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6 reasons to set up Apple’s Family Sharing ASAP

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iCloud Family Sharing
Share your services, locations, photos and more over iCloud.
Photo: Denis Lyamuya/Wikimedia Commons/Apple

If you have a family, odds are you share a house, furniture, car and more. But you might not give as much attention to what you share in your digital lives, even if your digital pictures and purchases are equally valuable. Luckily, Apple Family Sharing makes it easy to share photos, movies, apps and more.

It just takes a little bit of setup to share iCloud’s fantastic Family Sharing feature. Here are the top six benefits of using it.

Today in Apple history: Tide turns against Apple in war with Microsoft

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Mac vs. PC
A judge's decision proves very damaging to Apple.
Image: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

August 14: Today in Apple history: Tide turns against Apple in war with Microsoft August 14, 1991: As Apple and Microsoft head to court to battle each other, the tide begins to turn against Cupertino and its claims that Windows unlawfully copies the look and feel of Mac OS. A judge’s ruling calls into question the basic tenet of Apple’s copyright lawsuit against Microsoft over Windows 2.03.

The case concerns whether key elements of Apple’s operating system are original enough for copyright protection. The decision turns out to be a major blow against Apple — and the start of the company’s 1990s decline.

Blood Oxygen testing returns to Apple Watch in the US

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Apple Watch blood oxygen
Good news for U.S. Apple Watch users!
Graphic: ChatGPT/Apple/Cult of Mac

A redesigned blood oxygen measurement capability will arrive Thursday for Apple Watch models that lost access to the feature due to a patent dispute.

Apple found a workaround that involves the Apple Watch testing the user’s blood oxygenation level, then displaying the reading on a paired iPhone.

Update: Apple released iOS 18.6.1 and watchOS 11.6.1 with the promised workaround.

Apple’s ‘Pixar Lamp’ robot could feature a human-like Siri

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Apple desktop robot
Control the lamp naturally, using gestures in the air.
Photo: Apple

Apple plans an ambitious return to artificial intelligence hardware with a slate of new devices, headlined by a tabletop robot designed to serve as an interactive AI companion, according to a new report. Cult of Mac reported on the “Pixar Lamp” robot and its physical motions before, but new information indicates a new version of Siri could make it surprisingly human-like in its interactions with people.

Get killer features for less with a like-new iPhone 15 Pro Max

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Product shot of iPhone 15 Pro Max refurbished with natural titanium finish
Save a bundle on this premium refurb iPhone 15 Pro Max.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

This iPhone 15 Pro Max refurbished deal puts one of the most advanced devices Apple has ever built into your hands for just $769.99. Crafted from aerospace-grade titanium, this like-new iPhone is incredibly durable yet remarkably lightweight — a combination you’ll appreciate every time you pick it up.

Apple utilized the same alloy used in spacecraft to build this killer phone. So, whether you’re commuting, traveling or just juggling a busy day, you’ve got a phone built for the long haul. Grab a refurbished iPhone 15 Pro Max for just $769.99 before our inventory runs out.

iPhone 17 Air, M5 MacBook Air to use Apple-made wireless chips

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iPhone 17 Air render
iPhone 17 Air will be the second iPhone to use Apple's custom modem.
Photo: ChatGPT/Cult of Mac

Apple will reportedly expand the use of custom chips in its future devices. This will start with the upcoming iPhone 17 Air using its in-house modem.

The M5 MacBook Air will allegedly then follow, using a new in-house wireless chip, likely combining Wi-Fi and Bluetooth functionality into one.

Faster chip will bring Apple Intelligence to next-gen iPad

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2025 iPad 11 with Apple A16
iPad is getting a speed boost.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The 2026 version of the budget iPad will be able to use Apple Intelligence thanks to an A18 processor, according to information leaking out of Apple. And the next Apple TV 4K refresh could feature Apple’s A17 Pro chip. The company is working on an iPad mini update with an A19 Pro chip, too.

Internal code accidentally shared by Apple revealed key details about these upcoming devices and their processor upgrades.

Score 20TB of cloud storage for life

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Photo of person accessing Internxt cloud storage on an iPhone.
Get 20TB of cloud storage for life with this hugely discounted subscription!
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

This sale drops the price of a massive 20TB of Internxt cloud storage to less than $500 — for life! Just pay once, and you’ll never need to worry about juggling files between devices.

It’s a simple solution to a modern problem, without the usual monthly fee. Jump on this deal now to secure a 20TB lifetime subscription, which usually costs $4,900, for just $499.99.

