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Apple Watch’s missing Blood Oxygen app is a big problem

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Apple Watch blood oxygen
A feature missing from U.S. Apple Watches frustrates users.
Image: ChatGPT/Cult of Mac

When we polled Cult of Mac readers on what feature they want most in Apple Watch Series 11, the answer came through loud and clear: Bring back the Blood Oxygen app! None of the rumored upcoming Apple Watch features drew more attention than one that went missing last year over a patent dispute.

Unfortunately, the Blood Oxygen app remains tied up in U.S. courts. Apple needs to work out the problem, and soon. The missing Blood Oxygen app is undoubtedly hurting Apple Watch sales and angering customers. And it’s only going to get worse when the Apple Watch Series 11 and Ultra 3 launch next month — assuming Apple doesn’t come up with a workaround.

Apple’s blockbuster F1 roars back into Imax theaters

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Promotional image for
F1 earns a checkered flag: It’s Apple’s biggest film success ever.
Image: Apple Original Films

You didn’t miss your opportunity to see Apple’s blockbuster racing flick F1: The Movie in Imax. The movie starring Brad Pitt returns to the giant theater screens Friday, and should arrive on even more of them next week.

The film blends blazing-fast cars on the racetrack with clashing personalities off the track. Pitt plays an aging racer trying to prove he still has what it takes to be a Formula One driver, with the action playing out at 230 mph.

Japan takes aim at Apple’s browser lockdown on iPhones

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Safari app shortcut on iOS 18 dock
Japan followed Europe’s lead in a requiring a fundamental change to the Safari web browser.
Photo: Rajesh Pandey/Cult of Mac

A new act in Japan will force Apple to open the iPhone’s App Store to non-WebKit browsers later this year. Apple currently only allows non-WebKit browsers in the EU App Store, all due to the Digital Markets Act.

Yet, all major iPhone browsers, including Chrome and Firefox, use the same WebKit engine as Safari on iOS. This is despite them using a different engine on desktop.

Play-Doh World and 3 other exclusive games hit Apple Arcade [Now available!]

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exclusive games join Apple Arcade
Four exclusive games come to Apple Arcade August 7.
Photo: Apple

Everybody’s favorite gaming service, Apple Arcade, expanded its library Thursday as four new exclusive games joined. We knew they were coming — and now you can play them. That brings the subscription service’s catalog to over 200 ad-free games, Apple said.

Here are the latest additions: Play-Doh World, a creative digital playground; Worms Across Worlds, the newest entry in the beloved strategy series; Let’s Go Mightycat!, a whimsical puzzle adventure; and Everybody Shogi, a colorful take on the traditional Japanese board game.

Manufacturing deal could put 200MP Samsung camera in iPhone 18

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200MP Samsung cameras in iPhone 18
As soon as iPhone 18 in 2026, Apple's handsets could pack 200MP Samsung sensors.
Photo: Lyle Kahney/Cult of Mac

A major shift in Apple’s iPhone camera technology could come soon, as it partners with Samsung to manufacture advanced image sensors at a Texas facility for the first time, according to new reports. They stem from Wednesday’s big news from the White House about the iPhone giant’s new US manufacturing program.

“By bringing this technology to the US first, this facility will supply chips that optimize power and performance of Apple products, including iPhone devices shipped all over the world,” Apple said.

Previously, Apple worked exclusively with Sony on iPhone camera sensors, including its recent 48MP sensors. Now, it may use more advanced 200MP Samsung sensors — perhaps as soon as iPhone 18 drops in 2026.

Trump threatens 100% tariff on chips … but not on Apple

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US President Donald Trump and Apple CEO Tim Cook
Apple CEO Tim Cook seems to be keeping US President Donald Trump happy.
Illustration: ChatGPT

President Donald Trump warned computer makers Wednesday that he’ll soon hit them with a 100% tariff on chips and semiconductors imported into the United States. However, companies that make chips in the United States are exempt. Trump specifically called out Apple as one of the companies that will not be affected.

Processors for many Apple products are already produced in Arizona, and the company just announced a new deal with Samsung to make other types of chips in Texas.

Apple teams up with Samsung for next-gen chip manufacturing in US

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Samsung foundry will make chips for Apple in the US.
Apple turns to rival Samsung for making chips in the US.
Image: Apple/Samsung/Cult of Mac

As part of its additional $100 billion investment in US domestic manufacturing, Apple is entering into a chip manufacturing partnership with Samsung. The Korean company will fabricate next-gen chips for Apple at its Texas foundry.

The companies will work together to “launch an innovative new technology for making chips, which has never been used before anywhere in the world.”

