Alexander Skarsgård plays the eponymous Murderbot in the Apple TV+ series. Photo: Apple TV+
The sci-fi action comedy Murderbot exploded onto the ratings charts after it reached streaming in May, and continues to be popular even as the season finale approaches. Many weeks after a launch, the series from Apple TV+ still appears on the top 10 lists of a company that tracks ratings.
Plus, Owen Wilson‘s sport comedy Stick also pulls in plenty of viewers.
You don’t have to wait until autumn to find out what the Apple Watch Ultra 3 has to offer. Photo: Apple
After a very modest refresh last year, rumors indicate the Apple Watch Ultra 3 — set to launch this September alongside the iPhone 17 series — will mark Apple’s most ambitious wearable update yet.
Here’s what we’re expecting in 2025’s major overhaul of Apple’s rugged smartwatch. Keep reading or check out our latest video.
Before they ship, Apple products survive tough durability tests. Photo: AppleTrack
Despite their sleek designs, Apple products boast impressive durability. And now, for the first time, the company has provided a look into one of its 200 durability labs, where it rigorously torture tests its products.
Apple conducts several types of trials on its devices, including environmental, liquid, drop and vibration stress tests.
Apple wants a low-end MacBook that's colorful and more affordable than ever. Image: Cult of Mac
This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: Apple reportedly plans to release its cheapest MacBook ever next year. This low-cost laptop might run on an iPhone chip and help Apple convince more people to switch from Windows machines.
Could playful colors — and possibly a plastic case — make this low-end Apple laptop a hit?
Also on The CultCast:
Apple might lean on Anthropic’s Claude or OpenAI’s ChatGPT to power the long-delayed smarter Siri.
A new timeline lays out what to expect from the next three years of Apple Vision headsets and smart glasses.
In the how-to segment, we discuss our picks for the best Apple Watch faces. We also talk about why you might want to change things up.
In the new listener question segment, we explain what to do when you’re low on iCloud storage.
And in an all-new Under Review, Leander describes the benefits of three inexpensive aftermarket CarPlay screens.
Listen to this week’s episode of The CultCast in the Podcasts app or your favorite podcast app. (Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review if you like it!) Or watch the video, embedded below.
Flex your patriotism with this rugged Apple Watch Ultra band with an American flag on it. Photo: Lewis Wallace/Cult of Mac
My go-to Apple Watch Ultra band sports an American flag and a Velcro-style fastener that makes it easy to take on and off. And thanks to a sizzlin’ summertime deal on Amazon, you can grab one for less than $10.
The manufacturer’s name is Hehighti. (Never heard of ’em before buying on Amazon.) And the product’s ridiculous full name is “Rugged Nylon Band for Apple Watch Ultra Band 49mm 45mm 44mm 42mm,Soft Sport Loop Adjustable Wristbands Replacement Strap for Apple Watch Band iWatch Ultra Series 9/8/7/SE/6/5/4/3/2/1,USA Flag Army Green.”
But don’t let that Amazon SEO garbage, or the fact that the band’s not made in America, keep you from jumping on this patriotic deal.
Give your setup a retro look with Qwerkywriter. Photo: Qwerkytoys
Suppose you want your office to have a retro look, but you can’t give up your modern computers (of course). You need the Qwerkywriter — it has the look of a classic typewriter, but includes an integrated iPad stand. Or it can wirelessly connect to your Mac.
Add a vintage-looking keyboard to your setup, without giving up functionality.
There are so many options — and several good ones. Image: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac
Out of the many dozens of options, which is the coolest Apple Watch face? Every time I see someone wearing an Apple Watch, I try to scope out which watch face they use. Nine times out of 10, they use either the Modular face or the Photo face (with a Sport band).
This is despite the Apple Watch offering dozens of watch faces, allowing for all kinds of customizability.
If you want to spice up and individualize your Apple Watch, here are the best and coolest faces. And in our video, I rank every watch face on a tier list.
FaceTime calls get a sensitive filter in iOS 26. Photo: Cult of Mac
FaceTime video calls in iOS 26 will automatically pause if Apple’s software detects nudity or other sensitive content. Apple will provide users with an option to manually resume the video and audio or end the call.
However, the Sensitive Content Warning remains off by default.
Here's how to submit your Apple Siri class-action lawsuit claim. Image: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac
Thanks to a settlement in a class-action lawsuit related to Siri and data privacy, most U.S. Apple users can receive up to $100. You just need to fill out an online form by July 2, 2025. (Spoiler alert: That’s today.)
You’re eligible for a settlement if you live in the United States and used Siri between September 17, 2014, (when Apple released “Hey Siri” in iOS 8) and December 31, 2024. You can receive up to $20 per device, for up to five devices, if you’ve ever accidentally triggered Siri in the middle of a private conversation or meeting.
