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Top Stories - page 18

How to tag photos on iPhone with people and pets

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Tag Your Friends And Family
Despite what my hairline would imply, Craig Federighi is not family. Just friend.
Image: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

You can quickly tag photos on your iPhone with the names of your friends, family members and pets so you can easily find pictures of them later on. The Photos app will detect pictures of people automatically — you just need to give them a name. I’ll show you how to fine-tune the results as well.

I’ll show you how to find this long-standing feature in the new Photos app and make the most of it. Keep reading or watch our video guide.

Should you upgrade Apple gear now to beat rising prices from tariffs?

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upgrade before Apple prices rise
With the possibility of big price hikes looming, those looking to upgrade might want to act fast.
Photo: Apple

President Donald Trump’s newly announced 54% tariff on Chinese imports sent shock waves through the tech industry, with Apple potentially facing billions in additional costs. This raises an urgent question for consumers: Should you rush to buy that new iPhone or MacBook before prices skyrocket?

You might want to accelerate the timing of that upgrade you had in the back of your mind. But those who aren’t desperate to upgrade might benefit from playing the waiting game. See the ins and outs below.

Apple Watch 10 prototype reveals mysterious new health sensor

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Apple Watch 10 prototype back
It's an Apple Watch 10, but the health sensors differ from the production model's.
Photo: Stella - [email protected]

An apparent Apple Watch Series 10 prototype with a significantly different health sensor surfaced online Monday. Speculation suggests the prototype version might indicate work on advanced health monitoring capabilities like blood glucose monitoring — an Apple goal for many years.

Clear out your overstuffed iCloud storage

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How to clear iCloud storage
You create space in iCloud by deleting old backups. Here’s how.
Image: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

It’s World Backup Day, a good opportunity to learn how to clear iCloud storage of old backup files made by iPhone and iPad. Are you running out of iCloud storage space? Worried about privacy? You might want to delete some old backups from the cloud.

The good news is erasing these files is easy if you know the steps to follow. Here’s how.

macOS Sequoia 15.4 brings AI email categorization and Apple Intelligence in new languages

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macOS 15.4
The wait is over for macOS Sequoia 15.4.
Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac

Apple released macOS Sequoia 15.4 for Mac users around the world Monday. The upgrade brings AI-powered automatic categorization of emails in Apple’s Mail app, among other things. Plus, it makes Apple Intelligence available in many more languages and regions.

The launch came earlier than expected — Apple previously said the next macOS version would debut in April.

iPadOS 18.4 also launched Monday with the same mail categorization. Plus, iOS 18.4 reached iPhone users, and visionOS 2.4 arrived as well.

Everything new in iOS 18.4 [Out now]

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Everything New in iOS 18.4
This one is the emoji update.
Image: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

iOS 18.4, which Apple released Monday, brings several significant new features to iPhones. It is one of the biggest updates to the operating system since the initial public release of iOS 18 in September 2024.

Among other things, the update will also introduce a key Apple Intelligence feature that Apple showcased at WWDC24. Keep reading to learn about all the new features in iOS 18.4 — or watch our video. (Apple also released iPadOS 18.4, macOS Sequoia 15.4 and visionOS 2.4, which include similar upgrades, on Monday.)

Apple plans to put an AI health coach on your devices

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Apple AI health coach
The plan had called for an AI health coach to analyze your data and make recommendations.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple may take a significant leap forward in its health initiatives within about a year, completely revamping its Health app and adding an Apple AI health coach, according to a new report.

With more resources trained on the goal, called Project Mulberry, the iPhone giant gets closer to delivering on CEO Tim Cook’s vision that Apple’s greatest contribution to society will be in health care.

iOS 18.4 and macOS Sequoia 15.4 take penultimate step toward release [Update]

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iOS 18.4
The iOS 18.4 Release Candidate means the full version is almost here.
Photo: Apple/Cult of Nac

Apple seeded second release candidates of iOS 18.4 and iPadOS 18.4 on Friday, a day after releasing a second release candidate for macOS 15.4. These follow-up releases likely do nothing but fix bugs discovered in the first release candidates of these operating systems, which Apple released Monday.

