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Check your blood pressure, and sync data to your iPhone, with this $25 device

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Woman taking her blood pressure reading and syncing results to her iPhone with iHealth Track blood pressure monitor
Here's an easy way to get a handle on your blood pressure.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

The iHealth Track blood pressure monitor offers an easy way to track your blood pressure at home. It syncs to your iPhone, tracks trends, and gives you real health data you can use.

And right now, you can get this highly rated home blood pressure monitor for just $24.99 (regularly $49.99) with free shipping to the contiguous United States.

Today in Apple history: iTunes ditches movie trailer downloads

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Apple's iTunes movie trailers go dark as streaming supplants downloads.
iTunes movie trailers go dark.
Photo: Tookapic/Pexels CC

May 24: Today in Apple history: iTunes ditches movie trailer downloads May 24, 2013: Apple begins phasing out the option to download movie trailers from its once enormously popular iTunes Movie Trailers website.

The move signals a major change in the way people consume digital content as the internet evolves. Downloads will continue to decline, as streaming services like YouTube and Netflix gain steam.

When you’re about to hop on public Wi-Fi, do this before logging in

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Photo of FastestVPN & Security Lifetime Bundle running on two devices, a laptop and a smartphone
Boost your devices' security with a VPN and password manager bundle.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

The FastestVPN & Security Lifetime Bundle gives you two essential tools for safeguarding your data — a VPN and a password manager — all for one low price.

You can lock down your devices with this lifetime VPN and password manager bundle for just $39.99. That means no monthly subscriptions, just security that sticks.

Today in Apple history: Steve Jobs attempts a boardroom coup

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Jobs
Sadly for Steve Jobs, things didn't work in his favor.
Photo: Esther Dyson/Flickr CC

May 23: Today in Apple history: Steve Jobs attempts a boardroom coup May 23, 1985: Bitter about being ousted from his position running the Macintosh division, Steve Jobs attempts to stage a boardroom coup to seize control of Apple from CEO John Sculley.

The 30-year-old Apple co-founder plans to overthrow Sculley while the CEO is away on a business trip in China. Unfortunately for Jobs, he makes a critical mistake when he tries to recruit the support of Apple executive Jean-Louis Gassée, who informs Sculley of the plot.

It’s the beginning of the end for Jobs’ first tenure at Apple.

6 leaked iOS 27 features I can’t wait to try

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Leaked iOS 27 features I’m most excited to try
Leaks reveal a lot about iOS 27.
AI image: ChatGPT/Cult of Mac

As it struggles to catch up on AI, Apple almost undoubtedly plans to focus on Apple Intelligence in iOS 27. But the company will also reportedly focus on refining the iPhone experience and tidying up existing features.

Thanks to leaks, we already have an early look at some of iOS 27’s biggest new features. While Apple certainly has some surprises planned, these are the leaked iOS 27 features I’m most excited to try.

OpenAI gives Codex for Mac eyes, a remote control and long-term goals

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A picture of OpenAI Codex used in a story about a recent feature update for Mac.
Codex for Mac can now remotely handle tasks even while your MacBook stays closed.
Photo: OpenAI

OpenAI just gave its Codex for Mac programming app a feature called Appshots that makes copy-pasting code or describing what’s on the screen unnecessary. Just press Command twice, and the AI assistant automatically takes a screenshot and captures text from your window, including scrollable content that isn’t visible.

Appshots is the headline addition in this week’s Codex update, and it’s only available on Macs for now. Think of it as giving your AI assistant a pair of eyes, instead of always explaining what you are looking at.

Cut the cable from your CarPlay life with this tiny wireless adapter

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Adapter wirelessly connecting the man's phone to his vehicle's infotainment system
Save 41% when you get the Mini Wireless CarPlay/Android Auto Adapter now!
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Plug in the Mini Wireless CarPlay/Android Auto Adapter once, then pair it with your phone, and every time you start the car, you’ll enjoy a wireless infotainment experience.

