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Today in Apple history: Mac OS 8 becomes an instant smash hit

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Mac OS 8 gave Apple a much-needed revenue boost.
Mac OS 8 gave Apple a much-needed revenue boost.
Illustration: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

July 22: Today in Apple history: Mac OS 8 becomes an instant smash hit July 22, 1997: Apple launches Mac OS 8, its next-gen operating system for Macintosh computers. The OS introduces a new three-dimensional look and makes surfing the internet easier than ever.

The first major operating system refresh for Macs since System 7’s release in 1991, it gets great reviews and is destined to become a big hit with users. However, it arrives at a very challenging time for Apple.

PowerBug merges iPhone MagSafe travel stand with wall charger [Review] ★★★★

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PowerBug review★★★★
Don’t be fooled by the simple design — PowerBug is two useful accessories in one.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The Twelve South PowerBug is a new palm-size accessory that does two useful jobs. It’s both an iPhone stand and a plug-in wall charger. It uses MagSafe magnets to hold onto the handset, whether you’re using it to watch video or to juice up the iPhone’s battery.

It works wirelessly, plus there’s a USB-C port for powering a second device.

PowerBug just launched today, but I got some hands-on testing time before the debut. Here’s what I found.

Apple Store now online in Saudi Arabia with Arabic support, personalized shopping

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Apple Store online in Saudi Arabia
Apple Store online and the app launched in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. They introduce support directly from Apple in Arabic for the first time.
Photo: Apple

Apple expanded its retail presence to Saudi Arabia with the launch of the Apple Store online and Apple Store app, marking the first time the company has offered direct support in Arabic, the iPhone giant said Tuesday. The move is a significant milestone for Apple users in the Kingdom, who can now access the full range of Apple products and services with localized support from Apple’s team.

“We are thrilled to bring the Apple Store online and the Apple Store app to Saudi Arabia, offering customers a new way to explore and shop Apple’s extraordinary lineup of products and services,” said Deirdre O’Brien, Apple’s senior vice president of Retail and People. “Our customers in Saudi Arabia are passionate about the things they can do with technology, and our teams can’t wait to connect with customers and help them discover how Apple innovations can meaningfully enrich their daily lives.”

OWC 11-port Thunderbolt 5 dock: One hub to (almost) rule them all [Review] ★★★★

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OWC Thunderbolt 5 11-port dock★★★★
The OWC Thunderbolt 5 will extend your Mac's functionality with more ports.
Photo: Rajesh Pandey/Cult Of Mac

While there’s no shortage of Thunderbolt docks, the OWC 11-port Thunderbolt 5 dock stands out for several reasons. As you’ll see in my review, it packs plenty of Thunderbolt 5 and USB-A ports, along with SD card slots and the ability to fast charge your MacBook Pro at full speed.

Here’s what makes the OWC 11-port Thunderbolt 5 dock worth considering for your Mac.

Get a new MacBook every 2 years with the MacBook upgrade program

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Photo of a laptop with the Upgraded's monthly payments plan for financing a MacBook, with an image on-screen that says
Subscribing to the latest, greatest MacBook has never been so easy.
Image: Upgraded

For Apple fans who want the latest and greatest MacBook, there’s never been a simple way. Upgrading is expensive, and reselling takes time most people don’t have.

That’s where Upgraded comes in.

It’s a better way to stay current, without the upfront cost or the trade-in hassle. You get a new MacBook, pay monthly (starting at $33.28/mo), and every 2 years, you’re eligible to upgrade. It’s easy, clear, and is quickly becoming the top option for Apple fans who want to be on the cutting edge.

iOS 18.6 and macOS Sequoia 15.6 take a big step toward release

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iOS 18.6 and macOS 15.6 beta testing begins
iOS 18.6 is likely about a week away.
Image: Apple/Rajesh Pandey/CultOfMac

Apple on Monday seeded to developers the release candidates for iOS 18.6, macOS Sequoia 15.6, iPadOS 18.6, watchOS 11.6, tvOS 18.6 and visionOS 2.6. This is usually the final step before new versions launch.

The general public should get access to these RCs soon.

Ted Lasso season 4 begins filming with returning stars and new cast additions

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Ted Lasso season 4
No more wishful thinking -- with filming begun, fans have concrete reason to believe in a fourth season.
Photo: Apple

Filming began on the highly anticipated fourth season of Apple TV+’s beloved comedy series Ted Lasso, marking the show’s return after speculation about its future, according to new reports. The production sees Jason Sudeikis reprising his Emmy-winning role as the optimistic American football coach turned soccer manager, alongside several original cast members and exciting new additions.

