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Meta steals top Apple AI exec behind ‘answer engine’ project

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Image representing Apple's AI knowledge
The brain drain from Apple's AI team is real (and likely to accelerate).
Photo: Apple

Meta continues poaching high-profile executives from Apple’s AI team for its Superintelligence group. The latest hire is Ke Yang, who Apple recently appointed to lead its Answers, Knowledge and Information team.

Apple’s team is making an “answer engine” that will crawl the web to answer simple search queries. 

Steve Jobs $1 coin looks nothing like Steve Jobs

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Image of Steve Jobs $1 coin to be produced by U.S. Mint in 2026.
Hey, look — it's Steve Jobs! At least we think that's Steve Jobs ... although it almost looks like he has moobs.
Image: U.S. Mint

A questionable portrait of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs sitting cross-legged in a California meadow will appear on a collectible $1 coin from the U.S. Mint in 2026. It’s a great tribute to Jobs and Apple’s innovation — but you’ll need to squint pretty hard to identify the hippie-turned-techpreneur.

“This design presents a young Steve Jobs sitting in front of a quintessentially northern California landscape of oak-covered rolling hills,” the Mint said in a press release Wednesday. “His posture and expression, as he is captured in a moment of reflection, show how this environment inspired his vision to transform complex technology into something as intuitive and organic as nature itself.”

The Jobs coin — which kinda makes Apple’s late leader look like a young Ellen DeGeneres — is one of four featured in the 2026 American Innovation $1 Coin Program, a commemorative series established to honor U.S. inventors and innovators.

Vision Pro owners can get its biggest upgrade for just $99

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Apple Vision Pro Dual Knit Band
The new Dual Knit Band.
Image: Apple

The Dual Knit Band introduced Wednesday with the new M5-powered Vision Pro is compatible with Apple’s original headset, too. You don’t need to shell out another $3,499 — the extra comfort can be had for a fraction of the price.

Other improvements to the new headset are somewhat minor, with nothing else standing out as a must-have for current Vision Pro owners (all 12 of them lol). The Dual Knit Band might be all you need to spice up life in your spatial computer. 

Going large on M5 iPad Pro storage also scores premium performance

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iPad Pro M5 in Use
Configuring your iPad Pro M5 with loads of storage brings additional perks.
Photo: Apple

Those who want the best performance out of their new M5 iPad Pro need to opt for at least a terabyte of storage. That’s because paying out for additional capacity also brings a faster version of the processor and more RAM. There’s no way to configure the tablet with these features other than to choose a version with plenty of storage.

Plus, only the priciest variants can add nano-texture glass.

Phone 18 Pro’s variable-aperture camera will auto-adjust in dim lighting

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Variable aperture camera coming to iPhone 18 Pro models in 2026
A variable-aperture camera will be a first on an iPhone.
Photo: Apple

Is your iPhone photography hindered by low light and a lack of control over depth of field? Well, good news confirmed: Apple plans to equip its iPhone 18 Pro lineup with variable-aperture camera technology. That marks the first time the tech giant implements the feature in any iPhone, according to a supply-chain report Wednesday that appears to prove earlier predictions right.

The technology should debut in the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max models, slated for release in fall 2026.

Today in Apple history: Former CEO John Sculley bids Apple a $10 million farewell

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Former Apple CEO John Sculley talks at Web Summit 2015 in Dublin, Ireland.
After Steve Jobs and Tim Cook, John Sculley is Apple's most memorable CEO.
Photo: Web Summit/Flickr CC

October 15: Today in Apple history: CEO John Sculley forced out of Apple October 15, 1993: John Sculley, the former CEO responsible for forcing Steve Jobs out of Apple, is forced to leave the company himself. When Sculley resigns as Apple’s chairman, he leaves with a golden parachute.

His parting gifts include $1 million in severance pay, a one-year consulting fee of $750,000, a commitment from Apple to buy his $4 million mansion and $2 million Learjet, and $2.4 million in stock options. Total take: around $10 million.

Apple supercharges iPad Pro with next-gen M5 processor

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iPad Pro M5
The M5 iPad Pro is faster than any of its predecessors.
Photo: Apple

Apple just revealed the 2025 iPad Pro, which gets a speed boost from the new M5 processor, and some variants get 50% more RAM. The premium tablet includes an OLED screen in both the 13-inch and 11-inch versions.

“Powered by the next generation of Apple silicon, the new iPad Pro delivers our most advanced and versatile iPad experience yet,” said John Ternus, Apple’s senior vice president of Hardware Engineering. “iPad Pro with M5 unlocks endless possibilities for creativity and productivity — with a huge leap in AI performance and a big boost in graphics, superfast wireless connectivity, and game-changing iPadOS 26 features, it pushes the boundaries of what iPad can do yet again.”