That means no more plugging in your phone — a wireless CarPlay connection happens every time you start the car. And right now, the Mini Wireless CarPlay/Android Auto Adapter is on sale for just $34.99 (MSRP $59.99).

5 things Apple needs to fix before launching the HomePod 3

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An AI generated photo of an Apple HomePod with display used in a story about the much-rumored HomePod 3.
The HomePod 3 needs smarter software and not just faster hardware.
AI image: Google Gemini

Apple’s next HomePod is reportedly stuck in limbo while the company works on its delayed AI Siri upgrade. And honestly? That might be what the HomePod 3 needs. But before Apple unveils the HomePod 3, it needs to address some serious gaps that make it feel far less intelligent than the competition.

The HomePod’s problem has never been its hardware. The speakers sound fantastic, and the device tightly integrates into Apple’s ecosystem. But the user experience still feels a generation behind competing smart speakers. If Apple wants the HomePod 3 to be the center of its smart home ambitions, a faster chip and a shinier enclosure won’t be enough. Here’s what actually needs to change.

This powerful Ugreen NAS made me forget about Synology [Review] ★★★★★

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Ugreen DXP 4800 Pro review★★★★★
The perfect NAS for most users.
Photo: Rajesh Pandey/Cult of Mac

The Ugreen DXP4800 Pro is the kind of network-attached storage device, aka NAS, that blurs the line between simple network storage and a compact home server. It packs enough power to handle Plex streaming, Docker containers, virtual machines and multidevice backups.

With a faster processor and improved bandwidth over its predecessor, the DXP4800 Pro delivers a noticeable performance boost for users who want more than just basic file storage.

This added flexibility makes the DXP4800 Pro stand out.

Best ultrawide monitor Mac setups: One screen to rule them all

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Best ultrawide monitor Mac setups
Many users make the switch from two or even three monitors to an ultrawide.
Photo: [email protected]

There’s a moment, familiar to anyone who has experienced it, when you move from a dual-monitor setup to a single ultrawide and realize the bezels were never doing you any favors. One seamless, curving (or not) expanse of glass — from 34 inches to 49 inches and beyond — that wraps gently around the periphery of your vision, eliminating the dead stripe down the middle of your workspace where two screens met. We found the best ultrawide Mac setups from years of Cult of Mac coverage.

Apple’s next iPhone redesign could be all about the curved display

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A photo of a smartphone used in a story about the iPhone 19 Pro's much rumored curved OLED screen.
Apple may finally be preparing to move beyond the Dynamic Island era.
Photo: ChatGPT/Cult of Mac

Apple is reportedly testing a prototype quad-curved OLED screen for the iPhone 19 Pro as part of its push toward an all-screen iPhone. If the leaks prove accurate, it could mark Apple’s biggest redesign since the iPhone X.

The rumored 2027 flagship phone is said to come with under-display Face ID and be curved on all four sides. It could give buyers a compelling reason to skip the iPhone 18 Pro.

Apple won’t let you downgrade from iOS 26.5 anymore — here’s why

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A photo of an iPhone used in a story about the iOS 26.5 update.
Apple officially closed the downgrade window for iOS 26.4.2.
Image: Cult of Mac

Apple stopped signing iOS 26.4.2, meaning iPhone users who updated to iOS 26.5 can no longer roll back to the previous version.

Whenever Apple rolls out an iOS update, it allows users to go back to the previous version if they run into bugs or other issues. But once the company considers the new release stable, it stops signing the older build.

Remap your Mac’s keyboard to unlock power features

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Photo of an ugly PC keyboard
Change some of those keys to something more Mac-friendly.
Photo: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

One of the most dramatic ways you can customize your computer is to remap your Mac keyboard keys. You can make it your own with custom functionality, powerful keyboard shortcuts and advanced features. 

Using the free app Karabiner Elements, switching out one key for another is super-easy. It’s a must-have if you use a PC keyboard with your Mac. You can also go one step further, making custom keyboard shortcuts.

