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5 Google Photos features Apple Photos should steal

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Apple Photos vs. Google Photos
Apple Photos is good, but Google Photos is better.
Graphics: Rajesh Pandey/Apple/Google

As an iPhone user, Apple Photos and iCloud Photos provide a great way to view, edit and back up all your precious pictures. But as a long-time Google Photos user, I find the Apple Photos experience lacking in many respects. In the great Apple Photos vs. Google Photos debate, Apple doesn’t emerge as a clear winner.

Below are five features Apple Photos must steal from Google Photos to win me over.

Never pay for VPN again: Get FastestVPN lifetime on 10 devices for just $29.97

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Save hundreds with this 10-device deal on a FastestVPN lifetime license.
Keep all your Apple devices safe with a low one-time payment.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

The more devices you own, the more difficulty you will encounter in protecting your privacy from malicious actors and sanctioned snoops. This heavily discounted FastestVPN lifetime license guards up to 10 of your devices, from your MacBook to your iPhone, for just $24.97.

This is the most bananas iPhone case ever!

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Product shot of Andy Warhol x Casetify banana iPhone case
It even comes with a peel-off sticker!
Photo: Casetify

The banana-shaped iPhone case in the new Andy Warhol x Casetify collection is the most bizarre Apple accessory we’ve seen in a while. It’s gigantic, fragile and expensive. And it even comes with three stickers that look like what you’d see on an actual banana at the grocery store.

It’s only one of the many Apple accessories in the eye-catching new collection, produced by Casetify under license from The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts.

Track your medications on iPhone in the Health app

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Don’t Skip Your Meds
Your iPhone and Apple Watch can help you track your meds.
Image: MorgueFile/Wikimedia Commons/D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

The Apple Health app on your iPhone will help you track your medications. It has a lot of advanced options for all kinds of medicine — you can set up schedules, log your activity and even get advice on drug interactions. If you can connect with your health care provider through the Health app, setting it up is incredibly simple. Otherwise, you can just scan the label on the bottle using the camera to import it.

Let me show you how to get started.

How Cult of Mac became a thing — founder Leander Kahney reveals all!

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Image shows the
Hear the history of Cult of Mac straight from the horse's mouth.
Image: Apple Core

Wanna know how your favorite tech news website became a thing? Then check out the latest episode of the Apple Core podcast, featuring an interview with Cult of Mac founder Leander Kahney.

In his 30-year career, Leander has covered many pivotal moments in Apple history. Like Steve Jobs’ return in 1997 and his legendary iPhone launch keynote 10 years later.

Leander literally wrote the book on Steve Jobs, Tim Cook and Jony Ive, and he shares loads of fascinating insights in this unmissable one-hour interview.

Future-proof connectivity with up to 46% off blazing-fast HDMI cables

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great deals on HDMI 2.1 cables
Get some HDMI 2.1 cables to go with your Thunderbolt 4 and 5 cables.
Photo: Anker

Need faster cables in your Mac setup? Amazon just put up a limited-time sale on Anker’s various sizes of certified ultra-high-speed HDMI 2.1 cables, which are great for connecting high-resolution displays, or almost any gear where you want to transmit high-quality audio and video. The cable size with the biggest discount reaches a staggering 46% off.

Macs get fun custom Genmoji with macOS Sequoia 15.3

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Mac Genmoji in macOS Sequoia 15.3
Mac is no longer left out of the Genmoji fun thanks to macOS Sequoia 15.3.
Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac

macOS Sequoia 15.3 left beta testing on Monday, and is now ready for any compatible Mac to install. The major new feature is the ability to create Genmoji: custom emoji that can be used in Messages and other apps.

Apple also introduced iOS 18.3, iPadOS 18.3, watchOS 11.3 and more.

Everything new in iOS 18.3

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Everything new in iOS 18.3
Your iPhone is gaining some new features.
Photo: Rajesh Pandey/Cult of Mac

After more than a month of beta testing, Apple released iOS 18.3 to the public Monday. Unlike the last two point updates, iOS 18.3 is light on big additions. However, it brings minor new features and some usability improvements. Check them all out below.

Another Studio Display alternative for Mac graphic designers [Review] ★★★★☆

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BenQ PD2730S display, a Studio Display alternative★★★★☆
It fits in nicely in any Mac setup.
Photo: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

As you’ll read in our hands-on review of the BenQ DesignVue PD2730S, this Apple Studio Display alternative offers similar specs at a lower price. The new BenQ display delivers the same 27-inch screen, 5K Retina resolution, frame rate, color gamut and Thunderbolt connectivity as Apple’s pricey monitor.

This formula might ring a bell — BenQ’s new high-end display is the second Studio Display alternative to hit the market. The BenQ display proves nicer than the Asus ProArt 5K I reviewed two months ago, but it also costs more ($1,199 compared to $799).

