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Google Pixel 10 teaser roasts Apple over Siri’s long wait

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Google Pixel 10 teaser taking a potshot at failed Siri 2.0
Google takes a dig at Apple's failed smarter Siri rollout.
Photo: Google on X

Google’s newest teaser for its upcoming Pixel 10 lineup mocks Apple’s failed rollout of a new, smarter Siri. “If you buy a new phone because of a feature that’s coming soon, but it’s been coming soon for a full year, you could change your definition of soon,” says Google in the ad.

It recommends frustrated users to “just change your phone” and gives a glimpse of the Pixel 10 at the end.

iPhone rakes in 3 times the revenue of any rival

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Apple vs Samsung
Apple’s revenue from iPhone dwarfs Samsung’s revenue from Android sales.
Image: Apple/Samsung/Cult of Mac

Apple’s revenue from selling iPhones makes up a whopping 43% of the global smartphone total, according to a new report from a market research firm. That’s close to triple the revenue the next closest rival brings in from its Androids.

Apple rakes in such a high percentage of the total by selling high-end models, versus its rivals who get their revenue from basic smartphones.

5 reasons to use Safari instead of Chrome

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Chrome isn't as good as you think
You should reconsider using Safari
Image: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

A lot of Mac owners use Google Chrome as their web browser, and personally, I don’t get it. For Apple fans, it seems like a total disconnect not to use Safari vs. Chrome.

For starters, Apple markets its products as privacy-forward and seamlessly integrated with each other. And the web browser is an essential component of your computer, whether we’re talking Mac, iPhone or iPad. You have a lot to gain by using Safari on all your devices.

But look at the numbers: Apple’s web browser Safari only captures 18% of the market, a distant second to Google’s Chrome. Here’s my attempt to sway it the other way — the top five reasons I use Safari instead of Chrome.

Reduce eye strain with these workspace fine-tuning tips [Setups]

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reduce eye strain
This M4 Pro MacBook Pro and Studio Display user takes eye strain seriously and offers helpful tips.
Photo: [email protected]

So many of us sit at a computer all day peering at a screen, it’s no wonder eye strain is a common problem. But only some of us — like today’s featured MacBook Pro and Studio Display user — really attack the problem beyond taking more breaks. They offer tips to reduce eye strain below.

Today in Apple history: Steve Jobs acknowledges MobileMe failure

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MobileMepic
MobileMe was the failed precursor to iCloud.
Photo: Apple

August 4: Today in Apple history: Steve Jobs acknowledges MobileMe failure August 4, 2008: In an internal memo, Apple CEO Steve Jobs owns up to mistakes in launching MobileMe, spinning the company’s bungled cloud service rollout as a learning opportunity.

“It was a mistake to launch MobileMe at the same time as iPhone 3G, iPhone 2.0 software and the App Store,” Jobs writes in an email to Apple employees. “We all had more than enough to do, and MobileMe could have been delayed without consequence.”

Brain implant lets patients control Apple devices via thoughts [Update – see it in action!]

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thought control of Apple devices
A tiny implant in a brain blood vessel can lead to thought control of Vision Pro.
Photo: Synchron

In a groundbreaking development, a brain-computer interface (BCI) company successfully demonstrated the first-ever use of Apple’s Vision Pro AR/VR headset — and later an iPad — controlled directly by thought, according to Synchron. The innovation opens up exciting possibilities, perhaps even beyond helping individuals with severe mobility limitations engage with cutting-edge technology. Innovations like thought control of Vision Pro and iPad could lead to big things for both hands-free and voice-free use of devices.

August 4 update: In a new video, Synchron released proof of the first-ever public demonstration of an individual using an iPad controlled entirely by thought, leveraging Apple’s built-in accessibility features and new Brain-Computer Interface Human Interface Device (BCI HID) protocol, the company said. Watch the video below.

May 13 update: Synchron said it would be the first brain-computer interface (BCI) company to achieve native integration with a new BCI Human Interface Device (BCI HID) profile Apple just rolled out among various accessibility upgrades.

Apple begins building its ChatGPT rival

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AI safety guidelines -- Apple Intelligence
AppleGPT incoming?
Photo: Apple

Apple’s new internal team, “Answers, Knowledge and Information,” is apparently developing a ChatGPT-like search tool. It will reportedly use an “answer engine’ that will crawl the web to answer simple search queries.

The tool is still in the early stages of development, so it won’t go live anytime soon.

No mulligans needed: Stick keeps audiences laughing week after week

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Stick starring Owen Wilson on Apple TV+
It’s a cliche, but if you like Ted Lasso you should try Stick.
Graphic: Apple TV+

Stick continues to stick near the tops of the streaming TV popularity charts as the sports comedy wraps up its first season. The Apple TV+ series starring Owen Wilson kept its audience since the premiere in June.

It maintains AppleTV’s long streak of at least one series or film among the top 10 most popular.

