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The exact date Apple launches iOS 26 is …

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iOS 26 launch date
Apple follows a pattern that reveals the most likely iOS 26 launch date.
Image: Apple/Cult of Mac

Everyone eager to get their hands on iOS 26 should mark September 15 on their calendar as the launch day. Based on years of previous Apple OS releases, that’s almost certainly when the new Liquid Glass user interface, plus all the other enhancements in the new iPhone operating system, will debut.

The same goes for iPadOS 26, watchOS 26, tvOS 26 and visionOS 26. All of these should go out on September 15.

But macOS Tahoe 26 might be different. There’s evidence to suggest Apple might wait an additional week or even more for that upgrade.

These ultra-thin iPhone 17 cases are for people who hate cases

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Back and side view of the iPhone 17 Air without a case, showing its slim silhouette and camera layout.
The iPhone 17 Air introduces a remarkably slim profile — ideal for pairing with a 0.02-inch ultra-thin case.
Photo: Case Luxury

If you’re planning to get a new iPhone 17 and are already making a list of must-have accessories, an iPhone 17 Ultra Thin Case from Case Luxury should be near the top. They measure just 0.02 inches thin, and they perfectly show off Apple’s renowned industrial design.

There is an Ultra Thin Case that fits each iPhone 17 model like it was built alongside it. There’s no excess bulk, no chunky edges, just a smooth, satin matte finish that keeps fingerprints away and feels grippy enough without being tacky. Plus, the cases come in multiple colors, so you can find one that’s right for you.

Spike Lee and Denzel Washington go Highest 2 Lowest in Kurosawa remake [Now streaming!]

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Highest 2 Lowest movie teaser trailer
Denzel Washington wears gold Beats headphones in Spike Lee's Highest 2 Lowest.
Photo: Apple TV+

Legendary filmmaker Akira Kurosawa’s 1963 film High and Low gets a modern music industry twist in Highest 2 Lowest, a new Apple TV+ film from director Spike Lee that started streaming Friday. In the new Highest 2 Lowest trailer, below, we get a taste of Denzel Washington’s portrayal of a powerful New York City record exec whose son is kidnapped.

The new movie hit theaters on August 15, but now you can watch it on Apple TV+. Check out the trailer below to see what Lee and Washington have in store. Reviews so far suggest the tense drama is another great New York City film from Lee, with Washington shining in lead role.

Get an open-box deal on a waterproof JBL speaker that doubles as a power bank

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Photo of a black JBL Charge 6 waterproof Bluetooth speaker
The JBL Charge 6 is now on sale for 29% off, and it ships for free!
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

The JBL Charge 6 portable speaker gives you quality sound, long battery life and fun extra features. It’s an easy way to take music, podcasts and calls anywhere you go.

Right now, you can grab an open-box JBL Charge 6 for just $139.99 (regularly $199.95) with free shipping.

Today in Apple history: iPod shows it has life after iPhone

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The first iPod touch, released in 2007.
Apple released three new iPods, including the first iPod touch, in 2007.
Photo: Apple

5SeptSeptember 5, 2007: Apple introduces its first new iPods after the release of the iPhone. The lineup includes the third-gen iPod nano, the newly renamed iPod Classic and — most significantly — the debut of the iPod touch.

In doing so, Apple sets out to demonstrate that there is still plenty of life left in its iconic portable music player.

Say hello to world’s first 6K touchscreen monitor ‘for Mac’

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Alogic Clarity 6K Touch monitor
What if an Apple Pro Display XDR sported a touchscreen? Might be like Alogic's new 6K Clarity Touch.
Photo: Alogic

Alogic made waves at IFA 2025 in Berlin Friday, introducing advanced displays specifically designed for Mac users — including the first 6K resolution touchscreen display optimized for Mac. That’s like an Apple Pro Display XDR with a touchscreen. The Australian company’s new lineup also features innovative 4K docking monitors and an expanded ultrawide display series.

“With this launch at IFA Berlin, Alogic is delivering a complete ecosystem of professional displays,” said Ritesh Kumar, CEO of Alogic. “From the brand-new, patented Aspekt 4K docking monitors to our flagship Clarity 6K Touch, we are setting new benchmarks in resolution, connectivity and interaction for modern professionals and enterprises.”

iPhone 17 Pro tipped to get 12GB RAM, $100 higher price tag

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iPhone price increase
Will you be willing to pay more for the iPhone 17 Pro?
Photo: ChatGPT/Cult of Mac

Apple will bump the RAM to 12GB and the base storage to 256GB on at least three iPhone 17 models. Combined with other improvements, TrendForce analysts believe the iPhone 17 Pro will cost $100 more than its predecessor.

