want to mess with these.
Photo: iFixit

iFixit released its teardown of Apple’s new AirPods Pro 3 Wednesday, providing a close-up look at new features including the foam-infused ear tips Apple includes for greater sound isolation, as well the new battery scheme and repositioned rare-earth magnets. 

But the group’s major finding should be unsurprising to anyone familiar with the company’s wireless earbuds. The latest generation earns the same dismal 0 out of 10 repairability score that has plagued the product line since its inception nine years ago.

FCC leaks reveal Apple’s next Vision Pro headset and upcoming Macs and iPads

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FCC leaks of Apple products
FCC's wireless certification test result documents show a familiar-looking diagram.
Photo: FCC

The Federal Communications Commission accidentally exposed Apple’s plans for several unreleased products, including an updated Vision Pro headset, new MacBook Pro models and refreshed iPad Pro tablets, on Tuesday. The FCC leaks of Apple products mark the latest in a series of premature disclosures from the regulatory agency that have frustrated Apple’s typically secretive product launch strategy.

Audio experts blind-test 6 premium headphones — you won’t believe which pair wins

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Cheapest pair wins in blind test of 6 premium headphones
When the blindfold goes on, brand perception slips considerably.
Photo: ChatGPT

When stripped of branding, features and design, how do premium headphones actually sound? Wired put this question to the test by having audio pros blind-test six popular over-ear headphones.

The results not only shocked the panelists, they validated one of my favorite pairs of “budget” headphones. They won the test, coming out above top contenders from the likes of Sony, Bose and, yes, Apple. 

Compact new Powerbeats Fit earbuds add comfort and durability

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Beats Powerbeats Fit earbuds
Powerbeats Fit showing in orange.
Photo: Beats

Beats launched Powerbeats Fit earbuds on Tuesday, bringing a new design to the company’s sports-oriented audio devices. The new earbuds are the successors to the popular Beats Fit Pro earbuds.

The redesigned model brings enhanced comfort, improved durability and a more compact design while maintaining its predecessor’s $199.99 price point, Beats said. 

“Reintroducing Beats Fit Pro as Powerbeats Fit — alongside Powerbeats Pro 2 — unifies our lineup under a name synonymous with athletic performance and gives customers a clearer choice between two distinct, fitness-first form factors,” said Oliver Schusser, Apple’s vice president of Music, Sports and Beats. “Powerbeats Fit combines the best of Beats Fit Pro with next-level comfort, durability, and portability — making it a worthy addition to the Powerbeats family.”

New Logitech MX Master 4 mouse brings haptic feedback and Actions Ring

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Logitech MX Master 4 wireless mouse
Haptic feedback is a new feature.
Photo: Logitech

The new Logitech MX Master 4 wireless mouse upgrades what many consider to be the best productivity mouse on the market, the popular Logitech MX Master 3/3S. At $119.99, the latest iteration introduces haptic feedback and an innovative Actions Ring overlay designed to streamline workflows for creative professionals, developers and power users across the Mac ecosystem.