Today in Apple history: Newton MessagePad inspires mobile revolution

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The Newton MessagePad, an product line run by Gaston Bastiaens, looks gigantic next to an iPhone.
The Newton MessagePad looks gigantic next to an iPhone.
Photo: Blake Patterson/Wikipedia CC

August 2: Today in Apple history: Newton MessagePad launch inspires mobile revolution August 2, 1993: Apple launches the Newton MessagePad, the first product in its line of handheld personal digital assistants. While it will become the most unfairly maligned product in Apple history, the Newton is a revolutionary device.

It predates Apple’s push toward app-based mobile devices 14 years later. And, while often dismissed as a failure, the Newton ranks near the top of the list of Apple’s most influential creations.

What I want from Apple’s first foldable iPhone

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A folding iPhone might look something like this concept.
Apple needs to ensure the folding iPhone stands out.
AI concept: ChatGPT/Cult of Mac

The folding iPhone rumored to arrive in 2026 might mark a major turning point for foldable devices. But to pull that off, Apple’s first folding phone needs to do more than just look good — it needs to nail the fundamentals.

From durability and design to software and camera performance, here’s everything I want to see in the foldable iPhone.

Tim Cook hypes Apple’s AI efforts and ‘amazing’ product pipeline in all-hands meeting

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AI generated image of Apple logo, with the text:
Tim Cook commits to winning the AI game during an all-hands meeting on the Apple campus.
AI image: Midjourney/Cult of Mac

In an unusual all-hands meeting Friday, Apple CEO Tim Cook assured employees that Apple won’t drop the ball when it comes to artificial intelligence. Calling AI “as big or bigger” than the internet, Cook said the company will rise to the occasion.

“Apple must do this,” he said. “Apple will do this. This is sort of ours to grab. We will make the investment to do it.”

In addition to hyping the company’s AI efforts, Cook expressed excitement about all the “amazing” new Apple products in the pipeline. And Apple software chief Craig Federighi told his colleagues not to worry about the long-delayed smarter Siri — a key component of Apple’s AI-infused future.

6 cool things you can do with an old Mac

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6 Things To Do With An Old Mac
What can you use it for? Quite a lot, actually.
Image: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

There are lots of things you can do with an old Mac. No one will fault you for upgrading to Apple’s latest and greatest, but your old Mac can still find a job to do, too.

It used to be that when your old iMac kicked the can, you hollowed it out and made an aquarium or a desk lamp. These days, Macs have a much longer shelf life. The right model can give you years upon years of loyal service. (Not to mention, modern Macs are too thin to house a fish.)

Here are the six best things you can do with an old Mac. Watch our latest video or keep reading below.

Mac mini user loves NuPhy’s new low-profile mechanical keyboard [Setups]

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NuPhy Air 75 v3
This Mac mini and Studio Display also features two new items: the latest NuPhy Air 75 v3 low-profile mechanical keyboard and BenQ updated Halo monitor light.
Photo: [email protected]

Who doesn’t love new gear in their computer setup — either brand new or just new to them? Today’s Mac mini and Studio Display setup comes complete with two shiny new items recently added to the market — the NuPhy Air75 v3 low-profile wireless mechanical keyboard and the updated BenQ ScreenBar Halo 2 monitor light. And he’s got some over-ear headphones I find enviable, too.

Jason Momoa races to unite Hawaii against invaders in Chief of War [Now streaming!]

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Chief of War season 1
Jason Momoa co-created, wrote, executive produces and stars in Chief of War.
Photo: Apple TV+

In the historical drama series Chief of War — streaming Friday on Apple TV+ — Jason Momoa plays warrior Ka‘iana. He’s desperate to united warring Hawaiian islands against encroaching Western colonization, according to the recent full-length trailer Apple TV+ dropped. At just over 3 minutes in length and loaded with battle scenes as well as scenes of native life, the trailer’s unusually in-depth. But now you can finally watch the first two episodes of the series.

The nine-episode drama follows all the action from an indigenous perspective. It comes from native Hawaiians Thomas Pa’a Sibbett and Momoa, who serve as executive producers. Momoa also wrote it and stars in it.

Update: Momoa’s Chief of War started streaming on Apple TV+ Friday, August 1. It’s off to fast start on Rottentomatoes.com with an 86% Fresh rating (though that’s based on just a handful of reviews so far). USA Today calls the show “triumphant” and The Guardian notes that Momoa’s character wrestles sharks and leads tons of battle scenes, but adds that a lot of backstory makes the show “dense stuff.”

Today in Apple history: Macintosh SE gets supersized storage

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The Mac SE FDHD, the first Mac with a SuperDrive for high-density floppy disks.
The Mac SE FDHD was a mouthful to say -- but what a computer!
Photo: Vetronic's Apple World

August 1: Today in Apple history: Macintosh SE gets supersized storage August 1, 1989: Apple gives the Macintosh SE a storage bump, courtesy of the new SuperDrive in the new Mac SE FDHD. The high-density floppy disks the SuperDrive uses offer an astonishing 1.4MB of storage.

