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Apple plans to replace Game Center with new gaming-focused app

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Apple Games app rumors
An application highlighting games on iPhone and Mac is on the way.
Photo: Gemini/Cult of mac

A new cross-platform application developed by Apple will call attention to games on iPhone, Mac and even Apple TV, according to an unconfirmed report from Tuesday.

It’ll replace the current Game Center, track users’ in-game achievements, give players a way to communicate with other gamers, and more.

Qualcomm study shows its modems outperform Apple’s C1 chip

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Qualcomm modem study
A new study funded by Qualcomm shows its modem chips topping C1 in real-world, New York City conditions.
Photo: Apple

A new Qualcomm study suggests the company’s modems outperform Apple’s first in-house modem chip, the C1 — particularly in challenging urban network conditions.

The research from Cellular Insights, funded by Qualcomm, tested the iPhone 16e — Apple’s first device to feature the company’s homegrown C1 modem — against Android smartphones powered by Qualcomm chips on T-Mobile’s 5G network in New York City.

Apple almost became a satellite internet provider

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Globalstar satellites
Today, your home internet might come from satellites and Apple, except the company changed its mind.
Photo: Globalstar

Your iPhone and home internet service could come beamed from satellites in orbit in a service provided by Apple — but no. The company reportedly spent millions investigating the idea before dropping it.

Instead, recent iPhones have limited access to satellite connectivity, and even that brought Apple into conflict with Elon Musk and Starlink.

6-port iPad stand/hub adds convenient media control buttons [Review] ★★★★☆

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Zagg 6-Port Media Hub for iPad★★★★☆
The Zagg 6-port Media Hub features an iPad stand, useful ports plus media controls.
Photo: Zagg

The Zagg 6-port Media Hub includes a flip-up iPad stand, an HDMI port, a USB-A port and more, with the standout feature being an easily accessible set of media controls. And all this fits into the same space on your desktop as a more conventional tablet stand.

I used the iPad hub/stand in my home for weeks, and it does its job well. That said, a design quirk might limit its appeal.

Today in Apple history: Steve Jobs blasts Apple as ‘caretakers’ in full-page ad

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A still from the classic Apple
Steve Jobs thought ditching ad agency Chiat/Day proved Apple had lost its creative mojo.
Photo: Apple and Chiat/Day

May 27: Today in Apple history: Steve Jobs says Apple is being run by caretakers May 27, 1986: An exiled Steve Jobs takes a shot at Apple after the company ditches Chiat/Day, the ad agency that created the iconic “1984” Macintosh ad. In a full-page ad published in The Wall Street Journal, Jobs says the move to competing ad agency BBDO shows that “caretakers” rather than “builders” now run Apple.

From his perspective, it confirms that the company he co-founded has lost its revolutionary spirit.

The wait is over: WhatsApp launches on the iPad

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WhatsApp for iPad
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.

App Store blocks over $2 billion in fraudulent transactions in 2024

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App Store blocks fraud
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.

Future iPhone might go ultra high-res with 200MP camera

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The iPhone 15 Pro Max camera array, pictured in front of a green plant.
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.

Today in Apple history: Apple becomes world’s most valuable tech company

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Apple is worth more than the entire US energy sector combined
It was a big day for Apple!
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac/401Calculator

May 26: Today in Apple history: Apple worth more than Microsoft for first time 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.

Today in Apple history: Apple probes Foxconn suicides

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Apple faces criticism for conditions on the iPhone production line in Foxconn factories.
Apple faces criticism for conditions on the iPhone production line.
Photo: SACOM Hong Kong/Flickr CC

May 25: Today in Apple history: Apple investigates Foxconn suicides 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: What to expect at WWDC25

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iPadOS 19 rumors
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.

tvOS 12 and watchOS 12 to get a visionOS glow-up

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Apple Watch 10 review
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.”

Today in Apple history: iTunes ditches movie trailer downloads

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Apple's iTunes movie trailers go dark as streaming supplants downloads.
iTunes movie trailers go dark.
Photo: Tookapic/Pexels CC

May 24: Today in Apple history: iTunes ditches movie trailer downloads 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.

How to keep your iPhone battery from going to crap

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Keep It Like-New for Longer
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.

Apple analyst warns political pressure may outweigh tariff impact

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Apple logo with White House in the background.
Apple should take the 25% tariff hit instead of making iPhones in the U.S.
Illustration: ChatGPT

President Donald Trump wants Apple to make iPhones in the United States. Otherwise, he threatens to impose a 25% tariff on the company.

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.

Save your iPhone by unlocking with an old passcode

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Can I Get A Little Help Here?
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.

Apple temporarily boosts iPhone trade-in values

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Apple raises iPhone trade in values
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.

Cool dual-display rig unleashes fearsome dinos on Hawaii [Setups]

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4K LG monitors
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.”)

Fountain of Youth explodes onto Apple TV+ [Now playing!]

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Fountain of Youth movie poster
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!

Trump threatens 25% tariff on iPhones not made in US

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President Donald Trump and Apple CEO Tim Cook
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.

Today in Apple history: Steve Jobs attempts a boardroom coup

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Jobs
Sadly for Steve Jobs, things didn't work in his favor.
Photo: Esther Dyson/Flickr CC

May 23: Today in Apple history: Steve Jobs attempts a boardroom coup 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.

What to expect in iOS 19: Rumors point to design overhaul

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What to expect in iOS 19
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 fast-tracks its smart glasses for 2026 launch

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Apple Smart Glasses concept
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 next-gen keyboard switches target battery efficiency

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Cherry next-gen keyboard switches
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.