Mobile menu toggle

Montana becomes 11th state to allow driver’s licenses in Apple Wallet

By

Montana digital driver’s license
Get your Montana digital driver’s license today!
Image: Montana Motor Vehicle Division

Montana became the eleventh U.S. state or territory to support digital driver’s licenses and IDs stored in the Wallet app on iPhone or Apple Watch on Tuesday.

The major advantage is speeding up the process of moving through security checkpoints at airports, though there are other uses, too.

New 8TB Thunderbolt 5 SSD transfers data at a blazing 48GBps

By

OWC Express 1M2 80G
OWC Express 1M2 80G holds up to 8TB, or put in your own NVMe M.2 SSD.
Photo: OWC

Professionals who need an SSD with terabytes of storage and crazy-fast data transfers have a new option: the OWC Express 1M2 80G. The drive offers up to 8TB of capacity, and because it uses Thunderbolt 5, the SSD offers 48GBps real-world data transfers.

It’s available in a range of storage capacities, or users can insert their own NVMe M.2 SSD.

Today in Apple history: Apple frenemy Google goes public

By

An image of the Google beta logo with the rainbow Apple logo in place of the first O
Relations between Apple and Google started strong, but quickly deteriorated.
Photo: Apple/Google logos

August 19: Today in Apple history: With Google IPO, an Apple frenemy goes public August 19, 2004: Google floats its initial public offering on the stock market. The Google IPO cements the company’s status as a tech giant, as founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin turn into instant billionaires.

Relations between Google and Apple are good at the time, with Apple CEO Steve Jobs serving as a mentor to the search company’s two young founders. Google’s Eric Schmidt soon will join Apple’s board of directors. However, the peace won’t last long.

Supertiny USB-C charger pumps out big power [Review] ★★★★

By

Rolling Square Supertiny review★★★★
We went hands-on with the wee little Rolling Square Supertiny.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Rolling Square claims, “Supertiny is the smallest 65W GaN Charger ever.” It’s definitely very small, but can still quickly power up a MacBook or other full-size computer.

I put the claims to the test and came away impressed. I do have one caution, though.

UK abandons demand for secret backdoor into US iPhone accounts

By

Apple Privacy
The U.K. won’t try to violate your privacy.
Image: Apple/D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

The United Kingdom government gave up its demand for a backdoor into encrypted Apple iCloud accounts.

Tulsi Gabbard, the U.S. director of national intelligence, announced the change late Monday. The DNI had been fighting the attempt to violate the privacy of Americans since word of the U.K.’s plan first came to light.

iOS 26 beta 7: All the new features and changes

By

iOS 26 Beta 7
The latest iOS 27 beta is light on changes.
Photo: Rajesh Pandey/Cult Of Mac

Apple continues testing iOS 26, releasing the seventh beta build to developers on August 18, Monday. This is the third consecutive beta from the company in three weeks.

Unlike the last few beta builds, iOS 26 beta 7 doesn’t pack any major changes. Check out everything new in the build below.

How to downgrade your iPhone from iOS 26 beta to iOS 18

By

Downgrading iPhone from iOS 26 beta to iOS 18
Yep, you can always go back to iOS 18 from iOS 26 beta.
Photo: Rajesh Pandey/Cult of Mac

Installed iOS 26 public beta on your iPhone to try out Liquid Glass and other new features but regretting the decision due to crashes and bugs? Thankfully, you can easily remove the iOS beta and downgrade your iPhone to iOS 18.

The only catch? You will need to restore an older backup or start from scratch with your setup. If that doesn’t convince you to ride out the bugginess, follow the steps below to revert your iPhone to iOS 18 from the iOS 26 beta.

The Dink comedy puts pickleball in play on Apple TV+

By

Mary Steenburgen and Jake Johnson star in
Mary Steenburgen and Jake Johnson star in The Dink, a comedy that revolves around the sometimes-reviled sport of pickleball.
Photo: Apple TV+

Apple Original Films said Monday it acquired The Dink, a new comedy movie starring Jake Johnson as a faded tennis player who embraces the sport that shall not be named: pickleball.

Josh Greenbaum (Will & Harper and Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar) will direct a promising cast led by Johnson (New Girl and Minx), along with Mary Steenburgen, Ed Harris and Chloe Fineman.

