2nm processors made by TSMC will be faster while using less power than today's 3nm iPhone and Mac chips. Image: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Although Apple’s chip maker TSMC is moving toward 2nm processors, the technology will not be ready in time for to go into the iPhone 17 series next year, according to a noted analyst.
That means iPhone will use 3nm chips for three years running, though the process for making these gets improved annually.
Upgrade from wired CarPlay with this $50 wireless adapter. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
Apple’s CarPlay platform is wildly convenient, making everything from navigation to entertainment easy while you’re behind the wheel. However, that convenience is undercut if you need to plug in your iPhone whenever you start the car. If your car can’t swing wireless CarPlay, no problem. The Ottocast US-Air Wireless CarPlay Adapter converts your vehicle’s wired system into a wireless one in a matter of moments.
Normally, the Ottocast would cost $89, but you can save a bunch with this new, open-box deal. Get a wireless CarPlay adapter for only $44.97 and free your iPhone from the cable.
Higher capacity iPhone 16 batteries mean longer stretches between recharges. Photo: Apple
Every iPhone 16 version got a higher-capacity battery. Every one. Apple says its new models will go longer without needing a recharge, and clearly that’s not hype.
Also, the conspiracy theory that Apple would reduce the size of the iPhone 16 Plus battery turned out to be bunk.
The Photos app's big redesign in iOS 18 really enraged some people. Photo: Sander Sammy/Unsplash License/Modified by Cult of Mac
When Apple pushed out iOS 18, it trumpeted big changes to the Photos app (though it already rolled some back after negative feedback). Now, with the app’s public release, many users’ initial excitement has turned to disappointment and even anger on social media. The iOS 18 Photos app backlash is real — some people really hate it.
And amid that angst — and for that audience — developer LateNiteSoft put out the new Photon Library app designed along the lines of Apple’s old Photos app.
“We’re bringing back tabs, basic photo grids, a list of albums you can simply scroll through, and we even added some quick access to your Favorites!” Noël Rosenthal, a product manager atLateNightSoft, told Cult of Mac.
Saoirse Ronan and Elliott Heffernan star in Steve McQueen's Blitz. Photo: Apple TV+
As bombs rain down on London during World War II, a mother sends her young son to safety in the countryside — only to learn he’s actually lost in the city’s fiery mayhem. His journey and her frantic search unfold in a new trailer dropped Thursday for new Apple Original Film Blitz, written and directed by Academy Award winner Sir Steve McQueen.
Saoirse Ronan stars as the mother in desperate search for her son in the film, set to premiere in theaters November 1 and stream on Apple TV+ November 22. Watch the trailer below.
You'll be able to customize your iPhone's Home Screen in fun new ways. Photo: Apple
You’ve probably seen some of the beautiful custom iPhone Home Screens on social media after the iOS 18 launch. Some people go to great lengths to creatively customize their iOS 18 Home Screen layout, icons and widgets.
It makes sense. After all, you open your phone and look at your Home Screen dozens (or even hundreds) of times every single day. A custom Home Screen that matches your style can bring a little spark of joy to your daily life every time you whip out your iPhone. And iOS 18 makes Home Screen customization easier than ever.
Keep reading (or watch our video) for a quick introduction into the world of custom Home Screens. You’ll find out about new features coming in iOS 18, how to go above and beyond using Shortcuts, and how you can top off your iPhone aesthetic with widgets. I’ve scoured the internet (Reddit, mostly) to find the finest examples.
Would you buy an Apple Watch Ultra 2 just because it looks this amazing? Photo: Apple
Rather than Apple Watch Ultra 3, we got the Ultra 2 in a “satin black” titanium finish. This might be more disappointing if early reviewers weren’t raving about the new color.
iMacs from 2019 and 2020 are deeply discounted at Woot! Photo: Apple
The latest Woot! Apple Computers and Accessories sale nears its end — Friday at 10 p.m. Pacific. So act fast if you want to get great deals on Apple computers and accessories. The gear is mainly from yesteryear (Intel-based iMacs and Mac mini plus iPad cases and folios for older tablets).
“iMacs: the preferred multimedia work station of iCarly,” Woot! says of the main sale. And on the iPad cases page: “Buy what your dad will inevitably call a “doo-dad” or “thing-a-ma-jig” or “damnit-I-just-had-it-somewhere.”
Apple might be required to make iPhone cooperate better with VR headsets and other accessories made by other companies. Photo: Oculus
The European Commission intends to require iPhone and iPad to be more open to working with third-party smartwatches, headphones, virtual reality headsets, and other accessories. On Thursday, the EC began proceedings to “specify how Apple will provide effective interoperability with functionalities such as notifications, device pairing, and connectivity.”
Apple devices already work with a broad variety of accessories, but the company also says it has to balance connectivity with protecting user privacy. For the latest updates on Apple’s compliance and upcoming changes, check out the latest iPhone news.
★★★★☆
The little bot charger gives you a digital smile to indicate charging status. Here, eyes-only means it's plugged in, on standby. Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac
The charging station’s compact design makes it one of the smaller MagSafe-compatible docks I’ve seen that supports 15W fast charging. Measuring just 3.07 x 2.36 x 2.36 inches, it’s small enough for travel if you have space in your bag or for keeping your workspace tidy because it doesn’t take up much space. The charger’s build quality is top-notch, featuring a tilting top charging panel for MagSafe iPhones that adjusts up to 70 degrees for a better viewing angle. This flexibility allows me to easily see notifications or watch videos while my device charges. It’s great for Standby mode, too. If you’d like toknow more about similar charging solutions, check out this review.
