Rajesh has been writing about consumer technology for over a decade, with a strong focus on iPhones, Macs and Apple’s ecosystem. He enjoys digging into Apple software updates, hardware changes, and discovering new Mac apps that make work faster and more enjoyable.
You can reach out to him at mail[at]rajeshpandey.me.
YouTube Premium Lite is a cheaper alternative to YouTube Premium. Logo/Text: YouTube/Rajesh Pandey/CultOfMac
YouTube introduced a new, cheaper paid tier in the US called YouTube Lite. While the “Lite” plan is light on perks, it also carries a lower monthly subscription fee of $7.99 per month.
YouTube Premium Lite retains the biggest advantage of paying for YouTube: an ad-free viewing experience. Well, almost.
The 2025 iPad Air is all about its M3 chip. Photo: Apple
Apple’s iPad Air lineup is getting an M3 refresh. The chip upgrade boosts the performance of the latest iPads while promising the same battery life. This enhancement aligns with Apple’s ongoing efforts to integrate advanced technologies, such as Apple Intelligence, into the company’s devices.
“iPad Air is so popular because of its unmatched combination of powerful performance, portability, and support for advanced accessories, all at an affordable price,” said Bob Borchers, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing. If you’re looking for a comparison with Apple’s flagship models, explore thisiPad Pro M3 review for more details.
iOS 18.4 beta is packed with new features. Photo: Rajesh Pandey/Cult of Mac
A week after the first iOS 18.4 beta dropped, Apple released the second beta build. It packs even more changes and brings an iPhone 16 feature to the iPhone 15 Pro lineup.
Below are all the changes we have discovered in iOS 18.4 beta 2 and previous builds so far.
iPhone 16e is as repairable as its other family members. Photo: iFixit
The new iPhone 16e proves about as repairable as other members of the iPhone 16 family, according to iFixit’s teardown of Apple’s new budget phone. Despite its lower price tag, the iPhone 16e packs many of the repairability features of its more-expensive siblings, including the ionic liquid battery adhesive that makes replacement easier.
However, iFixit’s teardown leaves one key question unanswered: Why did Apple omit MagSafe from iPhone 16e?
The Siri we deserve is still a few years away. Photo: Apple
Despite big promises, the Siri experience in iOS 18 is nowhere as good as it should be. An improved Siri reportedly will arrive with iOS 18.5 in May this year, one that is much smarter. However, don’t expect Siri to become like ChatGPT or Gemini until at least 2027.
A MacBook Air refresh is almost here. Photo: Lyle Kahney/Cult of Mac
Apple’s next MacBook Air refresh could reportedly happen “this coming week.” While an iPad Air refresh is also in the pipeline, it will arrive a few weeks later.
The company will supposedly launch the iPad 11 alongside the iPad Air refresh.
UPDATE (March 5): As predicted, the M4 MacBook Air launched on Wednesday. In addition, the new iPad Air came out a bit earlier than expected, and the iPad 11 debuted, also.
Is the iPhone 16e a better buy than the iPhone 15? Photo: Apple/Rajesh Pandey/CultOfMac
Starting at $599, the iPhone 16e costs less than an iPhone 15. As you’ll see in this iPhone 16e vs. iPhone 15 comparison, Apple admittedly (and unavoidably) cut some corners while making its newest budget phone. However, the iPhone 16e also flexes some muscles the iPhone 15 can’t. If you’re interested in expert opinions and in-depth analysis, check out the latestiPhone SE reviews.
So, should you save your money and get the iPhone 16e or spend the extra $100 for the iPhone 15? Find out in this comparison.
President Donald Trump might not like this iPhone dictation bug. Photo: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac
Apple said Tuesday it will fix a bizarre iPhone dictation glitch that briefly shows the word “Trump” when a user says “racist.” The company acknowledged the bug and pledged to roll out a fix “as soon as possible.”
The glitch first gained attention after a video went viral on TikTok showing it in action. If you’re in need of a usb to usbc solution for seamless connectivity, check out this10-port USB-C charger.
The iPhone 16 series is once again available from Apple in Indonesia. Photo: Apple
Apple reached an agreement with the Indonesian government to end the iPhone 16 sales ban in the country. The company could sign a memorandum of agreement with the Indonesian government as early as this week.
Apple is making a $500 billion investment commitment in the US. Photo: Apple
Apple pledged Monday to invest more than $500 billion in the United States over the next four years. This stands as the company’s largest-ever spending commitment to a market.
