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News - page 21

Next iPad Pro could be Apple’s first device with M5 chip

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M5 iPad Pro rumors
Apple plans to launch a bunch of devices in late 2025 and early 2026.
Image: Apple/Cult of Mac

Instead of new Macs, Apple will reportedly use the next iPad Pro refresh as the debut device for its M5 chip. The new tablet could launch “as early as October.”

It’s also working on an M4 iPad Air refresh and iPhone 17e for a possible early 2026 launch.

M5 MacBook Pro no longer coming in 2025

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M5 MacBook Pro rumors
The latest M5 MacBook Pro rumor says the updated macOS notebook won’t be out until next year.
Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac

Apple might not get the next-generation MacBook Pro with the upcoming M5 processor out this autumn, as had been expected. The notebook will instead launch early next year, according to a respected source of insider information.

If true, it means that Apple’s new Mac processor will once again launch in an iPad.

Crease-free folding iPhone screen (probably) just launched in Samsung Z Fold 7

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Samsung Z Fold 7
The bendable screen in the Samsung Z Fold 7 is likely headed for the folding iPhone, too.
Photo: Marques Brownlee

Those eager for a folding iPhone should glance at the beautiful, bendable screen in the Samsung Z Fold 7, which launched Tuesday. If rumors are correct, this display will also be part of Apple’s foldable. Or something very close to it.

There are no in-depth reviews of the new screen yet, but early indications are that Samsung finally virtually eliminated the crease that’s been the fatal flaw of all previous flexible displays… which is very good news for the folding iPhone.

New Aqara doorbell camera hub brings HomeKit Secure Video and Matter support

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Aqara G410 doorbell camera hub
The new Aqara G410 Doorbell Camera Hub should please HomeKit users.
Photo:

Aqara’s new G410 Doorbell Camera Hub delivers a compelling package for Apple ecosystem users who want comprehensive smart home integration without recurring subscription fees. Priced at $129.99, this battery-powered video doorbell stands out as one of the few devices on the market to offer full HomeKit Secure Video support alongside extensive Matter smart-home standard compatibility, the company said Thursday.

Apple could wirelessly update sealed Macs with macOS Tahoe

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Green iMac box sitting on a brown desk.
Your next Mac could come with the latest macOS release pre-installed.
Photo: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

With ‘Presto,’ Apple devised a way to wirelessly update iPhones without right through their retail packaging. With macOS Tahoe, the company could bring the same technology to Macs.

This change will ensure your new Mac runs the latest available macOS version, no matter how long it’s been sitting in inventory.

Apple preps Vision Pro 2 with M4 chip and comfort upgrades

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Vision Pro 2 with M4 chip
An update on the original Vision Pro headset will boost processing power and improve comfort.
Photo: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac

Apple prepares to launch its first major update to the Vision Pro AR/VR headset as early as this year, featuring a faster M4 processor and a redesigned strap aimed at addressing comfort complaints that have plagued the $3,499 device since its launch, according to a new report.

Why this dark horse candidate could be Apple’s next CEO

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Cartoon of Apple's current executive team with Apple CEO Tim Cook in the foreground.
The most likely person to take over as Apple CEO when Tim Cook steps down is a dark horse candidate.
Photo: Apple/Grok

With the surprise retirement of Apple COO Jeff Williams on Tuesday, all bets are off concerning the next CEO of Apple.

Williams, a 27-year Apple veteran, was widely regarded as the likely next CEO of Apple when Tim Cook eventually steps down.

But with Williams out of the running, Apple senior vice presidents John Ternus or Craig Federighi are now seen as the most probable candidates for the top spot.

But I think it could be someone else entirely — and it’s a pick I haven’t seen anyone else make.

Here’s who I think might be the next CEO of Apple, and why.

Mac shipments surge with double-digit growth

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M4 iMac in use
Apple keeps selling more and more Macs each quarter.
Photo: Apple

Mac shipments increased 21.4% in the second quarter of 2025, according to a market research firm. Apple has shown strong growth in shipments every quarter since the launch of multiple M4-powered Mac models began last autumn, and the new chip has helped grow the company’s share of the global market.

Most of the top Windows makers also saw growth last quarter, but none can match Apple’s pace.

