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Apple takes back title as world’s most valuable company

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Apple takes back title as world’s most valuable company
Apple's market cap is way ahead of Microsoft and Nvidia.
Photo: Pixabay/Pexels CC

With a market capitalization above $3.6 trillion, Apple regained the title of world’s most valuable publicly traded company. The Mac-maker is valued well above Microsoft and Nvidia, both of which had been valued higher earlier this year.

A recent sharp rise in AAPL share value seems to indicate that investors are optimistic that a surge in iPhone sales is on the horizon.

Surprising choice of retro wireless speaker ‘gets the job done’ [Setups]

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Edifier desktop speaker setup
Did you know you can turn any computer setup "retro-cool" with the right choice of wireless speaker?
Photo: [email protected]

Today’s M3 MacBook Air setup features a retro-cool speaker unlike most you’ll see in workstations. When people look beyond the laptop for sound, the usual answer is bookshelf speakers. But the doctor who runs this MacBook Air and iPad Pro setup likes an unusual choice — an Edifier desktop speaker called the MP230.

HomePod mini goes to the dark side

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HomePod mini in midnight
Try not to be stunned by the new HomePod mini color option.
Photo: Apple

Apple just replaced the space gray HomePod mini with a new midnight color option. Monday’s change to the company’s smart speaker lineup is hardly monumental — you might not even be able to see the difference.

Still, the new midnight HomePod mini is also “green.” Apple made it using 100% recycled mesh fabric.

The first retro PC emulator for iPhone hits the App Store

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iPad running Windows XP.

Photo: Basic Apple Guy

The first PC emulator for iOS is now available on the App Store for iPhone, iPad and Vision Pro. Free app UTM SE allows you to run “classic software and old-school games.”

Apple first rejected the developer’s submission in June, citing a violation of the App Store Review Guidelines. However, Apple appears to have changed its stance regarding PC emulators on the App Store since then.

Forget pricey piano lessons. Learn to play at home with this AI-powered app.

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Skoove piano lessons app lets you learn how to play piano on by yourself.
Save on a lifetime subscription to Skoove’s virtual piano lessons.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

It takes a lot more than wanting to be Billy Joel to become a piano player. You need passion, time, motivation and an excellent instructor (and, uh, a piano). But traditional piano lessons might not fit into your schedule. Plus, they can get expensive if you’re serious about learning. Luckily, if you buy a piano lesson app like Skoove, you can learn how to play piano by yourself.

Skoove lets you practice with hands-on piano lessons and AI software that listens to your playing. Get all this and more in a lifetime subscription for only $120 (regularly $300). That’s the lowest price found on the web! But you must use code SAVENOW by July 21 to get this price.

Bad news for Apple Watch, good news for iPhone/HomePod [The CultCast]

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The CultCast episode 655, with a black-and-white photo of a surprised young girl.
Which Apple rumor are you most surprised by?
Photo: Nathan Bingle/Unsplash License

This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: We dissect the latest Apple rumors, which go from incredible bummer (Apple Watch) to potential breakthroughs (iPhone and HomePod).

Also on The CultCast:

  • The latest iOS 18 beta brings some welcome new changes.
  • A teaser trailer and a release date get us psyched for season two of Severance.
  • Griffin tells us all about a keyboard with a peculiar name in a new Under Review segment.

Listen to this week’s episode of The CultCast in the Podcasts app or your favorite podcast app. (Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review if you like it!) Or watch the video live stream, embedded below.

Delta all-in-one retro game emulator comes to iPad

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Delta all-in-one retro game emulator comes to iPad
You can play classics on your iPad like a giant Game Boy, or turn your tablet into a virtual arcade.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

iPad users, get your game on. The Delta retro game emulator that launched for iPhone in the spring is now out for Apple tablets, too.

The software can handle ROMs originally for the classic Game Boy plus NES, SNES, Nintendo 64 and Nintendo DS.

The iOS 18 Photos app needs some major tweaks

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The New Photos App
The new Photos app is divisive.
Image: Apple/D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

With the major Photos app redesign coming in iOS 18, Apple aims for simplicity. However, the version  of the Photos app in iOS 18 developer beta 3 is a hodge-podge of design that will confuse users. I think that if Apple doesn’t revise its approach, the company will face significant backlash when it releases the updated app to the public this fall.

Yes, iOS 18 is still in beta. And Apple very well could change the Photos app before its anticipated release in September. I certainly hope Apple tweaks things — I’m writing this as more of a wish list than a design critique. In fact, I already filed my suggestions through the official channel of Apple’s Feedback system (submitted as FB14289280).

