If you ever played with model trains when you were little, the Trainz Railroad Simulator Platinum Edition Bundle takes that concept and runs with it — literally.

More than just building models and tracks, this realistic train simulator offers countless directions you can go in. You can chug along in simple modes if you just want to explore routes. Or opt for more-realistic modes if you want to experience what a real-life train conductor might.

Fathom, the new Apple TV+ documentary about whales, tells the story of a couple of women who made it their life’s work to figure out why the humpback sings — and what that song means. Though there’s a lot to like here, and the vibes are admirable, the whole effort could have used more … (30-minute pause) depth.

Fathom, which premieres today, keeps the network’s focus on mass-market biological documentary alive. It joins such outstanding efforts as Tiny World and Earth at Night in Color.

Google Fi, the search giant’s cellular service, features a built-in VPN for protecting the online activity of users by stopping third parties tracking their location via IP address. The handy, privacy focused feature has previously been available only for Android users. However, Google has announced that it’s rolling out for iPhone as well.

“Starting today, we’re expanding our built-in VPN to iPhone,” Google tweeted Thursday. “With the Fi VPN, you get a private online connection and more protection from hackers included on all plans.”

Apple Studios has debuted the trailer for CODA, a movie which swept the 2021 Sundance Film Festival — capturing its Special Jury Award for Ensemble Cast, Directing Award, Audience Award, and Grand Jury Prize.

A coming-of-age drama starring Emilia Jones and previous Oscar winner Marlee Matlin (Children of a Lesser God), the movie is about a teenaged girl torn between following her musical dreams and staying with deaf family who rely on her. The title is an acronym standing for “Child of Deaf Adults.”

Check out the trailer below.

The most controversial change in iOS 15 — moving Safari’s Address Bar to the bottom of the screen — doesn’t deserve the deluge of criticism some users are heaping upon it.

I tried out the latest iOS 15 beta to check out that feature, plus the new Tab Groups and other changes coming to Safari. Here’s what I like and what I don’t.

Apple TV+ original animated series Stillwater won a Peabody Award today for excellence in storytelling, and for work that encourages empathy. Actor Goldie Hawn, who has worked extensively with kids on various forms of programming, presented the award in a video.

We’ve all been there: You’re running late for a video meeting and you’ve only got a few moments to pull up your presentation and speak to your entire team. In between the dog barking, construction happening just outside your window, and having misplaced your charger, the last thing you want to deal with are audio and connectivity issues between your AirPods and your Mac.

Windows 11 borrows a page from Apple’s playbook and can run applications created for smartphones. In the case of Microsoft’s just-announced operating system update, users will be able to install Android apps from Amazon’s software store.

That’s quite similar to M1-based Macs’ ability to run iOS and iPadOS software as easily as macOS apps.

Twelve South’s brilliant PlugBug Duo makes your MacBook charger even more useful by adding two USB ports that you can use to charge your iPhone, iPad and other accessories on the go.

If you’re gearing up for summer travels with your MacBook, get yours today from the Cult of Mac Store for just $39.99.

Apple is debuting new episodes of its Time to Walk stories for Apple Fitness+. The new episodes, featuring Randall Park, Michaela Jaé “MJ” Rodriguez, Stephen Fry, Anthony Joshua, and others, will arrive starting June 28.

On the same day Apple will also introduce an Artist Spotlight series, boasting workouts with workouts set to playlists from individual artists — like Alicia Keys, Jennifer Lopez, Keith Urban, and Lady Gaga.

The wait for the Apple TV+ adaptation of Foundation is almost over. The same goes for The Problem With Jon Stewart. Apple’s streaming service announced the premiere dates for these shows and more, all coming this fall.

The free Apple TV+ trial offered when the service debuted runs out at the end of June, and the iPhone-maker is trying to build excitement for upcoming series by announcing their debut dates.

The next-gen iPhone will boast “more flexible SiP battery modules and LCP antenna modules,” backing up previous rumors that it will come with a new, improved battery and bring new ultra-speedy mmWave 5G to new countries.

A report published Thursday by Digitimes noted that these are two of the big changes expected for this year’s iPhone refresh. Other than this, the iPhone 13 (or whatever Apple opts to call it) will reportedly “see few changes.” Fortunately, from the sound of things that might include pricing.

The world is opening up again, meaning it’s the perfect opportunity to dust off your passport and visit the places you’ve always wanted to go. The World Traveler Bundle Featuring Rosetta Stone Lifetime Subscription includes everything you need to maximize your travels and enjoy visiting new frontiers to the fullest.

