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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.

iOS 19 may turn your AirPods into a remote camera button

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Apple AirPods 4 review
iOS 26 could make the AirPods Pro even better.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

iOS 19/iOS 26 will reportedly enhance the AirPods experience by introducing new head gestures. The earbuds will also become smart enough to stop audio playback when you fall asleep while wearing them. Plus, you may finally be able to use the AirPods as a remote shutter for the camera.

With every new major iOS release, Apple added new features to AirPods as well. It appears the company may continue that trend this year as well.

Crop, rotate and skew photos on iPhone

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Fix Your Perspective
Straighten out images that were taken slightly askew.
Image: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

If you’re traveling this summer, there’s a neat editing trick to get spectacular shots of landmarks or murals. On the iPhone, you can crop, skew and rotate a photo using the Photos app’s advanced editing tools to make adjustments you might not have thought were possible.

You can quickly fix the perspective or angle a picture was taken from, correct the fisheye distortion on an ultra-wide photo and more. You can also precisely rotate and skew the perspective, for those times when you don’t realize until it’s too late that your shot is slightly to the side or slightly off-center.

The best part is you can can fix it all directly in the Photos app. Here’s how.

Trade tensions stall Apple Intelligence rollout in China

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Apple Intelligence rollout in China
A regulatory mess and political uncertainty delay the rollout of Apple Intelligence in China.
Photo: Grok

Apple’s much-anticipated launch of Apple Intelligence in China has been indefinitely delayed as the company’s AI partnership with Alibaba faces regulatory roadblocks tied to the intensifying trade war between the United States and China, according to a new report.

Today in Apple history: Mac clone-maker peaks before a dizzying decline

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Power Computing clone Macs sounded like a good idea at first.
Power Computing's clone Macs were built for speed.
Photo: Antnik

June 4: Today in Apple history: Mac clone-maker Power Computing peaks, begins rapid decline June 4, 1997: Mac clone-maker Power Computing hits its high point as the company’s top exec reaches an agreement with Apple concerning the forthcoming Mac OS 8.

The deal allows the company to start making moves toward an IPO as the fastest-growing PC company of the decade. Things don’t turn out well, though.

Ruko U11MINI 4K drone: A pocket-size powerhouse for aerial creators

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Photo of Ruko U11mini 4K drone flying over a body of water toward land.
This drone packs advanced features into a portable package.
Photo: Ruko

For creators who value portability and performance, the U11MINI 4K drone is a dream come true. Weighing less than 249 grams, it avoids Federal Aviation Administration registration hassles while delivering professional-grade image quality, intelligent flight features and one of the longest flight times in its class.

Whether you’re filming epic landscapes or just exploring the skies, this compact drone punches way above its weight.

This Apple Watch charging cable hides a magnetic trick up its sleeve

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Apple watch being charged through a Statik MagStack Slim for Apple Watch charger cable that is attached to an iPad.
Grab this clever Apple Watch charger while it's on sale!
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Keeping your Apple Watch charged on the go usually means dealing with messy cables that tangle easily or bulky chargers that take up valuable space in your bag. Statik’s new MagStack Slim for Apple Watch is a more compact, durable and tidy way of keeping your wearable powered wherever you are.

Designed specifically for Apple Watch users, this charger offers a unique, sleek design with a magnetic upgrade that makes it much easier to use and transport. It’s also on sale for $23.99 (regularly $29.99). That’s cheaper than Apple’s charger — and the best price you’ll find anywhere online.

All the sweet new watchOS features we expect at WWDC25

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An image of an Apple Watch Ultra on a wrist.
What's in store for the next version of watchOS? A big name change might be just the start.
Image: Graham Bower/Cult of Mac

There’s less than a week to go until WWDC, the annual developer fest where Apple takes the wraps off its latest OS releases. While the rumor mill has mostly focused on iPhone this year, there’s plenty for Apple Watch fans to look forward to.

Rumor has it that the next big watch update — possibly dubbed “watchOS 26,” in line with Apple’s rumored naming convention shakeup — will get a fresh new user interface, Apple Intelligence, conversation transcriptions and a smart AI coach that delivers tailored health and fitness advice.

Let’s roll up our sleeves and take a closer look at what’s in store for Apple Watch.

iOS 19 will bring smart upgrades to Messages and Music apps

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iOS 19 render logo
iOS 19 will offer more than a redesign.
Photo: Rajesh Pandey/Cult of Mac

Apple reportedly will introduce several enhancements to its Messages, Notes and Music apps as part of iOS 19. New additions in the Messages app include automatic translations and support for polls. And the Music app will enhance the Now Playing view on the Lock Screen by adding animated, full-screen album art.

Apple A20 chip will move to 2nm and bring the RAM inside

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Apple A20 chip
The A20 chip will arrive in 2026 with the iPhone 18 generation.
Image: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

Apple’s A20 chip, which likely will power the iPhone 18 Pro and folding iPhone, reportedly will use a new technology that integrates RAM inside the chip. Bringing the memory closer to the CPU, GPU and Neural Engine might provide significant boosts in performance, battery life and thermal efficiency.

The A20 also would be Apple’s first chip produced using the cutting-edge 2 nanometer process. Rumors that the die shrink would arrive this year now seem to be totally dead.

How to set up Game Center to pwn your friends

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Game On With Game Center
Set up Game Center and you can compete with friends in the games you both play.
Image: Apple/D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

Apple’s Game Center service lets you compete with friends and unlock achievements in the games you play. You can see where you rank among your friends — and globally. Achievements will give you a list of missions to accomplish to prove your mastery of the game. You can even play live multiplayer games on all your separate devices using SharePlay.

