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Actually, base iPhone 17 may not stick with last year’s chip [Updated]

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iPhone 17 rumors
iPhone 17 could pack the same internals as iPhone 16.
Image: Cult of Mac

An analyst said back in May that Apple may reuse the iPhone 16‘s A18 chip on the base iPhone 17 model this year and could ship both it and iPhone 17 Air with 8GB of RAM. But now he’s changed his tune.

All other members of the iPhone 17 family will reportedly use a newer A19 chip and sport 50% more RAM.

Update: As noted in the post below, GF Securities analyst Jeff Pu predicted in May that the base iPhone 17 would stick with iPhone 16’s A18 chip. But now he cites in a note seen by outlets like 9to5Mac that supply chain reporting indicates the base model will use the A19 chip expected in the Pro models. And only the base iPhone 17 may offer just 8GB of RAM, while the Air and Pro models will start at 12GB.

Ingenious RollerMouse Red wrist rest changes mousing. But is it worth $394? [Review] ★★★★

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Contour RollerMouse Red Wireless review★★★★
It's a cool and highly functional device, but it might cost too much for most people. For those suffering pain from mousing, though, it could be well worth it.
Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac

Would you spend $394 on a mouse? This Contour RollerMouse Red Wireless review might raise eyebrows, considering the device’s unusual design and premium price tag. The centralized pointing device with roll bar, scroll bar and three unfamiliar buttons in a wrist rest sits in front of your keyboard rather than beside it, challenging typical notions of computer navigation. But for those who need help with pain from repetitive strain injury (RSI), it could make a world of difference.

Apple commits $500 million to American-made rare earth magnets

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MP Materials makes rare earth magnets in Fort Worth, Texas.
MP Materials makes rare earth magnets in Fort Worth, Texas.
Photo: MP Materials

Apple announced a new commitment Tuesday to buy $500 million worth of American-made rare earth magnets from Texas-based MP Materials. The raw material will go into iPhones, MacBooks and more.

In addition, the two companies are working together to build a cutting-edge rare earth recycling line in California.

Today in Apple history: Revolutionary MP3 file format gets its name

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iPod
The MP3 made the iPod possible.
Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac

July 14: Today in Apple history: Revolutionary MP3 format gets its name July 14, 1995: The MP3 file format receives its official name as the new .bit file extension gets changed to .mp3. The technology allows the compression of a standard CD .wav file to one-tenth its original size, courtesy of some smart algorithms. The format will revolutionize the music industry — and put Apple on the road to world dominance with the iPod.

The MP3 enables easy sharing of music tracks online and makes music more portable than ever. Within a few years, Apple’s iPod will become the world’s best-known MP3 player, quickly capitalizing on the new format.

New HDMI adapters overcome Apple silicon Mac external display limits

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OWC HDMI adapters
OWC's new Quad HDMI adapter makes running multiple 4K external displays a breeze.
Photo: OWC

Two new HDMI adapters from Other World Computing (OWC) solve the external display limitations that have frustrated Apple Silicon Mac users since the M1 chip’s introduction, the company said Monday. The new OWC USB-C Quad HDMI 4K Adapter and redesigned OWC USB-C Dual HDMI 4K Adapter offer Mac owners a way to connect multiple external monitors without juggling multiple dongles.

“Whether you’re working with spreadsheets, streaming data, editing video or just need more screen real estate to stay productive, we believe your gear shouldn’t hold you back,” said Larry O’Connor, OWC’s founder and CEO. “With our new Quad and enhanced Dual HDMI adapters, we’re giving users the power to easily expand their visual workspace, without the complexity or cost of juggling multiple adapters or sacrificing performance.”

Prime Day is over but great deals on portable SSDs are not

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SSD deals
Now is the time to save on that portable SSD you’ve wanted.
Image: Samsung/Cult of Mac

The portable SSD you’ve been wanting is probably available at well below the usual cost. There are top-quality ones available at way below their list prices — we found deals on portable SSDs from Samsung, Kingston and more. Save up to 48%!

