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Today in Apple history: Brilliant ad campaign turns Mac ‘switcher’ into unlikely star

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Apple's
Apple's "Switch" ad makes Ellen Feiss internet famous.
Photo: Apple

June 9: Today in Apple history: Ellen Feiss becomes an unlikely star thanks to Apple's Switch ad campaign June 9, 2002: Apple launches its “Switch” advertising campaign, featuring real people talking about their reasons for switching from PCs to Macs. Apple’s biggest marketing effort since the “Think different” ad campaign a few years earlier, one “Switch” ad in particular turns a 15-year-old high school student named Ellen Feiss into an unlikely star.

She becomes a viral sensation after viewers suggest she was stoned while filming her sleepy-eyed “Switch” spot about a homework-devouring PC.

Apple might put AI strategy at center stage during WWDC

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AI at WWDC 2025
Apple executives might have a lot to say about AI at WWDC 2025.
Image: Google Gemini/Cult of Mac

Apple plans to devote a considerable portion of WWDC25 to talking about its AI strategy, according to a reliable source. That’s something of a surprise, as the iPhone maker has no big AI-related announcements to make at the developer conference.

Siri and Apple Intelligence will even get a rebrand, according to this source.

Apple retail stores could soon ease carrier promo rules

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Apple Store in Atlanta
Apple's Back to School promo goes live soon, too.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple’s yearly Back to School promo will supposedly go live in the US later this month. Like every year, the company will bundle gift cards with selected devices as part of the promo.

Additionally, Apple will double the carrier promos in its retail stores from late June to boost iPhone sales.

Today in Apple history: OS X Snow Leopard roars for the first time

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Photo of a Mac OS X Snow Leopard box. Apple released the software on August 28, 2009.
Remember this character?
Photo: Apple

June 8: Today in Apple history: Apple introduces OS X Snow Leopard June 8, 2009: Apple introduces OS X Snow Leopard, a version of its Mac operating system that ranks among the company’s finest desktop updates.

Showcased at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference in San Francisco, Snow Leopard doesn’t seem as flashy as some other Mac operating system upgrades. In fact, Apple famously includes a slide in its WWDC presentation touting “0 new features.” However, OS X Snow Leopard more than delivers on Apple’s core values, paving a path to a bright future for the Mac.

No new Macs coming at WWDC25

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WWDC Macs: Nope
Bad news for anyone hoping for an M4 Ultra Mac Pro.
Photo: Apple/Cult of mac

Apple won’t show off any new hardware at its developers conference this week, according to a reliable source. There are apparently no Macs or other products ready to launch.

Instead, WWDC25 will focus entirely on operating system upgrades and other software.

Apple’s 2027 iPhone makeover will start with iOS 26

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2027 iPhone Render
2027 iPhone may build on iOS 26's new visual design.
Photo: ChatGPT

Apple’s new visual language for iOS 19/iOS 26 reportedly will lay the groundwork for its upcoming hardware products. This will include a revamped design for the 2027 iPhone, dubbed “Glasswing.”

The device apparently will feature an all-glass design, with a “extraordinarily slim bezels” and a notch-free display.

iOS 19 wish list: Apple needs to deliver these features

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iOS 19 Wish list
iOS 19 can make up its missing AI features with other changes.
Illustration: ChatGPT

iOS improvements over the years have made the iPhone more customizable, more useful and more fun. But iOS 19 (which might be called iOS 26 instead) could raise the bar even higher by adding the features on my wish list.

Leaks strongly suggest the iPhone’s next operating system update will introduce a bold new visual design, drawing heavy inspiration from visionOS, which powers the Apple Vision Pro headset. But that visual overhaul — part of a project reportedly called Solarium that will unify the look and feel of all Apple operating systems — should not be the sole talking point during the iOS segment of next Monday’s WWDC25 keynote.

From long-overdue interface changes to smarter multitasking and better system controls, iOS 19 (or iOS 26, if Apple goes ahead with a rumored change to its naming system) has the potential to push the iPhone experience forward in meaningful ways.

With WWDC25 just days away, here’s what I hope Apple delivers with its next big update.

Today in Apple history: The first great color PowerBook arrives

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Inside its beefy chassis, the PowerBook 180c packed a beautiful color screen.
Inside its beefy chassis, the PowerBook 180c packed a beautiful color screen.
Photo: Wikipedia CC

June 7: Today in Apple history: Apple debuts the PowerBook 180c laptop June 7, 1993: Apple debuts the PowerBook 180c, a solid upgrade that brings a world of dazzling colors to the company’s laptop line.

The 180c’s big improvement over the grayscale PowerBook 180, which launched the previous October, is its active-matrix, 256-color screen. Such a screen is something of a novelty for laptops in the early 1990s.

