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Today in Apple history: Mac LC 520 sets its sights on the classroom

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Photo of a Macintosh LC 520
The Macintosh LC 520 became the face of classroom Macs in the '90s.
Image: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

June 28: Today in Apple history: Mac LC 520 sets its sights on the classroom June 28, 1993: Apple ships the Macintosh LC 520, an “all-in-one” Mac targeted primarily at the education market.

The first Macintosh ever shipped with a non-optional 2x CD-ROM drive, it is designed to capitalize on schools’ growing multimedia requirements.

Sick of cloud storage subscriptions? Grab a 2TB portable SSD at a steep discount.

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Image of SanDisk portable SSD with dimensions shown around it
This SanDisk portable 2TB SSD is on sale for 46% off!
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

The SanDisk Extreme is a pocket-size 2TB SSD that’s speedy and reliable. It hits read speeds up to 1,050 MB/s and write speeds up to 1,000 MB/s over USB 3.2 Gen 2.

And right now, you can grab this tiny SSD (that’s gigantic on the inside) on sale for just $269.99. That’s nearly half off the regular price of $499.99.

Why Apple silicon Macs aren’t immune to RAM price hikes

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Image of an Apple M-series processor, used to illustrate a story on Mac price hikes result from rising memory costs
Every Mac's Apple silicon processor includes RAM and storage outsourced from memory chipmakers.
Photo: iFixit

Can’t understand why the rising cost of memory chips forces a hike in Mac prices? Apple silicon processors include Unified Memory, so Apple has no need to buy RAM chips, right?

No, that is not how it works. Mac processors include RAM that Apple must purchase from outside suppliers.

Still confused? Here’s what’s going on.

Your iPhone could soon be spotted by license plate cameras

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A photo of Leonardo's SignalTrace used in a story about how it affects iPhone users.
Leonardo's iPhone license plate camera tech can read Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and RFID signals from devices passing by.
Photo: Leonardo US Cyber and Security Solutions

The camera mounted on the streetlight has done one job for years: photograph your license plate. That could soon change. A new sensor upgrade is reportedly underway to detect Bluetooth signals coming from your iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods — turning routine plate scans into a record of which devices, and which person, just drove by.

If you’ve always treated your iPhone’s Bluetooth signal as harmless background noise, it’s time to rethink that. Every time you pass these cameras, they could pull a wireless fingerprint of your devices and link it to your license plate. This builds a trail far richer than a single photo ever could. It also stitches your phone into a database that has nothing to do with Apple.

Today in Apple history: Terrible quarter marks the end for Apple CEO Gil Amelio

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Apple losses in 1996 under Gil Amelio
Apple wasn't always a global behemoth.
Image: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

June 27: Today in Apple history: Terrible quarter marks the end for Apple CEO Gil Amelio June 27, 1997: The last day of another disappointing quarter brings an end to CEO Gil Amelio’s 500 days running Apple.

The $56 million quarterly loss contributes to an overall deficit of $1.6 billion during Amelio’s reign. The slump effectively wipes out every cent of profit Cupertino earned since fiscal 1991. After losing money for six out of the last seven quarters, Apple seems past the point of no return.

Still using an Intel Mac? Here are 6 reasons it’s time to upgrade.

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Time to ditch your Intel Mac?
Time to ditch your Intel Mac?
AI image: ChatGPT

macOS 27 Golden Gate marks the end of the road for Intel Macs. If you’re still using one, this is the strongest reason yet to consider upgrading to an Apple silicon Mac.

While your Intel Mac will continue receiving security updates for a while, it has effectively reached the end of its journey. And that’s not a disaster, considering the newer Apple silicon Macs are not only faster and more efficient, but they’re also the ones getting access to all the new AI features. Here are eight reasons it’s finally time to upgrade.

WhatsApp finally lets iPhone users search Channel posts

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A WhatsApp logo used in a story about WhatsApp bringing search feature to Channels on the iPhone.
WhatsApp's latest iPhone update adds keyword search for Channels, making old posts much easier to find.
Photo: WhatsApp/Cult of Mac

WhatsApp is fixing one of its most annoying iPhone quirks: endless scrolling through channels just to find a post. WhatsApp is now rolling out in-channel search to iPhone, which means you can type a keyword and jump straight to the update instead of hunting for it manually.