Apple preps slew of new home security products

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Apple home-security devices
New Apple home security devices like a face-recognizing doorbell cam would complete with other HomeKit-friendly products from comanies like Aqara.
Photo:

As Apple seeks to establish a stronger foothold in the connected-home market, it works on an ambitious lineup of home security devices that include smart cameras and a facial-recognition doorbell that can unlock doors, according to new report Wednesday.

Low-cost MacBook with A18 performance might surprise everyone

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Low-cost MacBook performance
The rumored low-cost MacBook with an A18 chip could offer performance suited to students.
Concept: Google Gemini

There’s skepticism about the low-cost MacBook that’s reportedly launching soon because it reportedly will run on an Apple A18 processor — the same one in current iPhones. But this chip is more powerful than you might realize.

I compared the performance of the A18 to Apple’s M-series Mac chips, and I think you’ll be surprised by how well the iPhone processor performed.

How to play Quartiles, the daily word-building game in Apple News+

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iPhone screenshot show the Apple News+ game
Note: Spoilers in this article for the Tuesday, May 14, 2024, game of Quartiles.
Image: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

Quartiles is a daily word-building game for Apple News+ subscribers. It’s fun, with a clean interface and no ads. If you want to score maximum points each day, you’ll need to know how to play Quartiles and all the tips and tricks you need to succeed.

Here’s how to play Quartiles — keep reading below or watch our instructional video.

Save $100 on my fave on-ear headphones: Beats Solo 4

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Beats Solo 4 headphones
Beats Solo 4 come in four colors, including slate blue.
Photo: Beats

One of the better pairs of on-ear headphones you can get is now half off at Amazon — Beats Solo 4. The current $99.95 price doesn’t beat what I paid during Prime Day in July, but my miracle deal was only $2 cheaper! And I have zero regrets.

Seriously, these little cans for less than $100 makes for a great deal anytime.

Today in Apple history: Power Mac G4 gets a mirrored redesign

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Product shot of the Power Mac G4 Mirrored Drive Doors model.
This was the ultimate Mac power setup in 2002.
Photo: Apple

August 13: Today in Apple history: Power Mac G4 gets a Mirrored Drive Doors redesign August 13, 2002: Apple unveils the final face-lift for its Power Mac G4, the Mirrored Drive Doors model.

The distinctive-looking computer borrows visually from the previous QuickSilver G4, released a year earlier. However, it adds a different front panel, with a mirrorlike finish for the media drive doors. It’s the last visual redesign of Apple’s Power Mac G4.

How many external monitors each MacBook Pro or MacBook Air supports

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MacBook external monitor guide
Don’t know how many external monitors your MacBook supports? We have the answer.
Image: Google ChatGPT/Cult of Mac

You can be excused if you don’t know off the top of your head how many external monitors your MacBook supports. The number varies by model, processor version, and even whether the laptop is open or closed. Still, there’s a good chance it’s more than you think.

Now that notebooks with the new M4 family of processors are available, here’s an updated guide to how many external screens you can attach to your MacBook.

iPhone 17 Pro may break Apple’s long-standing $999 streak

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iPhone 17 and 17 Air may lack ProMotion display features
The debate continues over whether all four iPhone 17 models will get ProMotion display, or if two of them will just be 120Hz.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple may charge an extra $50 for the iPhone 17 Pro. But it could also finally increase the 128GB base storage in favor of a roomier option.

A $50 price bump means the iPhone 17 Pro will cost $1,050 in the U.S. before taxes.

Price drop: This AI-powered app takes notes for you, then summarizes them

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Man working in front of a computer using AI note taker app My Noes AI
Get a lifetime of unlimited transcriptions and summaries for one low price.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

If you ever endured a long lecture or an hours-long all-hands meeting, you know this to be true: There’s no way you can jot down every single word your professor or colleague utters. Rather than scramble and stress about missing certain parts of a presentation, you could add an AI note taker like My Notes AI to your productivity tool kit.

This AI-powered note transcription and summarization app works with your iPhone, iPad and Mac to help you catch every single word. Think of it as your very own personal assistant! You can snag a lifetime subscription to My Notes AI for just $29.97 (regularly $299) with code TAKE10. That’s the best price you’ll find online.

