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Today in Apple history: Macintosh Plus brings big changes to Mac

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The MacIntosh Plus was arguably the first truly great Mac.
The MacIntosh Plus was arguably the first truly great Mac.
Photo: Rama/Wikipedia CC

January 16: Today in Apple history: Macintosh Plus brings big changes to Mac January 16, 1986: Apple introduces the Macintosh Plus, its third Mac model and the first to be released after Steve Jobs was forced out of the company the previous year.

The Mac Plus boasts an expandable 1MB of RAM and a double-sided 800KB floppy drive. And it’s the first Macintosh to include a SCSI port, which serves as the main way of attaching a Mac to other devices (at least until Apple abandons the tech on the original iMac G3 upon Jobs’ return).

Handheld iPhone gimbal redesigned for more stable filming

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Insta360 Flow 2 Pro
Insta360 Flow 2 Pro keeps your iPhone steady when its moving during filming.
Photo: Insta360

Insta360 Flow 2 Pro gimbal keeps an iPhone steady during filming so it can be moved to follow the action. Or it can act as a tripod stand and automatically keep the camera pointed at the person being recorded even if they move around. Plus, the accessory can recharge the phone.

“The idea of Flow 2 Pro is simple: Bridge the gap between professional-quality tools and everyday accessibility,” shares JK Liu, founder of Insta360.

If you want a tech job, here’s how to get the training you need

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Man navigating a large screen, used to illustrate an IT training bundle deal.
Kick-start your IT career with this $59.99 training bundle.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Solid certifications like CompTIA, ISC and CISSP can boost your IT career, but the exams to acquire said certifications are tough. If you want to learn the basics, check out the Complete 2025 Cybersecurity Developer and IT Super Skills Bundle. This IT training bundle helps you prepare for multiple certification exams, offering detailed lessons for beginners and advanced learners.

Bonus: This ticket to a high-paying IT career is on sale for just $59.99 (regularly $936).

Samsung’s iPhone 17 Air rival could be just 6.4mm thin

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Samsung Galaxy S25 Slim leaked renders
This is Samsung's super-slim Galaxy that will take on the iPhone 17 Air.
Photo: SmartPrix

Apple is not the only company reportedly working on a slim flagship phone for 2025. Samsung is also working on one, and a new leak indicates the company’s iPhone 17 Air rival will have a 6.4mm thick waistline.

Despite the slim profile, Samsung’s super-slim Galaxy reportedly will pack impressive specs, including a 200MP rear camera.

Noel Fielding’s time starring in Dick Turpin Apple TV+ series abruptly ends

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'The Completely Made-Up Adventures of Dick Turpin' stars Noel Fielding
Cancelled.
Image: Apple TV+

The Completely Made-Up Adventures of Dick Turpin reportedly won’t return to Apple TV+ after all. Apple reportedly canceled Dick Turpin season two, laying the blame on star Noel Fielding.

The comedy series premiered in 2024, and Apple TV+ renewed it for a second season. However, word came Wednesday that The Completely Made-Up Adventures of Dick Turpin stopped mid-production.

This USB-C travel hub is your new vacation bestie

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Product photo of the portable 10-port USB-C travel and charging hub.
Pick up this USB-C travel hub for just $23.99 and see how it can make your digital life more convenient.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Finding an outlet at the airport or keeping devices charged on a trip can feel like a treasure hunt. But this portable USB-C travel hub changes the game. Designed for on-the-go charging, this hub lets you power up multiple devices from just one outlet — no need for extra adapters or clutter. It includes a high-power USB PD slot for MacBooks and iPads, and a built-in wireless MagSafe charger for iPhone, AirPods and more.

Now at a budget-friendly $23.99 (regularly $36), it’s a great travel companion for those who value convenience, functionality and, most importantly, fully charged batteries.

Escapee from Apple TV+’s Silo shows up at NBA game

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Silo shows up at NBA game
Not the most comfortable b-ball-watching garb, but the suit might protect him from other fans.
Photo: Dallas Mavericks/Apple

The Apple TV+ marketing department sure kept itself busy Tuesday. A space-suited denizen of the streamer’s hit sci-fi series Silo showed up in the stands at an NBA game ahead of the show’s season two finale, which arrives Friday.