Comedy legend (and Severance executive producer) Ben Stiller will make an on-screen appearance. As will actual tennis stars Andy Roddick and John McEnroe.

iPhone 17e could ditch notch for Dynamic Island

By

iPhone 17e ditches the notch
iPhone 16e's successor could feature Dynamic Island in place of a notch.
Photo: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

Apple’s budget iPhone might get a significant visual overhaul in 2026, with the iPhone 17e ditching the notch in favor of the Dynamic Island, according to a new leak.

That would finally bring the modern Dynamic Island experience, which debuted on the iPhone 14 Pro, to price-conscious consumers. However, the leaker didn’t clarify whether we can count on Apple adding MagSafe to the new budget phone, a key feature left out of the iPhone 16e.

Why DoCast is the ultimate iPhone and iPad screen mirroring app

By

The DoCast app makes it easy to mirror your iPhone or iPad to Chromecast, Roku, Fire TV and more.
The DoCast app makes it easy to mirror your iPhone or iPad to Chromecast, Roku, Fire TV and more.
Photo: Electronic Team

If you want to mirror iPhone to TV, Apple’s built-in AirPlay is a great option. But what if your TV doesn’t support AirPlay?

Enter the DoCast screen mirroring app for iOS, a comprehensive screen mirroring app that supports Chromecast, Roku, Fire TV and DLNA-enabled TVs. It bridges the gap between your iPhone or iPad to stream high-quality video, music or pictures to almost any smart TV.

Today in Apple history: iJustine’s 300-page iPhone bill shocks the internet

By

iJustine's reaction to her massive 300-page iPhone bill fueled one of the first iPhone
iJustine's reaction to her massive 300-page iPhone bill fueled one of the first iPhone "scandals."
Photo: iJustine

Aug 18: Today in Apple history: Apple's Christmas-themed 'Misunderstood' iPhone ad wins Emmy August 18, 2007: A video goes viral on YouTube when 23-year-old internet personality Justine Ezarik, aka iJustine, posts a 300-page iPhone bill mailed to her in a box by AT&T.

The bill — which lists every single action that consumed cellular data on Ezarik’s brand-new iPhone — is quickly viewed by 3 million people and receives extensive media coverage. (You can watch it below.)

DVD ripper makes it easy to build your own Netflix

By

Person about to load a disc into a DVD ripper.
This DVD ripper for WIndows is now 50% off!
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Streaming is broken. Your favorite movies disappear, hop between platforms or get locked behind new paywalls. You don’t really own anything, you just rent it until it vanishes — again. That’s why physical media is having a comeback moment. And, if you’ve got a stack of DVDs collecting dust, this new DVD ripper software can turn them into stream-from-anywhere files.

You can download DVDneXtCOPY DVD Ripper for Windows for $29.99 (MSRP $59.99).

Alternatively, if you’re looking for a DVD ripper for Mac, check out our deal on MacX DVD Ripper Pro. It’s available for the same price.

iPhone 17 Air rumors: Everything to expect from Apple’s ultra-thin handset

By

iPhone 17 Air rumor roundup
We know a lot about the likely iPhone 17 Air features.
Photo: ChatGPT/Cult of Mac

Apple will shake up its iPhone lineup this September with the introduction of the iPhone 17 Air, a dramatically thinner device that could replace the Plus model entirely. Based on numerous reports and leaks we’ve included in this iPhone 17 Air rumor roundup, this new phone promises to be Apple’s most significant design departure in years.

Foldable iPhone might push iPhone 18 launch to 2027

By

Image of an iPhone with white screen on pink background, with the words,
Apple might shake up the traditional iPhone release schedule next year.
Image: Matteo Vella/Unsplash License/Cult of Mac

Apple might shake up the iPhone release schedule in a big way next year, delaying the iPhone 18 release date until the first quarter of 2027, according to a new report.

Why the big switch?  To make room for next year’s standout device: the first folding iPhone.

Last chance: Lock in early bird price on brilliant bionic office chair

By

Computer renders of the LiberNovo Omni massaging office chair.
The Omni's innovative, flexible backrest provides support for natural motions.
Photo: LiberNovo

With only seven days remaining, the LiberNovo Omni Kickstarter campaign is closing in on the finish line, and it’s already a record-breaker.

With over 8,000 supporters pledging more than $7 million, the Omni has become the highest-funded ergonomic chair in Kickstarter history.

The campaign officially ends August 23, 2025, at 8:51 am Pacific. When it does, the up to 31% early-bird discount will disappear, along with free U.S. shipping, no customs fees and stretch goal rewards. Heard enough? Reserve yours now on Kickstarter.