Under this investment, Apple will expand its U.S. manufacturing efforts.
iPhone 17 Pro is shaping up to be a big upgrade. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Apple will reportedly heavily focus on improving the iPhone 17 Pro’s video recording capabilities. The company supposedly wants video creators and vloggers to replace their current dedicated cameras with an iPhone.
To achieve this, Apple is set to introduce significant enhancements to the iPhone 17 Pro’s video recording capabilities.
You might want to hold off on your MacBook Air purchase until next month. Image: Apple/Cult of Mac
Apple’s M4-powered MacBook Air lineup will reportedly debut in March. The company is gearing up with the necessary marketing and sales preparations for the launch.
Stocks of the current M3 models are already dwindling, with limited inventory at most stores. If you’re planning to upgrade, now is a great time to also consider the best monitor for MacBook Air—check out our M4 MacBook Air review for recommendations.
iPhone 17 could feature another in-house Apple chip. Graphics: Rajesh Pandey/CultOfMac
Apple reportedly will switch to an in-house Wi-Fi chip with the upcoming iPhone 17 series, while the rumored slim iPhone 17 model will be the only device with both Apple’s Wi-Fi chip and the company’s own C1 modem for cellular, GPS and satellite connectivity.
iPhone 16e and iPhone 16 are not the same. Photo/Graphics: Apple/Rajesh Pandey
iPhone 16e vs. iPhone 16 — it’s decision time for anyone considering an affordable iPhone. The iPhone 16e, Apple’s newest addition to its iPhone 16 family, costs $599. It iPhone replaces the iPhone SE 3 to become the cheapest Apple smartphone with an A18 chip.
At first glance, the iPhone 16e seems quite similar to the iPhone 16, despite a $200 lower price. So, how does the iPhone 16e compare to the iPhone 16? Should you save your money and get Apple’s newest iPhone? Or pay extra and go for the iPhone 16? If you’re wondering which device best suits your needs, ouriPhone for life guide breaks it down in detail.
The Google Search experience is getting better on your iPhone. Photo: Rajesh Pandey/Cult of Mac
Google is bringing Circle to Search, one of its best search features, from Android to iPhone. Like on Android, you can now circle on your iPhone’s screen to search for the on-screen content.
The feature is coming to Google Chrome and the Google app through Lens integration.
Is this the iPhone 17 Air? Screenshot: Jon Prosser
Months before its rumored release, a YouTube video gives us a possible first look at the iPhone 17 Air. The super-slim iPhone seemingly will feature flat sides with rounded corners and a horizontal camera island at the top with a single lens. With its new design and camera setup, recording on iPhone could see significant improvements, making the iPhone 17 lineup a game-changer in mobile videography.
The iPhone 17 Air renders come from FPT, run by a famous iPhone leaker with a mixed track record, Jon Prosser.
Will Apple Intelligence make Vision Pro more useful? Photo: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac
A major visionOS update in April will add Apple Intelligence to the Vision Pro. It will reportedly also introduce an updated guest mode and a new spatial content app.
Apple will roll out these features with visionOS 2.4 in April. The beta will drop as early as the week beginning February 16th.
You can download TikTok from the App Store again. Screenshot: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac
Apple reinstated TikTok on the App Store, once again making it available for download. This move comes after U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi wrote a letter to Apple confirming that the U.S. government won’t enforce the ban on TikTok.
Apple removed TikTok and other ByteDance apps from the App Store in mid-January to comply with the law.
Apple has finally found an AI partner in China. Photo: Unsplash
Apple will rely on Alibaba to bring Apple Intelligence to China. While the Cupertino giant launched its AI features with iOS 18.1 late last year, they are yet to go live in China.
Apple reportedly held talks with several Chinese companies, including Baidu and ByteDance, to power its AI services in the country.
Your wait for iPhone SE 4 just got a bit longer. Photo: Cult of Mac
Apple’s new iPhone SE will arrive “next week” and not this week as previously rumored. The company will make a “smaller announcement” on Friday, February 14th.
The Cupertino giant will apparently also unveil the M4 MacBook Air “within weeks.”
You can move your digital purchases from one Apple ID to another. Screenshot/Graphics: Apple/Rajesh Pandey
In a move unlike Apple, it is finally allowing you to transfer your digital purchases across Apple Accounts. The company has released a tool and published an extensive support article detailing the steps.
There are several conditions and requirements, with the migration option not available worldwide.