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Today in Apple history: Devs get the key to unlock iPhone’s awesome power

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The iPhone SDK paved the way for iPhone apps and the App Store.
The iPhone SDK plants the seeds for the App Store's stunning success.
Photo: Apple

March 6: Today in Apple history: Devs get the key to unlock iPhone's awesome power March 6, 2008: Apple releases the iPhone software development kit, finally allowing coders to start creating native mobile apps for the new smartphone. The iPhone SDK gives developers the tools they need to unlock the new smartphone’s potential.

When the App Store eventually opens a few months later, a new industry springs up overnight. Third-party devs rush to take advantage of Apple’s lucrative app distribution network.

Apple’s first foldable iPhone could cost a fortune

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Folding iPhone concept
A folding iPhone might look a little something like this concept.
AI concept: ChatGPT/Cult of Mac

Apple’s first foldable iPhone may sport a book-style design and a steep $2,000+ price tag. It will apparently sport a 7.8-inch inner folding display, with a 5.5-inch cover display.

Despite its high price tag, the foldable iPhone will seemingly have a strong replacement demand among loyal Apple fans.

YouTube Premium Lite brings a more affordable ad-free viewing experience

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YouTube Premium Lite is a cheaper alternative to YouTube Premium.
YouTube Premium Lite is a cheaper alternative to YouTube Premium.
Logo/Text: YouTube/Rajesh Pandey/CultOfMac

YouTube introduced a new, cheaper paid tier in the US called YouTube Lite. While the “Lite” plan is light on perks, it also carries a lower monthly subscription fee of $7.99 per month.

YouTube Premium Lite retains the biggest advantage of paying for YouTube: an ad-free viewing experience. Well, almost.

Hallelujah! M4 MacBook Air fully supports 2 external displays

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M4 MacBook Air with two Apple Studio Displays
The M4 MacBook Air can drive more than one external display.
Photo: Apple

Apple unveiled the M3 Ultra chip as an option in the new MacStudio desktop Wednesday. As the company’s most powerful silicon chip to date, it brings unprecedented performance to pro users with demanding workflows. The other option in the new desktop machine is the M4 Max chip, which is actually less powerful than the M3 Ultra.

“M3 Ultra is the pinnacle of our scalable system-on-a-chip architecture, aimed specifically at users who run the most heavily threaded and bandwidth-intensive applications,” said Johny Srouji, Apple’s senior vice president of Hardware Technologies.

How to get missing Apple apps back on your iPhone and iPad

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Where did that app go?
Sometimes these things just disappear on you.
Image: Kristin Hardwick/Wikimedia Commons/D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

You can visit the App Store to download Apple apps like Music, Podcasts, Weather, Maps and Find My missing from your iPhone or iPad. If you can’t find them. It’s possible you uninstalled them and your device needs to download them again. Or they might have simply disappeared from your Home Screen, and are now hiding in the App Library.

There are also a few iPhone apps that Apple hasn’t made available on iPad. This was the case with Calculator until very recently, so you may need to install an update to get it.

I’ll walk you through all the possibilities, showing you how to get Apple’s stock apps back on your iPhone or iPad.

Gamer loves easily switching from MacBook Pro to PC [Setups]

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setup KVM switch
This setup uses and inexpensive KVM switch and Thunderbolt 3 dock to switch between MacBook Pro and gaming PC.
Photo: [email protected]

In a world where people love their Macs for some uses and their PCs for others — especially gaming — a setup KVM switch comes in mighty handy. That’s because it lets you easily switch between Mac and PC using the same peripherals, like keyboard, video (displays) and mouse. That spells K-V-M.

3 reasons to watch Vietnam: The War That Changed America on Apple TV+

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Vietnam: The War That Changed America review
Yet another Vietnam War documentary? Yeah, but it's worth watching.
Photo: Apple TV+

Apple TV+’s six-part docuseries Vietnam: The War That Changed America offers a profound and multifaceted exploration of one of the most controversial conflicts in American history. In this Vietnam: The War That Changed America review, I’ll tell you why the series is worth watching.

Narrated by actor Ethan Hawke, this series provides viewers with a surprisingly personal look into the Vietnam War and its lasting impact on both American and Vietnamese societies. I felt its biggest impact in the first few episodes, perhaps because that’s when the novelty of the storytelling felt freshest. I’ve been hearing about the Vietnam War for decades, so it’s surprising when a documentary sucks me in, as the first half of this one did.

Apple goes to new performance extremes with M3 Ultra chip

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Apple unveils M3 Ultra chip
"M3 Ultra features a 32-core CPU, an 80-core GPU, double the Neural Engine cores, Thunderbolt 5, and support for the most unified memory ever in a personal computer," Apple said.
Photo: Apple

Apple unveiled the M3 Ultra chip as an option in the new MacStudio desktop Wednesday. As the company’s most powerful silicon chip to date, it brings unprecedented performance to pro users with demanding workflows. The other option in the new desktop machine is the M4 Max chip, which is actually less powerful than the M3 Ultra.

