There’s a security setting in iOS that will erase everything on your iPhone, resetting it back to a blank, factory-state slate if you tap in the wrong passcode 10 times. It’s called Data Protection, and I never wrote a how to on this because I figured everyone would have it switched on. After all, who wouldn’t want that kind of excellent security if ever they lost their iPhone?

Apple released macOS 10.13.5 today, an update that brings the long-awaited Messages in iCloud feature to Mac users.

The new feature, which Apple rolled out to iPhones and iPads earlier this week in iOS 11.4, should free up space on your Mac. More importantly, it will finally allow you to sync iMessages with all your Apple devices via the cloud.

How do you follow a project like the Macintosh? A high-flying Apple spinoff called General Magic tried to answer that question in the early 1990s.

After revolutionizing the personal computer, a team of ambitious ex-Apple engineers set out to build a connected touchscreen mobile device that prefigured the iPhone by 25 years. Their startup, General Magic, became one of the hottest ventures in Silicon Valley — before it all came crashing down.

“That period is one of the most important in computing history,” Sarah Kerruish, co-director of new documentary General Magic, told Cult of Mac. “It’s when handhelds were first realized, and when we saw the first early stages of the internet. General Magic combines these profoundly important threads in technology.”

Apple hasn’t even previewed iOS 12 yet and we’re already talking about iOS 13, thanks to a bunch of new emoji. Emojipedia has revealed the list of character candidates for 2019, which includes a bunch of new expressions, animals, and more.

Another day, another analyst, another report speculating about a future iPhone with three lenses.

A Korean newspaper reporting on an expected Samsung Galaxy S10 with three rear-facing cameras casually mentioned Apple’s first planned three-lens iPhone will be an iPhone X Plus that could launch as early as this year.

Photos and videos are some of our most important mementos, helping us recount our fondest memories. The thought of losing those keepsakes shouldn’t be something that keeps you up at night.

With Google Photos, every photo and video on your iOS device can be safely backed up to the cloud, accessible even if your iPhone or iPad goes up in flames. Even better, Google Photos can help you free up space on your iOS device, so there’s always room to take more pictures.

Apple’s “Shot on iPhone” ad campaign just got a submission from one of the world’s biggest artists.

Kanye West dropped one of the most-anticipated records of 2018 this morning, and the album cover was snapped by Ye himself with an iPhone. The subject matter may not be what you expect!

Apple’s new 6.1-inch iPhone might be delayed until November, according to one report. But you don’t have to wait until then to see it. The images and video below provide our very first glimpse at what will be a more affordable alternative to iPhone X.

Imagine if your Apple Watch could tell you which days were best for you to do a workout, and what kind of workout you should do. Well it can, sort of, thanks to a hidden feature that few people have yet discovered or know how to use.

Heart rate variability, or HRV, is a new metric that reveals your stress level and whether you have recovered from your last workout. It has been added to lots of high-end sports watches in recent years, including Apple Watch since watchOS 4 & iOS 11.

Here’s how you can use it to optimize your training, reduce your risk of injury, and know when to take a well-earned rest day.

Apple has turned down the invitation to publicly testify before the European Parliament’s special committee on tax evasion. According to the company, the reason is that it doesn’t want to risk doing anything which could harm its ongoing appeal against the massive EU tax bill it faces.

In a letter to the EU committee published today, Apple said that, “It is important to ensure public commentary does not prejudice those proceedings.”

One of Apple’s most anticipated handsets for 2018 could be delayed.

A new report claims the company has run into “light leakage” issues with LCD displays destined for its new 6.1-inch iPhone. We may have to wait until November to get our hands on the device.

These days, there are tons of wireless home security cameras on the market. So it’s easy to keep an eye on your home or office even when you’re away, just by using your mobile device. Unfortunately it’s also pretty common to learn your web-connected home security system is hackable.

Shares in Anglo-German company Dialog Semiconductor plunged today after the chipmaker admitted that Apple was cutting its orders by around 30 percent this year.

