“Fortnite” could soon return to the U.S. App Store. Photo: Cult of Mac
Epic Games recently promised to resubmit the hugely popular game Fortnite to the U.S. App Store, and it carried through with the promise Friday. It’s now up to Apple whether the application will be approved.
The move came after a U.S. judge blasted Apple for willfully violating the court’s 2021 order, and ordered Apple to comply with earlier App Store changes effective immediately. These are changes that Epic fought for, and relate to Apple policies that got Fortnite banned in the first place.
Sonos and Ikea loved to make speakers that look like other things. They launched the Symfonisk table lamp speaker, bookshelf speakers and a picture frame, among other products. But now the Sonos-Ikea partnership ends, according to reports.
The Symfonisk line of speakers, which also includes a bookshelf speaker that can hold books and a picture frame speaker that looks like wall art, is designed to blend in with your home decor.
Update: Sonos and Ikea just ended their lengthy partnership on the popular Symfonisk speakers, which included a table lamp and a picture frame, according to various reports.
“Over the past eight years, we’ve had the pleasure of working closely with Ikea and are proud of what we’ve achieved,” Sonos told The Verge. “Although our work together has largely wound down and we won’t be releasing new products as partners, we’ll continue to support every existing Symfonisk product so customers can keep enjoying great sound in their homes for many years to come.”
With a variety of models to choose from, what the best iPad for you? Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac
You want the best iPad, but shopping for one can be overwhelming. Apple sells six iPad models in a wide range of sizes, prices and capabilities. Our iPad comparison explains the strengths and weaknesses of each model. You don’t want to get one that doesn’t have all the features you want, but you also don’t want to pay too much for features you won’t use.
Here’s some straightforward advice on picking the best iPad for you.
Did Samsung just stack the odds in a war with Apple for audio supremacy? Photo: Pixlr AI
In a big move reshaping the premium audio landscape, Samsung subsidiary Harman International acquired Masimo Corporation’s Sound United consumer audio business for $350 million in cash, the companies said this week — including some of the industry’s most storied brands.
The deal brings renowned audio brands like Bowers & Wilkins, Denon, Marantz and Polk Audio under Samsung’s expanding audio empire — potentially creating new challenges for Apple in both the consumer audio, automotive and smart home markets.
And the seller happens to be Apple legal rival Masimo, whose lawsuit against the iPhone giant put a stop to blood oxygen sensing in Apple Watch. Ouch.
Save 80% on a AI-powered app that lets you count calories and macronutrients via food photos. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
MacroSnap is a macro tracker app that uses your phone’s camera to record the nutritional content of your meals. Just snap a photo of food, and the AI-powered app identifies the calories and key macronutrients — protein, carbohydrates and fats — in it.
If you already snap photos of your food before diving in, you’re halfway to tracking your macros. Grab a lifetime subscription to MacroSnap AI for just $39.99 (regularly $209.97) and get a handle on your nutrition.
Apple smart glasses will probably be more stylish than this concept. AI Concept: ChatGPT/Cult of Mac
Apple could get into a new product category: smart glasses. A report surfaced on Thursday indicating that Apple is working on a chip to power glasses with built-in AI and cameras that could launch in the next couple of years.
With the company’s Visual Intelligence AI tool, a pair of smart glasses could identify objects for the wearer, get info on businesses, and explain to the user what it is they’re looking at.
Incredibly powerful new chips are on the way to help with Apple Intelligence. Photo: Apple
Among various chips Apple currently develops for products like smart glasses and Macs, new AI server chips will help power the Apple Intelligence platform, according to a report Thursday. And the new, immensely powerful AI server chips will be the first of their kind for Apple.
From left, Marina Lee, Taiki Hamamoto, Luciana Ortiz Nolasco and Nahom Worku are four of this year’s Swift Student Challenge winners. Photo: Apple
Apple’s annual Swift Student Challenge coding competition showcases young talent whose apps never cease to inspire. This year is no different, as Apple profiles four coders working to preserve cultural heritage, improve disaster preparedness, connect astronomy enthusiasts and expand educational access. Meet Swift Student Challenge winners and their inspiring coding projects below.
These four are part of a group of 50 winners who will attend WWDC25 in person at Apple Park in Cupertino for a three-day program.
“We’re always inspired by the talent and perspective young developers bring to the Swift Student Challenge,” said Susan Prescott, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide Developer Relations. “This year’s winners show exceptional skill in transforming meaningful ideas into app playgrounds that are innovative, impactful, and thoughtfully built — and we’re excited to support their journey as they continue building apps that will help shape the future.”
In episode 8 of "The Studio," Seth Rogen's studio-head character attends the Golden Globe awards, where Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos lets him in on a little secret about how to get stars to thank you in their acceptance speeches. Photo: Apple TV+
Apple TV+ subscribers get an inside look at Hollywood’s streaming wars through Seth Rogen’s hit comedy series The Studio — complete with a surprising guest appearance Wednesday night from rival streaming executive Ted Sarandos, co-CEO of Netflix. Apple tried to prevent the Netflix CEO cameo with a Tim Cook substitution, according to a new report Wednesday.
★★★★★
The Arovia Splay puts a beautiful 25-inch screen anywhere you need one. Photo: Arovia
The Arovia Splay Portable Foldable Monitor and Projector is a truly remarkable piece of kit. Not only does it promise a 25-inch, 1080p screen that can fold down to the size of a book, it actually delivers… with a surprisingly bright, clear image that doesn’t need a darkened room.
As the name indicates, it can also be used as a small portable projector.
I watched hours of TV shows on the Splay, and used it for work, too. I’m truly impressed with the performance. I’m less pleased about the price, though.
