With Apple’s M5 chip appearing in more devices, it’s time for an M5 vs. M4 chip smackdown. Apple unveiled its new M5 chip in October, marking a significant leap forward in on-device artificial intelligence performance over its predecessor. So let’s compare the M5 chip to the M4 chip. 

While maintaining the same core architecture as the M4 chip, the M5 delivers dramatic improvements in AI processing, graphics capabilities and memory bandwidth that position it as Apple’s most AI-focused silicon to date. But it enough to temp would-be upgraders?

A new report says Apple has “largely written off the Mac Pro,” but before you get mad, you need to understand why Mac tower desktops don’t make sense anymore, and haven’t for years.

It all comes down to the architecture of Apple’s M-series processors.

While many people know the new Apple Watch Series 11 tracks your steps, heart rate and possible high blood pressure, the latest iteration also offers unexpected advantages that go beyond basic fitness monitoring. We put together 10 surprising benefits of Apple Watch Series 11 for you below.

Whether you’re a longtime Apple Watch user or considering your first purchase, these surprising benefits might just change how you think about what a smartwatch can do.

Contrary to a recent rumor, Apple didn’t delay the launch of the iPhone Air 2 to 2027 — that was seemingly the company’s plan all along.

A new report adds more info about the road map for the super-slim device, as well as shedding more light on Apple’s plans to spread out iPhone launches starting in 2026 to give its marketing team some breathing room.

November 16, 1982: Intent on giving his company’s upcoming personal computer a memorable name, Apple co-founder Steve Jobs pens an impassioned plea to audio company McIntosh Laboratory. In the letter, he asks permission to use the name “Macintosh.”

You can probably guess how the resulting discussions turned out!

Apple reportedly has “largely written off the Mac Pro” and does not plan to significantly upgrade its expandable desktop computer in 2026.

Instead, the company seems focused on the Mac Studio, a smaller desktop machine without expansion slots.

Don’t miss our explanation on why Apple killing the Mac Pro makes sense.

Crossbody iPhone slings are in style, and the Satechi OntheGo USB-C Lanyard Cable is a unique addition to the category. It’s both a strap to make carrying the iPhone easy and a USB-C charging cable.

I put the accessory to the test with my iPhone 17. I especially liked that I can easily swap it between iPhone cases.

Apple’s board of directors is reportedly amping up the search for a new CEO to replace Tim Cook, possibly as early as January 2026. The board recently “intensified preparations for Cook to hand over the reins,” according to a Saturday report from the Financial Times, which says the announcement of a new Apple CEO could come alongside the company’s post-holiday earnings report.

The story cited “several people familiar with discussions inside the tech group.”

This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: Nobody saw this coming! The iPhone Pocket is a bizarre Apple product, and the press release announcing its precious existence is one of the most pretentious we’ve ever seen.

Still, it might be big in Asia!

Also on The CultCast:

• Apple’s new Digital ID is based on your passport and paves the way for the wallet-free (and possibly surveillance-intensive) future. We discuss the pros and cons.
• Sounds like Tesla is finally buckling and plans to give iPhone users what they want. Victory!
• Griffin shows off a cool new three-way charger that’s fantastic for travel (although he likes it at home, too).
• And finally, we discuss Pluribus, the great new Apple TV show from Breaking Bad mastermind Vince Gilligan. Two episodes in and we’re hooked!

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.

With Thanksgiving coming in a few weeks, it’s time to watch the beloved Peanuts special that celebrates this holiday, A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving. While Apple TV subscribers can watch it anytime, Apple will also make the special free for anyone to stream one weekend this month.

You do not need an Apple device to enjoy either. It’s easy on Windows and Android.

Not too long ago, the Mac was in a truly bad place — and then Apple silicon came along and radically reinvented the computer. With Apple’s destiny entirely within its own hands, rather than hamstrung by Intel processors, we’ve seen what Cupertino is capable of: delivering absolute computing magic on a regular, annual cycle, across its entire lineup.

With the first three Apple silicon Macs turning 5 on November 17, it’s worth reflecting on how the past half-decade has radically reinvented the Mac.

November 15, 1990: Cupertino wins a design patent for the Apple Extended Keyboard II, arguably the greatest computer keyboard of all time.

Delivering the perfect combination of durability, feel and a pleasing click-clack sound, the Extended Keyboard II will become a mainstay of pro-grade Apple setups during the early 1990s — and perhaps the best-loved keyboard in Apple history. Courtesy of an ADB-to-USB adapter, some people continue to use these input devices today.

