Apple needs to ensure the folding iPhone stands out. AI concept: ChatGPT/Cult of Mac
The folding iPhone rumored to arrive in 2026 might mark a major turning point for foldable devices. But to pull that off, Apple’s first folding phone needs to do more than just look good — it needs to nail the fundamentals.
From durability and design to software and camera performance, here’s everything I want to see in the foldable iPhone.
Apple had another record-breaking financial quarter Image: ChatGPT/Cult of Mac
Apple’s just-revealed spring quarter financial results feature revenue and profits that jumped double digits. The Mac-maker even set another record — it never before took in so much during any previous April-through-June quarter.
And in a call with financial analysts after the announcement, Cook was able to brag that total iPhone shipments passed the 3 billion mark last quarter, and shared plenty of positive news about demand in China.
You don’t have to wait. You can easily install pre-release AirPods firmware to try the audio features coming along with iOS 26. Graphic: Soulful Pizza/Pexels/Cult of Mac
Apple now makes it easy to install prerelease AirPods firmware on your wireless earbuds. The company once reserved this option for only a select few developers. But now, anyone willing to put potentially buggy software on their AirPods can try upcoming features early.
The temptation is understandable. The upcoming iOS 26 brings a range of enhancements to Apple earbuds, but you need unreleased AirPods firmware to take advantage of them. Install the beta AirPods software, and you can try out improved audio recording, auto-pause when sleeping, and many other new features.
Apple supports the new federal initiative to revamp digital healthcare. Photo: MattCC716/Flickr
Apple committed to a major White House initiative aimed at revolutionizing how Americans access and manage their healthcare data. The federal government partnered with more than 60 technology and healthcare companies in an ambitious effort to create a “smarter, more secure and more personalized healthcare experience,” the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) said Wednesday during a White House “Make Health Tech Great Again” event.
The Health Technology Ecosystem plan looks like one of the most significant federal pushes to modernize U.S. healthcare infrastructure in decades. Alongside Apple, major participants include Amazon, Google, OpenAI and Anthropic, signaling broad industry support. Apple will develop apps for the plan’s “Kill the Clipboard” initiative.
And as expected, the prospect of government and major corporations handling healthcare data raises privacy concerns for patients.
★★★★☆
A new travel charger from Lululook works well and is very affordable. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
A couple of things immediately catch the eye about the Ultra-Nano Qi2 3-in-1 Travel Charger. One, you can make it into a convenient stand or lay it out flat when charging your iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods. And the second? Wow, this thing is a deal.
I tried it out with all my Apple devices. There are a lot of features to like here, but also a quirk in the design that Apple Watch wearers need to know about.
Apple loses is fourth AI expert in only a few weeks. Photo: Meta
Apple faces big challenges in its artificial intelligence efforts as another key researcher leaves the company to join Meta’s ambitious superintelligence project, according to a new report Tuesday. The departure marks the fourth AI expert to leave Apple’s foundation models team in just one month, raising questions about the future of Apple Intelligence and the company’s AI strategy.
iOS 18.6 is here! And so are macOS Sequoia 15.6 plus more. Image: Cult of Mac
Apple introduced iOS 18.6 and macOS Sequoia 15.6 on Tuesday with the goal of clearing out bugs. iPadOS 18.6, watchOS 11.6, tvOS 18.6 and visionOS 2.6 are also available.
While these patches are about fixing problems rather than adding features, they are still very much worth installing.
When both silence and music are bliss, make sure you pick the ideal noise canceling headphones or earbuds. Photo: Grok Aurora AI
Whether you’re navigating a noisy commute, seeking focus in a bustling office, trying to unwind during air travel or simply blissing out to your favorite tunes, the right pair of noise-canceling headphones can transform your audio experience. These sophisticated devices do more than just play music — they create a mobile personal sanctuary.
Active noise cancellation (ANC) technology has evolved dramatically in recent years, with options ranging from premium over-ear headphones to compact wireless earbuds. The best models excel not just at blocking out unwanted noise, but also deliver exceptional sound quality, comfortable fit and long battery life.
Our comprehensive guide discusses key factors like a model’s noise-reduction capabilities, audio performance, comfort during extended wear and additional features that enhance the user experience. Find help navigating the options to find your perfect audio companion below.
