We may soon be making "tap and go" payments with something besides Apple Pay. Photo: Apple
The days of the iPhone’s NFC capabilities being limited to just Apple Pay could be coming to an end. Apple is reportedly open to allowing other systems to use the wireless payment system.
It’s the company’s solution to European Union objections to the iPhone’s NFC limitation.
Gift alert: The BirdBike e-bike is a two-wheeled steal ahead of the holidays! Photos: Cult of Mac Deals
Whether you work in an urban area or just want to get around your neighborhood in a healthier and more eco-friendly way, electric bikes are a fun way to travel. You can experience the joys of an e-bike yourself — or gift an e-bike to someone special — with this great electric bike sale featuring BirdBike e-bikes.
This innovative brand has been leading the charge to a two-wheeled lifestyle for some time. And now, you can grab a BirdBike for only $749.97 (regularly $2,299) through December 17. If you need it by Christmas, order by December 14 to ensure on-time delivery!
Your iPhone can better protect itself from data thieves with a new iOS 17.3 feature. Image: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
The just-released iOS 17.3 beta 1 includes a surprise feature: Stolen Device Protection. The option makes it harder to reset the passcode on a stolen device if the thief already knows the current passcode. There are also new password protections.
Apple also seeded the initial betas of macOS 14.3, iPadOS 17.3, watchOS 10.3 and tvOS 17.3.
2nm processors made by TSMC will be faster while using less power than today's 5nm iPhone and Mac chips. Image: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
TSMC is preparing to supply Apple with 2nm processors in less than two years. These next-gen chips will give Mac, iPhone and iPad even better performance, without requiring more power to operate.
The 3nm chips in the latest Apple computers are cutting-edge, but what’s at the forefront of technology is constantly moving ahead.
Gifting an Apple Watch for the holidays? We'll help you find the perfect pick. Image: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac
Apple Watch is almost an essential for any iPhone owner these days, so it makes the perfect gift for anyone who doesn’t already own one. It’s also one of the more affordable Apple devices you can buy with a range of options to choose from that start at just $249 (or even less if you shop around).
In this buying guide, we’ll help you choose the right Apple Watch for you or for someone else, help you find the best prices, and highlight some of the best Apple Watch accessories you can get.
If you want to watch video, don't bother going to the iTunes Store app any more. Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac
The iTunes Store application in the just-released iOS 17.2 simply redirects users to the Apple TV app for accessing previously purchased films and TV series.
The iTunes app for iPhone and iPad is now exclusively for music. For video, go directly to the Apple TV app.
Carterjett makes a rugged tire-tread Apple Watch band in various colors. Photo: Carterjett
Got an Apple Watch? Currently, Carterjett offers 19 Apple Watch bands for sale in the Cult of Mac Store. You can find straps made of leather, silicone, nylon and carbon fiber in a variety of colors, designs and sizes. So whatever your preferences may be, you really can’t miss.
A bad day in court for Google Play could end up being a loss for the App Store. Image: Cult of Mac
Epic Games convinced a federal jury that the Google Play store for Android applications is an illegal monopoly. The decision might have wide repercussions.
Apple won its court battle with the game-developer over the same issue, but Google’s loss could nevertheless eventually affect the iOS App Store.
This sleek plug-and-play mic is the perfect gift for podcasters and other content creators. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
For budding vloggers, gamers or podcasters, getting the sound clear and audible is half the battle. And this plug-and-play microphone from Babbl is tailor-made for anyone who wants to sound better right out of the box.
Right on time for the holidays, you can gift yourself or a loved one a major recording upgrade for any creative pursuit. Through December 17, the Babbl mic is only $29.97 (regularly $69). Order by December 14 to ensure on-time holiday delivery!
This buzzy puzzle's $1 million top prize makes it a uniquely fun gift. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
Feeling lucky? See if that touch applies to your gift list by giving someone a playful way to compete for an enormous payday with the 2 Million Dollar Puzzle. Each jigsaw puzzle offers prizes that range from $1 to $1 million, with two unlocking the ultimate prize.
Through December 17, the 2 Million Dollar Puzzle is on sale for only $30 with no coupon necessary.
Collaborative music playlists will be brilliant ... when they finally arrive. Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac
The wait goes on for two features that Apple promised to add to iOS 17. The iPhone-maker committed itself to collaborative music playlists and AirPlay in hotel rooms but now says these won’t be available before 2024.
These are the last significant additions expected for iOS 17.
All these have new operating system updates ... and most of them include new features. Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac
If you own an Apple computer of any shape or size, odds are it just got an operating system upgrade. Monday brought the public launch of macOS Sonoma 14.2, iPadOS 17.2, iOS 17.2, watchOS 10.2 and tvOS 17.2.
And these aren’t simple bug fixes. There’s new features.
