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Make calls more personal: Your guide to creating custom iPhone Contact Posters

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Create A Great Contact Poster on iPhone
How to make a killer contact poster.
Image: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

Contact Posters let you customize how your Apple contact card looks to other people when you call them. If they have your contact info in their address book, your customized Contact Poster will appear on their iPhone’s screen. 

Done right, Contact Posters look great — way better than the old thumbnail images that preceded them. Plus, it’s really easy to turn an ordinary picture into a gorgeous-looking Contact Poster that makes a real impact.

And once you set one up, everyone with your matching phone number and/or Apple Account will see your chosen contact picture and personalized Contact Poster.

I’ll show you how to set one up; the process might look familiar if you’ve set up a custom Lock Screen.

Tiny snap-on iPhone game controller is always ready to play [Review] ★★★★

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Abxylute M4 review: Tiny iPhone game controller★★★★
Your iPhone is always ready to have fun with the Abxylute M4 game controller.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The Abxylute M4 game controller is genuinely pocket-size, but clip it to your iPhone and you’ll have all the buttons and sticks you want to play retro and modern games.

It clings to your iPhone’s MagSafe connector, plus it includes a stand for detached gaming.

I enjoyed testing out the pint-size game controller with my iPhone 17, as long as I accepted the reasons for its necessary limitations. The affordable price helped a lot, too.

Today in Apple history: World’s first iPad-only newspaper folds

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The Daily iPad newspaper was a great, but ultimately failed, experiment.
News Corp's experiment with an iPad "newspaper" came to an ugly end.
Image: The Daily

December 3: Today in Apple history: iPad-only newspaper The Daily closes December 3, 2012: News Corp pulls the plug on The Daily, the world’s first iPad-only newspaper, less than two years after launching the publication.

While the writing has been on the wall for some time, the closure is a blow for those who view the iPad as the savior of the traditional publishing industry.

Your calendar just got smarter: Grab this AI upgrade for just $30

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Photo of a person scheduling an event on the calendar of n iPhone using Smart Calendars AI
Make adding calendar events effortless with this AI-powered tool.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Organize your week the fast and easy way with Smart Calendars AI, an app that works like your personal scheduling assistant. It works on iPhone, iPad and Mac and makes it simple to plan out your personal agenda.

This isn’t just another planner app. It’s an AI-powered assistant that thinks the way you do — capturing ideas, interpreting context and turning them into organized plans without the mental gymnastics.

And right now, you can bag a three-year subscription to Smart Calendars AI for just $29.99.

These go to 11: Rock out to a dozen killer audio setups

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Polk Audio boosts Mac mini sound
This user filled his man shed with Polk Audio, both for the Mac mini setup and the tremendous home theater.
Photo: [email protected]

Some people accept that many computers and external displays have pretty good speakers in them and leave their computer setup audio at that, plus maybe a pair of headphones or earbuds. Others accept no such thing and insist on cranking up the volume and ripping the knob off with killer audio gear. My roundup of cool setups below focuses on stellar workstation audio and those who, like me, take it as seriously as living room audio. 

iPhone 17 boom to drive Apple’s biggest sales year

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Close-up photo of iPhone 17 Pro's camera array
A huge hit!
Photo: Lewis Wallace/Cult of Mac

Apple may ship a whopping 247 million iPhones in 2025 thanks to the “phenomenal success” of iPhone 17. The new iPhones have also led to Apple reclaiming its lost market share in China.

Post the launch of iPhone 17, Apple grabbed 20% market share in China, “miles ahead of the competition,” says an IDC report.

Price drop: Browse like a ghost, stream like a god for just $4 a year with this VPN

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Woman looking at computer with iProVPN installed.
With iProVPN, you can enjoy your favorite content and have peace of mind knowing your information is secure.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

One minute you’re looking at a pair of cowboy boots on the web; the next, you’re getting Instagram ads for that exact same brand. You’re not paranoid. And with a virtual private network like iProVPN, you could be browsing a lot more privately.

