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New Apple rules keep apps from sending data to third-party AI

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Apple App Review Guidelines on AI
Apple is making sure apps don't just send your data to third-party AI services.
Photo: Apple/Rajesh Pandey

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.

3 reasons Pluribus is the new must-watch series on Apple TV

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Pluribus season 1 review
As Carol, Rhea Seehorn finds herself in a waking nightmare.
Photo: Apple TV

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.

Apple TV scores: MLS matches now included at no extra cost

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Apple TV scores: MLS matches now included at no extra cost
Every Apple TV subscriber can now watch the entire 2026 MLS season.
Photo: Apple/MLS

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.”

This 7-port magnetic mini hub upgrades your iPhone’s productivity

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Satechi OntheGo 7-in-1 Multiport Adapter
Satechi OntheGo 7-in-1 Multiport Adapter helps creators and travelers do what they need with their iPhone.
Photo: Satechi

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.

Today in Apple history: iPods take to the skies

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The first iPod went from pitch to shipped product in 7 months
Goodbye, in-flight magazines!
Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac

November 14: Today in Apple history: Apple partnerships land iPods in airplanes for use with in-flight entertainment systems 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.

Nab $150 off the great Apple Watch Series 10 while you can [Too late!]

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Apple Watch 10 deals
Apple Watch 10 is quite the looker (seen here with Sport Loop).
Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac

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. 

Privacy advocates are terrified by the dark potential of Apple Digital ID

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Privacy advocates are terrified by the potential of Apple Digital ID
Apple’s new Digital ID sparks fears of a government surveillance future.
Graphic: Apple/Noelle Otto

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.

Tesla finally plans to add CarPlay to its EVs

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Tesla plans to add CarPlay
Model Y and other Tesla electric cars will get CarPlay.
Photo: Tesla

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. 

Monster from the deep wreaks havoc in Monarch season 2 teaser

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Monarch Season 2: Kong stars in Apple TV series upcoming episodes \.
Kong grabs the spotlight in teaser trailer for Apple TV’s Monarch season 2
Photo: Apple TV

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.

Today in Apple history: Apple demands big damages from Samsung

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samsungvapple
The never-ending battle between Apple and Samsung takes another turn.
Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

November 13: Today in Apple history: Apple demands big damages from Samsung for copying iPhone 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.

Tiny Soundcore AI voice recorder redefines note-taking for iPhone users [Review] ★★★

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Soundcore Work AI Voice Recorder review★★★
This tiny recorder can transcribe and summarize meetings.
Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac

In an ecosystem where seamless integration matters most, the new Soundcore Work AI Voice Recorder arrives with a compelling proposition for Apple users. As this Soundcore Work AI Voice Recorder review finds, the coin-sized device promises to transform how iPhone and Mac users capture, transcribe and organize voice recordings.

After examining its features through an Apple-centric lens, here’s what you need to know about whether this $159.99 recorder deserves a spot in your productivity arsenal.

The most surprising tweaks in iOS 26.2 beta 2 you need to know

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iPhone screenshot showing iOS 26.2 beta 2 download option
iOS 26.2 beta 2 packs a surprising number of changes.
Image: Rajesh Pandey/Cult of Mac

Apple’s latest iOS 26.2 beta 2 may look like a minor update on the surface, but it hides a handful of clever changes. It builds on the changes found in iOS 26.2 beta 1 to deliver an even better experience. 

Below are all the changes and tweaks iOS 26.2 beta 2 brings to your iPhone.

macOS 26.2 Tahoe introduces Edge Light for better video calls

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Edge Light in macOS Tahoe
macOS Tahoe’s next update will put an end to bad video-call lighting
Photo: Apple

macOS 26.2 beta 2 adds a new Edge Light feature to improve the look of your video calls. As the name indicates, it will add a white light to the edges of your Mac’s display while you’re on a video call.

It’s like a built-in ring light that should improve your appearance when hopping on FaceTime to chat with friends or colleagues. 

How to use the all-new Spotlight in macOS 26 Tahoe

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Try The All-New Spotlight
Great news for people who like finding things.
Image: Apple/D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

Spotlight on the Mac is a universal search bar, available everywhere, ready to quickly launch an app or find a file. And in macOS 26 Tahoe, Apple supercharged Spotlight by adding many advanced features.

Spotlight has a new visual interface for browsing apps on your Mac. It’s also a powerful tool for running Shortcuts and actions inside the apps you use. And, finally, it’s a clipboard manager, too.

Here are the ins and outs of Spotlight on the Mac.

Apple just created a whole new type of Digital ID

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Apple just created a new Digital ID for passport holders
Digital ID joins Apple Wallet. It’s a passport-based ID on iPhone and Watch.
Image: Apple/Cult of Mac

Apple launched Digital ID, a new option to create an ID in Apple Wallet using information from a U.S. passport. The information can be presented to TSA when traveling, saving on the hassle of pulling out a physical passport. And it’s available nationwide, not just in select states.

“With the launch of Digital ID, we’re excited to expand the ways users can store and present their identity — all with the security and privacy built into iPhone and Apple Watch,” said Jennifer Bailey, Apple’s vice president of Apple Pay and Apple Wallet.

Today in Apple history: Cupertino salivates over the restaurant biz

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An artist conception of the exterior of an Apple Cafe, a restaurant chain that never happened.
Apple Cafes were set to sweep the world. They didn't.
Image: Apple/Mega Bytes International

November 12: Today in Apple history: Apple wants to get into the restaurant business with Apple Cafes November 12, 1996: Apple lays out a wild plan to get into the restaurant business, saying it will open a chain of Apple Cafes with a touchscreen point-of-sale system. A bit like the company’s future retail stores — but without the computers and iPhones for sale — the Apple restaurants would open in cities around the world.