Even if you didn’t do your shopping during Amazon Prime Day last week,  you can still easily increase the storage capacity of your Mac, iPad, etc. without over-stressing your credit card.

iPhone 17 Pro may sport 5 colors, including cool new copper-orange

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iPhone 17 Pro colors
The orange and dark blue options look racier than the usual Pro hues.
Photo: X.com@SonnyDickson

After last week’s iPhone 17 color revelations, fresh component leaks suggest Apple might introduce its boldest iPhone Pro color yet, come September. This time, camera lens covers reveal a potential brand-new copper-orange finish that would mark a significant departure from the company’s traditional Pro palette. The other possible colors are black, gray, silver and a dark blue that harkens back to iPhone 15 Pro’s most striking hue.

LG 5K monitor pairs beautifully with Studio Display [Setups]

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LG 5K display for mac
The LG 5K display and the Studio Display work beautifully together, the user said.
Photo: [email protected]

Apple’s beautiful, high-resolution Studio Display is notoriously expensive, starting at about $1,600 — so dual Studio Display computer setups are pretty rare. I also see Studios Displays paired with other options for external displays, as in today’s great-looking Mac Studio setup. And it turns out there are reasons beyond identical resolution to choose the LG 5K UltraFine display the users selected and loves.

And another cool item in the setup hides behind the displays. Bower & Wilkins’ aged-yet-still-awesome MM1 computer speakers make a rare appearance.

Apple has big plans for the iPhone’s Dynamic Island

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That pill-shaped hole where the notch used to be? Apple calls it the Dynamic Island.
Rather than hiding the iPhone Dynamic Island, Apple is reportedly going all-in on it.
Photo: Apple

Apple came up with a “significant evolution” for the Dynamic Island that’s part of the display in most iPhone models, according to a noted tipster. Rather than phasing out the dynamic interface, rumors indicate Apple will lean into the feature.

It’s something to look forward to in the iPhone 17 and beyond.

Today in Apple history: Nike+iPod Sport Kit puts fitness tracking in your pocket

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The Nike+iPod Sports Kit was a nifty innovation.
The Nike+iPod Sport Kit was a nifty innovation.
Photo: Apple

July 13: Today in Apple history: Nike+iPod Sport Kit brings fitness tracking to your pocket July 13, 2006: Apple releases its first activity tracker, the Nike+iPod Sport Kit, which combines Cupertino’s popular music player with a smart pedometer.

The product marks Apple’s first step toward the kind of mobile health-tracking initiatives it will pursue in the following decade — most notably through its iOS Health app and the Apple Watch.

iPhone 17e rumors: Apple’s next budget handset

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iPhone 17e rumors
iPhone 17e rumors point to a change in strategy for Apple’s budget handsets.
Image: Apple/Cult of Mac

Apple already has the iPhone 17e on its drawing board, according to rumors. Surveys indicate the company has a new strategy that’ll bring much more frequent updates to its most affordable iOS handsets.

Here’s when to expect the replacement for the iPhone 16e, and what hardware changes are coming.

Taron Egerton’s crime drama Smoke burns up the ratings charts

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Smoke season 1 on Apple TV+
Smoke stars Taron Egerton and Jurnee Smollett.
Image: Apple TV+

Smoke is getting into plenty of people’s eyes. The new true-crime drama on Apple TV+ that stars Taron Egerton made it into the top 10 most popular streaming series, according to two companies that track ratings.

Plus, the Apple TV+ sci-fi action comedy series Murderbot stayed strong in the run-up to its season finale, and the sports comedy Stick still draws a large audience, too.

Today in Apple history: ‘Antennagate’ scandal hits its peak

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Steve Jobs stands onstage with the word
"Antennagate" caused big problems for Apple.
Photo: Apple

July 12: Today in Apple history: Antennagate scandal hits its peak July 12, 2010: The iPhone 4 suffers a major blow when respected trade publication Consumer Reports says it can’t, in good faith, recommend the new Apple smartphone. The reason the magazine refuses to give its vaunted “recommended” label to the previously top-ranked device in its devastating iPhone 4 review? A little Apple scandal called “Antennagate.”

Expect to see these 9 colors in iPhone Series 17 models

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9 colors in iPhone Series 17 models
These camera ring protector rings always match the iPhone colors.
Photo: [email protected]

Apple’s upcoming iPhone 17 should offer a fresh take on color options, with new leaks suggesting five colors for the base iPhone 17 and four for the iPhone 17 Air model. The latest information comes from leaked images of third-party camera lens protector rings. They’re designed to match Apple’s official iPhone color offerings.

