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Here’s how Epic plans to relist Fortnite on the App Store despite its ban

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Fortnite iOS 14
Epic Games will use its EU account to list Fortnite on the US App Store.
Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

Apple banned Epic Games’ developer account in 2020. Yet, the latter’s CEO, Tim Sweeney, confirmed last week that Fortnite will return to the U.S. App Store after a judge blasted Apple for not complying with the court’s order.

Wondering how? Sweeney revealed the secret, saying Epic Games will use their EU account.

Go from song idea to full track in seconds with this AI music generator

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A person with headphones listening to music to illustrate Supermusic, an AI music generator that can turn ideas into albums.
Make music in moments with this AI music generator.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

The Supermusic AI app gives you two ways to make music. If you have a basic idea for a song, you can describe it to the AI music generator. Then just answer a few questions about the type of track you want to create, and Supermusic will craft an original song for you.

If you already have complete lyrics, even better. You can feed them into Supermusic AI to create a song around them. Keep in mind that this isn’t just a little tune. Supermusic AI generates lifelike vocals singing the lyrics you give it. Whichever way you create your songs, it only takes a moment before you can listen and share. And you can get a lifetime to Supermusic’s AI music-generating magic for just $39.97.

How to use Surfshark’s free, privacy-protecting DNS server

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Free DNS servers from Surfshark
Switch to a free DNS server to protect your privacy.
Photo: ChatGPT/Cult of Mac

You use Domain Name System (DNS) servers many times every day, even if you don’t know what they are. You can’t avoid it, and whichever one you use can track where you go on the internet. That’s why you might consider switching to the free DNS servers Surfshark just launched that promise not to track you.

Here’s how to set your iPhone, iPad and Mac to use the Surfshark DNS server. It’s free!

Trio of small screens extend Studio Display in MacBook rig [Setups]

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portable monitor
In addition to a Studio Display, a whole lot of small screens are mounted on stands in this MacBook Pro setup.
Photo: [email protected]

Careful mounting of devices is a hallmark of light and clean computer setups because it lifts most of the gear up off the desk, making room for other gear or simply creating clean, open space. In today’s setup, the MacBook Pro sitting open on a stand is just one of three small screens, including a portable monitor, that nicely complement and expand the Studio Display.

Today in Apple history: iTunes hits 1 million downloads in first week

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iPod silhouette ad, part of the marketing campaign that boosted iTunes Music Store sales
iTunes becomes an instant hit.
Photo: Apple

May 5: Today in Apple history: iTunes Music Store hits 1 million downloads in first week May 5, 2003: Just a week after launching the iTunes Music Store, Apple reaches an incredible milestone with more than 1 million songs sold.

Particularly notable is the fact that more than half the songs purchased are albums. This quickly dispels fears that selling tracks individually will kill the record industry’s dominant format. In addition, more than half of the 200,000 songs initially available on iTunes get downloaded at least once.

“In less than one week we’ve broken every record and become the largest online music company in the world,” says Apple CEO Steve Jobs in a press release. “Apple has created the first complete solution for the digital music age — you can purchase your favorite music online at the iTunes Music Store, mix your favorite tracks into playlists with iTunes, and take your entire music collection with you everywhere with the super-slim new iPods.”

It’s a roaring success for Apple’s newest venture!

Wireless video transmitter lets you dump the HDMI cable

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Nyrius Orion Prime Wireless USB-C to HDMI Video Transmitter & Receiver
Replace that bulky HDMI cable with this wireless video transmitter and receiver.
Photo: Nyrius

With the Nyrius Orion Prime Wireless USB-C to HDMI Video Transmitter & Receiver, you don’t need a cable to connect your MacBook, iPad or iPhone to your TV. It can send video up to 150 feet, offers HD resolution, and doesn’t require a Wi-Fi network.

The product launched on Monday.

Apple shows off colorful new Pride Collection watch band, faces and wallpapers

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Apple 2025 Pride Collection
Check out the Apple's latest Pride Collection wallpapers for devices.
Photo: Apple

Apple showed off its 2025 Pride Collection Monday ahead of Pride Month, featuring a new Apple Watch Pride Edition Sport Band alongside matching watch faces and wallpapers for iPhone and iPad. The collection celebrates the “strength and beauty of LGBTQ+ communities around the world” with vibrant, rainbow-themed designs.

Rapper will.i.am tunes LG’s new xboom Bluetooth speaker lineup

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LG xboom by will.i.am
The new lineup includes three Bluetooth speakers and a set of wireless earbuds.
Photo: LG

In a move that could interest Apple users looking to expand their audio options, LG Electronics unveiled its new “xboom by will.i.am” lineup of Bluetooth speakers and earbuds recently. When a big electronics maker puts out four new products at once — complete with celebrity sound engineer in the mix — it tends to grab out attention.

