WhatsApp for iPad is finally here. Screenshot: Rajesh Pandey/Cult of Mac
After years of waiting, WhatsApp finally landed on the iPad on Tuesday. You can now use Meta’s popular messaging service on your iPad alongside other devices.
Like on the Mac, WhatsApp’s iPad app won’t let you register with a new number. It functions solely as a companion device linked to a primary phone.
Apple said it blocks $9 billion in fraudulent transactions in the past five years. Photo: Apple
Apple revealed its App Store prevented more than $2 billion in fraudulent transactions in 2024 alone, contributing to over $9 billion in blocked fraudulent activity across the past five years. But as the App Store blocks fraud, the figures highlight the tech giant’s ongoing battle against increasingly sophisticated bad actors attempting to exploit users and developers on its platform.
The massive fraud prevention effort protects the App Store’s 813 million weekly visitors across 175 regions worldwide. Since its 2008 launch, Apple’s marketplace has grown into one of the world’s most trusted digital storefronts, Apple said. But maintaining that reputation requires constant vigilance against evolving threats ranging from data theft apps to payment scams.
Do you want an iPhone with a 200MP main camera? Photo: Lyle Kahney/Cult of Mac
Apple might finally catch up to Samsung and use a 200MP primary camera on future iPhones. A new rumor hints that the company is experimenting with a 200MP main camera sensor.
Current iPhone models ship with a 48MP primary shooter, while the Pro models also use a 48MP ultrawide.
May 26, 2010: In a massive milestone, Apple passes Microsoft to become the world’s most valuable technology company for the first time.
The changing of the guard proves particularly amazing given that, just 15 years earlier, Apple looked close to dead, while Microsoft dominated the tech world thanks to Windows 95.
Apple faces criticism for conditions on the iPhone production line. Photo: SACOM Hong Kong/Flickr CC
May 25, 2010: Apple opens an investigation into a string of suicides at Foxconn, its Chinese manufacturing partner for assembling iPhones.
After reports of a ninth death at a Foxconn factory, Apple says it is “independently evaluating” Foxconn’s response. Cupertino vows to take a long, hard look at the facilities that manufacture its products. It’s a tough challenge for Apple to deal with — and CEO Steve Jobs’ controversial comments don’t exactly help.
iPadOS 19 rumors indicate it’ll bring iPad closer to the Mac. AI concept: ChatGPT/Cult of Mac
Rumors point to iPadOS 19 bringing the biggest improvements to iPad in years. The news is especially good for those who want their tablet to act more like a Mac.
With WWDC25 and the unveiling of iPadOS 19 mere weeks away, here’s what we already know about it.
watchOS 12 might feature a glassy design. Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac
Apple’s upcoming iOS 19 design overhaul will extend to Apple Watch, Apple TV and even the Vision Pro headset that inspired the glossy refresh, according to a new report. This will help the company deliver a more consistent experience across all its devices.
“tvOS and watchOS will both be redesigned to match their more popular siblings [iOS, macOS and iPadOS], while visionOS will get some adjustments — in cases where the changes make sense for a headset,” wrote Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman in Sunday’s Power On newsletter. “While iOS 7 in 2013 was the biggest-ever visual change to the iPhone’s software, the latest overhaul will be much more widely felt.”
May 24, 2013: Apple begins phasing out the option to download movie trailers from its once enormously popular iTunes Movie Trailers website.
The move signals a major change in the way people consume digital content as the internet evolves. Downloads will continue to decline, as streaming services like YouTube and Netflix pick up steam.
Maximize your long-term battery health. Image: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac
Adopting a few smart habits can preserve your iPhone battery health, greatly extending the device’s useful lifespan.
By simply tweaking how you use and charge your device, you can keep your battery from going bad, which is often cited as a reason to upgrade to a new iPhone. Just make these easy lifestyle changes, and your iPhone should last longer in the long term.
Keep reading or watch our video to find out how to boost your iPhone battery health.
