After booming during lockdown in 2020, the App Store isn’t likely to slow down over the next five years, according to a new report.

App analytics platform Sensor Tower’s projections indicate App Store spending could hit $185 billion per year in the next half-decade. That’s compared to $72 billion in 2020.

From the sound of things, Apple is going back to the past for its next-gen MacBook Pro — and, depending on who you ask, that could be a very good thing.

The next MacBook Pro is already rumored to bring back the MagSafe charger and kill off the LED Touch Bar in favor of a row of physical keys.

Now, in a new note to clients, TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo says this year’s pro laptop will come with a built-in SD card reader and an HDMI port. These have been MIA since 2016, when Apple went all in on USB-C — and started ditching MacBook ports like they were going out of style.

Some of the first malware targeting both M-series and Intel Macs has affected thousands of computers. At this point, the malicious code — called “Silver Sparrow” — is not dangerous, and Apple may have pulled its teeth. But users of the latest macOS computers still might want to know if their device has it. And the same goes for owners of Intel-based Macs.

Here’s how to find out if your computer has been hit.

Women are underrepresented in tech, but Apple hopes to change that. On Monday, it began taking applications for an Entrepreneur Camp for female founders and developers to be held summer of 2021.

Previous such camps have been in Apple’s home town of Cupertino, but this one will be online because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Netflix added a new wrinkle to suggesting new shows for its viewers. Its app can go ahead and download recommended shows onto your handset before you even know about them so they’re ready to watch.

Want to start an exciting new career in coding or land the promotion you’ve always wanted? The Master Learn to Code 2021 Certification Bundle will teach you everything you need to succeed, and it’s on sale right now for just $34.99. That’s a huge 98% discount off the regular price of $2,594.

T-Mobile’s new 5G plan isn’t limited by data caps or throttling. Its Magenta Max offers unlimited 4G and 5G data to smartphone users. And it includes high-definition video streaming and Netflix on Us.

The plan seeks to stand out from rivals that promise unlimited data but slow down data transfers under certain conditions.

The next iOS version will make it more difficult for hackers to break into iPhones. Security researchers digging around in Apple’s beta code for iOS 14.5 found that the company began encrypting pointer authentication codes, which will make zero-click attacks far tougher to pull off.

The first wave of malware written specifically for Apple Silicon Macs is starting to appear. And Apple’s already playing Whac-A-Mole to try and stop it.

The malware in question, called “Silver Sparrow,” is reportedly a malicious package that can exploit a vulnerability in the macOS Installer JavaScript API as a way to execute dodgy commands. While it remains unclear how big of a threat Silver Sparrow poses, Apple nonetheless took steps to stop its spread.

Vincent Belotti, a mechanical engineering student at Farmingdale State College on Long Island, New York, has a colorful setup — and we’re not just talking about his screensaver. He 3D-prints some of the components in it himself, and he can’t get enough decor related to his favorite games.

As an engineering student, Belotti has made 3D printing into a hobby. He uses his MacBook Pro to model and slice prints that become components to enhance his setup. They include an Apple Watch dock, shown on the right side of his desk in these photos, and 3D figurines on the shelf above his monitor.

Users who don’t get on board with WhatsApp’s terms and conditions will be unable to send or receive messages after May 15. While calls and notifications will continue to work for a short while, this will supposedly only be for a period of a “few weeks.”

WhatsApp first announced the changing privacy policies in January. The changed policy notes that, “As part of the Facebook family of companies, WhatsApp receives information from, and shares information with, this family of companies.”

From Siri interactions to cars with autopilot, there’s no end to what artificial intelligence powers these days. Simply put, AI is a computer system (or machine) that can perform tasks or solve problems that ordinarily require human intelligence — as opposed to simple programming, where humans input the end result into a machine.

Now, AI is so prevalent that it’s used in many apps. And this one can teach you how to play the piano.

The success of the iPhone 12 once again made Apple’s the world’s top smartphone maker in terms of sales, research firm Gartner says.

Provided the firm’s figures are accurate, this will be the first time in half a decade that Apple ranked No. 1. It means 5G-enabled iPhones fought off stiff competition from its longtime frenemy.

