★★★★☆
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.
Those eager to get their hands on one of the upcoming iPhone 17 models should mark their calendars. Information supposedly leaking out of a German wireless carrier indicates Apple’s next-generation smartphones will launch during a fall product-launch event on September 8.
No matter whether this leak is legitimate or not, just using Apple’s previous habits to estimate the iPhone 17 launch day turns up September 8 as a very likely possibility.
Apple’s revenue from selling iPhones makes up a whopping 43% of the global smartphone total, according to a new report from a market research firm. That’s close to triple the revenue the next closest rival brings in from its Androids.
Apple rakes in such a high percentage of the total by selling high-end models, versus its rivals who get their revenue from basic smartphones.
Stick continues to stick near the tops of the streaming TV popularity charts as the sports comedy wraps up its first season. The Apple TV+ series starring Owen Wilson kept its audience since the premiere in June.
It maintains AppleTV’s long streak of at least one series or film among the top 10 most popular.
Apple has an AI problem, and it’s hoping to solve it in the traditional manner: by pouring money on it.
In a conference call with investors Thursday, Apple CEO Tim Cook acknowledged that the company’s costs for developing artificial intelligence technology continue to grow. He also mentioned that the company is not just open to acquiring companies with AI expertise — it’s already actively doing so.
Nevertheless, the AI-enhanced version of Siri won’t arrive before 2026.
Tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump on iPhones and Macs produced in Asia and then imported into the United States will cost Apple $1.1 billion in the current quarter, according to an estimate from Apple CEO Tim Cook on Thursday.
If the prediction proves accurate, the total cost to Apple from these new import taxes will come close to $2 billion … and that number’s growing.
Apple’s just-revealed spring quarter financial results feature revenue and profits that jumped double digits. The Mac-maker even set another record — it never before took in so much during any previous April-through-June quarter.
“Today Apple is proud to report a June quarter revenue record with double-digit growth in iPhone, Mac and Services and growth around the world, in every geographic segment,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO.
And in a call with financial analysts after the announcement, Cook was able to brag that total iPhone shipments passed the 3 billion mark last quarter, and shared plenty of positive news about demand in China.
Apple now makes it easy to install prerelease AirPods firmware on your wireless earbuds. The company once reserved this option for only a select few developers. But now, anyone willing to put potentially buggy software on their AirPods can try upcoming features early.
The temptation is understandable. The upcoming iOS 26 brings a range of enhancements to Apple earbuds, but you need unreleased AirPods firmware to take advantage of them. Install the beta AirPods software, and you can try out improved audio recording, auto-pause when sleeping, and many other new features.
Feeling brave? Let’s go.
P.S. Not looking for the prerelease version? We also have a guide on how to install the regular non-beta AirPods software.
When Apple reveals the financial details of the spring 2025 quarter, Wall Street analysts expect solid, if not spectacular, growth from the Mac maker.
It’s not what some analysts feared would happen earlier this year, especially after a warning from Apple CEO Tim Cook in the spring that tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump on iPhones and Macs produced in Asia and then imported into the United States would cost the company about a billion dollars during the April-through-June quarter.
★★★★☆
A couple of things immediately catch the eye about the Ultra-Nano Qi2 3-in-1 Travel Charger. One, you can make it into a convenient stand or lay it out flat when charging your iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods. And the second? Wow, this thing is a deal.
I tried it out with all my Apple devices. There are a lot of features to like here, but also a quirk in the design that Apple Watch wearers need to know about.