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Samsung showcases the Galaxy S25 Edge, its iPhone 17 Air rival

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An image from the Galaxy Unpacked event on January 22, 2025, shows the Samsung Galaxy Edge coming together.
Here's your first official look at Samsung's iPhone 17 Air competitor.
Image: Samsung

After unveiling its Galaxy S25 lineup Wednesday during its Galaxy Unpacked event. Samsung pulled a “one more thing” to tease its iPhone 17 Air competitor: the Galaxy S25 Edge.

Although the company didn’t disclose the phone’s exact thickness, it showcased the S25 Edge’s thinness by putting it alongside its Galaxy siblings.

Apple seems determined we use its new artificial intelligence features

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Apple Intelligence at WWDC24
Apple Intelligence will soon be on by default on compatible handsets.
Screenshot: Apple

iPhone users who install iOS 18.3 after the upgrade launches next week will find that Apple Intelligence is now on by default for those who use a compatible handset.

Previously, using the suite of AI-powered functions required opting in, but no longer. It’s a seemingly subtle but important change.

Increasingly budget-conscious consumers pick iPhone 16 over 16 Pro

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iPhone Series 16 day in photos
Shoppers considering the basic iPhone vs. the Pro went for the cheaper option more often.
Photo:

When buying an iPhone 16 series model in the December quarter, a higher percentage went for Apple’s cheapest variant than they in the previous year, according to a market research firm. The basic iPhone 16 even beat out the 16 Pro.

Some of that growth was siphoned from the 16 Pro Max, just not quite enough to keep it from being Apple’s most popular during last quarter. And sales of older models without Apple Intelligence also lost ground.

New Shure smart mic doubles as audio interface

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Shure MV7i Smart Microphone and Interface
The new mic makes two-channel recording so easy you don't even need a separate audio interface.
Photo: Shure

A potentially big development for Apple-focused content creators is on display at 2025 NAMM Show, as Shure shows off the new MV7i Smart Microphone and Interface it first unveiled earlier this month at CES 2025, calling it a first of its kind.

The innovative $350 mic brings professional-grade two-channel recording capabilities to Apple’s ecosystem, eliminating the need for a separate audio interface. You can plug an XLR mic or instrument right into Shure’s new mic. And you can connect it to Apple devices via USB-C to work with tracks using Shure’s MOTIV audio and video apps.

See Vietnam War through eyes of those who survived it [Apple TV+ trailer]

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trailer for Vietnam: The War That Changed America documentary
The new Vietnam War documentary series debuts on Apple TV+ January 31.
Photo: Apple TV+

Upcoming documentary series Vietnam: The War That Changed America tells the story of the conflict through those who survived it on both sides, according to the trailer Apple TV+ dropped for it Wednesday. Academy Award nominee Ethan Hawke narrates the six-part series. Featuring rare archival footage and moving reunions of service members, it’s set to premiere January 31. As one of the most anticipated new movies Apple TV has to offer, this documentary provides a compelling look at the war’s lasting impact.

Today in Apple history: Super Bowl Mac ad airs against the odds

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A still from the classic Apple
Apple's greatest commercial in history.
Photo: Apple

January 22: Today in Apple history: Super Bowl Mac ad airs against the odds January 22, 1984: Apple’s stunning “1984” commercial for the Macintosh 128K airs on CBS during the third quarter of Super Bowl XVIII. Its dystopian theme and epic visuals pitch the Mac as a revolutionary computer coming to smash the status quo.

Probably the most famous TV ad for a computer in history, the commercial is directed by Alien and Blade Runner helmer Ridley Scott. It reaches millions of viewers during the big game. However, it very nearly didn’t air at all.

Why you’ll actually be able to see what happens in Silo season 3

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Why you’ll actually be able to see what happens in ‘Silo’ season 3
This is typical of Silo season 2.
Screenshot: Apple TV+

Good news, Silo fans: You’ll be able to see season three of the hit sci-fi series. Not only has Apple TV+ committed to making it, but the showrunner promises it will be better lit than Silo season two.

That should please those who complained about having trouble making out what was going on in parts of the more recent episodes.

M4 Mac mini lives in a killer backyard shed conversion [Setups]

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Mac mini in
This M4 Mac mini setup shares a converted shed with an epic home theater.
Photo: [email protected]

I’ve seen a few amazing man caves and she shacks while covering cool computer setups for Cult of Mac, but not many can compete with the home of today’s M4 Mac mini setup. The user converted a backyard shed nestled in the woods of the Pacific Northwest. So now the man shed M4 Mac mini setup doubles as a home theater sporting a gargantuan screen. You can find all the gear in the links list below for both the computer and home theater setups.

