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Govee’s new smart lights track moods and adapt to conditions

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Govee HomeKit-compatibile smart lighting
Govee Floor Lamp 3 supports Matter and HomeKit.
Photo: Govee

Smart light maker Govee used CES 2026 as a platform Monday to introduce three adaptive, customizable flagship products that work in Apple smart homes. The company’s “Lighting the Future” showcase featured Govee Floor Lamp 3, Govee Ceiling Light Ultra and Govee Sky Ceiling Light, all of which are Matter-compliant and Apple Home compatible. 

The company also said it formed a new partnership with Samsung SmartThings for ecosystem integration. 

Find My comes to Moft MagSafe wallet stands for iPhone

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Moft trackable wallet stand
Moft launched its Trackable Snap-on Phone Stand & Wallet.
Photo: Moft

Moft, known for its origami-inspired tech accessories, unveiled a lineup of Apple Find My-compatible MagSafe iPhone wallets — including one that works as a stand and another that’s more like a tripod — plus a new iPad folio case at CES 2026 in Las Vegas Monday.

The announcements mark a significant expansion of the company’s product ecosystem with enhanced tracking capabilities and integrated device protection.

Belkin launches powerful new chargers, power banks and hubs at CES 2026

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Belkin launches powerful new chargers, power banks and hubs at CES 2026
Belkin used CES 2026 to show off new high-speed power banks, chargers and a wireless HDMI adapter.
Image: Belkin

Belkin used the giant CES 2026 trade show going on this week in Las Vegas to unveil a wide range of new accessories for iPhone, Mac and iPad. There are high-speed power banks and desktop chargers that support MagSafe, a wireless HDMI adapter and more.

These all hit shelves in the early months of the year.

Why Apple Watch users stick with fitness goals longer than most

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Apple-Fitness-Plus-hero_big.jpg.large_2x (2)
Apple Fitness+ introduced new ways to stay active and motivated to kick off 2026, including a new lineup of workout programs, Artist Spotlight workouts and new guests in Time to Walk.
Photo: Apple

New research from the Apple Heart and Movement Study reveals that Apple Watch wearers tend to buck the trend of abandoned fitness goals, Apple said Friday.

Data shows Apple Watch users consistently maintain elevated exercise levels well past the notorious “Quitter’s Day” in mid-January. To build on that in 2026, Apple now offers more ways to keep Apple Watch users motivated so they can nail their New Year’s fitness resolutions.

Why 2026 is gonna be a banger for Apple [Cult of Mac podcast No. 1]

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Image of a crystal ball with a translucent Apple logo, plus the words Cult of Mac podcast No. 1, used to illustrate a show notes post about Apple's new products coming in 2026.
Next year's going to be one for the ages.
Image: Cult of Mac

This week on the Cult of Mac podcast: Apple’s got a fantastic year ahead of it, with a genuinely prodigious pipeline of new products coming in 2026. From a folding iPhone and a low-cost MacBook to entirely new product categories, get ready for 12 months of exciting new Apple hardware.

In our first show under the new Cult of Mac branding, and our final podcast of 2025, we discuss all the great stuff that Apple fans have to look forward to in 2026.

Also on the Cult of Mac podcast:

  • We kick off with a thorough explanation of what’s up with the new podcast name, the direction we plan to take the show in 2026, and what Erfon is up to with The CultCast. We also apologize for any confusion about the changes (and, as always, we wish Erfon the best).
  • We wrap the show with Griffin’s dead Apple products draft, in which we each select discontinued hardware that’s ready for a comeback.

Listen to this week’s episode of Cult of Mac 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.

New fitness app Reps & Sets 26 gets serious about strength training

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Screenshots showing Reps & Sets 26 strength training app on iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch.
Reps & Sets 26 is a new fitness app designed exclusively for iOS 26, iPadOS 26 and watchOS 26.

Reps & Sets 26 is a brand-new strength training app designed exclusively for iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch. It was developed by a long-time Cult of Mac contributor: me, Graham Bower.

Reps & Sets 26 isn’t just another generic cross-platform fitness app. I made it Apple-exclusive, to take full advantage of the latest OS 26 technologies like CloudKit, SwiftUI and HealthKit, to deliver a truly native experience. And right now, it’s a free download. Perfect timing for your New Year’s resolutions. Get Reps & Sets 26 now, and get ripped in 2026.

Decorating your iPhone with tiny stickers is 2026’s hot new trend

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Decorating your iPhone with tiny stickers is 2026's hot new trend
Think of your iPhone's camera plateau as a blank canvas ready to be personalized.
Screenshot: SK telecom

There’s a fun way to personalize your iPhone 17 Pro: tiny stickers around the camera. Social media is blowing up with pictures from people showing off how cool their handset looks with the new decorations.