Grab these high-end Sony headphones at a massive discount. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
Finding a great pair of headphones usually means picking two out of three—good sound, good comfort or a good price. But once in a while, something comes along that checks every box. Case in point? The Sony Ult Wear over-ear noise-canceling Bluetooth headphones, now available as a grade-A refurbished deal for just $89.99 (regularly $199.99).
Here are all the ways you can boost your Mac's storage. Image: Cult of Mac
Apple charges a ton for storage upgrades on Macs. Worse, you cannot extend the built-in storage after buying the Mac. Thankfully, smarter solutions exist, as long as you don’t mind plugging an external disk into your Mac.
Here’s a breakdown of the best ways to expand your Mac’s storage, along with ideal solutions based on particular needs.
Accessing Google Gemini on iPad just got easier. Photo: Cult of Mac
iPad users no longer have to depend on an iPhone application to access Google’s Gemini AI-powered chatbot. Software designed specifically for iPad users launched Wednesday.
This comes after Google recently introduced home screen widgets to give iPhone and iPad users easier access to Gemini.
Safari searches could soon go to an AI, not a traditional search engine. Image: Cult of Mac
Before too much longer, doing a search in the Safari web browser might bring up AI-powered results rather than the standard Google search engine, according to Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior vice president of services.
Cue points out that this is Apple following a trend, as the company sees Safari users increasingly turning to AIs in place of traditional search engines.
There's a reason this desk and setup look so clean and tidy. And that reason is hidden under the desk. Photo: [email protected]
The best desk cable management seems like magic because it makes things disappear. Today’s M4 Mac mini setup with dual 4K displays shows that off beautifully, hiding most of the workstation’s gear underneath an elegant desk.
“That cable management is art,” said one appreciative commenter.
In this case, the user made the cable-management parts using a 3D printer. But you can achieve the same effect using a few inexpensive products that aren’t difficult to install.
Apple didn’t wait until the end of “The Studio” season one to commit to season two. Photo: Apple TV+
Seth Rogen’s hit Hollywood comedy The Studio will return to Apple TV+ for season 2. After the success of the freshman season, Apple TV+ committed Tuesday to making more episodes about the hapless executives of Continental Studios.
Beyond that, it’s a good week for fans of Apple TV+ comedies. The streaming service also announced that the fourth season of Acapulco premieres in July, and the fifth season of Trying is going into production.
Great computers aren't the only thing Steve Jobs left us with. Photo: Derek Xing/Pexels
By Alison Thobe
I remember the moment when I realized that storytelling wasn’t just a tool — it was the core way people communicate with the world. It’s how we connect, inspire and change it for the better.
It was a day when I sat at my Apple laptop, browsing through the essay writing service in search of inspiration and writing ideas for my new piece. A spark ignited me: What if I learned to write the way Apple co-founder Steve Jobs did to communicate his messages and inspire his audience?
This question has guided my writing journey ever since.
iOS 18.5 is probably a week away, with good news for iPhone 13 users. Image: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Apple sent the iOS 18.5 release candidate out for testing Tuesday and revealed that the update will enable the iPhone 13 series to access carrier-provided satellite features. The new software also will bring other changes and bug fixes for models going back to the iPhone XR.
The release candidates for macOS Sequoia 15.5, iPadOS 18.5, watchOS 11.5, tvOS 18.5 and visionOS 2.5 also went out at the same time.
★★★★★
There’s no better way to improve mobile gaming than with Backbone Pro. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
The Backbone Pro game controller that launched Tuesday wraps around your iPhone and connects via USB-C, but it can also connect to your Mac or iPad via cable or Bluetooth. Plus, it adds remappable rear buttons to the standard mix of sticks, triggers, D-pad and more.
Backbone already makes the best iPhone game controller, and my hands-on experience with this new premium version found that it takes mobile gaming to a whole new level.
The ear hooks keep them secure no matter how hard you push your workout. Photo: Beats
The sleek new Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 earbuds designed to stay on during workouts of any intensity only came out in February 2025. But you can already get a 20% discount. That brings down the list price from $249.99 to $199.99, a savings of $50. And that applies to all four color choices!
So maybe you buy these and that becomes your motivation to get back to the gym. Everybody wins.
Get four of these rugged USB-C cables for one low price. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
Statik’s TsumoCharge is a durable USB-C cable that’s built to stand up to rough use. Unlike other cables, it won’t fray, get tangled beyond recognition or suddenly stop working for no reason. And right now, this tough 100W silicone charging cable costs just $39.99 for a four-pack (regularly $59.99).
What makes these durable USB-C cables different? Let’s break it down.
You can get an early-bird deal on EarFun Tune Pro headphones through May 19. Photo: EarFun
EarFun looks set to make some waves in the premium headphones market with its new Tune Pro cans. They could make devotees of AirPods Max and other fancy headphones sit up and take notice. The wireless noise-canceling Tune Pro headphones, scheduled for official release May 20, launch Tuesday with an early-bird deal bringing the already-low list price of $70 down to a stunning $49 for a limited time.
My review of these new headphones is coming soon. I’m already testing them. And I’ll just say this for now: Getting these great cans for under $50 seems like a miracle deal.
Let your computer handle sending emails. It’s what they’re good at. Image: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac
You can save time — and make sure your messages always go out when they’re supposed to — when you schedule email from the Apple Mail app. You can set your mail to deliver at any date or time in the future, whether it’s next Monday at 9 a.m. sharp, in two weeks’ time or even years from now.
If you work with someone in a different time zone, you can schedule messages to arrive just when they start their workday, which is especially helpful if the allotted time is in the middle of the night for you. You can schedule a series of reminders for that one irritatingly forgetful client of yours. Or, if you work remotely, you can try (and risk) prewriting messages to your boss to maintain the illusion of regular work. You can even schedule emails to remind you of an important anniversary, years down the line.