Jeff Williams retires from Apple later this year. Screenshot: Apple
Apple prepares for a major internal reorganization ahead of COO Jeff Williams’ retirement later this year. As part of the rejig, Eddy Cue will oversee the health and fitness team.
Meanwhile, the watchOS division will come under Craig Federighi, the current head of software engineering.
If you want a super-thin iPhone case that still offers protection, aramid fiber is your friend. Photo: Thinborne
Thinborne, a small business based in Texas, designs super-thin iPhone cases using aramid fiber — a material commonly used in the aerospace and military industries. The latest example is Thinborne’s new iPhone 17 Pro case, which lets you enjoy the functionality of Apple’s most impressive phone yet in style.
But don’t let the sleek aramid case’s minimalist style fool you. This slim iPhone case delivers on its promises. You can count on it to be long-lasting and durable — scratch-resistant and able to handle moderate impacts.
Belkin Stage PowerGrip charges your iPhone while also adding a grip. Photo: Belkin
The Belkin Stage PowerGrip adds to an iPhone the grip that DSLR camera users are familiar with. Built into the grip is a battery that sends power to the handset via the MagSafe magnetic charging mat integrated into the device.
After being unveiled early this year, the product finally launched on Thursday.
Translate messages natively in WhatsApp. Photo: WhatsApp/Rajesh Pandey /CultOfMac
Meta began rolling out in-app translation support Tuesday for WhatsApp on iPhone. In its initial phase, the feature supports 21 languages, making it easier for users to chat with their loved ones without worrying about language barriers.
Keeping security and privacy in mind, the translations happen on-device, ensuring the messages remain private.
iOS 26.1 beta 2 is ready for developers and the general public to test. Image: Cult of Mac
Apple seeded the second beta versions of iOS 26.1 and macOS Tahoe 26.1 to developers on Monday, then these went to public beta testers on Tuesday. They come two weeks after beta testing began for the next major updates to the operating systems.
iPadOS 26.1 beta 2, watchOS 26.1 beta 2, tvOS 26.1 beta 2 and visionOS 26.1 beta 2 also went out on developers and the public.
The final versions of these updates are expected to reach iPhone, Mac, etc. users around the world in mid- to late-autumn.
A new video shows the hapless Underdogs discovering the advantages of Mac security. Screenshot: Apple
The Underdogs are back in BSOD (Blue Screen of Death)! The fictitious team of nerdy Apple users once again star in a video demonstrating how Macs and iPhones get real work done. This time, the focus is on Mac security.
Watch the shortfilm now and have fun while learning about what your Apple gear can do for you.
MacBook Pro's M5 refresh might land this month. Photo: David Snow/Rajesh Pandey/Cult of Mac
Supplies of iPad Pros and 14-inch MacBook Pros powered by M4 chips are running low across Apple Stores. This indicates the imminent arrival of M5-powered models.
While reports of an M5 iPad Pro refresh surfaced before, this marks the first solid indication that Apple could launch an M5 MacBook Pro this year as well.
iOS 26.1 beta 2 is here. Photo: Rajesh Pandey/CultOfMac
The second iOS 26.1 beta, which Apple released to developers Monday, introduces minor but important changes to the iPhone operating system. Plus, a popular iPad feature returns in iPadOS 26.1 beta 2.
Below is everything new we have found in iOS 26.1 beta 2 so far.
The AI companion from OpenAI might look something like this concept. AI concept: ChatGPT
OpenAI’s efforts to create and sell an “AI companion” device reportedly have serious obstacles to overcome. These are existential, including how the company can find enough computing resources to enable the artificial intelligence devices to function.
That’s good news for Apple, as there have been predictions that products designed specifically for AI might someday take the place of the iPhone and other smartphones.
Apple CEO Tim Cook could soon be taking to the stage with more product announcements. Image: Apple/Cult of Mac
Apple isn’t done lunching new products this year, even though the iPhone 17 family and Apple Watch Series 11 reached customers in September. There are so many new products coming out of Cupertino this fall that rumors point to an Apple October event.
For some Apple fans, the best is yet to come: the Apple M5 processor, a new iPad Pro and (hopefully) the next MacBook Pro. And there could be more.
This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: The Federal Communications Commission leaks secret Apple info and Russian YouTubers get their hands on unreleased iPad Pros.
What’s going on with these crazy Apple leaks? We have a theory about why at least some of them are happening.
Also on The CultCast:
Logitech updates a classic — the new MX Master 4 mouse adds haptics!
A cool new Mac app called Folder Quick Look fixes a longtime annoyance, and it’s totally free.
We take a good, hard look at the latest addition to our colleague’s setup.
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 live stream, embedded below.
iPhone Air looks even more stunning with a transparent back. Photo: brt2412
The iPhone Air already stands out with its sleek, ultra-thin design. A modder has now taken it a step further and added a custom transparent back glass to give the phone an even stunning look.
The result is a retro-mod vibe that shows off the phone’s internals in all its glory.
