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Turn your selfies into a studio-quality headshot for just $15

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Person holding a phone with the ResumePhoto.ai AI headshot generator app on the screen.
Why spend hundreds on a pro photographer and a business-friendly wardrobe?
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Need a professional-looking headshot but don’t want to hire a photographer? ResumePhoto.ai’s AI headshot generator can fix that — and you won’t even need to change out of your jammies.

This AI-powered tool takes a handful of your everyday selfies — think casual, natural light, nothing fancy — and turns them into polished, studio-quality headshots that look like you hired a pro photog who actually knows your good side.

It’s incredibly affordable, too. With ResumePhoto.ai’s Basic Package, you’ll receive up to 12 professionally styled images for just $14.99, each featuring clean backdrops, business-ready attire and flattering lighting.

New technology could cool down overheating smart glasses

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New technology could cool down overheating smart glasses
The active-cooling fan on a chip could reduce frame heat and therefore user discomfort.
Image: xMEMS Labs

Here’s some encouraging news for Apple users eagerly awaiting the next generation of smart wearable — new technology could cool down overheating smart glasses. The world’s first active cooling system small enough to fit inside the frame of smart glasses arrives with µCooling fan-on-a-chip technology, xMEMS Labs said Tuesday.

That potentially addresses one of the biggest obstacles facing AR glasses projects like Apple’s rumored one. A sophisticated system in a frame generates heat against a user’s skin, and a passive heat sink may not dissipate it enough.

iPhone may not get rid of its camera cutout for 5 years

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iPhone screen cutout rumors
The iPhone screen cutout isn’t going away anytime soon.
Image: ChatGPT/Cult of Mac

The gradual process of reducing the size of the iPhone screen cutout that’s been ongoing for years will continue, but the front-facing camera will remain visible until 2030, according to a reliable source of leaked Apple info.

Getting the various scanners to work well from behind the iPhone’s OLED panel isn’t a trivial task.

How to play Apple’s daily crosswords on iPad and iPhone

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Daily Puzzles in Apple News
Get a crossword every day in the Apple News app.
Image: Wil540 art/Wikimedia Commons/D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

Apple has a daily crossword and crossword mini that you can play on your iPad and iPhone inside the News app. This feature is available to anyone with an Apple News+ subscription or the Apple One Premier bundle.

I absolutely love playing the crossword puzzles every day. I’m not very good at them, but it’s a fun challenge and it’s a well-designed app.

Here’s how it works.

JetBlue adds Find My to baggage tracking

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JetBlue adds Find My to baggage tracking
JetBlue just made tracking your lost luggage easier -- especially for AirTag users.
Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac

JetBlue Airways now offers real-time baggage tracking through its mobile app and supports Apple AirTag location sharing to help recover delayed or misplaced luggage, the airline said Monday. So now it joins other airlines in AirTag/Find My network integration. As such, JetBlue’s new changes should certainly appeal to Apple device users on the go.

“We are constantly looking for ways to offer our customers a more convenient travel experience,” said Carol Clements, JetBlue’s chief digital and technology officer. “As part of our JetForward strategy, we’re focused on delivering the products and perks our customers want. This new in-app bag tracking feature, along with AirTag location sharing for baggage recovery, are designed to bring customers peace of mind when checking their bags with JetBlue.”

iPadOS 26 paves the way for super-size folding iPad

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iPadOS 26 paves the way for super-size folding iPad
It’s clear Apple plans an extra-large folding iPad, not its first touchscreen Mac.
Photo: ChatGPT/Cult of Mac

Early leaks about an upcoming Apple computer with an 18- to 20-inch folding display were vague about whether the device will be an iPad or the first Mac with a touchscreen. In the wake of the introduction of iPadOS 26, the answer now seems obvious: Apple’s extra-large folding tablet will be an iPad.

Recent comments by a high-level Apple executive about not merging macOS and iPadOS add weight to the theory.

MacBook Pro drives wild stacked dual display with hinges [Setups]

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uperfect portable monitor
It's not two displays mounted in stacked formation, it's one dual display with hinges.
Photo: [email protected]

I’d call it a rare sighting in setups featured on Cult of Mac, but I think it’s actually a first sighting ever — stacked dual displays held together by hinges. As such, they’re actually one product, the Uperfect Delta Dual Portable Monitor. To say the least, it’s unusual to see one in a home setup, driven in this case by an M4 MacBook Pro. And those two screens make up just half the setup’s total of four.

EarFun Clip: Great open-ear buds for smaller ears than mine [Review] ★★★

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EarFun Clip Open-Ear Wireless Earbuds review★★★
The tiny, super-light earbuds take a "C" shape.
Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac

EarFun Clip earbuds entered an increasingly crowded open-ear clip-on audio market Monday, promising premium features at a midrange $70 price point at launch (normally $89.99). In my EarFun Clip Open-Ear Wireless Earbuds review, I find they don’t fit me very well (I guess my big head means big ears, too). But they may suit many buyers, and the lightweight earbuds challenge the notion that you need to spend well over $100 for quality open-ear audio.