Here's some of what you can expect from For All Mankind season 5 and spinoff Star City, according to the shows' co-creators. Photo: Apple TV+
As For All Mankind prepares to launch into its fifth season, the Apple TV+ alternative-history space drama expands its universe in ambitious new directions. Co-creators Ben Nedivi and Matt Wolpert recently sat down with ScreenRant to discuss what fans can expect from the upcoming season set in 2012 — as well as their highly anticipated Soviet spinoff series Star City.
Level up your Mac window management like I did. Photo: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac
As a power user, I find Mac window management clunky and broken when using the options built into macOS. Switching between apps, and snapping apps into desired screen locations, should not be so frustrating.
So, I took matters into my own hands — streamlining how I snap, switch and manage windows to finally make macOS work for me, not against me.
"Stick" is the nickname pro golfers give the greats -- sometimes before they flame out, like Owen Wilson's character. Photo: Apple TV+
Popular Apple TV+ sports comedy Stick just completed its first season and got its green light for season two. So while comparisons to feel-good soccer phenom Ted Lasso seem inevitable, this Owen Wilson-led golf series carves out its own distinctive identity.
Rather than trying to replicate the wholesome optimism and wildly unbelievable story that made Ted Lasso a cultural phenomenon, Stick takes viewers slightly further into somewhat darker territory and into a slightly more believable story with suburban grift, sardonic humor and complex characters navigating grief and redemption.
Hey, I said somewhat darker,slightly further and slightly more believable, OK?
In a nutshell, Stick, like Lasso, is danged wholesome and all about redemption. And both series are feel-good shows people want to watch right now, given the societal circumstances. But for my Apple TV+ Stick review, here are three compelling reasons why Stick deserves your attention, regardless of how you feel about its more famous predecessor.
Give me Liquid Glass now! Image: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac
Anyone interested can download the iOS 26 public beta for free — right now. You can get a look at the exciting new Liquid Glass design coming to the iPhone before the update is shipped to everyone. The iOS 26 public beta also comes with a new Camera and Phone app, new Apple Intelligence features, 3D photos and more.
Of course, there are a few things you should look out for. Beta software is buggy and can lead to data loss or apps that don’t work. Battery life will suffer and your phone will often get hot. You have been warned.
If you want to try it out, you should make sure you have a backup of your most important data with two copies of your photo library before you try installing. I’ll show you how.
Don’t think you want a folding phone? Wait until you see the one Apple makes. Image: ChatGPT/Apple
Consumers stay away from foldable handsets in droves, and a new survey found that a majority of Americans are not interested in one. So it might seem surprising that Apple reportedly plans a folding iPhone for 2026. But it’s typical of Apple.
Apple doesn’t make what you think you want. It never has. It makes what you don’t yet realize you want, and it’s been fantastically successful at it for decades.
★★★★☆
Don’t be fooled by the simple design — PowerBug is two useful accessories in one. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
The Twelve South PowerBug is a new palm-size accessory that does two useful jobs. It’s both an iPhone stand and a plug-in wall charger. It uses MagSafe magnets to hold onto the handset, whether you’re using it to watch video or to juice up the iPhone’s battery.
It works wirelessly, plus there’s a USB-C port for powering a second device.
PowerBug just launched today, but I got some hands-on testing time before the debut. Here’s what I found.
★★★★☆
The OWC Thunderbolt 5 will extend your Mac's functionality with more ports. Photo: Rajesh Pandey/Cult Of Mac
While there’s no shortage of Thunderbolt docks, the OWC 11-port Thunderbolt 5 dock stands out for several reasons. As you’ll see in my review, it packs plenty of Thunderbolt 5 and USB-A ports, along with SD card slots and the ability to fast charge your MacBook Pro at full speed.
Here’s what makes the OWC 11-port Thunderbolt 5 dock worth considering for your Mac.
★★★★☆
AirNotch Pro tracker tag outperforms Apple’s AirTag in several important ways. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Those needing to keep track of something living a tough life should consider the Rolling Square AirNotch Pro. It does the same thing as an Apple AirTag, but beats Apple’s tracker tag with sheer volume and a few other tricks, too.
It’s rugged, and connects to Apple’s Find My network so no additional app is needed to locate the tag with an iPhone.
I tested AirNotch Pro for months. Here’s what I found.