Earlier Tuesday, a Severance office popped up in New York City’s Grand Central Station. The pop-up drew stars from the show as well as plenty of curious commuters ahead of the Severance season two premiere, which also arrives Friday on Apple TV+.

Apple TV+ ran a full-court press on the promo stunts this week, a departure from the norm. What else could be in store?

Apple gives users simple way to help LA wildfire victims

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Apple gives users simple ways to help LA wildfire victims
Donating to the American Red Cross through Apple to help wildfire victims takes just a few clicks.
Photo: Apple

To help expedite recovery in response to deadly Los Angeles wildfires, Apple gives users simple ways to help LA wildfire victims by linking donation pages in popular apps directly to the American Red Cross, CEO Tim Cook said in an X.com post Wednesday. This follows the iPhone giant’s own donation of an undisclosed amount as well as considerations extended to wildfire victims regarding their Apple Card payments.

Today in Apple history: MacBook Air becomes ‘world’s thinnest notebook’

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A plain manila envelope became a key stage prop for selling the MacBook Air.
A plain manila envelope became a key prop for selling the MacBook Air.
Photo: Apple

January 15: Today in Apple history: MacBook Air becomes 'world's thinnest notebook' January 15, 2008: Steve Jobs shows off the first MacBook Air at the Macworld conference in San Francisco, calling the revolutionary computer the “world’s thinnest notebook.”

The 13.3-inch laptop measures only 0.76 inches at its thickest point and 0.16 inches at its tapered thinnest. It also boasts a unibody aluminum design, thanks to an Apple engineering breakthrough that allows the crafting of a complicated computer case from a single block of finely machined metal.

In a brilliant piece of showmanship during the MacBook Air launch, Jobs pulls the super-slim laptop out of a standard interoffice envelope. (You can watch his keynote introducing the MacBook Air below).

Software engineer shows off parade of powerful MacBooks [Setups]

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MDM testing on MacBooks
This guy has thousands of dollars' worth of MacBooks because of his job.
Photo: [email protected]

Wouldn’t you love to have half a dozen M-series MacBooks in your computer setup? One second thought, maybe that’s too much of a good thing. And it might only come up if you had to use most of them for work, like in today’s featured setup. A mobile device management (MDM) engineer does a lot of MDM testing on MacBooks for his job. If you use a Mac for work, he’s the guy who makes sure it keeps working efficiently and securely.

Here’s a sign Powerbeats Pro 2 earbuds are coming soon

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Powerbeats Pro 2 filings
New regulatory filings suggest we can expect redesigned Powerbeats Pro 2 earbuds soon.
Photo: 91Mobiles.com

 After teasing the upcoming release of fitness-oriented Powerbeats Pro 2 wireless earbuds in September 2024, Apple and subsidiary Beats just made new filings with regulatory agencies that all but confirm the new buds will come out soon, according to a Wednesday report. The new earbuds likely will go on sale within weeks (or a couple of months at the latest). Apple continues to integrate its ecosystem, and users can take advantage of features through the Beats app for iPhone to optimize their listening experience.

This startup is building a real-world version of Her’s Samantha by tackling screen addiction

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Photo of woman lying on grass and wearing Natura Umana's HumanPods earbuds.
HumanPods earbuds are just the start of Natura Umana's AI plans.
Photo: Natura Umana

In a world dominated by screens, where the average person spends more than seven hours a day glued to digital devices, the question arises: Is there a better way to integrate technology into our lives? Swiss company Natura Umana believes there is. Taking inspiration from Spike Jonze’s iconic film Her, the company is developing a revolutionary AI ecosystem that replaces screen dependency with natural, voice-first interaction.

At the heart of Natura Umana’s vision are two pioneering products: HumanPods, the first AI earbuds designed for all-day wear, and NatureOS, a software platform that introduces “AI People” — intelligent agents that feel more like companions than tools. Together, these innovations aim to reduce screen addiction, enhance productivity and foster real-world human connections, all while maintaining a steadfast commitment to privacy.