When the final versions go live sometime in April, the OS updates will give millions of people around the world their first access to Apple Intelligence (and bring other improvements to boot). But they won’t include the much-anticipated smarter version of Siri that Apple promised last year.

Final Cut Pro adds Image Playground for Mac, portrait mode for iPad and more

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Final Cut Pro adds Image Playground
Final Cut Pro now works with Image Playground.
Photo: Apple

Big updates across Apple’s Final Cut Pro video-editing software lineup introduce AI-driven Image Playground integration, plus improved workflows and enhanced recording options.

Apple released Final Cut Pro updates Thursday that add Image Playground for Mac and iPad users. Plus, iPad users can use the software in portrait orientation for the first time.

Zagg Tough Keys is the iPad 11 keyboard case young students need [Review] ★★★★☆

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Zagg Tough Keys review★★★★☆
Zagg Tough Keys is designed for a kid to do homework on.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple made the recently launched iPad 11 (A16) with younger users in mind, and the Zagg Tough Keys expands the tablet with a keyboard and trackpad that provides 6.6 feet of drop protection — something any parent can see the advantage of.

I took the rugged iPad keyboard case for a test drive. It adds quite a bit for young students, but there are limitations for anyone older. Read on to learn more.

New xMEMS tweeter promises great sound from next-gen earbuds

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xMEMS Labs Lassen tweeter
In the near future, Lassen tweeters may find their way into various manufacturers' wireless earbuds.
Photo: xMEMS Labs

The new solid-state xMEMS Labs Lassen micro speaker is a silicon micro electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) tweeter. It eliminates the need for a separate piezo amplifier while delivering premium sound quality in wireless earbuds, xMEMS Labs said Thursday. As the company’s latest tiny speaker, it could play a big role in next-gen buds.

“Lassen is a revolutionary design based on a proven platform,” said Mike Housholder, VP of Marketing & Business Development at xMEMS. “It will bring the benefits of 2-way earbud audio to a broader market by eliminating the extra cost of the piezo amplifier and minimizing the space and power required to deliver a truly immersive TWS sound experience.”

iPad sunk in river for 5 years helps bust crime ring

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Photo of an iPad recovered from the River Thames in London that served as evidence to convict criminals
Here's the iPad mini, fresh from the River Thames after five years submerged.
Photo: Metropolitan Police Service

An iPad retrieved from the River Thames in London — after sitting underwater and lodged in mud for more than five years — became the crucial piece of evidence that helped police solve a complex international criminal network. The crime ring involved museum heists, luxury robberies and an attempted murder, according to a new report. No big surprise that iPad evidence helps convict criminals — except under these extreme conditions.

The extraordinary case highlights the remarkable resilience of Apple’s iPad technology. It maintained crucial evidence integrity even after years of submersion. The case also demonstrates how digital devices can become key pieces of evidence in solving complex criminal investigations. And that’s even when criminals believe they have successfully disposed of incriminating technology.

How Apple accidentally made the best AI computer

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2025 Mac Studio
2025 Mac Studio
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple is perceived as a laggard in the AI race — despite that, Apple has developed the single best computer for AI research. The new Mac Studio with an M3 Ultra chip, which supports up to 512GB of unified memory, is the easiest and cheapest way to run powerful, cutting-edge LLMs on your own hardware.

The latest DeepSeek v3 model, which sent shockwaves through the AI space for its comparable performance to ChatGPT, can run entirely on a single Mac, Apple AI researchers revealed Monday.

It’s a machine that fits comfortably on your desk, rather than a server farm; it costs the same as a used Honda Civic, not a new Lamborghini.

How did this happen? Most remarkably of all — by sheer coincidence. Here’s why the Apple silicon architecture makes for the best AI hardware, a use case Apple didn’t mean to design it for.

AirFly Pro 2 makes your AirPods even better [Review] ★★★★

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AirFly Pro 2 with AirPods 4★★★★
Connect your AirPods to more things with the new and improved AirFly Pro 2.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Twelve South just launched AirFly Pro 2, which improves on what was already a brilliant AirPods enhancer. Plug it into audio sources that don’t have Bluetooth — like an airliner’s in-seat entertainment system — and you (and a friend!) can listen to them with your AirPods. Alternately, plug it into the AUX port on a car stereo and play music from your iPhone over a wireless connection.

