Your selfies are about to get better. Photo: Apple
Apple’s 2026 iPhone 18 lineup appears set to receive a significant camera upgrade, with all models including the first foldable iPhone expected to feature 24-megapixel front-facing cameras, according to a new report. The rumor of a better selfie camera came up with the iPhone 17 lineup, too, but didn’t materialize.
Your AirPods and Bluetooth speaker compete for audio coming from your iPhone. You can settle the fight. Graphic: ChatGPT
You’re happily listening to music on your AirPods when the audio suddenly gets yanked away by a Bluetooth speaker. Don’t get frustrated. Make a quick tweak to the settings on your iPhone running iOS 26.1, and it’ll never happen again.
The Clockstar 2.0 DIY Smartwatch Kit is a fun way to learn electronics and coding. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
Anyone can build and code their own smartwatch with Clockstar 2.0. This hands-on STEM kit combines learning, creativity and wearable tech for anyone who loves to tinker.
If you’re always on the lookout for a tech gift that’s actually original — and not just another pair of earbuds — this one’s for you. The Clockstar 2.0 DIY Smartwatch Kit isn’t just a gadget; it’s an experience. On sale for just $84.99 (MSRP $99), it invites the lucky person unwrapping it to build, code and wear a smartwatch that actually works.
The MessagePad 2100 was the last hurrah for Apple's Newton line. Photo: Moparx
November 7, 1997: Apple releases the Newton MessagePad 2100, the last and best iteration of the company’s early line of handheld devices.
Among its improvements over previous generations, the MessagePad 2100 packs expanded memory, enhanced speed and upgraded communications software. Nevertheless, the Newton’s fate is sealed. Apple CEO Steve Jobs, freshly returned to the company, will scrap the product line within months.
You might get a little less for your older iPhone than you would have last week. Photo: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac
Apple updated its device trade-in values Thursday, marking a significant shift in what consumers can expect when exchanging older devices for credit toward new purchases. The changes affect iPhones, iPads, Macs and Apple Watches, with the majority of products seeing reduced valuations compared to previous rates.
Check out the new rates below. Luckily, many of the decreases are minimal.
★★★★☆
With 360-degree surround sound, Treblab's HD-360 Pro wireless speaker sounds great indoors or out. Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac
After spending quality time with the Treblab HD-360 Pro, I’ve come to appreciate what this Bluetooth speaker represents: excellent audio that’s good enough for home use but just happens to be wireless for portability — unlike Apple’s excellent-but-limited HomePod 2.
In a market saturated with speakers that promise much but deliver mediocrity, HD-360 Pro stands out by focusing on what matters most — genuine audio quality backed by serious hardware. And at roughly half the price of great home speakers like HomePod 2 but with the option of portability, it’s worth considering, depending on what you want in a speaker.
Here’s how to be sure you have the latest HomePod software update. Or stop your smart speaker from updating automatically. Photo: Apple
The HomePod operating system occasionally needs updating, because the device is a lot more than a simple speaker — it’s a computer. Here’s how to make sure your Apple smart speaker has the software version released Monday. The new HomePod Software version 26.1 is a simple bug-fix update, but it’s still worth installing. Who wants bugs?
If you depend on automatic updates, it’s possible your smart speaker hasn’t yet installed the update. Here’s how to do so manually.
Pluribus debuts November 7 on Apple TV. Photo: Apple TV
How would it feel to be the last unhappy person on Earth, and the world’s resources are trained on making you happy? You can get progressively bigger tastes of such a world through trailers, below — or you can start tuning in Friday when Apple TV streams Pluribus, from Breaking Bad and X-Files creator Vince Gilligan,
As I said when the official trailer dropped, for my money, the rampant happiness the world’s population apparently feels — aside from the story’s main character — is actually some sort of contagion with dire consequences. And she has immunity.
Reviews so far are positive. The Guardian calls the “audacity” of the “intrepid” and “blackly comic” show “incredible,” while also revealing a cause of the worldwide happiness that jibes with my theory above. Variety says Rhea Seehorn is “magnificent” on the show. The BBC describes it as “George Orwell meets Invasion of the Body Snatchers.” And lots of reviews invoke Gilligan’s X-Files while some prefer references to The Twilight Zone.
Apple TV has a colorful new logo to go with its simplified name. And that's just the start of the rebranding campaign. Image: Apple
Apple used a giant glass Apple TV logo, colorfully lit and filmed in a studio, to create the new visual branding that will run before the streaming service’s shows.
The translucent logo seems to flip like the pages of a book, with colors changing all the while, in the mesmerizing video snippets.
“Many might assume the visual effects were made digitally, but in fact, it was all done practically using glass and captured in-camera,” Ad Age reported Wednesday.
A short behind-the-scenes video shows the extraordinary lengths the streamer and its storied ad agency went to create the striking visuals.
Apple unveiled the Ultra 3, which retails for $799, last September during its Awe Dropping event. It’s a high-end wearable aimed at extreme athletes (and people who just like its rugged looks and long battery life).
It’s easy to factory reset your iPhone. Image: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac
You’ll want to reset your iPhone if you’re trading it in, selling it or passing it down to another family member. There’s a right way and a wrong way to do it.
If you don’t fully reset the phone, it’ll still be locked to your Apple Account — and the phone will be effectively useless to anyone who tries to use it.
Follow along to make sure you reset your iPhone the right way.
Pebblebee Clip 5 boasts a brighter LED and other enhancements. Screenshot: Pebblebee
Pebblebee Clip 5 marks a new generation of the Bluetooth tracker tag that’s now louder and brighter. That should help it compete with Apple’s AirTag, as both use the same Find My network.
