MP Materials makes rare earth magnets in Fort Worth, Texas. Photo: MP Materials
Apple announced a new commitment Tuesday to buy $500 million worth of American-made rare earth magnets from Texas-based MP Materials. The raw material will go into iPhones, MacBooks and more.
In addition, the two companies are working together to build a cutting-edge rare earth recycling line in California.
OWC's new Quad HDMI adapter makes running multiple 4K external displays a breeze. Photo: OWC
Two new HDMI adapters from Other World Computing (OWC) solve the external display limitations that have frustrated Apple Silicon Mac users since the M1 chip’s introduction, the company said Monday. The new OWC USB-C Quad HDMI 4K Adapter and redesigned OWC USB-C Dual HDMI 4K Adapter offer Mac owners a way to connect multiple external monitors without juggling multiple dongles.
“Whether you’re working with spreadsheets, streaming data, editing video or just need more screen real estate to stay productive, we believe your gear shouldn’t hold you back,” said Larry O’Connor, OWC’s founder and CEO. “With our new Quad and enhanced Dual HDMI adapters, we’re giving users the power to easily expand their visual workspace, without the complexity or cost of juggling multiple adapters or sacrificing performance.”
Now is the time to save on that portable SSD you’ve wanted. Image: Samsung/Cult of Mac
The portable SSD you’ve been wanting is probably available at well below the usual cost. There are top-quality ones available at way below their list prices — we found deals on portable SSDs from Samsung, Kingston and more. Save up to 48%!
Even if you didn’t do your shopping during Amazon Prime Day last week, you can still easily increase the storage capacity of your Mac, iPad, etc. without over-stressing your credit card.
The orange and dark blue options look racier than the usual Pro hues. Photo: X.com@SonnyDickson
After last week’s iPhone 17 color revelations, fresh component leaks suggest Apple might introduce its boldest iPhone Pro color yet, come September. This time, camera lens covers reveal a potential brand-new copper-orange finish that would mark a significant departure from the company’s traditional Pro palette. The other possible colors are black, gray, silver and a dark blue that harkens back to iPhone 15 Pro’s most striking hue.
The LG 5K display and the Studio Display work beautifully together, the user said. Photo: [email protected]
Apple’s beautiful, high-resolution Studio Display is notoriously expensive, starting at about $1,600 — so dual Studio Display computer setups are pretty rare. I also see Studios Displays paired with other options for external displays, as in today’s great-looking Mac Studio setup. And it turns out there are reasons beyond identical resolution to choose the LG 5K UltraFine display the users selected and loves.
And another cool item in the setup hides behind the displays. Bower & Wilkins’ aged-yet-still-awesome MM1 computer speakers make a rare appearance.
Rather than hiding the iPhone Dynamic Island, Apple is reportedly going all-in on it. Photo: Apple
Apple came up with a “significant evolution” for the Dynamic Island that’s part of the display in most iPhone models, according to a noted tipster. Rather than phasing out the dynamic interface, rumors indicate Apple will lean into the feature.
It’s something to look forward to in the iPhone 17 and beyond.
Even the rumored super-slim iPhone 17 "Air" may get 12GB RAM to handle AI tasks. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Apple may hold the upcoming iPhone 17 launch event in the week beginning September 8. If not on Monday, the company could opt for September 9 (Tuesday) or 10 (Wednesday).
Apple typically unveils new iPhones in the second week of September.
iPhone 17e rumors point to a change in strategy for Apple’s budget handsets. Image: Apple/Cult of Mac
Apple already has the iPhone 17e on its drawing board, according to rumors. Surveys indicate the company has a new strategy that’ll bring much more frequent updates to its most affordable iOS handsets.
Here’s when to expect the replacement for the iPhone 16e, and what hardware changes are coming.
Smoke stars Taron Egerton and
Jurnee Smollett. Image: Apple TV+
Smoke is getting into plenty of people’s eyes. The new true-crime drama on Apple TV+ that stars Taron Egerton made it into the top 10 most popular streaming series, according to two companies that track ratings.
Plus, the Apple TV+ sci-fi action comedy series Murderbot stayed strong in the run-up to its season finale, and the sports comedy Stick still draws a large audience, too.
These camera ring protector rings always match the iPhone colors. Photo: [email protected]
Apple’s upcoming iPhone 17 should offer a fresh take on color options, with new leaks suggesting five colors for the base iPhone 17 and four for the iPhone 17 Air model. The latest information comes from leaked images of third-party camera lens protector rings. They’re designed to match Apple’s official iPhone color offerings.
★★★★☆
The KYY 14” Portable Monitor pairs well with a 14-inch MacBook or a 13-inch iPad. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
The KYY 14” Portable Monitor challenges the idea that bigger is always better. It’s much smaller than the external display I usually travel with — and that’s exactly why I love it.
Foundation season 3 debuts with its first episode on Friday, July 11. Photo: Apple TV+
Rejoice, fans of deliciously complicated and marvelously cinematic sci-fi! Apple TV+’s adaptation of Isaac Asimov’s iconic Foundation stories finally returns for a new season Friday. So now you can stream Foundation season three’s first episode, “A Song for the End of Everything,” in which intergalactic supervillain The Mule wreaks havoc.
Jump for joy! Murderbot season 2 is on the way. Photo: Apple TV+
Murderbot season 1 did well enough in the ratings that Apple TV+ committed to season 2 on Thursday.
