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Today in Apple history: Apple and Cisco settle over ‘iPhone’ name

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The InfoGear iPhone was definitely a bit ... different from current models.
The first iPhone was definitely a bit ... different from current models.
Photo: Bob Ackerman/Wikipedia CC

February 21: Today in Apple history: Apple and Cisco settle over 'iPhone' name February 21, 2007: Apple comes to an agreement with Cisco over the iPhone trademark, which Cisco legally owns but Apple wants to use.

Under the agreement, both companies get to use the iPhone trademark on products throughout the world. The two businesses also dismiss outstanding lawsuits against one another, and agree to “explore opportunities for interoperability in the areas of security, and consumer and enterprise communications.”

It’s a classic bit of Apple CEO Steve Jobs steamrolling the opposition.

This app makes switching apps on my Mac ridiculously fast [Awesome Apps]

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rcmd running on a Mac
A quick tap of a letter is all it takes to bring any app to the front with rcmd.
Photo: ChatGPT/Rajesh Pandey/Cult of Mac
Awesome Apps

I switch between apps on my Mac dozens of times every hour. For years, Command-Tab seemed good enough, but then I started using rcmd, a fantastic alternative app switcher for Mac.

This nifty piece of software completely changed how I move between apps on my Mac. It made the process faster, more precise, and far less disruptive to my workflow.

Price drop: Get 3 years of piano lessons on your iPhone, iPad or Mac for just $56

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Person learning piano through the Flowkey piano lessons app opened on an iPad and sitting on a console piano.
Whether you're a total beginner or an accomplished piano player, this app can teach you a thing or two.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

You can turn your iPhone, iPad or Mac into a piano teacher with Flowkey’s interactive lessons, real-time feedback and song-first approach to learning.

Flowkey is designed to meet you where you are, whether you’ve never touched a keyboard or you already know your way around one. And it costs just $56 for three years with code SAVE20. A flesh-and-blood piano teacher might charge that much for a single lesson!

Every display should have this iPhone MagSafe mount [Review] ★★★★★

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Belkin Display Mount mounted on a display★★★★★
The pictures in this article aren’t very good because I couldn’t use the iPhone 12 Pro (pictured) to take the picture.
Photo: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

The Belkin iPhone Mount with MagSafe for Mac Desktops and Displays, despite what its lengthy product name may imply, is a simple and straightforward product that does one thing remarkably well. It mounts your iPhone to a desktop display with MagSafe.

It’s straightforward to set up; it’s easy to plop your phone on and pull it off; it’s well made and feels nice in the hand. It’s great for Continuity Camera. The Belkin iPhone Mount with… no, I’m not writing all that out again. The Belkin iPhone display thing is an easy recommendation.

How to use the new Phone app (or get the old one back)

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Try Out the New Design
Give it a go before you give it up.
Image: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

For the first time in 18 years, Apple redesigned the oft-overlooked Phone app. The overhaul in iOS 26 simplifies the Phone app’s layout, putting your favorites, call history and voicemails in one tab, and providing easier access to search.

Its fancy Liquid Glass-inspired layout goes hand-in-hand with the Phone app’s excellent call filtering features.

Here’s how you can learn to love the new design — and how to nope out of it if you don’t like it.

Supreme Court kills Trump tariffs — what it means for Apple

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Image of Supreme Court Building with a black Apple logo overlaid, used to illustrate a story about a Supreme Court kills Trump tariffs — what it means for Apple
The Supreme Court made a ruling that will save Apple billions.
Image: Pexels/Cult of Mac

The Supreme Court ruled Friday that President Donald Trump does not have the authority to impose tariffs on imports coming into the United States from virtually every country. This could ease costs for U.S. companies that rely heavily on overseas manufacturing, including Apple.

In the months since Trump began broadly imposing tariffs, Apple paid billions in these import taxes. And it rearranged its supply chain to move some product assembly away from China, the country that the president made the primary focus of his tariff policy.

How iPhone satellite SOS helped save skiers in deadly avalanche

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iPhone satellite SOS helped save skiers
The avalanche proved devastating, but Emergency SOS via satellite helped ensure rescue for suvivors.
Photo: Apple

Six survivors of a deadly backcountry avalanche near Lake Tahoe in California this week communicated with emergency responders through an iPhone’s Emergency SOS via satellite feature to help ensure their rescue, according to reports. It helped safeguard their lives, though nine others were killed in the tragedy. 

Today in Apple history: iPod mini is ‘world’s smallest music player’

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iPod mini launch lineup in 2004: Five small music players in five different colors (silver, gold, pink, blue, and green).
The iPod mini quickly became a big hit for Apple.
Photo: Apple

February 20: Today in Apple history: iPod mini launch shows off 'world's smallest music player' February 20, 2004: Music goes small as the iPod mini launch brings the reimagined digital audio player to Apple stores.

