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Apple Music Classical launches on web with world’s largest catalog

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Apple Music Classical on the web
Apple Music Classical is now on the web.
Photo: Apple Music Classical

Apple expanded its acclaimed Apple Music Classical service to web browsers, allowing desktop users another way to access the world’s most comprehensive classical music library, the iPhone giant said Thursday.

“Apple Music Classical continues to innovate and expand on its mission to bring great musicians and their recordings to music lovers around the world all in one app,” said Anjali Malhotra, global director of Apple Music Classical. “Now that the app is available on the web, Apple Music Classical’s catalog of over 5 million tracks and 50 million data points are now available for those who primarily use their desktops to listen to music.” Meanwhile, recent developments have raised questions about Apple TV plans, especially after Sonos decided to scrap its own streaming device ambitions. Learn more about it here.

Got a new iPad? Try ESR’s new cases and stylus with Find My.

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new ESR iPad accessories
If you bought a new iPad, now you can enhance it.
Photo: ESR

ESR rolled out a full range of accessories Wednesday designed for Apple’s newly released iPad models. The products offer enhanced functionality and protection for tablet users. The lineup, tailored for students, professionals and creatives, includes a new Apple Pencil alternative with Find My integration, magnetic cases, keyboard cases and screen protectors.

“With our latest lineup of iPad accessories, we’re reimagining versatility — delivering accessories that seamlessly integrate into any scenario, whether for study, work, or entertainment,” said  Tim Wu, ESR’s CEO. “Designed for a new generation of users, this new lineup enhances the iPad experience, ensuring creativity, productivity, and enjoyment without limits.”

AI is taking over. Learn to use it to your advantage for just $30.

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Abstract image of AI with a circuit board as the background to illustrate a post about AI classes.
Save 87% on this bundle of 50 generative AI classes.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Artificial intelligence is changing everything, and this affordable bundle of AI classes can help you ride the wave. The 2025 Ultimate GenAI Masterclass Bundle is a massive, 50-course training bundle that gives you lifetime access to expert-led AI training.

It covers everything from ChatGPT, Google Bard and AI-powered coding assistants to tools for generating text, images and videos. Whether you’re a total beginner or a tech pro, these courses will help you master the latest tools and put them to work. And the best part? The AI classes bundle costs just $29.99 (regularly $249) for a limited time.

This smartpen automatically digitizes anything you write

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Photo of a person writing with the SyncPen 4 smartpen.
Get a SyncPen 4 smartpen set on sale for $129.99.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

The SyncPen 4 smartpen makes note-taking easy. Just jot your notes on the system’s reusable notebook, and the smartpen automatically digitizes your handwritten notes and drawings in real time. It also translates your notes, captures audio and performs other neat tricks.

This unique smartpen set is on sale for $129.99 (regularly $139), but supply is limited.

Add MagSafe and more to your iPhone 16e with these top cases

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Best iPhone 16e cases
Dress up and protect your iPhone 16e.
Photo: Cult of Mac

If you got or will soon get an iPhone 16e, way to go! The new iPhone 16e has plenty to recommend it, even if lacks MagSafe and it’s not as affordable, at $599, as the discontinued SE model it replaces. iPhone 16e boasts more functionality and costs more, so you have even more reason to get a nice case for it.

Easily add 5Gbps Ethernet to your MacBook with this affordable adapter

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Plugable USBC-E5000 5Gbps USB-C Ethernet Adapter
Wi-Fi isn’t your only option with a USB-C Ethernet adapter.
Photo: Plugable/Cult of Mac

The new Plugable USBC-E5000 5Gbps USB-C Ethernet Adapter lets you add a wired internet connection to your MacBook. Simply plug it into a USB-C port on your computer for data transfers at up to 5Gbps, or 5000Mbps.

The affordable adapter, which launched Tuesday, also works with iPad and even recent iPhone models.

His-and-hers MacBook Pro rigs make for matrimonial bliss [Setups]

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2 Macbooks - his and hers setups
He said he and his wife are rarely in the setups room at the same time. Coincidence? Maybe.
Photo: [email protected]

In my setups coverage across social media, I see plenty more man caves and she sheds for solitary dwelling than dual setups meant for spouses working side by side. No surprise there, right? And yet dual setups for couples pop up occasionally, like today’s double workstation with 2 MacBooks.

