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News

The latest Apple news, opinion and analysis posts from Cult of Mac writers.

Read Cult of Mac’s latest posts on News:

WhatsApp will soon make it easy for iPhone users 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.

Apple’s handy guide explains how to ID Creator Studio apps

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An image of Apple Creator Studio app icons
Apple wants users to know how to distinguish Creator Studio apps on the Mac.
Image: Apple

An Apple support document published Tuesday helps Mac users figure out which versions of its Creator Studio apps are running on their computers. It’s something no one expected in 2026, but here we are.

Currently, Apple ships two separate versions of Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro, MainStage, Motion, Compressor and Pixelmator Pro. If you happen to be a Mac owner subscribed to Apple’s Creator Studio who also uses the standalone versions of the apps in the bundle, the support document is for you.

iPhone Ultra foldable starts to come into focus

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Folding iPhone Ultra with iFun case
When folded, the iPhone Ultra may be smaller than some people expect.
Image: iFun

New images claiming to show Apple’s long-rumored “iPhone Ultra” give Apple fans what may be their best look yet at the company’s first folding iPhone. They come from a company ready with a case for the handset, even though it has yet to be announced.

If the images prove to be accurate, there’s a lot to look forward to this fall.

Add multiple high-res screens to your Mac with these new Thunderbolt 5 docks

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Kensington SD5010T5 EQ Thunderbolt 5 Triple 4K Docking Station
Kensington launched a Thunderbolt 5 docking station that supports up to three 4K monitors.
Photo: Kensington

Both Kensington and Plugable just introduced Thunderbolt 5 docks for professionals who need to add multiple high-resolution displays as well as a range of other high-speed ports.

Both the Kensington SD5010T5 EQ Thunderbolt 5 Triple 4K Docking Station and the Plugable TBT-UDH2 offer 80Gbps/120Gbps of data bandwidth. This is the kind of connectivity that consumers don’t really need but pros must have.

Apple brings back After the Whistle podcast for World Cup

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After the Whistle podcast returns for World Cup
Brendan Hunt and Rebecca Lowe ride the World Cup roller coaster together.
Photo: Apple

Popular podcast After the Whistle with Brendan Hunt and Rebecca Lowe will return for a third season on June 7, Apple said Wednesday. The show, which stars Ted Lasso alum Hunt and Premier League soccer commentator Lowe, will arrive in time to cover the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

“We are thrilled to bring After the Whistle back for a third season,” said Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior vice president of services and health, in a press release. “Brendan and Rebecca have an incredible ability to capture the energy and passion of the World Cup. Their unique dynamic and deep love for soccer make this show an absolute can’t-miss for fans everywhere.”

They say Vision Pro is doomed, but I just bought one anyway

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Photo of Cult of Mac writer Graham Bower wearing an Apple Vision Pro headset with his left hand in the air performing a gesture.
If Vision Pro is wrong, I don't want to be right.
Photo: Graham Bower/Cult of Mac

Is it weird that I just bought an Apple Vision Pro when everyone says the platform is dead? Maybe. But I have zero regrets.

I’ve always supported the underdog. I guess that’s why I became an Apple fan in the first place. Back in the ’90s, using a Mac really did feel like being part of a “cult.” We believed in the platform when no one else did. And so it is with Vision Pro. It’s actually nice to see Apple as the underdog again, because that’s how Cupertino does its best work.

Apple could finally let your iPhone play nice with Google Cast

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An AI-generated drawing of an iPhone using Google Cast to play content on a smart TV.
With iOS 27, casting from your iPhone to standard smart TVs could become as easy as using AirPlay.
AI image: Google Gemini/Cult of Mac

The iPhone could get a lot better at casting videos to the big screen, as Apple is reportedly working on native support for Google Cast in iOS 27. That means you could soon beam video, photos and audio to almost all smart TVs on the planet.

Apple’s AirPlay is great if you are into the Apple ecosystem, but Google Cast is almost everywhere. It’s built into nearly all smart TVs sold today, including the hotel TVs you may have struggled with during vacations. Right now, your iPhone can’t natively talk to these devices, but iOS 27 could change that.

My favorite Mac app switcher just got a huge productivity upgrade

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rcmd v3 supercharges window management on Mac.
rcmd v3 supercharges window management on Mac.
AI image: ChatGPT/Cult of Mac

Awesome AppsPlenty of third-party Mac app switchers try to improve the experience, but rcmd is my favorite because of its keyboard-driven approach. Now, with the recently released rcmd v3, the app evolves from a simple app switcher into a more powerful productivity tool, adding features like fuzzy search, workspace switching and more.

Every air traveler must know these power bank packing rules

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Why you should never pack a power bank in your checked baggage
Flying with a power bank? Here’s where EasyJet says it must go: in the cabin of the plane.
Photo: EasyJet

An airliner took an unscheduled stop, delaying travelers for a day, after the crew learned that a passenger had a power bank in use in their checked luggage.

That happened in Europe, but take this as a reminder that Federal Aviation Administration rules also forbid power banks and other spare lithium-ion batteries from traveling in checked baggage on passenger aircraft. Don’t do it.

Memes race to poke fun at Jony Ive’s new Ferrari Luce design

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Jony Ive's Ferrari Luce design unveiled
At least the color and prancing horse badge are familiar in this shot from Ferrari.
Photo: Ferrari

Ferrari officially pulled the wraps off the Luce, its first-ever all-electric vehicle, on Monday — and for Apple fans, this one’s personal. The car’s exterior and interior took design cues from LoveFrom, the creative collective founded by former Apple design chief Jony Ive and longtime collaborator Marc Newson.

