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Why the folding iPhone Ultra might launch in only one color

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Latest folding iPhone images look amazing.
The folding iPhone Ultra might debut in a neutral color, rather than a range of them.
Image: Majin Bu

Looks like we’ll be able to get the folding iPhone Ultra and any color we want, as long as what we want is white.

A noted tipster says Apple’s upcoming handset with a flexible screen could come only in that single color option. It’s not a surprising move for a device expected to be a niche product because of its premium price.

UK plans to jail tech execs if kids keep seeing nudes on devices

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UK threatens to jail tech execs
We're not saying any of these tech executives would go to jail, but the UK may target anyone whose products let kids see nudity on their devices.
AI image: ChatGPT/Cult of Mac

The UK government plans to compel Apple, Google and other technology companies to block children from encountering any nudity on their devices like iPhones and iPads — and to imprison executives who fail to act for up to 5 years, according to a new report Friday about policy changes in the works.

Seems like the sort of thing that could make incoming Apple CEO John Ternus a little nervous.

Today in Apple history: iOS overtakes BlackBerry OS

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A BlackBerry device running BlackBerry OS that shows an empty battery icon on its screen.
Time was running out for BlackBerry.
Photo: Kārlis Dambrāns/Flickr CC

June 3: Today in Apple history: iOS overtakes BlackBerry OS for first time June 3, 2011: iOS overtakes Research in Motion’s BlackBerry operating system for the first time, with Apple’s mobile operating system inching past BlackBerry OS.

While Android remains comfortably in the lead in terms of market share, the news marks the beginning of the end for BlackBerry as a smartphone powerhouse.

iOS 27 might finally bring split-screen multitasking to the iPhone

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A photo of a concept showing split screen multitasking on the iPhone.
With the iPhone Ultra, Apple might finally bring multitasking to the iPhone.
Photo: Techblood.in

Apple is reportedly working on new multitasking features in iOS 27 that would automatically adapt any iPhone app for landscape and split-screen layouts.

With the rumored folding iPhone on the horizon, a lack of multitasking would translate to a waste of screen real estate. But this rumored capability could mean your entire app collection would work instantly, without Apple waiting for developers to redesign their apps.

Next-gen OLED Apple Watch displays could lead to longer battery life

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Next-gen OLED Apple Watch displays
Apple Watch OLED displays are great now, but more advanced tech could boost power efficiency and, therefore, battery life.
Photo: Apple

The display in your Apple Watch may already seem pretty great, but a new type of screen technology in development could make models in the next year or two even better by running for longer on a single charge, according to a new report.

iOS 26.5.1 update fixes charging problem with Phone 17 and iPhone Air

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iOS 26.5.1 update
If you're one of the unlucky few the charging problem vexes, here's your solution.
Image: Cult of Mac

Apple made an update available for its iPhone operating system Monday with iOS 26.5.1. It addresses a wired charging problem some users with iPhone Series 17 or iPhone Air handsets face.

Apple said the problem affects a “small number of users.” But for the few users who face it, the problem probably feels pretty big. The same goes for a Mac glitch fixed by macOS 26.5.1, also released Monday.

Today in Apple history: Newspaper replaces photo staff with iPhones

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More than a trillion photos were captured in 2015.
A big Chicago daily pulls the plug on staff photographers.
Photo: HypeBeast

May 31: Today in Apple history: Chicago Sun-Times replaces photo staff with iPhones May 31, 2013: The Chicago Sun-Times fires all 28 of its photographers, with the goal of training its staff to shoot photos using iPhones instead. Pulitzer Prize winner John H. White is among those who lose their jobs.

The move is significant not just because of what it says about the declining newspaper industry. It also spotlights the iPhone’s growing acceptance as a professional camera.

8 built-in editing tools to glow up your pictures on your iPhone

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Screenshot adjust Portrait mode on a photo, captioned, Edit Picture On iPhone
Master your photos. No computer nor equipment required.
Image: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

Who needs a computer or expensive photo editing software like Adobe Lightroom? You can edit pictures right on your iPhone with Apple’s free, built-in tools.

The Photos app comes with a ton of professional editing tools baked into it. If you didn’t line your shot up quite right, you can fix the crop and perspective. If you took it a split second too late, you can use Live Photo functionality to replace the shot. You can add a Portrait mode blur after the fact, and even change which part of the image is in focus. 

Here are the eight great editing tools built right into your iPhone. 

WhatsApp will soon make it easy for iPhone users to share documents with Meta AI

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A picture of WhatsApp used in a story about Meta AI now supporting document uploads in WhatsApp.
iPhone users will soon be able to summarize documents using Meta AI in WhatsApp.
Photo: WhatsApp/Cult Of Mac

WhatsApp wants to make Meta AI a lot more useful on the iPhone. To that end, Meta is working on a new feature that allows users to upload documents and get AI-powered summaries and answers right in WhatsApp.

For iPhone users, this sounds like a meaningful upgrade. Instead of switching between apps to analyze PDFs, notes, presentations or spreadsheets, users will be able to hand files directly to Meta AI without relying on another chatbot.

