Get ready for a selfie camera upgrade in the iPhone 17 series. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Apple could use 24MP front cameras across its iPhone 17 lineup in 2025. This will even include the rumored new “iPhone 17 Slim,” which supposedly will stand out with its sleek and slim design.
As per a new analyst report, the new selfie camera might use a six-element plastic lens.
2024 iPad Pro helped turn around a long slowdown in Apple tablet shipments. Photo: Apple
The number of iPads shipped during Q2 2024 grew sharply when compared to the same quarter of last year, according to market analysts. It’s the first year-over-year increase in Apple’s tablet shipments since 2022.
The long-awaited launch of powerful new iPad models is credited for the improvement.
A Mexican cartel infiltrated big-time American horse racing? Wow. Photo: Apple TV+
A rookie FBI agent uncovers a massive money-laundering operation in American horse racing led by Mexico’s deadly Zetas cartel, according to a trailer Apple TV+ dropped Tuesday for the documentary series Cowboy Cartel. Watch it below.
The fascinating story, featuring first-time interviews with key players, looks like a tough but satisfying ride. The series debuts on Apple TV+ on August 2.
Update: As of Friday, you can watch this documentary and see how Mexican cartel Los Zetas infiltrated American horse racing and what a rookie FBI agent tried to do about it. Reviews so far seem a bit mixed. The story itself is compelling, but the story-telling may be a little forced in its use of re-enactments, for example (according to The New York Times). But other sources, like The Daily Beast, compare it favorably to the Netflix drama Narcos, and not just as a wanna-be version.
A Shure MV7 USB microphone on a nice stand and Audioengine speakers keep the audio clear here. Photo: [email protected]
If you’re going to sound your best on podcasts, online videos or conference calls, it helps to invest in a USB microphone. Today’s MacBook Pro setup takes advantage of a USB mic from the excellent brand Shure. And the user throws in a nice pair of Audioengine speakers for loud-and-clear playback, too.
iPhone shipments might grow by as much as 20% in India this year. Photo: Apple
Apple could have another bump year in India, with its revenue reaching nearly $10 billion. iPhones will account for most of this, with projected sales of around $8.2 billion.
Revenue from non-iPhone devices should also set a new record this year.
Apple wants to clear the regulatory hurdles to bring Apple Intelligence to China and the EU. Screenshot: Apple
Apple is working with regulators to bring Apple Intelligence to China and the EU. Apple’s CEO Tim Cook revealed this in response to an investor’s question during the company’s Q3 earnings call.
Cook said the company aims to “move as fast we can” to bring Apple Intelligence features to everyone.
Apple sets a new June quarter revenue record of $85.8 billion. AI photo: Midjourney/Cult of Mac
Apple broke a string a weak quarters by announcing a 5% year-over-year increase in revenue for the June quarter Thursday, setting a new record for the quarter. iPad sales experienced an especially strong quarter, up 24%, and the company’s services sector also grew by double digits.
Apple surpassed Wall Street analysts’ revenue expectations, though iPhone sales dropped slightly when compared to the same quarter a year ago.
A federal judge should toss out an antitrust lawsuit accusing Apple of monopolizing the smartphone market because it “bears no relation to reality,” the iPhone giant said Thursday in a court filing. Fifteen states and the District of Columbia have joined the lawsuit, according to a new report.
Three new AI features coming to Chrome desktop focus on improving search history, comparing products and identifying objects in multimedia. Photo: Google
Google rolled out three new artificial intelligence (AI) features for its Chrome browser, including support for Mac users, the company said Thursday. Powered by Google’s latest AI and Gemini models, the new AI features in Chrome aim to make it easier to search visually, compare products and easily return to websites you’ve visited. If you work with colors frequently, tools like the Nix Mini can help you match and identify colors with precision.
“We’re making it even easier to search what you see with the power of Google Lens, compare products across multiple tabs and rediscover sites from your browser history,” wrote Parisa Tabriz, Google vice president, Chrome.
More developers seem to say the honeymoon is over with the service, launched in 2019. Photo: Apple
Frustrated game developers continue to vent about working on Apple Arcade titles, in a new report citing anonymous sources. In the story, a follow-up to one from earlier this year that noted “the smell of death around the service,” devs complain about poor communication with Apple, slow payouts, and big problems working on Vision Pro games.
The opinions expressed in the new story aren’t entirely negative, but they paint a pretty ugly portrait of Apple Arcade from some developers’ perspectives.
iPhone 16 Pro Max could get a true black finish. Photo: Sonny Dickson
Just a day after the alleged iPhone 16 color options leaked, we now have our first glimpse of the potential iPhone 16 Pro Max colors. Apple apparently will offer its upcoming Pro iPhones in at least three shades: white, black and titanium.
Unlike in the past, it appears the company will finally adopt a deep black shade for the iPhone 16 Pro Max, giving it a stealthy look.
Ohio took a a step closer to purely digital wallets. Image: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Ohio just became the fifth U.S. state to support digital driver’s licenses and IDs stored in the Wallet app on iPhone or Apple Watch. The major advantage is speeding up the process of moving through security checkpoints at airports.
