Cult of Mac

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.

Adding high-speed plug-in storage capacity to your computer is so easy it’s something every Mac user should consider. Here are some of the best consumer-oriented external SSDs that are designed for portability. Even better: many of these are on sale.

We did hands-in testing for nearly all of these — look for links to our reviews.

Smart lock manufacturer UltraLoq released its first deadbolt compatible with Apple home key last week, offering iPhone and Apple Watch users a seamless way to unlock their doors with a simple tap. You can buy the UltraLoq Bolt NFC smart deadbolt lock for $199.99 with discounts.

“Our product strategy is rooted in delivering both convenience and security,” said Raj Sundar, Senior Product Director at Xthings, UltraLoq’s parent company. “With Bolt NFC – Works With Apple home key, we’re not just launching our first lock with Apple home key support, we’re answering the call from Apple Home users who expect a fast, secure, and truly native unlocking experience.”

August 11, 1987: The MultiFinder app brings the biggest software update to the Mac since the computer’s launch. Baked into Macintosh System Software 5, MultiFinder allows multitasking with two apps on screen for the first time.

While MultiFinder brings an undeniable boost to the Macintosh’s technical capabilities, it is built on a shaky foundation that soon begins to show its age.

Legendary movie director Martin Scorsese scared colleagues like Steven Spielberg when he threatened to get a gun and use it on the people who wanted to tone down the bloody violence in the now-classic film Taxi Driver (1976) with Robert De Niro. Needless to say, he never did that, but it’s fun as hell to hear him talk about it in the new clip Apple TV+ dropped Monday for upcoming documentary series Mr. Scorsese, along with a couple of photos. You can watch the teaser trailer below.

The ambitious five-part documentary series explores the life and legendary career of Academy Award-winning filmmaker Scorsese. Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Rebecca Miller, the series will premiere globally on Apple TV+ on October 17.

Apple’s upcoming affordable MacBook could launch as early as later this year. And it may only cost $599.

The new entrant to the MacBook lineup will supposedly use an A18 Pro chip, the same one that will power the upcoming iPhone 17.

August 10, 2008: The developer of I Am Rich, a pointless iPhone app that sold for a whopping $999.99, defends his notorious creation as “art.”

After Apple removed I Am Rich from the App Store in the wake of controversy over the app’s outrageous price and total lack of usefulness, its creator, German developer Armin Heinrich, says he made it as a sort of joke.

Apple’s long-delayed next-gen Siri won’t just be smarter. It will use App Intents to let you control iPhone apps with your voice.

However, due to reliability concerns, Apple may limit this feature’s rollout to select third-party apps.

A deal on the Backbone One (USB-C), which ranks among the absolute best clip-on game controllers for iPhone, cuts 40% off the usual cost. It’s also on sale at Amazon, though the deal isn’t quite as good.

Can’t take the family Playstation or Xbox to university? Game on your iPhone instead with this controller.

August 9, 2011: Apple overtakes oil giant ExxonMobil to become the world’s most valuable publicly traded company.

The milestone caps an astonishing turnaround for Cupertino. Just 15 years earlier, it looked like it was just about “game over” for Apple.

When we polled Cult of Mac readers on what feature they want most in Apple Watch Series 11, the answer came through loud and clear: Bring back the Blood Oxygen app! None of the rumored upcoming Apple Watch features drew more attention than one that went missing last year over a patent dispute.

Unfortunately, the Blood Oxygen app remains tied up in U.S. courts. Apple needs to work out the problem, and soon. The missing Blood Oxygen app is undoubtedly hurting Apple Watch sales and angering customers. And it’s only going to get worse when the Apple Watch Series 11 and Ultra 3 launch next month — assuming Apple doesn’t come up with a workaround.

While historical dramas often recycle familiar European or American narratives, Apple TV+’s Chief of War breaks cool new ground by exploring less-charted territory. The ambitious production transports viewers to 19th-century Hawaii, offering an authentic indigenous perspective on a pivotal period rarely depicted in mainstream media.

It’s bloody and brilliant. And you end up seeing Jason Momoa’s nearly bare backside so often that you just become numb to it.

Kidding aside, it only takes the first three episodes now available to stream as of Friday to see that Chief of War isn’t just another historical drama. It’s more of a cultural phenomenon that challenges conventional storytelling while delivering the great-looking cinematic work Apple TV+ subscribers have come to expect. The series masterfully weaves together political intrigue, cultural authenticity and human drama in ways that should captivate history buffs, cultural diversity seekers, bloodthirsty battle lovers and pretty much anyone hungry for some fresh storytelling.

Most Apple users end up holding on to their devices longer than they’d like. Not because they’re still fast, but because buying a new one means shelling out thousands, and reselling is a headache most people don’t have time for.

That’s why Upgraded has been taking off.