If you didn’t get up before dawn on Friday, you sadly missed your chance to buy an iPhone Pocket, an accessory that divides Apple fans. It’s been relentlessly mocked online — but sold out immediately on launch day.

Love it or hate it, it’s hard to argue with results like that.

Macxvideo AI video enhancer makes everything look better. Whether you’re editing iPhone footage, making a screencast, or digging up an old family video from a dusty hard drive, this Mac app gives you a seriously powerful upgrade — without bloated subscription fees or a steep learning curve. It’s an easy, affordable way to enhance video quality.

Right now, you can grab lifetime access to Macxvideo AI for one Mac for just $24.99 (regularly $69.95). You simply pay one flat price, with no recurring charges and no catches. Just lifelong access to Mac-compatible AI video enhancement tools to make all your projects look extra-professional.

Apple rolled out updated App Review Guidelines Thursday that require developers to explicitly disclose when they’re sharing your personal information with third-party artificial intelligence services — and get your permission first.

Pluribus, Vince Gilligan’s newest TV series, has already bagged a perfect 100% rating on RottenTomatoes.com — a feat topping even acclaimed Apple TV shows like Severance.

The creator of Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul wowed the critics once again with Pluribus, a post-apocalyptic science fiction psychological thriller that premiered on Apple TV on November 7. And it’s generating big-time buzz as one of the year’s most compelling television events. Its third episode airs Friday. And if you’re anything like me, you can’t wait because the first two blew you away. 

To me, the show is like the world’s longest episode of The Twilight Zone — in the best possible way, and in the here and now rather than circa 1959.

Caution: Pluribus spoilers ahead.

Watching Major League Soccer just got cheaper and easier. Starting in 2026, anyone with a subscription to Apple TV can enjoy every regular-season MLS match.

“We’re thrilled to bring MLS to more fans around the world next season on Apple TV,” said Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior vice president of services, in a press release Thursday. “Every match, all in one place, alongside incredible Apple Originals — it’s a win for fans everywhere.”

The Satechi OntheGo 7-in-1 Multiport Adapter is the USB-C hub your iPhone has been looking for. It magnetically attaches to the back of the handset and adds a collection of ports useful to anyone pushing their iPhone to the limit. That includes HDMI, USB-A, Ethernet and more. 

“The OntheGo 7-in-1 Multiport Adapter combines power and portability in a sleek design so you can bring your desk anywhere without compromise,” said Brock Guclu, Satechi’s co-founder and president.

November 14, 2006: Apple teams up with a slew of airlines to offer the “first seamless integration” between iPods and in-flight entertainment systems.

A special dock will let iPod owners use the devices to play music and videos on planes’ seat-back displays. The plan promises to rid the world of old-fashioned in-flight movies and printed magazines.

Apple AirTag deal alert! A four-pack of these essential Bluetooth trackers are a whopping 34% below the usual price on both Amazon and Best Buy right now. This means you can currently pick up a four-pack for $64.99. That’s about $16.25 apiece — not the usual $29.

The very nice Apple Watch Series 11 is the Cupertino tech giant’s latest standard, released in September 2025 — but it’s not always the one on sale. Right now, however, you can bag great deals on the similarly outstanding Apple Watch Series 10 from Amazon and Walmart. I bought and reviewed it for Cult of Mac in September 2024, and as a proud owner of a 46mm model that is currently $150 off on Amazon, I say it’s a great buy. 

Apple’s new Digital ID can be very convenient for travelers, and also convenient for a repressive government intent on tracking its citizens’ every move. That’s the warning privacy advocates have for the ID system for iPhone and Apple Watch that Apple unveiled Wednesday.

Their concern is that a phone-based system can potentially be used to track everyone all the time.

In a major reversal, Tesla is developing support for Apple CarPlay in its electric vehicles. That marks the end of years of resistance to one of the most requested features by potential customers, according to a new report Thursday. 

The giant monster action of Monarch: Legacy of Monsters returns with season two in February 2026, Apple TV announced Thursday. The series is set in the MonsterVerse that includes Godzilla and other kaiju, with Kong taking a starring role in the teaser trailer that just premiered.

Watch the new video now for an early look at the other giant monsters that’ll be tearing up the scenery — and some of the actors — in season two.

November 13, 2013: Apple and Samsung head back to court to determine how much the Korean company must pay for having copied the iPhone. Cupertino asks Samsung for $379 million in damages for ripping off key iPhone technical and design features.

Apple arrives at that number based on estimated lost profits, royalty rates and the $3.5 billion worth of copyright-infringing devices Samsung sold during the period in question.