Apple released iOS 18.6.2, macOS Sequoia 15.6.2 and iPadOS 18.6.2 on Wednesday, warning that the updates close security vulnerabilities already exploited by hackers.
While the patches include no new features, they are nevertheless highly recommended for iPhone, Mac and iPad users.
There’s an unexpected benefit to Action mode in the iPhone camera. A feature intended for taking exciting video also benefits those who can’t hold the camera still because of Parkinson’s.
A video Apple released Tuesday demonstrates the benefits, and a follow-up video explains how those with hand tremors can take advantage of Action mode.
August 20, 2019: The Apple Card launch brings the titanium credit card to U.S. consumers for the first time. It gives them a new option for payments when Apple Pay isn’t available.
The iPhone’s Wallet app handles statements and payments. And the innovative card is “designed to help customers lead a healthier financial life,” according to Apple. Surveys show the card soon becomes beloved.
“We’re thrilled with the overwhelming interest in Apple Card and its positive reception,” says Jennifer Bailey, Apple’s vice president of Apple Pay, in a press release. “Customers have told us they love Apple Card’s simplicity and how it gives them a better view of their spending.”
iPadOS 26 brings the most profound changes to the iPad ever, making the tablet far more Mac-like. And you can go ahead and install the massive upgrade, even though it’s still in beta testing.
I’ve thoroughly tested the most recent beta version, and I find it quite stable. It’s not perfect, but if you don’t need your tablet in life-or-death situations, you could dive in and try the revamped iPad multitasking system, Liquid Glass and other enhancements.
Montana became the eleventh U.S. state or territory to support digital driver’s licenses and IDs stored in the Wallet app on iPhone or Apple Watch on Tuesday.
The major advantage is speeding up the process of moving through security checkpoints at airports, though there are other uses, too.
Professionals who need an SSD with terabytes of storage and crazy-fast data transfers have a new option: the OWC Express 1M2 80G. The drive offers up to 8TB of capacity, and because it uses Thunderbolt 5, the SSD offers 48GBps real-world data transfers.
It’s available in a range of storage capacities, or users can insert their own NVMe M.2 SSD.
★★★★☆
Rolling Square claims, “Supertiny is the smallest 65W GaN Charger ever.” It’s definitely very small, but can still quickly power up a MacBook or other full-size computer.
I put the claims to the test and came away impressed. I do have one caution, though.
The United Kingdom government gave up its demand for a backdoor into encrypted Apple iCloud accounts.
Tulsi Gabbard, the U.S. director of national intelligence, announced the change late Monday. The DNI had been fighting the attempt to violate the privacy of Americans since word of the U.K.’s plan first came to light.
Viewers keep rallying behind the action-packed historical drama series Chief of War starring Jason Momoa. High ratings put it among the most popular series on streaming for a second week, according to two different ratings trackers.
And that’s not the only hit this week for Apple TV+. The second season of the comedy Platonic earns good ratings, too.
★★★★☆
The Winmaxle Mobdel B1 can be a physical keyboard for typing on your iPhone, harking back to the days of the BlackBerry. And because it’s also a motion-sensitive mouse, you can use it with your iPad, too. Either way, it’s a handy little gizmo.
I found multiple uses for the wireless keyboard while I was testing it. But I also ran into a limitation that made it not as useful with my iPad as I hoped.
Apple released new system software for iPhone and Apple Watch on Thursday to return blood oxygen sensing to all Apple Watch users, removing a limitation that irritated many in the United States. Americans missing the feature can install iOS 18.6.1 and watchOS 11.6.1 now.
There’s also an iPadOS 18.6.1 update, but there are no fresh updates to macOS, tvOS or visionOS.
A redesigned blood oxygen measurement capability will arrive Thursday for Apple Watch models that lost access to the feature due to a patent dispute.
Apple found a workaround that involves the Apple Watch testing the user’s blood oxygenation level, then displaying the reading on a paired iPhone.
Update: Apple released iOS 18.6.1 and watchOS 11.6.1 with the promised workaround.
