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‘Presto,’ your new iPhone comes out of box with fresh software update

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Presto iOS updates
The Presto system will update new iPhones right through the packaging in the store.
Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac

The next time you buy a new iPhone, it could come out of the box with a fresh iOS software update, according to a new report. A new proprietary system called “Presto” will update it right in the packaging before you buy it at an Apple Store.

Normally, updating iOS is one of the first orders of business for new iPhone purchases. Now it won’t be necessary unless a new update comes out right after their purchase.

EU is skeptical that Apple’s App Store rules comply with DMA

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EU investigating Apple's new sideloading rules for DMA non-compliance
The EC is not convinced that Apple has changed App Store rules enough to comply with the Digital Markets Act.
Photo: Sora Shimazaki/Pexels CC

The European Commission opened a noncompliance investigation Monday into whether Apple is fully following the rules that went into effect with the EU’s Digital Markets Act. If not, Apple faces potentially heavy fines.

The Mac-maker isn’t being singled out. The EC also opened similar investigations into Alphabet/Google and Meta/Facebook.

iOS 18 could introduce more customizable iPhone Home Screen

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iOS 18 concept video
iOS 18 could finally let you create a blank Home Screen row.
Concept: Kevin Kall

Apple will allow for greater iPhone Home Screen customization in iOS 18, including the ability to place app icons anywhere on the screen, according to a new report.

iPhone owners also supposedly will gain the flexibility to create blank rows and columns, though the icons will still snap to a grid.

Own the air with this 2-pack of easy-to-fly camera drones

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Own the air with this two-pack of easy-flying drones for just $149.99.
Capture amazing aerial footage with these two HD drones for less than $150.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Why get just one easy-to-fly drone when you can get two camera drones for one low price? This dual-drone bundle includes a Ninja Dragon Phantom K Pro, which can perform impressive tricks and take vivid 4K, even in the hands of a newbie. That killer drone pairs nicely with the Ninja Dragon Blade X Pro, and you get them both for only $149.99 (regularly $369.99).

It’s a two-for-one drone deal you don’t want to miss.

Vision Pro vs. Macintosh: A historical perspective

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Vision Pro vs. Macintosh: A historical perspective
A look back at the original Macintosh puts the Vision Pro AR headset in perspective
Image: Apple/Cult of Mac

Apple launched Vision Pro on the 40th anniversary of the Macintosh. That’s surely not a coincidence — both are ground-breaking computers that show where the company is headed for the coming decades.

Anyone highly critical of Vision Pro because it appeals only to a niche audience and is very expensive needs to remember that those exact same criticisms were leveled at the original Macintosh in 1984. If the current problems really are proof the AR headset is inescapably doomed — as some have argued — then there never would have been a second-generation Macintosh.

I was around when both computers launched. That gives me perspective on what Apple’s past can tell us about the company’s future.

Tim Cook confirms Vision Pro’s China launch later this year

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Vision Pro on table
Customers in China should be able to get their hands on the Vision Pro later in 2024.
Photo: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac

Apple’s CEO Tim Cook confirmed during his visit to China that Vision Pro will launch later this year in the country. Currently, the company’s $3500 mixed reality headset is only available in the US.

Apple opened preorders for the Vision Pro in mid-January 2024, following its announcement at WWDC 2023. The headset went on sale in the US in the first week of February.

Good news for AirPods, bad news for Apple [The CultCast]

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The CultCast episode 639: AirPods rumors for 2024.
Even the latest AirPods rumors can't cheer us up this week.
Image: Cult of Mac

This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: The latest rumors indicate 2024 will bring big changes to the AirPods lineup. In fact, Apple’s ramping up for “the biggest AirPods launch to date.”

But even this fantastic news can’t cheer us up after the Department of Justice files a wide-ranging antitrust lawsuit against Apple. We recorded this episode of The CultCast right after news of the DOJ’s suit broke, and some of us are fuming!

Also on The CultCast:

  • So … Apple might lean on Google Gemini to power iOS 18 features? Good luck with that.
  • iPhone 17 could bring a major upgrade in the display department.
  • The next-gen Vision Pro headset might drop the price to something much more approachable.

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 live stream, embedded below.

Manhunt crime-drama finds a big audience on Apple TV+

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"Manhunt" found plenty of men and women to watch it.
Photo: Apple TV+

Manhunt, the Apple TV+ historical true-crime drama about the search for the assassin of Abraham Lincoln, immediately shot to near the top of the popularity charts of two different ratings services.

And other series and films from Apple are also performing well with audiences.

iMac vs. MacBook: Should you buy a desktop or laptop Mac?

