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Why your Apple smart home might quit February 10 — and how to stop it [Updated]

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Apple warns users to update Home app
February 10 is the deadline to update to the new Apple Home architecture -- or face possible consequences.
Photo: Apple

Update: Today, February 10, is the deadline to update the Apple Home app to avoid hassles. Read on for more information about what to do and why. 

After previous warnings, Apple issued a final email this week to customers using its Home app: Upgrade to the latest architecture by February 10 or risk losing control of your smart home devices. Well, that doesn’t sound good.

10 great Valentine’s Day gift picks from Apple

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AI-generated image of best Valentine's Day gifts from Apple
Your sweetheart should be very happy with any of these picks.
AI image: ChatGPT/Cult of Mac

“Love is a many-splendored thing,” goes the old saying — like a multifaceted, intricately cut diamond. Fortunately, your valentine probably doesn’t expect a diamond for a gift on February 14 (hopefully, for the sake of your wallet). But you can still spend loads of cash on Apple’s picks for Valentine’s Day gifts. We selected a bunch below. 

The Studio and Mr. Scorsese directors win big

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The Studio and Mr. Scorsese win Directors Guild Awards
Apple snagged wins in the Comedy, Documentary and Commercial categories at the 78th Annual Directors Guild Awards.
Photo: Apple

Apple TV continued its awards season momentum at the 78th Annual Directors Guild Awards Sunday night, taking home wins for breakout comedy series The Studio, acclaimed documentary series Mr. Scorsese and commercial “I’m Not Remarkable.”

Maximum fun: Top 10 multi-Mac setups

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M2 Ultra Mac Pro with Pro Display XDR
So ... crippled by envy much? This one has a high-end M2 Ultra Mac Pro, a Mac Studio, a Pro Display XDR and two Studio Displays.
Photo: [email protected]

For Apple enthusiasts, one Mac is great — but two or more? That’s when things get seriously interesting. Years of Cult of Mac Setups coverage has showcased hundreds of impressive workstations. But these top 10 multi-Mac setups stand out as particularly fascinating examples of how power users leverage Apple’s ecosystem to its fullest potential.

From new M4-powered machines paired with vintage “trash can” Mac Pros to dual MacBook configurations seamlessly integrated with desktop Macs, these workstations demonstrate that having multiple Macs isn’t just about redundancy. It’s about optimizing workflow, separating concerns and yes, indulging in a bit of Apple-fandom excess.

The button problem Apple fans can’t ignore

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Why delete buttons vary across iOS
Why does Apple vary delete buttons so much?
Image: [email protected]

Apple built a reputation for meticulous design consistency, but a growing number of users keep noticing cracks in that polished facade. A recent social media discussion highlights how longtime Apple fans wonder why delete buttons vary so much across iOS apps. 

“Steve Jobs would be absolutely livid about the state of Apple UIs today,” wrote one irate user about the steadily less-consistent state of the iOS user interface. 

Apple shifts AI health coach plans to new focus

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An AI-genearted cartoon image of an iPhone dressed as a doctor and wearing a stethoscope, with a large red general prohibition sign superimposed over it
Instead of an AI health coach, Apple plans to focus on adding features to the Health app.
AI image: ChatGPT/Cult of Mac

Apple pulled back on its ambitious plans for an AI-powered virtual health coach service, shifting focus to integrating planned features gradually into its existing Health app, according to a new report.

How Apple might toughen up iPhone Fold display

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Polyimide film from Kolon Industries
Polyimide film (PI) is tougher than the usual polyethylene terephthalate film (PET).
Photo: Kolon Industries

Apple currently weighs the option of using a more durable display protection solution for its first foldable iPhone, according to a new report. The tougher film would offer better scratch resistance than what Samsung currently uses in its Galaxy Z Fold and other devices.

Back up whole-home power with new Anker Solix hybrid system

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Anker Solix E10 power system
With the E10, you can run your whole home on backup power when necessary.
Photo: Anker Solix

Anker Solix adds an ambitious new entry to the residential energy storage market with the Solix E10 whole-home backup system, the company said Wednesday. Anker’s direct challenge to established players like Tesla’s Powerwall, the new system offers homeowners multiple ways to maintain power during outages while potentially reducing energy costs.