5 tips for natural-looking, lo-fi pictures on your iPhone

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Take Lo-Fi Pictures
You can use your phone to take lo-fi pictures. You don’t need a separate point-and-shoot camera.
Image: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

If you feel like every photo you take looks boring and overprocessed, you can change your iPhone camera settings to take natural, lo-fi pictures.

Turning down the exposure can prevent the photo from looking unnaturally bright (and more like something shot on an older digital camera). If you have a newer iPhone, you can even change its Photographic Style to “Natural,” for better-looking colors. A few quick trips into the Settings app can turn off the lens distortion on the Ultra Wide and selfie cameras, for that pure fisheye look. 

You can even take things a step further and download a different camera app — one that captures totally unprocessed photos straight from your iPhone’s sensor. 

Here are my top tips for taking lo-fi iPhone photos.

iOS 27 might finally fix the messy AirPods settings screen

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A photo of Apple AirPods used in a story about AirPods settings page revamp.
The AirPods' settings page just keeps getting more crowded as Apple adds new features.
Photo: Apple

Apple is reportedly preparing to overhaul one of the iPhone’s most cluttered menus: the AirPods settings screen.

Over the years, the AirPods settings screen has grown more cluttered with every new feature Apple introduces to the popular earbuds. That could change with iOS 27, which could come with a completely revamped layout for the AirPods settings.

Titanium iPhone redux? [Cult of Mac podcast No. 21]

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Image from Apple event showcasing iPhone 15 Pro with the word
Will future iPhones come in titanium once again?
Image: Apple/Cult of Mac

On the latest episode of the Cult of Mac podcast: Apple might go back to the iPhone future, thanks to some metallurgical magic that involves a special titanium alloy.

We discuss the pros, the cons and the possible timeline for such a retro upgrade.

Also on the Cult of Mac podcast:

  • Another recent Apple rumor also sounds like a bit of a flashback: The Apple Watch Ultra 4 might get high-blood-pressure alerts. Um, doesn’t it already do that? Yes, but …
  • As per tradition, Apple reveals new accessibility features coming in the next version of iOS. And, as always, they sound pretty incredible.
  • Special guest Niléane shows off TinyStart, a “tiny launcher for macOS,
fast and focused on the essentials.”

Listen to this week’s episode of the Cult of Mac podcast 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 version, embedded below.

Apple’s next iPhone redesign could be all about the curved display

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A photo of a smartphone used in a story about the iPhone 19 Pro's much rumored curved OLED screen.
Apple may finally be preparing to move beyond the Dynamic Island era.
Photo: ChatGPT/Cult of Mac

Apple is reportedly testing a prototype quad-curved OLED screen for the iPhone 19 Pro as part of its push toward an all-screen iPhone. If the leaks prove accurate, it could mark Apple’s biggest redesign since the iPhone X.

The rumored 2027 flagship phone is said to come with under-display Face ID and be curved on all four sides. It could give buyers a compelling reason to skip the iPhone 18 Pro.

Apple won’t let you downgrade from iOS 26.5 anymore — here’s why

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A photo of an iPhone used in a story about the iOS 26.5 update.
Apple officially closed the downgrade window for iOS 26.4.2.
Image: Cult of Mac

Apple stopped signing iOS 26.4.2, meaning iPhone users who updated to iOS 26.5 can no longer roll back to the previous version.

Whenever Apple rolls out an iOS update, it allows users to go back to the previous version if they run into bugs or other issues. But once the company considers the new release stable, it stops signing the older build.

Apple’s titanium iPhone experiment might not be over just yet

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A photo of the iPhone used in a story about future iPhone Pro models getting titanium chassis.
Apple’s next-generation titanium alloy could improve both durability and cooling.
Photo: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

Apple might be having second thoughts about aluminum on the iPhone. A few months after switching the iPhone 17 Pro away from titanium, the company is now reportedly experimenting with an improved titanium alloy that could fix a huge problem with the metal.

If Apple finds a way to make it practical, we could see titanium return to a future iPhone Pro. But the problem is that titanium isn’t as good as aluminum at transferring heat. Aluminum’s better thermal properties are likely why Apple moved away from titanium in the first place. Also, aluminum is cheaper and easier to recycle.

Apple lets Fortnite back on the App Store, but the fight isn’t over yet

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A photo of a smartphone showing Fortnite on the Epic Games Store.
Fortnite is back on iPhone after years away following Epic Games’ legal clash with Apple.
Photo: Epic Games

Fortnite returned to the App Store in almost all regions, ending its years-long absence that began when Epic Games sued Apple over in-app purchases.

The battle royale’s comeback is real, but Epic Games’ claim that it has already won isn’t completely true. Epic Games brought back Fortnite to the App Store on Tuesday, following the game’s U.S. return last year. But there’s an exception — Australia — and the legal fight that made this possible is nowhere near finished.