The Ferrari Luce is the highest-profile project the duo has taken on since leaving Cupertino, and it’s already dividing opinions. Plus, it’s the closest we’ll ever get to an Apple car.

FCC filing reveals new Apple over-ear headphones coming soon

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A picture of Beats Studio Pro used in a story about Apple working on a new pair of headphones.
Apple's filing offers little detail, but hints at a new pair of Beats headphones.
Photo: Apple

Apple appears to be working on a new pair of over-ear headphones, possibly Beats Studio Pro 2. A recently discovered filing in a Federal Communications Commission database describes an unreleased device as “Bluetooth over-ear headphones” with an antenna, battery and microphone.

The best guess right now is a long-overdue refresh of the Beats Studio Pro, which Apple released in 2023. Apple just released the AirPods Max 2, so it is unlikely the company will announce a new set of over-ear Apple headphones.

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.

Apple could silence most Magic Mouse criticism with one change

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Why Apple should add MagSafe wireless charging to the Magic Mouse.
Adding the iPhone's version of MagSafe to the Magic Mouse would make it even easier to charge.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The charging port on the bottom of the Magic Mouse draws criticism — mostly from people who’ve never actually used one. But there’s a way Apple could quiet the complaints and improve the product at the same time: add MagSafe wireless charging.

The mouse could keep its iconic design, become easier to charge and the critics would have to find something else to complain about.

Big Apple Watch AI upgrade might not arrive with iOS 27

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Apple Watch SE 3 review: Sleep score
watchOS 27 may disappoint you with the lack of new features.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The Apple Watch’s next big software update — watchOS 27 — will supposedly follow the same strategy as iOS 27: It will focus on stability and performance rather than introducing radical new features.

Apple will not launch its AI-powered health coaching service with the initial build, according to a new report.

How AirPods Ultra could redefine premium earbuds

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AirPods Ultra may be Apple’s most ambitious AI product yet
AirPods Ultra could be an AI-focused device, not just a simple audio player.
AI image: ChatGPT/Cult of Mac

Details continue to emerge about Apple’s next-generation premium earbuds, widely referred to as “AirPods Ultra” and sometimes described in leaks as fourth-generation AirPods Pro. The next-gen earbuds reportedly will bring a significant jump forward, including adding cameras and health-monitoring features. And they aren’t too far away.

Here’s what to expect.

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.

6 leaked iOS 27 features I can’t wait to try

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Leaked iOS 27 features I’m most excited to try
Leaks reveal a lot about iOS 27.
AI image: ChatGPT/Cult of Mac

As it struggles to catch up on AI, Apple almost undoubtedly plans to focus on Apple Intelligence in iOS 27. But the company will also reportedly focus on refining the iPhone experience and tidying up existing features.

Thanks to leaks, we already have an early look at some of iOS 27’s biggest new features. While Apple certainly has some surprises planned, these are the leaked iOS 27 features I’m most excited to try.

OpenAI gives Codex for Mac eyes, a remote control and long-term goals

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A picture of OpenAI Codex used in a story about a recent feature update for Mac.
Codex for Mac can now remotely handle tasks even while your MacBook stays closed.
Photo: OpenAI

OpenAI just gave its Codex for Mac programming app a feature called Appshots that makes copy-pasting code or describing what’s on the screen unnecessary. Just press Command twice, and the AI assistant automatically takes a screenshot and captures text from your window, including scrollable content that isn’t visible.

Appshots is the headline addition in this week’s Codex update, and it’s only available on Macs for now. Think of it as giving your AI assistant a pair of eyes, instead of always explaining what you are looking at.

5 things Apple needs to fix before launching the HomePod 3

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An AI generated photo of an Apple HomePod with display used in a story about the much-rumored HomePod 3.
The HomePod 3 needs smarter software and not just faster hardware.
AI image: Google Gemini

Apple’s next HomePod is reportedly stuck in limbo while the company works on its delayed AI Siri upgrade. And honestly? That might be what the HomePod 3 needs. But before Apple unveils the HomePod 3, it needs to address some serious gaps that make it feel far less intelligent than the competition.

The HomePod’s problem has never been its hardware. The speakers sound fantastic, and the device tightly integrates into Apple’s ecosystem. But the user experience still feels a generation behind competing smart speakers. If Apple wants the HomePod 3 to be the center of its smart home ambitions, a faster chip and a shinier enclosure won’t be enough. Here’s what actually needs to change.

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.

This AI tool helps you create iPhone shortcuts using natural language

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Shortcuts Playground tool
This tool makes creating Shortcuts for your iPhone or Mac incredibly easy.
Screenshot: Federico Viticci/MacStories

Apple’s Shortcuts app can be incredibly powerful, but building automations often requires patience and trial and error. A new AI-powered tool — Shortcuts Playground — aims to simplify the process by letting you create shortcuts on your iPhone or Mac with natural-language prompts.

The free and open source app requires Codex or Claude Code to work.

Soundcore’s top new earbuds offer crystal-clear AI-powered calls

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Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro and Pro Max earbuds
This image shows Liberty 5 Pro Max in case in the gold color.
Photo: Soundcore

Two new sets of Soundcore flagship earbuds — Liberty 5 Pro and Liberty 5 Pro Max — introduce the company’s first product line built around a co-developed Thus AI chip, the Anker subsidiary said Thursday. Both models are available now, starting at $169.99 and $229.99 respectively. They’re compatible with Apple’s Find My network.