New Logitech Lightspeed gaming headset brings big sound at small price

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Logitech G325 Lightspeed Wireless Gaming Headset
Logitech's new Lightspeed Bluetooth headset is a good value at 80 bucks.
Photo: Logitech

Logitech’s latest gaming headset aims to deliver premium audio performance without the premium price tag, the company said Tuesday. The G325 Lightspeed wireless gaming headset enters a competitive gaming audio market at just $79.99, positioning itself as an affordable alternative to higher-priced options — while maintaining Logitech G series quality.

Build empires with Sid Meier’s Civilization VII on Apple Arcade [Updated]

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Sid Meier's Civilization VII on Apple Arcade
Ready to build empires? Now you can on Apple Arcade.
Photo: Apple

Update: Apple Arcade subscribers can now get access to one of gaming’s most legendary franchises — Sid Meier’s Civilization VII Arcade Edition, arriving on the service Thursday. It’s a first for Apple Arcade, though it joins some other civ- and sim- game options on the App Store.

And other new titles join it at the same time on Apple Arcade: the Retrocade collection of classic arcade games, the whimsical adventure Felicity’s Door and the I Love Hue Too+ puzzle game.

Save 51% on high-end Beats Studio Pro headphones

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Beats Studio Pro deal
Beats Studio Pro are the first wireless headphones from Apple or Beats to offer lossless audio via USB-C cable.
Photo: Apple

The excellent Beats Studio Pro noise-canceling headphones from Apple subsidiary Beats by Dre list for $349, but right now you can grab a nice deal for just $169.95 (51% 0ff).

And if you want to save even more, you can buy open-box Beats Studio Pro headphones for just $144.99 from Cult of Mac Deals.

Ahoy: CarPlay could come to personal watercraft

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CarPlay could come to personal watercraft
At some point, Sea-Doo's 10.25 display could sport CarPlay.
Photo: Sea-Doo

Oddly enough, Apple CarPlay could make its way to the water in the coming years. Sea-Doo confirms it’s look at the technology for future high-end personal watercraft models akin to Jet Skis, according to a new report.

Apple Xcode unleashes AI agents for fast and easy app creation

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Xcode add AI coding agents
Xcode 26.3 unlocks agentic coding. That lets developers harness agents like Anthropic’s Claude Agent and OpenAI’s Codex directly in Xcode.
Photo: Apple

The new Xcode 26.3 release candidate introduces support for agentic coding, Apple said Wednesday. It allows developers to work with AI coding agents like Anthropic’s Claude Agent and OpenAI’s Codex directly within the development environment.

“Agentic coding supercharges productivity and creativity, streamlining the development workflow so developers can focus on innovation,” said Susan Prescott, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide Developer Relations.

Even vibe-coding beginners will have an easier time of it because Xcode can now build apps pretty much by itself, some devs say.

Apple TV unveils hot 2026 lineup of series, movies and live sports

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Apple TV 2026 programming lineup
Apple TV packs a full slate for 2026.
Photo: Apple

Apple TV showcased its ambitious 2026 slate Wednesday at an exclusive press event, revealing a packed calendar of new and returning series, original films and expanded live sports coverage including Formula 1 racing, Major League Soccer and Friday Night Baseball.

The streamer plans to release new originals every week in 2026, headlined by the highly anticipated fourth season of Ted Lasso this summer. Watch trailers below.

Next iPhones’ satellite connectivity could rocket way beyond SOS

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advanced iPhone satellite features
iPhone 18 models and beyond could feature much more than emergency SOS satellite features.
AI image: ChatGPT/Cult of Mac

Apple’s satellite connectivity journey began as a lifesaving emergency feature with the iPhone 14 in 2022. But the company’s ambitions go far beyond distress signals to more advanced iPhone satellite features. Experts see a dramatic expansion of satellite capabilities coming to transform how we think about smartphone connectivity. iPhone 18 in 2026 and later handsets could see satellite features evolve from emergency backup to everyday uses.

Get to know Bad Bunny before his Super Bowl halftime show

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Get to know Bad Bunny before the Super Bowl
Apple offers plenty of ways to hear, and learn about, the Puerto Rican superstar.
Photo: Apple

Apple Music rolled out the red carpet Monday for Bad Bunny as the Puerto Rican superstar prepares to headline the Apple Music Super Bowl LX Halftime Show on February 8 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. So here’s your chance to get to know Bad Bunny before the Super Bowl with a variety of special programming.