Today in Apple history: Apple market cap breezes by Walmart

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Apple could be a $2 trillion company by end of 2021
At this point, a $200 billion market cap seems almost quaint for Apple.
Photo illustration: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

March 12: Today in Apple history: Apple overtakes Walmart in value March 12, 2010: Apple passes Walmart and investment firm Berkshire Hathaway in value to take third place in market capitalization among publicly listed U.S. companies. The Apple market cap soars past $200 billion, fueled by intense excitement over the first-generation iPad.

Things look good for the company as it guns for powerhouses ExxonMobil and Microsoft.

The rise of privacy-centric apps: How iOS leads the way

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Silhouette of a woman looking at a smartphone with dark clouds behind her and the word
Privacy has never been more important.
AI image: Midjourney/Cult of Mac

With the widespread use of smartphones, laptops and other devices, concerns about privacy in apps become more important every day. Many apps, websites and streaming services demand substantial personal data from users, raising questions about the safety and security of sensitive information.

While almost every app requires some personal information, many lack transparency about their data-collection practices. Some use users’ data to influence algorithms or deliver targeted ads. Others might even sell that data to third parties.

Luckily, Apple — a company that prioritizes user privacy, especially when it comes to iOS — is blazing a trail toward greater transparency. Armed with this knowledge, users can explore external resources to do things like block emails on iPhones and directly utilize Apple’s features to request apps not to track them, limit IP address tracking and disable location services.

This article delves into Apple’s user-friendly features and how other apps and sites incorporate similar practices.

M4 MacBook Air, M3 iPad Air, Mac Studio, iPad 11 go on sale

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Apple's 2025 iPad Air, MacBook Air, and Mac Studio are now on sale.
Several new Apple devices hit store shelves today.
Photo/Graphics: Apple/Rajesh Pandey/CultOfMac

You can now purchase Apple’s 2025 MacBook Air refresh with a faster M4 chip from your nearest retail store. The upgraded Mac Studio with M4 Max and M3 Ultra chips also hits retail stores today.

Additionally, the M3 iPad Air and iPad A16 are also up for sale starting today, March 12.

Metallica immersive video puts Vision Pro owners front and center

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A photo of Metallica guitarist James Hetfield with the words,
We don't recommend banging your head while wearing a Vision Pro.
Image: Apple

Apple’s new immersive concert video Metallica will give Vision Pro owners a unique experience of one of the band’s pulse-pounding shows. Filmed during the band’s M72 World Tour, it captures three Metallica songs in ultra-high-resolution, 180-degree video and Spatial Audio.

In a press release Tuesday, Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich described the immersive video as a revolutionary twist on the standard concert film.

“Game-changing is putting it lightly,” Ulrich said. “Seeing our concert like that, along with the energy of the Mexico City fans — it’s very immersive, and it’s super-fun. We’ve always been interested in pushing the boundaries, and Metallica on Apple Vision Pro is exactly that.”

Massive redesign for iOS 19 and macOS 16 might be hiding in plain sight [Updated]

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macOS 16 could look more like visionOS.
macOS 16 could look more like visionOS.
Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac

Apple intends to massively transform the user interfaces for the iPhone, Mac and iPad later this year, according to a reliable source who says iOS 19, macOS 16 and iPadOS 19 could bring the most significant changes in years.

How will those changes affect the familiar look and feel of Apple’s devices? A software developer speculates that a pair of recently released Apple apps offer a sneak peek at the design overhaul reportedly coming in iOS 19 and macOS 16.

Apple goes after iPhone and Mac bugs with software patches

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iOS 18.3.2 fixes bugs and patches a security hole.
iOS 18.3.2 is out for iPhone, along with macOS 15.3.2, iPadOS 18.3.2 and visionOS 2.3.2.
Image: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple introduced on Tuesday four patches for a range of devices to deal with bugs. iOS 18.3.2, macOS 15.3.2, iPadOS 18.3.2 and visionOS 2.3.2 are all ready to download.

In addition to a bug fix related to streaming content, the patches also include a fix for a potentially serious security issue.