But if that sounds too fiddly to do yourself, you can simply install some customizations made by the Karabiner Elements community. Someone might have set up a rule for your specific keyboard! 

Here’s how to get started. 

Today in Apple history: Newton spins off as its own company

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The Newton MessagePad 2000 brought many upgrades to Apple's doomed PDA line.
Things were looking up for the Newton MessagePad. Until they weren't.
Photo: iFixit

May 22: Today in Apple history: Apple spins off Newton Inc. May 22, 1997: Apple spins off its Newton division, creating an independent company to manage the line of personal digital assistants. Newton Inc.’s first job? Selling the MessagePad 2000 PDA, the best Newton device yet.

But Apple also gave Newton Inc. a mandate to develop new technologies and market existing ones.

“We have a solid business plan and a strong management team in place to optimize the value of Newton technology for corporate users and take Newton technology into a new era,” says Sandy Benett, former vice president of Apple’s Newton Systems Group and chief operating officer of the new venture.

Instead, it turns out to be the beginning of the end for the ahead-of-its-time Apple PDA.

This AI tool helps you create iPhone shortcuts using natural language

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Shortcuts Playground tool
This tool makes creating Shortcuts for your iPhone or Mac incredibly easy.
Screenshot: Federico Viticci/MacStories

Apple’s Shortcuts app can be incredibly powerful, but building automations often requires patience and trial and error. A new AI-powered tool — Shortcuts Playground — aims to simplify the process by letting you create shortcuts on your iPhone or Mac with natural-language prompts.

The free and open source app requires Codex or Claude Code to work.

Soundcore’s top new earbuds offer crystal-clear AI-powered calls

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Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro and Pro Max earbuds
This image shows Liberty 5 Pro Max in case in the gold color.
Photo: Soundcore

Two new sets of Soundcore flagship earbuds — Liberty 5 Pro and Liberty 5 Pro Max — introduce the company’s first product line built around a co-developed Thus AI chip, the Anker subsidiary said Thursday. Both models are available now, starting at $169.99 and $229.99 respectively. They’re compatible with Apple’s Find My network.

Apple TV streams first major live pro sports event shot only on iPhone

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MLS match captured entirely on iPhone 17 Pro
When you watch the match, remember that everything you see came through iPhone 17 Pro (actually many of them).
Photo: Apple

This Saturday, Apple TV will make broadcast history when it streams a live Major League Soccer match captured entirely on iPhone 17 Pro. It marks the first use of just a smartphone to shoot a whole major professional live sporting event, the iPhone giant said Thursday.

Grab a new M5 MacBook Air at lowest prices ever [Price cut!]

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Two people laying on a bed with a MacBook Air, looking at a promotional image for Shrinking on Apple TV
Get Apple's latest lightweight laptop at major savings.
Photo: Apple

The M5 MacBook Air is the best mobile computer for most people, and a sweet deal drops the 15-inch model to a record-low price. The sale slashes up to $199 off the base model with 16GB of RAM and 512GB SSDs … if you pick the right color. 

That means you can snag the 15-incher for only $1,099.99 in the starlight color option. Other colors cost $1,149, or $150 off.  And you can get the 13-inch M5 MacBook Air for just $899 if you choose the sky blue option. That’s a fat $200 off.

Dump the HDMI cable but keep 4K with this premium wireless adapter [Review] ★★★★

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Nyrius Phoenix Home True 4K60 Wireless HDMI Video Transmitter & Receiver review★★★★
Support for 4K60 makes this wireless HDMI adapter perfect for your home entertainment center.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The Nyrius Phoenix Home True 4K60 Wireless HDMI Video Transmitter & Receiver (TBB85) lets you connect your MacBook to your TV without the hassle of stretching a cable between them.

I recently reviewed the Nyrius Orion Prime, which is the light-duty version. The company’s new model is the top-of-the-line option, packed with premium features, especially support for 4K60 video, but also a 500-foot range.

I tested the device and came away impressed.

