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New rechargeable Chipolo Loop and Card trackers use Find My

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Chipolo Loop and Card tracker updated
Chipolo Loop tracker with Find My gets a rechargeable battery and double the Bluetooth range.
Photo: Chipolo

Two new Bluetooth trackers offer big improvements over the company’s previous models while maintaining compatibility with Apple’s Find My network, Chipolo said Wednesday. The Loop and Card trackers, both priced at $39, add rechargeable batteries and double their previous Blueooth range to 400 feet.

Inexpensive iPhone game controller also connects to Switch and PC

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GameSir X5s Wireless Mobile Game Controller
The GameSir X5s Wireless Mobile Game Controller offers tri-mode connectivity.
Graphic: GameSir

Wrap the brand-new GameSir X5s around your iPhone to play high-end games. But that’s only the start — the controller also works with iPad, Nintendo Switch, PC and Android.

It’s lightweight with a portable design but includes Hall Effect sticks and triggers, a gyroscope and rumble motors.

Even better, the GameSir X5s costs under $50.

Save hundreds with this Microsoft Office + Adobe Acrobat bundle

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Adobe Acrobat Classic PDF reader/editor and Microsoft Office Professional 2021 bundle
Get all these leading productivity apps in one bundle.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Everyone knows that when you need to get a serious report or presentation done, you’ll be reaching for Adobe Acrobat and Microsoft Office. With this Microsoft Office Professional and Adobe Acrobat Classic bundle, you get a lifetime license to Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and five more Office apps, plus a three-year subscription to Adobe’s powerful PDF reader and editor.

Right now, it’s on sale for just $89.99 — an 83% discount off the MSRP of $543.99.

Combine emoji to make your own fun creations in iOS 26

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Mix and Match Your Own
I highly recommend saxophone + duck.
Image: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

You can combine two or more emoji into your own custom creation in iOS 26 using Apple’s upgraded Genmoji tool. In my testing, it’s great at adding sunglasses and cowboy hats to other emoji. It’s also pretty good at converting ordinary yellow-face emoji into cats, frogs, skulls, etc.

You can easily make a pumpkin cowboy, keyboard cat, pregnant Santa, banana phone or Easter Island statue snowman … the possibilities are endless. Well, not entirely endless — as fun as it would be to play geopolitics by combining national flags, all the flag emoji are restricted.

The best Apple Intelligence feature gets even more fun in iOS 26. Here’s how to use Genmoji‘s fun new feature.

Apple invites the world to ‘Awe dropping’ event

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Apple September Event: Awe dropping
All we officially know about Apple’s September event is that it’ll be “Awe dropping.”
Image: Apple

Invitations went out Tuesday for a much-anticipated Apple press event on September 9. The theme is “Awe dropping,” and the unveiling of the iPhone 17 series should be the highlight.

Also likely on the agenda are the launch of Apple Watch Series 11 and Apple Watch Ultra 3.

Today in Apple history: Steve Jobs and Bill Gates talk ‘future of the PC’

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In a rare joint interview, Steve Jobs and Bill Gates trade barbs and debate the
In a rare joint interview, Steve Jobs and Bill Gates discussed computing and traded barbs.
Photo: Cult of Mac (stock image from Reviewsapex)

August 26: Today in Apple historyAugust 26, 1991: In their first joint interview, Steve Jobs and Bill Gates trade barbs and debate “the future of the PC” in Fortune magazine.

The spirited discussion marks 10 years since the first IBM PC shipped. The piece also looks at what the future holds for both men — described as the former “boy wonders of computing, now thirtysomething.”

Avoid getting hacked while charging with these data-blocking USB-C cables

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Photo of Plugable data-blocker USB-C cable
Protect your computer from juice jacking with a data-blocking cable.
Photo: Plugable

Accessory maker Plugable just launched a collection of USB-C data-blocker charging cables. The cables transfer only power, not data, and therefore prevent “juice jacking” attacks at public charging ports.

The cables handle up to 240W and come in variety of lengths. Plus, a launch deal drops the prices!