A VPN gives you a simple way to get all-around protection on your devices to keep your sensitive data safe. If you don’t want to spend a fortune, consider grabbing this five-year iProVPN subscription for just $19.99, down from $360.

The real reason Apple turned to Intel chips again

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The real reason Apple turned to Intel chips again
Apple and Intel are patching things up. Here's why.
Image: ChatGPT

Your next Mac might run on an Intel processor, which is a gigantic surprise, considering Apple dropped the chipmaker years ago in favor of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company.

But there’s a standout reason why Apple needs Intel — and it might not be what you think.

How to find your music stats with Apple Music Replay 2025

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Apple Music Replay graphic
Find your top songs of the year.
Image: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

Apple Music Replay is a great way to find your music stats for the past year: the most played songs, artists and albums in the last 12 months. Similar to Spotify Wrapped and the like, your annual Apple Music Replay is a fun way to see what tracks you listened to most.

Fun fact: Apple usually publicizes Apple Music Replay in December, but it’s actually updated weekly and available throughout the whole year! You can check in whenever you want to see how your year is shaping up.

We’ll show you how to find it and how to share your top music of the year to your friends and social media.

10 must-have accessories to supercharge your iPhone 17 Pro Max

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best iPhone 17 Pro Max accessories
Make the most of iPhone 17 Pro Max.
AI image: Grok

iPhone 17 Pro Max is Apple’s most advanced smartphone to date, featuring the powerful A19 Pro chip, an innovative vapor chamber cooling system and the best battery life ever in an iPhone. With its stunning 6.9-inch Super Retina XDR display protected by Ceramic Shield 2 and revolutionary camera capabilities, this device is engineered for excellence. However, even the most sophisticated technology benefits from the right accessories to unlock its full potential — so check out our 10 must-have iPhone 17 Pro Max accessories below. 

Whether you’re a creative professional pushing the boundaries of mobile photography, a power user who demands all-day productivity, or simply someone who wants to protect and enhance their significant investment, the right accessories can transform your iPhone 17 Pro Max experience. From tough-as-nails screen protectors to wireless chargers that deliver blazing-fast 25W speeds, and from professional-grade camera lenses to ultra-slim power banks that slip into your pocket, today’s accessory ecosystem offers unprecedented versatility.

Today in Apple history: QuickTime brings video to the masses

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Edited image of a Macintosh LC running QuickTime
QuickTime brought multimedia to Macs -- and the masses.
Photo illustration: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

December 2: Today in Apple history: QuickTime brings video to the masses December 2, 1991: Apple ships its first public version of the QuickTime player, bringing video to Mac users running System 7.

Containing codecs for graphics, animation and video, QuickTime confirms Apple’s status as a leading multimedia tech company. The software also starts us on the path to playing video on our computers. This fundamental transformation of Macs into media machines eventually leads to iTunes Movies, YouTube and more.

A new iCloud alternative just dropped an 8TB lifetime subscription

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Photo of person using FileLu cloud storage on a mobile device
Save 59% on lifetime access to 8TB of encrypted cloud storage!
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Stop paying every month to store your files with this new deal on 8TB of lifetime cloud storage from FileLu. It’s secure, simple and private — and right now, it’s on sale for just $649.99 (a massive 59% off the usual price of $1,600).

Plus, if you don’t need that much storage, you can opt for lower tiers at similar discounts.

Samsung’s first trifold phone unfolds into a 10-inch tablet

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Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold
A phone that's also a tablet.
Photo: Samsung

While Apple reportedly readies its first foldable iPhone for 2026, Samsung is aiming higher. On Tuesday, the company unveiled its first multifolding device, the aptly named Galaxy Z TriFold. 

“Through years of innovation in foldable form factors, Galaxy Z TriFold solves one of the mobile industry’s longest-standing challenges — delivering the perfect balance between portability, premium performance and productivity all in one device. Galaxy Z TriFold now expands the boundaries of what’s possible for mobile work, creativity and connection,” said Samsung’s mobile division CEO TM Roh.­

The innovative handset comes at an eye-watering price, though.