“M3 Ultra is the pinnacle of our scalable system-on-a-chip architecture, aimed specifically at users who run the most heavily threaded and bandwidth-intensive applications,” said Johny Srouji, Apple’s senior vice president of Hardware Technologies.

“Thanks to its 32-core CPU, massive GPU, support for the most unified memory ever in a personal computer, Thunderbolt 5 connectivity, and industry-leading power efficiency, there’s no other chip like M3 Ultra,” he added.

2025 Mac Studio launches as ‘the most powerful Mac ever’

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2025 Mac Studio
The 2025 Mac Studio is here, with either M4 Max and M3 Ultra processors.
Photo: Apple

The long wait for an upgraded Mac Studio finally ended. A version with an M4 Max processor and (surprise!) an M3 Ultra chip launched Wednesday.

“The new Mac Studio is the most powerful Mac we’ve ever made,” said John Ternus, Apple’s senior vice president of Hardware Engineering. “A complete game-changer for pros around the world — powering both home and pro studios — Mac Studio sits in a class of its own, offering a staggering amount of performance in a compact, quiet design that fits beautifully on your desk. With this new Mac Studio, we’re delivering even more extreme performance with M4 Max and M3 Ultra, support for half a terabyte of unified memory, up to 16TB of superfast storage, and Thunderbolt 5 connectivity. Mac Studio truly is the ultimate pro desktop.”

MacBook Air gets the M4 treatment, lower price and stunning new color

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Sky blue M4 MacBook Air promotional image
The M4 MacBook Air in the new sky blue color.
Image: Apple

Apple unveiled a revised MacBook Air with an M4 chip inside Wednesday. It comes in a beautiful new sky blue color, at an even lower price point — with the same incredible 18 hours of battery life.

“MacBook Air is by far the world’s most popular laptop,” said Greg Joswiak, Apple’s senior vice president of worldwide marketing, said in a press release, “and today we’re giving everyone even more reasons to love it, including a big boost in performance with the M4 chip, a new Center Stage camera, and a beautiful new sky blue color.”

The M4 MacBook Air starts at $999 and will become available on March 12.

Fine-tune typing with Keychron’s new Hall effect mechanical keyboard

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Keychron K4 HE mechanical keyboard
The fanciest version has wood trim in both colors (white or black).
Photo: Keychron

The new premium Keychron K4 HE mechanical keyboard combines a 96% layout with customizable actuation for Mac power users. The new keyboard integrates Hall effect technology into the popular K4 design. That creates a versatile option for users who demand precision and customizability for both productivity and gaming.

“The K4 HE is a game-changer for professionals and gamers who demand precision and flexibility in their keyboard setup,” Paul Tan, COO of Keychron, said Tuesday in a press release. “With Hall effect technology, users can now customize their typing experience like never before, ensuring every keystroke meets their exact needs.”

Apple Watch bands and iPhone cases come in fresh spring colors

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spring collection of iPhone cases and Apple Watch bands
Here's a new iPhone 16 case in peony pink.
Photo: Apple

Weather-permitting, spring has sprung. And Apple offered a fresh palette of vibrant colors perfect for the season in its new spring collection of iPhone cases and Apple Watch bands Tuesday. The collection features eye-catching new options for iPhone 16 users and Apple Watch enthusiasts, including premium Hermès Apple Watch band editions.

Today in Apple history: CFO Peter Oppenheimer retires from Apple

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Peter
Peter Oppenheimer oversaw a decade of explosive growth at Apple.
Photo: C-SPAN

March 4: Today in Apple history: Apple CFO Peter Oppenheimer retires March 4, 2014: Peter Oppenheimer, the Apple chief financial officer who presided over a decade of skyrocketing growth, steps down from the company.

After becoming Apple CFO in 2004, Oppenheimer saw the company’s valuation soar from $8.8 billion to $471 billion. Luca Maestri replaced Oppenheimer in this crucial position.

iPad 11 chip upgrade does not bring Apple Intelligence

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iPad 11 colors
iPad 11 is here. But don’t go looking for Apple Intelligence.
Photo: Apple

The budget iPad, one of Apple’s most popular tablets, now comes with a faster A16 processor, and the base model packs twice the storage capacity. However, for the most part, the iPad 11 — which Apple quietly released Tuesday — stays the same as its predecessor. While Apple made incremental changes to the iPad lineup, there is growing anticipation around MacBook Air rumors, suggesting a significant update is on the horizon.

And, in a surprise move, the tablet did not join the club of devices that support Apple Intelligence.

Save on Mobile Pixels’ gorgeous aluminum monitor riser with 8-port hub

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A monitor stand with multiple ports
Optimize your workspace with this monitor stand that doubles as a docking port while it's on sale.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

If your monitor sits low on your desk, that’s a recipe for bad posture. Instead of splurging on a new desk or a taller monitor, Mobile Pixels offers a smart solution. This aluminum monitor riser elevates your screen so you can sit up straight without staring at the space above your monitor.