The rollout of digital ID like this is going slowly, so the day when an iPhone can completely replace a physical wallet is still somewhere off in the misty future.
Steve Jobs’s bomber jacket is one of dozens of Apple memorabilia items now up for auction. Image: RR Auction/Cult of Mac
You have the opportunity to wrap yourself in a piece of Apple history: the bomber jacket Steve Jobs was wearing in an iconic photo of the Apple co-founder “flipping the bird” to an IBM sign.
It’s part of Steve Jobs and the Apple Revolution, an auction that just kicked off featuring nearly 300 items.
Looks like Apple had one of its best quarters in long time. Image: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Analysts predict Apple will announce a jump in revenue when it reveals the financial results for the June quarter Thursday. The iPhone-maker has reported very few revenue increases in the past 18 months, so this is cause for excitement among investors.
Jacobi Jupe and Billy Crystal star in the psychological thriller “Before,” premiering October 25, 2024 on Apple TV+. Photo: Apple TV+
When you think of psychological thrillers, the first two people you picture probably aren’t Billy Crystal and Rosie Perez. But apparently they don’t just do funny — they do tense and scary, too. Apple TV+ gave a first look at the stars in upcoming thriller Beyond on Wednesday.
The new 10-episode series starring Crystal and Perez arrives on Apple TV+ on October 25.
What could be more innocent and helpful than an HDMI cable? You might want to reconsider that. Photo: Highwings
In a surprising development that may concern Apple users, computer security researchers from Uruguay have discovered a method to reconstruct screen content by intercepting electromagnetic emissions from HDMI cables. The bad news is this HDMI cable security threat could potentially impact all devices using HDMI, including Apple gear. The “good” news is that it’s not easy to do, so individual users aren’t likely to be targets. But companies and governments might be.
Blue Microphones' Blue Yeti and Snowball mics were hits before Logitech bought the company. In this photo, a Blue Yeti peeks out from under the left end of the central monitor. Photo: [email protected]
Not many USB microphones favored by streamers and podcasters eclipse the big names like Shure, Sennheiser and Rode. But one example that comes close is the Blue Yeti USB mic. Once a rising mainstay in a oddball startup’s lineup, now it’s a mainstay for peripherals giant Logitech. And it remains popular and even award-winning. Today’s Mac Studio rig relies on one.
Japanese iPhone users just got a little safer. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Apple expanded Emergency SOS via satellite to Japan. It allows iPhone users to communicate with emergency services from very remote locations.
The potentially life-saving feature works on all iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 models, and is already available in over a dozen other countries around the globe.
Here's your first look at the iPhone 16's possible color options. Photo: Sonny Dickson
Alleged iPhone 16 dummy units showing off the rear panel’s design and color options leaked in all their glory Tuesday. The picture suggests Apple will return to an iPhone 12-like vertical camera setup on its upcoming non-pro iPhones.
They also show the iPhone 16 in five colors, including pink and mint green shades.
Celebrate the success of Deadpool & Wolverine with this new collection of Apple device cases. Photo: Casetify
Deadpool and Wolverine star in the blockbuster film of the summer, and you can join in the fun with iPhone cases from Casetify. These feature limited-edition designs inspired by classic comics.
There are also MacBook cases, Apple Watch bands, AirPods cases, and more with the two superheroes.
You can now drive dual external displays with the M3 MacBook Pro. Photo: Apple
Apple has finally added dual external display support to the M3 MacBook Pro, nine months after its release. The latest macOS Sonoma 14.6 update enables this feature.
After the update, M3 MacBook Pro users can run two external displays simultaneously, albeit with the lid closed.
iOS 17.6 is one of six Apple operating system updates introduced on Monday. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
If you own an Apple device, it probably needs an operating system update. That includes iPhone, Mac, iPad Apple Watch … even Vision Pro. The hefty list of security-focused upgrades released Monday by Apple includes iOS 17.6, macOS Sonoma 14.6 and more.
They patch a list of more than two dozen vulnerabilities detailed on Apple’s security update page.
Real-world testing of Apple Intelligence starts with new betas. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Apple Intelligence took a big step toward release on Monday. The AI-powered features unveiled at WWDC24 entered beta testing so developers can start trying them out in the real world.
They are part of the initial round of betas of iOS 18.1, macOS Sequoia 15.1 and iPadOS 18.1, which are expected to launch in October.
UAG's new 3-in-1 Travel Charger juices iPhone with up to 15 watts of power (plus Apple Watch and AirPods). Photo: UAG
A 3-in-1 MagSafe Travel Charger for iPhone and other gear tops the new SRGE lineup of charging accessories Urban Armor Gear (UAG) released Monday, the company said. Best known for mobile device cases previously, the company’s new lineup features four new charging products for iPhone, AirPods, Apple Watch, iPad and MacBook.
“We see massive opportunities within our new Power category. Our team has brought the same attention to detail and protection from our phone cases into this new category so our consumers can Go Further,” said Carlos Del Toro, UAG’s vice president of Product Management. “Whether on the road or just at your desk, these products are must-haves to keep your device ready to go throughout the entire day. We’re especially excited about the 3-in-1 Travel Charger and all of the places our consumers will bring it to power their day.”