The trend may have started in Korea, where it’s part of ponku — personalizing phones, cases, laptops, etc., with stickers. A recent iPhone 17 Pro ad made by a Korean wireless carrier certainly added fuel to the fire.

Why 2026 will bring the best MacBooks ever

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2026 MacBook with a touchscreen
Rumors predict 2026 will bring the first MacBook with a touchscreen.
Image: ChatGPT

Apple will improve the MacBook line in multiple ways during 2026. We’re not talking the usual “chip and ship” updates — major changes are on the way. Really, there’s never been a better time to be in the market for a macOS laptop.

We can look forward to a complete redesign, possibly including a touchscreen. Plus, the most affordable MacBook ever is also reportedly coming next year.

Apple TV 2026: Your guide to the most anticipated new and returning shows

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Highly anticipated Apple TV shows
Apple TV has plenty in store for 2026.
AI image: Grok/Cult of Mac

Apple TV is poised for a banner year in 2026, with an impressive slate of new original series, highly anticipated spinoffs and beloved returning favorites. From cyberpunk epics to gripping thrillers, the Apple TV 2026 lineup helps cement the streamer’s reputation as a powerhouse for quality programming.

Here’s your complete guide to the most highly anticipated shows coming to Apple TV next year.

15 new products to expect from Apple in 2026

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Apple products due to launch in 2026
Apple has a busy 2026 in store. Which of these new and upgraded products can we expect?
AI image Google Gemini/Cult of Mac

With more than a dozen new Apple products in the pipeline, 2026 is shaping up to be a busy and important year for the company. Among a plethora of high-profile device launches, we should see the first folding iPhone next year

If all the rumors prove true, Apple’s 2026 product road map looks bold, exciting and ambitious. Check out all the new products Apple likely will launch in 2026.

Folding iPhone: What to expect in 2026

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AI-generated image of a folding iPhone: What to expect in 2026
2026 could be the year Apple reinvents the iPhone — again.
AI image: ChatGPT/Cult of Mac

The first folding iPhone is expected to break iOS out of its years-long rut, and new rumors give us the most complete picture yet of a handset supposedly set to launch in 2026.

These come from a formerly prolific source of often reliable Apple leaks.

Remembering Apple pioneers: In memoriam 2025

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Apple in memoriam 2025
Remembering prominent figures associated with Apple who passed away in 2025.
AI image: Grok/Cult of Mac

As 2025 draws to a close, the Apple community mourns the loss of four remarkable individuals whose contributions shaped the company’s history and the broader technology landscape.

From revolutionary software engineering to visionary leadership and marketing genius, these pioneers left indelible marks that continue to influence how millions interact with technology today.

iOS 26.3 will give third-party earbuds a taste of Apple’s pairing magic

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iOS 26.3 will bring AirPods-like pairing to non-Apple earbuds
Thank the EU's DMA for this change.
AI Image: Google Gemini

Apple is opening up its walled garden further with iOS 26.3. As part of the update, it will allow third-party Bluetooth earbuds to pair with an iPhone just as seamlessly as AirPods.

It will also enable third-party smartwatches and wearables to receive and mirror notifications from the iPhone. 

All the products Apple killed in 2025 — with more to come in 2026

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products apple killed in 2025
They're not all in the junkyard or recycled just yet, but they're headed that way.
AI image: Grok/Cult of Mac

In 2025, Apple moved several well-loved gadgets to its dreaded obsolete list — including the original and popular iPhone SE — meaning hardware service is no longer available. Also chopped were the Apple Watch Series 1, second-generation iPad Pro (12.9-inch), and Apple Watch Series 4 Nike and Hermès models.

There’s often a fuss when Apple makes products obsolete, stemming from frustration with planned obsolescence. A lack of parts makes these older devices unrepairable, forcing upgrades and creating e-waste. Here’s the list of products Apple killed in 2025, and the ones heading to the chopping block in 2026.

This one feature justifies buying an iPhone 17

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iPhone 17 Center Stage selfie camera justifies a purchase
The iPhone 17 Center Stage selfie camera improves your video calling experience significantly.
Image: ChatGPT

If you’re strongly tempted by an iPhone 17, but haven’t yet found a reason to make the jump, then you must not realize how amazing the phone’s new Center Stage selfie camera is. It’s my favorite feature of Apple’s latest smartphones because it makes video calls so much easier on me, and smoother for the people I talk to.

Even better: The base model iPhone 17 gets this great feature, not just the Pro variants.