As of iOS 18 developer beta 3, Apple has already made a few little tweaks to the Photos app redesign. But unfortunately, there’s been no movement on any of my major criticisms from beta 1. For that reason, I feel obligated to outline the goals of the new Photos app, applaud what it gets right, point out where the design fails, and explain what aspects prove confusing.

I don’t think Photos needs to be reverted entirely to the way it worked before. But these key features need changing ASAP. Keep reading or watch my video.

Price drop: Learn your dream languages with a lifetime subscription to Babbel

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Learn new languages for life with the award-winning Babbel.
Learn new languages for life with the award-winning Babbel.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Whether you want to get more from your travels or boost your career opportunities, speaking an additional language is one of the most rewarding ways to do it. And the most convenient way to learn? With an award-winning language-learning app like Babbel.

The Babbel app teaches you a new language with short daily lessons that take only 10 or 15 minutes that you can take on your iPhone or Mac. Right now, you can grab a lifetime subscription to every single language on the app for only $139.97 (regularly $599). That’s a 76% discount on this incredible software, but this price drop only lasts until July 17.

How to check iPad battery health

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iPad Battery Health How To
Knowing your iPad battery health helps you decide when it's time for a new tablet.
Image: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Checking the health and maximum capacity of the battery in older iPad models isn’t as easy as it should be, but we can walk you through the process. Finding out how worn out the tablet’s battery is can help you decide if it’s time for a new model.

But for those who already upgraded to the latest iPad Pro or iPad Air, checking battery health is a snap.

iPhone and Apple Watch refurbs sale brings great bargains [Updated]

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iPhones and Apple Watches sale - iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 mini
In addition to iPhone 14 models, both iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 mini are on sale.
Photo: Apple

For all the bargain hunters and late adopters out there, Woot just launched another iPhone and Apple Watch sale on great (but not new) gear. The big sale on Apple refurbs runs through July 31 at 10 p.m. Pacific. It’s your chance to grab refurbished models at great prices.

Woot calls it the “Big Value Little Price iPhones and Apple Watches.” The cheeky Amazon site says “now E.T. can phone home in style!”

Indeed, you can find refurbished iPhones in all shapes and sizes, including the discontinued iPhone mini. Same goes for Apple Watch. Don’t dally, though. One of the deals already sold out!

Why Tim Cook uses Vision Pro headset every single day

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Tim Cook uses Vision Pro every day
Apple's CEO said he's developed quite a reliance on the Vision Pro AR/VR headset.
Photo: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac

Apple CEO Tim Cook says he uses his Vision Pro headset every day and explains why he thinks the device is “very revolutionary,” in an interview published Thursday.

“I think it delivers stunning entertainment,” Cook told The Sun in an interview tied to the AR/VR headset’s U.K. launch. “It unleashes this infinite canvas for productivity. It gives you new ways to connect and collaborate. These are just huge ideas that affect all of the things that we do every day, so I’m a huge believer in it.”

Developer loves ‘hated Touch Bar’ on MacBook Pro [Setups]

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MacBook Pro with Touch Bar
Unlike many, this developer actually likes the Touch Bar on his 2017 MacBook Pro.
Photo: [email protected]

Apple doesn’t have a very long list of unpopular products or features, but whatever list of shame it may keep probably includes MacBook Pro’s Touch Bar. But not everyone hates the feature. The Python developer who runs today’s MacBook Pro setup actually loves it.

Finally, Silo season 2 details arrive — in a couple of weeks

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Silo season 2 details
"Silo " star Sarah Ferguson peers at you mysteriously in this season 2 teaser image.
Photo: Apple TV+

Release dates for new seasons of hit Apple TV+ shows like Severance and Slow Horses are in the news, and now we can add Silo to that list — maybe. The show’s stars and producers will discuss season 2 details at San Diego Comic-Con July 27, Apple TV+ said Friday. And a release date — and maybe more, like a trailer — will probably come out of that panel discussion.

Get a deal on USB-C Apple Pencil refurb from Apple

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Apple Pencil (USB-C) on iPad
Save on Apple Pencil (USB-C) as a refurb or new.
Photo: Apple

Apple began offering refurbished Apple Pencil (USB-C) units Thursday. The stylus, which works with all recent iPads, is available at 12% below the regular cost as a refurb.

Alternatively, you can buy a new one at the same discount price from major retailers. Or even better, get a new, open-box Apple Pencil (USB-C) from Cult of Mac Deals for just $59.99.

