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Easy Apple Watch hack will keep you on time, even if you’re always late [Pro Tip]

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Never Run Late Again after you change your Apple Watch time
Cult of Mac is not legally responsible if you are still late after turning on this feature.
Image: Crew/Wikimedia Commons/D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

Pro tip bug Set your Apple Watch time a few minutes ahead of the actual time and you might trick yourself out of running late every day. This is an officially supported feature, not a hack that will produce cascading, annoying side effects. And it doesn’t require you to set your smartwatch out of sync with internet time, which can also cause problems.

What will you gain? By running your Apple Watch a few minutes fast, you might nudge yourself to rush out the door a little earlier. And that might be enough to get you somewhere on time rather than late. If tardiness is a frequent problem for you, this little anti-procrastination tweak could save your skin.

5 Mac mini and Mac Studio upgrades that deserve more attention

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There are a lot of under-the-hood upgrades on the Mac Studio and Mac mini.
Several under-the-hood upgrades give the latest Mac Studio and Mac mini models a real boost.
Photo: Joey Banks/Unsplash License

Apple’s latest Mac mini and Mac Studio computers don’t just come with faster M-series chips. They also pack certain underlying upgrades that make them even more capable and appealing than their predecessors.

That includes faster storage, better connectivity and boosted memory bandwidth. Here are five important Mac mini and Mac Studio upgrades you might have missed.

John Ternus faces classic dilemma as he takes over as Apple CEO

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Headshot of Apple CEO John Ternus
John Ternus brings years of hardware experience to his new role as Apple CEO.
Image: Apple/Cult of Mac

John Ternus officially took over as Apple’s CEO on Tuesday, and his key challenge will likely be the classic “innovator’s dilemma.” Should he focus on maintaining Apple’s dominant position or ruthlessly cannibalize the products he helped develop during his 25-year career at Apple?

Ternus, a certified hardware guy, replaced operations whiz Tim Cook, who served as Apple’s CEO for 15 years after taking over from Steve Jobs. Apple updated its website’s leadership page to reflect this gigantic change — and it reveals some of Ternus’ top priorities going forward.

AirPods 5 could launch very soon — what we know

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AirPods 5 rumors: Coming soon? Already?
Expect AirPods 5 to look much like AirPods 4, but sound better.
Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac

Update: This article is now moot because Apple introduced AirPods 5 at its Rise and Shine product launch event on September 12. Get the official details:


AirPods 4 could give way to AirPods 5 in the coming weeks, likely ushering in improved audio quality.

It’s a somewhat surprising development — a new version wasn’t really anticipated for another year — but there’s solid evidence that Apple is preparing to give its entry-level wireless earbuds a refresh. Perhaps as soon as this month.

Here’s what we can look forward to.

Today in Apple history: Ping social network fails to strike a chord

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Photo of Steve Jobs demoing Apple music social network Ping onstage
Apple's music social network starts strong but fails fast.
Photo: Apple

September 1: Today in Apple history: Apple's Ping social network fails to strike a chord September 1, 2010: Apple’s new music-focused social network, Ping, ships as part of iTunes 10. Apple says the service will let users discover new music and more easily follow their favorite artists.

“In iTunes 10, we’re announcing something really cool, and we call it Ping,” says Apple CEO Steve Jobs during his demo of the new service. “And what Ping is, is it’s a social network for music. It’s sort of like Facebook and Twitter meet iTunes. You know, it’s not Facebook, it’s not Twitter. It’s something else that we’ve come up with.”

Ping racks up 1 million signups in the first 48 hours. Nevertheless, Apple’s social network is doomed from the start.

I gave my Mac five drive bays without building a NAS [Review] ★★★★☆

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ORICO 5-bay MacData Vault★★★★☆
This Orico five-bay DAS gets a lot right.
Photo: Rajesh Pandey/Cult of Mac

The Orico MacData Vault puts five SATA drives and hardware RAID into a compact aluminum enclosure that looks right at home beside a Mac. It feels solid and runs quietly.

