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John Ternus plans to accelerate Apple product launches

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New Apple CEO John Ternus plans to launch more products, more often
John Ternus, the new Apple CEO, plans to launch more products, more often.
Screenshot: Apple

Apple’s new CEO John Ternus is reportedly pushing for a leaner organization that can move faster and experiment more aggressively. He plans to focus on engineering and push to release more products, more often.

Ternus also could move the company away from its tradition of a few monumental product launches. Rather than concentrating major product announcements into a few annual events, he supposedly wants Apple to introduce products throughout the year.

The planned changes reportedly come with layoffs and other staff reductions as Ternus shakes up the ranks at Apple.

Google bug causes thousands of iPhone apps to crash overnight

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A picture showing an iPhone used in a story about iPhone apps crashing.
Google’s Firebase bug behind widespread iPhone app crashes has been fixed.
Photo: Photoshoot4You/Pixabay

If your iPhone apps started glitching out last night, don’t blame Apple: A Google bug caused widespread iPhone app crashes Monday before the company rolled out a fix.

The crashes began shortly after Apple released iOS 27.0.1, but the problem stemmed from Google’s servers, not Apple’s update.

3 fastest ways to clear disk space on your Mac

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A screenshot showing how to clear disk space on a Mac
What to do when you run out of space on your Mac.
Image: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

Death, taxes and running out of storage on your Mac — few things in life are as certain. If you’re experiencing the latter, before you go around deleting files, you should take stock of what’s filling up your computer. There are three easy ways to clear disk space on your Mac.

The Mac’s System Settings offers a built-in storage manager that lets you see which categories of files are filling up your drive. It makes clearing out useless junk fast and easy.

A pair of third-party apps can help out, too. Hyperspace removes duplicate data across your Mac’s hard drive, cleaning up your file system without deleting anything. And CleanMyMac can find the system files, junk and other cruft that can build up over time in places you don’t even think to check. 

Whatever the reason you need more storage, read on to learn how to tidy up your Mac.

Today in Apple history: Logic Pro 7 shows Apple is still serious about creatives

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Image showing Apple music software Logic Pro 7 running on an iMac G4.
Logic Pro 7 was a great music creation tool for Apple fans.
Photo illustration: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

September 29: Today in Apple history: Logic Pro 7 launch shows Apple is still serious about creatives September 29, 2004: Apple launches Logic Pro 7, its professional music creation and audio production software. The update brings new tools and a streamlined interface similar to other Apple software.

“From beginners to pros, Apple is broadening the market with a complete line of music creation and production tools,” says Rob Schoeben, Apple’s VP of applications marketing, in a press release. “With Logic Pro 7, we’re taking professional music creation to the next level with the industry’s most advanced feature set for pro audio.”

Apple finally details all the new tvOS 27 features

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A photo of Apple TV used in a story about new tvOS 27 features.
New tvOS 27 features bring Hi-Res Lossless audio and video podcasts to the Apple TV.
Photo: Apple

Nearly two weeks after tvOS 27 reached compatible Apple TV boxes, Apple finally revealed a detailed list of tvOS 27 features. The tvOS 27 release notes, published Friday, detail changes to music, podcasts and accessibility features on your big screen.

Apple TV rarely gets headline software news of its own, but this detailed feature breakdown finally gives owners a clear reason to update now.

VPNs aren’t enough anymore. GhostShield adds real-time AI threat protection.

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Photo of a woman working with her laptop on a round, marble table while using GhostShield VPN
Take protection to the next level with GhostShield VPN.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Most VPNs perform the fairly straightforward job of encrypting your internet connection and concealing your IP address. GhostShield VPN Premium adds another feature to that equation: an AI-powered threat analyzer.

It inspects things in real time, looking for malicious domains and suspicious connections as you browse. And right now, you can secure lifetime access to GhostShield VPN Premium for just $49.99 (regularly $399). That includes the AI Threat Analyzer, ChaCha20 encryption, unlimited bandwidth and support for 10 simultaneous devices.