Dialog shares fell 17 percent on Friday, based on the company telling investors that Apple will be using its chips for only two of its three new iPhones for 2018.

It’s been a tight ship over there at Apple, so for the first time in a long time, we know almost nothing about what will be announced at an Apple Keynote. But we think there’s a good case for new hardware come Monday, and on this week’s CultCast, we’ll tell you why. Plus, we’ll tell you everything we think we know about iOS 12, and stick around for our ears-on, gaping-jaw review of stereo HomePods.

Our thanks to Udemy for supporting this episode. Whether you’re looking to learn something new or just sharpen your skills, Udemy has over 65,000 courses starting at just 11.99.
Visit Ude.my/CULTCAST or download the Udemy app to learn anytime, anywhere.

An announcement about Apple’s plans to build a new HQ in Raleigh, North Carolina is “imminent,” a new report suggests.

This follows another recent news story suggesting it is a “done deal,” just so long as the proper incentives package is agreed. From the sound of things, Apple is pleased with the way talks have progressed!

Kanye West’s album is launching today — and unlike 2016’s The Life of Pablo this one will be available from Apple Music and other platforms right away.

Given the trouble that Tidal, which had early exclusive rights to TLoP, is reportedly in, that’s not a huge surprise…

Yet another iPhone SE 2 leak has surfaced ahead of its official unveiling.

A screen protector built for the budget handset corroborates rumors that it will sport an edge-to-edge display with a notch — just like iPhone X. However, that notch won’t be anywhere near as large as it is on Apple’s flagship smartphone.

Some of the best photographic lenses originate from Germany. Think Zeiss or Leica. Now, a Stuttgart startup named Lemuro hopes to earn that same respect with lens attachments for the iPhone.

And if looks, a swell of support on Kickstarter and that whole assumption about German precision engineering are indicators, Lemuro may get there.

The Mail app on your Mac and your iPhone/iPad does a lot for you, which is usually good. But sometimes it’s a little too helpful, like when it keeps autocompleting an old, unused email address for one of your contacts. Most of us just start tapping a name into the To: field, and pick the top result from the list. But Mail will sometimes put “zombie” addresses in there, addresses that you have deleted from your contacts, but which are being remembered anyway.

Today, we’ll see how to get rid of those zombie email autocompletes.

After a two-day delay, week five’s challenges are finally available inside Fortnite Battle Royale for buyers of the season four Battle Pass.

There are seven altogether — four easy and three hard — which will earn you a total of 50 Battle Stars. And unlike last week’s challenges, this week’s are relatively straightforward, so more experienced players will have them completed in no time.

To help you, here’s our complete challenge guide for season four, week five.

In today’s edition of Deals & Steals, we’ve got a great deal on a pair of Beats wireless earphones. On top of that, you can save big on Stanley thermoses, a pair of Audio-Technica headphones and super-cool DJI goggles!

iPhone X and iPhone 8 owners that still haven’t tried wireless charging just got two great reasons from Belkin to take the plunge.

Belkin’s BoostUp wireless charger and wireless charging stand that debuted earlier this year at CES are finally available to purchase at a store near you.

A month or so back I was searching for a PDF app that would use the native Files browser on the iPad, but add features not available in Files app’s built-in PDF viewer. The result of that search was PDF Viewer, an app that is almost impossible to find on Google, but which is simple enough to be perfect for many people.

The late Steve Jobs has inspired artists to immortalize him in bronze, on canvas, the silver screen and even the opera stage. There was even a guy who injected paint into bubble wrap to create a Jobs portrait.

But the oddest may just be a Jobs likeness made by a smoker arranging ash in an ashtray.

Apple still has a bunch of new devices up its sleeve for 2018 — not including the new iPhone lineup — but we won’t see any of it at WWDC.

A new report claims we can expect refreshed MacBook and MacBook Pro models, a more affordable machine to replace the MacBook Air, a new iPad Pro with Face ID, and a new Apple Watch. However, we’ll have to wait until later in the year to get our hands on them.