Innovative Mcon iPhone game controller looks like a million bucks

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OhSnap Mcon game controller earns accolades, whopping $1.2 million in crowdfunding
OhSnap Mcon iPhone game controller is already a huge success month before its launch.
Screenshot: OhSnap

Only about 0.1% of Kickstarter campaigns bring in over $1 million. The latest to pass that lofty mark is the OhSnap Mcon mobile gaming controller, which magnetically attaches to an iPhone to add joysticks, buttons and a D-pad.

A prototype of the accessory was on display at CES 2025 where it earned loads of compliments. It “may set a new standard for mobile gaming,” said Engadget, for example.

Affordable movie projector comes with 36,000 preloaded games

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A projector with two gaming consoles and a monitor behind.
This 2-in-1 gaming projector comes with gaming controllers!
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Ever see those ads for renting a full movie theater for a game or movie night? It looks fun, but it’s not cheap. However, that’s not the only way to create a real cinema vibe for the whole gang. Instead, you can make movie night at home and elevate game time with a 2-in-1 HD projector for video games and video.

This portable projector runs Android 11, so you can stream directly from it. And gamers will get a kick out of the 36,000 classic games that come preloaded. The whole thing is on sale for just $99.99 (regularly $149.99).

3 overlooked Apple products getting updates in 2025

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Apple TV, AirTag and HomePod in 2025
Apple has mostly neglected three of its products, but that’s reportedly about to change.
Image: Apple/Cult of Mac

iPhone and Mac get all the attention — and the annual upgrades — but you can expect a trio of Apple products that haven’t been improved in years to get some love from Cupertino in 2025.

Fans of some of Apple’s secondary devices rejoice: Rumors point to new versions of Apple TV, AirTag and HomePod in the coming months. If you’re an AirTag user, it’s important to stay updated with the latest AirTag firmware update to ensure optimal performance.

Transcribe, translate and summarize any conversation with this advanced AI voice recorder

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Woman using her phone with the Focais Meet One AI voice recorder attached to it.
This AI-powered voice recorder offers a high-tech solution for capturing, transcribing, translating and summaring long calls, meetings and classes.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

The Focais Meet One is an AI-powered device that elevates note-taking and voice recording to a new level. Designed for convenience and accuracy, the AI voice recorder combines voice recognition with advanced AI features to streamline capturing and organizing essential details from conversations.

Its AI transcription feature supports more than 120 languages. This makes it an ideal tool for multilingual environments and anyone dealing with diverse clients or partners. Whether it’s a meeting, lecture or phone call, the Focais Meet One transcribes conversations accurately.

It’s a perfect companion for busy professionals, students or anyone who regularly handles meetings and calls. And for a limited time, this advanced AI voice recorder is on sale for just $99.99.

Top tips for traveling with AirTags in your luggage

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Travel smarter with AirTags
An AirTag in a bag can find a solution to an absolute calamity.
Image: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

Traveling is a lot easier if you can keep track of your stuff with AirTags in your luggage. It’s been in the news lately: Airlines have lost flyers’ bags and people have recovered them because they had the foresight to put an AirTag in the luggage. You can make sure it’s with you all the way along your journey and quickly find it among the baggage claim at your final destination.

Read on for my tips on traveling with AirTags.

CarPlay 2 could feature iPhone-style widgets

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CarPlay 2 widgets
A selection of widgets might give CarPlay 2 an interface already familiar to iOS, iPadOS and macOS users.
Photo: [email protected]

While Apple CarPlay 2’s expected 2024 release still hasn’t happened, newly leaked images Tuesday show a familiar widget-based interface that mirrors experiences across iOS, iPadOS and macOS devices.

The leaker is considered reliable. If the images prove genuine, they suggest a sensible drive by the iPhone giant to provide a seamless experience across the Apple ecosystem, even on the road.

Today in Apple history: Cancer forces Steve Jobs to take medical leave of absence

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Why Salesforce chief gave up AppStore.com for Apple
Steve Jobs put his leave of absence down to a "hormone imbalance."
Photo: Ben Stanfield/Flickr CC

January 14: Today in Apple history: Steve Jobs takes a leave of absence because of cancer January 14, 2009: Steve Jobs’ cancer worsens to the point that he takes a medical leave from Apple.