While brands like Sony and Soundcore are better known, EarFun has quietly developed open-ear wireless earbuds that deserve attention, particularly for active users who need awareness of their surroundings. For those they fit, EarFun Clip offers great sound at a great price.

No, blockbuster deal between OpenAI and Jony Ive didn’t collapse

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OpenAI buys io
A lawsuit forced OpenAI to take down public details related to its acquisition of Jony Ive's company io.
Photo: OpenAI

OpenAI and Jony Ive’s io have removed all public details about the latter’s acquisition. The much-hyped video announcing the acquisition is also no longer live on YouTube. Contrary to rumors, this is not due to the deal between the two companies falling apart.

The issue stems from a trademark dispute over the name “io” used by Ive’s firm.

Get 14 handy utilities for Mac and PC for less than $20

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Photo of an app from the Ultimate 14 Mac & Windows Utility App Bundle running on a laptop
Save 42% on this 14-in-1 utility app bundle for Mac and Windows!
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

The Ultimate 14 Mac & Windows Utility App Bundle delivers just what it says on the tin. This one-year subscription packs a punch, giving you access to 14 premium utility apps designed to make your daily tasks smoother, faster and a whole lot less frustrating.

We’re talking smarter file management, system optimization, enhanced privacy tools and productivity boosters — all in one tidy package. And it’s currently available for just $19.99 (regularly $34.95).

How iOS 26 will upgrade your AirPods experience

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AirPods 4 are coming in 2024
iOS 26 will supercharge your AirPods experience.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

iOS 26 will not just make your iPhone better. It will also add several new features to AirPods, improving the already excellent experience of using Apple’s super-popular earbuds.

The changes will further deepen the AirPods integration with the iPhone. Find out all the ways iOS 26 will improve your AirPods experience.

Apple explores acquiring Perplexity AI to supercharge search

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Will Apple acquire Perplexity?
Will Apple acquire Perplexity?
Photo: Apple/Perplexity

Apple reportedly held internal discussions to acquire AI startup Perplexity AI. The latter is an AI-powered search engine. It uses a large language model (LLM) to process the answers and presents them in an easier-to-understand format.

The discussions inside Apple are seemingly at an early level, and it may not even officially provide an offer to the young startup.

On World Wi-Fi Day, let’s celebrate Ethernet

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Ethernet beats Wi-Fi
As great as Wi-Fi is, Ethernet still plays an important role.
Image: ChatGPT/Cult of Mac

It’s World Wi-Fi Day, which highlights the ability of wireless internet access to bring people together. But I’d like everyone to instead consider the advantages of an earlier tech: wired networking via good old reliable Ethernet.

Ethernet is easy to overlook now that almost everything has gone wireless, but it still has a role to play: filling in a flaw in Wi-Fi. Unfortunately, Apple doesn’t build Ethernet ports into MacBooks, but adding one is easy and inexpensive.

Want a Mac for college? Apple’s clever PowerPoint could seal the deal.

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The Parent Presentation templates
You can download and use the template in Keynote, PowerPoint or Google Slides.
Photo: Apple

Apple posted a clever new marketing tool Friday that puts students in charge of making their own sales pitch — a customizable template called The Parent Presentation, designed to help convince parents that a Mac is essential for college success. And it comes complete with a video demo by comedian and Saturday Night Live performer Martin Herlihy (part of the trio behind those Please Don’t Destroy digital shorts videos, which are a lot funnier than his work here, to be honest).

Update: Apple made the YouTube video private for unknown reasons Saturday. It remains offline, although The Parent Presentation is still available as a free download.

Mac Studio-wielding designer adores dual Studio Displays [Setups]

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dual Studio Displays
A Mac Studio and dual Studio Displays? What could be better.
Photo: [email protected]

Two of the common laments among Mac users talking computer setups online? Too bad Studio Displays are so expensive, and when will Apple jack up that 60Hz refresh rate? But of course the monitors have legions of fans, especially among folks like designers. With today’s featured setup, a designer and video editor loves his pair of Studio Displays and says why. And other commenters get into a little dust-up defending Mac Studio from those who think the small-but-mighty M4 Mac mini is even better.

How to convert YouTube videos to MP3 files

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How to convert YouTube videos to MP3 files
Makes converting video files to audio easy with the 4K YouTube to MP3 app for Mac, Windows and Ubuntu.
Image: 4K YouTube to MP3

Need to convert YouTube videos to MP3 files easily, so you can transform your favorite streaming content into high-quality audio files that are a breeze to store and play? One simple way is to download and use 4K YouTube to MP3, a powerful Mac app designed specifically for audio extraction.