Apple will make 100% of iPhone and Apple Watch screens in US

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Photo of workers as Apple commits $2.5 billion to produce all of the cover glass for iPhone and Apple Watch in Corning’s Harrodsburg, Kentucky, manufacturing facility.
Workers at Corning’s manufacturing facility in Harrodsburg, Kentucky, will produce the cover glass for every single iPhone and Apple Watch.
Photo: Apple

Apple pledged Wednesday to make 100% of the glass screens on all iPhones and Apple Watches in the United States for the first time. The company committed $2.5 billion as part of its expanding partnership with Corning, which will produce the iPhone and Apple Watch cover glass at its plant in Harrodsburg, Kentucky.

“We’ve worked with our partners at Corning to build the world’s largest and most advanced smartphone glass production line,” Apple CEO Tim Cook said during a White House briefing Wednesday afternoon, during which he committed an additional $100 billion investment in American manufacturing. “I’m pleased to announce that very soon — this is for the first time ever — every single new iPhone and every single new Apple Watch sold anywhere in the world will contain cover glass made in Kentucky.”

Apple pledges to spend another $100 billion on US manufacturing [Updated]

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Apple spends more on US manufacturing
The new investment brings Apple's spending on US manufacturing to $600 billion.
Photo: Grok

President Donald Trump invited Apple CEO Tim Cook to the White House on Wednesday to announce Apple’s new investment of an additional $100 billion in domestic manufacturing. It’s part of a new program designed to bring more of Apple’s supply chain to American shores.

“Today, we’re proud to increase our investments across the United States to $600 billion over four years and launch our new American Manufacturing Program,” said Cook in a press release. “This includes new and expanded work with 10 companies across America. They produce components that are used in Apple products sold all over the world, and we’re grateful to the President for his support.”

Steep new tariffs on India exclude iPhone

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The iPhone is free from Trump tariffs
iPhones made in India didn’t just get slapped with a painful new tariff by President Trump.
Photo: Google Gemini/Cult of Mac

U.S. President Donald Trump doubled the tariff rate charged on products imported into the United States from India on Wednesday, but the increase excludes iPhones produced in the country.

That’s a major relief for Apple, as it shifted production to India to escape Trump tariffs on products brought in from China.

The news pushed Apple’s share price up 5% on Wednesday.

Seth Rogen and Rose Byrne goof it all up in Platonic season 2 [Now streaming!]

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Platonic season 2
Apple TV+ comedy Platonic comes back for season two starting August 6.
Photo: Apple TV+

Here’s your chance to see anew how platonic relationships between men and women can quickly turn into minefields. Season two of Apple TV+ comedy Platonic, starring Seth Rogen and Rose Byrne, started streaming Wednesday with its first two episodes.

The two stars head up other successful shows on the streaming service — The Studio for Rogen and Physical for Byrne. The new season of Platonic — you can watch the trailer below — brings them together again and looks familiar after season one. We get laughs from embarrassing moments and physical comedy, but also have our heartstrings plucked a bit as the two lovable losers struggle with life.

Apple Watch Ultra 3 may feature slightly larger screen

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Apple Watch Ultra 3 Rumors
Apple Watch Ultra 3 may sport thinner bezels.
Photo: Apple

An image discovered in iOS 26 beta 5 suggests the Apple Watch Ultra 3 will feature a slightly higher-resolution display. This hints at a modest screen size bump as well.

The leaked resolution of 422 × 514 is only slightly higher than the Ultra 2’s screen resolution of 410 × 502. Assuming the same pixel density, this would mean a 1.97-inch display, up from a 1.92-inch display.

iPhone 17 Pro leaks — with special guest, Stephen Hackett [CultCast #710]

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The CultCast show artwork, featuring mockups of the iPhone 17 Pro
Could the iPhone 17 Pro look like this? Stephen Hackett joins us to give his thoughts.
Photo: Sonny Dickson/D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: Stephen Hackett joins Leander and Griffin to talk all about a big week of iPhone 17 Pro leaks. We have a camera rumor that’s absolutely bananas, models of the new colors — and a spy shot out in public?

Also: tips on customizing your Home Screen, an almost-normal Mac mini setup, and a big new Mac display!

Smartish Wallflower combines iPhone finger loop, suction mount and kickstand

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Smartish Wallflower combines iPhone finger loop, suction mount and kickstand
Don’t carry three accessories when one can do what your iPhone needs.
Photo: Smartish

The Smartish Wallflower magnetically attaches to your iPhone, where it’s ready to do three important jobs. It’s a finger loop so you don’t drop your handset, it’s a stand to prop up the device, and it’s even a suction mount so the iPhone can stick to many surfaces.