Verizon is now offering the 2020 iPhone SE for free when you purchase it online and take out a new line. That’s a staggering saving of $399 — and you’ll get another $20 off line activation, which usually costs $40.

This deal ends soon, so enjoy it while you can!

Apple assisted nasal swab-maker Copan Diagnostics in shipping 15 million COVID-19 test kits to hospitals in California, Texas and elsewhere, the company said Monday.

Apple awarded $10 million from its Advanced Manufacturing Fund to support Copan in May 2020. Cupertino also sent engineers and product designers to help Copan overhaul its manufacturing processes. Thanks to the Apple boost, production supposedly increased by nearly 4,000%. Copan also opened a new facility and hired 250 employees.

A leaked image posted online over the weekend shows off what may by the third iteration of Apple’s AirPods earbuds (fourth if you count the over-the-ear AirPods Max).

The pictures, which were shared by the Chinese-language website 52audio, depict next-gen regular AirPods with smaller stems and silicone tips, alongside a new LED charging indicator on the front of the charging case.

A concept artist brought to beautiful life the folding iPhone they hope Apple is creating. The device starts with a standard iOS handset design but then opens into an iPad.

Watch the concept video now, and get ready to wipe the drool off your chin.

Apple’s annual shareholders meeting won’t take place on the Apple Park campus this year as it ordinarily would. With the COVID-19 pandemic dragging on, it’ll be a virtual-only event in 2021. This is likely to increase participation in the February 23 meeting. And if you own AAPL shares, you can attend.

Here’s what you need to do.

If you love building things — especially if you’re assembling something with a lot of small, delicate parts (i.e., a computer or a drone) — you might want to get a closer look at whatever it is you’re working with. And whether you’re using your weekends to tinker around by yourself or as a bonding activity with your child, this Veho DX Discovery USB Digital Microscope with Stand is the perfect tool to use.

Don’t expect the 2021 iPhone to be able to charge AirPods or Apple Watch. A reliable tipster says Apple doesn’t intend to build reverse wireless charging into future handsets. Not anytime soon, at least.

There’s an interesting new feature in iOS 14 that you might never have noticed. It’s called Mobility Metrics, and it tracks several things that offer insight into your overall fitness, coordination and health. Find out where to look for these metrics, and what to make of them, in our in-depth Mobility Metrics how-to.

Also in this week’s issue of Cult of Mac Magazine, we’ve got several hot rumors about upcoming Apple gear (and a possible March 16 event), plus loads of Apple TV+ reviews and first looks at upcoming shows. Download it now to enjoy on your iOS device.

P.S. If you’re a fan of Apple lore, don’t miss our exclusive interview with Del Yocam, the company’s first COO and a mentor to Steve Jobs. He’s got some interesting stories to tell.

Beats headphones set the standard for listening before Apple bought the company six years ago. Since then, Cupertino’s $3 billion acquisition has resulted in a slew of new products with Apple’s proprietary tech integrated into the Beats lineup for a seamless audio experience.

That means Beats fans know what to expect when using their headphones with Apple devices: smooth performance, excellent sound quality and thoughtful design. These Beats Solo Pro Wireless Noise Cancelling On-Ear Headphones are no exception. That’s why they earned 4.7/5 stars on Amazon out of 5,520 reviews. And now Cult of Mac Deals can offer these headphones at a massive 46% discount.

Apple TV+ is prepping at least 21 new shows, movies and additional seasons of current series for release throughout 2021, and possibly beyond. A new sizzle reel gives a glimpse of all of them in two exciting minutes.

Watch it now to get a glimpse of the dramas, comedies, sci-fi and action series Apple hopes will entice audiences in 2021.

And there may have been some surprise announcements.

Apple TV+ revealed Friday that Schmigadoon! will sing and dance its way onto the streaming service this summer. The comedy is a parody of iconic musicals, and is executive produced by Lorne Michaels of Saturday Night Live fame.

On this week’s episode of Apple TV+’s millennial melodrama Dickinson, Austin’s drowning, Emily’s flailing, Mrs. Dickinson’s catering two tea parties, and John Brown’s raiding Harper’s Ferry. And that’s just in the first few minutes.

The future hangs in the balance. And with only two episodes left in the show’s second season, every action and word counts. The show only wastes some of them.