Cute video-cam bot bolsters security and plays with pets

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Enabot Ebo Air 2 Companion Robot
This mobile security camera plays with your pets.
Photo: Enabot

Enabot Ebo Air 2 Companion Robot brings enhanced features that make it an appealing addition to your home, the company said Tuesday. Launching with a price tag of $199 (minus 15% off launch discount), this compact mobile robot builds upon its predecessors with significant improvements in camera quality, interactive capabilities and personalization options.

How to type the Apple logo

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How to type the Apple logo
Show you're an expert by dropping the Apple logo into texts.
Graphic: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Pro-tip-4 You can use the Apple logo as an emoji … if you know how. Expressing your love for all things Apple looks a lot better if know how to type the .

It’s easy to do on a Mac, and I can show you how to add  to texts on iPhone and iPad, too.

Today in Apple history: iPad 2 is the svelte sequel fans hoped for

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iPad 2
The iPad 2 took a leap forward in every way except pricing.
Photo: Apple

March 11: Today in Apple history: iPad 2 is the sequel fans hoped for March 11, 2011: How do you follow up your biggest product debut ever? That’s the question Apple needs to answer as the iPad 2 launch date arrives.

Apple’s second-generation tablet boasts a faster dual-core A5 processor inside a lighter build. It’s also the first iPad to feature VGA front-facing and 720p rear-facing cameras. This milestone marks a significant moment in Apple history, demonstrating the company’s continuous innovation in the tablet.

2025 Mac Studio review roundup: Screaming fast

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2025 Mac Studio Reviews
2025 Mac Studio: Probably more power than you really need.
Image: Apple/Cult of Mac

Early reviews of the 2025 Mac Studio tout the speed boost that comes with the Apple M3 Ultra processor, and the M4 Max version is certainly no slouch. And, as reviewers point out, the new chips build on previous versions that offered an impressive set of features packed into a relatively small casing. For those interested in the latest developments in AI-powered performance, check out the latest Apple AI news.

If you’re interested in Apple’s latest laptops, the MacBook Air M3 is now available for purchase.

Considering the new desktop? This is just what you need to know:

M4 MacBook Air reviews: Nice refinements plus lower price equal great value

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M4 MacBook Air reviews
Reviewers agree M4 MacBook Air's small upgrades and price reduction make it a compelling buy.
Image: Apple/Cult of Mac

New M4 MacBook Air reviews find it’s one of Apple’s most compelling laptop updates in recent memory — not because of revolutionary changes, but due to thoughtful refinements and a surprising price reduction. Here’s what reviewers said Tuesday about the new M4 MacBook Air.

Apple Watch sales nosedived in 2024 as rivals surged

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Apple Watch 10 deals
The Apple Watch Series 10 failed to boost Apple's smartwatch sales.
Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac

Despite the launch of the redesigned Apple Watch Series 10, Apple’s wearable sales declined by a whopping 19% in 2024. The overall smartwatch shipments also fell by 7% in the year.

Although sales declined, Apple remained the top player in the smartwatch market in 2024, beating Samsung and Xiaomi.

EU may slap Apple with modest fine for DMA violation

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The European Commission's draft law could force companies to detect, remove and report CSAM.
The European Commission could take a softer stance against Apple's DMA breach.
Photo: European Commission

The European Commission will reportedly slap Apple and Meta with “modest fines” for breaching the DMA (Digital Markets Act).

The act became a law in EU countries in May 2023, forcing Apple to open its devices to third-party app stores and be more open to competition. This ongoing regulatory pressure raises questions about Apple’s global operations, including where are iPhones made.

Get ready to groove to DJ King Charles III on Apple Music [Updated]

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The King's Music Room playlist
"The King's Music Room" playlist premieres March 10.
Photo: Apple Music

In a literally royal musical celebration, Apple said King Charles III hosts a special radio show and playlist on Apple Music 1 titled “The King’s Music Room.” It commemorates Commonwealth Day, March 10. See King Charles’ playlist and watch his introductory video, below. This is the first time a reigning monarch has guest hosted on Apple Music, by the way.

“Throughout my life, music has meant a great deal to me. I know that is also the case for so many others,” King Charles said. “It has that remarkable ability to bring happy memories flooding back from the deepest recesses of our memory, to comfort us in times of sadness, and to take us to distant places.”

“But perhaps, above all, it can lift our spirits to such a degree, and all the more so when it brings us together in celebration,” he added. “In other words, it brings us joy.”

Update: Check out the King’s list of songs, added below.