Mobile menu toggle

Sora rockets to No. 1 on App Store: What Apple users love about OpenAI’s new AI video app

By

Sora app
The Sora app uses AI to generate fun, very realistic videos from user prompts.
Screenshot: OpenAI

OpenAI introduced the Sora iPhone app Tuesday, and by Friday, it had already hit the No. 1 spot on Apple’s Top Free Apps list. The secret of the new AI video app’s appeal? It’s a lot of fun, letting users create hilarious short videos with a simple text description.

Watch some of the hilarious (and amazing) videos people have already created, there go make your own.

Halo Collar 5 is simply the best GPS dog tracker [Review] ★★★★★

By

Halo Collar 5 review★★★★★
Stop worrying about losing your furry friend — get Halo Collar 5.
Photo: Halo

You won’t find a better way to track your dog than the new Halo Collar 5. It uses GPS to accurately locate your pup anywhere on Earth and can show you the location on your iPhone (or Android). Plus, it offers two days of battery life.

As a bonus feature, you can set up a “fence” so the collar warns your pet to stay in its yard. And you can place virtual fences anywhere you go.

I did real-world testing of the GPS dog tracker and came away very impressed.

Apple removes ICE tracking apps from App Store following DOJ pressure

By

Apple removes ICE tracking apps
ICE tracking apps can help alert people about where immigration raids are taking place.
Photo: Photo by Maciej Prus, Pexels

Apple removed ICEBlock and several similar immigration enforcement tracking apps from its App Store following pressure from the Department of Justice, according to reports late Thursday. The decision came after Attorney General Pam Bondi directly contacted Apple demanding the removal of ICEBlock. 

It’s a crowdsourced app that allows users to anonymously report sightings of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents within a five-mile radius. The app had been downloaded over 1 million times since launching in April 2025.

These JBL earbuds deliver booming bass and AirPods-style features for less than $50

By

Photo of a woman wearing a white JBL Tune Flex 2 earbud.
Save a bundle on JBL Tune Flex 2 earbuds with smart noise cancellation and booming bass.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

JBL Tune Flex 2 noise-canceling earbuds offer advanced features at a very low price. And an open-box deal drops them to just $49.99, making them even more of a bargain.

If you’re not hooked on AirPods, this is a fantastic chance to upgrade your audio without blowing your budget.

Today in Apple history: CEO Michael Spindler denies Apple is a ‘lame duck’

By

Apple CEO Michael Spindler headed the company during trying times in the 1990s.
Apple faced big challenges during the Michael Spindler era.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

October 3: Today in Apple history: CEO Michael Spindler denies Apple is a 'lame-duck company' October 3, 1994: Apple CEO Michael Spindler reassures the world that Apple “is not a lame-duck company.”

Why would anyone suspect that it is? The answer lies in collapsing Mac sales, massive layoffs and Apple’s $188 million quarterly loss. At 15 months into his stint as CEO, Spindler wants to reassure everyone that the worst is over.

Sadly, things will decline further before they start to turn around.

The Lost Bus ignites ‘wildfire thriller’ movie genre [Now streaming!]

By

The Lost Bus movie
Just watching Matthew McConaughey anguish over what to do with his empty school bus as tragedy looms made me squirm.
Photo: Apple TV+

Apple TV+ viewers have a new pulse-pounding watch to take in Friday — The Lost Bus movie. It tells the story of the Camp Fire laying waste to Paradise, California, as a lone school bus driver played by Matthew McConaughey tries to save nearly two dozen children from the inferno. Action maven Paul Greengrass directs. He’s best known for Bloody Sunday, two Jason Bourne movies and Captain Phillips

The film scores an 86% Fresh critical rating and a 92% Fresh viewer rating on reviews site RottenTomatoes.com. “McConaughey, as a nervy reluctant hero, steers the searing, intense narrative about normal people living through the most hellish of circumstances,” wrote USA Today. “The Lost Bus traps us in that disorientating push and pull — it’s a little too real to entertain, and a little too entertaining to feel real,” noted The Independent. Generally, even those who criticized the film’sHollywood-ness praised its intense realism and almost unbearable, horror-movie-style tension.

AirPods Pro 3 users report strange whistling sounds

By

Edited photograph of AirPods Pro 3 to illustrate a story about users hearing a strange whistling sound
Are you hearing a whistling sound on your AirPods Pro 3 with ANC on?
Image: Cult of Mac

Some AirPods Pro 3 owners report hearing an annoying whistling sound from their new earbuds. The noise typically comes when they have the earbuds in, with no music playing and active noise cancellation on.

The problem doesn’t seem widespread, but enough new owners are reporting it to raise eyebrows.