Yet, the analysts project the iPhone 17 lineup will see a 3.5% increase in shipments over the 2024 iPhone 16.

Ugreen MagFlow Qi2 chargers bring 25W of wireless power to iPhone

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Ugreen MagFlow Qi2 chargers
Ugreen's new MagFlow series includes five Qi2 chargers.
Photo: Ugreen

Ugreen’s new MagFlow Series magnetic wireless chargers bring Qi2’s enhanced 25-watt charging standard to Apple device users, the company said Friday. The five-product lineup promises significantly faster wireless charging speeds while maintaining the magnetic convenience that iPhone users expect from MagSafe accessories.

Learn from a virtual teacher with this highly rated language app

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Photo of hand holding iPhone, with Mondly language app on the screen.
Using speech recognition, native speakers and VR, this app takes mobile language learning to a new level.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

The Mondly language-learning app utilizes daily lessons, weekly quizzes and monthly challenges to help you master a new language quickly. It also boasts a VR component that lets you practice your language skills in real-life situations.

How much would you pay to learn even a single new language? A hot deal on a lifetime premium subscription gives you access to all 41 of Mondly’s languages for just $89.99. That’s a massive 70% discount on the regular price of $299.99.

Good-looking iPhone stand also charges Apple Watch and AirPods [Review] ★★★★

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Lululook Ultra-Rise Qi2 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Station for Apple review★★★★
Simplify your device charging with this iPhone stand from Lululook.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Put your iPhone on the Lululook Ultra-Rise Qi2 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Station to charge it at up to 15W, or to watch videos, make calls… whatever you need. Plus, the stand powers up your Apple Watch and AirPods at the same time.

And it looks great on your desk while doing so.

I tested out the multi-device charger in my home office. There’s a lot to like, but there’s a limitation, too.

New Eufy MarsWalker could solve robot vacuums’ biggest problem

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Eufy MarsWalker for robot vacuums
Now you and your pets truly cannot hide from your robot vacuum cleaner.
Photo: Eufy

Plenty of Apple households consider robot vacuums essential smart home devices, but they’ve always had one major limitation: stairs. If you live in a multi-story home, you’ve either had to carry your robot vacuum between floors or invest in multiple units. What a drag. But the innovative new Eufy MarsWalker for robot vacuums, set to launch in spring 2026, promises to eliminate the problem entirely. The company just introduced it at IFA Berlin.

Today in Apple history: Steve Jobs flip-flops on the Newton

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The Newton MessagePad 2000 brought many upgrades to Apple's doomed PDA line.
The Newton MessagePad went from hero to zero overnight.
Photo: iFixit

September 4: Today in Apple history: Steve Jobs flip-flops on the Apple Newton PDA September 4, 1997: The writing is on the wall for Apple’s Newton product line as the recently returned Steve Jobs effectively kills the Newton Inc. spinoff.

He tells executives at the recently spun-off company not to bother moving into their new offices. The flip-flop on the Newton spinoff by Apple’s new interim CEO takes employees by surprise.

It’s quite the turnaround for the Newton division. Only months earlier, Apple portrayed it as large (and successful) enough to become its own company.

Beastly 300W power bank leads new Anker Prime charger lineup

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Anker Prime 300W Power Bank
This is one fast and potent power bank.
Photo: Anker

Anker unveiled its most powerful portable battery yet at IFA Berlin 2025, headlining a refreshed Prime charging ecosystem seeking to seduce power users and mobile professionals. The star of the show is the Anker Prime 300W Power Bank, which delivers unprecedented charging capabilities in an airline-friendly package.

But that’s not all. The lineup also boasts an updated 14-in-1 Prime Docking Station, a 3-in-1 bedside charging station with active cooling and more. They all include AnkerSense View smart displays showing charging speeds and temperatures.

Apple Arcade adds NFL Retro Bowl ’26 and Jeopardy! Daily [Update]

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Apple Arcade adds NFL Retro Bowl 26
"NFL Retro Bowl 26" brings its old-school graphics and gameplay to Apple Arcade in September.
Photo: Apple

Apple Arcade’s exciting September is well under way with several major game additions going live Thursday. The headliners? The exclusive launch of NFL Retro Bowl ’26 and the arrival of Jeopardy! Daily, the subscription service said recently.

It continues to expand its catalog of ad-free, in-app purchase-free games with these highly anticipated titles, among others.

How to use the new Phone app (or get the old one back)

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Try Out the New Design
Give it a go before you give it up.
Image: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

For the first time in 18 years, Apple redesigned the oft-overlooked Phone app. The overhaul coming soon in iOS 26 simplifies the Phone app’s layout, putting your favorites, call history and voicemails in one tab, and providing easier access to search.

