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Find out what’s really in your food with this healthy eating app

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Fooducate healthy eating app: Eat smarter with this interactive food planning app for less than $50.
Track nutrition and wellness with the Fooducate app.
Photo: Cult of Mac deals

Eating healthy would be easier if food manufacturers told us exactly what’s in their products. Unfortunately, we don’t live in that perfect world. But Fooducate, a clean eating app that can help you achieve your nutritional and fitness goals, is here to keep the grocery stores honest.

This easy-to-use food planning app makes every aspect of your diet easier, from the checkout counter to the doctor’s office. Better yet, Fooducate is designed to help users create a healthier relationship with food. Now, a lifetime subscription to the Fooducate Pro Plan costs only $39.97 with code SAVE10.

Blowout on Apple gear: Save on everything from Pro Display XDR to charging cables

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Product photo of Apple Studio Display monitor, on sale now at Woot.
You don't see a deal on a Pro Display XDR every day. And that's just the marquee item in this big sale.
Photo: Apple

A massive sale on Apple gear slashes the prices on everything from the high-end Pro Display XDR monitor to everyday necessities like charging cables.

The sale’s on now at Amazon-owned daily deals site Woot. And if you use the code APPLEFIVE at checkout, you’ll get an extra $5 off. (Limit one coupon per customer, valid through January 21, 2026, at 11:58 p.m. Central.)

That extra $5 discount doesn’t make much of a difference on large items like the aforementioned Pro Display XDR. But on things like Apple Watch chargers and Thunderbolt cables — already offered at steep discounts — it makes for a nice cherry on top of your savings.

iPhone 18 Pro might transform the Dynamic Island [Update]

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Phone 18 Pro might transform the Dynamic Island
Phone 18 Pro might shrink and shift the Dynamic Island.
Image: FPT

Apple is prepping a surprising change to the Dynamic Island with the upcoming iPhone 18 Pro, according to a well-known tipster. The screen cutout will supposedly get a lot smaller, and it’ll move to a new location.

If true, it’ll be the most significant revamp to the Dynamic Island since it debuted in 2022.

Acefast 6-in-1 GaN charging station trades raw power for a cleaner desk [Review] ★★★★☆

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Acefast 6-in-1 charging station★★★★☆
This compact iPhone charging station can also top-up your AirPods and Apple Watch wirelessly.
Photo: Rajesh Pandey/Cult of Mac

With the ever-growing number of devices on my desk, a charging station has become a non-negotiable accessory. Instead of juggling multiple chargers, cables and adapters, a charging station can keep everything organized.

That’s where Acefast’s 6-in-1 80W foldable GaN charging station shines. Despite its compact size, it can charge up to six devices simultaneously, all while reducing the clutter and chaos on my desk. 

How to turn off Liquid Glass in iOS 26 if you hate it

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Turn off Liquid Glass
You can easily deactivate Liquid Glass in iOS 26 and macOS Tahoe if you really can’t tolerate it.
Photo: Gemini/Cult of Mac

iOS 26’s Liquid Glass user interface brings dramatic change to the iPhone, so it’s no surprise that some people hate it. If the new translucent look is just not for you, you can tweak or turn off Liquid Glass in iOS 26.2. And it’s easy.

Plus, you will find the same settings in macOS Tahoe 26.2 and iPadOS 26.2, so you can turn off Liquid Glass on all your Apple devices if you like. Here’s how.

MacBook Pros disappear from stores — here’s why

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MacBook Pro disappearing from stores — Here’s why
You don't need to ask an Apple Genius why you can't find a M4 Pro or Max MacBook Pro in the store.
Photo: Apple

Order a MacBook Pro today, and you may never get it at all. But it’s not some horrible scam — Apple is very close to introducing new models, and the company knows you probably won’t want the ones available today once the new ones launch.

That’s why the wait times on many MacBook Pro models with M4 Pro and M4 Max processors stretches out well into February. It gives buyers time to change their orders.

Apple dedicates homepage to Martin Luther King Jr.

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Apple homepage honors MLK Jr.
The Apple homepage takeover honors civil rights icon Martin Luther King Jr.
Photo: Apple

Apple dedicated its website homepage to Martin Luther King Jr. Monday, as it has done on his national holiday each year since 2015. This year a free book of the slain Civil Rights movement icon’s essential works and a Time to Walk podcast with King’s daughter, Bernice A. King, are included.

“We honor Dr. King and reflect upon his life and legacy,” Apple said in print alongside a pixellated, constellation-like image of a smiling MLK against a black background filled with stars.

Get easy Mac security with Moonlock

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Screenshot of MacPaw Moonlock security app running on a Mac screen
Save 44% on the new Moonlock security app for Mac.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

It’s no longer true that Macs are immune to online threats. Last year, malware targeting macOS grew a whopping 75%.

Moonlock, a new app from MacPaw, gives Apple users Mac-first cybersecurity — with malware protection, built-in VPN, privacy tools and clear guidance — for a simple one-time payment of just $29.99.