YouTube Premium gains several new features at no extra cost

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you.tube.logo.4
Your YouTube Premium experience is about to get better.
Photo: YouTube

YouTube is improving the experience for its Premium subscribers by adding more perks for them. Going forward, YouTube Premium users can enjoy faster playback speeds on mobile and stream high-quality audio.

On iPhone, you can now play YouTube Shorts in picture-in-picture. Smart Downloads is also expanding to include support for Shorts.

Meta AR glasses could launch in 2027 to take on Apple

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Meta Ray-Bans
Meta could launch high-end smart glasses this year with a built-in display.
Photo: Meta/Ray-Ban

Meta is reportedly exploring the development of AI-powered smartwatches and earbuds with built-in cameras. The social media giant is also working on AR glasses that could launch around 2027.

Before that, Meta will launch high-end smart glasses with a built-in display as soon as this year.

Netflix hikes prices yet again

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netflix.logo
Netflix keeps getting more expensive.
Photo: Brad Gibson / Cult of Mac

Netflix is getting more expensive in the US and several neighboring countries again. The streaming service will hike its prices despite a healthy addition of 18.9 million new subscribers in Q4 2024.

The streaming service last hiked its prices in October 2023. However, since the pandemic, Netflix has increased its subscription prices several times.

iOS 18.3 and macOS Sequoia 15.3 take penultimate step before release

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iOS 18.3
iOS 18.3 is likely only a week away.
Image: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple seeded the release candidates for iOS 18.3, iPadOS 18.3 and macOS Sequoia 15.3 to developers Tuesday. In addition, the watchOS 11.3 RC, tvOS 18.3 RC and visionOS 2.3 RC went to developers at the same time. These bring only minor modifications to the various devices, though.

Release candidates are generally the final phase before the operating system upgrades go to users.

UK moves driver’s licenses into new wallet app

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UK drivers license
A U.K. plan means an iPhone can soon hold a digital driver’s license.
Photo: UK.GOV

The U.K. government committed to a GOV.UK Wallet app that will let users leave their physical driver’s license at home. An iPhone or Android will be all that’s needed.

The same digital ID can be used as proof of age when buying alcohol.

Quickly hide notifications from that one noisy group chat

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Keep It Quiet In There
The quickest way to hide those pesky notifications.
Image: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

Is a group chat blowing up at an inopportune time and distracting the hell out of you? There’s an easy fix. You can hide alerts on your iPhone from a particularly noisy group chat in Messages. It’s like switching on Do Not Disturb — but for a single person or conversation. You can hide alerts permanently or temporarily.

With the Hide Alerts feature, you can silence alerts from a specific app in a similar manner, silencing it while letting all other notifications through. Better yet, you can hide alerts directly from your iPhone’s Lock Screen, which makes it easy to switch them on and off at a moment’s notice.

Watch our video or read on to see how.

Top Apple TV+ shows like Severance bring in big bucks, new report shows

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how much money do Apple TV+ shows make?
Apparently the first season of "Severance" brought in $200 million.
Photo: Apple TV+

The psychological workplace thriller series Severance proved to be a major success story for Apple TV+, generating over $200 million in revenue from its first season alone, new analytics data shows. And it’s not the only Apple TV+ show bringing in big bucks for the iPhone giant, according to a new report. So how much money do Apple TV+ shows make? See below.

New MacBook, iPhone and iPads could launch in just weeks

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Apple winter event
A whole slew of products could launch at a possible Apple winter 2025 event.
Photo: Gemini/Cult of Mac

Apple appears ready to start 2025 strong by launching a new low-price iPhone, a faster MacBook Air and a pair of revamped iPad models. These could come at a possible Apple winter event as early as February, though the wait might be longer.

An Apple winter event isn’t a given. The company could simply issue a series of press releases introducing the new products. No matter what, you don’t need to wait until the official announcements to know what’s in store. Here are the rumors available on all four upcoming devices.

Today in Apple history: Letterpad gives us a preview of Apple Watch gaming

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Three images show Letterpad, one of the first Apple Watch games.
Letterpad was one of the first games we got to see on Apple Watch.
Photo: NimbleBit

January 21: Today in Apple history: Letterpad gives us a preview of Apple Watch gaming January 21, 2015: Months before the first Apple Watch goes on sale, users get a glimpse at what playing games might look like on the smartwatch. Thanks to Apple making the WatchKit API available to third parties, game developer NimbleBit releases a mockup of Letterpad, its simple, work-in-progess word game.