3 reasons to watch suspenseful Apple TV spy thriller Tehran

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Tehran Apple TV series review
Tehran may be the most gripping thriller on Apple TV.
Photo: Apple

In the crowded landscape of spy shows and movies, Apple TV’s Tehran cuts through the noise with a visceral intensity few titles can match. This Israeli thriller, which started airing season three on January 9, doesn’t just tell a spy story. It grabs you by the throat from the first frame and doesn’t let go until the credits roll.
For anyone who’s ever found themselves disappointed by the too-fast or too-slow pacing or predictable plotting of typical spy dramas, Tehran, now streaming season three (with a fourth on the way), offers a masterclass in sustained tension and genuine surprise. That makes it easy to forgive the subtitles, which most people will need for the Farsi (Persian) and Hebrew spoken on the show. 

Apple Intelligence on the edge: How privacy shapes its AI features

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Apple Intelligence privacy
Privacy is a requirement for Apple Intelligence.
Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac

When Apple entered the artificial intelligence race, the company faced a fundamental challenge: how to deliver powerful AI capabilities while maintaining its long-standing commitment to user privacy. The result is Apple Intelligence, a system designed around a simple but revolutionary premise — your personal data should work for you without leaving your control. Basically, that’s how privacy shapes Apple Intelligence features on “the edge,” meaning the furthest reaches of a computer network, where user devices dwell. 

Apple Watch hypertension alerts: How reliable are they?

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How reliable are Apple Watch Hypertension Notifications
Apple Watch Ultra 3 is one of the models featuring Hypertension Notifications.
Photo: Apple

For millions of Apple Watch owners, the Hypertension Notifications Feature available on recent models is a big leap in wearable health monitoring. It promises to alert users to potential high blood pressure before it leads to serious health problems. But how reliable are the alerts, and what should Apple users realistically expect?
I’ve had measurably high blood pressure for years. I wear Apple Watch 10, one of the models with hypertension alerts. And yet I’ve never seen one up close and personal. Apparently my meds are working!

Get 3 months of Apple Music free in limited-time Super Bowl offer

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get 3 months of Apple Music free
The promotion ties to the Apple Music Super Bowl LX Halftime Show with Bad Bunny.
Photo: Apple

Apple just gave new subscribers an extended opportunity to try its music streaming service, offering three months of Apple Music completely free. The promotion to get three months of Apple Music free — which runs through February 24 — greatly expands the standard one-month trial period.
The new offer coincides with Apple’s sponsorship of the upcoming Super Bowl halftime show with musical act Bad Bunny.

All the new features of Keynote, Pages and Numbers — and how to get them

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updates to Keynotes Pages and Numbers
If you want the latest updates to the iWork apps, you may need a fresh download and install.
Image: Apple/Cult of Mac

With the launch of Apple Creator Studio Wednesday, Apple also updated its suite of productivity apps otherwise known as iWork. That’s Keynote, Pages and Numbers, which were always free and are now “freemium.” Some features will only work for Creator Studio subscribers, but others work for anyone using free versions of the productivity apps.

Apple showcases Final Cut Pro upgrades in Apple Creator Studio bundle

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Apple showcases upgrades in Final Cut Pro
Director and choreographer Kyle Hanagami uses new AI tools in Final Cut Pro in his productions.
Photo: Apple

Apple released significant updates to Final Cut Pro alongside the debut of Apple Creator Studio software bundle for creatives Wednesday. And in a new feature story, it showed how video director, dance choreographer and Blackpink collaborator Kyle Hanagami uses new AI-powered tools for video editing.

First new Sonos hardware since 2024 drives big home sound systems

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Sonos Amp Multi
Sonos Amp Multi could be the beating heart of a large home's customizable sound system.
Photo: Sonos

The first new Sonos hardware product in over a year is the Sonos Amp Multi, a professional-grade multi-channel streaming amplifier designed specifically for large-scale residential audio installations, the company said Tuesday.
“Sonos Amp is the most widely used two-channel streaming amplifier in residential installation because it’s powerful, dependable, and intuitive,” said Tom Conrad, CEO of Sonos. “Amp Multi takes that same philosophy and applies it to larger systems. It makes ambitious designs more efficient to build and install, and easier to live with.”
The announcement marks a significant expansion of Sonos’ product lineup into the custom integration market, targeting professional installers rather than typical consumers. And it’s the first hardware to come out in a while following shakeups at the company.