Spatial computing gets more powerful (and comfortable) with M5 Vision Pro

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Person wearing the Apple Vision Pro with M5 and Dual Knit Band
The new Apple Vision Pro is mostly change on the inside.
Image: Apple

Apple launched the M5 Vision Pro on Wednesday, bumping the impressive headset up from the years-old M2 processor. The punchier M5 processor boosts the headset’s video resolution and refresh rate for a clearer, sharper image.

The updated Vision Pro is “setting a new standard for what’s possible in spatial computing,” said Apple Vice President of Worldwide Product Marketing Bob Borchers in Apple’s press release. “Spatial computing is even more capable, entertaining, and magical with the new Vision Pro.”

The M5 isn’t the only upgrade, either. A new Dual Knit Band elegantly adds comfort and style to the headset. And as icing on the cake, the M5 Vision Pro boasts noticeably improved battery life. 

The M5 Vision Pro starts at the same high price of $3,499 with 256GB of storage. It’s available for preorder today, with deliveries and in-store availability beginning on October 22. 

Apple’s new M5 chip pumps up AI and graphics processing power

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M5 chip pumps up AI and graphics
The M5 chip beefs up AI and graphics processing substantially.
Photo: Apple

Apple’s new M5 chip packs more power than predecessors, with advanced performance for Apple Intelligence and pumped up GPU performance boosting graphics processing, among other incremental improvements across the chip.

“M5 ushers in the next big leap in AI performance for Apple silicon,” said Johny Srouji, Apple’s senior vice president of Hardware Technologies. “With the introduction of Neural Accelerators in the GPU, M5 delivers a huge boost to AI workloads.”

“Combined with a big increase in graphics performance, the world’s fastest CPU core, a faster Neural Engine, and even higher unified memory bandwidth,” he added, “M5 brings far more performance and capabilities to MacBook Pro, iPad Pro and Apple Vision Pro.”

14-inch MacBook Pro gets M5 power boost

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14-inch MacBook Pro with M5 chip goes official.
14-inch MacBook Pro with M5 chip goes official.
Photo: Apple

Apple unveiled an upgraded 14-inch MacBook Pro powered by the new M5 chip on Wednesday. While the laptop looks the same as its predecessor, it sports a faster new Apple silicon processor to deliver even better performance.

“MacBook Pro continues to be the world’s best pro laptop, and today, the 14-inch MacBook Pro gets even better with the arrival of the M5 chip,” said John Ternus, Apple’s senior vice president of hardware engineering, in a press release.

Automate your Google Docs, Sheets and Slides (no formulas needed) for just $40

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An AI image of a person in front of a computer monitor working on a Google Sheet while using AiAssistWorks.
Get AI help tackling Google Workspace files with AiAssistWorks.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Hey Google Workspace users: Whether you’re juggling content in Docs, analyzing data in Sheets or just trying to make Slides look halfway decent, AiAssistWorks is basically the AI productivity buddy you wish came bundled in Google’s popular tools.

It taps top AIs so you can get the results you need using plain-language commands. And right now, you can save big-time on this Google Workspace booster. For a limited time, you can get a lifetime subscription to AiAssistWorks’ Plus Plan for just $39.99 (MSRP $480) with code AI20

It’s a quick and easy way supercharge your workflow and reclaim your evenings.

Ugreen brings massive local storage to home users on the cheap

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Ugreen NASync DH2300
Ugreen NASync DH2300 is easy to set up and use.
Photo: Ugreen

Ugreen’s new NASync DH2300 and DH4300 Plus network-attached storage devices aim squarely at everyday home users, the consumer electronics maker said Wednesday. In other words, those who want local storage as an alternative to iCloud, but without the complexity typically associated with NAS systems.

Starting at a low price of $209.99 $188.99, the two-bay DH 2300 device joins the more capable four-bay DH4300 Plus ($429.99 $364.99) in Ugreen’s effort to make personal cloud storage accessible to non-technical users. Both are on sale for launch, too. 

Add a 2TB external SSD to your setup for less than $65

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Photo of a black 2TB external hard drive connected to a black laptop on top of a white desk.
Why pay monthly for cloud storage when you can grab a 2TB external SSD?
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

This Western Digital Elements SSD gives you 2TB of external hard drive storage you can take anywhere. Now on sale for just $64.99 (MSRP $79.99), this little powerhouse is the storage solution your setup didn’t know it needed.