A well-connected supply chain analyst thinks that, from a profitability standpoint, it’s better for Apple to absorb the 25% tariff on iPhones. But the bigger concern is the growing political pressure from the U.S. president.
In iOS 17, you have an easier path forward if you forget your iPhone's new passcode. Image: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac/Pexels
If you forgot your new iPhone passcode, you can reset it with your old one for up to three days later. This can save you hours of trying to remember the new passcode, or worse, resetting your phone from a backup.
You just have to tap Forgot Passcode? on the Lock Screen after you enter it several incorrect times.
Keep reading for a detailed walkthrough. And don’t worry — if you change your passcode intentionally to keep someone out, you can instantly expire your old one.
Now's the time to trade in your old iPhone at Apple. Maybe get a nice iPhone 16 Pro or iPhone 16e? Photo: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac
iPhone trade-in values get a boost from now through June 18 when you turn over your old iPhone online or in an Apple Store, the Cupertino tech giant said Friday. The monetary increases are modest, but hey, every dollar counts. So now, or anytime Apple raises iPhone trade-in values, is the time to refresh your handset with a shiny new one from the iPhone 16 lineup.
The M3 Max MacBook Pro hangs off the right-hand edge of the desk in a clamp-on tray. Photo: [email protected]
Today’s M2 Max MacBook Pro setup with dual 4K LG monitors is enviable and well-situated. I say that not just because the compact workstation is cool, but because it’s in Hawaii with a dramatic view.
And the cool dinosaur wallpaper on the two 32-inch LG UltraFine 4K displays got a plenty of love from commenters, as did the Michael Scott (The Office) poster of him quoting hockey great Wayne Gretzky (“You miss 100% of the shot you don’t take.”)
Don’t head for a theater — Fountain of Youth is now on Apple TV+! Image: Apple TV+
The adventure film Fountain of Youth just hit Apple TV+. It stars John Krasinski and Natalie Portman in a dangerous hunt for the legendary spring with the power to restore the lost youth of anyone who drinks from it. The adventure borrows from classics such as Indiana Jones and National Treasure.
It’s one of summer 2025’s most-anticipated films. Watch the two trailers to get a taste of the excitement, or dive in and watch now!
President Trump threatened Apple CEO Tim Cook with an iPhone-specific tariff. Illustration: ChatGPT
President Donald Trump renewed his call on Friday that the iPhone be made in the United States, and threatened Apple with a special 25% tariff if the device gets assembled anywhere else.
Previously, Apple seemed caught up in Trump’s trade war with China, as so many of its products are assembled there. But now Trump’s ire turned specifically on Apple, causing him to threaten import taxes on its products alone.
May 23, 1985: Bitter about being ousted from his position running the Macintosh division, Steve Jobs attempts to stage a boardroom coup to seize control of Apple from CEO John Sculley.
The 30-year-old Apple co-founder plans to overthrow Sculley while the CEO is away on a business trip in China. Unfortunately for Jobs, he makes a critical mistake when he tries to recruit the support of Apple executive Jean-Louis Gassée, who informs Sculley of the plot.
It’s the beginning of the end for Jobs’ first tenure at Apple.
It amounts to a big update. Photo: Rajesh Pandey/Cult of Mac
Rumors swirling ahead of WWDC25 give us a decent idea about what to expect in iOS 19. The new operating system, which Apple will showcase when its annual developer conference kicks off June 9, shapes up as one of the more significant iPhone software updates lately.
The iOS 19 overhaul promises to transform how users interact with their devices through big design changes, enhanced AI capabilities and improved cross-platform integration.
Apple smart glasses will surely be more stylish than this concept. AI Concept: ChatGPT/Cult of Mac
Apple wants to release its first entry in the emerging smart glasses category in 2026, according to information leaking out of the company Thursday. That’s a more aggressive launch window than previously rumored.
The AI-powered device reportedly will be able to handle many of the tasks people turn to an iPhone for now, and compete with the popular Ray-Ban Meta Glasses.