One thing is for sure: Both are still a steal compared to the Studio Display, which starts at $1,599. Read on to see how these monitors stack up.

Apple Sports app updates make it even easier to follow your favorites

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Apple Sports App updates
New features includes swiping left or right through your favorite for even faster navigation.
Photo: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

Newly added soccer tournaments, smoother navigation among favorites and game-broadcast information come to the Apple Sports app in update 2.4, the iPhone giant said Monday. Each of the updates should help sports fans follow their favorite teams and leagues a little more easily.

Polk Audio system brilliantly boosts Mac mini’s sound [Setups]

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Polk Audio Reserve R100 bookshelf speakers
The Mac mini setup's bookshelf speakers are just the top of the Polk Audio iceberg. The man shed's home theater audio gear is incredible, too.
Photo:

In today’s featured setup from the Pacific Northwest, Polk Audio boosts Mac mini sound with bookshelf speakers on the desk as well as a subwoofer under it. But that’s not the extent of the user’s devotion to Polk, an admired longtime brand we rarely, if ever, see in setups coverage. The Mac mini setup is just one part of a magnificent man shed. The other part is a home theater festooned with more than enough Polk Audio hardware for stellar surround sound.

How to use Apple reseller reviews to spot and avoid scams

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Photo of person holding credit card while using MacBook, used to illustrate a story about how to use Apple reseller reviews to avoid scams
Before you buy Apple gear, get to know the ins and outs of reseller reviews so you can avoid scams.
Photo: Kindel [email protected]

If you shop for Apple gear through a reseller, you’re probably scouring reviews to find a legitimate deal — or at least avoid disaster. Smart move. Apple reseller reviews can help you spot shady operators faster than Face ID unlocks your iPhone.

But if you want to dodge scams and shop like a pro, you need to know how to read between the lines of Apple reseller reviews. Follow the guidelines below to protect yourself from the ever-more-sophisticated scams surrounding real and fake Apple products in the reseller market.

Video gives sneak peek at seriously redesigned iPhone SE 4

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iPhone SE 4 from leaked video
This might be our best look yet at the iPhone SE 4.
Screenshot: Majin Bu

The iPhone SE 4 is right around the corner, and a new video supposedly showing off the low-cost handset reveals what it’ll look like from every angle.

If  this leaked video turns out to be accurate, then the recent rumor that the display in Apple’s next budget handset will sport a Dynamic Island isn’t correct. And that’s just one of many details shown.

Dynamic new Black Unity Collection celebrates Black History Month

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2025 Black Unity Collection
The new Black Unity Collection honors Black History Month, and celebrates Black culture and community.
Photo: Apple

Apple unveiled its latest Black Unity Collection Monday to celebrate Black culture and community. It features an innovative Apple Watch Sport Loop and watch face that bring the Pan-African flag colors to life through groundbreaking design technology, the iPhone giant said.

And as usual, the annual release for Black History Month in February includes iPhone and iPad wallpapers in addition to the Apple Watch features.

WhatsApp for iPhone takes a big step toward multi-account support

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WhatsApp logo
You could soon use two WhatsApp accounts simultaneously on your iPhone.
Image: WhatsApp

Meta is working on addressing a major limitation of WhatsApp for iPhone: the lack of multi-account support. A new beta update of the app adds support for using multiple accounts within the app.

WhatsApp for Android gained multi-account support in October 2023. However, the feature never made it to the app’s iPhone version.

Will iOS 19 redesign look more like visionOS? [The CultCast]

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Image of iPhone with Camera app on it, along with The CultCast logo (episode 683)
The iOS overhaul might start with the Camera app.
Image: Cult of Mac

This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: Is 2025 the year we see a big iOS 19 redesign based on the look and feel of visionOS? A new rumor says so, starting with the Camera app. There’s much to discuss!

Also on The CultCast:

  • Erfon finally made a decision on what size iPad Pro to buy.
  • We discuss the latest rumors about the upcoming iPhone SE and iPad Air models.
  • Apple takes steps to eliminate AI-generated fake news from notification summaries. But the company seems more intent than ever on getting everyone to use Apple Intelligence.

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 live stream, embedded below.

Severance fan theories range from mundane to insane [Videos]

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Severance fan theories
Scott read several of the fan theories from online sources.
Photo: Apple TV+

Apple TV+ dropped a Severance promo video Friday with cast members reading and (mostly) debunking online fan ideas guessing at answers to the show’s mysteries. But at the end of the video, executive producer and director Ben Stiller offers a clue that “no one talks about.” Is it a real clue, or is he just trolling everybody?

You can view the new fan-theory video and an older one below. They mention many theories, though even more exist online. And some fans says these videos ignore the best theories that seem more likely to be true (take your pick from cloning, aliens and more).