The news comes as the season 1 finale of the sci-fi comedy thriller becomes available to stream. A renewal isn’t surprising, given that t series stayed one of the top 10 most-watched shows every week during its entire run.
The title of The Wild Ones might describe both the filmmakers and the animals they stalk with good intentions. Image: Apple TV+
A new documentary combining high-stakes adventure with groundbreaking wildlife conservation started streaming on Apple TV+ Friday. Previously the streamer released a new trailer for The Wild Ones documentary series, below, promising all sorts of high-tech derring-do in the name of saving threatened animal species all over the world. Now you can watch it.
The six-episode documentary, premiering July 11, follows a team of elite wildlife experts as they venture into Earth’s most remote and dangerous environments to protect critically endangered species.
Update:The Wild Ones began streaming Friday. As one critic cited on the reviews site Rotten Tomatoes put it (though it’s too early for a fresh or rotten rating): “The Wild Ones is a triumph of storytelling, a visual feast and a heartfelt plea to cherish and protect the natural world.”
Apple plans to launch a bunch of devices in late 2025 and early 2026. Image: Apple/Cult of Mac
Instead of new Macs, Apple will reportedly use the next iPad Pro refresh as the debut device for its M5 chip. The new tablet could launch “as early as October.”
It’s also working on an M4 iPad Air refresh and iPhone 17e for a possible early 2026 launch.
The latest M5 MacBook Pro rumor says the updated macOS notebook won’t be out until next year. Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac
Apple might not get the next-generation MacBook Pro with the upcoming M5 processor out this autumn, as had been expected. The notebook will instead launch early next year, according to a respected source of insider information.
If true, it means that Apple’s new Mac processor will once again launch in an iPad.
All the best Apple gear at a steep discount — right here. Image: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac
It’s that time of year again — Amazon Prime Day. The summer deals run from July 8 – 11. So the early deals flowed starting over the weekend, with the full-on sale hitting with even better deals on Tuesday through Friday.
We’ll show you the best Amazon Prime Day deals on Apple gear, from AirPods to iPads to MacBooks to the Studio Display. And that includes Apple audio subsidiary Beats, too. Click on the links below, and return to this page often — deals are subject to change, often for the better, and we’ll add more as we find them.
The bendable screen in the Samsung Z Fold 7 is likely headed for the folding iPhone, too. Photo: Marques Brownlee
Those eager for a folding iPhone should glance at the beautiful, bendable screen in the Samsung Z Fold 7, which launched Tuesday. If rumors are correct, this display will also be part of Apple’s foldable. Or something very close to it.
There are no in-depth reviews of the new screen yet, but early indications are that Samsung finally virtually eliminated the crease that’s been the fatal flaw of all previous flexible displays… which is very good news for the folding iPhone.
The new Aqara G410 Doorbell Camera Hub should please HomeKit users. Photo:
Aqara’s new G410 Doorbell Camera Hub delivers a compelling package for Apple ecosystem users who want comprehensive smart home integration without recurring subscription fees. Priced at $129.99, this battery-powered video doorbell stands out as one of the few devices on the market to offer full HomeKit Secure Video support alongside extensive Matter smart-home standard compatibility, the company said Thursday.
$305 off is a great deal on these phenomenal wired headphones. Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac
I’ve long been a fan of great sound. But I hesitate to call myself an “audiophile” simply because I’m not a wealthy man. And yet even I can dabble in solid audio because so many affordable products continue to up the ante — including my favorite personal headphones. Behold the Sennheiser HD660S2 open-back cans. An audiophile of means might scoff at spending only several hundred bucks, but the joke’s on them. Thanks to Amazon, this Prime Day Sennheiser deal gets you these great wired, open-back cans for a mere $375 (as of Wednesday evening; the fluctuating price went up about $14 as of Thursday morning).
That’s not nothing, obviously. But it’s a lot more affordable than the $1,000 or more that many audiophile cans command.
There's nothing like a great pair of insanely expensive headphones. But Prime Day helps! Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac
If you’re like me, Amazon Prime Day is partly about scoring cool stuff you otherwise find uncomfortably pricey. I can’t go around buying every set of headphones and earbuds that catch my eye. But with Prime Day headphones deals, maybe I can sneak something sweet-sounding past my sense of guilt, you know?
And so can you! Check out some of the absolute best Amazon Prime Days deals on headphones and earbuds below. I found wishlist-worthy cans and buds with savings of $100 or more (in some cases, much more — even discounts of $305 off primo open-back cans, $315 off top noise-canceling headphones and $150 off some seriously nice earbuds).
Like other Apple products, the Studio Display features a sleek design. Photo: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac
If not the best, Apple’s Studio Display is among the best displays you can get for your Mac. The nano-texture glass makes it an even better monitor, cutting down on unwanted reflections.
But despite its age, Apple wants a steep $1,899 for the Studio Display with nano-texture glass. Amazon’s amazing Prime Day deal makes things a lot more reasonable, by slashing its price down by $399.01.
Your next Mac could come with the latest macOS release pre-installed. Photo: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac
With ‘Presto,’ Apple devised a way to wirelessly update iPhones without right through their retail packaging. With macOS Tahoe, the company could bring the same technology to Macs.
This change will ensure your new Mac runs the latest available macOS version, no matter how long it’s been sitting in inventory.