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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:

This iMac-inspired Apple Watch concept brings back Cupertino’s iconic colors

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Retro concept art of an Apple Watch with an iMac G3 design
Apple fans are loving this juicy retro Apple Watch concept.
Image: SaffyCreatives

A cool, colorful Apple Watch concept that borrows the design language of the original iMac is drawing raves on Instagram.

The instantly recognizable design features translucent plastic in the bright shades of the nonconformist computers that saved Apple’s bacon in the late 1990s.

Breakthrough device could blaze path for Apple Watch blood glucose tracking

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preevnt isaac blood glucose device
Shown here with a charger, the PreEvnt Isaac device measures breath and can be worn on a necklace.
Photo: PreEvnt

Apple has spent years and millions of dollars trying to crack one of wearable technology’s biggest health challenges: noninvasive blood glucose monitoring for Apple Watch. Now, a promising new gadget at CES 2026 — the PreEvnt Isaac Non-Invasive Glucose Monitor — might offer a roadmap for how this long-awaited feature could finally arrive.

iPhone 4 is back: Why Gen Z embraces Apple’s retro classic

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AI image of a person holding an iPhone 4, used to illustrate a story about why Gen Z embraces Apple's retro classic handset.
Surprise! iPhone 4 is popular again, this time with Gen Z.
AI image: Gemini/Cult of Mac

If you see someone using an iPhone 4, don’t think you’re hallucinating. Members of Gen Z have dusted off the 15-year-old handset and put it back into action.

It’s part of a trend toward retro tech, so it might be time to pull your old gadgets out of storage to see if you can turn them into cash. Or maybe starting using the devices yourself, now that they are cool again.

iOS 26 still struggles to gain traction with iPhone users

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iOS 26 still struggles to gain traction with iPhone users
It seems the typical iPhone user response to iOS 26 is, "Nope."
AI image: ChatGPT/Cult of Mac

Only a tiny percentage of iPhone users have installed iOS 26, according to data from a web analytics service. The adoption rate is far less than previous iOS versions at this same point months after their releases.

The data only reveals how few iPhone users run Apple’s latest operating system upgrade, not why they’ve chosen to avoid it. But the most likely candidate is the new Liquid Glass look of the update.

ChatGPT Health will help make sense of your Apple Health data

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ChatGPT Health
ChatGPT Health will bring your health data under one roof.
Photo: OpenAI

OpenAI is turning ChatGPT into a health companion with ChatGPT Health. This is a dedicated, privacy-focused experience designed to help you better understand your health and wellness data over time.

For iPhone users, ChatGPT Health can pull your health information from Apple Health to help make sense of your medical reports.

Chase takes over Apple Card — here’s what it means for you

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Chase takes over Apple Card — here's what it means for you
The bank that issues Apple Card will soon change, but little will change for users of the card.
AI image: Gemini/Cult of Mac

Goldman Sachs is out as the bank behind the Apple Card. Apple announced Wednesday that Chase will become the new issuer of the credit card.

The tech giant and the bank promise that features — including up to 3% unlimited Daily Cash back on purchases — will not change, even though Goldman Sachs will no longer issue the Apple Card.

This is the most innovative iPhone game controller in years

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GameSir x Hyperkin X5 Alteron: the most innovative iPhone game controller in years
It took the talents of two companies to create an iPhone game controller this innovative.
Graphic: GameSir/Hyperkin

The GameSir x Hyperkin X5 Alteron is the world’s first fully modular mobile game controller. A variety of buttons and sticks in removable modules can be swapped in and out from either side. Plus, the device telescopes to fit around your iPhone, iPad or Android.

It offers innovation that stands out in the market for side-mounted controllers.

Your Logitech mouse or keyboard is broken on Mac — here’s the fix [Updated]

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Logitech Mx Keys S keyboard
An expired security certificate broke Logitech accessories on Mac.
Photo: Rajesh Pandey/CultOfMac

Custom buttons, gestures or scrolling tweaks suddenly not working on your Logitech mouse or keyboard on Mac? You’re not alone.

The Logi Options+ app stopped working properly Tuesday, and the failure is taking a large chunk of Logitech’s ecosystem down with it. Luckily, Logitech issued a patch early Wednesday to fix the problem.

