For the 10th anniversary of its launch, we compiled over a decade of Apple Watch history into a quick timeline. Starting with the original three collections — including models in solid 18 karat gold — all the way to today’s far more advanced (and sensible) Apple Watch Series 10 and Ultra 2.

The Apple Watch was the first major product introduction of Tim Cook’s reign as Apple CEO. There was immense pressure on Apple to prove that it could still innovate without Steve Jobs. While the Apple Watch wasn’t as flashy as the iPhone and iPad, it’s grown into an incredible business rife with breakthrough technology, in one of the most physically constrained form factors yet.

With Global Close Your Rings Day upon us, Apple Watch owners around the world showed off the pins they earned Thursday by participating in Apple’s fitness-oriented special event. The day marks a decade of Apple Watch Activity rings helping keep users active for their health.

“Apple Watch has changed the way people think about, monitor and engage with their fitness and health,” said Jeff Williams, Apple’s chief operating officer, in a press release Monday announcing the event. “A decade ago, we introduced Activity rings — and since then, Apple Watch has grown to offer an extensive set of features designed to empower every user. People write to us almost every day sharing how Apple Watch has made a difference in their life, from motivating them to move more throughout the day, to changing the trajectory of their health.”

The iPhone 16e already seems to be a winner for Apple. US sales data analyzed by CIRP show the new budget iPhone accounting for 7% of sales in Q1 2025.

This is with the device only launching at the end of February. So, it spent just one month on sale during the entire quarter.

The advanced new Nebula X1 4K smart projector features triple-laser light projection and the first liquid-cooling system in the industry, Nebula said Wednesday. Calling it “the ultimate backyard projector,” the Anker subsidiary hopes the device will revolutionize backyard entertainment with innovative features and easy setup.

TSMC unveiled its A14 chip-making process Wednesday, which is designed to increase the AI capabilities of future smartphones, among more general improvements. The Taiwanese foundry is perhaps best known for making all the processors for iPhone, Mac and other Apple computers.

A14 will follow the N2 process set to go into production later this year, and the A16 process scheduled for 2026.

Apple device users looking for a more compact and versatile charging solution now have a compelling new option in the new CukTech 15 140W GaN Charger, the company said Wednesday. That’s particularly good news for MacBook Pro owners. And not just because of the 40% off launch discount — but because this charger packs enough power for laptops.

The best way to send someone a great article you just read online is to share a link with highlighted text. It will quote whatever you found interesting in the post and encourage them to click the link.

While you could copy the quote and paste it in alongside the link, there’s a hidden way to do it in Safari. It’ll properly format the rich link with the quoted text highlighted above.

If you want to quote a specific line from an article or a how-to (like this one), sending it with a pull quote is easier and looks nicer than copying the text you want and putting it in quotation marks as a separate text.

And it takes just a second! Here’s how to share a link with highlighted text.

The system Apple set up to enable EU residents to load apps onto their iPhones outside the App Store violates the Digital Markets Act, according to a decision handed down Wednesday by the European Commission. It cites “overly strict eligibility requirements” and Apple’s new Core Technology Fee as reasons.

It’s a preliminary decision, but if Apple doesn’t make the app sideloading process easier, the DMA gives the European Commission the right to hit the iPhone maker with hefty fines.

Two new videos surfaced recently that use dummy units to show just how incredibly — even shockingly — thin the iPhone 17 Air will be when it comes out in several months.

“That’s futuristic,” one reviewer exclaimed, adding he doubted Apple will sell any other iPhone Series 17 models when customers see and feel the rumored slim model.

Anyone who follows along with my Setups coverage for Cult of Mac probably knows I’ve got a soft spot for great audio. And while my own setup and its surroundings bristle with solid audio gear, today’s M4 Mac mini workstation makes me twitch with envy. You can’t go wrong with KEF speakers — complete with subwoofer under the desk — as long as you have the cash to acquire them. And I’ve wanted Bowers & Wilkins headphones for years.

April 23, 2009: Less than a year after opening its virtual doors, the App Store reaches 1 billion downloads.

Peer-to-peer file sharing app Bump becomes the 1 billionth app to be downloaded. As a result of his purchase, 13-year-old Connor Mulcahey of Weston, Connecticut, wins a “1 Billion App Countdown” promotion.

He takes home an assortment of Apple products valued at more than $13,000, including a $10,000 iTunes gift card, a 32GB iPod touch, an Apple Time Capsule wireless router and a 17-inch MacBook Pro.

The European Union socked Apple with a fine of 500 million euros ($570 million) Wednesday for breaking antisteering rules in the Digital Markets Act. It also fined Meta 200 million euros for DMA violations.

The two companies face further fines if they don’t make the changes the EU demands.

In an effort to attract new viewers in a hugely competitive streaming market, Apple TV+ unveiled a limited-time promotion Wednesday. It offers a steep 70% discount on Apple TV+ subscriptions for both new and qualified returning subscribers through April 24. The steal of a deal’s timing coincides with Friday’s premiere of Your Friends & Neighbors with Jon Hamm as a rich guy-turned-thief.