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iMac or MacBook?
The age-old question.
Image: Apple/D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

Should your next Mac be a portable or a desktop? More than 90% of Macs sold are laptops, and it’s easy to see why — MacBooks are light while offering best-in-class performance and battery life. Still, the “iMac vs. MacBook” quandary remains.

In fact, there are some compelling reasons to stick to the iMac (or other desktop Macs like the Mac mini or Mac Studio). You save money and also wind up with a more reliable machine.

Check out our latest video or keep reading below to help you decide.

Learn to play piano and write music with this inexpensive training bundle

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Add music to your hobbies with this piano and music composition training bundle.
Anyone can master the piano and learn how music works for less than $30 with these courses.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Nothing makes you appreciate music more than being able to play and compose it. The Learn to Play the Piano & Music Composition Bundle teaches you how music works, step by step.

And right now, you can get hundreds of music lessons for just $29.97. That’s less than you’d typically pay for a single piano lesson!

Would you pay $180,000 for Steve Jobs’ business card?

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Would you pay $180,000 for Steve Jobs' business card?
This item sold for a value that may set a new record for a business card with signature.
Photo: RR Auction/Cult of Mac

Steve Jobs’ business card bearing the signature of the Apple cofounder himself sold at auction for an amazing value: over $180,000. This is supposedly the most ever paid for a signed business card.

A collection of other Apple memorabilia brought in big bucks at the same auction, a sign of the popularity of rare items from the iPhone-maker.

Powerful new desktop speakers put on light show, charge gadgets

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Edifier QR65 active speakers
Edifier's new desktop speakers put on a light show and charge gadgets.
Photo: Edifier

Edifier’s new QR65 Active Monitor Speakers pack 70 watts of power with hi-res audio certification, put on a light show and act as a fast gallium nitride (GaN) charger for your other gadgets, too.

And the value-oriented Chinese audio brand brings all that and more across for $369 per pair.

Get up to half off great Soundcore headphones and earbuds

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Half off Soundcore earbuds and headphones, like Q45 ANC over-ear headphones with carrying case
These cans for $100? That's a good deal.
Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac

It’s that time of year again, when Amazon puts on its Big Spring Sale. And this year’s edition gets you between 20% and 51% off a great selection of 22 Soundcore headphones and earbuds. That’s up to about half off Soundcore headphones and earbuds.

It’ll be tough to find better deals on the Anker subsidiary’s excellent audio products, which are packed with value even at regular prices.

Bluetti’s tough new portable power station resists dust and rain

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Bluetti AC240 power station
The new AC240 power station resists dust and water.
Photo: Bluetti

Power products provider Bluetti hopes to keep your outdoor adventures going in all conditions with its latest innovation, the Bluetti AC240 Weatherproof Portable Power Station. It features an IP65 rating for water and dust resistance, a big help for campers, first responders and others caught in the elements.

SPONSORED
This post is brought to you by Bluetti.

Scheduled for launch on April 2, the powerhouse also provides increased power, quicker charging, innovative parallel connection and other improvements over its predecessor.

Smackdown: Magic Mouse vs. Logitech MX Master 3 [Setups]

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Magic Mouse vs. Logitech MX Master 3
This Mac Studio setup with dual Studio Displays sparked a mouse fight.
Photo: [email protected]

Sometimes a setup post on social media can express a common problem or disagreement quite well. Today’s Mac Studio and dual-Studio Display rig is pretty good example, showing the divide between users of Magic Mouse and one of its top competitors — Logitech MX Master 3 (and 3S) wireless mouse. So Magic Mouse vs. Logitech MX Master 3 is on.

Commenters split themselves into pro Magic Mouse and pro Logitech MX camps. And a bunch of them sought middle ground, finding things to like — or hate — about both mice.

CdkeySales March Madness Sale: $17 for Windows 10 Pro, $22 for 11 Pro

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CdkeySales March Madness Windows logo
Enter CULT at CdkeySales.com to score major March Madness savings on Microsoft software.
Photo: CdkeySales.com

The CdkeySales March Madness Sale is upon us. While dozens of college basketball teams battle, you can score amazing deals on Microsoft software. Tons of slam-dunk bargains await on Microsoft productivity software like Windows and Office. That includes a winning Windows 10 Pro deal — just $17.05, with a free upgrade included!

SPONSORED
This post is brought to you by CdkeySales.
You can find surprisingly low prices at software activation keys provider CdkeySales.com now and throughout the year. To get the most savings, enter promo code CULT. That cuts an additional 30% off the site’s low prices on software keys. And what’s more, if you buy Windows 10, you get a free upgrade to Windows 11.

