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Price drop: Add wireless CarPlay to your vehicle for less than $65

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Get full Apple CarPlay functionality with this 7” display, now under $90.
Navigate, take calls, listen to music and more with this inexpensive CarPlay-compatible touchscreen.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Want a major car upgrade without buying a new vehicle? You can add a 7-inch dashboard display that works with Apple’s CarPlay and Android Auto for just $64.99 (regularly $139). That’s a great deal on an after-market wireless CarPlay display with a vivid touchscreen.

Designed to put your smartphone’s features and apps front and center in any car, this wireless car display makes road trips easier, safer and more fun. It’s incredibly easy to set up and widely compatible with various automobiles.

Clear out your overstuffed iCloud storage

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How to clear iCloud storage
You create space in iCloud by deleting old backups. Here’s how.
Image: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

It’s World Backup Day, a good opportunity to learn how to clear iCloud storage of old backup files made by iPhone and iPad. Are you running out of iCloud storage space? Worried about privacy? You might want to delete some old backups from the cloud.

The good news is erasing these files is easy if you know the steps to follow. Here’s how.

macOS Sequoia 15.4 brings AI email categorization and Apple Intelligence in new languages

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macOS 15.4
The wait is over for macOS Sequoia 15.4.
Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac

Apple released macOS Sequoia 15.4 for Mac users around the world Monday. The upgrade brings AI-powered automatic categorization of emails in Apple’s Mail app, among other things. Plus, it makes Apple Intelligence available in many more languages and regions.

The launch came earlier than expected — Apple previously said the next macOS version would debut in April.

iPadOS 18.4 also launched Monday with the same mail categorization. Plus, iOS 18.4 reached iPhone users, and visionOS 2.4 arrived as well.

Everything new in iOS 18.4 [Out now]

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Everything New in iOS 18.4
This one is the emoji update.
Image: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

iOS 18.4, which Apple released Monday, brings several significant new features to iPhones. It is one of the biggest updates to the operating system since the initial public release of iOS 18 in September 2024.

Among other things, the update will also introduce a key Apple Intelligence feature that Apple showcased at WWDC24. Keep reading to learn about all the new features in iOS 18.4 — or watch our video. (Apple also released iPadOS 18.4, macOS Sequoia 15.4 and visionOS 2.4, which include similar upgrades, on Monday.)

Price drop: Master ChatGPT and Google Gemini with these intro to AI courses

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Learn to use AI more effectively with this $25 ChatGPT and Gemini e-degree certification bundle.
Harness the power of AI with knowledge from this $25 ChatGPT and Gemini course bundle.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

ChatGPT and Google Gemini are quickly becoming popular tools for tasks ranging from research to brainstorming. And ChatGPT will even be baked into Apple Intelligence later this year. If you’re looking for an intro to these ever-evolving AI tools, you can catch up with the latest developments with this comprehensive artificial intelligence certification course bundle.

The 2024 Complete ChatGPT and Gemini AI Advanced E-Degree courses from Eduonix show you how AI works and get you up to speed on the state of this rapidly changing tech. Right now, you can gain lifetime access to these courses for just $19.99.

Today in Apple history: First iPad reviews hail a true game-changer

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iPad
Did you own an original iPad?
Photo: Apple

March 31: Today in Apple history: First iPad reviews hail a true game-changer March 31, 2010: The world gets its first sense of how Apple’s tablet measures up, as the first iPad reviews hit the internet.

The consensus? That there’s no Flash, no USB, no multitasking — but Apple’s tablet offers an exciting new computing experience all the same. As USA Today writes, “The first iPad is a winner.”

Affordable Aune open-back headphones thrill for the price [Setups]

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aune
Two rarities here: Aune open-back headphones and Wobkey mechanical keyboard.
Photo: [email protected]

I love a solid setup featuring Apple’s killer Mac Studio desktop computer — and all the more so if some of the peripherals look fantastic and are completely new to me. Today’s compact workstation, for example, features a cool Wobkey 80 mechanical keyboard. But I was even more distracted by a fascinating set of relatively affordable open-back headphones — Aune AR5000.

When I think at a glance that it’s a pair of $2,000 headphones, but they only cost $300 despite having premium features, I get excited.

Apple and Elon Musk go head-to-head over satellite connectivity

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Starlink Satellites
Elon Musk’s political clout might force Apple to use Starlink for satellite connectivity.
Photo: Starlink

Apple’s move to build satellite connectivity into the iPhone reportedly faces pushback from Elon Musk, owner of the rival Starlink satellite service.