Apple replaces AI chief, taps ex-Googler to fix Apple Intelligence

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Apple replaces AI chief, taps ex-Googler to fix Apple Intelligence
Apple found an expert with extensive AI experience to put in charge of some of its AI efforts.
AI image: Google Gemini/Cult of Mac

John Giannandrea, the man responsible for making Apple Intelligence what it is today, is out. It’s an expected change, as senior management reportedly didn’t think Giannandrea could provide the leadership needed to develop critical AI products.

Amar Subramanya, who Apple poached from Microsoft, will replace Giannandrea. Prior to his short stint at Microsoft, Subramanya spent many years at Google — most recently as head of engineering for the Gemini AI chatbot.

Price drop: This app can identify more than 33,000 plant species

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This $20 app can identify over 14,000 plant species.
Identify and care for plants with this app.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Love spending time outdoors or nurturing greenery? Consider Plantum, an AI-powered plant identifier that’s like a flora encyclopedia you can carry around in your pocket. This iOS plant identification app can identify more than 33,000 plant species and offer tips on plant care.

It comes in handy whether you’re walking through the great outdoors or managing your garden. And for a limited time, a lifetime subscription is on sale for just $14.97 with code GROW5 (regularly $59.99).

Apple fans really want a red iPhone 17 for World AIDS Day

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AI image of a red iPhone 17 Pro
A red iPhone 17 Pro might look like this.
AI image: Grok

Plenty of Apple fans miss red iPhones, if responses to an X.com post Monday from Apple marketing chief Greg Joswiak is anything to go by.

He talked about the company’s donations on World AIDS Day through customer purchases. Joswiak didn’t even mention hardware, but the commenters sure did. 

Master AirDrop: Your ultimate guide to seamless file sharing on iPhone, iPad and Mac

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How to AirDrop: Drop It My Way
AirDrop is right up there with iMessage as a great Apple-exclusive feature. Learn how to use it.
Image: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

If you want to know the fastest and easiest way to send someone photos, videos, files and so, so much more, you should know how to AirDrop. There’s no need to send an iMessage — Apple’s slick AirDrop feature will immediately send and open the content on someone else’s iPhone (or other Apple device). There’s no middle step.

AirDrop works iPhone-to-iPhone, iPhone-to-Mac, iPhone-to-iPad, Vision Pro-to-Mac — any combination and permutation of two Apple devices. And, if your friend has a Google Pixel 10, you can AirDrop with them, too!

Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about how to take advantage of AirDrop.

Live now: Best Cyber Monday AirPods deals 2025 — lowest prices ever unlocked!

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Best Black Friday AirPods deals 2025 -- lowest prices ever unlocked!
Every AirPods model is currently marked down ahead of Black Friday.
Image: Cult of Mac

These excellent Cyber Monday deals on all AirPods models make Apple’s lineup of trend-setting headphones more affordable than ever.

Whether you want Apple’s entry-level earbuds (AirPods 4, with or without active noise cancellation), the amazingly versatile AirPods Pro 3 or the luxurious over-ear AirPods Max headphones, you can be sure that the latest models will work like a charm with all your Apple devices.

They’re even better when you can snag them at a discount — and most of these Black Friday deals drop AirPods to their lowest prices yet!

Today in Apple history: Too little, too late for Apple III

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Apple relaunched the ill-fated Apple III, hoping to fix the computer's big problems.
Apple relaunched its ill-fated Apple III, hoping to address some serious problems with the original model.
Photo: Alker33/YouTube

December 1: Today in Apple history: Apple III relaunch December 1, 1981: After the disastrous rollout of the “next-gen” Apple III in 1980, Apple releases a revised edition of the computer that corrects most of its glaring hardware faults.

Unfortunately, the damage has already been done. Apple experiences its first “flop” product with the Apple II’s doomed successor.