For Mac users who spend hours perfecting videos in Final Cut Pro, coding the next breakthrough app or designing stunning interfaces, the right workspace setup is everything. But while you’ve invested in the best displays, keyboards and other ergonomic gear, you may overlook one crucial element: a highly adaptable massage office chair that supports you through those marathon creative sessions. And from what we’ve seen, that chair should be the new LiberNovo Omni with its innovative Bionic Flexfit Backrest, available now at a discount on Kickstarter.

Its advanced features work together to keep you comfortable and relaxed through long days of computer work.

Chief of War still commands strong viewership

By

Jason Momoa in Chief of War on Apple TV+
Jason Momoa in Chief of War, a hit drama series on Apple TV+.
Photo: Apple TV+

Viewers keep rallying behind the action-packed historical drama series Chief of War starring Jason Momoa. High ratings put it among the most popular series on streaming for a second week, according to two different ratings trackers.

And that’s not the only hit this week for  Apple TV+. The second season of the comedy Platonic earns good ratings, too.

Today in Apple history: PowerBook 165 becomes Apple’s most affordable laptop

By

Photo of a PowerBook 165, Apple's most affordable laptop in 1993.
A less-remembered PowerBook, but an important one.
Photo: Miguel Durán/Wikipedia CC

August 16: Today in Apple history: PowerBook 165 becomes Apple's most affordable laptop August 16, 1993: Apple ships the PowerBook 165, a lower-cost, grayscale version of the PowerBook 165c, which was the company’s first laptop to offer a color display.

The new model lacks the most attention-grabbing feature of the 165c, but it also brings its own claim to fame. The PowerBook 165 is Apple’s most affordable laptop yet.

Top off 3 Apple devices at once with wireless charger that’s great for travel

By

Photo shows MagFold 3-in-1 wireless charger on desk charging three Apple devices simultaneously (iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods).
This one charger juices up the holy trinity of Apple devices all at once.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

If you own an iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods, a three-in-one wireless charger can eliminate the daily struggle of constantly switching between charging cords. The MagFold 3-in-1 Qi2 Magnetic Wireless Charging Pad only needs a single cable to power up all three of your Apple devices.

It’s great for home and office, and especially convenient for travel, since it’s lightweight and folds up nicely. Get yours for $39.99 (MSRP $59.99).

iPhone 17 Pro rumors: The complete rundown

By

iPhone 17 Pro rumor roundup
Here's what the rumors say about the iPhone 17 Pro.
Photo: ChatGPT

In less than a month, the iPhone 17 Pro rumors will pay off — or not — when Apple takes the wraps off its iPhone 17 models. While the entire lineup will get a big revamp this year, the iPhone 17 Pro should still be the star of the show.

Leaks and rumors already revealed quite a lot about the iPhone 17 Pro, giving us a solid idea of what’s in store. Here’s a quick refresher of what to expect.

Maximize your streaming with a lifetime sub to this all-in-one platform

By

This all-in-one streaming platform is just $30 for life.
Get a lifetime subscription to BitMar and make streaming easy (and cheap).
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

The Apple TV app keeps trying to simplify streaming, but it’s not an easy nut to crack. If you’re tired of wrestling with all the available streaming options, consider BitMar. This next-gen streaming app brings together a vast array of content into one easy-to-use platform.

Say goodbye to switching between apps and searching through endless menus. With BitMar, everything is organized and accessible in one place (on the devices you already own). The centralized streaming platform allows you to effortlessly find and enjoy your favorite music, TV shows and movies. And you can get a lifetime subscription to BitMar for just $14.99 with code BITMAR5.

Find electric car charging stations in Apple Maps

By

Where Can I Plug In?
Find charging stations from Apple Maps.
Image: Ank Kumar/Wikimedia Commons/D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

Apple Maps makes it easy to find EV charging stations while you’re on the road to figure out where you can top up your electric car. Apple added some powerful new features in iOS 17 to simplify this sometimes-daunting process for EV owners.

Now you can see electric car charger availability, charging speeds and connector types in Apple Maps so you can find a way to juice up your vehicle when on a road trip. Here’s how it works.

Get the M4 iPad Pro I love at $200 off

By

M4 iPad Pro deal
If you were waiting for deals to come along on Apple's best tablet, now's the time.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Don’t try to tell me an iPad can’t be someone’s primary computer. I’ve used an iPad Pro almost exclusively for a decade or more. And I love it.

If you’re interested in Apple’s most powerful tablet, you can pick one up for $200 off. And there are M4 iPad Pro deals on both the 13-inch and 11-inch versions.