Apple’s Vision Pro headset launches in Europe, Canada and Australia

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Vision Pro Apple store demonstration
Vision Pro is now available in five more countries.
Photo: Apple

Vision Pro launched in Australia, Canada, France, Germany and the U.K. on Friday. Interested buyers can now go to an Apple retail store in any of those countries for a demonstration. Or just put in an order online.

This comes two weeks after the product arrived in Asia. The U.S. launch was in February.

Rumor: iPhone 16 Pro to use iPhone 15 Pro Max’s 5x telephoto camera

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The iPhone 15 Pro Max camera array, pictured in front of a green plant.
I just couldn't resist that 5x telephoto zoom on the iPhone 15 Pro Max.
Photo: Lyle Kahney/Cult of Mac

The upcoming iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max will seemingly use the same 5x tetraprism camera as the iPhone 15 Pro Max. This move will benefit the company’s current prisms supplier, Crystal-Optech.

Apple plans to use a larger tetraprism sensor with 48MP resolution on the iPhone 17 Pro lineup in 2025.

Price drop: Double your airtime with two 4K camera drones for less than $160

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The Ninja Dragon Phantom Eagle Pro 4K and Blade K are both included in this 4K camera drone bundle.
Capture amazing aerial footage with this two-drone bundle.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Current drone technology is remarkable, and it’s revolutionizing everything from military and humanitarian operations to online sales and even Apple Maps. But unlike groceries, cutting-edge drones for everyday users just keep getting more affordable. And this 4K camera drone bundle is the perfect example.

For a limited time, you can get the Ninja Dragon Phantom Eagle Pro 4K and Blade K for one low payment of just $159.97.

Add USB-C ports to your Mac with these 4-port travel hubs

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Satechi and Zagg 4-port USB-C hubs.
Both Satechi (left) and Zagg (right) offer small travel hubs with additional USB-C ports.
Photo: Satechi/Zagg

The new Satechi 4-in-1 USB-C Hub With 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet expands a Mac with a trio of high-speed USB-C ports and fast networking. It launched Thursday at an affordable price. Alternatively, there’s the Zagg 4-Port Hub, which offers a pair of USB-C ports, USB-A and HDMI.

Either of these hubs can make a MacBook into the center of an extensive office setup on the go.

Rashida Jones investigates a mystery with creepy robot in Sunny [Now on Apple TV+]

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Apple TV+ mystery thriller 'Sunny' stars Rashida Jones and a robot
Rashida Jones and her robot star in Sunny on Apple TV+.
Photo: Apple TV+

Suzie’s Japanese husband and son are missing and possibly dead, so her husband’s secretive company gives her a creepy robot named Sunny as a consolation prize. Together they’ll uncover the dark truth of what’s really going on. Intrigued? Stream the newly released Apple TV+ mystery series Sunny now.

It’s already earned a high score from Rotten Tomatoes.

$100 off: Nab early Prime Day deals on Apple Watch 9 and SE

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Great deals on Apple Watch 9 and SE
Apple Watch 9 has more features, but Apple Watch SE (2nd generation, pictured above), is a fine fitness and sleep tracker.
Photo: Apple

Mega retailer Amazon often offers early discounts on the run-up to Prime Day, July 16 and 17. So now’s a great time to bag great deals on Apple Watch Series 9 and SE. Several models are already $100 off the regular price. That may drop even further next week, but you never know.

This handcrafted leather iPad case and stand is so gorgeous [Review] ★★★★★

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DodoCase English Bridle Leather iPad Case★★★★★
DodoCase English Bridle Leather iPad Case is elegant and professional.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

An iPad is practically a work of art — don’t put it in a cheap plastic case. Wrap your iPad in English Bridle Leather with the latest handcrafted product from DodoCase.

It’s a carrying case, and folds into a stand when you’re ready to work. And there’s an Apple Pencil holder, too.

I’ve been testing one with my M4 iPad Pro, and I’m quite taken with the look. And the design, too.

iPhone opens to rival digital wallets and tap-and-go systems in EU

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Apple Pay Tap-to-Pay
Apple Pay isn't the only tap-and-go payment option in the EU.
Photo: Apple

Apple and the European Commission came to an agreement on opening up iPhone to rival digital wallets and tap-and-go systems. The days of the iPhone’s NFC capabilities being limited to just Apple Pay are at an end. In Europe, anyway.

But in the rest of the world, it’s Apple Pay or nothing.