This lifetime e-signature app beats Docusign on features and price

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Laptop on a wooden desk running SignIt digital signature service
Automate your document signing process with SignIt, now at a huge discount!
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Digital signature service SignIt gives you unlimited legally binding e-signatures for life, plus AI-powered document setup, templates, automation and team tools. You can use it on your iPhone, Mac, iPad and other devices.

And rather than paying a monthly subscription fee, you can secure lifetime access to SignIt for a one-time payment of just $79. That’s a 90% discount off the regular price of $819, and a substantial savings when compared to competing services like Docusign, which starts at $11 per month.

How to browse the web on your Apple Watch with μBrowser

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Screenshot of an Apple Watch loading Cult of Mac, with a photo of a man poking at his Apple Watch, captioned, Web Browser on Apple Watch
Believe it or not, there’s a mini Safari hiding in your Apple Watch.
Image: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

Your Apple Watch has a web browser built-in, although it’s somewhat hidden. While Apple doesn’t have a full Safari app for the watch, you can still open links from Messages — so you can text yourself as a hack to browse the web. Or, you can install the μBrowser app for a dedicated user experience with bookmarks and even complications. 

Admittedly, it’s not a fantastic experience. The screen is less than two inches tall, so many pages don’t render properly. It’s not especially speedy, either. If your watch is within range of your iPhone, it’ll use the slow Bluetooth connection with your iPhone as a relay instead of connecting to the Wi-Fi network directly, in order to save power. 

But having a web browser on your Apple Watch occasionally comes in handy, especially if you have a cellular model and left your phone at home. 

Today in Apple history: Apple’s ‘Get a Mac’ campaign comes to an end

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Mac vs. PC
This was one of the best ad campaigns in Apple history.
Photo: Apple

May 21: Today in Apple history: Apple's Get a Mac ad campaign comes to an end May 21, 2010: Apple quietly ends its award-winning “Get a Mac” ad campaign. Debuting in 2006, the ads starred actor Justin Long as the cool, youthful Mac. Comedian John Hodgman portrayed the stuffy, awkward PC.

Alongside the “Think Different” and iPod “Silhouette” campaigns, “Get a Mac” will become one of the most fondly remembered extended advertising blitzes in Apple history.

Apple’s OLED MacBook plans get a big boost from Samsung

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The road to OLED MacBooks just got a lot clearer.
The road to OLED MacBooks just got a lot clearer.
AI image: ChatGPT

Samsung Display reportedly pushed the yield of its 8.6-generation OLED panels above 90%. This clears a major hurdle and paves the way for the rumored mass production of Apple’s OLED MacBook lineup later this year.

The improved yield rate should allow Samsung to ramp up panel production at scale.

Apple’s titanium iPhone experiment might not be over just yet

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A photo of the iPhone used in a story about future iPhone Pro models getting titanium chassis.
Apple’s next-generation titanium alloy could improve both durability and cooling.
Photo: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

Apple might be having second thoughts about aluminum on the iPhone. A few months after switching the iPhone 17 Pro away from titanium, the company is now reportedly experimenting with an improved titanium alloy that could fix a huge problem with the metal.

If Apple finds a way to make it practical, we could see titanium return to a future iPhone Pro. But the problem is that titanium isn’t as good as aluminum at transferring heat. Aluminum’s better thermal properties are likely why Apple moved away from titanium in the first place. Also, aluminum is cheaper and easier to recycle.

Apple lets Fortnite back on the App Store, but the fight isn’t over yet

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A photo of a smartphone showing Fortnite on the Epic Games Store.
Fortnite is back on iPhone after years away following Epic Games’ legal clash with Apple.
Photo: Epic Games

Fortnite returned to the App Store in almost all regions, ending its years-long absence that began when Epic Games sued Apple over in-app purchases.

The battle royale’s comeback is real, but Epic Games’ claim that it has already won isn’t completely true. Epic Games brought back Fortnite to the App Store on Tuesday, following the game’s U.S. return last year. But there’s an exception — Australia — and the legal fight that made this possible is nowhere near finished.