The special offer allows eligible customers to subscribe to Apple TV+ for just $2.99 per month for three months, a significant savings from the regular $9.99 monthly fee. This brings the total cost to approximately $9 for the three-month period, making it one of the most affordable ways to access a premium streaming service in today’s competitive market.

Update: Grab the two-thirds off discount on Apple TV+ subscriptions now, because it ends Thursday, April 24.

Apple Watch does so much that it’s possible for some of its handy tricks to get lost. You can’t call these three Apple Watch tips  marquee features. But they can make life just a bit more convenient.

Here’s how to turn on the flashlight, find your iPhone and silence alarms on your iPhone from an Apple Watch.

Your MacBook is beautiful. Your iPad is elegant. So why are you still charging them with a cable that looks like it came from a cereal box? The Statik GloBright RGB USB-C cable lights up as it charges. These braided cables offer an easy way to add some flair to your setup.

You can grab a two-pack of these RGB cables for just $24.99 with free shipping (regularly $35.98), while a single Apple cable would cost you more. A bonus: Each of these cables measures 6 feet long, so you can enjoy some freedom from wall outlets as you charge.

If the U.S. federal judge orders Google to sell Chrome, OpenAI would be willing to buy it. Nick Turley, the head of ChatGPT at OpenAI, revealed this during his testimony in the ongoing Google antitrust trial.

When asked if OpenAI would buy Chrome, he replied, “Yes, we would, and so would many other parties.”

Despite all the criticism and negative publicity, more U.S. iPhone users are willing to pay for Apple Intelligence than before. A survey conducted by Morgan Stanley found “stronger-than-expected Apple Intelligence engagement.”

The survey results also suggest that more than 80% of U.S. iPhone users tried Apple Intelligence in the last six months.

If your favorite app doesn’t work well with the screen notch in your MacBook Pro or MacBook Air, there is a solution. Apple created a “Scale to fit below built-in camera” setting that always puts the app into the space below the notch when in full-screen mode.

And it can be set for individual apps. Here’s how.

In what might be the biggest battery recycling news of the decade, scientists in China found a way to achieve nearly 100% voltage recovery in worn-out lithium-ion batteries by precisely heating them to high temperatures while applying voltage. This has the potential for “rejuvenating aging batteries, making old electric vehicles like new,” according to the institute where the research was conducted.

This is exactly the sort of news one hopes for on Earth Day.

In a shake-up aimed at revitalizing Apple’s aging Siri voice assistant, the iPhone giant brought in Mike Rockwell to lead a comprehensive overhaul now in progress, according to a new report. First, the former head of Vision Pro software continues revitalizing the Siri leadership team in the Vision Pro team’s image.

Ever misplaced your wallet or keys right when you’re rushing out the door? This Ugreen Smart Finder tracker review might help solve that universal frustration on the cheap. Whether you’re considering the standard Smart Finder or its wallet-sized counterpart, both promise to keep your valuables just a tap away through Apple’s Find My network.

These Bluetooth trackers pack some interesting features that set them apart from typical item finders — specifically their compact design, reliable tracking capabilities and low prices.

April 22, 2013: The world gets its first Apple car. Well, kind of. In reality, the iBeetle is a collaboration with German automaker Volkswagen that offers a car “stylistically linked” to Apple.

This means Apple-inspired colors, a built-in docking station for your iPhone, and a special app that lets you control the car’s features.

Want to pass IT exams and land a tech job you’ll love? This comprehensive bundle provides user-friendly training across multiple platforms, including CompTIA, AWS, Microsoft and Cisco. It’s an invaluable exam preparation resource if you plan to pursue IT certifications.

For a limited time, Cult of Mac readers can score this lifelong e-learning bundle for a one-time payment of just $79.99 (regularly $2,530).​

A cutting-edge pair of AI sports glasses feature innovative audio technology from xMEMS Labs, the company said Tuesday. The new BleeqUp Ranger glasses, developed by Chinese startup BleeqUp, represents the first commercial use of a xMEMS solid state microtweeter in AI eyewear — but likely not the only one.

“xMEMS is proud to help power the next generation of AI wearables,” said Steven Bentley, VP of worldwide sales at xMEMS Labs. “The integration of Cowell into BleeqUp’s glasses not only showcases the high-fidelity performance of our MEMS speakers. We’re excited to help more companies accelerate their path to market with compact, high-performance audio solutions for AI glasses.”

Perhaps that, or the upcoming uses of xMEMS Labs’ Sycamore microspeaker, could signal a new direction for Apple if it revives its smart glasses project.

It’s time to break the habit of doing everything on your iPhone while overlooking what’s often a better alternative. Consider the Apple Watch pros: It’s a very capable little computer, and it’s right there on your wrist. Odds are you aren‘t taking advantage of half of what it can do for you.

Here are the simple tasks I used to do on my iPhone that are now easier because I do them on my Apple Watch. And all without needing any third-party software. The only apps required come preinstalled on every Apple Watch.