Some computer setups on social media are like highly functional art, beautifully curated and seemingly permanent, like museum pieces. Others are just weird, wonderful and fleeting. Today’s example is more the latter case, featuring a “spec’d out” M4 Mac mini used with an iPad Air and a tiny touch screen as external displays, plus a Magic Trackpad and a crazy split keyboard.

People questioned the lack of a MacBook, but other commenters rose up in defense of the oddball setup.

You didn’t miss your opportunity to see Apple’s blockbuster racing flick F1: The Movie in Imax. The movie starring Brad Pitt returns to the giant theater screens Friday, and should arrive on even more of them next week.

The film blends blazing-fast cars on the racetrack with clashing personalities off the track. Pitt plays an aging racer trying to prove he still has what it takes to be a Formula One driver, with the action playing out at 230 mph.

Strap on a refurbished Apple Watch Series 6 — with the elusive Blood Oxygen app and cellular connectivity — for just $123.99 (regularly $399).

If you’ve been thinking about getting an Apple Watch but aren’t interested in paying full price for the newest model, the Apple Watch Series 6 is a smart, cost-effective option. This refurbished 44mm GPS + Cellular version works for fitness tracking, everyday health monitoring and basic communication. And, unlike on more recent models, you can track your blood oxygen levels!

August 8, 1997: At Macworld Expo, Apple co-founder Steve Jobs introduces the world to the company’s new slogan, “Think different.” The catchy marketing reassures fans that Apple is exiting its mid-1990s dark age and once again making products customers will love.

It’s the beginning of Apple’s most iconic advertising campaign since the original “1984” Macintosh ad.

A new act in Japan will force Apple to open the iPhone’s App Store to non-WebKit browsers later this year. Apple currently only allows non-WebKit browsers in the EU App Store, all due to the Digital Markets Act.

Yet, all major iPhone browsers, including Chrome and Firefox, use the same WebKit engine as Safari on iOS. This is despite them using a different engine on desktop.

If your iPhone won’t install a software update, it’s more than just annoying. You need to install the latest updates to get security patches and take advantage of all the latest iOS features.

You install software updates by opening Settings > General > Software Update. It should be a pretty smooth process, but occasionally, things go wrong. The error messages can be inscrutable and infuriatingly vague.

But there are a few things you can try when your iPhone won’t update. Here’s a step-by-step guide that will show you what to do.

Everybody’s favorite gaming service, Apple Arcade, expanded its library Thursday as four new exclusive games joined. We knew they were coming — and now you can play them. That brings the subscription service’s catalog to over 200 ad-free games, Apple said.

Here are the latest additions: Play-Doh World, a creative digital playground; Worms Across Worlds, the newest entry in the beloved strategy series; Let’s Go Mightycat!, a whimsical puzzle adventure; and Everybody Shogi, a colorful take on the traditional Japanese board game.

Whether you’re growing a small business or running an established company, you can benefit from organized, efficient financial management. If you want to track your income, expenses and more with greater ease, consider investing in Intuit QuickBooks Desktop Pro Plus 2024.

This app makes finance tracking easier on both Mac and PC. And that will make tax time a million times easier when it comes around.

Right now, you can save on a lifetime subscription to Intuit QuickBooks Desktop Pro Plus 2024. Get the Mac version for only $249.99 (regularly $699). Or take advantage of a limited-time price cut and snag the Windows version for just $199.99.

August 7, 2006: Apple unleashes the first Mac Pro, a high-end desktop computer that completes the company’s transition from PowerPC to Intel processors.

Built for computation-heavy tasks like 3D rendering and professional audio and video editing, the quad-core, 64-bit Mac Pro serves as a replacement for the Power Mac G5 (from which it borrows its aluminum “cheese grater” design).

The Twelve South Curve Nano is an iPhone stand designed to go with you anywhere. It’s slim and lightweight when folded, but flips open to support your handset when you’re watching video, making a video call and more.

I tried it out with my iPhone 16 Plus, both at home and on the go. Here’s what I found.

A major shift in Apple’s iPhone camera technology could come soon, as it partners with Samsung to manufacture advanced image sensors at a Texas facility for the first time, according to new reports. They stem from Wednesday’s big news from the White House about the iPhone giant’s new US manufacturing program.

“By bringing this technology to the US first, this facility will supply chips that optimize power and performance of Apple products, including iPhone devices shipped all over the world,” Apple said.

Previously, Apple worked exclusively with Sony on iPhone camera sensors, including its recent 48MP sensors. Now, it may use more advanced 200MP Samsung sensors — perhaps as soon as iPhone 18 drops in 2026.

President Donald Trump warned computer makers Wednesday that he’ll soon hit them with a 100% tariff on chips and semiconductors imported into the United States. However, companies that make chips in the United States are exempt. Trump specifically called out Apple as one of the companies that will not be affected.

Processors for many Apple products are already produced in Arizona, and the company just announced a new deal with Samsung to make other types of chips in Texas.