Mobile menu toggle

Today in Apple history: The world’s first Apple Stores open their doors

By

Apple Store
How the Tysons Corner, Virginia store appeared on day one.
Photo: Apple

May 19: Today in Apple history May 19, 2001: Apple revolutionizes the world of computer shopping by opening its first two Apple Stores. Located in Tysons Corner, Virginia, and Glendale, California, the new outlets represent the culmination of a long-term dream for Apple.

A couple of decades later, Apple will expand its retail operations to more than 500 stores in 26 countries and regions around the world. And they will become some of the most profitable retail outlets anywhere on a dollars-per-square-foot basis.

New smart speaker looks just like HomePod 2 but tops it

By

WiiM Sound smart speaker and WiiM Amp Ultra
New hi-fi gear: WiiM Sound smart speaker paired with WiiM Amp Ultra.
Photo: WiiM

WiiM, a rising star in the affordable audio streaming market, unveiled its first-ever smart speaker last week: WiiM Sound. It looks a lot like HomePod 2 and directly challenges it — and whatever version of it Apple releases next — with an impressive feature set.

WiiM Sound could appeal to audiophiles seeking high-resolution audio in a smart package — at a price that undercuts Apple’s.

Powerful new OWC Thunderbolt 5 Dock packs 11 ports

By

OWC Thunderbolt 5 Dock
Get blazing-fast connectivity with OWC's new Thunderbolt 5 dock.
Photo: OWC

The new 11-in-1 OWC Thunderbolt 5 Dock promises to maximize the potential of the latest Thunderbolt 5 technology for computers like M4 Pro and M4 Max MacBook Pro, OWC said Monday.

The dock, scheduled to begin shipping in July with a price tag of $329.99, is one of the first comprehensive Thunderbolt 5 solutions available for Apple users looking to expand their connectivity options.

iPhone 17 Air’s small battery might punch above its weight

By

iPhone 17 Air render
You might not like iPhone 17 Air's rumored battery capacity.
Photo: ChatGPT/Cult of Mac

Apple’s upcoming super-slim iPhone 17 Air could weigh just 5.11 ounces, according to a new leak. That would make it one of the lightest smartphones on the market. However, the phone’s thinness could come at the expense of battery life.

The leaker says the device will come with a paltry 2,800mAh battery. But Apple might tap new technology to make that tiny battery last longer than you would expect.

Apple might finally let you ditch Siri for a smarter assistant

By

Siri desperately needs some ChatGPT-like smarts
There's a lot Siri doesn't understand. And that's a problem.
Image: Apple/Cult of Mac

Apple might allow users to replace Siri with another virtual assistant on iPhone, iPad and Mac, according to a new report.

While Apple’s smarter Siri will not arrive until at least next year, Apple users in the European Union might get something even better in the near future.

AirPods Pro 3 might not arrive until 2026

By

Of course, if the stock ear tips that come with AirPods Pro 2 may work fine for most people.
You may have to stick to your AirPods Pro 2 for another year.
Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac

The wait for Apple’s next-gen AirPods Pro might stretch out longer than anticipated. According to a respected supply chain analyst, Apple won’t refresh its flagship earbuds until 2026.

Today in Apple history: Apple shows off its amazing Fifth Avenue store in NYC

By

apple-store-fifth-avenue-nyc-new-york
Apple's stunning Fifth Avenue store quickly becomes a New York landmark.
Photo: Simone Lovati/Flickr CC

May 18: Today in Apple history: Cupertino shows off its amazing Fifth Avenue Apple store May 18, 2006: The world — and, more specifically, the Apple-watching press — gets its first glimpse of the swanky new Fifth Avenue Apple Store in New York City.

Previously hidden behind a black plastic wrapper during development, that all changes a day before the store’s grand opening. Workers remove the covering to reveal a 32-foot glass cube adorned with a floating, white Apple logo. At 10 a.m., members of the press get an exclusive tour of the new venue.

Apple blocks Fortnite return to US iPhone App Store [Updated]

By

Screenshot promoting
No Fortnite for you, iPhone owners!
Image: Epic Games

UPDATE: Fortnite returned to the U.S. App Store on May 20.


Epic Games’ hope to get Fortnite reinstated on the U.S. iPhone App Store crashed and burned.  Apple used a letter from one of its lawyers to deny the attempt to let iPhone users in the United States install and play the popular game. This is the latest clash in a long-running dispute between the two companies.

Epic claimed Friday that Apple had also blocked Fortnite in Europe, which Apple denies.

Today in Apple history: John Sculley brings ‘Pepsi Generation’ marketing to Apple

By

john-sculley
John Sculley served as Apple's third president and CEO.
Photo: Web Summit/Flickr CC

May 17: Today in Apple history: John Sculley starts as Apple CEO May 17, 1983: John Sculley takes the helm as Apple’s third president and CEO. The former Pepsi-Cola boss is short on tech experience but long on marketing, which will become increasingly important as the personal computer revolution ramps up.