This portable monitor proves that a smaller screen can be better [Review] ★★★★

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KYY 14” Portable Monitor★★★★
The KYY 14” Portable Monitor pairs well with a 14-inch MacBook or a 13-inch iPad.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The KYY 14” Portable Monitor challenges the idea that bigger is always better. It’s much smaller than the external display I usually travel with — and that’s exactly why I love it.

As a bonus, it’s very affordable, especially with an Amazon Prime Day deal.

Complex and thrilling Foundation returns for season 3 on Apple TV+ [Now streaming!]

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Foundation season 3
Foundation season 3 debuts with its first episode on Friday, July 11.
Photo: Apple TV+

Rejoice, fans of deliciously complicated and marvelously cinematic sci-fi! Apple TV+’s adaptation of Isaac Asimov’s iconic Foundation stories finally returns for a new season Friday. So now you can stream Foundation season three’s first episode, “A Song for the End of Everything,” in which intergalactic supervillain The Mule wreaks havoc.

Today in Apple history: iPhone 3G brings a big speed boost

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iPhone 3G
Did you own the iPhone 3G?
Photo: Apple

July 11: Today in Apple history: iPhone 3G goes on sale, brings big speed boost July 11, 2008: The iPhone 3G goes on sale. Expectations for the smartphone sequel run high, and Apple delivers with the addition of GPS, faster 3G data and a higher-quality build. The iPhone 3G launch also brings a new mobile operating system packed with features.

Apple’s second smartphone runs iPhone OS 2, which introduces a better Mail app, turn-by-turn navigation and a little something called the App Store.

Apple TV+ greenlights Murderbot season 2 as season 1 wraps up

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Murderbot season 2 get a greenlight from Apple TV+
Jump for joy! Murderbot season 2 is on the way.
Photo: Apple TV+

Murderbot season 1 did well enough in the ratings that Apple TV+ committed to season 2 on Thursday.

The news comes as the season 1 finale of the sci-fi comedy thriller becomes available to stream. A renewal isn’t surprising, given that t series stayed one of the top 10 most-watched shows every week during its entire run.

The Wild Ones unleashes intrepid, tech-wielding conservationists [Now streaming!]

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The Wild Ones documentary series Apple TV+
The title of The Wild Ones might describe both the filmmakers and the animals they stalk with good intentions.
Image: Apple TV+

A new documentary combining high-stakes adventure with groundbreaking wildlife conservation started streaming on Apple TV+ Friday. Previously the streamer released a new trailer for The Wild Ones documentary series, below, promising all sorts of high-tech derring-do in the name of saving threatened animal species all over the world. Now you can watch it.

The six-episode documentary, premiering July 11, follows a team of elite wildlife experts as they venture into Earth’s most remote and dangerous environments to protect critically endangered species.

Update: The Wild Ones began streaming Friday. As one critic cited on the reviews site Rotten Tomatoes put it (though it’s too early for a fresh or rotten rating): “The Wild Ones is a triumph of storytelling, a visual feast and a heartfelt plea to cherish and protect the natural world.”

M5 MacBook Pro no longer coming in 2025

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M5 MacBook Pro rumors
The latest M5 MacBook Pro rumor says the updated macOS notebook won’t be out until next year.
Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac

Apple might not get the next-generation MacBook Pro with the upcoming M5 processor out this autumn, as had been expected. The notebook will instead launch early next year, according to a respected source of insider information.

If true, it means that Apple’s new Mac processor will once again launch in an iPad.

All the best Apple deals this Amazon Prime Day

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Best Amazon Prime Day Deals
All the best Apple gear at a steep discount — right here.
Image: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

It’s that time of year again — Amazon Prime Day. The summer deals run from July 8 – 11. So the early deals flowed starting over the weekend, with the full-on sale hitting with even better deals on Tuesday through Friday.

We’ll show you the best Amazon Prime Day deals on Apple gear, from AirPods to iPads to MacBooks to the Studio Display. And that includes Apple audio subsidiary Beats, too. Click on the links below, and return to this page often — deals are subject to change, often for the better, and we’ll add more as we find them.