Why we shouldn’t expect the M5 MacBook Pro until 2026

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M5 MacBook Pro rumors
The latest M5 MacBook Pro rumor says the updated macOS notebook won’t be out until next year.
Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac

Don’t set your heart on a MacBook Pro with a speedy new Apple M5 processor under the Christmas tree this year. A growing body of evidence indicates the next version of Apple’s premier laptop won’t arrive until 2026.

But the M5 processor should be available before then.

iPad mini 7 sale saves you $100

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iPad mini 7 sale
Don’t pay full price for the iPad mini 7.
Image: Apple/Cult of Mac

A new iPad mini deal knocks a sweet $100 off the cost of the 7th-generation tablet. That’s up to 20% off, even though it’s only been on the market a few months. And the sale includes a range of colors and storage capacities.

Many people prefer this smallest of Apple tablets. It’s lighter and more portable than other models, but still offers the full iPad experience.

Plugable’s new Thunderbolt 4 dock is designed for Mac

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Plugable TBT-UDM
The Plugable TBT-UDM fits with Mac setups while adding 13 ports.
Photo: Plugable

Plugable created the TBT-UDM Thunderbolt 4 dock with Apple users in mind. It offers more than a dozen ports — including dual 4K HDMI — in an aluminum chassis intended to blend into Mac setups.

Just as importantly, it launched Tuesday at a price lower than usual for a Thunderbolt dock.

6 tricks to master Preview on the Mac

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Image of the Mac's Preview app icon, with the words
Make the most of the built-in Mac app. It can edit PDFs, remove backgrounds from photos, and more.
Image: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

You might only use the Mac’s built-in Preview app when you need to read a PDF or zoom in on a picture, but there’s much more to the software than meets the eye. It’s a pretty handy image editor for Mac, too.

In this how-to, I’ll go over six features that will let you make the most of Preview, a handy tool that’s an overlooked benefit to using a Mac. I have three tips for working with documents and three for editing pictures.

Today in Apple history: Apple’s war with IBM commences

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Photo of IBM PC 5150: The IBM Personal Computer
This unassuming IBM Personal Computer started the Apple-versus-PC feud.
Photo: Boffy B/Wikipedia CC

August 12: Today in Apple history: Apple's war with IBM commences with IBM Personal Computer launch August 12, 1981: The launch of the IBM Personal Computer ignites a long-running Apple-versus-PC rivalry.

Secure in the Apple II’s technical superiority over the new PC, Apple welcomes International Business Machines to the personal computing party in a full-page ad in The Wall Street Journal. Things won’t stay positive for long, though.

Ted Lasso now boarding: Watch Apple TV+ shows for free on United Airlines flights

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Apple TV+ shows on United Airlines flights
In each case so far, only the first season of each show is available.
Photo: United Airlines

United Airlines passengers can now watch popular Apple TV+ originals including Severance, Ted Lasso and Slow Horses for free during flights, the airline said Tuesday. The partnership brings full seasons of award-winning Apple TV+ content to United’s 130,000-plus seatback screens and mobile app.

Charge your Apple Watch and your iPhone or laptop in one shot with this 2-in-1 USB-C cable

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This two-in-one Apple Watch charging cable can juice up a USB-C iPhone or MacBook while it charges your smartwatch.
Get this two-in-one charging cable while it's half the regular price.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

This freaky USB-C charging cable comes with an Apple Watch charging puck right in the middle so you can easily juice up your wearable while powering up your iPhone or MacBook. It’s 3 feet long, braided and can handle up to 65W of juice.

And right now, this two-in-one Apple Watch charging cable is on sale for just $19.99. That’s a 50% discount off the regular price. And if you buy more than one, you save even more!

This credit card-size AirTag alternative fits perfectly in your wallet

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Side photo shows slim KeySmart SmartCard wallet tracker held between two fingers.
Slide this slim tracker into your wallet or onto your ID badge and feel the Find My love.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

While the AirTag is a handy tool to keep track of things like your car keys or luggage, there are things that Apple’s tracking tag isn’t designed to keep tabs on, such as a wallet or your office card key. That’s precisely why the KeySmart SmartCard wallet tracker makes a terrific addition to your tech arsenal.

Like the AirTag, the SmartCard works seamlessly with Apple’s Find My app. Unlike the bulkier AirTag, the SmartCard’s discreet form factor ensures it can be tucked away easily. The tracker’s ultra-slim, credit-card-like design makes it incredibly easy to fit into tight wallet slots, small compartments or the narrowest of pockets. And for a limited time, you can get a KeySmart SmartCard for just $34.99.