Jeff Williams steps down as Apple COO

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Apple COO Jeff Williams
Apple COO Jeff Williams announced his retirement on Tuesday.
Photo: Apple

Jeff Williams, Apple’s chief operating officer in charge of the company’s global operations since 2010, will retire later this year. Even before then, though, his position will be filled by Sabih Khan, who currently serves as senior vice president of operations.

Apple described the move as “a long-planned succession” in a press release on Tuesday. The move certainly ends years of speculation that Williams would someday take Tim Cook’s place as Apple CEO.

Apple TV+ renews acclaimed spy series Slow Horses for seventh season

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Slow Horses season 7
Spy drama Slow Horses will see a seventh season on Apple TV+.
Photo: Apple TV+

Even with seasons five and six yet to stream, here comes Slow Horses season 7! Apple TV+ officially greenlit a seventh season of its hit spy drama “Slow Horses” Tuesday. So the adventures of dysfunctional British MI5 intelligence team continue. The announcement comes as the Emmy and BAFTA Award-winning series continues to garner critical acclaim and build a devoted fanbase.

Slow Horses has won fans all over the world with its unique mix of self-deprecating British humor and high-octane action,” said Jay Hunt, creative director, Europe, Apple TV+. “I’m delighted viewers will have another season to enjoy Gary’s magnificent performance as Jackson Lamb alongside the Slow Horses’ slightly inept spycraft.”

Meta poaches one of Apple’s top AI brains

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new AI server chips
Apple's struggles with AI continue.
Photo: Apple

Apple’s AI ambitions take a hit as a key executive leading its AI model efforts departs the company. Meta has successfully managed to poach Ruoming Pang, who managed Apple’s foundation models team.

Meta is forming a new superintelligence team and reportedly offering pay packages of up to $100 million to attract top AI talent.

iPhone 17 leak teases Pro-exclusive design upgrades

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iPhone 17 Pro rumors
Apple might reserve the bigger design changes to the iPhone 17 Pro.
Concept: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

A new leak provides more details about the upcoming iPhone 17 family’s design changes, including possibly UI changes based on the Dynamic Island. While the base model will feature slight design tweaks, the Pro models will adopt a new “horizontal large matrix design.”

The entire lineup will also supposedly use narrow-bezel LIPO flat screens, a technology that enables even thinner bezels than current solutions.

Murderbot still beats almost every streaming series

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Alexander Skarsgård stars in Murderbot on Apple TV+
Alexander Skarsgård plays the eponymous Murderbot in the Apple TV+ series.
Photo: Apple TV+

The sci-fi action comedy Murderbot exploded onto the ratings charts after it reached streaming in May, and continues to be popular even as the season finale approaches. Many weeks after a launch, the series from Apple TV+ still appears on the top 10 lists of a company that tracks ratings.

Plus, Owen Wilson‘s sport comedy Stick also pulls in plenty of viewers.

Apple Watch Ultra 3: What to expect

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Apple Watch Ultra 3 Rumors
You don’t have to wait until autumn to find out what the Apple Watch Ultra 3 has to offer.
Photo: Apple

After a very modest refresh last year, rumors indicate the Apple Watch Ultra 3 — set to launch this September alongside the iPhone 17 series — will mark Apple’s most ambitious wearable update yet.

Here’s what we’re expecting in 2025’s major overhaul of Apple’s rugged smartwatch. Keep reading or check out our latest video

This is how Apple torture tests its devices

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It only took roughly 6-foot drops and a bit higher to badly crack iPhone 15 Pro's front and back.
Before they ship, Apple products survive tough durability tests.
Photo: AppleTrack

Despite their sleek designs, Apple products boast impressive durability. And now, for the first time, the company has provided a look into one of its 200 durability labs, where it rigorously torture tests its products.

Apple conducts several types of trials on its devices, including environmental, liquid, drop and vibration stress tests.

Apple’s cheapest laptop ever?!? [The CultCast]

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The CultCast episode 706: Cheapest MacBook ever?
Apple wants a low-end MacBook that's colorful and more affordable than ever.
Image: Cult of Mac

This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: Apple reportedly plans to release its cheapest MacBook ever next year. This low-cost laptop might run on an iPhone chip and help Apple convince more people to switch from Windows machines.