Apple stops calling Apple Watch and M4 Mac mini carbon neutral

By

Apple Watch and M4 Mac mini are no longer carbon neutral.
Apple Watch and M4 Mac mini drop the carbon neutral badge.
Photo: Apple/Rajesh Pandey/CultOfMac

Apple no longer advertises the M4 Mac mini and its Apple Watch lineup as “carbon neutral.” The company proudly unveiled its first carbon neutral products — the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 — in 2023.

But just two years later, it has removed the claim from all such product pages. And it’s not because Apple suddenly started making its devices differently.

Today in Apple history: IBM and Apple shake and make up

By

Photo of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs flipping off the IBM logo.
At one time, an Apple and IBM deal sounded impossible.
Photo: Andy Hertzfield

October 2: Today in Apple history: IBM and Apple shake and make up October 2, 1991: As the Cold War comes to an end, hell freezes over a second time as Apple and IBM sign a deal and agree to put aside their differences. Having been bitter rivals for the past decade, the two tech giants host a press conference at the Fairmont hotel in San Francisco to unveil their new partnership.

“We want to be a major player in the computer industry,” Apple CEO John Sculley says. “The only way to do that is to work with another major player.”

Get deep discounts on 6 of our top 10 power banks for Apple users

By

Anker MagGo Power Bank 10K
This one features a useful display.
Photo: Anker

Choosing the right power bank can transform how you use your iPhone, AirPods and Apple Watch throughout the day. We recently gathered the top 10 power banks for Apple users — and six of them are currently on sale at Amazon. These power bank deals include our No. 1 pick, Ugreen’s MagFlow Qi2.2 power bank. It features speedy 25W charging for iPhone, plus charging for other devices. See the deals below.

This great-looking 4K portable monitor is pleasantly affordable [Review] ★★★★

By

QQH Z12-4 4K Portable Monitor review★★★★
The QQH Z12-4 4K Portable Monitor looks beautiful showing video… just not perfect.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The QQH Z12-4 4K Portable Monitor shows that there’s no reason to get a 1080P screen for travel when a 4K one is so affordable. The 15.6-inch screen can make you more productive on business trips, or let you enjoy movies and games on a high-resolution display. All without straining your budget.

Don’t be concerned if you haven’t heard of QQH before. I hadn’t, so I went into this review with a skeptical eye. I tested the 4K portable monitor for weeks with my iPad Pro, and it also supports MacBook and even my iPhone. Here’s why I’m pleased with it.

Especially as there’s a deal that knocks 29% off the cost of the QQH Z12-4.

This feature-packed iPad stylus costs just $40

By

Marketing image of a woman holding Tinymoose Pencil Pro Ultra stylus pen boxes.
Don't settle for a lesser stylus. Get the Tinymoose Pencil Pro Ultra while it's on sale.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

If you’ve ever tried to sketch on a tablet or jot down quick notes on your phone with a “meh” stylus pen, you know the frustration and disappointment that can bring. The Tinymoose Pencil Pro Ultra fixes all that. And it costs just $39.95, making creating on your iPad or Android tablet both effortless and affordable.

Make sense of your epic screen recording by adding a voiceover

By

Instant Voiceover
Record your screen, its audio, and your voiceover in one.
Image: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

You can record your screen with audio (and a voiceover) on your iPhone to talk over your video. This functionality is built right into the iPhone. You don’t need to use a Mac or PC, or pay for an app to do it. 

This can come in handy for making presentations or projects — and you don’t want to waste an hour or more editing a video yourself. You can also make a recording with your voiceover explaining how something works for helping someone out, testing an app, making a tutorial, recording your reaction to watching a video or more. 

Here’s how to record your screen with audio — and add a voiceover — right from your iPhone. 

These 6 apps will change how you use your Mac

By

Photo of an M4 MacBook Air sitting on a desk with lights glinting off it, used to illustrate a guide to best Mac utilities.
I can't use my Mac without these utilities.
Photo: Cult of Mac

The best Mac utilities can make a great computer even better. From smarter window management to easier automation and cleaner navigation, a few well-chosen tools can dramatically improve your workflow.

I’m a longtime Mac user, and I can’t do my job without these six essential Mac utilities. In this guide, I’ll show you how they can make everyday tasks faster and simpler.

How are Russian YouTubers getting unreleased Apple products early?

By

Apple products keep leaking in Russia.
A Russian YouTuber has leaked an unreleased Apple product second time in a row.
Photo: Apple/Rajesh Pandey/CultOfMac

Apple guards its upcoming products with extreme secrecy. However, a major leak in October 2024 saw the Russian YouTuber Wylsacom unboxing the M4 MacBook Pro weeks before its official release.

The same story now unfolds with the upcoming M5 iPad Pro. Wylsacom unboxed and showcased the device a few days ago, again weeks before launch. And another Russian YouTuber did the same the next day. So how do Russian YouTubers manage to grab unreleased Apple products so early?