Leak reveals secret iPhone Duo StandBy faces

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More iPhone Duo StandBy faces discovered
iPhone Duo is ready to be useful all the time, thanks to StandBy.
Screenshot: Apple/Cult of Mac

The iPhone Duo will ship with several unannounced StandBy faces that Apple didn’t reveal during the foldable’s unveiling or in its press materials. However, a leaker is spoiling the surprises by revealing at least five more StandBy faces for the Duo.

The foldable will also feature a new face editor similar to the Apple Watch face editor.

iPhone software patch fixes nasty iOS 27 freeze bug and more

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iOS 27.0.1 patches some prominent bugs
Apple just squashed some high-profile bugs in iOS 27.
Image: Cult of Mac/Apple

Apple released iOS 27.0.1 on Monday, a patch that fixes several bugs discovered after the company’s major iOS 27 update arrived earlier this month.

Several of these bugs made headlines, including one that could freeze the screen on any iPhone with merely a couple of finger swipes. So the update is recommended for all users.

Bug patches for macOS, iPadOS and watchOS also arrived Monday.

5 Macs rumored to launch in the coming months

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Mac rumors for 2026 and 2027
These are just some of the new Macs rumored for 2026 and 2027.
Image: Apple/Cult of Mac

Plenty of new Macs are rumored to be waiting in the wings. Mostly, it’s about bringing the speedy new M6 processor to more models, but we can also look forward to the most radically redesigned MacBook in many years. And a better budget notebook, too.

Anyone on the market for a new Mac take note: Here’s every macOS notebook and desktop currently rumored to arrive by mid-2027.

Every 2027 iPhone could ditch Qualcomm for Apple’s own modem

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A picture of a 5G modem with Apple logo used in a story about 2027 iPhones having Apple's in-house modems.
Apple modems are expected to replace Qualcomm’s chips in every iPhone launched next year.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple will reportedly put its own modems in every iPhone released next year, with no Qualcomm hardware left inside.

The move would conclude a years-long push to cut Qualcomm out of the iPhone. But Apple won’t be fully done with its old rival, thanks to a fresh patent deal.

Today in Apple history: Apple’s greatest ad ever? The story behind ‘Think Different.’

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Photo of Steve Jobs with the
Grammatically questionable? Yes. Undeniably powerful? Also yes.
Image: Apple

September 28: Today in Apple history: Apple 'think different' television commercial says 'here's to the crazy ones' September 28, 1997: Apple debuts its iconic “Think Different” ad campaign. The brilliant television commercial aligns the troubled computer company with some of history’s most celebrated freethinking rebels.

The most famous tagline in Apple history, “Think Different” doesn’t just articulate how Cupertino differs from its competitors. It also highlights how Apple, under the leadership of CEO Steve Jobs, will forge a future far different from its floundering, money-losing days of the early 1990s.

Think faster than you type? Save on the ultimate offline Mac dictation app.

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Person using Voibe dictation app on a Mac laptop
Get better dictation on your Mac with a lifetime subscription to Voibe.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

The Voibe dictation app for Mac lets you talk instead of typing. It’s fast, efficient and works inside any Mac app. Plus, since it works offline, it’s totally private.

It’s a voice-first way to work on your Mac, without relying on cloud processing or extra apps. And right now, a lifetime subscription to Voibe costs just $56 with code TAKE30 (MSRP $198).

Apple’s next Vision Pro reportedly on ‘life support’ amid design debate

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A photo showing the Apple Vision Pro used in a story about Apple working on four new Vision Pro concepts.
Apple is reportedly weighing four concepts for the next Vision Pro.
Photo: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac

The future of the Apple Vision Pro headset is reportedly in flux, with no internal agreement on the design of possible future models. In fact, a successor to the pricey mixed-reality headset might never see the light of day.

Fans have wanted a lighter, more comfortable Vision Pro since launch. But Apple is said to be weighing four very different concepts for the headset’s sequel — and a release isn’t guaranteed.

