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Top Stories - page 11

Powerbeats Pro 2 vs. AirPods Pro 2: Which premium Apple earbuds should you choose?

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Powerbeats Pro 2 vs. AirPods Pro 2
When it comes to Apple's top noise-canceling earbuds, it's an easy choice for some and a tough choice for others.
Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac

Apple’s audio lineup recently expanded with the arrival of Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 earbuds, creating an interesting competition with the established AirPods Pro 2. Both high-end wireless earbuds share Apple’s technology backbone but target different segments of the market. So in a Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 vs. AirPods Pro 2 comparison, which should you choose?

Let’s compare these premium options across design, features, performance and value to help you determine which is right for your lifestyle.

Humane’s Ai Pin bombed because voice control is (mostly) a terrible idea

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Humane AI Pin canceled
The Humane AI Pin got canceled, and for good reason.
Photo: Humane/Cult of Mac

Apple and other device makers should learn a crucial lesson from the failure of the canceled Humane Ai Pin: While voice control can play a role in new devices, it needs to be very limited. It’s simply not practical for people to talk to their computers except in special circumstances.

I hope the developers at Apple working on Siri and future versions of the HomePod took notes while Humane cratered.

Mark S. risks all as Severance bonds are tested [Apple TV+ recap] ★★★★☆

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Severance season 2 episode 6 recap★★★★☆
Innie Helly wants some of what outie Helena Eagan got.
Photo: Apple TV+

In our Severance season 2 episode 6 recap of the episode titled “Attila,” we see strange liaisons inside and outside of Lumon Industries. Mark S. and Helly R. get busy in an unused Lumon office. Outie Irving attends a tense but ultimately rewarding dinner with Burt and his husband, Fields. Before the end, Mark S. takes a reckless risk that could be life-threatening.

Last week’s episode 5 brought us back inside Lumon Industries hallways in the aftermath of the ORTBO team-building event out in the wintry woods — and a few steps closer to solving the sinister company’s mysteries.

Ark Pro power bank provides good value for travelers [Review] ★★★

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Alogic Ark Pro power bank review★★★
With a huge battery and 140 watts of ready power, Alogic Ark Pro power bank can fast-charge MacBooks and more on the road.
Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac

Released earlier this month, the Alogic Ark Pro power bank is a beast of a charger with a big 27,600mAh battery, up to 140 watts of charging power for MacBooks and other devices, an attached cable and a color display. IATA-compliant, it’s the biggest battery you can take on a plane, according to Alogic. The only question is, would you? It’s pretty hefty.

Everything Apple stripped out of iPhone 16 to make the iPhone 16e

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iPhone 16 versus iPhone 16e
iPhone 16e is essentially the iPhone 16 but with many features pulled out. Is it right for you?
Image: Apple/.Cult of Mac

To absolutely nobody’s surprise, the newly launched iPhone 16e is missing features found in higher-end models. But what exactly did Apple exclude from this stripped-down version of the iPhone 16? The two models have quite a lot in common — the same size screen, general design, A18 chip and more. But many secondary features don’t appear in the cheaper model.

Check this list of all the missing features in the iPhone 16e before deciding to buy Apple’s budget handset. You might not be able to live without some of them.

With iPhone 16e, Apple brings big speed boost to budget model

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iPhone 16e
The iPhone 16e replaces the iPhone SE with a larger screen, better cameras, Apple Intelligence… and a higher price.
Graphic: Apple/Cult of Mac

Apple’s budget iPhone SE morphed into the new iPhone 16e Wednesday, bringing a thorough redesign with a larger screen, longer battery life, a more robust camera, and a processor that can handle Apple Intelligence tasks. It’s a whole new “budget” iPhone, and it comes at a 40% price increase over the iPhone SE 3, at $599.

This is iPhone 16e with our latest-generation Apple silicon, breakthrough battery life, an incredible high-resolution, two-in-one camera system, and the powerful features of iOS 18, all in a durable and beautiful design,” said Apple CEO Tim Cook in a video about the new entry-level iPhone. However, unlike the standard model, the 16e lacks some premium features like the iPhone 16 Dynamic Island, which enhances user experience with interactive notifications and multitasking improvements.

“iPhone 16e joins the iPhone 16 family as its most affordable member,” he added. “And it has Apple Intelligence, our powerful personal intelligence system with features that help you save time, quickly get more things done, and express yourself in new ways.”

Dio Node AirPlay speakers fill your home with sound [Review] ★★★★

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Dio Node AirPlay speaker★★★★
Dio Node: Big sound in a small package.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Dio Node speakers connect to your Wi-Fi network and let you easily stream music, podcasts and more from your iPhone or Mac. Thanks to support for AirPlay, virtually any audio on the device can stream to one or more of these speakers.

I put an array of Node speakers to the test in my house. They invite an immediate comparison to HomePod mini, given the features and price, so I put them up against Apple’s smart speaker, too.

What rumors reveal about speedy new iPad 11

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iPad 11 rumors
You don’t have to wait for an official announcement to learn about the iPad 11.
Image: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The latest iPad 11 rumors indicate Apple’s next-gen budget tablet will look quite familiar but benefit from internal upgrades. The wait for a new budget tablet from Apple now stretches well over two years, but the iPad 11 is finally drawing near.