Competition between similar services is nothing unusual, but the twist here is that Musk is the world’s richest man by a wide margin and has become extraordinarily powerful in President Donald Trump’s administration, to the point where some critics call him an unelected co-president. He’ll be a tough foe for Apple.

Apple plans to put an AI health coach on your devices

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Apple AI health coach
In the near future, an AI health coach may analyze your data and make recommendations.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple may take a significant leap forward in its health initiatives within about a year, completely revamping its Health app and adding an Apple AI health coach, according to a new report.

With more resources trained on the goal, called Project Mulberry, the iPhone giant gets closer to delivering on CEO Tim Cook’s vision that Apple’s greatest contribution to society will be in health care.

Today in Apple history: Apple goes to war with The Beatles again

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Beatles
The Beatles' clash with Apple ran for almost 30 years.
Photo: Apple Corps

March 30: Today in Apple history: Apple goes to war with The Beatles again March 30, 2006: A court case begins that once again pits Apple Computer against Apple Corps, aka The Beatles’ record label and holding company.

The lawsuit caps a long-running legal battle between the two wealthy companies. It’s the final fight in an epic legal battle over music, technology and money.

Apple preps M5 iPad Pro and MacBook Pro launch for later this year

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Final Cut Pro for iPad editing a Cult of Mac video
M5 iPad Pro may only be a few months away from launch.
Photo: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

Apple’s M5-equipped iPad Pros reportedly already entered “late testing” stages inside the company and should go into mass production in the second half of 2025.

And, sticking to its regular upgrade cycle, Apple also will refresh the MacBook Pro lineup with the M5 chip later this year.

Severance finishes near the tops of the ratings charts

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Severence season 2 episode 5 recap - Mark and Milchick
Adam Scott and Tramell Tillman star in “Severance,” a huge hit for Apple TV+.
Photo: Apple TV+

In the week of its season 2 finale,  Severance stayed near the top of the lists of most-watched streaming series, according to a pair of companies that track ratings. Week after week, the weird workplace drama on Apple TV+ keeps beating almost everything on any streaming service.

Plus, the new comedy The Studio became one of the popular series on streaming last week.

MacBook Pro refurb is nearly half off (M1 + Touch Bar)

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Apple MacBook Pro 13
Get a refurbished MacBook Pro with Touch Bar at almost half tag price!
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

This MacBook Pro refurb is a great way to get a high-end machine with insane battery life on the cheap.

For just $550 (nearly half off) you get a 13-inch M1 MacBook Pro for $100 less than Walmart is selling a brand-new M1 MacBook Air.

These machines are almost identical except the Pro has an internal CPU fan that allows the M1 chip to perform at its maximum.

“You’re getting the same computer with a better cooling system for sustained performance for $100 less, so it’s a steal,” said Cult of Mac writer D Griffin Jones in our internal Slack.

Plus, this MacBook Pro boasts the infamous Touch Bar (which some people love) plus an extra high-performance Thunderbolt 4 port.

Today in Apple history: iPhone 4 owners get Antennagate payout

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Steve Jobs stands onstage with the word
No, you weren't holding your iPhone wrong.
Photo: Apple

March 29: Today in Apple history: iPhone 4 owners get Antennagate payout March 29, 2012: Apple settles its “Antennagate” controversy by giving affected iPhone 4 owners the chance to claim a whopping $15 payout. The settlement covers customers who experienced problems with the phone dropping calls due to its cutting-edge design, but were unable to return their handsets (or didn’t want a free bumper from Apple to mitigate against the problem).

While it’s arguable whether a $15 payout was worth filing all the paperwork necessary to claim the cash, the Antennagate story — and the resulting class-action lawsuit — generated big headlines at the time.

Europeans can set Google Maps as default iPhone navigation app

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Europeans can now set Google Maps as default navigation app
You can make Google Maps the default iPhone navigation app… if you live in the right place.
Photo: Macerkopf/Cult of Mac

Starting Friday, iPhone users who love Google Maps can make it the default navigation application. It replaces Apple Maps, the current default.

But there is an important caveat. While the option is reportedly available for European iPhone users, those in the United States got left out.

iOS 18.4 and macOS Sequoia 15.4 take penultimate step toward release [Update]

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iOS 18.4
The iOS 18.4 Release Candidate means the full version is almost here.
Photo: Apple/Cult of Nac

Apple seeded second release candidates of iOS 18.4 and iPadOS 18.4 on Friday, a day after releasing a second release candidate for macOS 15.4. These follow-up releases likely do nothing but fix bugs discovered in the first release candidates of these operating systems, which Apple released Monday.

When the final versions go live sometime in April, the OS updates will give millions of people around the world their first access to Apple Intelligence (and bring other improvements to boot). But they won’t include the much-anticipated smarter version of Siri that Apple promised last year.