Released with 4GB of storage and in five colors, the diminutive device features a new “click wheel” that integrates control buttons into a solid-state, touch-sensitive scroll wheel. It also showcases Cupertino’s growing fascination with aluminum, which will become a hallmark of Apple design.

Despite its small size, the new music player’s market potential looms large. In fact, the iPod mini soon becomes Apple’s fastest-selling music player yet.

This 7-course generative AI learning bundle costs just $30

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A futuristic image of a glowing AI‑chip brain surrounded by robotic hands, with a digital globe and data graphics in the background, used to illustrate a deal on generative AI courses
Access 7 generative AI courses for life for a discounted price—save 78%!
Image: Cult of Mac Deals

The courses in the 2026 Complete Generative AI Mastery Bundle will teach you how to use AI for automation, advanced content production, project management and more. We’re talking real-world workflows that will help you get more done every day.

And right now, you can get these seven generative AI courses, with 43.5 hours of instruction, for just $29.99 (MSRP $140).

An affordable MacBook? Here’s what the rumors say.

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Budget MacBook might come in yellow, green or blue aluminum casings.
The much-anticipated budget MacBook might come in yellow, green or blue aluminum casings.
AI image: ChatGPT/Cult of Mac

The first ever entry-level MacBook could hit the market soon, with a budget price that could attract a huge new audience to macOS notebooks.

Could there be a lower-cost MacBook in your future? Here’s what the rumors reveal about its specs.

Price drop: When your iPhone says ‘storage full,’ do this instead of deleting

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CleanMy®Phone opened on an iPhone device
This is the smart, easy way to free up storage space on your iPhone or iPad.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

MacPaw’s CleanMy®Phone app frees up storage space on your iPhone by scanning for duplicate photos, massive videos, screenshots you forgot about and other silent space-eaters.

CleanMy®Phone offers a smarter, more Apple-like way to take control of your storage on your iPhone or iPad. And one year of access is on sale for just $19.99 (MSRP $44.99) for a limited time. Alternatively, you can grab a lifetime sub for just $48 with code SAVE20.

MLS kicks off 2026 season on Apple TV with new features and World Cup spotlight

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MLS kicks off 2026 season on Apple TV
Opening weekend matches are all free to Apple TV subscribers.
Photo: Apple

Major League Soccer’s 31st season gets underway Saturday, with all 30 clubs taking the pitch for MLS is Back weekend. And Apple TV subscribers will have a front-row seat to all of it, with all 13 matches available and no blackouts across more than 100 countries and regions, Apple said.

“All eyes are on North America this year as the MLS season kicks off this week and the World Cup approaches,” said Thomas Müller, Vancouver Whitecaps FC attacking midfielder and 2014 FIFA World Cup champion. I’m excited to begin my first full season in MLS, help the team build on what we started, and give fans everywhere the chance to follow our journey on Apple TV.”

Today in Apple history: Photoshop debuts as a Mac exclusive

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Adobe Systems' Photoshop launch changed the game for image editing.
Photoshop changed the game for image editing.
Photo: Adobe Systems

February 19 Today in Apple history: Photoshop debuts as a Mac exclusive February 19, 1990: Adobe Systems ships the first commercial version of its soon-to-be-iconic Photoshop photo editing software. The Photoshop launch, exclusively on the Macintosh, gives users powerful new tools for tweaking digital images.

The groundbreaking software debuts for Mac System 6.0.3. Priced at $895, Photoshop will quickly become the standard editing tool for graphics professionals. Whether they work for advertising agencies, news organizations — or, frankly, anywhere else — Photoshop users take advantage of the program’s digital darkroom tools to seamlessly manipulate images.

Photography will never be the same.

Apple won’t make AirTag better at tracking thieves — here’s why

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AirTag stalking vs theft prevention
AirTag prioritizes privacy over theft prevention.
AI image: ChatGPT/Cult of Mac

Apple’s AirTag really frustrates some people. It’s a great way to find a missing set of keys, but Apple deliberately built in features to prevent the tracker tag from being used to locate stolen property.

Maybe you’ll be less irritated with those features when you realize that stalkers find those exact same features equally frustrating — for the opposite reason.

Upgrade iPhone gaming for cheap with GameSir X5s controller [Review] ★★★★☆

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Playing Asphalt 8 on an iPhone in a GameSir X5s controller, in front of an NES★★★★☆
A better way to play games on your iPhone.
Photo: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

The GameSir X5s is a great and affordable way to upgrade your mobile gaming. Your phone, whichever model you have, slides right in the middle, and suddenly you have console-quality physical controls. It’s lightweight, ideal for traveling, and comes with a simple plastic travel case. 

It even works with the Nintendo Switch — its ergonomic grips are far more comfortable than the flat Joy-Cons. There’s also a matching accessory, the FX5 cooler, that adds active cooling to your iPhone. It’s great for high-performance pro gaming over long periods of time. 