Here’s what to look forward to from the affordable tablet expected to launch by spring.

Tim Cook teases new Apple product, but what is it?

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Animated chromatic Apple logo over a light gray background, with a circlular shape
What could it mean?
Animation: Apple

Apple CEO Tim Cook revealed Thursday that his company plans to launch a new product on February 19. He didn’t say what’s on the agenda, other than using a social media post to tease “the newest member of the family.”

There are actually several Apple products that rumors indicate could launch then, including AirTag 2, a new HomePod, the iPhone SE 4, and the MacBook Air with an M4 processor. If you’re curious when does the new MacBook Pro come out, reports suggest Apple may introduce it alongside other anticipated products.

Why every cord-cutter needs a Tablo [Review] ★★★★☆

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Original photo of Nuvyyo Tablo TV DVR (4th Gen) to illustrate our review★★★★☆
Stop missing out on local TV with an affordable Tablo over-the-air DVR with antenna.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Nuvyyo’s Tablo picks up local TV broadcasts and lets you watch or record them on your TV, phone or tablet. As you’ll see in this Tablo TV review, it’s a brilliant solution for cord-cutters who lost access to CBS, ABC, etc., when they dropped their expensive cable subscriptions.

The device costs less than $100, with no subscriptions required and no hidden fees. For this review, I tested the latest Nuvyyo Tablo with my Apple devices and found the over-the-air DVR to be darn good, if not perfect.

This post contains affiliate links. Cult of Mac may earn a commission when you use our links to buy items.

Compact USB-C travel charger powers your computers in 200 countries [Review] ★★★★

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Rolling Square Pocket Travel Charger★★★★
Here’s proof that international travel chargers don’t have to be bulky.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The Rolling Square Pocket Travel Charger should make you forget that bulky international charger you used to carry. It offers the plugs needed to juice up your Apple gear in over 200 countries, but is about the same size as single-country chargers… and smaller than many of those.

One version includes a 30W USB-C port, while a second puts out 20W via a USB-C or a USB-A port.

I tested this accessory to be sure it deserves a spot in your luggage.

Apple closes iPhone security hole with fresh software update

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iOS 18.3.1
Install iOS 18.3.1 if you have any concern your iPhone might get hacked. Or if you just don’t want bugs.
Screenshot: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

iOS 18.3.1, iPadOS 18.3.1 and more updates went out Monday. These bring bug fixes, while a security update makes them highly recommended for anyone with a compatible iPhone or iPad.

In addition, you can download macOS Sequoia 15.3.1, watchOS 11.3.1 and visionOS 2.3.1 — each with their own fixes — now as well.

Everything to expect from the redesigned iPhone SE 4

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iPhone SE 4 rumors
There’s no reason to wait to find out all about the iPhone SE 4.
Image: Majin Bu/CCult of Mac

The iPhone SE 4 could launch this week, bringing a significant redesign to Apple’s budget handset. It’ll reportedly mean the end of features that were iPhone hallmarks for many years, like the Home button. Plus, it’ll support Cupertino’s new collection of AI-powered features. Stay updated with the latest iOS news and what this means for iPhone SE owners by checking out this article.

Read on to learn everything that already leaked out describing the revamped fourth-generation SE.

Severance boldly sends Mark S. back to his Lumon beginnings [Apple TV+ recap] ★★★★

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Severance s2 ep 3 recap - Scott-Lower with Mrs. Casey missing poster★★★★
Lumon's Mrs. Casey, seemingly also Mark S.'s dearly departed wife, Gemma, appears to be missing.
Photo: Apple TV+

In our Severance season 2 episode 3 recap, I confess I felt my patience with the endlessly weird show might expire, as yet another maybe-just-weird-for-weird’s-sake thing happened. But then an intriguing puzzle piece appeared, dangled like a treat, and my rising impatience fell away. For now. In a good puzzle-box show, that’s how it works.

Last week’s episode 2 showed what it took, from outies’ perspectives, for Mr. Milchick, Helena Eagan and others to get the innie Macrodata Refinement crew back to work after the Overtime Contingency allowed them temporary freedom. This week’s episode goes further down innie rabbit holes, slowly luring us toward who the hell knows what. But at least there are a lot more goats, and an improved-yet-still-dangerous outlaw reintegration procedure might be outie Mark S’s path to cracking Lumon’s mysteries and finding his wife.

In other words, the whole season’s story arc became more clear in this episode.

Mind-melting stats from Apple’s profitable earnings call

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AI-generated image of Apple logo apparently made of silver-colored liquid metal, with the words
Some of Apple's impressive numbers are so large, it's hard to wrap your head around them.
AI image: Midjourney/Cult of Mac

We went through Apple CEO Tim Cook’s earnings call with investors on Thursday, and found some genuine surprises during the discussion of the financial results of the holiday 2024 quarter. We also turned up impressive figures showing just how well the company is doing.

Financial details don’t have to be boring. Here are the high points from the call as quickly and as interesting as we can make them.