Why Apple faces new pressure to raise iPhone and Mac prices

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Why Apple faces new pressure to raise iPhone and Mac prices
Rising component costs could leave Apple no choice but to raise prices.
AI image: ChatGPT/Cult of Mac

Apple likely will struggle to acquire a critical component for all its products this year. In fact, the whole electronics industry will face the same problem, and the competition will drive up prices, according to analysts.

What’s the missing product? RAM. Why is it so hard to get? AI. But the full story is more complex than those two basic facts.

Price drop: Cement your ChatGPT and AI knowledge with this $20 course bundle

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Understand ChatGPT and its potential with this AI training bundle, now just $30.
Learn all about artificial intelligence with these affordable courses.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

ChatGPT and AI automation tools are taking over the workplace, allowing businesses and individuals to boost their productivity and streamline their workflows. If you want to market yourself as an expert in these areas, you need training in AI and ChatGPT. And that’s exactly what you get with the ChatGPT & Automation E-Degree.

For less than $20 and a little bit of study, you can get up to speed on the hottest tech of the moment.

Today in Apple history: Unauthorized Apple II clone sparks big legal battle

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The Franklin Ace 1200 was, in some ways, a literal copy of the Apple II.
The Franklin Ace 1200 was, in some ways, a literal copy of the Apple II.
Photo: Bugbookmuseum

January 18: Today in Apple history: Franklin's unauthorized Apple II clone, the Franklin Ace 1200, sparks legal battle January 18, 1983: Computer manufacturer Franklin Electronic Publishers takes the wraps off its Franklin Ace 1200 computer, an uxtnauthorized Apple II clone that triggers an important legal battle.

Cupertino will soon target Franklin’s line of unlicensed clone computers with a lawsuit. In the resulting trial, a U.S. court will decide whether a company can protect its operating system by copyright.

This private AI assistant runs offline for life

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Image of an iMac running Pansophy private personal AI assistant
Don't send your data to some sketchy AI company's servers. Keep it local with Pansophy.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Pansophy is a secure personal AI assistant that runs on your Mac (or other computer). Once installed, Pansophy acts like a constant companion that can help with writing, coding, research, planning and everyday problem-solving.

You can ask it to draft emails, clean up text, brainstorm marketing ideas, outline projects or walk through tricky concepts. It feels similar to chatting with a cloud-based model, only everything happens on your CPU.  It’s a fully local AI assistant that runs without accounts, subscriptions or cloud processing.

And right now, you can get a lifetime subscription to Pansophy for just $79 (regularly $199).

You got Google in my Siri! And a fold in my iPhone! [Cult of Mac podcast No. 3]

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An AI-generated comic book-style image of a person in a laboratory with their brain exposed and lightning bolts, used to illustrate a story about Ciri getting an AI upgrade powered by Google Gemini, as discussed on the Cult of Mac podcast #3.
Using Google Gemini to juice Siri is a shocker!
AI image: Midjourney/Cult of Mac

This week on the Cult of Mac podcast: It’s finally official — Siri is getting a long-awaited AI brain transplant, courtesy of Google Gemini.

We discuss the pros and cons of the deal, but more importantly, we express our sincere hope that Siri will actually work in the future.

Also on the Cult of Mac podcast:

  • The soon-to-launch Apple Creator Studio software bundle seems like an unbelievable deal — especially if you’re a student or teacher.
  • OpenAI’s first piece of Jony Ive-designed hardware sounds like a legit head-scratcher. Can it really compete with AirPods? It’s anybody’s guess, but we’re not big fans of betting against the former Apple design god. Lots of unanswered questions remain, but hey, at least now we know what an egg stone is!
  • And finally, Griffin wraps up the show with a hands-on demo of a 3D-printed mockup of the rumored folding iPhone. If the leaked specs prove true, this device is going to be a strange one. We’ve got plenty of questions (and not a few concerns).

Listen to this week’s episode of the Cult of Mac podcast in the Podcasts app or your favorite podcast app. (Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review if you like it!) Or watch the video stream, embedded below.

Today in Apple history: Mac’s ‘1984’ ad debuts in theaters

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A still from the classic Apple
Before it won the Super Bowl, Apple's iconic Mac ad invaded theaters.
Photo: Chiat/Day/Apple

January 17: Today in Apple history: Mac's '1984' ad debuts in theaters January 17, 1984: A week before its famous airing during Super Bowl XVIII, Apple’s iconic “1984” commercial debuts as a trailer in movie theaters. To hype its revolutionary new Macintosh computer, Apple buys several months of promotion from theatrical ad distributor ScreenVision.

Cupertino’s sci-fi-tinged “1984” spot — which depicts a sledgehammer-wielding freedom fighter taking on a Big Brother figure supposed to represent IBM — gets such a favorable audience reaction that some theater owners continue to roll the ad after Apple’s contract ends.