In terms of portable storage, it’s a big step up for most Mac owners. The HD floppy disks compare very favorably to the 400KB single side double density (SSDD) disks and 800KB double side double density (DDSD) disks in use at the time.

Verizon ending free Apple Arcade perk for older 5G plans

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Verizon will soon stop offering Apple Arcade for free.
No more free Apple Arcade with Verizon's legacy 5G plans.
Image: Verizon/Apple/Cult of Mac

Verizon will stop bundling a free Apple Arcade subscription with its older 5G plans later this year. The carrier started offering this perk in 2021 in a bid to acquire more customers.

A standalone Apple Arcade membership costs $6.99 per month.

New Apple retail stores coming to India and UAE in 2025

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Apple Saket opened Thursday in the heart of India’s thriving capital of New Delhi.
India will soon get another Apple Store.
Photo: Apple

Apple will expand its retail footprint in India and open new stores in the country this year. It will also open its fifth retail store in the United Arab Emirates before the end of 2025.

The company recently launched its online store in Saudi Arabia, marking a major expansion of its presence in the Middle East.

Apple pours money into AI research and acquisitions

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Apple AI costs
Apple AI costs are growing.
Image: ChatGPT/Cult of Mac

Apple has an AI problem, and it’s hoping to solve it in the traditional manner: by pouring money on it.

In a conference call with investors Thursday, Apple CEO Tim Cook acknowledged that the company’s costs for developing artificial intelligence technology continue to grow. He also mentioned that the company is not just open to acquiring companies with AI expertise — it’s already actively doing so.

Nevertheless, the AI-enhanced version of Siri won’t arrive before 2026.

US tariffs could knock $1.1 billion off Apple quarterly profits

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President Donald Trump and Apple CEO Tim Cook
Pay up!
Illustration: ChatGPT

Tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump on iPhones and Macs produced in Asia and then imported into the United States will cost Apple $1.1 billion in the current quarter, according to an estimate from Apple CEO Tim Cook on Thursday.

If the prediction proves accurate, the total cost to Apple from these new import taxes will come close to $2 billion … and that number’s growing.

Apple shatters expectations with 10% revenue surge

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Apple financial results Q3 2025
Apple had another record-breaking financial quarter
Image: ChatGPT/Cult of Mac

Apple’s just-revealed spring quarter financial results feature revenue and profits that jumped double digits. The Mac-maker even set another record — it never before took in so much during any previous April-through-June quarter.

“Today Apple is proud to report a June quarter revenue record with double-digit growth in iPhone, Mac and Services and growth around the world, in every geographic segment,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO.

And in a call with financial analysts after the announcement, Cook was able to brag that total iPhone shipments passed the 3 billion mark last quarter, and shared plenty of positive news about demand in China.

Get cool new AirPods features early. Here’s how.

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AirPods firmware trick: Try new iOS 26 audio features now
You don’t have to wait. You can easily install pre-release AirPods firmware to try the audio features coming along with iOS 26.
Graphic: Soulful Pizza/Pexels/Cult of Mac

Apple now makes it easy to install prerelease AirPods firmware on your wireless earbuds. The company once reserved this option for only a select few developers. But now, anyone willing to put potentially buggy software on their AirPods can try upcoming features early.

The temptation is understandable. The upcoming iOS 26 brings a range of enhancements to Apple earbuds, but you need unreleased AirPods firmware to take advantage of them. Install the beta AirPods software, and you can try out improved audio recording, auto-pause when sleeping, and many other new features.

Feeling brave? Let’s go.

P.S. Not looking for the prerelease version? We also have a guide on how to install the regular non-beta AirPods software.

Apple joins White House plan to transform digital healthcare

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Apple role in White House digital healthcare plan
Apple supports the new federal initiative to revamp digital healthcare.
Photo: MattCC716/Flickr

Apple committed to a major White House initiative aimed at revolutionizing how Americans access and manage their healthcare data. The federal government partnered with more than 60 technology and healthcare companies in an ambitious effort to create a “smarter, more secure and more personalized healthcare experience,” the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) said Wednesday during a White House “Make Health Tech Great Again” event.

The Health Technology Ecosystem plan looks like one of the most significant federal pushes to modernize U.S. healthcare infrastructure in decades. Alongside Apple, major participants include Amazon, Google, OpenAI and Anthropic, signaling broad industry support. Apple will develop apps for the plan’s “Kill the Clipboard” initiative.

And as expected, the prospect of government and major corporations handling healthcare data raises privacy concerns for patients.

Nab a nice discount on Apple Pencil (USB-C)

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Apple Pencil USB-C deal
For most users, Apple Pencil (USB-C) gets the job done.
Photo: Apple

Apple Pencil Pro may have all the bells and whistles, but a lot of average users don’t really need those. For a solid premium iPad stylus that does all the basic tasks like signing documents, note-taking and sketching, Apple Pencil (USB-C) gets the job done just fine. And right now you can get the stylus on sale with a Apple Pencil (USB-C) deal at Amazon, making it even more affordable.  It’s just $69.