My iPhone 17 Air wish list: 5 features Apple shouldn’t skip

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iPhone 17 Air render
Slim isn’t enough for the iPhone 17 Air.
Photo: ChatGPT/Cult of Mac

Apple seems set to give the iPhone lineup its biggest refresh in years with a new, slender model. Possibly called the iPhone 17 Air, the rumored model reportedly will focus on slimness, like other “Air” devices in Apple’s lineup.

In my opinion, a thinner body alone won’t be enough to make it a hit. If Apple truly wants the iPhone 17 Air to stand out, it needs more than just sleek looks. Here’s what I hope to see.

Apple to launch larger iPhone 18 Air and foldable sequel in 2027

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A folding iPhone might look something like this concept.
Apple may follow a yearly release cycle for its foldable iPhone.
AI concept: ChatGPT/Cult of Mac

Apple supposedly will switch to a two-pronged iPhone release strategy due to intense competition, especially in China. The move will give more media attention to newer models, like the upcoming iPhone Air and foldable iPhone.

In a note Monday, TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicted Apple will launch its second-gen foldable and the “iPhone 19 Slim” with a bigger display in H2 2027.

Today in Apple history: Apple embraces over-the-air iOS updates

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ios 5
Over-the-air iOS updates took iTunes out of the equation (and leveled the playing field with Android).
Photo: Apple

May 4: Today in Apple history: Apple embraces over-the-air iOS updates May 4, 2011: Reports circulate that Apple is negotiating with carriers to bring over-the-air updates to iOS, beginning with iOS 5.

Such a move would free iPhone owners from using iTunes to get updates for their devices. That means no more plugging an iPhone into a computer via USB to download the latest version of iOS.

Apple preps battery case for its sleekest iPhone yet

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iPhone 17 Air rumors
The iPhone 17 Air's thin design will come with a battery life compromise.
Photo: Cult of Mac/Jon Prosser

Apple might rely on one of its old accessories to compensate for the iPhone 17 Air’s short battery life. The company reportedly will launch an iPhone 17 Air Smart Battery Case to extend the device’s runtime.

In Apple’s internal testing, the iPhone 17 Air reportedly does not last as long as other members of the iPhone 17 family. Given its focus on an ultra-slim design, this comes as no surprise.

Let Apple Mail organize your emails for you

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Sorting So You Don’t Have To
And with Writing Tools, it can reply to your emails for you, too.
Image: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

With the new automatic mail categorization in Apple Mail, you can organize your emails and keep your personal inbox less cluttered. It’ll intelligently put all your newsletters, receipts and promotions into separate folders.

If you struggle keeping up with your inbox, this feature is a great way to make your email easier to understand at a glance.

Keep reading below or watch our quick video.

Apple teams up with Anthropic for AI coding

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Anthropic and Xcode logo
Apple will use Anthropic's expertise for its vibe-coding platform.
Graphics: Anthropic/Apple

Apple is using Anthropic’s AI models to build a “vibe-coding” software platform for programming. However, it may limit this platform for internal use, never releasing it publicly.

The Cupertino giant will partner with the young AI startup on this project.

How to transfer video from iPhone to iPad via cable

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Transfer video from iPhone to iPad
Apple makes moving images and video from iPhone to iPad via a cable quick and easy.
Graphic: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Now that both iPhone and iPad have USB-C ports, transferring video and images between them can be easily done by connecting them with a cable, without mucking about with wireless transfers.

It’s easy, and brings some advantages over AirDrop. Most notably, iPhone Pro 15/16 users get a big speed boost.

Here’s what to do.

Create custom emoji in Messages using Genmoji

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Make Your Own Emoji
Genmoji can fit every occasion.
Image: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

Using Apple’s Genmoji, you can create custom emoji when you can’t find the exact right one to express yourself nonverbally. The Apple Intelligence feature generates emoji on the fly based on your descriptions.

Finally, you can enhance your conversations about ostriches or shovels or tissue boxes with your own custom emoji. Or make an emoji that matches your pet, like a white cat or a Pomeranian dog. You can even make emoji versions of people you know.

Here’s how to use the fun new feature.

Apple finally bows to major, court-ordered changes to App Store

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iPhone App Store
The iPhone App Store won’t be quite the same.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple changed its App Store rules late Thursday to allow third-party iPhone application developers to steer customers toward their own websites to make purchases. The move comes after a years-long delay in complying with a court order.

The alteration in the rules should result in many iPhone apps allowing customers to pay for services and subscriptions without giving Apple a cut. Streaming music service Spotify became one of the first to take advantage of this major change to the App Store. The modification gives customers more buying options, and the hope is that this will save them money.