This specialized converter focuses on delivering crystal-clear audio files from YouTube videos, podcasts, music and other content across popular platforms including Facebook, SoundCloud and Twitch.

These ChatGPT courses show how to bend AI to your will

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Person using ChatGPT courses to learn AI
Learn AI skills that will help you with practically everything.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Rather than goofing around with Apple Intelligence, the courses in The 2025 ChatGPT Skills & Creativity Bundle could make you an AI master. From writing and graphic design to travel planning and productivity hacks, this massive bundle of ChatGPT courses will take you from an AI beginner to a well-rounded expert.

The core AI concepts you master can give you a leg up in almost any endeavor. Learn the latest skills with this up-to-date bundle of ChatGPT courses, all for just $29.99 (regularly $249.95).

This SanDisk SSD clings to iPhone to record terabytes of high-res video [Review] ★★★★

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SanDisk Creator Phone SSD review★★★★
Expand your iPhone Pro/Pro Max storage capacity with this SanDisk SSD.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

SanDisk designed its Creator Phone SSD specifically for people recording large amounts of 4K ProRes video with a recent iPhone Pro/Pro Max model. The MagSafe drive magnetically attaches to the back of the handset so it’s out of the way during filming.

It holds up to 2TB of data without making the handset difficult to film with. And transferring data to a Mac for editing is a snap.

I tested the SSD with my iPhone and it worked very well. But the cable is bulkier than it should be.

Protect yourself online by changing bad old passwords

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Change Your Bad, Old Passwords
Take the chance to upgrade your security.
Image: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

There’s been another big data leak of over 16 billion records, and that’s a great opportunity to do something you’ve probably been procrastinating on: Replace your website passwords that hackers stole because of some lax security. Fortunately, Apple’s new Passwords app makes it easy to find out which of your passwords leaked so you can change passwords right on your iPhone.

Stay one step ahead by fixing a potentially serious problem now, before something bad happens.

Avoid ear fatigue with JBL’s super-comfy, open-ear headphones

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Photo of a woman wearing JBL SoundGear Sense open-ear headphones.
Free your earholes with these super-comfy open-ear headphones from JBL.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

JBL’s Soundgear Sense open-ear headphones are a solid match for anyone who’s juggling music, calls and workouts throughout the day. Unlike traditional in-ear buds, they sit comfortably outside the ear, meaning no more pressure points or ear fatigue after long listening sessions.

Whether you’re jumping on a call from your MacBook or tuning into a podcast on your iPhone during a morning jog, they stay in place, and the audio sounds crisp. And right now, you can grab a refurbished pair of these open-ear headphones for just $74.99 (regularly $149.95).

Apple won’t bring iPhone Mirroring to the EU with macOS Tahoe

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iPhone Mirroring in macOS Sequoia
EU users won't get access to iPhone Mirroring with iOS 26 and macOS Tahoe.
Photo: Apple

Apple introduced iPhone Mirroring with iOS 18 and macOS Sequoia in 2024. But due to regulatory concerns, Apple never launched the feature in the EU.

iOS 26 and macOS Tahoe won’t change that, with Apple confirming it has no plans to bring iPhone Mirroring to Macs in the European Union anytime soon.

Folding iPhone could stay a niche product for years

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Folding iPhone concept
A folding iPhone might be in short supply for a long time.
AI concept: ChatGPT/Cult of Mac

Production of the long-awaited iPhone with a folding screen begins in a few months, according to a trusted analyst. But Apple supposedly plans to make only a few million of them, indicating the company expects this to be a niche product.

Previous reports indicate the price for the folding iPhone could be around $2,000 — about what similar Androids with foldable screens cost. High cost keeps this entire class of handsets out of the hands of average users, and so far it doesn’t seem like Apple has a solution.

iPad won’t run macOS because Apple doesn’t make sporks

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iPad + Mac = Spork
An Apple executive says an iPad/Mac combo would be as bad as a spork.
Photo: ChatGPT/Cult of Mac

Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior vice president of software engineering, turned to a pair of metaphors in a recent interview to explain why macOS will not replace iPadOS on the iPad. Perhaps the most notable: “We don’t want to build sporks.”

Questions about iPad’s future came up after the unveiling at WWDC last week of iPadOS 26, which moves Apple’s tablet closer to the Mac than ever before.

Tough Soundcore Boom 3i Bluetooth speaker floats and plays for 16 hours

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Soundcore Boom 3i speaker
Don't worry about dropping it in the water. In fact, you might want to.
Photo: Soundcore

Soundcore’s latest outdoor-focused Bluetooth speaker, the Boom 3i, is ideal for users who want reliable audio during outdoor adventures — especially on the water — the Anker subsidiary said Wednesday. The company emphasized the little wireless speaker’s toughness and floatable design.

So don’t worry about dropping it in the pool, lake, river or ocean — in fact, you might want to.