5 secret tips and tricks in Safari on iPhone

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5 Safari Tricks & Secrets
Get the most out of the browser in your pocket.
Image: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

Since I spend a lot of time using Safari on my iPhone, any new tips and tricks I learn can feel life-changing. Apple’s mobile web browser proves absolutely instrumental to my iPhone usage (and odds are, it does for you, too).

Here are a few of my favorite hidden features. These Safari tips will help you browse the web faster, clean up your experience and restore tabs you accidentally close. I also have a handy Shortcut you can download at the end.

Keep reading or watch our video.

Final Cut Pro adds Image Playground for Mac, portrait mode for iPad and more

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Final Cut Pro adds Image Playground
Final Cut Pro now works with Image Playground.
Photo: Apple

Big updates across Apple’s Final Cut Pro video-editing software lineup introduce AI-driven Image Playground integration, plus improved workflows and enhanced recording options.

Apple released Final Cut Pro updates Thursday that add Image Playground for Mac and iPad users. Plus, iPad users can use the software in portrait orientation for the first time.

Compact MacBook Pro station wins for best use of space [Setups]

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saving space with setup
It's not like it's an incomplete setup, either.
Photo: [email protected]

Today’s MacBook Pro setup so excels at saving space it fits more into its little nook under a staircase than many people, including me, fit in setups without that constraint. In addition to the usual, they’ve even got multiple game systems, two printers and a book collection in there. And the user still rocks a version of my previous laptop, the great M1 Pro MacBook Pro. No doubt it’s still good for a few more years.

Discount code: Scan and fax documents with your iPhone using this multipurpose app

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Photo of man using SwiftScan VIP scanning app on an iPhone.
The SwiftScan VIP app turns your iPhone into a scanner.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

While the world is increasingly going digital, paper documents are still in use and need to be incorporated into your workflow. The SwiftScan VIP scanning app bridges the gap between paper and digital. It turns your iPhone into a convenient scanning and faxing multitool. And right now, it’s on sale at the best price you’ll find online.

Today in Apple history: Apple racks up staggering $700 million loss

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Apple is worth more than the entire US energy sector combined
In 1996, Apple's worst quarter yet saw the company lose $700 million.
Image: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

March 28: Today in Apple history: Apple racks up staggering $700 million loss March 28, 1996: In a dire message to Wall Street, Apple warns that it will report a $700 million after-tax loss for its most recent quarter.

Apple’s biggest quarterly loss in history, the shocking news reveals a company in far more financial trouble than previously thought. More than half the loss comes from $1 billion of unsold products.

Find My-compatible water bottle doubles as iPhone stand

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Journey Reevus smart water bottle
It's not just an insulated water bottle you can't lose (with Find My), it's an iPhone stand that can work as a tripod or camera gimbal.
Photo: Journey

A smart new water bottle called Reevus integrates with Apple’s Find My network so you never leave it behind at the gym, and it doubles as an iPhone stand and camera gimbal for steady photos and videos on your adventures, Journey said Friday. It called the water bottle the first of its kind.

“As eco-conscious people increasingly favor bottle monogamy, they’re investing in better quality bottles,” Journey said. “This is intensifying their dependence on un-losable bottles — because it’s too costly and disruptive to lose or misplace a bottle when you rely on it all day and every day.”

Automate your iPhone by voice alone via Vocal Shortcuts

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Control Your Phone With Your Voice
Vocal Shortcuts can feel like a superpower.
Image: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

Vocal Shortcuts let you control your phone by speaking a command out loud. Think “Hey Siri,” but for running your own custom actions from Apple’s Shortcuts app. (Here’s a quick rundown on Shortcuts, if you’re not familiar with this powerful tool.)

Using Vocal Shortcuts is a versatile way to automate tasks on your iPhone with the power of your voice alone. You don’t need to make space on your Home Screen for a Shortcuts widget, type anything into Spotlight or, god forbid, open the Shortcuts app.

You can create a Vocal Shortcut that opens an app you use often, like the Apple TV remote, for instant access with your voice.

You can even use this feature as a roundabout way to use “OK Google” — or whatever your favorite alternative voice assistant may be — instead of Siri.

Watch our quick video or keep reading.

Google Maps can decode screenshots to help plan your next trip

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Google Maps for iOS
Google Maps on iPhone can identify locations from your screenshots.
Photo: Google

Google Maps on iPhone can now identify locations from your screenshots and add them to a list. This should make your vacation planning easier, as you can take a screenshot and let Google Maps do the rest.

The feature leverages Gemini to identify text and location details in your screenshots, which Google Maps then processes to extract relevant information.