ChatGPT will soon start showing ads

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Prepare for ads to appear in your ChatGPT conversations.
Prepare for ads to appear in your ChatGPT conversations.
Photo: OpenAI

OpenAI is rolling out its more affordable ChatGPT Go plan to nearly every region where ChatGPT operates. In the US, the new tier starts at just $8 per month — a full $12 cheaper than ChatGPT Plus.

Additionally, OpenAI confirmed that it will start testing ads in ChatGPT’s free and Go tiers in the US soon. 

Get a lifetime license to QuickBooks Desktop Pro Plus 2024 for Mac at 67% off

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Photo of Intuit QuickBooks Desktop Pro Plus 2024 on a laptop.
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 your Mac. And that will make tax time a million times easier when it comes around.

With this new price drop, you can save on a lifetime subscription to Intuit QuickBooks Desktop Pro Plus 2024. Get the Mac version for only $229.97 (regularly $699). Or take advantage of a limited-time price cut and snag the Windows version for just $199.97.

What do the Apple Watch buttons do? Click, double-click and hold.

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What Do The Apple Watch Buttons Do?
The buttons on the Apple Watch switch apps, activate Apple Pay, open Siri and more.
Image: Apple/D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

What do the buttons on the Apple Watch do? The Apple Watch borrows a lot from the iPhone, but the biggest difference between the two devices comes down to the way their buttons work. Each individual button does different things, depending on whether you click, double-click or hold them down.

Apple changed a lot of these features a few years ago with watchOS 10. The software update added a new Widgets view, reassigned Control Center to the side button, and changed what double-clicking the Digital Crown does. (For older devices, see our article about what Apple Watch buttons do in watchOS 9.)

Here’s a guide to the buttons on the Apple Watch.

Save a bundle on AirTags 4-pack and track all the things

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AirTag deal
Keep track off all your stuff with an AirTag or four... at 34% off!
Image: ChatGPT/Cult of Mac

Apple AirTag deal alert! With updated AirTags coming soon, the previous generation is on close-out. A four-pack of these essential Bluetooth trackers are a whopping 34% below the usual price on Amazon right now, or a lesser deal on Best Buy. On Amazon, that means you can currently pick up a four-pack for $64.98, or $34 off. That’s about $16.25 apiece — not the usual $29.

Today in Apple history: Macintosh Plus brings big changes to Mac

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The MacIntosh Plus was arguably the first truly great Mac.
The MacIntosh Plus was arguably the first truly great Mac.
Photo: Rama/Wikipedia CC

January 16: Today in Apple history: Macintosh Plus brings big changes to Mac January 16, 1986: Apple introduces the Macintosh Plus, its third Mac model and the first to be released after Steve Jobs was forced out of the company the previous year.

The Mac Plus boasts an expandable 1MB of RAM and a double-sided 800KB floppy drive. And it’s the first Macintosh to include a SCSI port, which serves as the main way of attaching a Mac to other devices (at least until Apple abandons the tech on the original iMac G3 upon Jobs’ return).

Grow and manage your freelance biz the easy way

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Woman in yellow sweatshirt plus Indy dashboard overlay showing Indy software for freelancers.
Get the tools you need to manage your freelance business, all in one place.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Indy software for freelancers is an AI-powered, all-in-one business platform for solopreneurs and small teams who want everything in one place — and who don’t want to waste time on the boring tasks that are part of being your own boss.

With nine core tools inside a single dashboard, Indy lets you manage proposals, contracts, projects, invoices, payments, files, tasks, forms, time tracking and your calendar without switching apps every five minutes.

And right now, you can get five years of Indy Pro access for just $59.99 (regular price $1,125).

Hands-on with a folding iPhone mock-up: This thing is weird

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Orange folding iPhone model sitting on a pine table in front of a fake palm tree
An iPhone that’ll be like no other.
Photo: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

After the purported dimensions of the first folding iPhone leaked a few weeks ago, it didn’t take long for mockups to hit MakerWorld, a popular site for people with 3D printers to share their models. I got my hands on one of those models, and I have lots of thoughts. If the rumored folding iPhone looks anything like this, it’ll be weird.

For one thing, it’s almost as short as the original iPhone, but wider than the widest iPhone ever. Lots of design questions remain unanswered, too. Where will the volume buttons go, since there isn’t any room on the left side? Will it only have one speaker, like the iPhone Air? Will the two cameras arranged horizontally across the back mean the camera sensors are in landscape, not portrait?

I’ve been fiddling with a 3D model of the first folding iPhone all week. Here are my thoughts and observations.

Apple kills free 90-day Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro trial

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Apple no longer offers a standalone Final Cut Pro trial.
Apple no longer offers a standalone Final Cut Pro trial.
AI Image: ChatGPT

Following the launch of the Apple Creator Studio bundle on January 13, 2026, Apple has discontinued the individual free trial for its professional creative apps. This means you can no longer individually download Final Cut Pro or Logic Pro on their own to try them out for free.

Instead, Apple now wants you to use the Creator Studio Bundle. It bundles access to all of the company’s pro creative tools in a single subscription.