Rising component costs could leave Apple no choice but to raise prices. AI image: ChatGPT/Cult of Mac
Apple likely will struggle to acquire a critical component for all its products this year. In fact, the whole electronics industry will face the same problem, and the competition will drive up prices, according to analysts.
What’s the missing product? RAM. Why is it so hard to get? AI. But the full story is more complex than those two basic facts.
The Franklin Ace 1200 was, in some ways, a literal copy of the Apple II. Photo: Bugbookmuseum
January 18, 1983: Computer manufacturer Franklin Electronic Publishers takes the wraps off its Franklin Ace 1200 computer, an uxtnauthorized Apple II clone that triggers an important legal battle.
Cupertino will soon target Franklin’s line of unlicensed clone computers with a lawsuit. In the resulting trial, a U.S. court will decide whether a company can protect its operating system by copyright.
The Apple Creator Studio suite of apps gives professionals, emerging creatives, entrepreneurs, students and educators the features they need to realize their artistic vision, Apple said. Photo: Apple
A new Apple Creator Studio subscription bundles six major professional creative apps into a single monthly or yearly plan. The new bundle, announced Tuesday by Apple, includes Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro, Pixelmator Pro, Motion, Compressor and MainStage, plus premium artificial intelligence features in other Apple apps.
“There’s never been a more flexible and accessible way to get started with such a powerful collection of creative apps for professionals, emerging artists, entrepreneurs, students and educators to do their best work and explore their creative interests from start to finish,” said Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior vice president of internet software and services, in a press release.
Steve Jobs introduces the smartphone that changed smartphones. Photo: Apple
January 9, 2007: Apple CEO Steve Jobs gives the world its first look at the iPhone onstage during the Macworld conference in San Francisco. The initial reaction to that first iPhone demo is mixed. But Jobs is confident that Apple has created a product that people want — even if they don’t know it yet.
The palm-size device combines an iPod, a phone and a PDA. The iPhone unveiling excites many Apple fans but critics remain skeptical.
Surprise! iPhone 4 is popular again, this time with Gen Z. AI image: Gemini/Cult of Mac
If you see someone using an iPhone 4, don’t think you’re hallucinating. Members of Gen Z have dusted off the 15-year-old handset and put it back into action.
It’s part of a trend toward retro tech, so it might be time to pull your old gadgets out of storage to see if you can turn them into cash. Or maybe starting using the devices yourself, now that they are cool again.
Background Security Improvements deliver behind-the-scenes software patches to shield iPhone users from hackers. AI image: ChatGPT/Cult of Mac
Apple ran the first test of its new Background Security Improvements feature on Tuesday. Registered developers can access the initial security patch, though it does nothing aside from test the new system.
The eventual goal is enable Apple to distribute security patches separated from software updates.
Santa is watching. And so is NORAD. AI image: ChatGPT/Cult of Mac
It’s Christmas Eve, and Santa Claus is making his annual journey around the world. With the help of the NORAD Santa Tracker on your Mac or iPhone, you can see exactly where he is at any moment, and even follow Jolly Old Saint Nick’s route in real time.
Here’s how to track Kris Kringle’s progress as he delivers gifts across the globe.
Remembering prominent figures associated with Apple who passed away in 2025. AI image: Grok/Cult of Mac
As 2025 draws to a close, the Apple community mourns the loss of four remarkable individuals whose contributions shaped the company’s history and the broader technology landscape.
From revolutionary software engineering to visionary leadership and marketing genius, these pioneers left indelible marks that continue to influence how millions interact with technology today.
China is a massive market for Apple. Photo: Weibo/Tim Cook
December 22, 2013: After months of false starts, Apple finally secures a deal with China Mobile to bring the iPhone to the world’s largest telecom company.
With 760 million potential iPhone customers in the offing, the deal shapes up as Apple’s most important yet for growing its brand in China. In fact, Apple CEO Tim Cook says the country will soon become the company’s biggest market.