Is the iMac Pro ready for a comeback? [The CultCast]

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The CultCast logo with an iMac Pro
Apple's high-end all-in-one computer might reappear soon.
Image: Cult of Mac

This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: Leaked code indicates Apple is working on a new iMac Pro, years after the powerful all-in-one faded from the scene.

Does a new iMac Pro make sense in the Apple silicon era? And what price point would make it appealing? We discuss the possibilities.

Also on The CultCast:

  • The 20th-anniversary iPhone sounds like a real cracker — if Apple can pull off the impossible.
  • Another leak gives us a look at new features coming in iOS 26.4.
  • Hate iOS 26’s Liquid Glass user interface? Griffin walks us through a weird hack that will keep your iPhone on iOS 18 forever.
  • We wrap up the show with our new trivia segment, Apple Genius. Should we make it a regular addition to the podcast?

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.

2025 was huge for Apple — here’s why

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Tim Cook standing in front of Apple Park with a big “2025” behind him.
This was a big year.
Photo: Apple/D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

2025 was a big year for Apple. In this end-of-year roundup, we gathered up the most consequential news, groundbreaking rumors and biggest surprises of the last 12 months. 

There were plenty of leaks — in fact, the entire iPhone 17 lineup was exhaustively shown off in the months leading up to September. We also knew most of the other product releases, from the MacBook Air and iPad Air to MacBook Pro and Vision Pro, would consist of simple spec bumps.

But there were tons of curveballs, too. Tariffs rattled Apple’s international supply chain. The Blood Oxygen app for Apple Watch made a sudden return. And no one was expecting a UI redesign quite like Liquid Glass. 

Here’s our look back at 2025.

The folding iPhone is coming – and you might not be able to get one for months

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The folding iPhone is coming – and you might not be able to get one for months
Apple might struggle to make enough folding iPhone units to meet demand.
Concept image: ChatGPT

Apple’s long-rumored folding iPhone — expected to be one of the most significant new product launches in years — is generating strong buzz, with a respected analyst warning that consumer interest could far outpace Apple’s ability to supply the device when it hits the market.

And a separate report may have revealed the sizes of the two screens coming in the first foldable iOS device. The large internal display is what’s expected to drive demand.

Apple’s OLED iMac: What to expect from the stunning display (and when)

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Apple's OLED iMac: What to expect from the stunning display (and when)
A gorgeous OLED display might come to Apple’s all-in-one iMac.
Graphic: Apple/Cult of Mac

An iMac with an OLED display is in development, according to a fresh supply-chain leak. This would bring a significant upgrade to the look of Apple’s all-in-one desktop computer for the consumer market.

The report comes shortly after a new professional-grade iMac was rumored. Clearly, it’s a big week for Apple desktops.

Apple simplifies battery swaps on the M5 MacBook Pro

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M5 MacBook Pro review
Replacing the battery on the M5 MacBook Pro gets a lot easier.
Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac

Apple made it significantly easier to replace the battery on the M5 MacBook Pro. Instead of removing or replacing multiple internal components, users can now swap out the battery directly.

The company updated its Self Service Repair program info and official repair guides to reflect this change.

iPhone 18 Pro might bring stealthy Face ID redesign

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iPhone 12 Face ID closeup
Will Face ID finally go under-display in 2026?
Photo: Rajesh Pandey/Cult of Mac

Apple’s 2026 flagship iPhones — the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max — might feature under-display Face ID sensors, according to a new port. As part of the change, the company will reportedly relocate the devices’ front cameras to their top-left corner.

The report also sheds light on other changes coming to next year’s iPhones, including a new rear camera sensor.

iMac Pro could make an epic M5 Max-powered comeback

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iMac Pro could make an epic M5 Max-powered comeback
The iMac Pro might be back with a huge processor upgrade for professional users — the M5 Max.
Image: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The iMac Pro could be poised for a major return — years after Apple discontinued the power all-in-one computer. This time, the professional desktop will be powered by Apple’s next-generation M5 Max chip, according to information found in internal Apple software.

It would be a change in strategy for Apple, but it seems the company is at least exploring the idea of an updated all-in-one desktop for the pro and prosumer markets.

iOS 26.3 beta 1: All the new features and changes

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iOS 26.3 beta
iOS 26.3 beta 1 gives an early glimpse at some upcoming new features.
Photo: Rajesh Pandey/Cult of Mac

Just days after pushing iOS 26.2 to the public, Apple seeded the iOS 26.3 beta 1 to developers on Monday. The next major point release of the iPhone operating system does not include radical new features, but it promises to bring some notable changes to the platform.

Below are all the changes we’ve discovered in iOS 26.3 beta 1.