The system Apple set up to enable EU residents to load apps onto their iPhones outside the App Store violates the Digital Markets Act, according to a decision handed down Wednesday by the European Commission. It cites “overly strict eligibility requirements” and Apple’s new Core Technology Fee as reasons.

It’s a preliminary decision, but if Apple doesn’t make the app sideloading process easier, the DMA gives the European Commission the right to hit the iPhone maker with hefty fines.

Two new videos surfaced recently that use dummy units to show just how incredibly — even shockingly — thin the iPhone 17 Air will be when it comes out in several months.

“That’s futuristic,” one reviewer exclaimed, adding he doubted Apple will sell any other iPhone Series 17 models when customers see and feel the rumored slim model.

Anyone who follows along with my Setups coverage for Cult of Mac probably knows I’ve got a soft spot for great audio. And while my own setup and its surroundings bristle with solid audio gear, today’s M4 Mac mini workstation makes me twitch with envy. You can’t go wrong with KEF speakers — complete with subwoofer under the desk — as long as you have the cash to acquire them. And I’ve wanted Bowers & Wilkins headphones for years.

The European Union socked Apple with a fine of 500 million euros ($570 million) Wednesday for breaking antisteering rules in the Digital Markets Act. It also fined Meta 200 million euros for DMA violations.

The two companies face further fines if they don’t make the changes the EU demands.

In an effort to attract new viewers in a hugely competitive streaming market, Apple TV+ unveiled a limited-time promotion Wednesday. It offers a steep 70% discount on Apple TV+ subscriptions for both new and qualified returning subscribers through April 24. The steal of a deal’s timing coincides with Friday’s premiere of Your Friends & Neighbors with Jon Hamm as a rich guy-turned-thief.

The special offer allows eligible customers to subscribe to Apple TV+ for just $2.99 per month for three months, a significant savings from the regular $9.99 monthly fee. This brings the total cost to approximately $9 for the three-month period, making it one of the most affordable ways to access a premium streaming service in today’s competitive market.

Update: Grab the two-thirds off discount on Apple TV+ subscriptions now, because it ends Thursday, April 24.

Apple Watch does so much that it’s possible for some of its handy tricks to get lost. You can’t call these three Apple Watch tips  marquee features. But they can make life just a bit more convenient.

Here’s how to turn on the flashlight, find your iPhone and silence alarms on your iPhone from an Apple Watch.

Your MacBook is beautiful. Your iPad is elegant. So why are you still charging them with a cable that looks like it came from a cereal box? The Statik GloBright RGB USB-C cable lights up as it charges. These braided cables offer an easy way to add some flair to your setup.

You can grab a two-pack of these RGB cables for just $24.99 with free shipping (regularly $35.98), while a single Apple cable would cost you more. A bonus: Each of these cables measures 6 feet long, so you can enjoy some freedom from wall outlets as you charge.

If the U.S. federal judge orders Google to sell Chrome, OpenAI would be willing to buy it. Nick Turley, the head of ChatGPT at OpenAI, revealed this during his testimony in the ongoing Google antitrust trial.

When asked if OpenAI would buy Chrome, he replied, “Yes, we would, and so would many other parties.”

Despite all the criticism and negative publicity, more U.S. iPhone users are willing to pay for Apple Intelligence than before. A survey conducted by Morgan Stanley found “stronger-than-expected Apple Intelligence engagement.”

The survey results also suggest that more than 80% of U.S. iPhone users tried Apple Intelligence in the last six months.

If your favorite app doesn’t work well with the screen notch in your MacBook Pro or MacBook Air, there is a solution. Apple created a “Scale to fit below built-in camera” setting that always puts the app into the space below the notch when in full-screen mode.

And it can be set for individual apps. Here’s how.

In what might be the biggest battery recycling news of the decade, scientists in China found a way to achieve nearly 100% voltage recovery in worn-out lithium-ion batteries by precisely heating them to high temperatures while applying voltage. This has the potential for “rejuvenating aging batteries, making old electric vehicles like new,” according to the institute where the research was conducted.

This is exactly the sort of news one hopes for on Earth Day.

In a shake-up aimed at revitalizing Apple’s aging Siri voice assistant, the iPhone giant brought in Mike Rockwell to lead a comprehensive overhaul now in progress, according to a new report. First, the former head of Vision Pro software continues revitalizing the Siri leadership team in the Vision Pro team’s image.

Ever misplaced your wallet or keys right when you’re rushing out the door? This Ugreen Smart Finder tracker review might help solve that universal frustration on the cheap. Whether you’re considering the standard Smart Finder or its wallet-sized counterpart, both promise to keep your valuables just a tap away through Apple’s Find My network.

These Bluetooth trackers pack some interesting features that set them apart from typical item finders — specifically their compact design, reliable tracking capabilities and low prices.

Want to pass IT exams and land a tech job you’ll love? This comprehensive bundle provides user-friendly training across multiple platforms, including CompTIA, AWS, Microsoft and Cisco. It’s an invaluable exam preparation resource if you plan to pursue IT certifications.