★★★★☆
It's a cool and highly functional device, but it might cost too much for most people. For those suffering pain from mousing, though, it could be well worth it. Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac
Would you spend $394 on a mouse? This Contour RollerMouse Red Wireless review might raise eyebrows, considering the device’s unusual design and premium price tag. The centralized pointing device with roll bar, scroll bar and three unfamiliar buttons in a wrist rest sits in front of your keyboard rather than beside it, challenging typical notions of computer navigation. But for those who need help with pain from repetitive strain injury (RSI), it could make a world of difference.
$305 off is a great deal on these phenomenal wired headphones. Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac
I’ve long been a fan of great sound. But I hesitate to call myself an “audiophile” simply because I’m not a wealthy man. And yet even I can dabble in solid audio because so many affordable products continue to up the ante — including my favorite personal headphones. Behold the Sennheiser HD660S2 open-back cans. An audiophile of means might scoff at spending only several hundred bucks, but the joke’s on them. Thanks to Amazon, this Prime Day Sennheiser deal gets you these great wired, open-back cans for a mere $375 (as of Wednesday evening; the fluctuating price went up about $14 as of Thursday morning).
That’s not nothing, obviously. But it’s a lot more affordable than the $1,000 or more that many audiophile cans command.
There's nothing like a great pair of insanely expensive headphones. But Prime Day helps! Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac
If you’re like me, Amazon Prime Day is partly about scoring cool stuff you otherwise find uncomfortably pricey. I can’t go around buying every set of headphones and earbuds that catch my eye. But with Prime Day headphones deals, maybe I can sneak something sweet-sounding past my sense of guilt, you know?
And so can you! Check out some of the absolute best Amazon Prime Days deals on headphones and earbuds below. I found wishlist-worthy cans and buds with savings of $100 or more (in some cases, much more — even discounts of $305 off primo open-back cans, $315 off top noise-canceling headphones and $150 off some seriously nice earbuds).
An update on the original Vision Pro headset will boost processing power and improve comfort. Photo: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac
Apple prepares to launch its first major update to the Vision Pro AR/VR headset as early as this year, featuring a faster M4 processor and a redesigned strap aimed at addressing comfort complaints that have plagued the $3,499 device since its launch, according to a new report.
★★★★☆
Logitech Flip Folio stands out with a keyboard that’s not permanently affixed to its case/stand. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
The Logitech Flip Folio is a protective keyboard case and stand for iPad Pro and iPad Air models that goes head-to-head against the Apple Magic Keyboard. Having tested both, Logitech’s new offering comes out ahead of Apple’s is some ways, including wider support for screen orientations, and because the keyboard can separate from the case/stand. Plus, a hefty price advantage can’t be overlooked.
You don’t have to wait until autumn to find out what the Apple Watch Ultra 3 has to offer. Photo: Apple
After a very modest refresh last year, rumors indicate the Apple Watch Ultra 3 — set to launch this September alongside the iPhone 17 series — will mark Apple’s most ambitious wearable update yet.
Here’s what we’re expecting in 2025’s major overhaul of Apple’s rugged smartwatch. Keep reading or check out our latest video.
★★★★★
Navee ST3 Pro Electric Scooter: So much fun in a (relatively) small package. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
While Apple doesn’t make an e-scooter, the Navee ST3 Pro Electric Scooter pairs well with an iPhone. More importantly, it’s both fun and useful, with lots of pickup and range. It comes with plenty of bonus features … all accessible via an iPhone. It even has Bluetooth and Find My support.
I put more than 200 miles on the e-scooter while testing it, driving it on errands and just for fun on streets and sidewalks. I’m genuinely thrilled with it. Here’s why.
Here are the chargers, hubs, power banks and other travel gadgets that I like so much I take them with me on holiday. Graphic: ChatGPT/Cult of Mac
The right travel gadgets make your vacation easier. Whether you’re heading out on a weekend getaway or a long-haul flight across the globe, the correct gear can make all the difference. From keeping your devices charged and connected to ensuring entertainment on the go, today’s travel tech is designed to streamline every leg of the journey.
As a frequent traveler, I’ve built up a collection of accessories: chargers, hubs, portable monitors and more. In this guide, I’ll share my must-have gadgets, hoping they’ll upgrade your travel experience, too — whether you’re a frequent flyer, a digital nomad or just someone who likes to stay plugged in wherever the road leads.