Steve Jobs personally lured Sculley to Apple using one of the most famous lines in the history of business. “Do you want to spend the rest of your life selling sugared water,” Jobs asked Sculley, “or do you want a chance to change the world?”

Today in Apple history: Steve Jobs’ daughter Lisa is born

By

A photo of Lisa Brennan-Jobs, Steve Jobs' first daughter
Steve Jobs had a rocky relationship with his daughter, Lisa Brennan-Jobs.
Photo: Lisa Brennan-Jobs/Wikipedia CC

May 17: Today in Apple history: Steve Jobs' daughter Lisa Brennan-Jobs is born May 17, 1978: Steve Jobs’ first child, a daughter named Lisa Brennan-Jobs, is born. The child of the 23-year-old Apple co-founder and his high school girlfriend Chris-Ann Brennan, Lisa’s parents are no longer a couple when she comes into the world.

Several shameful years follow in which Jobs denies paternity of his daughter, before they eventually reconcile.

3 reasons to watch Murderbot on Apple TV+

By

Murderbot season 1 review
Your weekend should include watching Murderbot. You’ll be glad you did.
Image: Apple TV+/Cult of Mac

The sci-fi action comedy Murderbot season 1 is the hottest show premiering this weekend. Apple TV+ turned an award-winning collection of novels into a series that’s fun to watch, with an enjoyable mix of laughs and fight sequences… with some suspense mixed in.

Here’s why you should tune in this weekend, whether you’ve read Martha Wells’ books or not.

Try these crazy ways to get Touch ID with or without Magic Keyboard [Setups]

By

Magic Keyboard Touch ID
In this setup, the user Velcros a Magic Keyboard to the side of the desk on the right -- just so they can reach the Touch ID button.
Photo: [email protected]

It’s easy to get addicted to using Touch ID whenever you need to gain password-restricted access to anything. But not everyone is a big fan of Magic Keyboard with Touch ID (not the function, the keeb itself). Today’s MacBook Pro setup user found an odd but practical solution. They use a Keychron Q1 mechanical keyboard as a daily driver and Velcro a Magic Keyboard with Touch ID to the edge of the desk so they can reach the Touch ID button.

New flagship Sony headphones cancel more noise than ever

By

Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones on studio console
Sony's new XM6 headphones, mastered by engineers, are good enough for studio work, Sony said.
Photo:

Sony’s newest flagship over-ear headphones, WH-1000XM6, promise the “best noise cancellation” in the industry and seamless wireless connectivity, the company said Thursday. The $450 cans — not cheap but less than AirPods Max’s $549 list price — should appeal to discerning Apple fans.

And Sony enlisted Post Malone as a pitchman for the new headphones, for what that’s worth. Hardly seems necessary, as this series of cans typically sits at or near the top of many best-headphones lists every year.

How to get a brand-new MacBook (even a custom build) for one low monthly price

By

Image of a MacBook with the words
With this MacBook subscription plan, it's easy to stay ahead of the upgrade curve.
Photo: Upgraded

If you rely on your MacBook to handle serious workloads — think 3D renders, Xcode builds or 200-tab research sessions — you know the right machine doesn’t come cheap. Luckily, you can finance MacBooks with Upgraded, a convenient upgrade program that makes it easy to get the exact laptop you need, when you need it … without paying thousands upfront. 

With 0% interest financing over 36 months and the option to upgrade every 24 months, the subscription-based service is an ideal option for power users who want the latest Apple silicon without paying a fortune upfront.

Test your connections with this tiny USB multimeter [Review] ★★★★

By

StarTech.com USB-C Power Tester★★★★
Find out why your iPad isn’t charging with this mini multimeter.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

With the StarTech.com USB-C Power Tester, you can easily look for charging problems in your setup. It’s a quick and easy way to ensure your devices are getting all the power they’re supposed to.

I tested the inexpensive little multimeter out. Here’s what I found.

Don’t call this a Game Boy — it’s better!

By

Product shot of blue Retropian Color handheld gaming console
Play all the classics with this handheld gaming console.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

You no longer need to hunt down an OG Game Boy Color on eBay to relive the good stuff. With this retro handheld game console, you can emulate 20 classic systems, including the Game Boy, the Sega Genesis and the Nintendo Entertainment System.

With a sharp 3.5-inch IPS display and a rechargeable battery, this pocket-size classic gaming console gives you a way to revisit your favorite retro titles anytime, anywhere, without having to bid against any other nostalgic gamers. Order one now for just $79.99 with free shipping (regularly $129).

Today in Apple history: PowerBook 540c is the best Mac laptop to date

By

With impressive specs and a fancy screen, the PowerBook 540c took Apple laptops up a notch.
With impressive specs and a fancy screen, the PowerBook 540c took Apple laptops up a notch.
Image: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

May 16, 1994: Today in Apple history: PowerBook 540c launch May 16, 1994: Apple launches the PowerBook 540c, one of the best laptops in the company’s history.

