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Apple stops calling Apple Watch and M4 Mac mini carbon neutral

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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.

Discount code: This $30 lifetime subscription gives you access to ChatGPT, Mistral AI and more

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1min AI
This lifetime subscription gives you access to top AI tools for any task.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Finding good AI tools isn’t the problem. Even the free version of ChatGPT can do a lot. The real frustration is that if you want good results for generating copy, creating images, transcribing text and doing a myriad of other AI tasks, you often need a whole pile of subscriptions, and those costs add up. The alternative is to get an all-in-one tool that brings top AI models together in one interface. Enter 1minAI.

The major benefits of 1minAI are organizational and financial. It gives you access to ChatGPT, Gemini Pro, Llama, Mistral AI and more. So you get all your AI tools in one place, and you don’t need to pay for a subscription to each one separately. Right now, you can get a lifetime sub to 1minAI for just $29.99 with code SAVE10.

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

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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

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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] ★★★★

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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

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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

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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

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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?

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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

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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

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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

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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.

Mr. Scorsese plumbs director’s ‘struggle’ over good and evil [Apple TV+ trailer]

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Mr. Scorsese documentary series
The new documentary series debuts October 17.
Photo: Apple TV+

Director Martin Scorsese gets deeply philosophical about the “struggle” to understand and convey human nature in the new trailer Apple TV+ dropped Wednesday for Mr. Scorsese, an upcoming five-part docuseries about the legendary filmmaker. Who are we? Are we inherently good or evil? Where are we going? But amid all that doubt, he knew he could tell stories with pictures — and that he had to “go his own way” in Hollywood.

The new documentary series debuts on Apple TV+ October 17. Watch the new trailer below and the previous teaser trailer further down the page.

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

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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

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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.

Add a 2TB external SSD to your setup for less than $65

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Photo of a black 2TB external hard drive connected to a black laptop on top of a white desk.
Why pay monthly for cloud storage when you can grab a 2TB external SSD?
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

This Western Digital Elements SSD gives you 2TB of external hard drive storage you can take anywhere. Now on sale for just $64.99 (MSRP $79.99), this little powerhouse is the storage solution your setup didn’t know it needed.

Whether you’re juggling high-res photos and videos on your phone or tablet, or heavy project files on your desktop, the WD Elements drive offers 2TB of space in a pocket-size design. That’s enough to stash years of photos, entire movie libraries and way more spreadsheets than you’ll ever want to open.

Make your iPhone read text out loud

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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

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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

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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. 

Early unboxing video leaks M5 iPad Pro (and blistering benchmarks)

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M5 iPad Pro unboxing
The M5 iPad Pro apparently stars in an unboxing video weeks before its launch.
Screenshot: Wylsacom

We can stop wondering about the details of the M5 iPad Pro — a YouTuber apparently got hold of Apple’s next tablet and revealed nearly everything about it. That includes running benchmark tests on the unreleased processor and finding a huge jump in graphics performance.

His time with the tablet — assuming this is a legitimate leak — shows that Apple must consider the previous M4 iPad Pro to be an excellent device because all that changed seems to be the newer, faster M5 processor.

When will your state let you add your ID to Apple Wallet?

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Georgia becomes latest state to support driver’s license in Apple Wallet
Eleven states or territories, including Georgia, are fully on board.
Image: Georgia Department of Driver Services

When will you be able to add your driver’s license or state ID to Apple Wallet on your iPhone? In the United States, it varies by where you live. It’s not up to Apple: Each state and territory maintains a completely independent registry of drivers and identification cards, so each one must independently pass legislation and implement digital IDs.

If you live in Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Maryland, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio or Puerto Rico, you can do it today. (Our guide will show you how to add your driver’s license to Apple Wallet.) Otherwise, check our map and lists below to see how likely your state is to let you add your ID to Apple Wallet, and when it might happen.

How to add your driver’s license to Apple Wallet

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State IDs in Apple Wallet
Get a gorgeous state ID in Apple Wallet.
Image: Apple

In several states, Apple’s digital ID initiative enables iPhones and Apple Watch to hold a digital copy of the user’s driver’s license, in the same way these devices store credit cards and airline tickets.

The day when an iPhone can completely take the place of an old-fashioned wallet is still years away, but it’s a goal Apple is working toward. Apple Pay is making progress on replacing credit cards, you can put airline tickets in the Wallet app, and the same goes for loyalty cards.

But no wallet is complete unless it can hold a driver’s license. And that’s where Apple’s digital ID initiative comes in.

Here’s what you need to know to add your driver’s license and ID to your Apple Wallet.

Today in Apple history: Macs get that iSyncing feeling

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Today in Apple history: Macs get that syncing feeling as Apple launches iSync. It was a killer app for its time.
iSync let Macs sync with a variety of other devices.
Photo: Juska Wendland/Flickr CC

September 30: Today in Apple history: Apple introduces iSync, letting Macs sync to cellphones and iPods September 30, 2002: Apple introduces iSync, a tool that lets Mac users synchronize their address books and calendars with their cellphones, iPods and Palm OS-compatible handheld organizers via Bluetooth.

“iSync is the beginning of something really big,” Apple CEO Steve Jobs says in a press release announcing the iSync public beta. “With the push of a button, iSync synchronizes the address book and calendar on your Mac with those on your mobile phone.”

It represents a big leap forward in the ability of computers and mobile devices to talk with one another. And it hints at some of Apple’s later advances.