Cyber Monday deal drops iPad mini to record-low price

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Cyber Monday 2025 iPad mini deal
The latest iPad mini 7 with A17 Pro has never been more affordable. Never.
Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac

The iPad mini 7 is a standout in this year’s Cyber Monday sales, with the steepest price cut the compact tablet has ever seen. You can get the powerful yet ultra-portable iPad at an amazing 30% off, dropping the cost way, way down to $349.

Whether you want a travel-friendly device, a sleek tablet for reading and note-taking, or a capable companion for school or work, this iPad mini Cyber Monday deal is one of the most compelling tablet bargains of 2025.

Live now: Best Cyber Monday MacBook deals 2025 are selling fast

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Stylized photo of a MacBook Air on a yellow background to illustrate MacBook Black Friday deals 2025
There's no better time to buy a new laptop.
Image: Cult of Mac

This Cyber Monday, you can find stellar discounts on a new MacBook. With Intel Macs aging out, there’s no better time to upgrade to the latest models that run on far-superior Apple silicon processors.

Whether you’re looking at the base MacBook Air or a specced-out MacBook Pro, you can rack up hundreds of dollars in savings by upgrading this week. 

Take a look at these Cyber Monday deals on MacBooks and get ready to make your next big move. 

Cyber Monday 2025: Score record-low prices on AirPods, iPads, MacBooks and more

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Images of Apple products on sale for Cyber Monday 2025
Some Cyber Monday Apple deals are even better than the Black Friday sales.
Image: Cult of Mac

Our guide to the best Cyber Monday 2025 deals on Apple products and accessories showcases some prices that are even lower than Black Friday’s blowout sales. We’ll update this post throughout the day, but the clock is ticking. These Cyber Monday deals should end at midnight!

Our favorite earbuds — AirPods Pro 3 — remain at an all-time low price. The iPad mini just hit a new low of $349. And somehow, an amazing deal on the latest M4 MacBook Air got even more amazing as Cyber Monday approaches.

Find our absolute favorite Apple Cyber Monday picks, and our other favorite deals sorted by product category, below.

Cyber Monday alert: Deals slash prices on portable SSDs from Sandisk, Samsung and Kingston

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Portable SSD Black Friday deals
Upgrade your MacBook storage with a deal on a portable SSD this Cyber Monday.
Image: Google Gemini

Cyber Monday has arrived, and with it come amazing deals on portable SSDs. If you’ve been constantly running out of space on your laptop, desktop or tablet, this is your moment.

There are deals from top brands: Sandisk, Samsung and Kingston that shouldn’t be missed.

Live now: Best Cyber Monday 2025 iPad deals — iPad 11, M3 iPad Air, M5 iPad Pro

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Best Black Friday iPad deals 2025 — mega price drop alert!
Save an amazing 25% on a new Apple tablet. Do not miss these Cyber Monday iPad sales.
Image: Cult of Mac

Cyber Monday is officially here, and for iPad fans, the deals are looking good. Lots of iPads are on sale for their lowest-ever prices. Whether you’re hunting for a dependable workhorse, a powerful all-rounder, or a pro-level device, the iPad deals hitting the market shouldn’t be ignored.

The budget-friendly iPad is now 21% off, making it a steal for students, casual users, or families. Meanwhile, the sleek M3 iPad Air is discounted by an amazing 25%, bringing high-performance efficiency at an even more tempting price. And for creative pros, the brand-new M5 iPad Pro is also seeing an early discount — a rare opportunity to grab cutting-edge power and graphics capabilities without paying full retail.

Price drop: Save even more on a lifetime of Babbel language learning

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This is your last chance to grab a lifetime of award-winning language learning with this Babbel language app deal.
Grab lifetime access to the world’s most popular language learning app for less than $130 for a limited time.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Whether you want to get the most out of your travels, spruce up your resume or simply expand your skills, learning a new language is an excellent way to level up. One of the easiest methods for doing that — and for fitting learning seamlessly into your schedule — is with a convenient language app such as Babbel. And you can get it for less with this limited-time Babbel language app deal.

For a limited time, you can secure lifetime access to Babbel for just $129.99 (regularly $299) with code LEARN from Cult of Mac Deals.