A federal judge should toss out an antitrust lawsuit accusing Apple of monopolizing the smartphone market because it “bears no relation to reality,” the iPhone giant said Thursday in a court filing. Fifteen states and the District of Columbia have joined the lawsuit, according to a new report.
Three new AI features coming to Chrome desktop focus on improving search history, comparing products and identifying objects in multimedia. Photo: Google
Google rolled out three new artificial intelligence (AI) features for its Chrome browser, including support for Mac users, the company said Thursday. Powered by Google’s latest AI and Gemini models, the new AI features in Chrome aim to make it easier to search visually, compare products and easily return to websites you’ve visited. If you work with colors frequently, tools like the Nix Mini can help you match and identify colors with precision.
“We’re making it even easier to search what you see with the power of Google Lens, compare products across multiple tabs and rediscover sites from your browser history,” wrote Parisa Tabriz, Google vice president, Chrome.
More developers seem to say the honeymoon is over with the service, launched in 2019. Photo: Apple
Frustrated game developers continue to vent about working on Apple Arcade titles, in a new report citing anonymous sources. In the story, a follow-up to one from earlier this year that noted “the smell of death around the service,” devs complain about poor communication with Apple, slow payouts, and big problems working on Vision Pro games.
The opinions expressed in the new story aren’t entirely negative, but they paint a pretty ugly portrait of Apple Arcade from some developers’ perspectives.
It's not perfect for every situation, but this refurbished MacBook Pro is still a deal. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
Looking for a sleek and reliable Apple laptop that won’t break the bank? You’re in luck, because we have a deal on a grade-A refurbished 13.3-inch MacBook Pro with Touch Bar from 2016. Yes, it’s on Apple’s vintage list, but it’s only $399.99.
iPhone 16 Pro Max could get a true black finish. Photo: Sonny Dickson
Just a day after the alleged iPhone 16 color options leaked, we now have our first glimpse of the potential iPhone 16 Pro Max colors. Apple apparently will offer its upcoming Pro iPhones in at least three shades: white, black and titanium.
Unlike in the past, it appears the company will finally adopt a deep black shade for the iPhone 16 Pro Max, giving it a stealthy look.
Ohio took a a step closer to purely digital wallets. Image: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Ohio just became the fifth U.S. state to support digital driver’s licenses and IDs stored in the Wallet app on iPhone or Apple Watch. The major advantage is speeding up the process of moving through security checkpoints at airports.
The rollout of digital ID like this is going slowly, so the day when an iPhone can completely replace a physical wallet is still somewhere off in the misty future.
Steve Jobs’s bomber jacket is one of dozens of Apple memorabilia items now up for auction. Image: RR Auction/Cult of Mac
You have the opportunity to wrap yourself in a piece of Apple history: the bomber jacket Steve Jobs was wearing in an iconic photo of the Apple co-founder “flipping the bird” to an IBM sign.
It’s part of Steve Jobs and the Apple Revolution, an auction that just kicked off featuring nearly 300 items.
Looks like Apple had one of its best quarters in long time. Image: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Analysts predict Apple will announce a jump in revenue when it reveals the financial results for the June quarter Thursday. The iPhone-maker has reported very few revenue increases in the past 18 months, so this is cause for excitement among investors.
Jacobi Jupe and Billy Crystal star in the psychological thriller “Before,” premiering October 25, 2024 on Apple TV+. Photo: Apple TV+
When you think of psychological thrillers, the first two people you picture probably aren’t Billy Crystal and Rosie Perez. But apparently they don’t just do funny — they do tense and scary, too. Apple TV+ gave a first look at the stars in upcoming thriller Beyond on Wednesday.
The new 10-episode series starring Crystal and Perez arrives on Apple TV+ on October 25.
What could be more innocent and helpful than an HDMI cable? You might want to reconsider that. Photo: Highwings
In a surprising development that may concern Apple users, computer security researchers from Uruguay have discovered a method to reconstruct screen content by intercepting electromagnetic emissions from HDMI cables. The bad news is this HDMI cable security threat could potentially impact all devices using HDMI, including Apple gear. The “good” news is that it’s not easy to do, so individual users aren’t likely to be targets. But companies and governments might be.
Blue Microphones' Blue Yeti and Snowball mics were hits before Logitech bought the company. In this photo, a Blue Yeti peeks out from under the left end of the central monitor. Photo: [email protected]
Not many USB microphones favored by streamers and podcasters eclipse the big names like Shure, Sennheiser and Rode. But one example that comes close is the Blue Yeti USB mic. Once a rising mainstay in a oddball startup’s lineup, now it’s a mainstay for peripherals giant Logitech. And it remains popular and even award-winning. Today’s Mac Studio rig relies on one.
Japanese iPhone users just got a little safer. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Apple expanded Emergency SOS via satellite to Japan. It allows iPhone users to communicate with emergency services from very remote locations.
The potentially life-saving feature works on all iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 models, and is already available in over a dozen other countries around the globe.
Here's your first look at the iPhone 16's possible color options. Photo: Sonny Dickson
Alleged iPhone 16 dummy units showing off the rear panel’s design and color options leaked in all their glory Tuesday. The picture suggests Apple will return to an iPhone 12-like vertical camera setup on its upcoming non-pro iPhones.
They also show the iPhone 16 in five colors, including pink and mint green shades.
