It’s not 100 percent clear whether former retail boss Angela Ahrendts left Apple voluntarily or was pushed out. However, a new report suggests that she didn’t quite live up to the hype.

“Angela Ahrendts was supposed to be the Renaissance that never quite was,” a former Apple store manager says. “We were getting conflicting direction on a semi-regular basis and a lot of new initiatives on what seemed like a weekly basis. Nothing seemed to quite stick.”

It gives a slightly chaotic sense of the time spent at Apple by Ahrendts — who was among the company’s top earning employees.

Five of Apple’s original TV shows have now finished filming, according to a new report. They have entered post-production ahead of the company’s March 25 event, but they’re not expected to be available until the fall.

Apple is said to be working on around six other shows that are still in production. The company is also developing lots more original content that is planned to debut in 2020.

Another major Apple supplier is reportedly searching for new ways of diversifying its business at a time of slumping iPhone sales.

According to a new report, camera lens maker Largan Precision is targeting “non-Apple” customers to buy its products. It is particularly focused on Samsung, Huawei and Xiaomi.

The Apple Online Store has mysteriously gone down this morning, leading fans to wonder whether AirPower and new iPads are on the way.

Apple has an event planned for March 25, but it is thought that will focus on services rather than hardware. It is certainly plausible that refreshed devices will be added to the store this morning without much fanfare.

This week we mangle music with Enso, the amazing new audio looper for iPad, and chop up images with Hyperspektiv 2.0. Plus we showcase a new music player app and a big update to our favorite writing app.

Portable power is at a premium in our always-on age. But carrying around a bunch of batteries isn’t really a solution. What you want is a single device that can juice up all your gear.

The Mophie Juice Pack Access is designed to extend the already long battery lives of the 2018 iPhone models. And charging can be done wirelessly, so the handset’s Lightning port is always available.

We put this new battery pack to the test. And we also compare it to the features of Apple’s similar Smart Battery Case.

A few weeks ago, I dropped my iPhone down a flight of stairs. What else is new? It’s a ridiculous story that no one wants to hear, and yet all of you have probably experienced something similar. However, as I rushed down those precarious steps to retrieve my undoubtedly shattered iPhone, I was completely surprised.

Not because I didn’t think my Xkin screen protector would hold up against the 10-foot drop but because I had completely forgotten it was even on my screen in the first place! Not until I saw zero damage did I remember I installed the Xkin 3D Tempered Glass onto my iPhone months ago.

I completely forgot it was even there. How? Just Mobile’s rounded, full-coverage design runs edge to edge, including the iPhone’s curved screen. Xkin might as well be invisible.

Brace yourself for an Apple event like no other. In a little over a week, Cupertino execs — and probably a passel of Hollywood stars — will give us our first peek at Apple’s (not so) secret video-streaming service. As the company pushes its growing slate of services, Apple likely will put new hardware on the back burner.

Find out what to expect at Apple’s “It’s show time” event. Then treat yourself to the rest of the week’s best Apple news, how-tos and reviews. It’s all wrapped up for free in the latest edition of the easy-readin’ Cult of Mac Magazine for iOS. Download it now. Or get all the posts in the roundup of links below.

Plus: Don’t miss the big St. Patrick’s Day sale in the Cult of Mac Watch Store.

As spring approaches, we’re stocking up on discounted gear, gadgets and more. This week, we’ve got deals on a burner phone number, lessons in social media marketing, a music subscription that fosters focus, and a set of workout-ready earbuds.

Most of these hot deals are discounted by 70 percent or more!

Earlier this week I wrote abut using Shortcuts to build a simple download manager for iOS. It works great, but there’s a better solution. It’s an app called Yoink, and it can be a download manager, and way more.

A jury ruled today Apple owes chip maker Qualcomm $31 million for violating three patents for tech used in some models of the iPhone.

The ruling came after a two week trial in San Diego on a lawsuit filed by Qualcomm in 2017. Apple is likely to appeal.

The wait for LG’s first lineup of TVs with Apple tech built in is almost over. After unveiling them  in January, the Korean company said today that it will begin rolling out its big-screen models with AirPlay 2 and HomeKit in April.

These are apparently part of Apple’s move to broaden the availability of the video streaming service it’s expected to unveil in a couple of weeks.

You don’t have to be Irish to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, but you do need something green. We’ve made it easier to wear the green by discounting select products this Saturday and Sunday.

We’ve rounded up special bands in green from these great companies: Carterjett, Casetify, E3 Supply Co., Nyloon and Ullu. Save 20 percent on these Apple Watch bands at the Cult of Mac Watch Store this weekend! (As a special treat, all Ullu products are on sale!)

It could be a lot harder to access your Dropbox files if you don’t pay for a Plus subscription. Basic (free) users can now connect the service to just three devices at any one time. You’ll need to upgrade if you want to add more.

Apple sold some 35 million AirPods last year. That makes the wireless earbuds, which had a rocky rollout, the most popular “hearables” device in the U.S., according to Counterpoint Research.

But Apple has competition within earshot from Sony and Samsung, both of which are only a couple of percentage points off in market share and are expected to grow.

Gboard has gone beyond helping you enter text. It can now be used to translate your words into a myriad of other languages on the fly.

This free add-on from Google can be used in any application where an on-screen keyboard is available.

Apple goes back to the basics in a new set of ads today uploaded to YouTube.

Doing away with fancy effects, catchy music, and even its own hardware, it highlights some of the key features of Face ID and iOS 12. It also promotes its smartphone recycling program that’s open to all handsets — even if they’re not iPhones.

Apple may have found its own answer to Netflix’s popular TV show, The Crown

The iPhone-maker has reportedly ordered an eight-episode series based on the New York Times bestselling novel Pachinko. After beating out multiple other bidders for the project Apple is allegedly throwing more money behind the Pachinko than most of its other series as it aims to make a splash at the Emmys in 2020.

Apple has its eye on awards glory with its original video content, a new report claims. It suggests that Apple is looking to take on not only the likes of Amazon and Netflix, but also established studios.

By putting together a dedicated team with awards strategy experience, Apple is reportedly aiming to be in the running for Emmy awards as early as 2020.

Google Chrome now supports official Nintendo Switch controllers.

The console’s included Joy-Cons and optional Pro Controller are compatible. The surprise update comes just days before Google is expected to unveil a brand new game streaming service at GDC 2019.

Thanks to digital technology, creativity is not bound by one medium. Music, video, visualizations and other elements are all fair creative game. It’s even possible to create in the moment with these materials, if you’ve got the right tools.

The Mixvibes DJ Software Bundle includes three powerful tools for creating music and visual performances in real time — and you can get all of them at a massive 75 percent discount.

There are plenty of rumors out there claiming that this year’s new iPhone will feature a triple camera setup. While we’ve seen a few mockups of how this might look, a new render is supposedly based on an inside scoop.

Based on information provided by members of the supply chain, the alleged design looks very similar to the camera placement on Huawei’s Mate 20 Pro handset.

Apple has won the latest battle in the Apple vs. Qualcomm war. A judge has ruled that Qualcomm owes Apple close to $1 billion in patent royalty rebate payments.

Judge Gonzalo Curiel of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California made the ruling on Thursday. The payments were due as part of a business cooperation agreement made between the two companies during happier times in their relationship. It’s not going to necessarily mean Qualcomm handing over a $1bn check, though.

Among the changes hidden in the new iOS 12.2 beta is improved audio quality for audio messages sent using the Messages app.

The switch involves transitioning over from the previous 8000 Hz .AMR file format to .24000 Hz .CAF files. What this means from a listening perspective is that audio messages now sound clearer and louder. Check out this direct comparison.