Financing a MacBook Pro has never been so easy. Photo: Upgraded
Thanks to a new method of financing for MacBook purchases, there’s a more affordable way to get your hands on the latest Apple laptop. Instead of dropping thousands today, Upgraded’s MacBook Upgrade Program lets you spread the cost over 36 months, with the option to upgrade to the latest device every 24 months.
Thousands of people are switching to Upgraded, thanks to the simple monthly prices, seamless experience and time saved from not dealing with reselling. You can get the latest MacBook starting at just $33.28 per month and as low as 0% APR with Upgraded.
No massive upfront bill. No time wasted on eBay or craigslist. And you can always have the newest MacBook, since you have the option to upgrade every two years.
The Sora app uses AI to generate fun, very realistic videos from user prompts. Screenshot: OpenAI
OpenAI introduced the Sora iPhone app Tuesday, and by Friday, it had already hit the No. 1 spot on Apple’s Top Free Apps list. The secret of the new AI video app’s appeal? It’s a lot of fun, letting users create hilarious short videos with a simple text description.
Watch some of the hilarious (and amazing) videos people have already created, there go make your own.
ICE tracking apps can help alert people about where immigration raids are taking place. Photo: Photo by Maciej Prus, Pexels
Apple removed ICEBlock and several similar immigration enforcement tracking apps from its App Store following pressure from the Department of Justice, according to reports late Thursday. The decision came after Attorney General Pam Bondi directly contacted Apple demanding the removal of ICEBlock.
It’s a crowdsourced app that allows users to anonymously report sightings of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents within a five-mile radius. The app had been downloaded over 1 million times since launching in April 2025.
Just watching Matthew McConaughey anguish over what to do with his empty school bus as tragedy looms made me squirm. Photo: Apple TV+
Apple TV+ viewers have a new pulse-pounding watch to take in Friday — The Lost Bus movie. It tells the story of the Camp Fire laying waste to Paradise, California, as a lone school bus driver played by Matthew McConaughey tries to save nearly two dozen children from the inferno. Action maven Paul Greengrass directs. He’s best known for Bloody Sunday, two Jason Bourne movies and Captain Phillips.
The film scores an 86% Fresh critical rating and a 92% Fresh viewer rating on reviews site RottenTomatoes.com. “McConaughey, as a nervy reluctant hero, steers the searing, intense narrative about normal people living through the most hellish of circumstances,” wrote USA Today. “The Lost Bus traps us in that disorientating push and pull — it’s a little too real to entertain, and a little too entertaining to feel real,” noted The Independent. Generally, even those who criticized the film’sHollywood-ness praised its intense realism and almost unbearable, horror-movie-style tension.
Are you hearing a whistling sound on your AirPods Pro 3 with ANC on? Image: Cult of Mac
Some AirPods Pro 3 owners report hearing an annoying whistling sound from their new earbuds. The noise typically comes when they have the earbuds in, with no music playing and active noise cancellation on.
The problem doesn’t seem widespread, but enough new owners are reporting it to raise eyebrows.
Apple Watch and M4 Mac mini drop the carbon neutral badge. Photo: Apple/Rajesh Pandey/CultOfMac
Apple no longer advertises the M4 Mac mini and its Apple Watch lineup as “carbon neutral.” The company proudly unveiled its first carbon neutral products — the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 — in 2023.
But just two years later, it has removed the claim from all such product pages. And it’s not because Apple suddenly started making its devices differently.
The same story now unfolds with the upcoming M5 iPad Pro. Wylsacom unboxed and showcased the device a few days ago, again weeks before launch. And another Russian YouTuber did the same the next day. So how do Russian YouTubers manage to grab unreleased Apple products so early?
The rumored cheaper version of the Vision Pro headset is reportedly on hold. Photo: Ali Colak/Unsplash License/Modified by Cult of Mac
That cheaper Vision Pro you were waiting for? Don’t hold your breath. Apple reportedly shelved the project to redirect its focus on creating smart glasses to compete with Meta’s popular products.
Previous rumors indicated Apple would release a stripped-down version of its $3,499 Vision Pro headset by 2027. But Apple execs reportedly told employees last week that it’s putting the lighter, cheaper headset on the back burner.
Fans can enjoy classic and new Peanuts specials and series on Apple TV+. Image: Apple TV+
Apple will stay the exclusive streaming home for all things Peanuts for another five years, Apple TV+ said Wednesday. Apple TV+ ubscribers will be able to enjoy the classic holiday specials starring Charlie Brown, Snoopy and the rest of the Peanuts gang through 2030, as well as new original series and specials.
The streamer also revealed when the beloved Peanuts Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas specials will become available for anyone to watch for free in 2025.
iFixit found plenty of reasons why even pro technicians wouldn't want to mess with these. Photo: iFixit
iFixit released its teardown of Apple’s new AirPods Pro 3 Wednesday, providing a close-up look at new features including the foam-infused ear tips Apple includes for greater sound isolation, as well the new battery scheme and repositioned rare-earth magnets.
But the group’s major finding should be unsurprising to anyone familiar with the company’s wireless earbuds. The latest generation earns the same dismal 0 out of 10 repairability score that has plagued the product line since its inception nine years ago.