Dell takes on Pro Display XDR with massive curved 6K Thunderbolt monitor

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Dell UltraSharp 52 Thunderbolt Hub Monitor
It doesn't achieve quite the visual effect of Pro Display XDR, but it outdoes it in other ways.
Photo: Dell

The new Dell UltraSharp 52 Thunderbolt Hub Monitor unveiled Wednesday at CES 2026 is the world’s first 52-inch ultrawide curved 6K monitor, the company said. The display targets the same professional market that Apple serves with its 6K Pro Display XDR. But it takes a dramatically different approach with its expansive screen size and built-in connectivity hub.

Lego iMac G3 clears key hurdle, moves closer to release

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Lego iMac G3
The Lego iMac G3 could someday sit on your shelf.
Photo: Lego

A proposed Lego set for Apple’s iconic iMac G3 desktop earned enough votes from the public to take the next step toward becoming a real Lego product. 

The set pays tribute to the original iMac desktop, complete with translucent Bondi Blue elements and even its famously controversial mouse.

This is the weirdest auction of Steve Jobs memorabilia we’ve ever seen

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Photo of Apple-1 parts featured in a Steve Jobs memorabilia auction
Steve Jobs once owned these Apple-1 computer components, which were stored in a weathered cardboard box mailed to the house where he and Steve Wozniak set up shop in the 1970s.
Photo: RR Auctions

How would you like to own a ribbon cable once owned by Steve Jobs? Or how about a heat sink? What about his boyhood collection of bow ties?

These are just three of about 200 items associated with the Apple co-founder currently being auctioned online to celebrate Apple’s 50th anniversary.

Entitled “Steve Jobs & the Computer Revolution: The Apple 50th Anniversary Auction,” the collection of weird auction stuff is more interesting than usual. It provides a glimpse inside Jobs’ childhood home and the legendary Silicon Valley garage where Apple was born. There’s also Apple’s very first check, expected to go for a cool half million.

Apple lays important groundwork for stronger iPhone security

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AI image of a knight holding a shield with an Apple logo, protecting a person using a MacBook on some sort of war-ravaged hellscape. Used to illustrate a story on Apple tesing updates to stronger iPhone Background Security Improvements.
Background Security Improvements deliver behind-the-scenes software patches to shield iPhone users from hackers.
AI image: ChatGPT/Cult of Mac

Apple ran the first test of its new Background Security Improvements feature on Tuesday. Registered developers can access the initial security patch, though it does nothing aside from test the new system.

The eventual goal is enable Apple to distribute security patches separated from software updates.

New Soundcore earbuds morph between open-ear awareness and immersive sound

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Soundcore AeroFit 2 Pro earbuds
You can adjust these for an open-ear fit to hear your surroundings, or lock them for more-immersive sound with active noise cancellation.
Photo: Soundcore

The innovative new Soundcore AeroFit 2 Pro earbuds mark a significant advancement in open-ear audio technology, the company said at CES 2026 Tuesday. The earbuds bridge the gap between situational awareness and immersive listening by offering both open-ear comfort and active noise cancellation in a single device — a first in the industry.

You can physically adjust the buds to be in the ear canal or just outside it. The buds sense the settings and adjust output accordingly.

Innovative ByteSize iPhone SSD boasts fingerprint security, Find My tracking

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Innovative ByteSize iPhone SSD boasts fingerprint security, Find My tracking
Add terabytes of secure, high-speed storage to your iPhone for recording ProRes video.
Photo: BMX

A ByteSize SSD from BMX is small enough to fit snugly along the bottom of a iPhone with USB-C, adding up to 2TB of storage. The Ultra and Pro variants offer fast enough connections for recording high-res, high-frame rate ProRes video.

But what really sets the premium variant of the new portable SSDs apart from rivals is support for Apple FindMy tracking system. Plus, multiple models also include fingerprint biometric security.

New portable monitor offers high quality at an affordable price

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Espresso Lite 15 portable monitor with MacBook
The Espresso Lite 15 portable monitor looks great, and pairs well with your MacBook.
Photo: Espresso Displays

The Espresso Lite 15 portable monitor promises high-quality design, vibrant color options, great panel performance and exceptional value.

Beyond the screen, Espresso Displays sets itself apart with Stand+, an ergonomic stand that can hold the LCD above user’s laptop.

Satechi CubeDock combines Thunderbolt 5 connectivity with up to 8TB SSD expansion

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Satechi CubeDock Thunderbolt 5 dock
Satechi CubeDock Thunderbolt 5 dock looks like a Mac mini.
Photo: Satechi

Satechi’s new CubeDock is a Thunderbolt 5 dock with a compact, cube-shaped design that looks like a Mac mini. Unveiled this week at the massive CES 2026 electronics convention in Las Vegas, the dock comes with a versatile port selection and an internal NVMe SSD slot to expand your Mac’s storage.