How to make AI images on your iPhone with Image Playground

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How To Use Image Playground for iPhone
Apple’s on-device image generating app.
Image: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

Apple’s Image Playground is a free app for iPhone and other Apple devices that lets you generate unlimited AI images for free. You can generate images based on your friends, from a text prompt or totally from scratch, in a wide variety of themes and styles.

It’s part of Apple Intelligence, the growing set of AI features that work on the latest iPhones, Macs and iPads. Here’s how to use Image Playground.

Say goodbye to paid upgrades: Get Windows 11 for life for $22

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Windows CD keys
Find big savings on genuine Microsoft software like Windows CD keys. Just head to CdkeySales.com using the links below. And don’t forget to enter promo code CULT to get extra savings.
Photo: CdkeySales.com

You can score genuine Windows CD keys at low prices — like Windows 11 Pro and Windows 10 — at CdkeySales.com. And they’re for lifetime use! The sale slashes some prices by up to 91%, so why not update your PC the quick and easy way, while Windows 11 CD keys are on sale?

You also can get great deals on upgrade-ready Microsoft productivity software like Microsoft Office. Savings include Windows 10 Pro for just $17.05 — with a free upgrade to Windows 11 Pro.

User wants to downsize ultra-wide display, jack up refresh rate [Setups]

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Setups tech-ant-Reddit high refresh rate June 6 2025
The M1 Pro MacBook Pro is still going strong, but the user wants to get a smaller external display with a higher refresh rate.
Photo: [email protected]

In Setups world, the struggle continues over display preferences, in terms of those who want bigger and those who want more. Today’s MacBook Pro user dwells on the “bigger” side an an ultra-wide monitor user, but they actually want to downsize from a mammoth 49-incher and get something with a higher refresh rate. Meanwhile, they’re thrilled their M1 Pro MacBook Pro still runs like a champ. And they conceived a way to have Touch ID while hiding the keyboard it comes with.

Apple plans major changes to some of your favorite apps at WWDC25

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App updates at WWDC25
As WWDC25 looms, rumors flow of more Apple app updates.
Photo: Gemini

Apple reportedly is cooking up significant changes to core iPhone and iPad apps, with redesigned interfaces coming soon to the Phone, Safari, Camera and Messages apps. The company plans to reveal the app updates Monday during the WWDC25 keynote, alongside other sweeping changes to its operating systems.

Snapchat reaches Apple Watch

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Snapchat on Apple Watch
You don’t have to lose access to Snapchat when all you have with you is an Apple Watch.
Image: Snap, Inc.

Snapchat just reached a new frontier: your wrist. That’s right, Snap announced a version of its signature application for Apple Watch on Thursday.

But temper your expectations. The app offers a very limited feature set.

Today in Apple history: Apple chooses Intel over PowerPC

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intel
The transition to Intel was a big achievement for Steve Jobs.
Photo: Thomas Hawk/Flickr CC

June 6: Today in Apple history: Apple switches Mac to Intel chips from PowerPC June 6, 2005: Steve Jobs reveals that Apple will switch the Mac from PowerPC processors to Intel.

Speaking at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference, Jobs’ revelation reminds the tech world that he is a leader who can get things done. Given Intel’s focus on mobile computing, the move also offers a hint at what Apple’s CEO has planned for the second half of his reign.

watchOS 12 could play nice with older Apple Watch models

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Apple Watch Series 9 with Mulberry Sport Band on desk
watchOS 12/26 will apparently work with your old Apple Watch.
Photo: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

Apple reportedly does not plan to drop support for any older Apple Watch models with watchOS 12 (or watchOS 26). A leaker indicates the upcoming watchOS release will support Apple Watch Series 6 and newer models — the same as watchOS 11.

Apple discontinued support for several older Apple Watch models with the release of watchOS 11 in 2024

Apple sees stronger iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 adoption across devices

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iOS 18 logo inside an iPhone frame
iOS 18 adoption outpaces iOS 17.
Logo/Graphics: Apple/Rajesh Pandey/CultOfMac

Ahead of iOS 19‘s unveiling at WWDC25 next week, Apple shared updated iOS 18 adoption figures. As of June 4, 2025, the OS powers 88% of all iPhones launched in the last four years.

This number drops slightly to 82% when considering all active iPhones. More iPhones have adopted iOS 18 than iOS 17 during the same timeframe last year.

Apple Watch Control Center might open up to third-party apps

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Apple Watch Control Center
watchOS 12 could give the Apple Watch's Control Center a big upgrade.
Photo: Cult of Mac

The upcoming version of watchOS reportedly will shake up the Apple Watch’s Control Center by adding support for third-party widgets. Right now, it only surfaces toggles for Wi-Fi, Battery, Focus mode, and other system settings.

However, like the iPhone, Apple supposedly will open the watchOS Control Center and allow for greater customization.

