Lower cost Beats earbuds and headphone are supposedly on the way. Image: Apple/Cult of Mac
Apple is reportedly mere days away from launching Beats Solo Buds truly wireless earbuds. And Beats Solo 4 over-the-ears headphones will also premiere on Tuesday, April 30, according to an unconfirmed report.
Both will supposedly cost significantly less than similar AirPods models, though without all the same features.
We've got an iPad event coming in hot! Image: Cult of Mac
This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: The surprise Apple event on May 7 looks like an iPad and Apple Pencil extravaganza. What’s on Cupertino’s agenda? We discuss all the latest iPad rumors.
Also on The CultCast:
Apple might finally fix one of the iPad’s most glaring omissions. Can you say iPad calculator app?
iOS 18’s big push into artificial intelligence leaves some of us hopeful and others of us skeptical. Same goes for the iPhone 16’s rumored move away from physical buttons.
Some new Apple Watch Series X concept art gets our hearts pounding. (Better check that ECG!)
Plus, an instant tangent where we hear all about Erfon’s failed attempt at buying his dream camera.
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.
Suddenly got logged out of your Apple account? You're not alone. Image: Cult of Mac
Many Apple users report suddenly being locked out of their Apple ID account on their devices. Worse, they could not log back into their account with their password, forcing them to reset their login credentials.
Apple has not yet acknowledged this issue, and it does not appear linked to any iCloud server outages.
Apple might partner with both Google and OpenAI for iOS 18's AI features. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Apple has reportedly resumed talks with OpenAI about using its technology to power iOS 18’s AI features. The company will use OpenAI’s LLM model to seemingly power an AI-based chatbot.
OpenAI and Apple are also discussing how they can integrate OpenAI features into iOS 18.
2nm processors made by TSMC will be faster while using less power than today's 3nm iPhone and Mac chips. But there's bad news. Image: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Although Apple’s chip-maker TSMC will start making processors with a 2nm process in 2025, production could begin too late for next year’s iPhone.
Still, TSMC says 1.6nm chips will go into production in 2026.
This is a major overhaul of the app, which lets you manage functions and content on iPhone and iPad. Photo: DigiDNA
The new iMazing 3 app redesign brings a fresh user interface and Vision Pro connectivity support to the software, developer DigiDNA said Wednesday. The widely used software helps you manage iPhone, iPad and iPod content and functionality from a Mac.
“In the eight year since we released iMazing 2, regular updates have improved functionality and expanded device and OS support,” said DigiDNA CEO Jerome Bedat.
“To achieve our vision for iMazing 3, we had to redevelop our approach, with a modern user interface and new codebase that will allow us to deliver features in the future that no one else can offer,” he added.
It's not challenging to guess that Apple Pencil 3 is on the agenda for the May 7 Apple event. Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac
Apple Pencil 3 is apparently right around the corner, and leaks indicate the next iPad stylus will offer several features not in the previous one. That includes a new “squeeze” gesture, haptic feedback and Find My support.
Passkey support finally comes to WhatsApp for iPhone. Image: WhatsApp
WhatsApp is making it easier to log into your account on your iPhone with passkey support. The feature will allow you to verify your identity through Face ID, Touch ID, or device PIN.
Once you have set up a passkey for your WhatsApp account, you can set up the app on a new iPhone through biometric authentication, skipping the SMS code entirely.
iPhone sales tanked in the US, but that doesn't mean buyers are switching to Android. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Apple saw iPhone activations decline to 33% of new smartphone activations in the US in Q1 2024, the lowest number in the country since 2017, according to a market-research firm. In the year-ago quarter, iPhones accounted for 40% of new smartphone activations in the US. In just 12 months, the company has seen its share fall by 7%.
The decline doesn’t necessarily stem from a lack of interest in Apple’s products — iPhone’s share of the installed smartphone base has actually increased. Partly it’s because iOS handsets last so long.
A refurbished Apple Watch Series 9 is as good as new but costs much less. Image: Cult of Mac
Savvy shoppers can now buy Apple Watch Series 9 from Apple’s Certified Refurbished store. It’s a no-risk way to pick up the wearable at up to $110 below the usual price.
These are primarily devices that consumers bought then returned so supplies and selection are somewhat limited.