Ed Hardy has been writing full-time about tech for 25 years, and using it for much longer than that. His intro to Apple was a Macintosh Classic II (which he still has), but now he uses a 13-inch iPad Pro as his primary computer. He’s written for NotebookReview, TabletPCReview, and Brighthand, as well as other sites.
Bring back the iPod! Apple should start manufacturing its dedicated music player again. With iPhones increasingly banned from schools, a simple entertainment device could fill the gap.
That said, creating a new iPod for the streaming era would not be as simple as bringing previous models back to life.
iOS 26.0.1 includes multiple bug fixes for iPhone 17 users. Image: Cult of Mac
iOS 26.0.1 and macOS Tahoe 26.0.1 launched on Monday, bringing a range of bug fixes to the major operating system upgrades introduced earlier this month. That includes taking care of multiple issues in the new iPhone 17 series — some quite serious.
In addition, iPadOS 26.0.1, watchOS 26.0.2, tvOS 26.0.1 and visionOS 26.0.1 all went to users on Monday.
The Studio mocks movie studio executives… like these. Photo: Apple TV+
The Studio relentlessly mocks Hollywood and the film industry. It stayed popular during its first season, but that wrapped up months ago. This didn’t stop plenty of viewers from tuning back in after the show garnered an amazing 13 Emmy awards earlier this month to once again make it one of the most popular series on streaming, according to a company that track ratings.
With a Siri revamp under way, Apple’s voice assistant needs a chatbot. Graphic: ChatGPT
Apple is reportedly testing an AI-powered chatbot that can perform many tasks that the promised Siri upgrade will be able to handle. The app supposedly gives Apple employees a way to test future Siri capabilities, but also to explore whether Siri needs a chatbot functionality.
ChatGPT, Google Gemini and others made AI chatbots mainstream, so not having one in the long-promised Siri revamp would be a glaring omission. One that would draw considerable criticism.
An iPhone battery’s cycle count is an indication of its health. Screenshot: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
The latest iPhones show the devices’ battery cycle count, helping users track the long-term “health” of the battery. Displaying this data is simple, though it’s somewhat hidden.
In addition, you can check when the iPhone 15, 16 or 17 was manufactured and first activated. (Note: This does not work with older iPhones.)
★★★★★
The Apple Watch SE 3 can probably save you $150. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Apple Watch SE 3 is a huge upgrade, packing an always-on display, a new processor, fast charging, gesture support and many more improvements. It’s so good that it presents a problem for Apple Watch buyers: is there a reason to pay more to get a Series 11?
After a week with the SE 3, I’m blown away at how much I got for $249. Here’s why.
iOS 26.1 could usher in a new system to install security patches. Graphic: Cult of Mac
Code found in iOS 26 beta 1 reportedly reveals that Apple is prepping a new feature: Background Security Improvements. These will patch security problems and won’t need the user to be involved or even be aware that a patch is being applied to their iPhone.
This is apparently the replacement for Rapid Security Responses, an iPhone security tool that Apple introduced but then hasn’t used in years.
Do not worry that you’ll accidentally bend your iPhone Air. Despite its super-slim shape, tests show that it takes a huge amount of pressure to get the sleek new model to break.
That should reassure those who might accidentally sit on the handset.
Spike Lee directed Highest 2 Lowest while Denzel Washington stars in the hit movie. Photo: Apple TV+
Spike Lee’s crime drama starring Denzel Washington keeps pulling in a large audience, defying a possible second week drop off. Highest 2 Lowest earned a spot among the most popular films on streaming, according to two companies that track ratings. It’s a win for Apple TV+.
Plus, Apple TV+’s comedy The Studio had a comeback after winning lots of awards this week, and Apple’s adaptation of the sci-fi classic Foundation stayed popular even as its third season wrapped up.
★★★★★
The base model iPhone 17 is so good you might forgo the Pro version. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Apple put an always-on screen in the iPhone 17 and improved the display’s refresh rate to 120 Hz. Plus, the selfie cam got a brilliant new feature. There are plenty of other enhancements too — including double the storage capacity! — which all combine to make Apple’s new base-model iPhone a welcome upgrade for those ready to move up from an aging device.
This is the first time I’ve regularly used a basic iOS model in almost a decade. I’m impressed with what Apple offers for $799. It’s really made me question the need for a Pro model. Here’s why.
Your AirPods can act as a camera control to take group shots with you in them. Image: Apple/Belle Co/Pexels
AirPods have a new trick that lets them work as a camera remote. Simply pressing the earbuds’ stem can control your iPhone’s Camera app and snap a picture. This proves helpful when you want to set your iPhone to take a large group photo with you in it.
