And just like that, a catchy slogan turns into an earworm. Image: Apple
August 8, 1997: At Macworld Expo, Apple co-founder Steve Jobs introduces the world to the company’s new slogan, “Think different.” The catchy marketing reassures fans that Apple is exiting its mid-1990s dark age and once again making products customers will love.
Japan followed Europe’s lead in a requiring a fundamental change to the Safari web browser. Photo: Rajesh Pandey/Cult of Mac
A new act in Japan will force Apple to open the iPhone’s App Store to non-WebKit browsers later this year. Apple currently only allows non-WebKit browsers in the EU App Store, all due to the Digital Markets Act.
Yet, all major iPhone browsers, including Chrome and Firefox, use the same WebKit engine as Safari on iOS. This is despite them using a different engine on desktop.
Here’s what to do if your phone won’t update. Image: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac
If your iPhone won’t install a software update, it’s more than just annoying. You need to install the latest updates to get security patches and take advantage of all the latest iOS features.
You install software updates by opening Settings > General > Software Update. It should be a pretty smooth process, but occasionally, things go wrong. The error messages can be inscrutable and infuriatingly vague.
But there are a few things you can try when your iPhone won’t update. Here’s a step-by-step guide that will show you what to do.
Four exclusive games come to Apple Arcade August 7. Photo: Apple
Everybody’s favorite gaming service, Apple Arcade, expanded its library Thursday as four new exclusive games joined. We knew they were coming — and now you can play them. That brings the subscription service’s catalog to over 200 ad-free games, Apple said.
Here are the latest additions: Play-Doh World, a creative digital playground; Worms Across Worlds, the newest entry in the beloved strategy series; Let’s Go Mightycat!, a whimsical puzzle adventure; and Everybody Shogi, a colorful take on the traditional Japanese board game.
Manage your accounting books and finance easily with Intuit QuickBooks Desktop Pro Plus 2024. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
Whether you’re growing a small business or running an established company, you can benefit from organized, efficient financial management. If you want to track your income, expenses and more with greater ease, consider investing in Intuit QuickBooks Desktop Pro Plus 2024.
This app makes finance tracking easier on both Mac and PC. And that will make tax time a million times easier when it comes around.
The original Mac Pro took productivity to new levels. Photo: Apple
August 7, 2006: Apple unleashes the first Mac Pro, a high-end desktop computer that completes the company’s transition from PowerPC to Intel processors.
Built for computation-heavy tasks like 3D rendering and professional audio and video editing, the quad-core, 64-bit Mac Pro serves as a replacement for the Power Mac G5 (from which it borrows its aluminum “cheese grater” design).
★★★★☆
The Twelve South Curve Nano can be your iPhone stand wherever you need one. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
The Twelve South Curve Nano is an iPhone stand designed to go with you anywhere. It’s slim and lightweight when folded, but flips open to support your handset when you’re watching video, making a video call and more.
I tried it out with my iPhone 16 Plus, both at home and on the go. Here’s what I found.
As soon as iPhone 18 in 2026, Apple's handsets could pack 200MP Samsung sensors. Photo: Lyle Kahney/Cult of Mac
A major shift in Apple’s iPhone camera technology could come soon, as it partners with Samsung to manufacture advanced image sensors at a Texas facility for the first time, according to new reports. They stem from Wednesday’s big news from the White House about the iPhone giant’s new US manufacturing program.
“By bringing this technology to the US first, this facility will supply chips that optimize power and performance of Apple products, including iPhone devices shipped all over the world,” Apple said.
Previously, Apple worked exclusively with Sony on iPhone camera sensors, including its recent 48MP sensors. Now, it may use more advanced 200MP Samsung sensors — perhaps as soon as iPhone 18 drops in 2026.
Apple CEO Tim Cook seems to be keeping US President Donald Trump happy. Illustration: ChatGPT
President Donald Trump warned computer makers Wednesday that he’ll soon hit them with a 100% tariff on chips and semiconductors imported into the United States. However, companies that make chips in the United States are exempt. Trump specifically called out Apple as one of the companies that will not be affected.
Processors for many Apple products are already produced in Arizona, and the company just announced a new deal with Samsung to make other types of chips in Texas.
Workers at Corning’s manufacturing facility in Harrodsburg, Kentucky, will produce the cover glass for every single iPhone and Apple Watch. Photo: Apple
Apple pledged Wednesday to make 100% of the glass screens on all iPhones and Apple Watches in the United States for the first time. The company committed $2.5 billion as part of its expanding partnership with Corning, which will produce the iPhone and Apple Watch cover glass at its plant in Harrodsburg, Kentucky.
“We’ve worked with our partners at Corning to build the world’s largest and most advanced smartphone glass production line,” Apple CEO Tim Cook said during a White House briefing Wednesday afternoon, during which he committed an additional $100 billion investment in American manufacturing. “I’m pleased to announce that very soon — this is for the first time ever — every single new iPhone and every single new Apple Watch sold anywhere in the world will contain cover glass made in Kentucky.”
The new investment brings Apple's spending on US manufacturing to $600 billion. Photo: Grok
President Donald Trump invited Apple CEO Tim Cook to the White House on Wednesday to announce Apple’s new investment of an additional $100 billion in domestic manufacturing. It’s part of a new program designed to bring more of Apple’s supply chain to American shores.