If you follow a channel that posts often, you already know the pain. Updates pile up fast, and until now, finding an old one on your iPhone meant scrolling back post by post. Now, your iPhone can search channels just the way it goes through your regular chats.

Why first touchscreen MacBook won’t use Apple M6 Pro or M6 Max chips

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Touchscreen MacBook Ultra won't pack Apple M6 processors
There's apparently a very good reason why the touchscreen MacBook Ultra won't pack high-end Apple M6 processors.
AI image: ChatGPT/Cult of Mac

The touchscreen MacBook rumored for the fall won’t launch with Apple’s high-end M6 processors, according to a reliable source. The notebook — possibly dubbed the MacBook Ultra — will reportedly use the same M5 chips in the current MacBook Pro variants.

This surprise move will apparently be part of the shakeup in Apple’s processor plans that made news earlier this week. The M6 chips that might have gone into the MacBook Ultra have supposedly been nixed.

Apple raises Mac, iPad prices — over a shortage it may have caused

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Micron exec hints Apple helped create the chip shortage
There's a global shortage of memory chips. But whose fault is that?
AI image: ChatGPT/Cult of Mac

Macs and iPads just got a lot more expensive overnight, with prices jumping 15% to 20%. Apple says a global memory chip shortage forced its hand, but a top executive at one of its own memory chip suppliers hinted Apple may have helped create that shortage in the first place.

What makes this interesting is the timing: a Micron executive’s pushback on memory prices lands right as Apple blames the memory shortage for its price hikes. So who is really to blame? Here’s what’s going on.

Today in Apple history: The App Store gold rush begins

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Image of a hand holding an iPhone with app icons in the background, used to illustrate a story about App Store reaching 15 billion downloads
Apple started accepting App Store submissions on this day in 2008.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

June 26: Today in Apple history: The App Store gold rush begins June 26, 2008: A year after the first iPhone was released, Apple sends an email to developers calling for smartphone software to be distributed in the forthcoming App Store.

Coders around the world greet the news with excitement. They hurry to submit their iPhone apps and get in on the looming App Store gold rush. Many rake in small fortunes when the App Store goes live less than a month later.

Travel for less: This AI app sets you up with cheap flights, hotels and rental cars for life

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Take $30 off this AI travel app to get cheap flights and more for life.
Save on all your travel needs with a lifetime sub to OneAir.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Airfare is getting more expensive, and those prices won’t improve during peak travel times. With one of the best AI flight scanners on the market, and exclusive prenegotiated travel deals, OneAir’s Elite plan stands apart from the pack. It’s an AI travel app that can help you save on flights, hotels and rental cars for life.

And thanks to a limited-time sale, you can get a lifetime membership to OneAir Elite for just $99.99. That’s an 87% discount off the regular price of $790.

What does Siri AI mean for your old HomePod?

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Why HomePod and HomePod mini miss out on Siri AI
Will the conversational Siri AI come to your current HomePod?
Image: Apple/Cult of Mac

Siri AI, Apple’s next-generation version of its voice assistant, might push everyone’s HomePods toward obsolescence. Technology is moving on, apparently leaving these smart speakers behind.

Still, the devices aren’t about to become rubbish. They’ll just miss out on some of the new Apple Intelligence features. Here’s what’s going on.

Most beautiful Mac setups: Symmetry, style and serious desk envy

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Most beautiful Mac setups - symmetrical setup with Mac Studio
A user joked that this setup is so clean it looks like artificial intelligence generated the image.
Photo: [email protected]

Among the thousands of Mac setups posted to social media each year, a small subset earns a reaction that’s different from the usual approving nod or dismissive scowl. These are the ones that make commenters stop mid-scroll and type something. “Peak coziness.” “Oozes good taste.” “This looks AI-generated.” Cult of Mac has featured hundreds of genuinely attractive workstations over several years, but the ones below stand apart as the most beautiful Mac setups.

Apple’s refurbished M5 Pro MacBook Pros soften the blow of price hike

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Refurbished M5 Pro/Max MacBook Pros are now available from Apple.
Buy a refurbished M5 Pro/Max MacBook Pro to save money.
AI image: ChatGPT

Just a day after Apple raised Mac prices across the board, the company started selling refurbished M5 Pro and M5 Max MacBook Pro models through its Certified Refurbished online store. Select configurations are already available to purchase.