However, its screw-mounted drive trays and hardware-only RAID controls make the setup feel more dated than I expected from a premium direct-attached storage, aka DAS, device in 2026. There is also an important catch for Mac users. Find out more in my review.

Today in Apple history: iMac G5 takes a page out of the iPod’s playbook

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Photo of the iMac G5, which borrowed its design from the iPod
The iMac G5 looked like the world's biggest iPod.
Photo: Matthew Pearce/Flickr CC

August 31: Today in Apple history: iMac G5 takes a page out of the iPod's playbook August 31, 2004: Apple launches the iMac G5, a distinctive, white plastic computer that looks a little like the world’s biggest iPod.

Housed in a 2-inch-thick enclosure reminiscent of Apple’s Cinema Displays, the new all-in-one machine bridges the gap between the pleasing plasticity of the iconic original iMac and the minimalist form factor of the ultra-slim aluminum Macs that will follow.

“Just like the iPod redefined portable digital music players, the new iMac G5 redefines what users expect from a consumer desktop,” says Phil Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of worldwide product marketing, in a press release. “With the entire system, including a gorgeous 17- or 20-inch display, just two inches thin, a lot of people will be wondering ‘where did the computer go?’”

OLED iPad mini: Everything we know so far

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OLED iPad mini rumors: Coming soon
The long-anticipated OLED iPad mini is almost here!
Concept: Cult of Mac

Apple’s OLED iPad mini is closing in on release. A fresh report says the redesigned tablet would reach store shelves by the end of October.

Expect a sharper, brighter screen as well as a faster chip built for Apple Intelligence. Apple is also said to be reworking the tablet’s shell for better water resistance.

Read on for everything to expect in the OLED iPad mini.

Today in Apple history: Steve Jobs gets embroiled in stock-backdating scandal

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Steve Jobs-inspired art
Steve Jobs' stock demands changed some people's view of the tech innovator.
Photo: Jason Mercier/ChatGPT/Cult of Mac

August 29: Today in Apple history: Steve Jobs gets embroiled in Apple stock-backdating scandal August 29, 2001: During a meeting, Apple’s board of directors awards CEO Steve Jobs new stock options that will become part of a stock-backdating scandal several years later.

When the matter eventually ends up in court, Apple’s former general counsel pays $2.2 million to settle charges that she backdated stock options for Jobs, herself and others and created fake paperwork to hide this fact.

M6 Mac mini vs. M4 Mac mini: Everything that changed

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M4 Mac mini replaced by more powerful M6 model
The M4 Mac mini just got replaced by a more powerful M6 model.
Image: Apple/Cult of Mac

Apple’s just-launched Mac mini looks exactly the same on the outside as the previous model. But an M6 Mac mini versus M4 Mac mini comparison reveals a very different machine inside.

The all-new M6 chip is one option for the tiny desktop, and it’s the one designed for students and casual users. The Mac can also be configured with an M5 Pro processor, but that is for professionals and was discussed in a separate article. This one focuses on the benefits the M6 brings to consumers. 

How to make Google Translate your iPhone’s default translation app

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Make Google Translate the iPhone default translation app
Google Translate can take on converting text into a language you can read.
Photo: Cult of Mac

If Apple Translate doesn’t offer the languages you need, you can set Google Translate as your iPhone or iPad’s default translation app. Google’s translation app supports 249 languages, whereas Apple Translate currently can handle only 19.

Google’s broad scope comes in handy if you regularly read materials written in languages that Apple Translate doesn’t cover. And Google Translate is not the only alternative translation app for iPhone.

M6 vs. M5 Pro: Why Apple’s newer chip isn’t always better

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M6 vs. M5 Pro comparison
Apple's new M6 processor packs a 2nm punch, but the M5 Pro lives up to its name.
Image: Cult of Mac

With the latest Mac mini, Apple launched its first 2nm chip: the M6. It stands out for several reasons, including enhanced single-core performance and dual Neural Engines for better AI performance.