Despite his illness, the CEO remains reluctant to take the time off. When he does, he keeps quiet about the severity of the situation. He calls “the curiosity over my personal health” a distraction caused by prying bloggers and reporters. Nonetheless, he acknowledges that his health problems “are more complex than I originally thought.”

Cool new case helps make M4 Mac mini portable

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WaterField Designs Shield Case for Mac mini
Shield Case looks like a stylish and practical way to tote M4 Mac mini, along with cables and an AirTag.
Photo: WaterField Designs

The ruggedly handsome new Shield Case brings true portability to the small-but-mighty M4 Mac mini and its accessories, WaterField Designs said Tuesday. It’s the latest in the company’s long line of cool cases for Apple gear.

“We designed the Shield Case for professionals who take advantage of the portability of Apple’s most compact desktop computer yet,” said Gary Waterfield, the San Francisco-based company’s owner. “The M4 Mac mini’s reduced size makes it an ideal candidate for mobile use, but its unique dimensions require thoughtful protection.”

China hinders moving iPhone assembly to other countries

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Foxconn
China doesn’t want these workers at a Foxconn plant to lose their jobs making Apple computers.
Photo: Foxconn

Apple’s efforts to move iPhone assembly to India and Vietnam are reportedly being hampered by the Chinese government.

The iPhone-maker wants to increase the number of countries in which its products are assembled amidst a worsening U.S./China trade war.

Quickly convert PDF to JPG from your iPhone with this shortcut

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Screenshot of an iPhone with the words
No apps to download, just run a shortcut and get on with it.
Image: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

 You can convert a PDF to JPG on your iPhone instantly and for free — without downloading any sketchy apps or using any slow and confusing websites. This feature works using Shortcuts, a versatile automation system built into your iPhone. To learn more, check out this guide on making PDFs on iPhone and iPad.

After you download the shortcut, you can convert any PDF into a JPG straight from the share sheet on your iPhone. Watch the video or keep reading below to see how it works.

Why the latest location data leak won’t hit iPhone users as hard

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location data breach
Simple settings can help protection iPhone and iPad users when it comes to app tracking.
Screenshot: Apple

A massive breach revealed last week exposed location data from apps on millions of iPhones and Android phones. But at least iPhone users have better protection against exposure through a simple action they can take against app tracking, a new report noted Monday.

Gravy Analytics, one of the world’s largest location data brokers, disclosed the big data breach last week. Leaked data points came from smartphone apps ranging from popular mobile games like Candy Crush to dating apps and pregnancy-tracking applications. While investigations into the breach continue, experts point out that iPhones and iPads have a pretty simple way of avoiding exposure in the first place.

Today in Apple history: Bill Gates quits as Microsoft CEO

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Bill Gates
Bill Gates' rivalry with Steve Jobs was legendary.
Photo: Fulvio Obregon

January 13: Today in Apple history: Bill Gates quits as Microsoft CEO January 13, 2000: Steve Jobs’ longtime frenemy Bill Gates quits as Microsoft CEO. He steps down from the leadership role just a month after his company’s stock hit its all-time high.

The news coincides with a turning point in the long-running battle between the two tech powerhouses. Microsoft begins a long decline from its previous dominance, while Apple continues its rise to the top.

How to stop spam and scam calls with Surfshark’s Alternative Number

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alternative phone number - Surfshark VPN Alternative ID
Use an Alternative Number from Surfshark to shield your primary phone number from spammers and scammers.
Image: Surfshark

 In an online world filled with identity thieves, robocallers, “smishers” (SMS phishing scammers), and all sorts of marketers hassling you for your personal information whenever you sign up for anything, wouldn’t it be great if you could protect your personal information by becoming someone else with a different phone number? With Surfshark’s Alternative ID service, you can now access a new Alternative Number feature that does just that. If you’re looking for the best Surfshark VPN deals, you can take advantage of great offers while enhancing your online privacy.

Alternative Number is incredibly easy to use — and highly effective at keeping your real phone number safe from spammers and scammers. All you need to do is sign up for a Surfshark bundle that includes Alternative Number. You can pay monthly, but Surfshark also offers 24-month plans that give you four extra months of service for free.