Apple smashes its all-time revenue record

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An AI-generated image with a gold Apple logo sitting atop a pile of American money, with the words
Apple squeaks past Wall Street estimates by delivering "all-time records for total company revenue and EPS."
AI image: Midjourney/Cult of Mac

Wall Street analysts set an ambitious goal for Apple to beat by predicting the iPhone maker’s revenue had increased 4% during the critical holiday shopping season. No problem — Apple met or exceeded those expectations.

“Today Apple is reporting our best quarter ever, with revenue of $124.3 billion, up 4 percent from a year ago,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO. “We were thrilled to bring customers our best-ever lineup of products and services during the holiday season.” Meanwhile, Apple Watch news has been making headlines, highlighting significant shifts in market trends. 

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.

Lumon deals with Severance outies in Overtime Contingency’s aftermath [Apple TV+ recap] ★★★★☆

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Severance season 2 episode 2 recap - Helly★★★★☆
Britt Lower plays innie Helly R. and outie Helena Eagan on "Severance." We learned in the season's first episode that her outie is the daughter of Lumon's CEO.
Photo: Apple TV+

In our Severance season 2 episode 2 recap, we discover the lengths to which Lumon Industries went to clean up after the Overtime Contingency (OTC) that enabled the rebelling innies to briefly escape to the outside world at the end of season one.

In last week’s season two debut, the Macrodata Refinement (MDR) crew came back to work on the severed floor. This week’s episode, “Goodbye, Mrs. Selvig,” doubles back to show what it took for Mr. Milchick, Helena Eagan and others to get them there. It doesn’t quite have the first episode’s high impact — it brought the show back to us after season one’s climactic cliffhangers three years ago — but it clarifies matters while introducing new questions.

3D holographic display will make your eyes pop [Review] ★★★★☆

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Looking Glass Go★★★★☆
Don’t be fooled; Looking Glass Go is like no other digital picture frame.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Your iPhone takes beautiful bokeh images, and these look truly astonishing on Looking Glass Go, a display that turns your pictures into 3D holograms. Children, pets, whatever you send to the screen seems to be floating in the frame. No headset or special glasses are necessary.

As cool as the 6-inch photo frame is — and it’s very cool — my time with the product turned up limitations you should consider before purchase.

Top Apple TV+ shows like Severance bring in big bucks, new report shows

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how much money do Apple TV+ shows make?
Apparently the first season of "Severance" brought in $200 million.
Photo: Apple TV+

The psychological workplace thriller series Severance proved to be a major success story for Apple TV+, generating over $200 million in revenue from its first season alone, new analytics data shows. And it’s not the only Apple TV+ show bringing in big bucks for the iPhone giant, according to a new report. So how much money do Apple TV+ shows make? See below.

New MacBook, iPhone and iPads could launch in just weeks

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Apple winter event
A whole slew of products could launch at a possible Apple winter 2025 event.
Photo: Gemini/Cult of Mac

Apple appears ready to start 2025 strong by launching a new low-price iPhone, a faster MacBook Air and a pair of revamped iPad models. These could come at a possible Apple winter event as early as February, though the wait might be longer.

An Apple winter event isn’t a given. The company could simply issue a series of press releases introducing the new products. No matter what, you don’t need to wait until the official announcements to know what’s in store. Here are the rumors available on all four upcoming devices.

Clip-on earbuds excel at comfort but fit can mess with sound quality [Review] ★★★☆☆

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Edifier Comfo C earbuds review★★★☆☆
These lightweight clip-on earbuds have a comfortable and secure fit. But that includes a big downside for me.
Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac

Perfection is hard to find in life, and so it is with the world’s many and varied earbuds. In my hands-on Edifier Comfo C earbuds review, I look at how the supremely comfortable and secure the clip-on wireless earbuds fit, making them a solid choice for many active users. And yet for me, that same fit keeps the sound quality from being all it could be, which makes me less likely to wear the buds.

‘It’s been a minute’ since we felt that Severance vertigo [Apple TV+ recap] ★★★★★

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Severance season 2 episode 1 recap★★★★★
Reunited, the Macrodata Refinement team meets the Severed floor's new deputy manager, Ms. Huang.
Photo: Apple TV+

After a three-year wait that felt longer than a day working at Lumon Industries, Severance is finally back! The season two premiere, entitled “Hello, Ms. Cobel,” picks up right where we left our favorite corporate drones. In our Severance season 2 episode 1 recap, we look at the fascinating twists and turns that prove the show hasn’t lost its edge. As the season goes on, let’s see if it keeps it.

EarFun OpenJump earbuds: Your budget-friendly fitness pal [Review] ★★★★

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EarFun OpenJump earbuds review★★★★
EarFun OpenJump wireless earbuds hook on comfortably and securely.
Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac

Are you into exercise and looking for wireless earbuds that’ll take your workout punishment but not break the bank? Look no further than EarFun OpenJump Open-Ear Wireless Earbuds. They aren’t fancy, but the lightweight, hook-on earbuds deliver comfort, security and solid audio without a premium price tag.

Let’s dive into what makes these earbuds, available now for preorder at a substantial discount, stand out in a crowded market.