Whether you’re juggling high-res photos and videos on your phone or tablet, or heavy project files on your desktop, the WD Elements drive offers 2TB of space in a pocket-size design. That’s enough to stash years of photos, entire movie libraries and way more spreadsheets than you’ll ever want to open.

Today in Apple history: Tim Cook becomes Apple’s chief operating officer

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Tim Cook
Tim Cook was on his way to the top spot at Apple.
Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac

October 14: Today in Apple history October 14, 2005: Tim Cook takes the reins as Apple’s chief operating officer. His new role as Apple COO continues his upward climb through the company’s ranks that will make him CEO less than six years later.

“Tim and I have worked together for over seven years now, and I am looking forward to working even more closely with him to help Apple reach some exciting goals during the coming years,” Steve Jobs says in a statement.

Demand for AI features drives robust iPhone 17 sales

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Demand for AI features helps drive robust iPhone 17 sales
This year's iPhone lineup includes the iPhone 17 Pro, the super-slim iPhone Air and the "regular" iPhone 17.
Photo: Apple

Apple shipped 58.6 million iPhones and captured 18.2% of the global smartphone market, the company’s “best results ever in a July quarter,” according to new data from the International Data Corporation. The iPhone nearly matched Samsung’s 19% market share.

Demand for innovation, like new artificial intelligence features, plus aggressive trade-in programs, helped fuel the surge, despite tariff woes, IDC said.

Pro Display XDR 2 may borrow a fan-favorite iPad feature

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A table of desktop Macs. Going clockwise around the table, starting at the front: the Mac Studio with Studio Display (height-adjustable stand and nano texture glass), the iMac, Mac Pro with Pro Display XDR (with Pro Stand) and Mac mini with Studio Display (tilt stand).
Pro Display XDR 2 with a Center Stage camera? Yes, please!
Photo: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

Apple’s next Pro Display XDR monitor could take a cue from MacBooks and iPhones and feature a Center Stage camera. Code strings referencing the monitor with the camera were discovered in the latest macOS 26.1 beta.

The Pro Display XDR is long overdue for a refresh, with the current model debuting in late 2019 for $4,999.

Apple’s sleek iPhone Air finally touches down in China

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iPhone Air finally launches in China
iPhone Air preorders go live in China soon.
Photo/Graphics: D. Griffin Jones/Rajesh Pandey/Cult of Mac

After a month’s delay, Apple will launch the iPhone Air in China on Wednesday, October 22. Preorders for the device will begin this Friday, October 17.

Apple pushed back the iPhone Air’s September launch in China at the last minute due to regulatory hurdles around eSIM support.

This keychain charging cable will save your bacon

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Product photo of the GoCable keychain charging cable.
Get a GoCable 8-in-1 EDC charging cable on sale for just $20.99.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

With multiple devices to manage and little room for bulky chargers, it helps to have an all-in-one solution to keep everything powered. GoCable is up to the task. This 8-in-1 keychain charging cable is designed for modern travelers, creators and adventurers who need fast, reliable juice for almost any device

It’s small enough to fit right in with your EDC essentials. And Cult of Mac Deals chops the price down to just $21.99 (regularly $49.99).

When you can watch F1: The Movie on rebranded ‘Apple TV’

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When you can watch F1: The Movie on rebranded 'Apple TV'
"F1: The Movie" is coming soon to an Apple TV streaming service without the "+" sign.
Photo: Apple

F1: The Movie with Brad Pitt as a racer will make its streaming debut on Friday, December 12, following the film’s record-breaking theatrical run, Apple said Monday. And the announcement came with a surprise twist: Apple TV+ gets rebranded as simply “Apple TV” (no “+”) with what the company called a “vibrant new identity.”

It remains to be seen how vibrant the identity is, but it’s the same exact name as the Apple TV hardware and the Apple TV app. Maybe they meant “confusing new identity.”

Today in Apple history: Bono’s (Product) Red iPod nano fights HIV/AIDS

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The limited-edition (Product) Red iPod nano raised cash for a worthy cause.
Did you own this special edition iPod?
Photo: Wikipedia/Re-ality CC

October 13: Today in Apple history: Bono's (Product)Red iPod nano fights HIV/AIDS October 13, 2006: Apple launches a limited-edition iPod nano (Product) Red Special Edition music player in collaboration with U2 lead singer Bono and activist/attorney Bobby Shriver, with 10% of profits going to fight AIDS in Africa.

It’s the first of many Apple philanthropic products. “We’re ecstatic that Apple is giving their customers the choice to buy a red iPod nano and help women and children affected by HIV/AIDS in Africa,” the U2 singer says in a statement.