Patience is required for those eager to get a folding iPad. Photo: ChatGPT/Cult of Mac
Apple just hit the pause button on the large folding iPad supposedly on the drawing board in Cupertino, according to a published report from Wednesday. Development work had allegedly been going on for years.
At the same time, the company is reportedly moving ahead with a folding iPhone.
if you dont like being forced into capitalization, heres how to turn it off image: d griffin jones/cult of mac
you can turn off autocorrect on your iphone if you want your texts to come across as casual and laid back. psychologically, lowercase writing that isnt punctuated with apostrophes or periods read as more informal and friendly
turning off autocorrect is super-easy. you can even turn off capitalization but leave on corrections for spelling and grammar. see how awesome it is? heres how to do it!!! :)
Yet another case of an Apple insider stealing trade secrets. Photo: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac
Apple accused a former Vision Pro engineer of stealing confidential documents related to the headset. In a lawsuit filed on June 24, Apple alleges Di Liu, a senior design engineer at the company, stole a “massive volume” of trade secrets.
Liu joined Snap soon after leaving Apple in a similar role.
Why keep a portable monitor in a setup with an ultra-wide curved display? It's nice to have a separate hub for chats and such. Photo: [email protected]
Seems like smallish portable monitors are cropping up more often lately as fixtures in computer setups featuring other display options. Today’s dual-Mac setup sports a massive curved external display with an 18-inch portable just below, front and center.
And those aren’t the only two screens. A tablet mounted on an arm comes into play too, but it’s not an iPad.
It's truly free to use and doesn't even have ads. Photo: Clever Files
Clever Cleaner is a new, completely free iPhone storage cleanup app that helps you reclaim valuable space, organize photo libraries and speed up your phone’s performance.
Developed by Clever Files, maker of popular data-recovery tool Disk Drill, it stands out in a crowded market for one simple reason: It actually delivers on its promises of fast iPhone cleaner app that’s completely free to use — and free of advertising.
“We believe everyone should have access to a high-quality, reliable and safe cleaning tool for your iPhone,” Clever Files says. “Clever Cleaner is our way of giving back to the community, ensuring people don’t have to sacrifice privacy or pay monthly subscriptions just to keep their devices organized.”
Windows users can score an excellent deal on Microsoft Office Professional 2021, and it comes with full training so you can master all the apps. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
This deal on a lifetime license to Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows comes with all the apps you need, plus training that will show you how to use them. You get Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, Publisher, Access and even the free version of Teams.
iOS 26 will make CarPlay even better. Photo: Apple
In addition to a Liquid Glass design overhaul, iOS 26 will improve the CarPlay experience by bringing several iPhone features to cars’ infotainment displays.
If you’re a fan of Apple’s in-car software, check out how iOS 26 will upgrade your experience later this year.
★★★★★
Navee ST3 Pro Electric Scooter: So much fun in a (relatively) small package. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
While Apple doesn’t make an e-scooter, the Navee ST3 Pro Electric Scooter pairs well with an iPhone. More importantly, it’s both fun and useful, with lots of pickup and range. It comes with plenty of bonus features … all accessible via an iPhone. It even has Bluetooth and Find My support.
I put more than 200 miles on the e-scooter while testing it, driving it on errands and just for fun on streets and sidewalks. I’m genuinely thrilled with it. Here’s why.
Here are the chargers, hubs, power banks and other travel gadgets that I like so much I take them with me on holiday. Graphic: ChatGPT/Cult of Mac
The right travel gadgets make your vacation easier. Whether you’re heading out on a weekend getaway or a long-haul flight across the globe, the correct gear can make all the difference. From keeping your devices charged and connected to ensuring entertainment on the go, today’s travel tech is designed to streamline every leg of the journey.
As a frequent traveler, I’ve built up a collection of accessories: chargers, hubs, portable monitors and more. In this guide, I’ll share my must-have gadgets, hoping they’ll upgrade your travel experience, too — whether you’re a frequent flyer, a digital nomad or just someone who likes to stay plugged in wherever the road leads.
Siri might be powered by Anthropic Claude or OpenAI ChatGPT. Image: Cult of Mac
Apple’s struggle to develop artificial intelligence might reach the point where the iPhone-maker will need to outsource one of its core technologies: Siri. A promised AI upgrade for the voice assistant may be powered by large language models created by Anthropic or OpenAI, not Apple itself, according to an unconfirmed report published Monday.
But this is only a possibility — no decision has been made.
Apple Music launches Replay All Time, a special version of the annual Replay experience that allows listeners to see and stream the songs they’ve played the most since joining Apple Music. Photo: Apple Music
Apple Music Replay All Time launched Monday, letting listeners see which tracks they’ve played over their history with the service.
It comes as part of a broader 10th-anniversary celebration for the music-streaming service. Other upgrades include an upcoming top-500 Apple Music tracks countdown, special programming on Apple Music Radio and a new Apple Music studio planned to open in Los Angeles this summer.