Today in Apple history: Apple’s first watch is a freebie for upgraders

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The first Apple watch was ... well, just a watch, actually.
Apple's first watch was ... well, just a watch, actually.
Photo: Jonathan Morrison

May 2: Today in Apple history: First Apple watch is a freebie for upgraders May 2, 1995: Apple enters the wearables space with its first watch. However, the first Apple watch is a timepiece with no fitness-tracking tech, no on-screen notifications and a whole lot of 1990s styling.

The device comes two decades before wearables actually will become a thing. A regular wristwatch, the freebie gadget is available via a special mail-in offer to Mac OS upgraders.

Spotify takes advantage of new App Store payment rules [Updated]

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Spotify logo on iPhone
Spotify is putting the heat on Apple.
Photo: Cult of Mac

Spotify submitted a major app update to the App Store with several significant changes Thursday. The company moved quickly to capitalize on a judge’s Wednesday ruling that requires Apple to allow external payment links in apps effective immediately.

Update: Apple quickly approved Spotify’s update. The company formally changed its App Store rules Thursday to bring them into “compliance with a United States court decision regarding buttons, external links, and other calls to action in apps.”

Apple plans to challenge the ruling, which forces major changes on the company’s handling of the App Store.

During a conference call with Wall Street analysts Thursday, Apple CEO Tim Cook said the company strongly disagrees with the judge’s ruling. “We’ve complied with the court’s order, and we’re going to appeal,” he said.

Price drop: This wireless CarPlay adapter lets you watch videos on your car’s screen

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Add streaming abilities to your car with PlayAIBox, a $90 wireless CarPlay adapter.
The PlayAIBox does CarPlay (and Android Auto) without wires, and also supports streaming services like Apple TV+, Netflix and YouTube.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

With the PlayAIBox — a combination wireless CarPlay adapter and car streaming device — you can enjoy Apple’s in-car infotainment system, stream video and more without physically connecting your iPhone to your car. It works with nearly all cars, and puts CarPlay (or whatever you want to mirror from your iPhone or Android device) on your in-car display.

You could listen to your YouTube watchlist on the road, stream a quick episode of Fallout on your lunch break, or let your kids watch a movie while you watch the road. The first step is to get the PlayAIBox while it’s on sale for $74.97 (regularly $129.99).

Trump tariffs will cost Apple almost $1 billion this quarter

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AI image of an Apple logo in a post-apocalyptic landscape, with the words
Newly imposed tariffs could cost Apple $900 million dollars this quarter -- and that's just the start.
Illustration: Midjourney/Cult of Mac

Apple CEO Tim Cook said Thursday that he expects the tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump to add at least $900 million to the company’s costs during the current quarter, which ends in June.

Speaking with investors after the company announced its quarterly earnings results, Cook also said Apple will assemble most of the products it sells in the United States outside of China this quarter to avoid the tariffs fueling an ongoing trade war between the two countries.

What economic problems? Apple posts solid growth.

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AI image of the Apple logo, with a see-through, glassy look, and the word
Revenue from services like Apple Music jumped to an all-time high last quarter, and strong iPhone 16e sales didn't hurt, either.
Illustration: Midjourney/Cult of Mac

Apple revenue increased 5% annually to $95.4 billion during the first three months of 2025, and profits grew 8%. Those are the top takeaways from the March-quarter financial results Apple revealed after Wall Street closed Thursday. Both numbers beat analysts’ expectations.

“Today Apple is reporting strong quarterly results, including double-digit growth in Services,” said Apple CEO Tim Cook in a statement.

How to join the awesome password-free future and use passkeys

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No More Passwords
Passkeys are here, and I’m here to tell you they’re awesome.
Image: Santeri Viinamäki/Wikimedia Commons, D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

Managing passwords is and always has been a giant pain. It isn’t the best system, but it’s the system we’ve got. Well, not if Apple can do anything about it. Passkeys are a new system that automatically signs you in to online services using your phone’s Face ID (or Touch ID) or your computer’s password. It’s one less thing to remember; it works without fiddling around with a password manager.

Passkeys aren’t an Apple-exclusive feature. You can bet the technology will be supported no matter what devices you have because all of these companies are part of the FIDO Alliance that created the system … eventually.

Apple fully supports it in iOS 16 and Safari 16 for Mac, as does Google’s Chrome browser on multiple platforms. Android 9 and above supports passkeys via Credential Manager, and Google added passkey support to user accounts on “all major platforms.” Microsoft added support to Windows 11 in the 22H2 update.

Follow along as I show you how passkeys work.