The new version of the Bluetooth audio adapter offers better sound and new controls.

I tested out AirFly Pro 2 with my AirPods, iPhone and other gear. Here’s what I found.

Thrilling Severance season 2 finale keeps some key secrets [Apple TV+ recap] ★★★★

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Severance season 2 episode 10 recap - Mark and Helly★★★★
Mark and Helly gaze upon the nearly complete Cold Harbor file and contemplate their demise.
Photo: Apple TV+

It’s season finale time! In our Severance season 2 episode 10 recap of “Cold Harbor,” we find Mark S. carrying out a wild plan with his allies while his tattered team makes a dangerous last stand against Lumon Industries. At 75 minutes, the episode’s a long one, directed by Ben Stiller. And with the hit show just renewed for a third season, the Severance season two finale actually asks more questions than it answers — before delivering a twist at the end.

Last week’s penultimate episode gave us a slower burn than expected on the way to Friday’s climactic season finale, but it did its job. As the macrodata refiners scattered while Mark and his sister Devon teamed up with company soldier Harmony Cobel to fight Lumon, it felt more like everything was coming apart than coming to a frenzied boil. But that groundwork set the stage for Friday’s outstanding final episode.

EarFun brings massive value with new noise-canceling headphones [Review] ★★★★☆

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EarFun Wave Life headphones review★★★★☆
For $60, these are great headphones for a variety of users.
Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac

In the crowded market of wireless active noise-canceling (ANC) headphones, EarFun’s new Wave Life cans emerge as an intriguing option. They challenge premium brands with good sound quality and a nice array of features. At a typical sale price of $60, I conclude in my EarFun Wave Life headphones review that they make an excellent choice for budget-conscious listeners or as an affordable gift for someone.

3 reasons to watch gripping Dope Thief on Apple TV+

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3 reasons to watch Dope Thief on Apple TV+
Brian Tyree Henry and Wagner Moura star as old friends who screw up royally in Dope Thief.
Photo: Apple TV+

The latest addition to Apple TV+’s impressive lineup, Dope Thief brings a fresh perspective to the crime drama genre. Based on Dennis Tafoya’s 2009 novel of the same name, this gripping series follows two friends who pose as DEA agents to rob Philadelphia drug dealers. But the scheme spirals into chaos when they unknowingly target a major narcotics operation. With its first two episodes now streaming, and six more to go, here are 3 reasons to watch Dope Thief. The compelling show deserves your attention (so far).

M4 MacBook Air: Perfect for practically everybody [Review] ★★★★★

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M4 MacBook Air sitting on a pine table, with a window reflecting on its display★★★★★
Thin, light and powerful as ever.
Photo: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

The 2025 MacBook Air with Apple’s M4 processor comes as close as you can get to a perfect computer for just about everyone. As I found during testing for this review, Apple crammed tons of power into a svelte, lightweight design. And this combination has never been more affordable.

This latest MacBook Air might look familiar on the outside. But when you get to work, you’ll quickly discover that the M4 is a totally different beast. M3 to M4 is the biggest leap in performance since Apple’s original switch from Intel processors to Apple silicon.

I put the latest MacBook Air through its paces for this hands-on review — read what I learned below or watch our video.

iPad 11: Amazing value from a budget tablet [Review] ★★★★

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2025 iPad 11 with Apple A16 review★★★★
The 2025 iPad 11 is a lot of computer for a small amount of money.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Don’t underestimate the basic iPad. As I learned while testing the iPad 11 for this review, the newly updated tablet with an Apple A16 processor is an almost shockingly good computer when one considers it costs only $349.

I put Apple’s latest low-cost tablet to the test and came away reminded that one doesn’t need an iPad Pro to be productive. Or have fun.

Severance sadly sets stage for brutal finale [Apple TV+ recap] ★★★

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Severance season 2 episode 9 recap★★★
At Lumon Industries, even breakfast is unsettlingly weird and creepy.
Photo: Apple TV+

In our Severance season 2 episode 9 recap of “The After Hours,” we find a bit of a letdown instead of the hoped-for hot rush to next week’s finale. Innie Dylan, having fallen for his outie’s wife, gets crushed emotionally and quits Lumon. Burt takes Irving for a ride — and seemingly permanent exile. Innie Helly gets Irving’s map to the mysterious Exports Hall, only to be interrupted by Jame Eagan. And Mark and Devon team with a former foe — former Lumon Industries loyalist Harmony Cobel — to enact a plan against the company. But we still don’t know the plan, with all the bickering going on.