Apple Watch Series 11 rumors: Blood pressure detection, 5G connectivity and more

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Apple Watch Series 11 rumors
Apple Watch Series 11 might bring a rush of new features. Or maybe not.
Image: Apple/Cult of Mac

With the launch of Apple Watch Series 11 likely just weeks away, rumors about what to expect remain surprisingly rare. Still, we know a fair amount about what’s coming, based on watchOS 26 and Apple’s usual moves. Additionally, some rumored Apple Watch Ultra 3 features might arrive on the regular model, too.

So, will Apple Watch Series 11 and Apple Watch Ultra 3 bring only minor upgrades, as in the last few years? Or will 2025 be the year Apple recaptures the buzz surrounding its smartwatch, adding exciting new features?

Here’s what we know about Apple Watch Series 11 so far.

New tool lets you easily transfer music from Spotify to Apple Music

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Apple Music migration tool
The Apple Music migration tool makes it easy to transfer music from services like Spotify to Apple Music.
Photo: Apple/Spotify/Rajesh Pandey

Apple significantly expanded availability of its Apple Music migration tool, bringing the service to the United States and eight other major markets this week after months of limited testing. It helps users transfer their music libraries from competing streaming services like Spotify.

Breakthrough audio and cooling tech could optimize Apple’s smart glasses

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xMEMS Sycamore microspeaker in AR glasses
The xMEMS Sycamore microspeakers sit in the stems of AR glasses near the ear.
Image: xMEMS Labs

As rumors continue to swirl about Apple’s potential entry into the smart glasses market, xMEMS Labs plans to unveil innovations that could address some of the biggest challenges facing next-generation wearable devices, the company said Tuesday. At September events it will roll out new xMEMS Labs smart glasses prototypes featuring ultra-thin speakers and active cooling technology that promise to make AI-powered eyewear more comfortable and practical for everyday use.

Price drop: Learn up to 25 languages with this lifetime Rosetta Stone sub

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Pick up the popular Rosetta Stone language-learning app for only $145.
Prepare for future international travel with major savings on Rosetta Stone.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Whether your travels take you to a variety of destinations or you plan on relocating internationally, communication skills are crucial. You can learn to speak like a native with this lifetime subscription to all 25 Rosetta Stone languages.

Get this innovative language-learning app for only $148.97 with code FLUENT (regularly $399). That’s a huge discount on a proven service that has helped users understand foreign languages faster and more effectively for three decades.

Elon Musk sues Apple and OpenAI over ‘unfair competition’

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Elon Musk vs. Tim Cook
Elon Musk and Tim Cook appear headed for court.
Image: ChatGPT

Elon Musk’s xAI filed a lawsuit on Monday against Apple and OpenAI claiming they’re conspiring to stifle competition in artificial intelligence apps.

This comes two weeks after Musk took to social media to complain that the No. 1 Top Free App in the iPhone App Store at the time was OpenAI’s ChatGPT, not the Grok app from xAI, an AI startup that the billionaire owns.

Today in Apple history: Meet the ‘world-saving’ PowerBook 5300

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Today in Apple history: The top-spec PowerBook 5300 remains the priciest (and most famous) laptop in Apple history.
The top-spec PowerBook 5300 remains the priciest (and most famous) laptop in Apple history.
Photo illustration: Cult of Mac/Serged

Aug25August 25, 1995: Apple releases the PowerBook 5300, the Mac laptop that will save the world from alien invaders in the 1996 blockbuster movie Independence Day.

The computer will make many more big-screen appearances, too. See some of the laptop’s most high-profile Hollywood cameos below.

iPhone 17 rumors: A preview of Apple’s next basic handset

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iPhone 17 rumors
Stay informed ahead of the release of the basic iPhone 17.
Image: Cult of Mac

The iPhone 17 is less than a month away, and early rumors are already stirring excitement. It may be Apple’s basic model, but it’s still expected to get a better, larger screen, enhanced selfie camera, as well as a faster processor and a new range of color options.