Super-slim MagSafe power banks take the stage at CES 2026

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BMX SolidSafe Air: Slim iPhone power bank
The BMX SolidSafe Air is the world’s slimmest semi-solid-state iPhone power bank.
Photo: BMX

External iPhone batteries don’t have to be cumbersome — several very slim power banks debuted at CES 2026. Clip one of these to the back of your handset, and you’ll add hours of use without adding too much bulk.

Sleek new models from BMX, ESR and Baseus went on display at the giant trade show going on this week in Las Vegas.

Got your iPhone? This new smart lock lets you in, hands-free.

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Aqara Smart Lock U400
If you have your iPhone or Apple Watch with Home Key enabled, just walk up to the door and U400 unlocks.
Photo: Aqara

The new Aqara Smart Lock U400 deadbolt uses ultra-wideband technology to unlock your door automatically as you approach, the company said at CES 2026 on Tuesday. No tapping or fumbling with your phone required. It makes Home Key use via iPhone or Apple Watch even more convenient.

“We are excited to be among the first manufacturers to deliver UWB technology in home locks to consumers,” said Cathy You, Aqara’s senior vice president of global business and strategy. “With the U400 lock, we’re redefining how consumers engage with their access control systems, providing instant, automated access without compromising privacy.”

Edifier brings versatile audio to modern multi-device setups

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new Edifier speakers at CES
The Edifier M90 active speaker serves audio needs for desktop, TV and gaming uses.
Photo: Edifier

Edifier introduced a new lineup of speakers at CES 2026 designed specifically for users who need seamless audio across multiple devices and environments, the China-based audio manufacturer said Tuesday. 

The collection addresses a growing need among consumers who work, stream, game, and entertain from the same space, often switching between desktop computers, TVs, gaming consoles and mobile devices throughout the day, the company said.

Samsung teases the foldable iPhone’s key feature

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Foldable iPhone's crease-free display
This could be the foldable iPhone's crease-free display.
AI Image: Google Gemini

The first foldable iPhone may feature a crease-free inner folding screen. And Samsung has quietly given a first real look at the foldable’s display at CES 2026.

At the event, the company showcased a folding OLED panel with no visible creases — one that closely aligns with the display technology rumored for Apple’s long-awaited foldable.

Apple quietly boosts Wi-Fi speeds on newer Macs and iPads

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AI image of a MacBook and an iPad, along with the Wi-Fi icon, used to illustrate a story on the speed boost in macOS Tahoe and iPadOS 26.
Wi-Fi on your Mac or iPad just got faster.
AI image: ChatGPT/Cult of Mac

Apple silently gave some Macs and iPads a Wi-Fi speed boost with macOS Tahoe 26.2 and iPadOS 26.2. The update enables 160MHz channel bandwidth support on 5GHz Wi-Fi networks, eliminating a restriction that tamped down the maximum possible speeds.

The additional bandwidth should let your recent Mac or iPad benefit from higher throughput.

New aftermarket CarPlay receiver brings Spatial Audio to older vehicles

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Pioneer Sphera receiver with spatial audio
With this receiver, you can bring the magic of Dolby Atmos Spatial Audio to almost any car through CarPlay.
Photo: Pioneer Electronics

Pioneer Electronics’ new Sphera device is the first aftermarket in-dash receiver that supports Dolby Atmos Spatial Audio playback through Apple CarPlay, the company said Monday at CES 2026. The device makes immersive audio technology accessible to drivers whose vehicles lack factory-installed Atmos systems.

“For over 80 years, Pioneer has achieved many technological ‘firsts’ — from the world’s first car CD player to the first aftermarket CarPlay integration,” said Chris Ono, the company’s CEO and chairman. “Sphera is the next bold chapter in that legacy. We developed a product that brings the rich, detailed sound of Dolby Atmos that moves the soul, to a solution that can be installed in many vehicles on the road today.”

Anker’s new chargers are smarter, faster and cooler than ever

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Photo of woman using iMac and Anker chargers, including new models released at CES 2026.
Anker's new chargers are designed to excel with Apple products.
Photo: Anker

Anker just added four new models to its charging lineup, with features that make them smarter and faster than ever.

Standouts include a tiny 45W charger with a smart display that can identify your iPhone model for a “tailored charging solution” and a 13-in-1 docking station with a 6-port hub that pops out so you can take it on the road.