However, the feature is off by default. You need to activate it. Here’s what to do.
iOS 26 might temporarily slow down your iPhone because the installation process takes longer than your think. Photo: Gemini/Cult of Mac
iPhone users who just installed iOS 26 might notice a reduction in their battery life, or that their phone is heating up. The devices might even be running a bit slower. A new Apple support document explains that this is temporary as the iOS update process continues in the background.
★★★★★
The LaCie Rugged SSD4 is rugged, fast and holds up 4TB. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
The just-launched LaCie Rugged SSD4 from Seagate is for “creators working beyond the four walls of a studio.” It’s designed to stand up to punishment while offering terabytes of storage and USB4 data transfer speeds. That’s fast enough for iPhone Pro users to record ProRes 4K video.
I put the SSD through real-world testing. Here’s how it came out.
Always thought iPhone belongs in a museum? This is for you. Photo: Grid Studio
Grid Studio creates striking iPhone artwork by carefully deconstructing vintage Apple devices and arranging their components in sleek, museum-style frames. And now a deal knocks up to 57% off the cost of a range of offerings — from an original iPhone to an iPhone 13 — to celebrate the company’s fifth birthday.
But don’t procrastinate. The sale ends in two days.
Early reviews of AirPods Pro 3 are out, and wow, are they positive. Engadget calls Apple’s latest a “comprehensive update to its best set of earbuds.” Cnet‘s headline perhaps said it best: “Big improvements, same price, no compromises.”
After poring over AirPods Pro 3 reviews from a wide variety of sources, it’s hard to find a negative comment anywhere.
Windowed Apps is the best new feature in iPadOS 26. Image: Apple
iPadOS 26 is the biggest iPad revamp since 2010, bringing new features that make the tablet far more Mac-like. And there are other enhancements too, especially the user interface overhaul dubbed Liquid Glass that Apple’s latest software brings to all of he company’s devices.
Here are the best changes to iPadOS 26 … the ones you’ll use every day. (Many of the new iPadOS 26 features can also be found in the latest iPhone software, so be sure to also read our guide to everything new in iOS 26.)
And the winner of the “Most Sought After” prize goes to… Image: Apple/Cult of Mac
The iPhone 17 Pro Max seems to be the favorite of those rushing to grab a new Apple device on the first day of preorders. Order this model now in the United States, and the wait for the delivery stretches out until October.
In contrast, the super-slim iPhone Air can still be ordered for delivery on launch day, September 19. The same is true for iPhone 17 Pro and the base model iPhone 17.
UPDATE: Two days after 2025 iPhone preorders began, the wait time to have most iPhone 17 Pro Max configurations delivered from the U.S. Apple Store has slipped to mid-October. But the situation hasn’t changed for the iPhone Air: You can still order the super-slim phone for delivery on launch day, September 19. Meanwhile, early stocks of the base-model iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro are starting to run out.
The Lightning connector was ahead of its time. Photo: Anker
September 12, 2012: The Lightning connector replaces Apple’s aging 30-pin interface, a proprietary data and power connector that debuted on the iPod Classic in 2003. The slender and capable new Lightning port debuts in the iPhone 5, bringing big improvements — and no small amount of controversy.
Apple soon will build the Lightning connector into many other products, including iPad, iPod and accessories. Lightning cables can charge the mobile devices as well as transfer data to a Mac or PC.
The Samsung T9 puts terabytes of storage in your pocket. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
A deal on the Samsung T9 SSD lets you add terabytes of storage to your Mac or iPad without breaking the bank. The T9 offers up to 4TB of capacity and offers blazing fast data transfers, without the risks of cloud storage. And you can grab the SSD now at up to 36% below the original cost.
For an even more affordable option, the older Samsung T7 is available with considerable discounts, too.
To increase the iPhone Air battery life, Apple crammed in more battery than you might realize. Photo: Apple
The concerns about iPhone Air battery life now seem overblown. Apple gave data on how long the new, super-slim handset lasts between recharges, and it’s going to beat most previous iPhones.
While it won’t offer the best battery life ever in an iPhone, the early report that it won‘t last a typical day without needing a recharge turned out to be baloney.
Live Translation with AirPods seems great… where it’s available. Photo: Apple
Apple’s new feature that lets AirPods act as language translators isn’t available for EU residents while they’re in Europe. What makes the restriction odd is that the feature can be used by EU residents outside of the European Union.
And Live Translation with AirPods can be used by those traveling to the European Union from the United States, the United Kingdom, etc.
The rumors were correct about iPhone 17 series RAM. Image: ChatGPT/Cult of Mac
The iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max include 12GB of RAM, which is 50% more than their predecessors. The change should improve the performance of the handsets, especially when handling AI-related functions.
However, the base model iPhone 17 did not get a RAM upgrade. And the amount in the iPhone Air remains unknown.