But that does not automatically make it better than the M5 Pro, which trumps the M6 in some key areas.

Both are available in the new Mac mini, so it’s up to buyers to choose which is the better option for them. To help with the decision, here’s how the two stack up.

Powerful new multiport charger has the coolest display ever [Review] ★★★★★

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BMX GaNsta Pixel review: 140W wall charger★★★★★
You'll never have trouble seeing the screen built into the BMX GaNsta Pixel.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The best wall chargers include a display so you don’t have to guess about how much power is flowing. The BMX GaNsta Pixel has one too… and it’s both cool-looking and really easy to read.

More than that, the charger goes up to 140 watts — plenty to power your MacBook. Plus, there are three USB-C charging ports and a USB-A one, too.

I put the Mac/iPhone accessory through real-world testing and came away impressed. And I love its large display.

Today in Apple history: Rainbow Apple logo gets a modern overhaul

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Photo of exterior of Apple store, showing the company's large, white
On this day in 1999, Apple ditched its rainbow logo for something more subtle.
Photo: Lyle Kahney/Cult of Mac

August 27: Today in Apple history: Rainbow Apple logo gets a modern overhaul August 27, 1999: Apple Computer swaps out the striped, multicolored logo the company had used since 1977 for a new single-color version. The evolution of the iconic Apple logo from rainbow to monochrome shocks many longtime fans.

However, it is part of a sustained, company-wide overhaul led by Apple CEO Steve Jobs. The makeover includes new products, the “Think Different” ad campaign and, eventually, the removal of the word “Computer” from the company’s name.

Today in Apple history: Steve Jobs and Bill Gates talk ‘future of the PC’

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Photo illustration of the cover of Fortune Magazine from August 1991 that contained a rare joint interview with Steve Jobs and Bill Gates.
In a rare joint interview, Steve Jobs and Bill Gates discussed computing and traded barbs.
Photo: Cult of Mac (stock image from Reviewsapex)

August 26: Today in Apple historyAugust 26, 1991: In their first joint interview, Steve Jobs and Bill Gates trade barbs and debate “the future of the PC” in Fortune magazine.

The spirited discussion marks 10 years since the first IBM PC shipped. The piece also looks at what the future holds for both men — described as the former “boy wonders of computing, now thirtysomething.”

M5 vs. M5 Pro vs. M5 Max vs. M5 Ultra: The differences that matter

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M5 chip comparison
Apple filled out the M5 processor family. Which is right for your Mac?
Image: Apple/Cult of Mac

With the launch of the M5 Ultra in the new Mac Studio, Apple’s M5 chip lineup is finally complete. The M5 is the entry-level chip for most Mac users, while the M5 Pro, Max and Ultra progressively add more CPU and GPU cores and unified memory.

Wondering how each differs from one another, and which is the best option for you? Here’s a detailed comparison of the M5 chip family.

Today in Apple history: Meet the ‘world-saving’ PowerBook 5300

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Photo of the Apple PowerBook 5300 laptop on a white background
The top-spec PowerBook 5300 remains the priciest (and most famous) laptop in Apple history.
Photo: Serged/Wikimedia

Aug25August 25, 1995: Apple releases the PowerBook 5300, the Mac laptop that will save the world from alien invaders in the 1996 blockbuster movie Independence Day.

The computer will make many more big-screen appearances, too. See some of the laptop’s most high-profile Hollywood cameos below.

Mac mini gets huge performance boost with M6 and M5 Pro chips

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Photo of M6 Mac mini with a monitor
Apple just juiced up the Mac mini with M6 and M5 Pro chips.
Photo: Apple

Apple just gave its smallest Mac an outsized performance upgrade. The company on Tuesday launched new Mac mini versions powered by either the all-new M6 chip or the more powerful M5 Pro, bringing substantially faster performance and a major focus on local AI workloads to the tiny desktop.