The clever accessory launched Tuesday.

The exact day Apple launches the iPhone 17 is …

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iPhone 17 launch day
iPhone 17 is barely a month away!
Concept: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Those eager to get their hands on one of the upcoming iPhone 17 models should mark their calendars. Information supposedly leaking out of a German wireless carrier indicates Apple’s next-generation smartphones will launch during a fall product-launch event on September 8.

No matter whether this leak is legitimate or not, just using Apple’s previous habits to estimate the iPhone 17 launch day turns up September 8 as a very likely possibility.

Google Pixel 10 teaser roasts Apple over Siri’s long wait

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Google Pixel 10 teaser taking a potshot at failed Siri 2.0
Google takes a dig at Apple's failed smarter Siri rollout.
Photo: Google on X

Google’s newest teaser for its upcoming Pixel 10 lineup mocks Apple’s failed rollout of a new, smarter Siri. “If you buy a new phone because of a feature that’s coming soon, but it’s been coming soon for a full year, you could change your definition of soon,” says Google in the ad.

It recommends frustrated users to “just change your phone” and gives a glimpse of the Pixel 10 at the end.

iPhone rakes in 3 times the revenue of any rival

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Apple vs Samsung
Apple’s revenue from iPhone dwarfs Samsung’s revenue from Android sales.
Image: Apple/Samsung/Cult of Mac

Apple’s revenue from selling iPhones makes up a whopping 43% of the global smartphone total, according to a new report from a market research firm. That’s close to triple the revenue the next closest rival brings in from its Androids.

Apple rakes in such a high percentage of the total by selling high-end models, versus its rivals who get their revenue from basic smartphones.

Reduce eye strain with these workspace fine-tuning tips [Setups]

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reduce eye strain
This M4 Pro MacBook Pro and Studio Display user takes eye strain seriously and offers helpful tips.
Photo: [email protected]

So many of us sit at a computer all day peering at a screen, it’s no wonder eye strain is a common problem. But only some of us — like today’s featured MacBook Pro and Studio Display user — really attack the problem beyond taking more breaks. They offer tips to reduce eye strain below.

Brain implant lets patients control Apple devices via thoughts [Update – see it in action!]

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thought control of Apple devices
A tiny implant in a brain blood vessel can lead to thought control of Vision Pro.
Photo: Synchron

In a groundbreaking development, a brain-computer interface (BCI) company successfully demonstrated the first-ever use of Apple’s Vision Pro AR/VR headset — and later an iPad — controlled directly by thought, according to Synchron. The innovation opens up exciting possibilities, perhaps even beyond helping individuals with severe mobility limitations engage with cutting-edge technology. Innovations like thought control of Vision Pro and iPad could lead to big things for both hands-free and voice-free use of devices.

August 4 update: In a new video, Synchron released proof of the first-ever public demonstration of an individual using an iPad controlled entirely by thought, leveraging Apple’s built-in accessibility features and new Brain-Computer Interface Human Interface Device (BCI HID) protocol, the company said. Watch the video below.

May 13 update: Synchron said it would be the first brain-computer interface (BCI) company to achieve native integration with a new BCI Human Interface Device (BCI HID) profile Apple just rolled out among various accessibility upgrades.

Apple begins building its ChatGPT rival

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AI safety guidelines -- Apple Intelligence
AppleGPT incoming?
Photo: Apple

Apple’s new internal team, “Answers, Knowledge and Information,” is apparently developing a ChatGPT-like search tool. It will reportedly use an “answer engine’ that will crawl the web to answer simple search querries.

The tool is still in the early stages of development, so it won’t go live anytime soon.

No mulligans needed: Stick keeps audiences laughing week after week

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Stick starring Owen Wilson on Apple TV+
It’s a cliche, but if you like Ted Lasso you should try Stick.
Graphic: Apple TV+

Stick continues to stick near the tops of the streaming TV popularity charts as the sports comedy wraps up its first season. The Apple TV+ series starring Owen Wilson kept its audience since the premiere in June.

It maintains AppleTV’s long streak of at least one series or film among the top 10 most popular.

What I want from Apple’s first foldable iPhone

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A folding iPhone might look something like this concept.
Apple needs to ensure the folding iPhone stands out.
AI concept: ChatGPT/Cult of Mac

The folding iPhone rumored to arrive in 2026 might mark a major turning point for foldable devices. But to pull that off, Apple’s first folding phone needs to do more than just look good — it needs to nail the fundamentals.

From durability and design to software and camera performance, here’s everything I want to see in the foldable iPhone.