These Red Dot Award-winning headphones deliver premium sound and comfort with cutting-edge features. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
Do you need a pair of high-performance, noise-canceling headphones, but your head is spinning from the subpar options on the market? This offer cuts through all the nonsense. For a limited time, these new, open-box JBL Tune 770NC over-ear headphones are on sale for just $89.99 (regularly $129).
Apple Intelligence will support Portugese, Vietnamese, and Korean languages in 2025. Photo: Apple
Apple Intelligence will go live with iOS 18.1 release in October with US English support. During the “It’s Glowtime” iPhone 16 launch event, Apple confirmed it will expand Apple Intelligence’s language support next year.
The list of supported languages will increase even further next year, with the company planning to add more languages than initially announced.
iPhone 16 sports internal design changes that make it more repairable. Photo: Apple
The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro are among Apple’s most repairable iPhones in recent years. The company made several internal design changes to make battery replacements and component swaps easier.
The changes will allow you to seamlessly swap the TrueDepth camera system between the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro without issues.
Take control of your notifications. Image: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac
You can set notifications from specific apps to stick to the top of your iPhone screen. With persistent notifications in iOS, when your phone is unlocked and an important alert comes in, it will stay visible at the top of the screen until you act upon it. It’s an easy way to make sure you don’t miss (or forget about) critical notifications on your iPhone.
This proves super-handy for things like medication reminders. It also works wonders if you’re the sort of person that ignores notifications once they disappear from your iPhone screen. I’ll show you how to make your notifications sticky.
Rolling Square AirNotch Pro and AirCard Pro tracker tags are louder than AirTag. Photo: Rolling Square
Rolling Square’s new AirNotch Pro keyring tracker uses a robust, water-resistant design. It’s louder than Apple’s AirTag, and even glows in the dark. Plus it connects to Apple’s Find My network.
The accessory-maker also unveiled AirCard Pro, a slim version for wallets and passports, on Monday.
From left, black, natural, white and the all-new desert titanium are your iPhone 16 Pro model color choices. Photo: Apple
With iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max on order for pickup or delivery starting Friday, early reviews of the premium handsets are rolling in. Our iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max review roundup finds a lot to like in the biggest upgrades — mainly increased screen size and the cameras’ beefed up functionality.
But with Apple Intelligence still to come to test the awesome new A18 Pro chip, upgrades seem largely iterative, leaving much of the attention focused on the big jumps iPhone 16 and Plus took this year.
First, would you stack 32-inch displays? Second, would you put the webcam underneath? Photo: [email protected]
If you keep dual displays in your setup but you stack them rather than placing them side by side, where does the webcam go? That question came up with today’s MacBook Pro setup. And the user had a surprising answer that he claims works well.
Early reviews say iPhone 16 and 16 Plus are worthy upgrades from older models. Photo: Apple
Early reviews for the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus say the base handsets close the gap between them and the Pro models. With the new Action and Camera Control buttons, the powerful new A18 chip, camera improvements and the promise of upcoming Apple Intelligence functionality, users with older models have plenty of reason to upgrade from older models (especially iPhone Series 14 and older). Read our iPhone 16 review roundup to find out more.
Make your work more comfortable with the Casa Hub Stand Ultra for laptops or iPads. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
Say goodbye to awkward angles and neck strain with the Casa Hub Stand Ultra. This laptop stand with a built-in USB-C hub and magnetic iPhone dock is your ultimate ergonomic upgrade. Whether you’re working from home or enjoying some Netflix on your laptop, this stand offers the perfect height adjustment to keep you comfortable and/or productive for hours.
The NuPhy Field75 HE Keyboard packs Hall effect magnetic switches under those key caps. Photo: NuPhy
As a Mac user, you’re no stranger to cutting-edge technology, like the hottest new mechanical keyboards. But have you heard about Hall effect keyboards, which are gaining popularity, especially among gamers? Let’s dive into why people turn to these specialized magnetic mechanical keyboards and what they could mean for your Mac gaming setup. They’re not actually new, but more of them have hit the market lately. And a lot of people think they offer big advantages.
RCS messaging between iPhone and Android is currently missing E2EE. Image: Apple
With RCS support, iOS 18 brings a huge upgrade to the cross-device Android and iPhone messaging experience. It enables users of both devices to share high-quality media and enjoy features like read receipts and typing indicators.
However, RCS chats between Android and iPhone lack end-to-end encryption (E2EE). The GSM Association, which developed the RCS standard, is working to fix this security gap.
Apple and JPMorgan Chase are in talks for Apple Card partnership. Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac
JPMorgan Chase could replace Goldman Sachs as the Apple Card banking partner. Apple and JPMorgan have been discussing a potential partnership since early this year.
Despite this, a potential deal between the two companies could take several months to finalize.
A installation bug supposedly bricked some M4 iPad Pro units while upgrading to iPadOS 18. Image: Apple/Cult of Mac
Apple temporarily stopped allowing access to the iPadOS 18 upgrade for the M3 iPad Pro. A bug apparently bricked some tablets during the installation process for the new version.
The problem only affects the iPad Pro M4. And if you already made it through the update process, there seems nothing to worry about.
When it comers to satisfaction, Apple sits at the top of the heap among computer makers. It beats HP, Samsung and others, according to the latest survey from the American Customer Satisfaction Index.
And satisfaction with tablets improved to the point they’re essentially on par with desktops and laptops.
A combination of economic factors put an end to this gang of time-traveling thieves' hijinx. Photo: Apple TV+
Despite positive reviews, bankable star Lisa Kudrow as a main character and much-loved source material, Apple TV+ opted to pull the plug on its fantasy adventure series Time Bandits after just one season, according to a new report.
Based on Terry Gilliam’s cult classic 1981 film (but rendered in more family-friendly fashion), the show’s 10-episode first season — now streaming on Apple TV+ — will have to stand alone.