Could playful colors — and possibly a plastic case — make this low-end Apple laptop a hit?

Also on The CultCast:

  • Apple might lean on Anthropic’s Claude or OpenAI’s ChatGPT to power the long-delayed smarter Siri.
  • A new timeline lays out what to expect from the next three years of Apple Vision headsets and smart glasses.
  • In the how-to segment, we discuss our picks for the best Apple Watch faces. We also talk about why you might want to change things up.
  • In the new listener question segment, we explain what to do when you’re low on iCloud storage.
  • And in an all-new Under Review, Leander describes the benefits of three inexpensive aftermarket CarPlay screens.

Listen to this week’s episode of The CultCast in the Podcasts app or your favorite podcast app. (Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review if you like it!) Or watch the video, embedded below.

iPhone 17 Pro Max could pack a seriously big battery

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iPhone 17 Pro Max rumors
Hopefully, a larger iPhone 15 Pro Max battery will boost the overall runtime significantly.
Concept: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple’s upcoming iPhone 17 Pro Max might pack the biggest battery ever in an iPhone. A leaker indicates the phone could sport a 5,000mAh cell.

If accurate, that would be noticeably bigger than the iPhone 16 Pro and rival the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra.

Qwerkywriter retro typewriter is the coolest-looking iPad keyboard ever

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Qwerkywriter retro typewriter is the coolest-looking iPad keyboard ever
Give your setup a retro look with Qwerkywriter.
Photo: Qwerkytoys

Suppose you want your office to have a retro look, but you can’t give up your modern computers (of course). You need the Qwerkywriter — it has the look of a classic typewriter, but includes an integrated iPad stand. Or it can wirelessly connect to your Mac.

Add a vintage-looking keyboard to your setup, without giving up functionality.

Apple delays launch of folding iPad

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Folding iPad rumors: Now on hold
Patience is required for those eager to get a folding iPad.
Photo: ChatGPT/Cult of Mac

Apple just hit the pause button on the large folding iPad supposedly on the drawing board in Cupertino, according to a published report from Wednesday. Development work had allegedly been going on for years.

At the same time, the company is reportedly moving ahead with a folding iPhone.

Apple sues ex-employee for allegedly stealing Vision Pro trade secrets

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Tim Cook uses Vision Pro every day
Yet another case of an Apple insider stealing trade secrets.
Photo: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac

Apple accused a former Vision Pro engineer of stealing confidential documents related to the headset. In a lawsuit filed on June 24, Apple alleges Di Liu, a senior design engineer at the company, stole a “massive volume” of trade secrets.

Liu joined Snap soon after leaving Apple in a similar role.

Clever Cleaner iPhone storage cleanup app: Free to use and free of ads, forever!

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Clever Cleaner for iPhone storage
It's truly free to use and doesn't even have ads.
Photo: Clever Files

Clever Cleaner is a new, completely free iPhone storage cleanup app that helps you reclaim valuable space, organize photo libraries and speed up your phone’s performance.

Developed by Clever Files, maker of popular data-recovery tool Disk Drill, it stands out in a crowded market for one simple reason: It actually delivers on its promises of fast iPhone cleaner app that’s completely free to use — and free of advertising.

“We believe everyone should have access to a high-quality, reliable and safe cleaning tool for your iPhone,” Clever Files says. “Clever Cleaner is our way of giving back to the community, ensuring people don’t have to sacrifice privacy or pay monthly subscriptions just to keep their devices organized.”

All the CarPlay upgrades coming in iOS 26

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Liquid Glass design in CarPlay
iOS 26 will make CarPlay even better.
Photo: Apple

In addition to a Liquid Glass design overhaul, iOS 26 will improve the CarPlay experience by bringing several iPhone features to cars’ infotainment displays.

If you’re a fan of Apple’s in-car software, check out how iOS 26 will upgrade your experience later this year.

Hardware-encrypted portable SSD unlocks with its own touchscreen

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OWC Guardian
The OWC Guardian encrypted portable SSD unlocks with its own color touchscreen.
Photo: OWC

The OWC Guardian stands out from the pack of SSDs with built-in hardware encryption unlocked with its own touchscreen. No special software is needed.

The USB-C drive works with a variety of computers, offers fast data transfers and is available in up to 4 TB of capacity.