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MacBook Neo 2 launch still on course for first half of 2027

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12GB of RAM in MacBook Neo 2 looks locked in — here’s why
The way Apple will source new chips for the MacBook Neo 2 means it's getting a RAM boost.
AI image: Apple/ChatGPT/Cult of Mac

Apple’s wallet-friendly MacBook is said to be getting a sequel in the next few months. The MacBook Neo 2 release date is reportedly set for the first half of 2027, and is expected as early as spring.

That would put the successor a year after the original arrived in March. It’s drawing attention because the sophomore version will almost certainly address one of Neo’s biggest compromises: 8GB of RAM.

These $90 Sony earbuds let you hear the world around you

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Man wearing Sony LinkBuds Open earbuds while talking to a female co-worker in their offfice
Save 60% when you get Sony LinkBuds right now!
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Sony LinkBuds Open earbuds feature an open-ring design that doesn’t cut you off from the outside world. It’s great for people who hate the way AirPods cut them off from ambient noise from the real world.

With this deal, you can snag a pair of new, open-box Sony LinkBuds Open for just $89.99 (regularly $229.99).

ChatGPT can now tackle your iCloud inbox and calendar

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ChatGPT and iCloud Mail
ChatGPT now works with iCloud Mail and Calendar.
Image: Apple/OpenAI/Cult of Mac

You can now connect ChatGPT to your iCloud Mail and calendar to read and send emails, create calendar events and more.

This should make managing your emails and schedule easier, especially if you heavily rely on ChatGPT for tasks. It also means you can handle more of these tasks without switching between apps.

AirFly View makes connecting AirPods to any audio source even easier

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AirFly View adds a screen to simplify setup of the wireless audio adapter.
Imagine easily connecting your AirPods to a plane's entertainment center with AirFly View.
Photo: Twelve South

Twelve South introduced AirFly View on Tuesday, a new version of its popular wireless audio adapter that adds a built-in screen to make connecting AirPods easier.

With it, travelers can use their AirPods (or other Bluetooth headphones) with airplane entertainment systems that still rely on traditional headphone jacks.

iOS 27.2 adds hidden SynthID watermark to AI images

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A photo of Google's SynthID tool used in a story about it coming to iPhones.
In an effort to help users spot fakes, iOS 27.2 adds a watermark to some AI images.
Photo: Google

iOS 27.2 now stamps AI-generated iPhone images with an invisible watermark called SynthID.

Every Image Playground creation carries the mark, as do some AI-edited photos. This should prove really helpful for spotting fakes — but only if you know how to check.

watchOS 27.2 makes Siri AI faster and smarter on Apple Watch

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A photo of Apple Watch used in a story about watchOS 27.2 update.
watchOS 27.2 brings a speedier and more powerful Siri AI to Apple Watch.
Photo: Apple

Apple released watchOS 27.2 on Monday, making Siri AI faster and more capable. The upgrades mirror the new Siri capabilities added in iOS 27.2.

The first major update to watchOS 27, it also brings changes to the Apple Music app and extends Siri AI beyond U.S. English.

Today in Apple history: Dell PCs overtake Macs in education market

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Photo of Dell OptiPlex GX1 computer
As Dell computers conquered the classroom, some people accused Steve Jobs of ignoring one of Apple's most important markets.
Photo: Rderijcke/Wikimedia CC

October 27: Today in Apple history: Dell PCs overtake Macs in education market October 27, 1999: Dell Computer overtakes Apple in the educational market, stealing Cupertino’s crown as the top company selling computers to U.S. schools. Dell’s cheap Windows PCs make sense for schools looking to buy computers without breaking the bank.

Apple CEO Steve Jobs, still struggling to rebuild Apple after its near-collapse in the mid-1990s, faces heavy criticism for ignoring one of the company’s strongest markets.

Get Microsoft Office 2024 for Mac or PC at up to 23% off

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Woman using her laptop with one of Microsoft Office 2024 apps installed.
Save on essential Microsoft software for Mac or PC.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Not a fan of monthly fees for software like Microsoft 365? This deal lands you a lifetime license to Microsoft Office for Mac or PC at a big discount. You can choose from two versions: the Home version comes with Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote. The upgraded Home & Business bundle includes all that and adds Outlook.

Both are on sale for a limited time, so you can choose whichever works best for you. Grab Microsoft Office Home 2024 for $114.97 (a 23% discount off the regular price of $149.99) or Microsoft Office Home & Business 2024 for $219.99 (a 12% discount off the $249.99 list price).

This tiny game controller has big ambitions [Review] ★★★★☆

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JSAUX VoidJoy SkyLark S1 Pro review★★★★☆
The JSAUX VoidJoy SkyLark S1 Pro is affordable but packed with features.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The Jsaux VoidJoy SkyLark S1 Pro game controller packs an impressive assortment of features into a portable and lightweight design.