Apple puts cheaper Vision Pro on back burner to focus on smart glasses

By

A digitally altered image of a woman wearing an Apple Vision Pro headset in a workplace environment.
The rumored cheaper version of the Vision Pro headset is reportedly on hold.
Photo: Ali Colak/Unsplash License/Modified by Cult of Mac

That cheaper Vision Pro you were waiting for? Don’t hold your breath. Apple reportedly shelved the project to redirect its focus on creating smart glasses to compete with Meta’s popular products.

Previous rumors indicated Apple would release a stripped-down version of its $3,499 Vision Pro headset by 2027. But Apple execs reportedly told employees last week that it’s putting the lighter, cheaper headset on the back burner.

The Peanuts gang will have a home at Apple until 2030

By

Peanuts Specials
Fans can enjoy classic and new Peanuts specials and series on Apple TV+.
Image: Apple TV+

Apple will stay the exclusive streaming home for all things Peanuts for another five years, Apple TV+ said Wednesday. Apple TV+ ubscribers will be able to enjoy the classic holiday specials starring Charlie Brown, Snoopy and the rest of the Peanuts gang through 2030, as well as new original series and specials.

The streamer also revealed when the beloved Peanuts Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas specials will become available for anyone to watch for free in 2025.

AirPods Pro 3 teardown puts foam-infused ear tips under the microscope

By

iFixit AirPods Pro 3 teardown
iFixit found plenty of reasons why even pro technicians wouldn't want to mess with these.
Photo: iFixit

iFixit released its teardown of Apple’s new AirPods Pro 3 Wednesday, providing a close-up look at new features including the foam-infused ear tips Apple includes for greater sound isolation, as well the new battery scheme and repositioned rare-earth magnets. 

But the group’s major finding should be unsurprising to anyone familiar with the company’s wireless earbuds. The latest generation earns the same dismal 0 out of 10 repairability score that has plagued the product line since its inception nine years ago.

Get a deal on a Belkin power bank/wall charger I use daily

By

Belkin BoostCharge Hybrid Wall Charger 25W + Power Bank 5K deal
Save on a 2-in-1 iPhone wall charger that’s also a power bank.
Photo: Belkin/Cult of Mac

Few of the products I review end up in my gear bag, but one that made the cut is the Belkin BoostCharge Hybrid Wall Charger 25W + Power Bank 5K. What I love about it is that when I have this accessory with me, I know I can recharge my iPhone, whether I have access to a wall socket or not. That’s because it’s both an external battery and a wall charger in one. It’s even reasonably portable.

Even better, a deal knocks 15% off the price.

FCC leaks reveal Apple’s next Vision Pro headset and upcoming Macs and iPads

By

FCC leaks of Apple products
FCC's wireless certification test result documents show a familiar-looking diagram.
Photo: FCC

The Federal Communications Commission accidentally exposed Apple’s plans for several unreleased products, including an updated Vision Pro headset, new MacBook Pro models and refreshed iPad Pro tablets, on Tuesday. The FCC leaks of Apple products mark the latest in a series of premature disclosures from the regulatory agency that have frustrated Apple’s typically secretive product launch strategy.

Make your iPhone read text out loud

By

Image of an iPhone with the words
Your iPhone can read text from websites and iMessages (and even words in photos). Here's how to make it happen.
Image: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

You can have your iPhone read out loud any text on its screen with a useful accessibility feature called Accessibility Reader. Apple designed this feature for people who have trouble reading small text, but you will find it handy even if you don’t — in lots of situations.

For instance, your iPhone can read recipes aloud while your hands are busy cooking. Or you can quickly hear how to pronounce a word you don’t know — that’s what I use Accessibility Reader for most often. You can even hear what you’re typing as you write.

The potential applications for everyday use are incredibly broad. Here’s how to use Accessibility Reader and all of the iPhone’s Read & Speak features. 

Price drop: This app lets you swipe left to delete unwanted iPhone photos

By

Swiping through photos on an iPhone.
Save 71% on this decluttering app for iPhones!
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Delete unwanted iPhone photos the easy way with Cleaner Kit, the app that’s going viral on TikTok for making it fun to free up storage space on your device. It lets you swipe through photos like a Tinder feed so you can trash the ones you don’t want to keep.

But that’s not all. It also lets you clean up your email, merge duplicate contacts and more. Similar iPhone storage cleaner apps charge outrageous subscription fees. But Cleaner Kit offers a lifetime subscription for just $24.99 with code SAVE5 — a massive discount off the MSRP of $104.97.

Audio experts blind-test 6 premium headphones — you won’t believe which pair wins

By

Cheapest pair wins in blind test of 6 premium headphones
When the blindfold goes on, brand perception slips considerably.
Photo: ChatGPT

When stripped of branding, features and design, how do premium headphones actually sound? Wired put this question to the test by having audio pros blind-test six popular over-ear headphones.

The results not only shocked the panelists, they validated one of my favorite pairs of “budget” headphones. They won the test, coming out above top contenders from the likes of Sony, Bose and, yes, Apple.