Up until iOS 10, Game Center existed as a separate app on iPhone and iPad, which made this all easier to manage. And rumor has it that Apple will replace Game Center with the next major version of iOS, to be announced next week at WWDC25.

How do you manage your Game Center account now, on iOS 18? What options do you have? How do you add friends?

Apple Design Awards: Try the best apps and games of 2025

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Apple Design Awards winning apps and games
Take some time to check out this year's Apple Design Awards winners -- the best apps and games.
Photo: Apple

Apple revealed the winners of its prestigious 2025 Apple Design Awards Tuesday, celebrating 12 exceptional apps and games that showcase the very best of what’s possible on Apple devices. And the celebration of Apple Design Awards-winning apps and games will carry on at WWDC25, Apple said.

“Developers continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible, creating apps and games that are not only beautifully designed but also deeply impactful,” said Susan Prescott, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide Developer Relations. “We’re excited to celebrate this incredible group of winners and finalists at WWDC and spotlight the innovation and craftsmanship they bring to each experience.”

Today in Apple history: iOS overtakes BlackBerry OS

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A BlackBerry device running BlackBerry OS that shows an empty battery icon on its screen.
Time was running out for BlackBerry.
Photo: Kārlis Dambrāns/Flickr CC

June 3: Today in Apple history: iOS overtakes BlackBerry OS for first time June 3, 2011: iOS overtakes Research in Motion’s BlackBerry operating system for the first time, with Apple’s mobile operating system inching past BlackBerry OS.

While Android remains comfortably in the lead in terms of market share, the news marks the beginning of the end for BlackBerry as a smartphone powerhouse.

macOS 16 rumors: What to expect at WWDC25

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Image of the Apple logo with
The next major macOS release could pack bigger changes than anticipated.
Illustration: ChatGPT

WWDC25 is nearly here, with iOS 19 and iPadOS 19 possibly set to steal the spotlight. However, the latest rumors indicate you shouldn’t count macOS 16 out just yet, as it might bring more upgrades than expected. It might not even be called macOS 16, if Apple’s rumored switch to year-based release names happens. (We’ll refer to it as macOS 16 until the big switch happens.)

With June 9 fast approaching, here’s a breakdown of what macOS 16 could bring to the table.

Get a refurbished M2 iPad Air at a discount straight from Apple

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get Apple refurbished M2 iPad Air models
If you don't want to shell out for a new M3 iPad Air, consider a refurbished M2 iPad Air.
Photo: Apple

Apple quietly expanded its refurbished product lineup in the United States this week, adding 11-inch and 13-inch M2 iPad Air models to its Certified Refurbished store for the first time. Now you can take your pick of Apple refurbished iPad Air 2 models at discounts of around 15% off.

Apple previously made these refurbished iPad Air models available in the United Kingdom. But this marks the first opportunity for U.S. customers to purchase these previous-generation iPad Air models at a significant discount directly from Apple.

Apple TV+ takes swing at Sunday Night Baseball streaming rights

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Friday Night Baseball and Sunday 2
Winning bids might result in Sunday Night Baseball on Apple TV+.
Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac

Apple TV+ steps up as a front-running candidate to acquire Major League Baseball’s Sunday night games and other premium content currently held by ESPN, according to a new report. This means Apple TV+ might acquire Sunday Night Baseball streaming rights.

That potentially expands the streaming service’s baseball offerings significantly beyond its existing Friday night package, even as it pushes for more sports content across the board.

Save $100 on Beats Fit Pro earbuds

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Lady with sunglasses wearing Beats Fit Pro earbuds to illustrate a half-price deal.
Grab Beats Fit Pro earbuds for 50% off the regular price with this open-box deal.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

If you want a nice pair of all-purpose earbuds you can wear from work straight to the gym, check out the Beats Fit Pro Earbuds in this deal. They’re comfortable for all-day use, come with advanced features that rival AirPods Pro, and pack a sporty design that’s great for hitting the gym.

And right now, you can pick up a pair of “new, open box” Beats Fit Pro earbuds for just $99.99. That’s 50% off the regular price of $199.99.

2 iPhone 17 models may lack ProMotion features in their 120Hz displays

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iPhone 17 and 17 Air may lack ProMotion display features
The debate continues over whether all four iPhone 17 models will get ProMotion display, or if two of them will just be 120Hz.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple’s upcoming iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Air will probably receive significant display upgrades, but recent leaks suggest the improvements may not be as comprehensive as initially hoped. While multiple sources have indicated the non-Pro models will finally get high refresh rate screens, a conflicting report now questions whether these will include Apple’s full ProMotion technology.

In other words, base iPhone 17 and super-thin iPhone 17 Air may lack what makes ProMotion what it is.

Apple Intelligence might take a backseat at WWDC25

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Apple Intelligence at WWDC25
WWDC25 won’t be as Apple Intelligence-packed as last year.
Image: Apple/D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

Apple doesn’t have as many Apple Intelligence features to announce at WWDC25 as it did during last year’s developer conference. However, a handful of new AI features should arrive, including Apple Intelligence-generated Shortcuts automations, an Apple Intelligence API for developers, and AI-powered health tips. Apple’s foundation language model itself will also be improved, with versions in four different sizes currently in testing.

Here’s what to expect on Apple Intelligence next Monday during the WWDC25 keynote.