A House committee approved antitrust legislation Thursday that threatens many big tech companies — Apple included. In a 24 to 20 vote early this morning, the committee approved the American Choice and Innovation Online Act.

The bill, which still needs to pass the full House, seeks to stop big platforms from advantaging their own products or services over those made by others. That could affect Apple, which not only owns and operates the App Store distribution platform, but also makes products that compete with some of the apps distributed through said store.

A case brought by France’s finance ministry against Apple will have its day in court September 17. The case involves allegedly abusive contractual terms imposed by Apple for developers selling software in the App Store.

It’s a similar scenario to the complaint made by Fortnite makers Epic Games, regarding the control Apple has over developers on iOS. The lawsuit follows a three-year probe carried out by the DGCCRF consumer fraud watchdog. It’s also just the latest of many complaints made about the App Store around the world.

Apple this week launched its App Store search advertising business in mainland China, five years after it arrived in the United States. Called Apple Search Ads, the targeted ads feature works similar to Google ads by letting developers bid to get advertising space for certain keywords.

Debuting Apple Search Ads in one of Apple’s biggest markets comes at the same time that Apple is cracking down on targeted advertising from other companies. Features like iOS 14’s App Transparency Tracker lets users opt out of personalized tracking from other companies. But while they’re struggling, Apple’s seemingly making the move to expand its own ad empire.

Dan Harmon will reportedly turn Nathan Pyle’s humorous Strange Planet webcomic into an Apple TV+ animated series. This will combine a comic that’s already become a series of best-selling graphic novels with the creator/writer of Rick and Morty.

Mophie Snap+ Wireless Vent Mount uses Apple’s MagSafe system not only to recharge your iPhone but also let the handset magnetically cling to your car’s dash.

I did some road tests with it, as well as the Mophie Snap Vent Mount, a very similar device that doesn’t include wireless charging. Here’s how they performed.

Logitech’s Combo Touch keyboard case just launched for iPad Air 4. It includes a detachable keyboard and trackpad, as well as a protective case with kickstand. And Bluetooth is unnecessary.

There are versions for other iPad models out already. And there is a new color option for these.

Feel like you’ve been getting a ton of spam calls lately? Like, even more than usual? You wouldn’t be alone. In fact, there was a shocking 18% increase in spam calls during the pandemic. 

Thankfully, you can do something about it with RoboKiller Spam Call & Text Blocker, an app that stops nuisance calls in their tracks. Even more excitingly, two-year subscriptions have dropped to just $39.99 — almost half off the regular price of $79.

Now, just imagine the peace of two whole years without spam calls …

Leaker Sonny Dickson showed off iPhone 13 dummies Wednesday of four possible models that could be released this fall, in addition to case renders and video of a case, included below.

They all suggest a handful of tweaks to iPhone 12 that may be forthcoming in the new models.

This post is brought to you in collaboration with our friends at Wristcam.

Dick Tracy comics gave its tough-guy detective a two-way-radio wristwatch in the 1940s, presaging today’s Apple Watch and other smartwatches. Now Wristcam is turning your Apple Watch into a walkie-talkie-style communicator.

Wristcam, the first (and only) smart-band camera for Apple Watch to receive the “Made for Apple Watch” designation, today announces its live video messaging capability is available on the App Store. And Cult of Mac readers can get a special discount on this unique Apple Watch accessory now through July 30, 2021. Just use our link to get $30 off a Wristcam.

An iPhone SE updated with 5G is less than a year away, according to a trusted Apple analyst. Because of its lower price, the model could put high-speed cellular wireless connectivity in the hands of far more people.

Apple will release two 6.7-inch iPhone models in 2022, according to a reliable analyst. There’ll be a high-end “Pro” model in this size, but the second will reportedly have a lower price.

The iPhone Max will supposedly replace the 5.4-inch iPhone mini in Apple’s product lineup. That model reportedly isn’t selling well, and it seems Apple is going to the opposite extreme in screen size for its successor.

Today Adobe released its new Adobe Substance 3D Collection, a suite of interoperable tools and assets that support 3D creativity. It addresses a near-future the company pictures where 3D work’s not just for blockbuster movies and games anymore, but for anyone.

The updated apps now sit in one integrated subscription package, intended as a do-it-all capture-and-create place for 3D art, sampling and virtual photography. The tools can enhance video games, e-commerce and marketing projects, and even virtual reality content.