Celebrate the success of Deadpool & Wolverine with this new collection of Apple device cases. Photo: Casetify
Deadpool and Wolverine star in the blockbuster film of the summer, and you can join in the fun with iPhone cases from Casetify. These feature limited-edition designs inspired by classic comics.
There are also MacBook cases, Apple Watch bands, AirPods cases, and more with the two superheroes.
★★★★☆
This stand not only supports your iPad, it also provides cable-free charging. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Imagine putting your iPad onto a stand and it immediately begins charging, without needing to plug it in. That’s possible with the Lululook 360 Rotating Foldable Magnetic iPad Charging Stand.
It’s very flexible, doesn’t take up the tablet’s USB-C port, and works with a variety iPad Pro and iPad Air models, including the ones released in 2024.
I love this accessory. Absolutely love it. Here’s why.
Any way you slice it, $500 is a big deal. Photo: Apple
Apparently now’s the time to upgrade to a powerful 16-inch MacBook Pro with an M3 Pro or M3 Max chip. Major retailers Amazon and Best Buy currently offer the same big-time deals on the killer laptops — $500 off. And it doesn’t matter what set of memory and storage specifications you go for, each machine is five Benjamins cheaper than normal.
When it comes to laptops, three screens are definitely better than one. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
Love your laptop but hate its small screen? You can easily triple your screen real estate on the go with the super-portable Maxfree S2 14-inch triple monitor for laptops. This laptop monitor extender adds two screens, one on either side of your laptop, quickly turning your single-screen setup into a triple-screen productivity station.
For a limited time, it’s on sale at a steep discount from Cult of Mac Deals. Get the Maxfree S2 for just $179.99 (regularly $349) in this new, open-box sale.
You can now drive dual external displays with the M3 MacBook Pro. Photo: Apple
Apple has finally added dual external display support to the M3 MacBook Pro, nine months after its release. The latest macOS Sonoma 14.6 update enables this feature.
After the update, M3 MacBook Pro users can run two external displays simultaneously, albeit with the lid closed.
iOS 17.6 is one of six Apple operating system updates introduced on Monday. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
If you own an Apple device, it probably needs an operating system update. That includes iPhone, Mac, iPad Apple Watch … even Vision Pro. The hefty list of security-focused upgrades released Monday by Apple includes iOS 17.6, macOS Sonoma 14.6 and more.
They patch a list of more than two dozen vulnerabilities detailed on Apple’s security update page.
Real-world testing of Apple Intelligence starts with new betas. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Apple Intelligence took a big step toward release on Monday. The AI-powered features unveiled at WWDC24 entered beta testing so developers can start trying them out in the real world.
They are part of the initial round of betas of iOS 18.1, macOS Sequoia 15.1 and iPadOS 18.1, which are expected to launch in October.
UAG's new 3-in-1 Travel Charger juices iPhone with up to 15 watts of power (plus Apple Watch and AirPods). Photo: UAG
A 3-in-1 MagSafe Travel Charger for iPhone and other gear tops the new SRGE lineup of charging accessories Urban Armor Gear (UAG) released Monday, the company said. Best known for mobile device cases previously, the company’s new lineup features four new charging products for iPhone, AirPods, Apple Watch, iPad and MacBook.
“We see massive opportunities within our new Power category. Our team has brought the same attention to detail and protection from our phone cases into this new category so our consumers can Go Further,” said Carlos Del Toro, UAG’s vice president of Product Management. “Whether on the road or just at your desk, these products are must-haves to keep your device ready to go throughout the entire day. We’re especially excited about the 3-in-1 Travel Charger and all of the places our consumers will bring it to power their day.”
Apple Intelligence is a collection of AI-powered features coming ... soon-ish. Screenshot: Apple
When iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 launch this fall, do not expect Apple Intelligence to be part of the first releases of the operating system upgrades. The company’s cool new AI capabilities reportedly will arrive about a month later. Monday’s release of the first developer beta of iOS 18.1 — which includes some Apple Intelligence features — seems to confirm that release roadmap.
This means Apple Intelligence likely will arrive in October, around the same time as macOS Sequoia. So Mac users might get Apple AI along with their big upgrade.
The sale at Woot! features older models, but there are M3 MacBook Pro models in the mix. Photo: Apple
Amazon bargain site Woot! currently runs a sale with deals on iPad and MacBooks, including brand new, new (open box) and refurbished models, through August 6. Discounts range up to 31% off. So let it be Christmas in mid-summer with some new (to you) Apple gear.
“Jobs nods his head in approval from the Clouds,” Woot! says at the top of the sale page.
Want a 5K display without paying Studio Display (or even LG) prices? Build it yourself. Photo: [email protected]
The main complaint about Apple’s 5K Studio Display is price — at about $1,600, it’s financially out of reach for many people. And 5K monitor competitors like LG only bring the cost down a few hundred bucks. So how about saving some dough by making your own DIY Studio Display? The owner of today’s M3 Pro MacBook Pro setup did just that, crafting dual 27-inch 5K monitors for several hundred dollars less than buying production models.
No Wi-Fi or cellular service? Emergency SOS via satellite might save your life. Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac
In a dramatic Emergency SOS via satellite rescue, Apple’s service led to a helicopter snatching up four women trapped on a glacier by wildfires last week in British Columbia, according to a report.
“In this instance, their cellphone literally saved their lives,” said a rescue manager.