For a limited time, Cult of Mac readers can score this lifelong e-learning bundle for a one-time payment of just $79.99 (regularly $2,530).​

A cutting-edge pair of AI sports glasses feature innovative audio technology from xMEMS Labs, the company said Tuesday. The new BleeqUp Ranger glasses, developed by Chinese startup BleeqUp, represents the first commercial use of a xMEMS solid state microtweeter in AI eyewear — but likely not the only one.

“xMEMS is proud to help power the next generation of AI wearables,” said Steven Bentley, VP of worldwide sales at xMEMS Labs. “The integration of Cowell into BleeqUp’s glasses not only showcases the high-fidelity performance of our MEMS speakers. We’re excited to help more companies accelerate their path to market with compact, high-performance audio solutions for AI glasses.”

Perhaps that, or the upcoming uses of xMEMS Labs’ Sycamore microspeaker, could signal a new direction for Apple if it revives its smart glasses project.

It’s time to break the habit of doing everything on your iPhone while overlooking what’s often a better alternative. Consider the Apple Watch pros: It’s a very capable little computer, and it’s right there on your wrist. Odds are you aren‘t taking advantage of half of what it can do for you.

Here are the simple tasks I used to do on my iPhone that are now easier because I do them on my Apple Watch. And all without needing any third-party software. The only apps required come preinstalled on every Apple Watch.

The Kinhank Super Console X2 Pro is a retro-style gaming console preloaded with more than 70,000 classic games. It also lets you use your favorite streaming apps to watch videos. It’s great for any household — and a perfect gift for any gamer on your list.

This retro games and streaming console is on sale now for just $89.97 with free shipping. However, that deep discount won’t last much longer.

Closing your three Apple Watch Activity rings can become such an obsession that it’s easy to forget why you’re doing it. But what does it really mean to close an Apple Watch ring? The Stand ring seems obvious. We all know we shouldn’t sit around on our asses all day. But how about the Move and Exercise rings, which sound so similar?

Actually, no. The Apple Watch’s Move and Exercise rings are very different, and understanding that difference is massively important if you want to achieve your fitness goals.

If you find yourself in a situation where a police officer or federal agent — like a TSA person at the airport — requests or demands your iPhone, should you hand it over? Many folks say no, never. But if you do, at least know how to hard-lock it in a hurry before it leaves your hand. That will help protect your data on the device.

If you work with visual media in some way — like as a graphic designer or video editor — you know how important color accuracy on external monitors can be. Today’s M4 Pro Mac mini user relies on a pair of BenQ monitors specifically calibrated to match Mac colors. They’re actually made for MacBook Pro and MacBook Air, to reproduce the rich colors on the laptops’ Liquid Retina (Air) and Liquid Retina XDR (Pro) displays.

And that’s not all. The sleek and deceptively simple setup actually packs in a surprising amount of cool gear. See below.

The quest for an affordable Apple Studio Display alternative got going right after Apple launched its premium 5K monitor in 2022, but now Alogic takes a bold step in a completely new direction. As this Alogic Clarity 5K Touch Monitor review points out, it’s not just another 5K display trying to undercut Apple’s pricing. It’s a technological breakthrough that brings something the Studio Display simply doesn’t offer: a fully functional touchscreen interface for macOS.

Odds are, you’re not taking advantage of all the useful things your Apple Watch can do for you. That’s because we all tend to grab our iPhone, even when it’s not the best option. I started using my smartwatch much more after I began asking myself one simple question whenever I grab my iPhone: “Would this be easier on my Apple Watch?”

You should try it, too.

The Sigma BF is a beautifully designed camera unlike any other. While testing it for this review, I found the full-frame camera to be as easy to pick up as a point-and-shoot. It’s a pleasure to use — a love letter to minimalism, precision and the pure joy of old-school photography.

With an aluminum unibody worthy of Jony Ive and a stripped-down interface that favors elegance over excess, this full-frame mirrorless marvel feels less like gear and more like art itself.

What it lacks in cutting-edge features, this gorgeous $1,999 camera more than makes up for with soul. And for Apple lovers, photo fans and design purists, that might be all that matters.

Keep reading for my in-depth Sigma BF review (and/or watch my video version).

In a shock to dedicated fans, Apple TV+ canceled Mythic Quest after the show’s fourth season. The gaming-oriented workplace comedy concluded March 26 with an intended season finale, not a series finale. So Apple greenlit a redo of the last episode’s cliffhanger ending so it will actually end the whole show. Now it’s out.

Update: Attention, bereft Mythic Quest fans: The new season four ending is now streaming with a revamped episode 10, “Heaven and Hell.” It officially ends the show, typing up some loose ends and removing some cliffhangers. Reshooting a series ending is a rare thing in TV, so at least you have some closure. And if you haven’t checked out the spinoff anthology series Side Quest, there’s that, too.

GameBaby from Bitmo Lab is both an iPhone case and a game controller. Combined with the Delta retro game emulator, the accessory’s clever design allows you to play classic games on your phone with real buttons. And there’s nothing wrong with a new way to have fun.

For my GameBaby review, I tested it with my iPhone 16 Pro Max, and it’s the closest thing to a Game Boy I’ve played in much too long.

Plus, it’s available at a huge discount right now — 38% off. But the deal only lasts a few more days.