A highlight is extreme flexibility. It connects to Mac, iPad and iPhone, as well as a Nintendo Switch 2, Android or PC. And connections can use Bluetooth, 2.4GHz wireless or USB.

I put the very affordable gamepad to the test and came away generally pleased. Here’s what I like and what I don’t.

M6 MacBook Pro brings a jump in performance but no price hike

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M6 chip brings a boost in performance to MacBook Pro
The M6 processor makes the entry-level MacBook Pro faster, but not more expensive.
Image: Apple

Apple just dropped the basic version of its new M6 processor into the entry-level version of the MacBook Pro. This is a traditional “chip-and-ship” upgrade, not a redesign, so the faster processor is the major change to the notebook.

“The 14-inch MacBook Pro is the pro laptop of choice for a wide range of users — from college students, to business professionals across every industry, to multidisciplinary creators doing it all on one device,” said Shelly Goldberg, Apple’s vice president of hardware engineering, in a statement on Tuesday. “With the powerful M6 chip, we’re taking performance to the next level, with a boost in CPU speed and graphics and even more powerful capabilities for on-device AI. With its amazing battery life, remarkable Liquid Retina XDR display, and even faster connectivity, the new 14-inch MacBook Pro with M6 delivers a fantastic combination of performance, capability, and value.”

M6 iMac gets faster without getting pricier

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M6 iMac colors
Same looks, faster performance.
Photo: Apple

Apple just gave the iMac a “chip and ship” upgrade, adding a faster M6 processor to the standalone desktop computer. The new iMac looks just like its M4 predecessor — and, surprisingly, so does its price tag.

“iMac is the world’s best all-in-one, and today it raises the bar yet again,” said Shelly Goldberg, Apple’s vice president of hardware engineering, in a press release Tuesday.

OLED iPad mini 8 vs. iPad mini 7: What’s new and different?

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OLED iPad mini packs some big upgrades.
OLED iPad mini packs some big upgrades.
Photo: Apple

With the iPad mini 8, Apple is giving its smallest iPad its biggest upgrade ever. It not only gets a new display technology, but also a faster chip, a thinner chassis and updated connectivity options. 

But all these upgrades also come with a $100 higher starting price. So, does the OLED iPad Mini 8 come with enough changes to justify this price hike?

Everything new in iOS 27.2: Siri AI tweaks, new Apple Music icon and more

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iOS 27.2 is here.
iOS 27.2 is here with plenty of new features and improvements.
Photo: Apple/Rajesh Pandey/Cult of Mac

iOS 27.2 is here as the first major update for iOS 27. Released Monday, iOS 27.2 addresses a few annoying bugs while also adding several new features and improvements to the iPhone experience.

Here’s everything you can try after updating to iOS 27.2.

iPhone Duo Reachability mode could slide content sideways for lefties

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iPhone Duo Reachability mode could slide content sideways for lefties
With its Dock on the right side, the iPhone Duo isn't as convenient for lefties.
Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac

Apple is reportedly working on an iPhone Duo Reachability mode that shifts the outer screen’s content to the left or right.

The movie is an (overdue) response to the criticism from left-handed iPhone users levied toward Apple’s first foldable ever since its September announcement. The outer screen’s Dock and other controls sit along the right edge, and this upcoming mode will make that arrangement easier on lefties.

Today in Apple history: iPod Photo brings color display to music machine

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Photo of the iPod Photo device
The iPod Photo brought us one step closer to the iPhone.
Photo: Apple

October 26: Today in Apple history: iPod Photo launch brings color display to music machine October 26, 2004: Apple debuts the iPod Photo, a device capable of putting not just 15,000 songs in your pocket, but also 25,000 photographs. The new device “lets you take your entire music and photo library with you wherever you go,” Apple says.

It is the first iPod to offer a color screen and the ability to display digital images and album cover art. The iPod Photo represents a big step forward in the functionality of Apple’s iconic music player.

Tired of monthly bills? This 1TB lifetime cloud storage deal ends them.

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We've got the exclusive on this 1TB cloud storage lifetime subscription.
Grab this 1TB cloud storage deal that nobody else can beat.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

It’s annoying getting notifications that you’re almost out of storage on your phone or computer. But you can quit playing that ridiculous game with one of the cheapest cloud storage deals around. With this lifetime Koofr plan, you can free up space on your iPhone, Mac or iPad with cloud storage accessible from an unlimited number of devices.

Koofr offers this discounted 1TB cloud storage plan with a lifetime subscription you can’t beat. For a limited time, you can get a lifetime subscription to Koofr cloud storage for just $159.99 with code KOOFR.

Faster, redesigned iPad mini packs an OLED display at a higher price

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OLED is the highlight of the latest and greatest iPad mini (A20)
iPad mini (A20) ushers in a lengthy list of improvments.
Image: Apple/Cult of Mac

Apple introduced the first iPad mini with a larger OLED display on Monday. The upgrade delivers better contrast and richer colors than the LCD screen in the previous model.