Cool new security camera’s solar panel tracks the sun

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Baseus Security S2 Outdoor Camera 4K
One of the new Baseus security cameras tracks the sun's path to stay charged.
Photo: Baseus

Two innovative new outdoor cameras could change how homeowners approach property surveillance, Baseus said Sunday. The standout feature? The more advanced Baseus Security S2 Outdoor Camera 4K packs a small solar panel on top that actually moves to follow the sun throughout the day, keeping the cameras charged. And the budget-friendly new Baseus Security S1 Lite 2K model uses solar charging, too.

Try these brilliant MacBook mounting and storage tips [Setups]

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mount MacBook
The user wants suggestions on how to "get rid of" those MacBooks on the right.
Photo: [email protected]

Sometimes even a MacBook in a vertical laptop stand takes up too much space on the desk. Today’s dual MacBook Pro setup user asks the question of how to “get rid of” the laptops — as in how to mount MacBook out of the way but still in use. And they get plenty of excellent advice, below.

And in addition, the workstation grabs the attention for its “odd couple” of Apple monitors, old and new. The user said they love both displays (despite that rather significant differences between the two).

Apple Sports app kicks up soccer coverage and lands in Mexico

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Apple Sports app adds FA soccer coverage and debuts in Mexico
Apple Sports app bolsters soccer coverage with FA Cup and comes to Mexico for the first time.
Photo: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

Apple rolled out version 3.1 of its Sports app Monday, delivering expanded soccer content with the UK’s FA Cup and making the application available to users in Mexico for the first time.

The update arrives just in time for the FA Community Shield match and marks another significant milestone in the app’s rapid evolution.

UK does U-turn on secret backdoor into iPhone accounts

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Apple privacy
The U.K. reportedly won’t try to violate your privacy.
Image: Apple

The United Kingdom government reportedly had to give up its demand for a backdoor into encrypted Apple iCloud accounts. The reversal reportedly came as part of ongoing trade talks between the UK and the Trump administration.

Apple fought the demand, and it seems like it won.

Severance fans can now reserve Lumon’s iconic MDR keyboard

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Severance MDR Dasher Keyboard
Be the cool kid on the block with Atomic Keyboards' MDR Dasher Keyboard from Severance.
Photo: Atomic Keyboards

Severance, the dystopian workplace thriller that captivates Apple TV+ subscribers, makes the leap from screen to desk with a meticulously crafted replica of the show’s distinctive keyboard. Atomic Keyboards announced recently that its MDR Dasher Keyboard — inspired by the mysterious input device used by Mark S., Helly R., Dylan G., and Irving B. in Lumon Industries’ sterile offices — now heads to Kickstarter with reservations open for just $10.

Just remember, the retro keeb is three keyboards in one, but it features no Escape, Option or Control keys. And it’s steep pricing might make you lose hope altogether.

What’s the difference between USB-C and Thunderbolt?

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difference between USB-C and Thunderbolt
This 2021 iMac shows two of its four rear ports have Thunderbolt capability. Note the lightning-bolt symbol.
Photo: Apple

Apple sometimes mixes up connector types among devices, and that might confuse people even more over the differences between USB-C and Thunderbolt. The connectors look alike, work similarly and accept the same cables. Yet they’re not the same.

Let’s look at the key differences, how the ascendant Thunderbolt 5 improves on Thunderbolt 4, and which kind of port and cable best suits your tasks like charging and data transfer.

Today in Apple history: World’s first third-party iPhone app arrives

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Hello World
An intrepid hacker gets the iPhone to say "hello." While the message is simple, the meaning is profound.
Image: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

July 20: Today in Apple history: World's first third-party iPhone app arrives July 20, 2007: Just a month after the original iPhone goes on sale, the first third-party app gets compiled and launched for the new platform. The Hello World app serves more as a proof of concept than a serious tool. However, it clearly demonstrates that third-party apps will become a cornerstone of the new iPhone economy.

It’s a shame Apple doesn’t get the memo.

M5 iPad Pro might tackle Face ID’s biggest weakness

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M4 iPad Pro deal
Another front camera for portrait Face ID? Yes, please!
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple’s 2025 iPad Pro will reportedly sport dual front-facing cameras and Face ID scanners to address a major limitation in the previous version of the tablet: its struggles to work in portrait mode.