Depending on the model, buying refurbished can save you up to $480 compared to the higher new retail price.

Expect to pay a whole lot more for a next-gen iPhone

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Analyst predicts iPhone price increases are coming
An analyst predicts the iPhone 18 Pro Max will cost much more than previously expected.
Image: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

Apple hiked prices on Mac, iPad and more on Thursday, but not handsets — all iPhone models still cost what they did before. But an analyst warns that we should expect the iPhone models coming in the fall to cost significantly more than the current ones. That’s especially true for the iPhone Ultra.

Even so, the analyst anticipates strong iPhone sales this fall. Here’s why.

Leaker claims health-tracking Apple ‘iRing’ now in development

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Apple 'iRing' is in development
Here's an Apple Ring concept image.
Photo: Concept: Victor Soto/BluePoly

Apple may soon enter the smart ring market, if a new leak is to be believed. Prolific Apple leaker Kosutami dropped a brief but striking post to that effect Wednesday, saying a health-tracking Apple ‘iRing’ is in development.

The disclosure marks the first credible insider signal that Apple actively builds a smart ring — rather than merely exploring the idea on paper, as it started doing years ago.

Apple price hikes on Mac and iPad make Amazon Prime Day deals even better

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Apple price increases versus Amazon Prime Day
Amazon Prime Day takes some of the sting out of Apple price increases.
AI image: Gemini/Cult of Mac

Apple substantially increased prices on Macs and iPads on Thursday, but those hikes haven’t affected the Amazon Prime Day deals. So if you might buy a Mac anytime soon, you really need to consider shopping on Amazon now.

Wait and you could end up paying a lot more later.

macOS security flaw lets hackers disable Mac protection tools without a password

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A photo showing macOS used in a story about a newly discovered macOS security flaw.
The flaw exploits how macOS apps establish trust with background services.
Photo: XM Cyber

Security researchers have disclosed a new macOS flaw that lets attackers shut down your security software after getting onto your machine — no admin password, no kernel exploit, and almost no trace left behind.

The attack takes advantage of how macOS apps earn each other’s trust, and if you use a Mac at work, it is exactly the type of thing your IT needs to know about.

Apple plans for iPhone Ultra 2, plays wait and see on iPhone Air 3

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Apple plans iPhone Ultra 2
This foldable iPhone concept gives at least some idea about what subsequent generations could look like in fully open form.
AI image: Gemini/Cult of Mac

Apple has already approved development of its second-generation foldable iPhone — before the first one even hits store shelves — while the future of the ultra-thin iPhone Air line stays up in the air, a prominent leaker said Thursday. So while Apple plans iPhone Ultra 2, sales worries may delay or even kill off iPhone Air 3.

Today in Apple history: Bill Gates urges Apple to license Mac OS

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Bill-Gates_Ideas-into-Money
Bill Gates took this strategy and made himself a multibillionaire.
Photo: Fulvio Obregon

June 25: Today in Apple history: Bill Gates urges Apple to license Mac OS June 25, 1985: Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates sends a memo to Apple execs suggesting that Cupertino should license its Mac operating system and additional technology to other companies.

Apple CEO John Sculley and Macintosh boss Jean Louis Gassée ignore the advice of the 30-year-old Gates, who at the time is best known as a Mac developer. Five months later, Microsoft releases Windows 1.0.

Score 20TB of cloud storage for life

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Photo of person accessing Internxt cloud storage on an iPhone.
Get 20TB of cloud storage for life with this hugely discounted subscription!
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

This sale drops the price of a massive 20TB of Internxt cloud storage to less than $500 — for life! Just pay once, and you’ll never need to worry about juggling files between devices.

It’s a simple solution to a modern problem, without the usual monthly fee. Jump on this deal now to secure a 20TB lifetime subscription, which usually costs $4,900, for just $499.99.

Ouch: Apple’s Mac and iPad price hikes are brutal

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CEO Tim Cook said price increases were coming — now Apple is making them
CEO Tim Cook said price increases were coming — now Apple is making them
AI image: ChatGPT/Cult of Mac

As CEO Tim Cook warned a few days ago, Apple raised prices of Mac, iPad, HomePod and Apple TV 4K on Thursday. The changes take effect immediately, with most devices now costing $50 to $100 more. But other hikes are even higher.

That said, Apple left iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods prices unchanged. For now, anyway.