This sleek monitor riser also packs a little something extra: a built-in, eight-port docking hub for charging, data transfers, extra monitors and more. And for a limited time, instead of paying the $199.99 list price, you can get this monitor riser on sale for just $129.99 with code POWER20.

iPad Air gets an M3 speed boost and new Magic Keyboard

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iPad Air with M3 chip is here.
The 2025 iPad Air is all about its M3 chip.
Photo: Apple

Apple’s iPad Air lineup is getting an M3 refresh. The chip upgrade boosts the performance of the latest iPads while promising the same battery life. This enhancement aligns with Apple’s ongoing efforts to integrate advanced technologies, such as Apple Intelligence, into the company’s devices.

“iPad Air is so popular because of its unmatched combination of powerful performance, portability, and support for advanced accessories, all at an affordable price,” said Bob Borchers, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing. If you’re looking for a comparison with Apple’s flagship models, explore this iPad Pro M3 review for more details.

Cuktech 30 Power Bank: A hefty yet portable powerhouse [Review] ★★★★☆

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Cuktech 30 Power Bank review★★★★☆
Cuktech 30 Power Bank offers fast charging and plenty of it.
Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac

In today’s fast-paced digital world, keeping your devices charged is crucial — but it isn’t always easy. Enter the Cuktech 30 Power Bank, a high-capacity portable charger that promises to keep your devices powered up no matter where you are. After my testing and research for this Cuktech 30 Power Bank review, I’ll let you know why you should buy it (or not).

iOS 18.4 beta 2: All the new features and changes

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iOS 18.4 rumors
iOS 18.4 beta is packed with new features.
Photo: Rajesh Pandey/Cult of Mac

A week after the first iOS 18.4 beta dropped, Apple released the second beta build. It packs even more changes and brings an iPhone 16 feature to the iPhone 15 Pro lineup.

Below are all the changes we have discovered in iOS 18.4 beta 2 and previous builds so far.

iPhone 16e teardown reveals surprisingly repairable design but can’t answer key question

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iPhone 16e gets the teardown treatment from iFixit.
iPhone 16e is as repairable as its other family members.
Photo: iFixit

The new iPhone 16e proves about as repairable as other members of the iPhone 16 family, according to iFixit’s teardown of Apple’s new budget phone. Despite its lower price tag, the iPhone 16e packs many of the repairability features of its more-expensive siblings, including the ionic liquid battery adhesive that makes replacement easier.

However, iFixit’s teardown leaves one key question unanswered: Why did Apple omit MagSafe from iPhone 16e?

New audio interface and microphone give good voice to MacBook Pro rig [Setups]

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Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 Studio audio interface bundle
Now I'm ready to record, podcast and sound better on calls.
Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac

After finally incorporating a proper pair of speakers into my evolving MacBook Pro setup in late 2024 — following years of writing Cult of Mac setups articles, often with a focus on high-quality audio gear I shamelessly envied — I just upped my rig’s audio ante again. And this time it’s mainly from the input perspective. I added a new Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 audio interface, a condenser microphone mounted on an arm and, ridiculously, two more pairs of over-ear headphones (I already have too many cans and earbuds).

Today in Apple history: Homebrew Computer Club meets for first time

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Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak make important connections at the Homebrew Computer Club.
Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak learned valuable lessons at Homebrew.
Photo: Apple

March 3: Today in Apple history: Homebrew Computer Club meets for first time March 3, 1975: The Homebrew Computer Club, a hobbyist group that will help spark the personal computing revolution, holds its first meeting in Menlo Park, California.

It becomes a welcome forum for computer geeks at a time when few others care about the nascent technology. Regular attendee Steve Wozniak and his friend Steve Jobs will eventually show off the first Apple-1 unit at the club.

New EarFun Wave Life headphones bring primo features at budget price

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EarFun Wave Life headphones
EarFun Wave Life headphones won't break the bank. And with the early bird pricing, they won't even scratch it.
Photo: EarFun

In a market dominated by high-priced headphones from Apple, Bose and Sony, EarFun made waves Monday with its latest release of over-ear, close-back headphones. They should appeal to Apple users looking for affordable alternatives without sacrificing much quality. New EarFun Wave Life hybrid active noise-canceling headphones promise premium audio features at just $60. That’s a fraction of what you’d pay for many premium cans. And a launch discount brings that down to an absurdly low $42. If you’re searching for offerup premium deals on high-quality audio gear, check out this review of EarFun Wave Life headphones.

Tim Cook teases M4 MacBook Air launch

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Tim Cook’s MacBook Air tease
Look, up in the air! It’s a MacBook hint from Tim Cook.
Photo: Apple

Apple CEO Tim Cook just dropped a very broad hint that the M4 MacBook Air is imminent, and maybe an upgraded iPad Air, too. Cook posted on X (formerly Twitter), “There’s something in the Air.”

While there’s plenty of anticipation for the launch, there won’t be much surprise. Rumors started talking about the M4 MacBook Air months ago. The same goes for the M3 iPad Air. If you’re wondering about the MacBook monitor improvements that could come with this release, here’s what we know so far.

Here’s what’s expected.