Last year, the company repositioned the front camera on the M4 iPad Pro to a landscape orientation, which solved some problems but caused others. Apple allegedly has a solution, though.

iOS 27 could have a surprising focus

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iOS 27 rumors
iOS 27 developers could put most of their attention on the folding iPhone.
Image: ChatGPT/Cult of Mac

With a foldable iPhone widely rumored for 2026, the next version of iOS will concentrate on a user interface revamp needed for the new type of device, according to a noted tipster. iOS 27 will apparently need to handle two screens with different resolutions, for example.

Today in Apple history: iPod gets a new Click Wheel

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The fourth-generation iPod brought key improvements like the Click Wheel, but still left some people disappointed.
The fourth-generation iPod brought key improvements, but still left some people disappointed.
Photo: National Museum of American History Smithsonian Institution/Flickr CC

July 19: Today in Apple history: Fourth-generation iPod gets Click Wheel interface July 19, 2004: The fourth-generation iPod brings neat innovations to the popular audio device, including the Click Wheel interface recently introduced on the iPod mini.

“The best digital music player just got better,” says Steve Jobs in a press release on the day the product launches. And yet some people feel disappointed by the upgraded music player.

Best tech gifts for travelers

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gifts for travelers
Sure, you can give them a no-brainer gift like an AirTag, but that's just the tip of the iceberg.
Photo: Grok/Cult of Mac

Tech travel accessories have become essential companions for modern travelers who rely on their Apple and other devices for everything from navigation to entertainment. Ever found yourself with a dead iPhone in a foreign country or frantically searching for your AirPods before boarding a flight? These scenarios can quickly stress-bomb an exciting trip. Peruse our guide to learn about the best tech gifts for travelers (whether that’s you or someone else in your life!)

How to pay with an Apple Cash card number

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Imaginary Card, Real Money
Create a virtual card for your Apple Cash.
Image: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

You can get a temporary debit card number to pay with Apple Cash online in case you want to pay with your balance on a site that doesn’t accept Apple Pay. If you have a lot of money sitting in your Apple Cash account, this can be a convenient way to pay without using your other cards. (It’s also handy if you don’t have any credit or debit cards from other banks.)

In case it’s unclear, Apple Cash is what you receive when someone sends you money via iMessage. It’s not to be confused with the other products with similar names. Apple Card is a highly rated credit card you can apply for. (It’s a physical card, made of titanium.) Apple Card Savings is a high-interest savings account for people with a physical Apple Card. And Apple Pay is a payment method (secured by Face ID, Touch ID or your device’s passcode) that lets you pay with credit/debit cards from other banks.

Previously, you could only pay with your Apple Cash via Apple Pay (or transfer it to your bank). Now, you can tie your Apple Cash to a virtual card number to pay using your Apple Cash balance online. Here’s how to set it up.

Get 1TB of cloud storage, just $120 for life

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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 $119.97 with code KOOFR.

Watch me go for world record number of input devices [Setups]

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ergonomic workstation
My setup now bristles with four separate input devices and a new webcam.
Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac

Guess what, it’s time for another installment of Dave’s Setup Upgrades. Only about six weeks after I last wrote about my own computer setup instead of everybody else’s, here I go again. An M4 Pro MacBook Pro driving a pair of 5K touchscreen displays remains the core of my rig. But I’ve gone a little nuts lately with computer input devices as I strive for a more ergonomic workstation. I’m up to four, with backups for most, and that’s got to be some kind of record.

And I added a webcam because my current external displays don’t pack one. And my laptop, with its only-pretty-good webcam, sits hidden away on a vertical stand. I don’t want to have to pull it out for video calls.

4 ways AirNotch Pro Find My-compatible tracker tag beats AirTag [Review] ★★★★

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AirNotch Pro review★★★★
AirNotch Pro tracker tag outperforms Apple’s AirTag in several important ways.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Those needing to keep track of something living a tough life should consider the Rolling Square AirNotch Pro. It does the same thing as an Apple AirTag, but beats Apple’s tracker tag with sheer volume and a few other tricks, too.

It’s rugged, and connects to Apple’s Find My network so no additional app is needed to locate the tag with an iPhone.

I tested AirNotch Pro for months. Here’s what I found.