In addition, the redesigned tablet features a faster A20 processor, improved water and dust protection … and a considerable jump in price.

“iPad mini is beloved for its fantastic portability, performance, and display by a wide range of users, from creators and small business owners to doctors, field service workers, and gamers,” said Dave Pakula, Apple’s vice president of hardware engineering, in a press release. “With a remarkably thinner and lighter design, a stunning new OLED display, the incredibly powerful A20 Pro, and water and dust resistance, the new iPad mini is a huge leap forward for users who love having the full iPad experience in the palm of their hand.”

Apple packed the iPhone Duo with clever repair tricks

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iPhone Dup innards as revealed by iFixit teardown
iFixit's iPhone Duo teardown reveals some repair surprises.
Photo: iFixit

Apple’s first foldable is also the most repairable one yet. The iFixit team tore down the iPhone Duo, revealing its internals and assessing its repairability.

Surprisingly, the Duo sets a new standard for repairability in the foldable category, earning a provisional repairability score of 5 out of 10.

Today in Apple history: OS X Panther claws its way onto Macs

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Screenshot of Mac OS X Panther
OS X Panther brought cool new features including Exposé to Macs.
Image: Guidebookgallery/Apple

October 25 Today in Apple history: Mac OS X Panther arrives on Macs October 25, 2003: Mac OS X Panther arrives on Macintosh computers, bringing several useful new features and making Apple’s Safari web browser the default for the first time.

The new Exposé feature in Panther (aka Mac OS X version 10.3) lets Mac users instantly view all open windows at once. And the new iChat AV allows people to talk with audio and video as well as text.

iPhone Duo photos show bizarrely cracked screens on launch day [Updated]

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Photo of an iPhone Duo with cracked screen on launch day
Some photos show damaged screens on iPhone Duo launch day.
Photo: Bitter_Offer7123/Reddit

Photos circulating online Friday show some iPhone Duos with distinctive-looking cracks in their folding screens. It’s too early to call it Crackgate, but the launch-day images might make some people nervous about shelling out $2,000 or more for Apple’s first folding phone.

Most of the pictures lack context. However, one user on Reddit posted an image of a screen that reportedly cracked after very little use.

By Sunday, even more images and videos have been posted online, along with theories about what might be causing the problem. Plus, the inevitable iPhone Duo drop tests showed just how fragile the device’s inner screen is.

Price drop: Cancel Adobe Acrobat and get this Mac-compatible PDF editor — just $30 for life

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Person editing a PDF on a laptop using Systweak PDF Editor Pro
Edit PDFs without getting locked out of advanced features with Systweak PDF Editor Pro.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

We love a good PDF editor that works on Mac, and Systweak PDF Editor Pro handles editing, converting, signing and locking down PDFs without touching the cloud.

It also works on iOS, Android and Windows. And for a limited time, you can grab a lifetime subscription at a steep discount — just $29.97 (regularly $99.99).

iPhone Duo drop test delivers a painful reality check

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iPhone Duo drop test reveals just how fragile Apple’s foldable is
A drop test shows you should put your iPhone Duo in a protective case. Now!
Screenshot: PhoneBuff

Drop tests with the new iPhone Duo suggest that carrying the device without a protective case would be a major mistake. While Apple’s first foldable isn’t as fragile as some critics predicted, it is undeniably breakable.

Earlier tests show the handset can easily stand up to heavy use, but drop the device even once and you could crack one of the screens.

5 reasons to get excited about the first touchscreen MacBook Pro

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Touchscreen breaks MacBook Pro out of the rut
A touchscreen is only one of many improvements coming in the next MacBook pro.
Concept art: Apple/Cult of Mac

We’re apparently just days away from Apple launching a touchscreen-enabled MacBook Pro. And that’s not the only major change — this is the most significant revamp of the MacBook line since 2021. It’ll set the pattern for macOS models for years to come.

Here are five reasons to get excited about the touchscreen MacBook Pro expected to launch at Apple’s “Pro and Tell” event on Wednesday.

Today in Apple history: The world prepares for the NeXT Computer

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A photo of the original NeXT Computer with monitor, keyboard and mouse.
People couldn't wait to discover Steve Jobs' next move after leaving Apple.
Photo: Science Museum Group/CC/Modified by Cult of Mac

October 24 Today in Apple history: World prepares for the NeXT Computer October 24, 1988: Three years after leaving Apple, Steve Jobs prepares to launch the NeXT Computer, a machine he hopes will cement his reputation as a tech genius and blow away the machines produced by Cupertino.

The new NeXT Computer receives a wave of positive publicity. Fawning stories show exactly what the 33-year-old Jobs has been working on — and what’s coming next.