Discount code: This weather radar app gives you real-time data you can use

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Weather Hi-Def Radar: This $39.99 weather radar app keeps you updated on storms, fires and more.
This advanced weather radar app keeps you updated on storms, fires and more.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

With storms and flash floods becoming more prevalent, it’s more important than ever to stay up to date with the weather in your area. And a weather radar app like Weather Hi-Def Radar lets you do just that.

This isn’t just an upgraded version of the bare-bones Weather app on your iPhone. It’s an alert system and interactive map that allows you to plan your day and stay ahead of tornadoes, wildfires and more. And now, the Weather Hi-Def Radar Storm Watch Plus plan is priced at only $28 for life with code TAKE30.

Apple Watch excels at some fitness tracking metrics, sucks at others

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Apple Watch calorie counts
Trust the heart rate and steps metrics, but be skeptical about the calories.
Photo: Graham Bower/Cult of Mac

While your Apple Watch excels at measuring some fitness metrics, when it comes to calorie counts, it struggles and flails like me on a too-rare gym visit. A new study raises questions about how much trust you can place in data gathered by the smartwatch.

Basically, Apple Watch is great for measuring heart rate and counting steps, but not so much for tallying calories burned. It’s a common problem with consumer-grade health devices.

Today in Apple history: The revolutionary Apple II goes on sale

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Apple II
Did you own an original Apple II?
Photo: Computer History Museum

June 5 Today in Apple history June 5, 1977: The first Apple II, the personal computer that will put Cupertino on the map, goes on sale.

Previously shown off to a few thousand rabid fans at the West Coast Computer Faire, the Apple II’s arrival means the masses can finally get their hands on the breakthrough machine.  A base unit costs $1,298 — the equivalent of nearly $6,900 today.

5 new Apple Arcade games include hit What the Car? for Vision Pro [Updated]

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5 new Apple Arcade games
Apple Arcade adds five new titles in June, along with lots of updates to existing games.
Photo: Apple

Apple Arcade expanded its growing library with five new games on June 5 and looks forward to four more in early July. They will offer subscribers fresh gaming experiences across iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV and Vision Pro. And Vision Pro headset users will get to play a spatial-computing version of the comedy racing game What the Car?

The new titles include original releases and popular games making their debut on the subscription service. Plenty of existing games will get updates, too.

Update: Five new Apple Arcade games, described and linked to below, came out June 5, plus Apple looked ahead to four more coming out July 3: The much-anticipated Angry Birds Bounce plus Kingdom Rush 5: Alliance TD+, Suika Game+ puzzles and Crayola Scribble Scrubbie Pets+.

App Store hits new global high of $1.3 trillion in developer billings and sales

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App Store hits new global high
Apple says developers are doing well on the App Store, globally.
Photo: Apple

Apple’s global App Store ecosystem facilitated an impressive $1.3 trillion in developer billings and sales throughout 2024, marking a milestone for the platform, the iPhone giant said Thursday.

“It’s incredible to see so many developers design great apps, build successful businesses and reach Apple users around the world,” said Apple CEO Tim Cook. “This report is a testament to the many ways developers are enriching people’s lives with app and game experiences, while creating opportunity and driving new innovations.”

New Apple MagSafe charging pucks could double iPhone charging speeds

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MagSafe 50W charging pucks
They look the same as existing Apple MagSafe charging pucks, but they'll bring more power.
Photo: 91mobiles

The iPhone could soon take a big leap in wireless charging technology, with new MagSafe 50W charging pucks that support the upcoming Qi 2.2 standard. A well-known leaker found regulatory filings that reveal two new MagSafe charger models from Apple that could enable dramatically faster wireless charging speeds, at least for newer handsets.

visionOS 3 rumors: WWDC25 could be a huge leap forward

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Vision Pro at WWDC25
This could be a big year for Apple’s big new platform.
Image: Apple/D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

WWDC25 is a mere days away. While the hottest news is that iOS, macOS, watchOS and other platforms will get a visual redesign borrowed from visionOS, the question left unasked is … what’s coming to visionOS?

Rumors say there will be new advanced eye tracking features and support for VR hand controllers. But with a full twelve months of development, Apple probably has much more in store for its premium spatial computer.

Here’s what Apple may announce on Monday for the Vision Pro.

Appeals court denies Apple request to walk back court-ordered App Store changes

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Appeals court denies Apple request to undo App Store changes
Apple can’t undo some recent modifications to the App Store ordered by a judge.
Photo: Cult of Mac

A U.S. appeals court on Wednesday shot down Apple’s request to put a hold on a recent judge’s order that opens the App Store to more financial competition.

Apple already made the changes after being ordered to by the federal judge in April, but asked that they be put on hold during the appeal process. A federal appeals court denied the request.