Suddenly, we get a peculiar desire to play games on our wrist that we haven’t had since the days of the Nintendo Game & Watch three decades earlier.

Clip-on earbuds excel at comfort but fit can mess with sound quality [Review] ★★★☆☆

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Edifier Comfo C earbuds review★★★☆☆
These lightweight clip-on earbuds have a comfortable and secure fit. But that includes a big downside for me.
Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac

Perfection is hard to find in life, and so it is with the world’s many and varied earbuds. In my hands-on Edifier Comfo C earbuds review, I look at how the supremely comfortable and secure the clip-on wireless earbuds fit, making them a solid choice for many active users. And yet for me, that same fit keeps the sound quality from being all it could be, which makes me less likely to wear the buds.

Learn about AI and computer programming for only $40

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Sci-fi image of a cyborg hand, used to illustrate a deals post on an educational bundle that teaches you ChatGPT coding and Python programming
This bundle of tech courses can help you launch a lucrative and fulfilling new career.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Ready to take your understanding of coding and artificial intelligence to the next level? This programming bundle for ChatGPT and Python shows you how to pull off coding projects big and small, from “beginner to winner.” And you can get all 14 courses, with a total of 86 hours of courses, for only $39.99 (regularly $154).

You get lifetime access to the lesssons, which are a great way to establish a fundamental understanding of impactful technology.

iPhone SE 4 might avoid Apple’s screen notch

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iPhone SE 4 rumors
Rumors point to the iPhone SE 4 being surprisingly advanced.
Photo: Cult of Mac

The iPhone SE 4, expected soon, makes the Dynamic Island universal on current Apple handsets, according to a generally reliable tipster. If true, it means the iPhone SE 4 will skip the screen notch previously expected.

It’s already virtually certain that Apple’s upcoming lower-cost model will drop another bit of obsolete tech: the Lightning port. And the Home button is on the way out, too.

Today in Apple history: Sequel to ‘1984’ Mac ad bombs hard

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The
The "Lemmings" ad became a massive disaster for Apple.
Photo illustration: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

January 20: Today in Apple history: Apple's 'Lemmings' advertisement, sequel to groundbreaking '1984' Mac ad, bombs hard January 20, 1985: Attempting to build on the triumph of the previous year’s “1984” Macintosh commercial, Apple deploys another dystopian Super Bowl commercial. The new Apple ad, titled “Lemmings,” promotes the company’s upcoming business platform, called The Macintosh Office.

The dark, 30-second spot depicts blindfolded executives marching to their doom. The widely reviled ad will go down in history as one of Apple’s biggest stinkers.

Apple dedicates homepage to Martin Luther King Jr.

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Apple MLK Day homepage takeover
Apple celebrates MLK Jr Day with a "Homepage Takeover" every year.
Photo: Apple

As it has done on every Martin Luther King Jr. Day since 2015, Apple used nearly all of its website homepage to pay homage to the slain Civil Rights Movement leader Monday. The page is filled with quotations from King and links to learn more through a free book by the icon in Apple Books and a feature article about him in Apple News.

iPad Air with quicker M3 chip appears imminent

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Woman working on 13-inch M2 iPad Air
A faster iPad Air with the M3 chip could debut soon.
Photo: Apple

An iPad Air with a speed boost is on the way, according to a report posted Friday by a generally reliable source. The tablet won’t have Apple’s latest processor, though.

And a cheaper alternative, the iPad 11th generation, also could launch soon. If you’re considering an upgrade, take a look at the iPad Pro M3, which brings even more power and features. Check out our M3 iPad Air review for more details. If you’re interested in how Apple’s premium tablets stack up, check out this iPad Pro review for insights into performance and features.

MacBook Air rig boasts ‘best’ noise-canceling headphones [Setups]

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Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones on desk
This shot from Sony shows the XM5 cans laying flat on a desk by a MacBook and an Android smartphone.
Photo: Sony

In today’s M2 MacBook Pro setup, the user stores one of the best-reviewed sets of wireless, over-ear headphones of all time on a stand over to the side. The cans are almost easy to miss in the photograph, but well worth noticing. AirPods Max competitor Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones, in a Mac setup, make for a relatively rare sight. But they’re often at or near the top of “best of” lists — not just for great sound and a comfortable fit, but especially for their vaunted noise cancellation.