“Today, we’re proud to increase our investments across the United States to $600 billion over four years and launch our new American Manufacturing Program,” said Cook in a press release. “This includes new and expanded work with 10 companies across America. They produce components that are used in Apple products sold all over the world, and we’re grateful to the President for his support.”
iPhones made in India didn’t just get slapped with a painful new tariff by President Trump. Photo: Google Gemini/Cult of Mac
U.S. President Donald Trump doubled the tariff rate charged on products imported into the United States from India on Wednesday, but the increase excludes iPhones produced in the country.
That’s a major relief for Apple, as it shifted production to India to escape Trump tariffs on products brought in from China.
The news pushed Apple’s share price up 5% on Wednesday.
Everybody seems to hate Apple's AirPods Pro Max case, so maybe store them on a cool charging stand. Photo: Scared_Tap374-Reddit.com
When AirPods Max came out in late 2020, everyone seemed to hate the Smart Case that Apple created for the high-end headphones. And it seems they still do to this day, as we await a third iteration of the cans.
Third-party solutions flooded in, including the type of thing used in today’s featured MacBook Pro setup as multipurpose storage — a nifty charging stand. The headphones rest vertically in the stand, taking on power and looking good doing it — and they remain ready to grab at any time.
This image shows an iPhone 17 Liquid Silicone case with lanyard openings at the near corners. Photo: Majinbu
Apple might unveil a significant redesign for its iPhone 17 cases when the lineup launches in September, introducing new Liquid Silicone cases featuring optional lanyard support, leakers suggested Wednesday.
Bill Gates looking like the cat that got the cream. Photo: Apple
August 6, 1997: In one of the most famous moments in Apple history, Steve Jobs reveals a $150 million Microsoft investment that saved his company from ruin.
Although often presented as an inexplicable gesture of good faith on the part of Microsoft boss Bill Gates, the cash infusion into Apple actually benefits both companies.
Apple TV+ comedy Platonic comes back for season two starting August 6. Photo: Apple TV+
Here’s your chance to see anew how platonic relationships between men and women can quickly turn into minefields. Season two of Apple TV+ comedy Platonic, starring Seth Rogen and Rose Byrne, started streaming Wednesday with its first two episodes.
The two stars head up other successful shows on the streaming service — The Studio for Rogen and Physical for Byrne. The new season of Platonic — you can watch the trailer below — brings them together again and looks familiar after season one. We get laughs from embarrassing moments and physical comedy, but also have our heartstrings plucked a bit as the two lovable losers struggle with life.
VideoProc Converter AI is a quick and easy way to enhance video. Photo: Digiarty
VideoProc Converter AI is the ultimate AI video quality enhancer that revolutionizes how we restore and enhance old footage.
Convert precious family videos that look pixelated, choppy and low-resolution into crystal-clear 2K or 4K quality.
This comprehensive media toolbox combines cutting-edge artificial intelligence with an intuitive interface.
That makes professional-grade video enhancement accessible to everyone — no technical expertise required. And right now you can get the 4K version for free, or the AI-powered special VideoProc Converter AI deal. See below.
Apple Watch Ultra 3 may sport thinner bezels. Photo: Apple
An image discovered in iOS 26 beta 5 suggests the Apple Watch Ultra 3 will feature a slightly higher-resolution display. This hints at a modest screen size bump as well.
The leaked resolution of 422 × 514 is only slightly higher than the Ultra 2’s screen resolution of 410 × 502. Assuming the same pixel density, this would mean a 1.97-inch display, up from a 1.92-inch display.
Anker's little 3-in-1 charger folds up tiny to go. Photo: Anker
How many times have you been out and about only to find your iPhone, Apple Watch or AirPods battery dead or running on empty right when you need it? That’s why Anker offered its MagGo 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Station. The tiny Anker travel charger folds up so you can forget about it in your bag or coat pocket until the need for charging arises.
Could the iPhone 17 Pro look like this? Stephen Hackett joins us to give his thoughts. Photo: Sonny Dickson/D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac
This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: Stephen Hackett joins Leander and Griffin to talk all about a big week of iPhone 17 Pro leaks. We have a camera rumor that’s absolutely bananas, models of the new colors — and a spy shot out in public?
Also: tips on customizing your Home Screen, an almost-normal Mac mini setup, and a big new Mac display!
Don’t carry three accessories when one can do what your iPhone needs. Photo: Smartish
The Smartish Wallflower magnetically attaches to your iPhone, where it’s ready to do three important jobs. It’s a finger loop so you don’t drop your handset, it’s a stand to prop up the device, and it’s even a suction mount so the iPhone can stick to many surfaces.
Give your brain a daily dose of big ideas with Headway's 15-minute book summaries. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
The Headway app serves up daily 15-minute book summaries that deliver a wealth of insights from nonfiction bestsellers. It’s a fast, easy and fun way to learn from thought leaders.
Clone Macs sounded like a good idea at first. Photo: Antnik
August 5, 1997: Apple gets into a standoff with Power Computing, a maker of Macintosh clones. A very public clash at the Macworld Expo in Boston marks the beginning of the end for Apple’s mid-1990s strategy of licensing the Mac operating system.
“If the [Mac] platform goes closed, it is over,” predicts Power Computing CEO Joel J. Kocher of Apple’s strategy. “[It’s] total destruction. The kiss of death.” Of course, things don’t turn out exactly like that for Apple…
iPhone 17 is barely a month away! Concept: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Those eager to get their hands on one of the upcoming iPhone 17 models should mark their calendars. Information supposedly leaking out of a German wireless carrier indicates Apple’s next-generation smartphones will launch during a fall product-launch event on September 8.
No matter whether this leak is legitimate or not, just using Apple’s previous habits to estimate the iPhone 17 launch day turns up September 8 as a very likely possibility.