What to expect from iOS 27 at WWDC26

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iOS 27: Customizable camera app and rebuilt Siri
iOS 27 could support an upgraded Camera app with a Siri camera mode plus an overall overhaul of the voice assistant.
Photo: Chat GPT/Cult of Mac

Apple WWDC26:Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference kicks off June 8, and all eyes are on iOS 27 — the software update that could define the iPhone experience for the next several years.

Given a steady drumbeat of reliable rumors, a surprisingly complete picture of the update has already emerged. Here’s what to expect in iOS 27 regarding the big Siri revamp and more. We’ll see if the keynote confirms it all.

WhatsApp tests a smarter way to make iPhone messages disappear

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A photograph of WhatsApp on a smartphone used in a story about a new disappearing messages option.
The latest WhatsApp beta adds more control to disappearing messages on iPhone.
Photo: antonbe/Pixabay

WhatsApp is testing a new feature on iPhone where messages automatically disappear once you read them. The privacy-focused feature, called “After reading,” also gives users fine-tuned control over how long their texts remain visible after someone opens them.

The new feature builds upon WhatsApp’s existing disappearing messages functionality. Currently, users can choose to automatically delete sent messages after one day, seven days or 90 days.

Major makeover coming to iPhone Camera app [Cult of Mac podcast No. 20]

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Photo of a person using the iPhone Camera app, plus the words,
Stay focused! Big changes are reportedly coming to the Camera app in iOS 27.
Image: Joey Huang/Unsplash License/Modified by Cult of Mac

This week on the Cult of Mac podcast: A fresh iOS 27 rumor says the iPhone’s Camera app will get a serious upgrade. And it sounds like the best of both worlds — heavy customization if you want it, status quo if you don’t.

Also on the Cult of Mac podcast:

  • We also discuss the big changes coming to Siri in the near future (and why it’s a make-or-break moment for Apple AI).
  • Griffin walks Leander through a radical makeover of his iPhone‘s Home Screen.
  • Apple Watch Series 12 might be the upgrade you’ve been waiting for. And the lack of a rumored feature might be a big positive
  • Finally, Griffin reviews a very peculiar piece of exercise equipment.

Listen to this week’s episode of the Cult of Mac podcast 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 version embedded below.

How you can stop the endless madness of iPhone notifications

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Stop Notifications
Quiet your phone down.
Image: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

If your iPhone is always blowing up with junk and spam, you can stop notifications dead in their tracks. You may not know that you can entirely disable notifications per-app and turn off different types of notifications to keep them from cluttering your phone. 

I’m not afraid to disable all notifications from an app if it crosses me one time too many. For others, I allow notifications on the Lock Screen, but disable them from Notification Center, so they’re more temporary. 

Here’s how you can do it, too. Check out our quick video.

How to set up the colorful Luminance wallpaper in iOS 26.5

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iPhone Luminance wallpaper Lock Screen showing trans colors, LGBTQ Pride colors and blue colors
The dazzling new wallpaper for iPhone.
Image: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

The colorful Pride Luminance wallpaper and watch face add beautiful color gradients to your iPhone and Apple Watch. You can download them both after updating to iOS 26.5 and watchOS 26.5.

Since they’re part of Apple’s annual Pride collection, they come with a bunch of preset styles for various pride flags. But you can customize the Lock Screen wallpaper and the Apple Watch face however you want. With a light and dark shade of the same color, the vertical stripes and gradients shimmer and animate when you swipe up to unlock your phone. Or you can go to the other extreme, picking up to 12 colors from the Luminance palette.

This is easily the best Pride wallpaper Apple has produced yet — in fact, it’s a great wallpaper, period. Check it out in our quick video or keep reading.

5 secret tips and tricks in Safari on iPhone

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5 Safari Tricks & Secrets
Get the most out of the browser in your pocket.
Image: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

Since I spend a lot of time using Safari on my iPhone, any new tips and tricks I learn can feel life-changing. Apple’s mobile web browser proves absolutely instrumental to my iPhone usage (and odds are, it does for you, too).

Here are a few of my favorite hidden features. These Safari tips will help you browse the web faster, clean up your experience and restore tabs you accidentally close. I also have a handy shortcut you can download at the end.

Keep reading or watch our video.

Today in Apple history: Bill Gates predicts doom for Apple’s biggest product

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Bill Gates on iPod: Smartphone sales will doom music players.
Unfortunately for Bill Gates, Steve Jobs was one step ahead.
Photo: 60 Minutes

May 12: Today in Apple history: Bill Gates predicts doom for iPod, Apple's biggest product May 12, 2005: Longtime Apple frenemy Bill Gates tells a German newspaper that Apple may have hit it big with the iPod, but that its success isn’t going to last forever.

The reason for the Microsoft co-founder’s doomy take on the iPod’s future? He thinks mobile phones will steal the music player’s market share.

The good news for Gates is that he was right on the money. The bad news for Microsoft is that Apple cannibalized itself by making the iPhone. And Apple’s smartphone became even more successful than the iPod.