It’s not like it’s a bad episode. It’s just kinda bad for a great show like Severance. It feels like everything is coming apart rather than coming to an explosive boil. Perhaps that’s the groundwork needed for a dramatic finale. We’ll see.

Last week’s episode gave us Lumon and Cobel backstories. Cobel returned to her dying hometown, site of a long-shuttered Lumon ether factory, and came away with proof she invented the Severance procedure. The return to Lumon and the other characters didn’t please me as much as I expected it would.

3 reasons to watch Vietnam: The War That Changed America on Apple TV+

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Vietnam: The War That Changed America review
Yet another Vietnam War documentary? Yeah, but it's worth watching.
Photo: Apple TV+

Apple TV+’s six-part docuseries Vietnam: The War That Changed America offers a profound and multifaceted exploration of one of the most controversial conflicts in American history. In this Vietnam: The War That Changed America review, I’ll tell you why the series is worth watching.

Narrated by actor Ethan Hawke, this series provides viewers with a surprisingly personal look into the Vietnam War and its lasting impact on both American and Vietnamese societies. I felt its biggest impact in the first few episodes, perhaps because that’s when the novelty of the storytelling felt freshest. I’ve been hearing about the Vietnam War for decades, so it’s surprising when a documentary sucks me in, as the first half of this one did.

Apple goes to new performance extremes with M3 Ultra chip

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Apple unveils M3 Ultra chip
"M3 Ultra features a 32-core CPU, an 80-core GPU, double the Neural Engine cores, Thunderbolt 5, and support for the most unified memory ever in a personal computer," Apple said.
Photo: Apple

Apple unveiled the M3 Ultra chip as an option in the new MacStudio desktop Wednesday. As the company’s most powerful silicon chip to date, it brings unprecedented performance to pro users with demanding workflows. The other option in the new desktop machine is the M4 Max chip, which is actually less powerful than the M3 Ultra.

“M3 Ultra is the pinnacle of our scalable system-on-a-chip architecture, aimed specifically at users who run the most heavily threaded and bandwidth-intensive applications,” said Johny Srouji, Apple’s senior vice president of Hardware Technologies.

“Thanks to its 32-core CPU, massive GPU, support for the most unified memory ever in a personal computer, Thunderbolt 5 connectivity, and industry-leading power efficiency, there’s no other chip like M3 Ultra,” he added.

2025 Mac Studio launches as ‘the most powerful Mac ever’

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2025 Mac Studio
The 2025 Mac Studio is here, with either M4 Max and M3 Ultra processors.
Photo: Apple

The long wait for an upgraded Mac Studio finally ended. A version with an M4 Max processor and (surprise!) an M3 Ultra chip launched Wednesday.

“The new Mac Studio is the most powerful Mac we’ve ever made,” said John Ternus, Apple’s senior vice president of Hardware Engineering. “A complete game-changer for pros around the world — powering both home and pro studios — Mac Studio sits in a class of its own, offering a staggering amount of performance in a compact, quiet design that fits beautifully on your desk. With this new Mac Studio, we’re delivering even more extreme performance with M4 Max and M3 Ultra, support for half a terabyte of unified memory, up to 16TB of superfast storage, and Thunderbolt 5 connectivity. Mac Studio truly is the ultimate pro desktop.”

iPad 11 chip upgrade does not bring Apple Intelligence

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iPad 11 colors
iPad 11 is here. But don’t go looking for Apple Intelligence.
Photo: Apple

The budget iPad, one of Apple’s most popular tablets, now comes with a faster A16 processor, and the base model packs twice the storage capacity. However, for the most part, the iPad 11 — which Apple quietly released Tuesday — stays the same as its predecessor. While Apple made incremental changes to the iPad lineup, there is growing anticipation around MacBook Air rumors, suggesting a significant update is on the horizon.

And, in a surprise move, the tablet did not join the club of devices that support Apple Intelligence.