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Acapulco comedy series returns to Apple TV+ for season 4

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Acapulco season 4
Apple TV+ subscribers can now laugh along with Acapulco season 4.
Graphic: Apple TV+

Acapulco returned to Apple TV+ on Wednesday for its fourth and final season. While bilingual shows often struggle on American TV, this comedy earned high praise from critics.

With Apple more willing to cancel underperforming series, keeping Acapulco going for this long means it must have found an audience. It certainly earns top ratings from viewers.

Today in Apple history: Mighty Mouse goes wireless — with lasers!

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Mighty Mouse
The images Apple submitted to the FCC of its new mouse.
Photo: Federal Communications Commission/Apple

July 24: Today in Apple history: Apple Mighty Mouse goes wireless -- with lasers! July 24, 2006: The world gets its first glimpse of Apple’s new wireless Mighty Mouse, a multibutton Bluetooth device with super-accurate laser tracking.

Photos of the accessory come to light through an Apple filing with the Federal Communications Commission. Apple will launch the device the very next day.

How to download the iOS 26 public beta (if you dare!)

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Get New Features Early
Give me Liquid Glass now!
Image: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

Anyone interested can download the iOS 26 public beta for free — right now. You can get a look at the exciting new Liquid Glass design coming to the iPhone before the update is shipped to everyone. The iOS 26 public beta also comes with a new Camera and Phone app, new Apple Intelligence features, 3D photos and more.

Of course, there are a few things you should look out for. Beta software is buggy and can lead to data loss or apps that don’t work. Battery life will suffer and your phone will often get hot. You have been warned.

If you want to try it out, you should make sure you have a backup of your most important data with two copies of your photo library before you try installing. I’ll show you how.

Apple showcases second retail hub in heart of Osaka, Japan [Photos]

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new Apple Store opens in Osaka
Apple previewed it's new store in Osaka, Japan, opening Saturday.
Photo: Apple

Apple’s newest retail destination opens its doors to customers Saturday in the heart of Osaka, Japan. That’s two decades after its first store opened in the city, located in Japan’s Kansai region. The new Apple Umeda store promises to deliver the full Apple experience to one of the country’s most vibrant commercial districts. It includes an exclusive Vision Pro demo area and a Today at Apple session on Apple Intelligence.

“I am very pleased to open Apple Umeda, a wonderful space that reflects the energy of the vibrant city of Osaka,” said Deirdre O’Brien, Apple’s Senior Vice President of Retail and Human Resources. “This new store is a place to walk with creative communities and local businesses in Kansai.”

You’ll want a folding phone when Apple makes one

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Folding Apple phone
Don’t think you want a folding phone? Wait until you see the one Apple makes.
Image: ChatGPT/Apple

Consumers stay away from foldable handsets in droves, and a new survey found that a majority of Americans are not interested in one. So it might seem surprising that Apple reportedly plans a folding iPhone for 2026. But it’s typical of Apple.

Apple doesn’t make what you think you want. It never has. It makes what you don’t yet realize you want, and it’s been fantastically successful at it for decades.

BMW rejects CarPlay Ultra in favor of its own tech

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entertainment in CarPlay Ultra
You'll have to keep admiring CarPlay Ultra in renders for now.
Photo: Apple

CarPlay Ultra’s adoption keeps hitting one roadblock after another. German automaker BMW has decided against integrating CarPlay Ultra into its vehicles.

Instead, BMW will focus on bringing its revamped iDrive experience to its future vehicles.

Wireless chargers accelerate to 25W

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Qi2 25W
Qi2 25W makes wireless charging up to 70% faster.
Image: Wireless Power Consortium

Wireless charging just got faster. A new version of the Qi standard brings power transfers up to 25 watts — it’s dubbed Qi2 25W (logically enough).

Over a dozen devices already support it, including recent iPhones. And the Wireless Power Consortium once again teased that Android handset makers would adopt the new standard… finally.

User ponders M3 iMac vs. M4 MacBook Pro [Setups]

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iMac vs MacBook Pro
This user ponders replacing both the M1 MacBook Pro and the M3 iMac, possibly with an M4 Pro MacBook Pro.
Photo:

Today’s featured setup user seeks out and gets good advice on his upgrade questions. He runs an aging MacBook Pro and a more recent iMac, but wonders about replacing them both with a newer MacBook Pro, perhaps an M4 Pro model. Commenters on his post offered useful thoughts, below, on future-proofing choices of Mac models as well as external display options.

New case gives Lightning iPhones a USB-C port

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case gives Lightning iPhones a USB-C port
That's one less reason to upgrade your older iPhone with a Lightning connector.
Photo: Obsoless

Swiss robotics engineer Ken Pillonel just developed a commercial solution for iPhone users with Lightning connectors who want fully functional USB-C connectivity without upgrading their devices. The new case gives Lightning iPhones a USB-C port.

Known for his viral 2021 project that added USB-C to an iPhone X through hardware modification, Pillonel has now created a snap-on case that brings the modern port to any Lightning-equipped iPhone. You can watch his video below.

UK regulators target Apple and Google mobile ‘duopoly’ with antitrust measures

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UK regulators target Apple and Google
UK regulators armed with new antitrust rules go after Apple and Google.
Photo: hozinja (CC BY 2.0)

Apple users in the UK could see significant changes to how they download apps, browse the web and make payments on their devices following new regulatory proposals announced Wednesday by Britain’s competition watchdog.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) proposed designating both Apple and Google with “strategic market status” under new digital competition laws. That gives regulators unprecedented power to force changes to how the tech giants operate their mobile platforms.

“The targeted and proportionate actions we have set out today would enable UK app developers to remain at the forefront of global innovation while ensuring UK consumers receive a world-class experience,” CMA head Sarah Cardell said.

New AppleCare One makes protecting your Apple devices simpler than ever

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AppleCare One streamlines AppleCare+ coverage for all your devices.
Pay $19.99 per month to protect three Apple devices.
Photo: Apple

Like Apple One, Apple on Wednesday introduced a new AppleCare bundle for protecting multiple Apple devices. Dubbed AppleCare One, it extends the warranty and provides accidental damage protection to three Apple devices.

Pricing starts from $19.99 per month, with an option to add more devices by paying an additional $5.99 per device every month.

Folding iPhone could favor portability over screen size

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Folding iPhone Rumors
Will you buy the iPhone Fold if it sports a 5.5-inch cover display?
Photo: ChatGPT/Cult of Mac

Apple’s first folding iPhone may sport a display smaller than Samsung’s recently unveiled Galaxy Z Fold 7. It will supposedly pack a 5.5-inch cover display and a 7.8-inch internal screen — both smaller than the Z Fold 7.

Other book-style foldables from Chinese companies also pack larger outer and inner displays.

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.