Part of the innovative 500 series of PowerBooks, the 540c is the laptop to own in 1994. Blisteringly fast, packed with innovative features, and offering the best notebook display on the market, it’s a triumph on every level. Although for $5,539 (over $11,900 in today’s money), it had better be…

Code with Microsoft Visual Studio Pro, on sale for just $28

By

This $40 Microsoft Visual Studio Pro license can help you gain solutions for coding issues.
For only $40, Microsoft Visual Studio offers tools for greater coding collaboration.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

In software development, having the right tools can make all the difference between sinking and succeeding. If you’re on the hunt for such tools, Microsoft Visual Studio Professional 2022 — on sale now from Cult of Mac Deals — stands out as a powerhouse for developers who want to enhance productivity and streamline the coding process.

This professional-grade 64-bit integrated development environment is more accessible than ever. It can improve how you and your team approach your programming. Act fast to get Microsoft Visual Studio Professional 2022 for just $27.97 (regularly $499).

Apple brings Sunday Night Soccer to Xfinity for free

By

Sunday Night Soccer on Xfinity
Beginning this week, Xfinity customers can watch Sunday Night Soccer at no extra charge.
Photo: Comcast

Xfinity customers can enjoy the action of Sunday Night Soccer for no extra charge starting this week. The show brings a weekly, featured Major League Soccer game throughout the season.

The same games are also available for Apple TV+ subscribers, as well as those with an MLS Season Pass from Apple.

Price is right on 2 sleek new keyboard-mouse combos

By

Seenda keyboard and mouse combos
Seenda's Creative keyboard and mouse combo is packed with style and color.
Photo: Seenda

Two stylish new Seenda keyboard and mouse combos offer seamless compatibility with Mac, iPad and iOS devices, the company said Thursday. The premium SKM64-3 Bluetooth combo and budget-friendly Creative SK73-3 wireless combo both deliver style and functionality for Apple users seeking alternatives to Apple’s peripherals.

EU iPhone apps that don’t use Apple payment system get a ‘scare screen’

By

App Store scare screen
Is this a fair warning?
Photo: Victor Maric/Cult of Mac

By E.U. law, Apple must let iPhone applications include payment systems other than Apple’s own. But in a move that seems calculated to convince customers and developers to avoid these alternatives, there’s now a “scare screen” on applications that do not offer Apple’s payment system in the European Union version of the App Store.

Today in Apple history: Apple reinvents the computer store

By

Steve Jobs offers a sneak peek at the first Apple store prior to its opening.
Steve Jobs offers a sneak peek at the first Apple store prior to its opening.
Photo: Apple

May 15: Today in Apple history: Apple reinvents the computer store, with plans to open 25 Apple Stores in the U.S. May 15, 2001: Apple CEO Steve Jobs flips the script on the dreadful experience of computer shopping, unveiling an ambitious plan to open 25 innovative Apple stores across the United States. The first ones, located at Tysons Corner in McLean, Virginia, and the Glendale Galleria in Glendale, California, are set to open later that week.

However, this new Apple initiative is about much more than just a couple of retail outlets. It’s a radical reinvention of tech retail that will change the way computers get sold.

CarPlay Ultra finally arrives with complete dashboard makeover (for some)

By

CarPlay Ultra
With CarPlay Ultra, content populates all the driver’s screens, including the instrument cluster.
Photo: Apple

After a five-month delay from its original timeline, Apple’s next-generation CarPlay experience is finally hitting the road. Dubbed “CarPlay Ultra,” the deeply integrated system that Apple first previewed in 2022 has begun rolling out to Aston Martin vehicles in the United States and Canada, with more automakers soon to follow.

Launch your Amazon empire for $20 (seriously)

By

Photo of a person working on a laptop at a desk, used to illustrate the concepts explained in the Ultimate 2025 Amazon FBA course bundle.
Learn everything you need to start your own Amazon business.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

You don’t need to be a seasoned entrepreneur or own a warehouse to start selling on Amazon. You just need a decent internet connection, some curiosity and the courses in the Ultimate 2025 Amazon FBA Bundle.

This Amazon course bundle teaches you everything you need to know about running a Fulfilled by Amazon (FBA) business. And right now, it’s on sale for just $19.99 for a limited time.

What’s the deal with that orange and green dot on your iPhone?

By

What Does That Dot Mean?
A long-standing mystery solved.
Image: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

What does the orange dot on your iPhone mean — and while we’re at it, how about the green dot? These mysterious dots can appear in the Dynamic Island of newer iPhones, or in the upper right corner of older models, near the battery icon.

The dots are part of Apple’s vast system of privacy and security features built into the iPhone. Of course, these privacy features only work if you know what they mean and how to use them — so keep reading for the answer below.