There’s skepticism about the low-cost MacBook that’s reportedly launching soon because it reportedly will run on an Apple A18 processor — the same one in current iPhones. But this chip is more powerful than you might realize.
I compared the performance of the A18 to Apple’s M-series Mac chips, and I think you’ll be surprised by how well the iPhone processor performed.
You can be excused if you don’t know off the top of your head how many external monitors your MacBook supports. The number varies by model, processor version, and even whether the laptop is open or closed. Still, there’s a good chance it’s more than you think.
Now that notebooks with the new M4 family of processors are available, here’s an updated guide to how many external screens you can attach to your MacBook.
Don’t set your heart on a MacBook Pro with a speedy new Apple M5 processor under the Christmas tree this year. A growing body of evidence indicates the next version of Apple’s premier laptop won’t arrive until 2026.
But the M5 processor should be available before then.
Plugable created the TBT-UDM Thunderbolt 4 dock with Apple users in mind. It offers more than a dozen ports — including dual 4K HDMI — in an aluminum chassis intended to blend into Mac setups.
Just as importantly, it launched Tuesday at a price lower than usual for a Thunderbolt dock.
The Kuxiu M30 Magnetic Smart Connector Charger for iPad Pro/Air clings to the back of Apple tablets and charges them without taking up the computer’s sole USB-C port.
It could be a real boon for those who wish their iPad included more ports.
Adding high-speed plug-in storage capacity to your computer is so easy it’s something every Mac user should consider. Here are some of the best consumer-oriented external SSDs that are designed for portability. Even better: many of these are on sale.
We did hands-in testing for nearly all of these — look for links to our reviews.
A deal on the Backbone One (USB-C), which ranks among the absolute best clip-on game controllers for iPhone, cuts 40% off the usual cost. It’s also on sale at Amazon, though the deal isn’t quite as good.
Can’t take the family Playstation or Xbox to university? Game on your iPhone instead with this controller.
When we polled Cult of Mac readers on what feature they want most in Apple Watch Series 11, the answer came through loud and clear: Bring back the Blood Oxygen app! None of the rumored upcoming Apple Watch features drew more attention than one that went missing last year over a patent dispute.
Unfortunately, the Blood Oxygen app remains tied up in U.S. courts. Apple needs to work out the problem, and soon. The missing Blood Oxygen app is undoubtedly hurting Apple Watch sales and angering customers. And it’s only going to get worse when the Apple Watch Series 11 and Ultra 3 launch next month — assuming Apple doesn’t come up with a workaround.
You didn’t miss your opportunity to see Apple’s blockbuster racing flick F1: The Movie in Imax. The movie starring Brad Pitt returns to the giant theater screens Friday, and should arrive on even more of them next week.
The film blends blazing-fast cars on the racetrack with clashing personalities off the track. Pitt plays an aging racer trying to prove he still has what it takes to be a Formula One driver, with the action playing out at 230 mph.
★★★★☆
The Twelve South Curve Nano is an iPhone stand designed to go with you anywhere. It’s slim and lightweight when folded, but flips open to support your handset when you’re watching video, making a video call and more.
I tried it out with my iPhone 16 Plus, both at home and on the go. Here’s what I found.
President Donald Trump warned computer makers Wednesday that he’ll soon hit them with a 100% tariff on chips and semiconductors imported into the United States. However, companies that make chips in the United States are exempt. Trump specifically called out Apple as one of the companies that will not be affected.
Processors for many Apple products are already produced in Arizona, and the company just announced a new deal with Samsung to make other types of chips in Texas.
U.S. President Donald Trump doubled the tariff rate charged on products imported into the United States from India on Wednesday, but the increase excludes iPhones produced in the country.
That’s a major relief for Apple, as it shifted production to India to escape Trump tariffs on products brought in from China.
The news pushed Apple’s share price up 5% on Wednesday.
The Smartish Wallflower magnetically attaches to your iPhone, where it’s ready to do three important jobs. It’s a finger loop so you don’t drop your handset, it’s a stand to prop up the device, and it’s even a suction mount so the iPhone can stick to many surfaces.
The clever accessory launched Tuesday.