Cherry unveiled four new keyboard switch products this week. Photo: Cherry
Keyboard manufacturer Cherry makes a significant push into smart switch technology with four new products debuting at Computex 2025 this week. The new switches for keyboards offer particular appeal to Apple users who prioritize wireless connectivity and battery efficiency in their peripherals.
Suck away battery life, that is. Image: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac
There are a bunch of not-great apps like Spotify and Slack that suck battery life, because they basically run a full copy of Google Chrome inside each window. Chrome is a notorious energy hog, and running multiple copies of its Blink engine inside four different apps can take unnecessary memory and resources.
But you can create your own, much better versions using web apps based on Safari. Web apps are easily made in Safari and live in your Mac’s Dock.
For apps that you use every day, like Spotify, Discord and Slack, it’s easier to launch them from the Dock and move them around separately from your browser tabs. Let me show you how they work.
★★★★☆
Replace that bulky HDMI cable with a wireless video transmitter. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
The Nyrius Orion Prime Wireless USB-C to HDMI Video Transmitter & Receiver frees you from needing to string an HDMI cable across your office or living room. Plug one gizmo into your MacBook, iPad, or iPhone, and another into your TV, and they’re connected.
The wireless adapter sends HD video a surprising distance and doesn’t require a Wi-Fi network.
I tested the wireless video transmitter out for myself and came away impressed. That said, it does have a limitation that makes it better for entertainment than work.
Things were looking up for the Newton MessagePad. Until they weren't. Photo: iFixit
May 22, 1997: Apple spins off its Newton division, creating an independent company to manage the line of personal digital assistants. Newton Inc.’s first job? Selling the MessagePad 2000 PDA, the best Newton device yet.
Apple also gave Newton Inc. a mandate to develop new technologies and market existing ones. “We have a solid business plan and a strong management team in place to optimize the value of Newton technology for corporate users and take Newton technology into a new era,” says Sandy Benett, former vice president of Apple’s Newton Systems Group and chief operating officer of the new venture.
Instead, it turns out to be the beginning of the end for the ahead-of-its-time Apple PDA.
Ben Geskin posted this image of a possible AI companion device on X.com in response to Ming Chi-Kuo's post. Photo: BenGeskin/X.com
In an OpenAI meeting Wednesday, CEO Sam Altman revealed ambitious plans to develop AI-powered devices in partnership with former Apple design chief Jony Ive, targeting the release of 100 million “AI companion” devices that could reshape how users interact with artificial intelligence, according to a new report.
Altman described it to employees as a “chance to do the biggest thing we’ve ever done as a company.” OpenAI’s acquisition of Ive’s io startup is the company’s boldest hardware venture yet, potentially creating the first major alternative to smartphone and computer dominance.
And on Thursday, TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo weighed in with possible details about OpenAI’s wearable device.
Learn generative AI with this hugely discounted course bundle. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
Large language models, machine learning and similar tools all fall under the broad label of AI. However, they require different approaches if you want to make effective use of them. The 2025 Generative AI & ChatGPT Master Course Bundle sets you up with five courses that take you from the coding fundamentals through integrating these tools into your development workflow.
An AI-generated image of Jony Ive and Sam Altman with a next-gen AI device. AI image: Grok/Cult of Mac
Will Jony Ive and Sam Altman’s new partnership dethrone Apple? A lot of people seem to think that in a battle of OpenAI vs. Apple, the iPhone maker is on borrowed time.
Looking at social media, the hype about OpenAI’s acquisition of Ive’s startup io is off the charts. Many pundits predict doom for Apple, which is already widely assumed to be woefully behind in AI. Apple’s stock took a big dive on the news of OpenAI’s acquisition of Ive’s secret company Wednesday.
But I highly doubt that Ive and Altman will topple Apple from its throne. Apple still has massive advantages — and they’re perhaps unassailable. Here’s why.