“Whether it’s being used as a home computer, powering a professional studio, or as an always-on agentic device, it’s the little Mac that can do it all,” said Johny Srouji, Apple’s chief hardware officer. “Today, we’re taking this versatility even further.”

Mac Studio upgraded with super-fast M5 Max and M5 Ultra processors

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M5 Max and M5 Ultra make Mac Studio even more powerful
Mac Studio just got a substantial performance boost.
Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac

Apple just gave its most powerful desktop Mac a major performance boost. The company on Tuesday introduced an upgraded Mac Studio powered by the M5 Max processor and the all-new M5 Ultra, promising substantially faster AI, graphics and CPU performance in the same compact design.

Mac Studio is the ultimate desktop for on-device AI and the world’s most demanding pro workflows, relied on by users for its tremendous performance and extensive pro connectivity, all in a quiet, compact design that sits right on your desk — and today, we’re pushing the boundaries even further,” said Johny Srouji, Apple’s chief hardware officer, in a press release.

Today in Apple history: Steve Jobs resigns as Apple CEO

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Photo of Steve Jobs presenting an Apple product, used to illustrate a story about him resigning as Apple CEO
Steve Jobs' health wouldn't allow him to continue as CEO.
Photo: Ben Stanfield/Flickr CC

August 24: Today in Apple history: Steve Jobs resigns as Apple CEO August 24, 2011: With his health worsening, a cancer-stricken Steve Jobs resigns from his role leading Apple. Tim Cook assumes the role of Apple’s seventh CEO.

“I have always said if there ever came a day when I could no longer meet my duties and expectations as Apple’s CEO, I would be the first to let you know,” Jobs writes in his retirement letter to the Apple board. “Unfortunately that day has come.”

Today in Apple history: iPad takes to the skies with United Airlines

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Photo of United Airlines pilots with iPads in an airplane cockpit as part of the company's new
If only they had known about the iPad Air...
Photo: United Airlines

23 Today in Apple history: United Airlines will issue iPads to pilots August 23, 2011: United Airlines says it will hand out 11,000 iPads to its pilots as part of its “paperless flight deck” filled with essential data. It’s the largest rollout yet of Apple tablets as a replacement for the weighty flight bags traditionally carried by aircrews.

Going paperless saves around 16 million sheets of paper each year, the equivalent of 1,900 trees not cut down. Even better, the weight difference between the 1.5-pound iPad and the 40-pound flight bag saves an estimated 326,000 gallons of jet fuel per year!

Why you should never put a wet iPhone in a bowl of rice

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Image of a phone in the rain for an article on why you should never put a wet iPhone in dry rice
A wet iPhone isn't a crisis ... if you handle things right.
Photo: Anderson Martins/Pexels/Cult of Mac

Conventional wisdom says that an iPhone that’s been dropped in water should immediately go into a bowl of dry rice to absorb the excess moisture. Turns out that’s rubbish advice for dealing with a wet iPhone.

Worse yet: It’s actively bad for your device. Here’s what to do instead.

This DIY hack adds a Touch ID sensor to your Mac

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Photo of Dashboard Touch DIY Touch ID sensor for Mac
You can mount the DIY Touch ID sensor wherever you like.
Photo: Anil Dash

Want to add Touch ID to your Mac without giving up your favorite keyboard? A DIY Touch ID project called the Dashboard Touch shows how you can build your own fingerprint sensor for less than $35.

It’s not as secure as Apple’s own implementation, but Anil Dash’s new DIY Touch ID hack should be safe enough for most users.

Apple Watch Series 12: Everything we know so far

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A picture of the Apple Watch used in a story about Apple Watch rumor roundup.
Apple Watch Series 12 is rumored to bring a faster chip and a returning ceramic case option this September.
Photo: Pixabay

After years of small updates, Apple Watch Series 12 looks ready to kick things up a notch. Rumors point to a faster chip, a returning ceramic option and new AI-powered features.

The launch of the new smartwatch is mere weeks away.  Here’s everything reported so far.