Who’d have thought this $19 iPhone stand was so versatile?

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Phone attached to airplane table with an iPhone travel stand.
Place your phone anywhere with this phone stand, on sale for $18.99!
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Many iPhone travel stands work like a basic kickstand, but they’re small and barely prop your phone up. The alternative is to use something like the Foldable 360 Rotating Travel Phone Stand. It holds your iPhone in portrait or landscape mode, and it can connect to things like airplane tray tables, the edges of desks or even the counter in your bathroom if you want to catch up on your shows while you get ready in the morning.

It’s a winner in almost any situation where you want to see your iPhone screen without holding the device in your hand. Plus, magnetic iPhone stand is on sale for just $18.99 (regularly $39.99). It works with compatible Android devices, too.

Everything you need to know about iPhone Mirroring on the Mac

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Control Your iPhone From Your MacBook
Save yourself the pain of getting your phone out of your pocket.
Image: Apple/D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

iPhone Mirroring on the Mac lets you control your phone using your computer — a handy convenience when your iPhone is in your pocket, purse or backpack. All your iPhone notifications can be mirrored onto your Mac as well, letting you triage them and take care of business without touching your phone and interrupting your workflow.

This feature also could come in handy if you shatter your iPhone screen. You can mirror an otherwise unusable iPhone to your Mac to make sure it’s backed up. You could even factory-reset your broken phone before sending it in for repair or replacement.

Here’s how iPhone mirroring works. Keep reading or watch our video.

iPhone 17 may not sport a smaller Dynamic Island

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iPhone 14 Pro's Dynamic Island showing HomePod speakers
The Dynamic Island will look the same on the iPhone 17.
Photo: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac

Apple’s 2025 iPhone lineup will not feature a smaller Dynamic Island as previously rumored. The pill-shaped user interface’s size apparently will remain unchanged.

Apple ditched the notch and switched to the Dynamic Island with the launch of the iPhone 14 Pro in 2022.

Sleek new Apple Miami Worldcenter store opens [Updated with pix]

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A customer Apple Miami Worldcenter on opening day.
Opening day energy!
Photo: Apple

Apple’s retail footprint in South Florida expanded Friday with the opening of its newest location, Apple Miami Worldcenter. A big opening-day crowd — including Apple execs Deirdre O’Brien and Eddy Cue — swamped the sleek new store, Apple’s 10th retail location in Miami.

“Miami is a city with a history, culture and life all its own, and we are thrilled to capture that energy with Apple Miami Worldcenter in downtown Miami,” said Deirdre O’Brien, Apple’s senior vice president of retail and people, in a press release.

Apple Miami Worldcenter showcases the company’s commitment to sustainability, accessibility and community engagement in the heart of downtown. And it’s the city’s first store with a dedicated Apple Pickup area.

Prepare for emergencies by setting up Medical ID on your iPhone

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This may save your life.
It probably won’t, but it may.
Image: Helitak430/Wikimedia Commons/D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

It’s very important to set up your iPhone Medical ID so it’s ready in case you find yourself in an emergency situation. First responders can check your iPhone to get critical information about any allergies or preexisting conditions that could make a huge difference in their ability to help you.

It might be unpleasant to think about, but providing this vital information could prove lifesaving if an accident leaves you unconscious.

If you haven’t yet done so you’ll be happy to know it only takes a couple of minutes to update your medical records in the Health app on your iPhone. Here’s how to do it.

Apple pulls out the big guns to fix Siri and Apple Intelligence

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Apple taps software veteran to fix Siri and Apple Intelligence
At some point Siri will be smarter (really!), Apple implies with its latest move.
Photo: Cult of Mac/Nadezhda Moryak

Apple just appointed seasoned executive Kim Vorrath to spearhead improvements to its artificial intelligence capabilities and Siri virtual assistant, signaling renewed focus on competing with AI leaders like OpenAI and Anthropic, according to a new report Friday.

Find deals on Windows 11 Pro ($22) and more in CdkeySales New Year Sale

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Deals on Microsoft Windows 11 Pro and more extended
Score big savings on genuine Microsoft software in CdkeySales' New Year Sale. Head to CdkeySales.com using these links and enter promo code CULT to get extra savings.
Image: CdkeySales

CdkeySales extended its New Year Sale through January, so you can still get amazing deals on Windows 11 Pro and other Microsoft software. The sale slashes some prices by up to 91%! The latest Windows 12 rumors indicate Microsoft won’t release its next big operating system update until late 2025, so why not update your PC now the quick and easy way? Just buy a Windows 11 CD key on sale during the CdkeySales event.

You also can get great deals on upgrade-ready Microsoft productivity software like Microsoft Office. Savings include Windows 10 Pro for just $17.05 — with a free upgrade to Windows 11 Pro.