The first, Apple says, will be a 15,000-square-foot restaurant in Los Angeles, opening in late 1997.

Spoiler alert: None of this happens.

Season 2 of Apple TV comedy Palm Royale brings new murder mystery [Now streaming!]

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Palm Royale season 2
Kristen Wiig stars in Palm Royale on Apple TV+.
Photo: Apple

Fans of Saturday Night Live alum Kristen Wiig and the rest of the star-studded cast of Apple TV comedy Palm Royale have reason to rejoice — season 2 streams Wednesday. And according to reviews, it brings a new murder mystery and a darker tone to the comedy. 

You not only get Wiig, you get legend Carol Burnett, pop icon Ricky Martin and veteran actors Bruce and Laura Dern — among others! Newsweek calls the new season “darker, funnier and deeper.” People.com notes Burnett’s character crafts a typically “wicked plan” in the first episode. Comic Book Resources even claims the show is Apple TV’s best comedy. 

Build better ChatGPT prompts in seconds with this powerful AI tool

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Lady working with her laptop on a desk using AI prompt engineering tool PromptBuilder.
Make AI work for you the smarter way with PromptBuilder.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

AI prompt engineering tool PromptBuilder helps you create, optimize and manage prompts for all the major AI tools. It works with OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Google Gemini and more to make sure you get the results you envision.

If you’ve ever spent 20 minutes rewriting the same ChatGPT prompt hoping for better output, you already know how frustrating prompt crafting can be. But with a one-time payment of just $199 (MSRP $1,764), this lifetime subscription to PromptBuilder’s Unlimited Plan can make that pain go away.

5 cool things you can do with Samsung SmartThings and Siri

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Samsung SmartThings and Siri
You can do quite a lot with SamSung SmartThings and Siri.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

If you’re an Apple user who’s been eyeing Samsung’s SmartThings ecosystem, you might be wondering how well it plays with Siri and your other Apple devices. The good news? SmartThings has robust HomeKit support, meaning you can control a wide range of smart home devices using Siri voice commands, the Home app and Apple’s automation features. Here are five impressive ways to integrate SmartThings into your Apple-powered smart home.

Kuxiu X40 Turbo: The best, fastest 3-in-1 charger money can buy [Review] ★★★★★

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Kuxiu X40 Turbo with an iPhone, an Apple Watch and AirPods Pro all loaded up on it.★★★★★
This 3-in-1 charger tops up all your devices in a compact and elegant form factor.
Photo: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

The Kuxiu X40 Turbo is a great three-in-one charger that supports the fastest MagSafe and Qi charging speeds possible on the latest iPhones. That means you can get 25W wireless iPhone charging while simultaneously topping up your Apple Watch and AirPods.

The X40 Turbo is the follow-up to my previous personal favorite charger, the X40. In addition to extra power, the new model boasts a refined design while maintaining its predecessor’s stellar build quality. It comes with everything you need in the box: the charger, a cable, a power adapter and a nice linen travel case.

Here’s why it’s the perfect three-way charger for home or travel. Keep reading or watch our video review.

You won’t believe what Apple just added to Vision Pro gaming

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Apple now directly sells Sony's PSVR2 controllers for the Vision Pro.
Apple now directly sells Sony's PSVR2 controllers for the Vision Pro.
Photo: Apple/Sony/CultOfMac

Apple just started selling PlayStation VR2 Sense controllers on its website, offering Vision Pro gamers a route to a whole new level of interaction. The accessories, which Sony does not sell separately, should arrive in Apple Stores on November 17.

The PSV R2 Sense controllers wrap around each hand and feature a three-axis gyroscope, a three-axis accelerometer, and built-in buttons, triggers and analog sticks for enhanced VR gaming. Adding them to your Vision Pro setup should take gaming to a whole new level.

Make PDF editing easier on Mac with PDF Expert

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Upgrade your Mac's PDF-handling capabilities this Cyber Week for only $70.
Get PDF Expert, an Apple Editor's Choice winner, for less than $80.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

PDFs are arguably one of the most-used document formats by professionals, students and casual users alike. However, while they might be the best way to transmit documents, they’re not entirely easy to work with unless you own a capable PDF editor for Mac like PDF Expert.

Fortunately, this app makes handling, organizing, annotating, merging and editing PDFs effortless. And you can get a lifetime license to this award-winning Mac app for just $79.97 (regularly $139.99).

Apple’s $230 iPhone Pocket: Because your pants aren’t pretentious enough

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Photo of a brown iPhone Pocket worn crossbody-style by a model.
It's a new way to carry your iPhone! If you need that. Which you don’t.
Photo: Apple

At any normal price, the new iPhone Pocket is silly. At $230, it’s silly and pretentious. Apple charges a hefty fee for an unholy union between a scarf and a sock.

It’s easy to mock, and the internet did plenty of that Tuesday after Apple took the wraps off its latest iPhone accessory. But the iPhone Pocket drew immediate fans, as well. In fact, Vogue said the fashion-forward iPhone sack “could just be the season’s must-have accessory.”

Tiny, super-fast Planck SSD is perfect for recording iPhone video [Review] ★★★★★

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Planck SSD review: Tiny drive perfect for iPhone videographers★★★★★
This is the SSD your iPhone has been waiting for.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The Planck SSD was created specifically for iPhone, and is so small and well-designed that it plugs into the handset’s USB-C port and practically disappears. But there’s still room for up to 2 terabytes of storage.

Even better, it’s rocket-fast. So fast that it enables high-resolution/high-framerate ProRes video to be recorded from iPhone Pro models, making the Planck SSD an ideal tool for creators and professional videographers.

I tested the drive and came away very impressed. It even comes with a useful collection of accessories.