Today in Apple history: Steve Jobs and Jef Raskin clash over the Mac

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Photo of the original Macintosh computer with keyboard, mouse and hard drive attached.
The war over the Macintosh's soul started on this day in 1979.
Photo: Apple

September 27: Today in Apple history: Steve Jobs and Jef Raskin clash over the Mac September 27, 1979: Years before the first Macintosh will ship, Steve Jobs and Jef Raskin clash for the first time over the direction of the R&D project to produce Apple’s revolutionary computer.

Raskin, the founder of the Macintosh project, envisioned an affordable machine that could put graphical computing within reach of ordinary people. Apple co-founder Jobs had a very different idea: Forget the price tag and build the best computer possible.

Guess who won?

BenQ’s new pro display puts color first, with a few compromises [Review] ★★★★☆

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BenQ PD2732U★★★★☆
The BenQ PD2732U puts a gorgeous 4K panel at the heart of your Mac setup.
Photo: Rajesh Pandey/Cult of Mac

The more I use the BenQ PD2732U monitor, the more I appreciate its quality 27-inch 4K panel. Colors look spot-on to my eyes, uniformity is good, and the extensive connectivity fits neatly into my Mac setup.

However, while there’s plenty to like about BenQ’s newest professional monitor, the PD2732U misses out on a few key features. My review will show you where the BenQ PD2732U shines and where it falls short.

Snag a bundle of 27 Mac apps for just $29.99

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Image of a MacBook showing icons from The 27-App Lifetime Mac Bundle on its screen
This affordable bundle of indie apps gives your Mac superpowers (with zero recurring fees).
Image: Cult of Mac Deals

Tired of renting your software? The 27-App Lifetime Mac Bundle gives you permanent licenses to nearly every type of tool a Mac user could want, from design and productivity to developer tools and file utilities, with no monthly fees attached.

Built by indie developer Yanis Zafiropulos, who has been making Mac software since 2010, the bundle contains 27 native macOS apps that skip the bloat you would get from bigger, subscription-based suites. Every app comes with free updates through its next major version and two Mac activations per app, so you can run the whole collection on a second machine too. And you can get the entire 27-App Lifetime Mac Bundle for just $29.99 (regularly $390).

iPhone 18 Pro’s got some ‘-gates’ [Cult of Mac podcast 34]

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Photo of iPhone 18 Pro lineup with the words
What's an iPhone launch without a weird controversy or two?
Image: Cult of Mac

This week on the Cult of Mac podcast: That didn’t take long! The iPhone 18 Pro faces more than one problem right out of the gate. First there’s a controversial storage choice that seems to hamper performance of the highest-end models (at least in extreme testing). And then there’s a weird Face ID problem.

So far, no names have stuck for these “-gates” — and maybe there’s not that much to them. The storage problem might be mostly theoretical, and a software fix is on the way for the Face ID glitch. Still, there’s plenty to talk about!

Also on the Cult of Mac podcast:

  • Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4 face their own reboot problem.
  • Apple reportedly built prototypes of a screenless fitness tracker that would compete with Whoop’s fitness tracker and the Oura Ring. We discuss the pros and cons of the approach as well as Apple’s tweaks to its Health app, which is now available in the iOS 27.2 beta.
  • The latest Mac mini design makes it harder to upgrade internal storage, and we try to coax a repairability rant out of Charlie.
  • And finally, Graham describes the painstaking process of upgrading his strength-training app to get it ready for the iPhone Duo‘s folding screen.

Listen to this week’s episode of the Cult of Mac podcast in the Podcasts app or your favorite podcast app. Or watch the video version, embedded below. (Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review if you like it!)

High M4 Mac mini trade-in values make M6 upgrade surprisingly cheap

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M4 Mac mini trade-in values
High M4 Mac mini trade-in values could make an M6 upgrade cheaper than expected.
Image: Apple/Cult of Mac

The new M6 Mac mini costs considerably more than its predecessor. But owners of an M4 model could find that upgrading to the new version cheaper than they expect thanks to the high trade-in value of their current computer.

A post on social media showing Apple offering a customer nearly the full original price for a used Mac mini ought to raise a few eyebrows.