There’s also an updated wallet-friendly version of the tracker, Pebblebee Card 5.
iTunes coming to Windows proved a smart move for Apple. Photo: Apple
November 6, 2003: After porting iTunes to Windows, Apple sets a new record for digital music sales: a massive 1.5 million downloads in one week.
Bringing the iTunes Music Store to PC users opens up a new, lucrative market for Apple. The record-breaking sales clock in at five times more than the 300,000 downloads that peer-to-peer file-sharing service Napster achieved in its debut week (remember it?). And 1.5 million is more than double the 600,000 iTunes downloads per week Apple reported selling to Mac users prior to the Windows release.
You can easily deactivate Liquid Glass in iOS 26 and macOS Tahoe if you really can’t tolerate it. Photo: Gemini/Cult of Mac
Liquid Glass in iOS 26 brings dramatic change to the look of the iPhone user interface, so it’s no surprise that some people hate it. If it’s just not for you, the option to turn off Liquid Glass was added in iOS 26.1. And it’s easy.
The same setting is available in macOS Tahoe 26.1 and iPadOS 26.1, so you can turn off Liquid Glass on all your devices. Here’s how:
Secure a lifetime subscription to the Imagiyo AI image generator for just $29 and make any kind of images you want. Image: Cult of Mac Deals
AI image generator Imagiyo lets you create all kinds of images — even NSFW ones. That’s how unbounded this new AI tool is.
It doesn’t matter if you’re designing for a business, crafting unique artwork, or just exploring the creative potential of AI, this powerful tool puts complete control at your fingertips. No subscriptions, no watermarks, no limits — just a simple, intuitive platform that transforms text prompts into stunning, high-quality visuals.
Right now, you can get lifetime access to Imagiyo for just $29 (down from $345). With this deal, the AI generator will let you create up to 250 images per month (including NSFW ones), in any resolution you choose. Unlike other AI image generators that lock features behind expensive monthly plans, this deal allows you to create professional-quality artwork (including for commercial use) without recurring fees.
Apple might address one of the biggest criticisms of its ultra-thin iPhone Air by adding a second camera to the next-generation model, according to a new leak Thursday from a reliable source with knowledge of the company’s supply chain. Unfortunately, it looks like the new addition to the iPhone Air will be a wide-angle camera, not the popular telephoto found in iPhone Pro models.
However, if the dual-camera system materializes, it would make the iPhone Air a more compelling option for users seeking an ultra-thin device without sacrificing essential photography features.
AI Mode in Google Chrome will change the way you search. Graphics: Google/Rajesh Pandey
Google Chrome is getting a dedicated AI Mode button on iOS and Android. AI Mode is an AI-powered search solution from Google; think of it like the company’s take on ChatGPT.
Google rolled out AI Mode in Chrome for Windows and Mac earlier this year.
Google will integrate AI into Google Maps to make navigation even better. With Gemini integration in Google Maps, you’ll gain access to a smart co-passenger on your phone that can help you reach your destination easily.
Thanks to Gemini’s AI prowess, Google Maps can now proactively notify you of traffic disruptions. Or help find a fuel stop — all hands-free and through a natural conversation.
Nice CarPlay updates in iOS 26 aside, the system's future faces big challenges. Photo: Apple
For millions of iPhone users, Apple’s CarPlay marries basic transportation with a satisfying technology experience for navigation, entertainment and more.
But an expert’s new report points to troubling reasons why CarPlay’s days may be numbered, thanks to a growing automotive industry profit motive. Yes, of course, it’s all about money.
Apple made a simple change in iOS 26.1 that you’ll probably love. AI image: ChatGPT/Cult of Mac
My favorite change in iOS 26.1 has nothing to do with Liquid Glass, though cosmetic tweaks to the glossy user interface have drawn the most attention in the latest OS update. To me, the biggest improvement is the option to disable the Lock Screen swipe to open the iPhone’s Camera app.
I frequently pull out my iPhone to find the Camera app has been running in my pocket, draining the battery. It’s that damn Lock Screen swipe at fault. If this happens to you, too, here’s how to disable it in iOS 26.1.
Steve Jobs was rounding out a brilliant 10 years at Apple. Photo: Stanford University
November 5, 2009:Fortune magazine names Steve Jobs “CEO of the decade.” The accolade comes just four months after Jobs returned to Apple after undergoing a liver transplant.
The business publication credits Jobs with transforming multiple industries, as well as continuing Apple’s meteoric rise. These achievements seem particularly noteworthy considering the tough economic conditions of the 2008 financial crash.
The Nomad Stand One Max is a 3-in-1, powering up Apple Watch in addition to iPhone and AirPods. Photo: Nomad
Nomad launched updated versions of its Stand One and Stand One Max wireless chargers Tuesday, bringing support for the new Qi2.2 standard. It enables 25W fast charging for compatible iPhones. The upgrade matches the charging speeds of Apple’s latest MagSafe chargers and represents a significant improvement over the 15W charging supported by previous Qi2 models.
Save 54% on this refurbed of Apple Pencil. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
This grade-A refurbished first-gen Apple Pencil comes with a USB-C adapter and costs just $44.99. It gives iPad owners powerful drawing, writing and productivity features, without the full retail cost of the latest models.
Check compatibility below to see if this stylus will work with your iPad. If it does, get ready to save!
Most times, Apple nails it. But not always. AI image: Midjourney/Cult of Mac
Apple makes some of the best tech products in the world — beautifully designed, powerful and reliable. But even the best stumble sometimes.
Over the years, I’ve used plenty of Apple devices that looked great on paper but turned out to be frustrating in practice. Here are the ones that made me question Apple’s “it just works” mantra.