Its fancy Liquid Glass-inspired layout goes hand-in-hand with the Phone app’s excellent call filtering features.

Here’s how you can learn to love the new design — and how to nope out of it if you don’t like it.

Folding iPad could redefine Apple’s tablet lineup in 2028

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Folding iPad 2028
The days of same-old iPad are almost over.
Photo: ChatGPT/Cult of Mac

Apple is bringing real change to the iPad line, with the first folding model reportedly on the drawing board. An analyst with generally reliable sources in Apple’s component supply chain predicts the company’s first foldable tablet will launch in 2028.

The new report contradicts an earlier one that said Apple put the cutting-edge device on hold.

Apple preps AI search engine to take on OpenAI and Perplexity

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Image of an Apple logo and the words
Apple’s “World Knowledge Answers” could be baked into a future version of Siri.
Image: ChatGPT/Cult of Mac

Apple will reportedly take on OpenAI and Perplexity with its own AI-powered web search. Known internally as the World Knowledge Answers, the feature should launch by next year.

The company will integrate it directly into Siri and may eventually bring it to Safari and Spotlight.

iPhone 17 Pro leak teases longer battery life and cooler performance

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iPhone 17 Pro rumors
iPhone 17 Pro might run cooler under load.
Concept: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple’s upcoming iPhone 17 Pro family may use more efficient displays and feature improved thermal efficiency. They will seemingly also pack bigger batteries to deliver long battery life.

The information comes from a Chinese leaker known for his accurate iPhone-related leaks in the past.

Instagram for iPad arrives, 15 years late

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Instagram for iPad
Took a while but Instagram for iPad is finally out.
Image: Meta/Cult of Mac

It took far longer than necessary, but Meta introduced on Wednesday an Instagram application that takes advantage of the iPad’s large screen.

Meta emphasizes the new app’s ability to play Reels — short videos that collectively rack up billions of views a day.

Today in Apple history: Woz stages an epic concert

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Unite US in Song
The Us Festival was Steve Wozniak's first venture outside Apple.
Photo: Glenn Aveni/Kickstarter

September 3: Today in Apple history: Steve Wozniak stages athe first US Festival, an epic music and tech event September 3, 1982: The US Festival, an extravagant music and technology event staged by Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak, kicks off in California. The festival costs $8 million to stage, and boasts appearances from some of the biggest musical acts of the day.

It’s a wild venture for Woz, who is on hiatus from Apple after surviving a serious plane crash in 1981.

How to charge AirPods with iPhone

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charge AirPods with iPhone
Your iPhone can charge your AirPods. It’s easy.
Image: ChatGPT/Cult of Mac

In a pinch, you can charge your AirPods with your iPhone. This feature is very convenient if you know how to use it.  You can also use your iPhone to charge your Apple Watch, or even another iPhone.

Here’s how to take advantage of this capability.

Dolby Vision 2 could fix Apple TV’s darkness problem

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Dolby Vision 2 arrives
Think movies and shows on Apple TV 4K tend to be too dark? Relief could be on the way.
Photo: Dolby

Dolby unveiled Dolby Vision 2 Tuesday with big changes to the industry-leading HDR picture quality technology — and the timing couldn’t be better for Apple users. With Apple expected to announce next-gen Apple TV 4K at its September 9 Awe dropping event or shortly thereafter, the streaming device could be perfectly positioned to support the updated display standard as Dolby Vision 2 arrives, from day one or soon.

And Dolby Vision 2 could even solve users’ “too dark” complaint about Apple TV content.

Never miss the shot with the iSteady V3 Ultra gimbal’s AI tracking

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Photo of the Hohem iSteady V3 Ultra phone gimbal sitting on a bench, to capture video of a tennis match
The iSteady V3 Ultra phone gimbal uses AI-powered smart tracking to make sure you capture all the action.
Photo: Hohem

Hohem’s new iSteady V3 Ultra phone gimbal gives iPhone filmmakers a powerful new tool to elevate their mobile videography game. Released today, it brings significant upgrades to the company’s already impressive stabilization technology.

With this new version of Hohem’s phone gimbal, you can pretty much bid farewell to shaky iPhone videos.

Top 12 drool-worthy dual Studio Display setups

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best dual Studio Display setups
Two angled Studio Displays and a powerful Mac Studio? Yes, please.
Photo: [email protected]

Few items in computer setups flaunted online induce more envy than Apple displays, particularly the one many people find almost financially within reach — the 27-inch 5K resolution Studio Display. (And let’s just stop frightening our wallets with any talk at all of the vaunted Pro Display XDR, starting at $5,000). So what’s even better than one amazingly vibrant, color-accurate Studio Display? Well, two of them, of course. We found 12 setups that might make you green with envy — the best dual Studio Display setups.