Today in Apple history: Steve Jobs reports Apple’s biggest loss ever

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Red-tinted image showing Apple logo with $100 bill on it, used to illustrate story about Apple's $161 million quarterly loss in 1997
Remember when Apple used to lose money?
Illustration: Cult of Mac

September 26: Today in Apple history: Steve Jobs reports Apple's $161 million loss September 26, 1997: In one of his first tasks after returning to Apple as interim CEO, Steve Jobs reveals the company’s massive quarterly loss of $161 million. It’s Apple’s biggest loss ever.

Giving investors the bad news is miserable, but things are about to change dramatically for Cupertino.

Find your next rental property with Mashvisor, just $99.99 for life

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A photo of a
Save time and avoid common pitfalls with this easy-to-use real estate investment tool.
Photo: Pavel Danilyuk/Pexels CC

Mashvisor’s AI-powered tools will help you research U.S. rental markets, find investment properties and set Airbnb rates. It turns hard data into actionable insights, freeing you from the headache of researching properties on your own.

Ready to ramp things up? You can secure lifetime access to this real estate investing tool for as little as $99.99 (MSRP $1,439).

8 things to do first after installing macOS 27 Golden Gate

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macOS 27 Golden Gate top features
Try these new Mac features after you upgrade to Golden Gate.
Photo: Apple/Rajesh Pandey/Cult of Mac

After upgrading your Mac to macOS 27 Golden Gate, you might easily overlook some of the new software’s useful additions, like recording your screen with audio, Liquid Glass customization and more.

While the new Mac software looks mostly the same as macOS 26 Tahoe, it adds plenty of new features and improvements that make it a worthy upgrade. Here are eight things you should do immediately after installing macOS Golden Gate.

How to watch the Charlie Brown Halloween special for free

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Promotional image for Charlie Brown Halloween special,
It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown is always streaming on the Apple TV service.
Photo: Apple

Families with a tradition of watching It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown can enjoy the classic Peanuts Halloween special on Apple TV for free during a weekend in mid-October. And you can watch it online, not only with an Apple TV set-top box, Mac, iPad or iPhone.

Plus, Apple TV also announced when the Peanuts Thanksgiving and Christmas specials will stream for free in 2026.

iPhone 18 Pro vs. iPhone 14 Pro: Is a four-year upgrade worth it?

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iPhone 18 Pro vs. iPhone 14 Pro comparison
It's time to retire your iPhone 14 Pro.
Photo: Apple/Rajesh Pandey/Cult of Mac

For a four-year-old device, the iPhone 14 Pro has aged well. But the iPhone 18 Pro offers some compelling everyday improvements that make it a worthwhile upgrade. 

If you use an iPhone 14 Pro, it may just be time to upgrade. Here’s our iPhone 18 Pro vs. iPhone 14 Pro comparison to help you decide.

iPhone 18 Pro wait times stretch well into October

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iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max in burgundy
Looks like the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max are selling well.
Photo: Apple

Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max have been on sale for a week, but customers ordering one today can still face a wait that stretches well into October.

The new models debuted last Friday, and even before launch faced criticism for a price hike. There were also questions about whether the new iPhone Duo foldable would lure customers away.

But there’s undeniably enough demand that U.S. customers shopping for one of the two iPhone 18 Pro models online will wait at least two weeks for a shipment to arrive.

Today in Apple history: iPod nano gets colorful aluminum upgrade

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Photo of green second-generation iPod nano used to illustrate a story about the device's launch
The second-gen iPod nano was totally metal.
Photo: Dongyi Liu/Flickr CC

Sept 25: Today in Apple history: Second-generation iPod nano gets colorful aluminum upgrade September 25, 2006: Apple ships its second-generation iPod nano, offering a fancy redesign of the pocket-size original.

“iPod nano is the world’s most popular digital music player, and we’ve completely redesigned it to make it even better,” says Apple CEO Steve Jobs in a press release. “The all-new iPod nano gives music fans more of what they love in their iPods.”

Among the new iPod nano’s improvements are a slimmer, anodized aluminum casing; a brighter screen; longer battery life; and a wide range of colors. And, oh yes, it also includes gapless music playback for the first time.