All in all, the GameSir X5s is a great way to take mobile gaming to the next level, whether you’re playing full 3D games or 40-year-old ROMs in Delta

Write a book in minutes with this AI-powered publishing tool

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Fantasy illustration of a frustrated man sitting at a typewriter, used to illustrate a deals post on Aivolut Books AI book creator
You've already got the brilliant idea. This specialized AI can turn it into a full-length book quickly and easily.
Illustration: Midjourney/Cult of Mac

AI book generator Aivolut Books employs specialized tools to help you turn an idea into a full, cohesive, Amazon-ready book in just minutes.

It’s a great way to go from brainstorming a book idea to publishing an actual book. And a lifetime subscription costs just $48.99 (MSRP $456). That’s less than the cost of a single editing pass for most books.

Easy way to avoid the ultimate texting screwup [Pro Tip]

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Messages Backgrounds on iPhone
A background image can set a tone for the conversation.
Image: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

Pro tip bug Accidentally texting the wrong person can bring disastrous consequences, and yet it’s incredibly simple to mix up threads. Luckily, iOS 26 offers a great way to keep things straight: You can add specific backgrounds to various Messages conversations on your iPhone so you can easily tell them apart.

For instance, if you set a shimmery blue background for your group chat with co-workers, you’ll never confuse that conversation for a sensitive one-on-one text with your closest colleague. You’ll never accidentally send a message to your boss meant for your partner if the chats look obviously different.

Setting up an iPhone Messages background is super-easy — here’s how it works.

Belkin’s power bank is the perfect iPhone backup [Review] ★★★★

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Belkin BoostCharge Power Bank 10K w/ Integrated Cable: review★★★★
Belkin's hassle-free BoostCharge Power Bank is all you need to keep your iPhone going and going.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The Belkin BoostCharge Power Bank 10K with Integrated Cable is an absolutely simple product that does one thing very well. It charges an iPhone or other device without the user needing to worry about a separate USB-C cable.

I tested it with my iPhone and iPad, looking for problems. Here’s what it’s like in real-world use.

Today in Apple history: Steve Jobs says Apple is finally debt-free

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Image of the old Apple Inc. rainbow logo atop American cash money.
This marked a significant moment in Apple's turnaround.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

February 18: Today in Apple history: Steve Jobs says Apple is finally debt-free February 18, 2004: Apple CEO Steve Jobs sends an internal memo to employees revealing that the company is, for the first time in years, totally debt-free.

“Today is a historic day of sorts for our company,” he writes. It’s a big turnaround from the bad old days of the 1990s, when Apple carried more than $1 billion in debt — and faced the danger of bankruptcy.

Apple revives Apple Music Connect (but fans can’t join)

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Apple revives Apple Music Connect
The new Apple Music Connect is for music industry people, not fans.
Photo: Apple

Apple just quietly relaunched Apple Music Connect, repurposing the name of its long-defunct social platform into something entirely different. Now it’s a centralized hub designed for record labels, music distributors and industry partners rather than fans.

New M5 iPad Pro has never been cheaper

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M5 iPad Pro in use
Get the recently released M5 iPad Pro at a sweet discount off the usual cost.
AI image: ChatGPT/Cult of Mac

The M5 iPad Pro is the most powerful Apple tablet ever, with a chip many Mac models don’t have yet. There have been deals on it before, but it’s never been more affordable than it is right now. That’s because Amazon knocked $200 off the cost of the 11-inch version. And you can save on the 13-inch variant, too.

UPDATE: This deal was so successful that Amazon is currently sold out of the 11-inch M5 iPad Pro. 

iPad Pro is a very capable computer for creatives and digital nomads, thanks to the M5 processor. And don’t overlook the gorgeous OLED display and Mac-like operation thanks to iPadOS 26.

You don’t need to pay full price for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate

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Photo of a man and woman on the couch playing games with an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate discount subscription
Score access to hundreds of games on a variety of devices.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Why pay full price for an Xbox Game Pass subscription when you can get a discount? These stackable one-month Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscriptions are now on sale for only $24.99 (regularly $29.99).

You’ll gain access to hundreds of excellent games you can play on your iPhone, iPad or Mac (as well as PCs, game consoles, mobile gaming devices and more). 

Here’s a hopeful sign the M5 Mac Studio isn’t too far away

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M5 Max-Ultra Mac Studio launch
Get excited about Mac Studios powered by M5 Max and M5 Ultra processors.
Image: Apple/Cult of Mac

Buying some configurations of the Mac Studio now means lengthy wait times. While that’s surely frustrating for those shopping for the powerful macOS desktop, this can be taken as a sign that it might be better to hold off on the purchase.

That’s because a new version is on the way.

Apple’s March 4 event may not be what you expect

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Apple March 4 event
Apple’s upcoming March 4 event may look very different from a traditional keynote.
AI image: ChatGPT

Apple will hold a “special Apple Experience” on Wednesday, March 4 — but the company might not announce new Macs or other products at the event.

Instead, Apple might announce the events earlier in the week in a series of press releases. The company apparently does not even intend to hold a keynote on March 4.