Hackers can exploit flaw in Apple M-series processors

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Hackers can exploit flaw in Apple M series processors
A vulnerability in M series processors could lead to unauthorized access of encrypted data.
Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac

Security researchers have found a serious exploit in all Apple M-series processors. The hard-wired flaw could potentially could be used by hackers to get user credit card information or read encrypted messages.

The flaw exposes precious encryption keys, and it’s baked into the hardware — so it can’t easily be patched without a performance penalty. Here’s what you need to know.

Why the DOJ’s antitrust lawsuit against Apple is weak

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Flanked by colleagues, U.S. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland lays out the Justice Department's antitrust case against Apple.
Flanked by colleagues, U.S. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland lays out the Justice Department's antitrust case against Apple.
Image: Department of Justice

The Department of Justice’s monumental Apple antitrust case appears weak.

Still, the civil lawsuit, filed Thursday, represents the biggest legal challenge to Apple’s power in the company’s 47-year history. If successful, the lawsuit could force Apple to fundamentally change the way it makes products and conducts business. A similar action against Microsoft in the 1990s significantly curtailed that company’s reach and power.

But the DOJ’s lawsuit against Apple appears to be based on old and outdated information, and Apple has already — or is about to — address most of the major concerns.

Travel-friendly folding wireless charger can handle 3 Apple devices at once

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The MagStack 3-in-1 wireless charger is 35% off!
Juice up your iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods at the same time!
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Full-on Apple fans can wirelessly charge three devices with this folding charging station that’s perfect at home or on the road. It looks a bit like Apple’s pricey (and now-discontinued) MagSafe Duo — but this travel charger can handle more and costs a lot less!

The MagStack Foldable 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Station with Floating Stand packs three charging surfaces — for iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods — and it’s on sale for just $42.97. (That’s 38% off its regular price.)

Apple patches iPhone bugs with new iOS update

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Apple patches iPhone bugs with new iOS 17.4.1 update
There's a patch waiting for your iPhone's operating system.
Image: Apple/Cult of Mac

iPhone users can now install iOS 17.4.1, a “bug fix” update on the major upgrade released early this month. iPadOS 17.4.1 is also available for tablet users.

And Vision Pro got its own patch, but there are no updates out Thursday for Mac or Apple Watch.

Get up to a whopping 70% off Belkin products

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Belkin Spring Sale - BoostCharge Pro 2-in-1
BoostCharge Pro is made for MagSafe.
Photo: Belkin

One of the great Apple accessories makers is Belkin, and now through April 1 you can get up to 70% off products across its website, plus free shipping on orders over $50 in Belkin’s Spring Sale.

So whatever you need — charger, dock, case, mouse, cable and many other choices — you can get a good deal on a good product. After all, Apple trusts Belkin enough to sell dozens of its products at apple.com.

Apple makes it easy to find all product documentation in one place

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Apple Documentation web section
Apple's new Documentation web section offers all product manuals, specifications and downloads in one place.
Photo: Apple

Apple recently added a new “Documentation” web section that puts all product information for every product in one place. That way, you won’t have to search across multiple pages to find the product manuals, specifications or downloads you need, no matter which piece or hardware or software you need help with.

Blockbuster US antitrust lawsuit targets Apple’s ‘iPhone monopoly’

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Text saying
The Justice Department and 16 state attorneys general filed an antitrust suit against Apple.
Public domain photo: Open Grid Scheduler/Grid Engine/Modified by Cult of Mac

The Department of Justice and 16 state attorneys general filed an blockbuster antitrust lawsuit Thursday aimed at forcing Apple to open up many aspects of its ecosystem, from the App Store to Apple Watch.

The 88-page civil suit, which accuses Apple of wielding monopoly-like power, could bring truly sweeping changes to iPhone, Mac and other Apple computers.

Record audio and HD video discreetly with this spy pen

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The iSpyPen Pro spy pen shown in three colors.
You can capture audio and video on the sly with this stealthy spy pen.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Future tech update: The bad news is we’re all still waiting for our personal jetpacks. The good news is that we live in an age where James Bond-level tech is accessible and affordable to anyone, including spy pens.

Exhibit A: The iSpyPen Pro, a sleek and professional-looking pen that doubles as a discreet recording device. Perfect for students and professionals alike, it can record meetings, lectures and presentations, ensuring you don’t miss a single detail. The best part? This spy pen is already on sale, and you can take an extra $10 off the discounted price through March 24.