Those interested in the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max should read our roundup of rumors describing those premium models. And we have an iPhone 17 Air rumor roundup, too. Plus one for the budget iPhone 17e.

iPhone 17 Air could revive Apple’s bumper case

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iPhone 17 Air render
Would you use a bumper case with the iPhone 17 Air?
Photo: ChatGPT/Cult of Mac

Apple internally tested launching an iPhone 4-style bumper case for the upcoming iPhone 17 Air, according to an unconfirmed report. The slim case would have covered the phone’s edges, leaving the back exposed.

Such a thin case would highlight the iPhone 17 Air’s super-thin design. However, it’s unclear whether Apple will launch the case.

Today in Apple history: Steve Jobs resigns as Apple CEO

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Why Salesforce chief gave up AppStore.com for Apple
Steve Jobs' health wouldn't allow him to continue as CEO.
Photo: Ben Stanfield/Flickr CC

August 24: Today in Apple history: Steve Jobs resigns as Apple CEO August 24, 2011: With his health worsening, a cancer-stricken Steve Jobs resigns from his role leading Apple. Tim Cook assumes the role of Apple’s seventh CEO.

“I have always said if there ever came a day when I could no longer meet my duties and expectations as Apple’s CEO, I would be the first to let you know,” Jobs writes in his retirement letter to the Apple board. “Unfortunately that day has come.”

Foldable iPhone might bring back Touch ID

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Folding iPhone concept
A folding iPhone might be in short supply for a long time.
AI concept: ChatGPT/Cult of Mac

The first folding iPhone reportedly will utilize Apple’s in-house C2 modem, switch to an advanced display technology to improve touch accuracy and make the screen crease less visible, and bring back a classic feature: Touch ID.

Codenamed V68, the book-style foldable is on track to debut in 2026

Can TechWoven reverse the FineWoven curse? [The CultCast 713]

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Image showing supposed TechWoven iPhone cases, along with
The latest TechWoven leaks trigger us a little with memories of FineWoven.
Image: Cult of Mac

This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: A string of leaks from Majin Bu showcase a new line of “TechWoven” iPhone cases. This looks to be Apple’s replacement for the hated FineWoven cases, with a new material that will make the whole thing less sucky.

But does the world really need a replacement for leather iPhone cases?

Also on The CultCast:

  • iPhone 17e might take a welcome trip to the Dynamic Island, and the Apple Watch might add Touch ID.
  • An eye-popping eight-display setup leaves us slightly amazed and full of questions.
  • Anker’s brand-new iPhone power bank is super-slim and super-cool.

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 version, embedded below.

Today in Apple history: iPad takes to the skies with United Airlines

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United Airlines iPad
If only they had known about the iPad Air...
Photo: United Airlines

23 Today in Apple history: United Airlines will issue iPads to pilots August 23, 2011: United Airlines says it will hand out 11,000 iPads to its pilots as part of its “paperless flight deck” filled with essential data. It’s the largest rollout yet of Apple tablets as a replacement for the weighty flight bags previously carried by aircrews.

Going paperless saves around 16 million sheets of paper each year, the equivalent of 1,900 trees not cut down. Even better, the weight difference between the 1.5-pound iPad and the 40-pound flight bag saves 326,000 gallons of jet fuel per year!

iPhone 17 desperately needs these Pixel 10 AI features

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An image of Google's Pixel 10 lineup, with the words,
When it comes to AI, the iPhone severely lags Google's Pixel phones. Swiping these AI features would be a great start.
Image: Cult of Mac

Google’s new Pixel 10 lineup shows just how much fun (and just how useful) AI can be on a phone. If Apple really wants the iPhone 17 lineup to shine, it should steal a few pages from Google’s playbook.

The iPhone 17 needs more than impressive new hardware to stand out from the crowd. It needs new AI features to make an impact, especially with the Pixel 10 raising the bar.

Google Gemini might give Siri the AI boost it needs

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Google Gemini Siri
Google Gemini could get baked into an upcoming Siri version.
Graphic: Apple/Google/Cult of Mac

Add Google Gemini to the list of AIs that might go into the promised revamp of the Siri voice assistant if Apple can’t develop the tech itself.

Apple is working hard on its own large language models to provide Siri with a much-needed intelligence boost. But Cupertino is reportedly covering its bases by talking to other companies about using their AI instead. Google joined the list, according to an unconfirmed report published Friday.