Apple's Journal application arrives in iOS 17.2. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Nearly two months after iOS 17‘s release, Apple released the iPhone operating system’s second major point build Monday. iOS 17.2 introduces several new features and changes, with many that Apple first demoed at WWDC23 in June.
iOS 17.2’s marquee feature is Apple’s new Journal app, though it enhances several other aspects of the OS. Find out everything new in iOS 17.2 and iPadOS 17.2 below.
Artists might profit more from mixing tunes with Dolby Atmos. Photo: Apple
Apple plans to offer financial incentives to artists and record labels who mix songs using surround-sound Spatial Audio technology Dolby Atmos, sources close to the matter said Monday.
Greater weighting placed on those audio streams starting in 2024 will likely mean higher royalties paid out.
This user went from a 2012 Mac mini to an M2 Max Mac Studio plus a MacBook Air. Photo: [email protected]
A big upgrade to a computer setup is a major boost to any user. And today’s featured rig, though it may look unassuming, got a doozy of a makeover. A Mac mini dating all the way back to 2012 finally retired after a long career. And a powerful new M2 Max Mac Studio took over, with a late-model MacBook Air riding shotgun.
But that’s not all. Read more about other bonuses in the rejuvenated setup besides the laptop, and check out the full gear list below.
Both Robert De Niro (left) and Leonardo DiCaprio (right) just picked up Golden Globe nominations. Photo: Apple TV+
Martin Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon picked up seven nominations for the 81st Golden Globe Awards. That puts the Apple TV+ historical drama near the top in total noms.
And several series from Apple’s streaming service also did well, including The Morning Show and Lessons in Chemistry.
Beeper Mini reverse engineered iMessage to send blue texts like an iPhone, but Apple blocked it, citing security and privacy concerns. Photo: Beeper Mini
Security and privacy concerns caused Apple to block messaging service Beeper Mini, the company said Sunday. But on Monday Beeper Mini got around the block and pledged to keep making its service available.
This followed Beeper Mini’s highly publicized launch on December 5. It said it had successfully reverse-engineered iMessage to turn green Android text bubbles blue on iPhones.
From that moment, many people wondered how long Apple would let it stand (just a few days, it turned out).
Update: Beeper Mini is back with improvements, according to a new blog post that puts the ball back in Apple’s court. Beeper said it’s willing to share its codebase with an independent research firm and reirterated it could add a pager emoji to enable filtering of Beeper Mini messages in iMessage. See more on the story so far below.
MagEasy glams it up a bit with one of its new iPhone 14 cases. Photo: MagEasy
If you have an iPhone 14, you may want to protect it with a new case. MagEasy offers an interesting selection of options, from glamorous to rugged (but without the bulk). You’ll also find four screen protectors and a portable stand in the mix.
The gang of third-string MI5 agents from Slough House has plenty of fans. Photo: Apple TV+
The Apple TV+ espionage-thriller series Slow Horses pulls in big audiences. It gets more viewers than almost anything else on streaming, according to a pair of market analyses.
Apple TV+ actually has two very popular series streaming now. Monarch: Legacy of Monsters is also near the top of the rating charts.
This is San Francisco after Godzilla fought two kaiju in the heart of the city. Photo: Apple TV+
Monarch: Legacy of Monsters episode five focuses on Cate Randa’s backstory from when she survived the battle between Godzilla and two kaiju that destroyed much of San Franciso. Plus, a betrayal!
Read on for monster-size spoilers about the latest episode, plus some speculation about the show’s future.
The best tablets in the world are about to get even better. Image: Cult of Mac
This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: The latest Apple rumors point to a jumbo iPad Air and even-better (and pricier) iPad Pros landing in early 2024. Plus, Apple’s powerful M3 chip reportedly will come to more Macs.
We run down what it all means. Brace yourself for performance!
Also on The CultCast:
Cool new features coming to next-gen iPhones will make Apple’s world-beating smartphone even better. We’re especially excited about a turbocharged Action button.
Government spying on push notifications is definitely a thing.
Installment number one of our “best of 2023” picks. These fabulous things made us quiver with joy this year.
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.
This high-tech heated jacket makes the ultimate gift for adventurers. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
The Gamma graphene jacket will keep you warm and protect you from the elements. It’s a tough tactical jacket — rugged and resistant to water and wind. Plus, it packs a power bank that heats it to your optimal temperature, with plenty of pockets to stash your essential gear.
This high-tech jacket will take you from mountaintops to city streets in comfort and style. And it’s price-dropped to just $179.97 (regularly $575) through December 17.
Check out our guide for gifting Apple products this holiday season. Image: Apple/D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac
You’re running out of time to buy the Apple gifts your loved ones want for the holidays. If you need to buy an iPhone, iPad or AirPods, you need to make a well-informed decision quickly — but how do you know which model to get?